Hey guys! Welcome to Marcus and I's newest contribution which is hard to read and write as it projects the Careers as pathetic characters meaning you're supposed to feel sorry for them. You'll see what I mean so just read.

It was 2:45 in the morning before Reaping Day of the 74th Hunger Games at the special academy in District 2, the building was empty of people at this hour with the exception of two advanced class trainers and the fifteen-year-old son Kawino Yetter one year ago his twin sister Clove would have been there too but she died in the 73rd Hunger Games. Kawino was completing his final lap around the training room before he would be allowed to shower sleep then wake dress and go to the reaping. He honestly did not care anymore after he had lost Clove nothing mattered to him, or most things didn't.

He finished the last lap nearly to the point of passing out right now but kept his composure. He hasn't had any sleep in the past month and a half and has barely had any food in that time. It almost seemed as though his parents have gotten even harder on him since then and for them that's really saying something. "Alright stop!" His father shouted

He stopped managing to keep his breathing smooth instead of panting. "Good now shower food, and bed," His mother said.

"Of course, thank you, Mother." He nodded and went into the bathroom starting up the shower and NOW trying to catch his breath.

He regained his breathe as steam filled the room.

He stripped down a breathed looking in the mirror at his hundreds of scars from both child and self-abuse, and stepped into the shower with one of his knives pressed against his wrist.

He bit his lip as a little blood came out and washed down the drain with the water. 'Why did you do it, Clover?' He thought dragging the knife further across his wrist. 'Why did you have to be so brutal in the arena and not just let them kill me?'

Soon he began to cry as he thought of his sister. She had meant the world to him when her name was drawn he was so convince that there was no way she could lose… so, how did she? She had come close and then she had been bludgeoned to death. "You were supposed to be unbeatable," He muttered to his dead sister. "You were always so perfect and never got anything wrong. What, were you trying to die?" He remembered the days after that her boyfriend Cato the closest thing he had ever had to a brother had hung himself. This left Kawino alone with his parents, his crazy parents.

He started to cry harder dropping the knife into the shower floor. "How dare you? Both of you just quit out like that leaving me to suffer all on my own."

His sadness turned to rage as he hit the wall repeatedly. He just kept hitting as the blood from his wrist ran down his arm and down the drain with the water.

He stopped after a while turn the water off still crying as he wrapped his wrist and then the rest of himself in towels. He rubbed some of the steam for the mirror and checked to see if his eyes were red from the crying.

They were not so he felt he was safe to leave. He step into his rarely used bedroom which contained a ratty mattress, a meager pile of clothes and nothing else, dried himself off, and slipped on what happened to be at the top of the pile. Before headed to the kitchen to find something to eat since he was quite literally staving and they already said he could.

He walked over to the fridge and got some bread and cheese and a glass of water. He ate it slowly keeping in mind what happened last time. It's almost as if his body forgot what food is.

When he was finished he headed to bed. 'The reaping's at 7:30,' He reminded himself as he fell asleep. It was filled with nightmares mostly about his sister's games but the fatigue alone was unfortunately more than enough to keep him under through them.

He was woken at 6:30 by his mother. Which as you can guess, is never pleasant, "Alright, I'm up." He said taking the arrow out of his shoulder.

"Good get your good clothes on and go!" She said. It was just the first reaping which is seen by no one but District 2 but orders were orders so he bandaged his shoulder and got on the clothes that are only touched on the dreaded day. Long sleeve red shirt and black pants as he headed out.

He stepped out and looked up at the sky over to the rising sun. This was the only day of the year he ever got to step outside. There were no such things as breaks to him besides to wash, use the bathroom, go to reapings, and if you're really good though rarely actually given: to eat or sleep.

He stretched and headed to the village square. He sighed in and went to his age group staring at the glass bowls. There were no cameras. The televised reaping wasn't until later. No one outside of here, 1, or 4 could know about this step, ever.

There was no pageantry as a man stepped up to the girls bowl. The fear on the girls' faces was more prominent then in any of the poorer districts, mostly because it's not just their own lives in grave danger if it's their name that's called, "Ria Winshel."

