A Thousand Versions of You

You have shed

a thousand skins

to become the person

you are today.

And if you ever feel

overwhelmed

by the many people

you once were,

remember,

your bones have grown

but what makes them

has never changed.

-Nikita Gill

It was after Persephone endured her first Reaping that she began to understand just how bad things were in the place she called home. She never realized children didn't get to come home from school with a table of food, or by picking a small grape from the vine was a death sentence.

It was after those first games when something in her changed. She remembers watching prior Games but as she watched the Tribute from 11, a 16 year old girl named Wren get violently ripped apart by tree vines she couldn't help but think: that could've been me.

She started to notice the total disparity from normal District 11 citizens from her family and decided she would no longer be indifferent. So she started with the first thing she could think of, to make her intentions known to her fellow District 11 citizens that she would help them any way she could. She picked a blueberry.

She remembered the peacekeeper taking her to her father's office to tell him what she had done and he seemed at a loss.

"Why would you do something so idiotic, Persephone? Do you want attention? Well you've got it now." he roared.

She remembered smiling at him as she said: I don't want attention, I want equal treatment.

Her father's face scrunched in displeasure knowing what would be done and nodded to the peacekeeper to drag her to the square.

Her father called a gathering of all the citizens who stood uniformly like soldiers at attention. He told them that even I, the beloved daughter of District 11 was not above the law laid down by the Capital.

Persephone had the top half of her dress removed, was splashed with water and then whipped 40 times. She didn't want to cry. She wanted to show strength. She wanted to show the citizens that she was with them, they were one. Eventually, she passed out.

She woke again to her mother crying by her bedside asking her why she would do such a thing. And that's where it all began for her. That was when she was truly born.

Her self given mission: steal from the Capital and give to those in need. It reminded her of one of her favorite books when she was younger about a man who did the same.

She would be him in this world of cruelty and injustice, she would be Robin Hood.

"You look beautiful, Persephone. Your namesake is aptly given. You like like a beautiful spring day." Her mother cooed as they stared at her reflection in her mirror.

Persephone studied herself in the reflection. As the style of the District, she wore an off the shoulder floor length A-line dress. It was what was expected from all the citizens for any formal occasion celebrated. But Persephone knew no one's dress would be as extravagant as hers or her mother's, the only person who could outshine them was the District Escort: Carynthum.

The top of her dress was in a corset style like the old days way before Panem. It was layered with a soft pink lace that had off the shoulder sleeves and exposed her collar bones. Roses and vines were stitched in carefully creating a beautiful pattern that added a little something to an already nice dress. Her skirt was a vibrant emerald green that was pleated a couple of times to give it a structured shape and was made large with 3 layers of tulle. On her feet she had simple cloth slippers with small blossoms stitched in them.

She looked every bit the Mayor's daughter, but even that wouldn't save her or her younger brother if they were Reaped.

"I like it. Though I think it's a bit… much?" Persephone said uncertainty. She didn't want to offend her mother, but she could only imagine how much a dress like this cost. How much of that money could've gone to help the people of their District that had starved to death.

"Your father's the mayor, so you need to dress like it, my little blossom. Besides, it's your last Reaping. Now we have to run along, your father is already at the Hall of Justice and I need to make sure your brother hasn't thrown up on himself." She then whisked out of the room.

Persephone shook her head. Such callus words. Should either of her children be reaped she would come to regret even joking like that. Persephone gave herself one more look as she rolled her eyes and went to check on her brother.

"Well don't you look dashing!" She said as she saw her brother straighten out his cravat.

"I feel like I can't breathe." he huffed.

Persephone pitied him. The first reaping is always the worst. Although your chances are lower, assuming you didn't take tesserae you name is only in the Reaping Bowl once; it's always the thought of it can be me now -I'm no longer safe.

Persephone placed her hands on his shoulders and he looked at her, "Your name is in once. Do you know how incredibly lucky you are? Everyone in our District is too poor to pay for their own food and can have up to five times the amount of Reaping Balls. If I ever hear you say you're afraid again, you think of all the boys in your class who have to put their names in just to scrape by for their family. Those boys know true fear and those are the ones who have the right to be afraid. Not us."

