Glen Deer (Female Tribute)
The wind blows softly, caressing my cheeks and letting fly the long blonde hair of the girl in front of me. The sky is an intense blue with no clouds: a perfect day.
It will be even more perfect if I am the one chosen to compete in the Hunger Games.
I've always been the weakest, smallest one in my family. My father, at eighteen years of age, was the victor of the his Games. This has set a standard for my brothers and me to follow. Kai and Stiles are the strongest and most toughest boys in our school. They win all the games and all the races, but me? I do the best I can but I'm not victor material in my family's eyes. But this year I am twelve years old and of age to compete in the games; and I will show my family what I am capable of. Because I have to prove myself. They treat me as if I am below them as it is. But they will not when I return home the prevalent of the 34th Hunger Games.
District One's Capitol escort, Lydia Rylan, stands on the platform in front of the Justice Building in a glittery, bright-pink suit and tall heels. Once the Treaty of Treason is read Lydia stalks over to the clear glass balls and plucks out the name of the female tribute.
"Lynnly Green," she reads in her signature high-pitched voice.
There's a rustle in the crowd before I throw my hand up as fast as I can and scream, "I volunteer!"
I look back to see the girl whose name was called. She's a petite blue-eyed girl with delicate features; she gives me a grateful look, but I shake my head. I didn't do it for her, and I don't know why anyone wouldn't want a shot at endless fame and fortune.
I make my way to the platform and stand before my district. Lydia calls out the name of the male tribute, who turns out to be a strong-looking boy I've never seen before named Lyon Teeters.
He gives me a level stare as we shake hands, and the message is clear. One of us is going to come home alive, and it sure as heck isn't going to be you.
Jet Keegan (District Two, Male Tribute)
"Jet, I know you can do this." My mother takes my face in her smooth, soft hands and smiles at me. "You're going to volunteer, you're going to make a splash in the Capitol, and you will win these Games. I have faith in you."
There is no choice. I am going to volunteer at the reaping today and become District Two's next male victor. She makes it sound so simple but we've all watched the Games and know it's anything but. Nevertheless, it's something I can do. And I must. To raise my family's name and to live in Capitol-worthy luxury all the days of my life.
. . .
As the escort and mayor and victors of District Two take the stage, I prepare myself for what I'm about to do.
When I volunteer, I must walk confidently to the platform to take my place, no hitch in my step, not a trace of fear or nervousness. Just a hungry want for the victor's crown.
The escort names the girl tribute and I gasp when I hear it is the name of my sister. No, no, no, she can't do it, and I can't kill her. But no one volunteers and so she flounces to the stage and stares out at the crowd with unnerved eyes of determination.
The next second the male tribute's name is read aloud and hardly before the escort can take a breath I shout calmly and firmly. "I volunteer as tribute!"
All eyes are on me, every head turn. They know I will fight for our district, hard and to the bitter end. Jet Keegan, almost seven feet tall of lean, hard muscle and self-confidence.
But what they don't know is that I do it all for my family, none of it for her. My one goal in life now is protect my sister.