A girl gasped and stood she had brown hair, dark green eyes, and slightly tanned skin. She was wearing a dress that matched her eyes. She was only thirteen years old. Unlike the televised reaping and in other districts it was not her job to go up to the stage. In fact, she was trapped, by all means crying and utterly hopeless. Her head immediately whipped back as the trigger happy peacekeepers grabbed and restrained her parents and little sister.

'There they go,' Kawino thought simply.

He turned his attention back to the stage as the man went over to the boys bowl drawing a name, "Kawino Yetter." Kawino was torn. He could give up right now and let them kill his parents and himself.

Then he looked over at Ria who had stopped crying. Probably knowing how she's going to have to look for the televised reaping when she's force to 'volunteer' and he got another idea. One that could benefit not only him, not only Kai and her family, but all three districts. So sure, he'll volunteer but obviously not to save his parents, and from there. He'll stop playing the game their way and play it his own.

"So, you two know the drill?" The man asked.

They both nodded. It was pretty straight forward. You go to the televised reaping and 'volunteer' as tribute then go be as brutal as humanly possible on the off chance that you might be able to save your family from certain death. "Good, ladies and gentlemen your tributes," He said.

And just like that the reaping was over. The crowd cleared out since there was still another hour and a half until the televised reaping. Kia stayed there just trying to calm herself down. "I'm sorry," Kawino said.

"It's not your fault." She said taking deep breaths. "It's just the way things are and there's nothing you can do to change that."

"I know, but you clearly love your family, you should not have to be here," Kawino said.

"And you don't?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No the only family member I loved was killed last year," He sighed.

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Does that mean you're not going to volunteer?"

"No, I just won't win," Kawino said.

"Well, alright, that's your decision I guess." She said looking around at the peacekeepers though she's pretty sure there's no law against it. It's just suicide to yourself and family.

"You would understand if you knew my parents," Kawino said.

"I guess I have to take your word for it. How come I never see you around town?"

"I'm always being forced to train," Kawino said.

"Literally, all the other kids would go home but I literally live at the training center. On rare occasions I'd get a break to eat or sleep but those are so few and far between. Other than that, only to use the bathroom and obviously go to reapings."

"That's horrid!" She said.

"Yeah, well, good luck finding anything here that isn't." He reminded.

"Even for us though," She said.

"Well, that was life." Kawino sighed. "It's all about to change though."

"You really intend to die?" She asked.

"I have nothing left to live for. It's the only way this all could truly be over." Kawino said looking down.

"Are you sure that's the best way?" She asked.

"Well, do you have any other ideas?"

"Well you could win and then not let them into your new home or near your money, or you could use Career districts B plan, where you get to pick which family lives. No one has done that, but the rule is there," She said.

Kawino thought about it, "Well, that doesn't solve anything but I will go with B Plan to make sure yours are safe. After all, the odds are far from being in their favor alone."

"Yeah, I'm not that good," She said.

"Almost no one is." Kawino corrected. "The success rate is only eighteen percent since they started this system."

"I know," She said.

"Do you have any idea how to request a B Plan?" Kawino asked.

"You go and ask the peacekeepers, after you 'volunteer' " She said.

"Like, between goodbyes?" Kawino asked unable to think of other time they won't be on national television.

"Yeah, then," She said.

"Alright, I doubt I'd have many visitors though."

"You never know," She said.

Kawino shrugged, "I guess. I will request it though, I promise."

"Thank you," She said giving him a hug.

Kawino was very surprised by both of these actions. "Um, you're welcome." He said awkwardly.

"You don't get hugged much do you?" She asked.

"No, I do not." He admitted.

"Well, it seemed appropriate here," She said. He hesitated but returned the hug. "See it's not so bad," She said.

"No it is not. I'm just not very used to it." He said.

"That's alright," She said.

"I'm really sorry to hear about your sister." Ria said.

"It was not your fault," Kawino said.

"Still, you must really miss her."

"I do," Kawino said.

She noticed the bandage on his wrist, "What happened?"

"Nothing," He said way too quickly.

"Kawino, what happened?" She asked again.

"It's just a cut," Kawino said.

"Then why did you act so defensive towards it?" Ria asked clearly worried. "Did they do this to you?"

"No they didn't," Kawino said.

He hesitated but sighed and said, "I did."