Ferdi nodded his head and hugged her, "Even you? You're not afraid?"

Persephone kissed her younger brother on the head, "Why should I be afraid? My name is only in there 7 times. If anything I'm grateful -because how can it be me when there's hundreds of girls whose names in that bowl twice as many times as me. I'm just 7 of a thousand."

"I want to be like you, Percy. You're so brave." Ferdi said as he buried his face into her chest.

She scoffed, "I'm not brave, Ferdi. I understand. 'Truth will always be truth, regardless of understanding, disbelief or ignorance.'."

"You read too much."

Persephone punched him playfully.

"But I understand. Well, I don't understand how you're wanting me to I think. But I think I know what you think I think I know?"

Persephone laughed, "Yeah, I don't think you do kid. But one day you will."

"Alright kids, let's go." Their mother said in a quiet voice.

The walk to the Hall of Justice was tense as any other year. Persephone sent soft smiles of reassurance to people she'd come to know and care for. She gave her brother one last hug as she watched him take his place in the back with the other 12 year old boys.

"Persephone!" She heard a voice lightly call out. She turned to see the girl her brother had a huge crush on since he started school, a pretty little girl named Rue.

"Hi Rue. Are you feeling okay?" She asked as she went to stand close to the younger girl.

Over the years she had gotten to know Rue due to her association with her brother. She was a sweet girl with a kind heart and had a certain tenacity. Everyone who lived here showed tenacity to some extent, but Rue's shone just a little bit brighter.

When she started working in the fields in the schools down time, Persephone had taken her under her wing so to speak and helped her with plant identification and tree climbing. Although by her adolescence she out climbed almost everyone Persephone knew. She would help the young girl forage for her family. When Rue told her she gave her siblings her rations, Persephone felt she had no choice but to show the young girl some techniques to stealing from the fields when she worked as a harvester.

"My name is in there 6 times. I'm nervous, but I have hope." Rue said softly.

Persephone hugged the small girl and gave her a kiss on the head, "Just 6 out of a thousand. Have faith. You did what was necessary to feed your family."

"Let's go." a Peacekeeper said as he grabbed her arm and led her to the front.

She watched as her father talked lightly with Carynthum. The woman seeming way too excited to send children to their bloody and brutal death.

The Square became silent as her father stepped up to the podium. His eyes were hard as he searched the crowd for his two children. He locks eyes with Persephone as the clock strikes 1:30.

"Welcome, citizens of Panem. Welcome to District 11's reaping of the 74th annual Hunger Games. As you may know, disaster struck what used to be North America, and what rose from the ashes came the new land of Panem. Panem is the land we all stand on now. Panem was a shining capitol ringed by thirteen districts, each contributing to one type of work in the majority. That is, until the Dark Days."

Persephone took this time to look at the number of Peacekeepers near the stage and shook her head lightly. She always thought this speech was boring. The only interesting fact was discussing the time before the Dark Days. She wished she could've lived in the time of North America. It seemed like such a free place to live. She would choose it above living like this any day, even knowing the fate that was destined to befall them. She would stand in the flames and bathe in her destruction for just a taste of what it was like.

"The districts began rebelling against the capitol which obviously resulted into the unfortunate event of a total civil war breaking out. And yet, the capitol predictably took the title of "winner" by taking total destruction seriously and erasing District 13's civilization forever. Now, the Hunger Games was the result of this happening and must go on. In the event of the uprising, each of the twelve districts must offer one boy and one girl tribute to participate in the Hunger Games, and must strictly be the ages of 12 through 18."

Persephone watched her father's eyes track her brother and her as he spoke the ages. How sad he must be knowing he had one child leaving Reaping age to only have to endure it for 6 more years if he was lucky.