"You did this to yourself?" She asked.

"Yes, I did." He admitted staring at the blood stained wrappings.

"Why?" She asked.

"It was too painful, between my parents, my sister's death, and the suicide of who might as well of been my brother; I can't handle it."

"So, you're giving up?" She asked.

"Basically, I mean, there's nothing else left to do."

"You could try to move on," She said.

"Move on?" He asked confused and a little shocked.

"Don't live in the misery and sadness," She said.

"How? Give me one thing I have to be happy about."

"You need to find something to be happy for," She said.

"I had two things but know they're both dead."

"Then find something new," She said.

"I barely have any time to do that now." Kawino said looking over at the district clock.

"Try at least," She said.

"Alright, I will." Kawino sighed.

"Good, see you later," She said.

"Where are you going? You'd just have to come right back in a few minutes." Kawino said since they never left the village square.

"I'm going to go get a candy so I can enjoy it before I die,"

"Candy? What's that?" Kawino asked shocking Ria.

"What you have never heard of candy?" She asked.

Kawino shook his head, "What is it?"

"Come with me," She said.

She pulled out some coins and headed over to the nearby sweet shop. "Two caramels," She said handing the shopkeeper the correct number of coins. The shopkeeper took the coins and handed her the candies. "Thank you," She said and handed one of them to Kawino, "Here just unwrap it, put it in your mouth, and suck on it but don't swallow."

"Okay," He said doing as she asked.

His jaw practically dropped when he did but he didn't want it to fall out. He had never had anything like it. He honestly had no idea how to even describe the taste. "Like it?" She asked. Kawino nodded continuing to suck on the candy. "I knew it," She said and unwrapped her own popping it in her mouth. "They're a very worthy luxury if you can gather the coins."

"Yeah, I bet," He said.

"Makes it a little easier to look like the Careers we're supposed to be when we go on TV in few minutes." Ria sighed looking at the clock. "Speaking of which, we should be heading back."

"Yeah, I suppose so," Kawino sighed.

They headed back to the village square arriving with everyone else as the Capital representative came out. "Welcome, welcome, Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor."

'They already are,' Kawino thought.

She went through the introductions and movie and all that propaganda and Ria and Kawino prepared themselves to be camera ready to 'volunteer': proud, confident, happy… ready. She called out the girl selection.

"I volunteer!" Ria called out stepping out of the thirteen-year-old girls section. Unlike Effie, being District 2 they knew the exact protocol for 'volunteers'. In fact, they'd probably have trouble with the protocol for a conventionally reaped tribute.

"And you are?"

"Ria Winshel." Ria said managing the 'Career Smirk' perfectly as she made her way up to the stage.

"Well then welcome to the hunger games!"

"Thank you, Accalia. It's a huge honor." Ria convincingly lied with a smirk.

"Alright now boys," She pulled out and read they boy's name which had absolutely no meaning.

"I volunteer!" Kawino said.

"Perfect and you are?" Accalia asked.

"Kawino Yetter," he said smirking.

"Very well, welcome to the Hunger Games. Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you this year's tributes from District 2 Kawino Yetter and Ria Winchell!" Accalia announced this time earning cheers and applause as fake as Kawino and Ria's smirks and confident stances. "Now you two, shake hands."

They faced each other and shook hands. Kawino gave her hand a slight squeeze looking her in the eye as a non-verbal and undetectable promise to keep his promise of B Plan. She did the same and they were lead away.

Just as in 12, they were put into separate rooms for the goodbyes. Kawino was shocked when the door opened but when a six-year-old girl with short brown hair came in he was more shocked that he forgot about her. "Cady!" He said as she ran over and hugged him.

"You have to try to win, Kawino." She said crying. "I already lost Clove and Cato. I can't lose you, too." There it was. Something to live for he was ashamed he had forgotten her as he held her. "You have to, okay? You can win and still have your evil parents killed. Then maybe you could be happy." She babbled on still crying heavily.

"Okay, I'll win I promise," He said picking her up so she could hug him properly.

"Good," She said hugging him. "You might as well be my brother."

"You might as well be my sister, I'm sorry I have been so distant with you," He said.

"Well, you never really had the chance."

"Still, I could have snuck away," Kawino said.

"We both know you never would have gotten away with that without giving up what little sleep you get."

"I should have for you," Kawino said.

"If you had I would have sent you back to sleep. Besides, we saw each other during training."

"Not the same," Kawino said.

"Well, since when had we ever had anything different?" She asked. "You've always had to train 24/7 so that's the only opportunity there's ever been."

"I suppose," He sighed.

"When you win we'll have time though, you know, outside of my own training of course."

"Of course we'll have time. I promise," He said.

"Of course, do you have a district token yet?"

"No, I don't," He sighed.

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small copper cycle that was covered in zinc oxide and misshapen with small holes missing. "My brother found it a few months before Clove's games. We suspect it might be from the previous society but obviously don't mention that."

"Thanks Cady," Kawino said taking it.

"I should probably go." She sighed giving him another hug since the peacekeepers don't like when they have to go get them. "I want you to have someone to come home, too."

"Okay, I'll come home I promise," Kawino said.

"I have faith in that. As long as you don't try to use you'll be unbeatable."

"Thanks, Cady," He said.

"You're welcome, Kawino." She said as he put her down and she left the room.

He knocked on the door to call the peacekeepers. A few of them answered and Kawino went right to the point, "I would like to request a Career Districts B Plan."

"Are you sure you know what that means, right?" One man asked.

Kawino nodded, "I know exactly what it means and I'm absolutely sure."

"Well, alright would you prefer them executed now or later?"

"If I choose later would I be able to watch if I win?" Kawino asked.

"Yes, you would," They said.

"Then later," Kawino smirked.

"Alright then," They said leaving. Kawino just sat down no one else coming and waited until it was time to go.

He was taken from the room a few minutes later As they headed to the car to be taken to the train station he was quickly met up with Ria but they both knew they could never be themselves again or at least not occasionally long after one of them wins. Even though they'll be times off camera like on the train and their floor even Accalia's supposed to think that her reaping is the ONLY one. So the ride passed in silence.

Kawino just watched out the window at the stuff he had never been able to see before. The District was not too bad to look at he saw a large mountain. He knew from training that the mountain held a military base called the Nut.

After a short drive they had arrived at the train station. "I can only imagine what a huge honor this must be for you two to earn the title of District 2's volunteers this year." Accalia said ignorantly and babbled on what Ria and Kawino blocked out as the got out of the car.

The boarded the train and were impressed with all that was inside. "It's amazing!" Kawino said looking around it.

"Yes it is isn't it?" Said a woman's voice from the door that led to the dining car.

There are very few people even in 2 that Kawino would recognize but she was on that list very often helping with training and Kawino's face lit up turning to her. She was just standing in the doorway with a fake smile showing her razor sharp fangs. In case you're really slow and don't realize who the fanged Career is… "Enobaria!"

"Hello, you two" She said

"Are you my mentor?" Kawino asked.

"Yes I am," She said.

"That's great!" He said going over to her.

"Glad you're happy to see me," She said maintaining an emotionless face waiting for the train to move.

It started making the relatively short trip to the Capitol. As soon as the cameras were gone she smiled, "It's been a while Kawino," She said.

"Too long," Kawino said loosely since Accalia was still in hearing range.

"Ria? Is it?" Enobaria asked.

Ria nodded, "Yeah, that's me."

"You'll be preparing under Brutus," she said.

"Alright, where is he?" Ria asked. She had never actually met Brutus in person.

"In the dining car," She said.

"Alright," She said and headed back there.

Soon it was just them and once he was certain no one else could hear, Kawino told her about his plan before the arena unsure of how she'll react.

"That might work," She said.

"You really think so? I mean. I already requested a Career Districts B Plan so my family's doomed no matter what."

"You did?" She asked smiling. Enobaria was much nice than most people knew of she just hide it well and only showed it to people she trusted.

Kawino nodded, "Yes I did. I even requested for them to be executed later that way if I win I can watch them be killed."

"When you win," Enobaria said.

Kawino sighed, "Alright, when I win."

"That's better," She said.

"Can't stand to see me die?" He asked.

"No, I couldn't," She said walking over and hugging him. There he had it, a six-year-old girl and a thirty-two-year-old woman. "I know you don't believe me, but you're like a son to me I'm not going to lose you," She said.