"The contestants will be put into an outdoor arena where they must survive all types of danger and fight to the death, or leave it up to nature. The last tribute standing wins. It is both a time for repentance and a time for thanks. In the past 73 Hunger Games, District 11 has had the honor of claiming the title of Victor twice. May I ask for our Victors to stand so you, who will about to have the honor of being titled Tribute can gaze upon your future glory should you claim victory."

She stuck out her tongue when she saw Chaff wink at her from his place on the stage proudly waving his stump in the air. She chuckled and could imagine him saying 'fuck you, Capital scum!' as he did this action with a lack of smile and threat in his eye. She smiled kindly at Seeder, the only female Victor as she happened to make eye contact.

"Would either of you like to say some words for our future Tributes?" her father asked.

Chaff snatched the microphone from its place on the podium and simply said, "watch your arms because it fucking sucks to only have one, am I right?" and then proceeded to pull out a flask and chug.

Her father looked pissed as he took the microphone back, "Sit down for goodness sake. Everyone, may I introduce a woman, who really needs no introduction-"

"Yet here we are." Persephone mumbled under her breath causing a couple of girls around her to giggle.

"Carynthum Bobble of the Capital!"

There were no applause as she strutted to the podium and took the microphone from its place so she could stand in the middle of the stage. More than likely to show off her outfit to those watching in the Capital.

"Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" She said in her heavy Capital accent. She did a small twirl as she went to the Girl's Reaping Bowl and made a show of holding her hand up and then suddenly she pouted.

"You know tradition is good, but lets.. Shake things up a bit shall we?" she said as she skipped to the Boy's Bowl.

"Gentlemen should always be there to greet a lady."

Persephone held her breath as Carynthum rummaged her hand in the bowl and pulled out a reaping ball with a slip of paper that would surely mean death.

"Thresh Reed!"

Persephone sighed in relief and tried to crane her neck to see her brother. He was too far back for her to see so she turned her eyes forward to see her father visibly relax.

Persephone felt terrible. She was celebrating the fact that her brother would not be going to the Hunger Games but Thresh, a nice quiet boy her age would have to fight for his life.

Thresh was one of the gifted anomalies that occurred in District 11. He was tall at 6 feet and well built due to time doing heavy labor. He looked like he could do damage and maybe even make it far if he picked up a weapons skill.

"My my my, aren't you a large specimen of boy! If anyone wishes to volunteer, now would be the time to do so! But if I may say, you would be making a sore lapse in judgment!" She laughed at her supposed joke.

Thresh kept his eyes forward not focusing on anything or anyone. He knew no one would want to be in his place. We all knew. There's never been a volunteer here.

"Well then, let's give a round of applause to District 11's male Victor!" she yelled happily and clapped.

She was alone in her clapping.

"Now, let's see which young lady has the honor to stand beside the ever looming Thresh!" Carynthum stuck her hand into the bowl and pulled out a ball.

"Rue Kinder!"

A gasp left Persephone's lips as she heard the name of the small girl and turned to stare in horror as the small girl made her way down the long walkway to the stage.

No. This wasn't right. She only had her name in 6 times. This was her first ever Reaping and she had been Reaped. Persephone felt herself start to panic. No. This wasn't right. She thought of kind Rue in the blood bath, sweet Rue being mangled by muttations, her little trickster Rue being ripped apart by tree vines.

"-volunteer for young Rue?"

Persephone moved. She daintily picked up her large skirt to step over the rope and walked towards the stairs leading to the stage. It was silent. She kept her eyes on Rue who had been keeping a brave face and it started to fall as she watched Persephone move up the stage.

"No! No! Persephone! Stop! Percy! Mom!"

Persephone didn't turn back at the sound of her brother's pleading. She didn't stop to study the disbelieving gaze of her father or the hard look Chaff sent her way.

"Me."

Persephone stared at the woman with light pink skin and bright yellow hair. She then stared at Rue and gave her a soft smile.

"Now this is a surprise! Who knew that your daughter was so excited by the games, Madhava! It is your last year for the opportunity to be Tribute so of course you're taking it now!" Carynthum said in a thrilled voice.

Persephone was sure she was so ecstatic to know something like this was happening to her -how it must boost her in Capital standing.