"Alright, I promise I'll win." He said hugging her back.

"Good," She said.

"Just don't rip another tributes throat out with your teeth. It didn't even work and took months to get that taste out of my mouth." Enobaria said with a disgusted face.

"Got it," Kawino said nodding.

"Killed them too fast, that's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." She mumbled.

"Sorry," He said.

"It's not your fault at all. It was five years before you were even born."

"Still," He said.

Enobaria sighed, "Yeah, it was really hard."

"Well, you have me, not that it would help," Kawino said.

"That's why I think you should do this though. I'll obviously help you work out an exact plan."

"You would help me?" He asked.

"It's my job isn't it?"

"Yeah I suppose," Kawino said.

"That and I want to help." She added.

"Why? It's just me," Kawino said.

"Because 'just you' is important to me,"

"Really?" He asked.

"Of course," She nodded.

"Thanks, Enobaria," He said.

"You're welcome, Kawino."

"We'll get through this," She added.

"Alright," Kawino gave.

"That's better," She said.

"I'm certainly glad you're my mentor and not someone else entirely."

"I hate that you are in here, but I'm glad I got you," She said.

"Thanks, do you really think I'll win?" Kawino asked.

"I know you will," She said.

"Thank you, Enobaria."

"You're welcome, now we should go eat," She said.

"I'm fine." Kawino said since he just ate this morning.

"Are you sure you'll need your strength," She said.

"I'll just end up throwing it back up." Kawino sighed.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"It happens most times. It's like my body forgot what food is."

"Alright now we are going to the doctor first," She said.

"What's that?" Kawino asked in honest ignorance.

"It's someone who makes sure your healthy, I am going to kill your parents when we get back," Enobaria said leading the way to the Doctors car. Kawino followed trusting her though still not sure what to expect. She lead him four cars down.

"You guys need to check out my tribute." Enobaria demanded have to be in her other personal.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He says he's been having trouble keeping food down." Enobaria answered.

"Alright set him on the table," She directed him there and he obeyed.

They scanned him and were shocked when they were done. Kawino did seem to pick up on that, "What?"

"What happened to you?" The doctor asked.

Kawino hesitated but told the doctor about his parents.

"How could they be allowed to have children?" He asked.

"There's no law against it." Kawino said.

"There should be," He said.

"True, but you can't just write your own law." Kawino sighed.

"This is inhuman though!" He said.

Kawino just shrugged as much as his injured shoulder would let him, "I never knew any different."

"Well that does not make this right, I am not even sure where to start," He said. He looked at Kawino's shoulder and how soaked the bandage was getting and decided that it was the most immediate danger therefore the logical place to start. "Let me unwrap that," He said. He removed the bandage finding an extremely bloody and little bit cross shaped penetration wound which was also very swollen miss colored due to improper treatment of the wound.

"What happened here?"

"My mother had to wake me up for the reaping so she stabbed it with an arrow." Kawino said as if it were perfectly normal. Which, as far as he's concerned, it is.

"What!" Enobaria said looking ready to turn the train around.

"What?" Kawino asked not getting it.

"That's cruel!" She said.

"Well, I had to wake up." Kawino said not seeing the problem.

"You never wake someone like that," She said.

"How do you wake someone then?" Kawino asked as the doctor treated the wound.

"You gently shake them awake," Enobaria said.

"Oh," He said bot sure what else to say about that.

"Okay that is patched up now what is the story with your wrist?"

"Oh… well…" Kawino started awkwardly staring at it debating to tell him and by extension Enobaria the truth on that.

"Well?" Enobaria asked.

"Well, that I sort of… did that myself."

"You did?" She asked.

He nodded, "Early this morning in the shower. I took a knife with me and just… did it."

"Why?" She asked.

"It was too painful, between my parents, Clove's death, and Cato's suicide; I couldn't handle it."

"You poor boy," The doctor said gathering several medicines.

"She had meant the world to me." Kawino said trying really hard not to start crying.

"Well, you need to not give up," Enobaria said.

"I know." Kawino nodded with a sigh.

"Well good, now these are for the Sleep Deprivation, starvation, dehydration, infections, and blood loss," The doctor said.

He handed Kawino a number of different pills of varying shapes and sizes. "So, what do I do with them?" He asked having never seen anything like them before.

"You swallow them one at a time,"

"It's best with food though and the starvation one," He pointed to a circular pale purple pill, "should also help with keeping it down though."

"Really?" Kawino asked.

The doctor nodded.

"What about depression?" Enobaria asked.

"Right," He said and got some antidepressants.

"What are these?" Kawino asked.

"Antidepressants, they help you feel better mentally which sick you cut yourself you could definitely use."

"Oh okay," Kawino said, "Anything else?"

"After you take all these you will sleep and wake up feeling better than ever," the man said.

"Really?" Kawino asked looking at them.

"Really," He said.

"Well, thank you." Kawino said standing up.

"My pleasure good luck," He said.

"Thank you," Kawino said as he and Enobaria left the car.

"Why did you never tell me?" She asked once they were out.

"Well, I couldn't with them right there or it would just get worse and there were obviously never any other opportunities."

"I'm so sorry," She said.

"This isn't your fault. It's just the way things were. Ria already knows though," Kawino stopped and checked the hearing range. "I told her in the time between the two reapings."

"Okay," Enobaria sighed.

They headed to the dining car where Ria and Brutus still sat. "Well how is he?" Brutus asked.

"He had taken a lot over the years," Enobaria sighed sadly, "the doctor gave him a bunch of Capitol pills to take then sleep but he should be better after that."

"That's good he can represent us better,"

Kawino took a seat staring and the pills in his hand wondering how they could do what he claims. "Just swallow them," Enobaria said.

"Use water to get in down though." Remembering that the doctor said one at a time, Kawino took the pale purple pill first.

The physical effects weren't noticeable to anyone else yet as you could still count his ribs but Kawino did notice the edge of hunger starting to come off almost instantly. "I'm hungry," He said and looked over the food that was dished out recognizing next to nothing.

"Uh, what is all this?" He asked.

"It's all food. Each has a different taste for enjoyment." Enobaria said and explained the individual dishes.

"Oh! Okay..." Kawino said taking meatloaf. He took a bite with pretty much the same reaction as with the caramel and because of the pill it was able to stay down. "This is great," He said.

"Most of the stuff from the Capitol is." Enobaria said. "Mostly because there's never any limit of anything."

"That's greedy," Kawino said.

"Yes it is but that's the Capitol for you." Enobaria nodded.

"Well it's selfish as well," Ria said.

"I'm not disagreeing with you here. It's the Capitol. They're literally sending you to fight to the death for their entertainment. Of course they're bad people, if you could even call them that people at all." Enobaria said.

"Good point," Ria sighed.

"Just eat." Enobaria said clearly not wanting to talk about this anymore.

So they did just that and throughout the meal Kawino took the rest of his pills starting to feel sleepy. "I'll show you to your room." Enobaria said noticing this. He just nodded sleepily. She got up helping him up and leading him there.

"Enobaria?" Kawino asked.

"Yes?" She asked.

"Am I a bad person?" He asked.

"Of course not, Kawino, not at all."

"Are you sure?" He asked.

"Certain," Enobaria nodded.

"I have never heard that from anyone other than Clove, Cato, and Cady"

"Well, it's true." Enobaria said.

"Why do I not think so?" He asked.

"Because of your parents most likely," Enobaria said in a sort of growl obviously directed at them not him.

He was about speak when they entered a large room with a soft looking round bed. He eyed the bed with a raised eyebrow and circled it a few times before laying down. "Something wrong?" Enobaria asked.

"It's just a little odd, but in a good way." Kawino said getting lost in the comfort.

"Good," she said smiling.

"I love you, Enobaria." Kawino said obviously not meaning romantic as he slowly drifted off. "You're the closest thing I've had to a good mother." She just smiled as she stared down at him sleeping.

I really hope you guys are liking this story so far we worked hard on it. So many questions: What are Kawino and Enobaria planning? Why are they doing this to the Careers? Is Kawino going to be okay? Will all the other tributes be different from the book? The answer to the last question I will tell you now is no. Katniss, Peeta, Glimmer, Marvel, Rue, and Thresh and everyone but obviously Clove and Cato will still be here. Review!