"Well then little Rue, you are free to return to-"

Rue launched herself at me crying loudly, "Percy no! I don't want you to do this, please don't! I don't want you to leave me! I won't let you go."

Persephone allowed her to cry into her abdomen and stared out into the crowd with a straight face. She hoped her face read, 'how could you let this happen to a child you monsters?' and glared at the peacekeeper who was nearing her to remove Rue from her.

"Don't move a fucking step, peacekeeper or we'll start the Games now." She said in a menacingly low voice.

She heard Carynthum gasp and Chaff laugh as he put himself between her and the peacekeepers to allow them their moment. He may only have one full arm, but even the Peacekeepers knew not to mess with him.

Persephone knelt down to Rue's height and wiped her tears, "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. You are one of my most treasured seeds. Make me proud and grow. Flourish like the apple trees you love to climb. And watch out for my brother for me?"

Rue tearfully nodded as she walked off the stage and was escorted back to her place with the 12 year old girls.

"How precious. Come here, little Persephone."

Persephone walked over to Carynthum and looked out into the crowd where she was sure the cameras were and wore a demure mask of femininity. She made eye contact with various members of her community, men and women who she helped. They wore faces of disbelief and loss. She hoped they would understand. She hoped they would be okay with her helping this one last time.

"Tell everyone your name dear, even though we are all very aware of who you are." She said motioning to the crowd.

"My name is Persephone Bard, Ma'am." Persephone said and she sent a soft charming smile to the camera. For her, the Games had already started as soon as she made those first steps to the stage.

She knew the Capital citizens were watching. Those would be the people she needed to appeal to, to help her survive.

"So pretty and so polite! Everyone please give a warm cheer to your District 11 Female Tribute!" She called out and clapped once again alone.

She looked over to Thresh and saw him stare at her in confusion. The confusion only seemed to deepen as she held out her hand and gave a four note whistle. A sign of camaraderie she hoped. Persephone didn't want to hurt him and she promised herself and would verbally promise him later that no harm would come to him from her hand.

He took her smaller hand in his larger and replied with his own four note tune. He understood what this meant -they all did. This was the Tributes of District 11 vowing to watch out for one another.

Her father once more stepped up to the podium, though this time her wore a look of devastation. His only daughter, his eldest heir willingly put herself into the Hunger Games. He must be crushed.

"These tributes shall be delivered to the custody of the Capitol. And then transferred into a public arena, where they will fight to the death until a lone victor remains. Henceforth and forevermore this pageant shall be known as 'The Hunger Games.' "

Persephone smiled sadly at her father as he gazed at her and solemnly stated, "And now for the anthem of Panem."

Peacekeepers came to guide her and Thresh to the goodbye rooms in the Hall of Justice. They form a protective circle around the two of them and Persephone lets her mask of being a soft woman drop and she stares hard in front of her.

As they walked away, she heard her four note tune being picked up among the crowd.

She could do this. She was Robin Hood. She would be unstoppable. She knew hardship, she knew survival, she knew she could use her charm to entrap Sponsors so they would help her in a pinch. Specifically in giving her either a pitchfork or the necessary tools to make her special scythe.

"You are a good person to take that little girl's place." Thresh said softly.

"No, I'm not. I wouldn't have volunteered if it had been anyone else. So I don't deserve your or anyone else's praise. You deserve them. I'm sorry this is happening to you, you don't deserve it. You're too kind for these Games, just as much as Rue is." Persephone said as they entered the Hall.

Thresh stared at her in shock as he was pushed into a room to say goodbye to those who wish to see him.

A peacekeeper went to grab her arm -she quickly held the offending appendage in her grasp, squeezed and twisted like Chaff taught her.

"Don't touch me." She sneered as she threw open the door and stepped in.

Hello, your friendly author here! I probably have no business starting a new work but I fell down into a Hunger Games hole (which is random because I haven't read the books since college, but oh well) and I was inspired to write a story where someone volunteered for Rue. This will obviously change the whole dynamic of Panem -but I think I see an end. Thanks for reading!