The Boy From District One - Marvel (Age: 16)

Note: The original letter was scrawled in such messy handwriting that it was nearly impossible to read. It has been restored here in clear font.

Dad-

I didn't think I'd have to worry about writing back at school. But now I'm supposed to write down everything I'm thinking, and it's really hard. They don't tell you about this part on TV. All you see is killing and blood and sparkly outfits but then there's moments like this when you realize you made a really big mistake. I thought volunteering was a good idea, everyone said it was, except you. I shouldn't have listened to them. I thought I could make friends here. I have, but now I have to kill them.

I'm putting on this big act for the cameras. I'm trying to be like the other boys, the ones who've won, like Gloss. Remember when he won, when I was a kid, and I said I wanted to be just like him? Now he's my mentor, he's so big in real life but he told me, you've gotta be strong and confident and amazing to get sponsors. So that's how I'm trying to look. Everyone probably loves it, Gloss says I'm doing great but it's not me. It's not Marvel, it's the boy from District One who could maybe win. But I guess if you're reading this I didn't. I wonder if Gloss was like this, once. Maybe you only get really confident when you've already won.

I hope Glimmer makes it home if I'm dead. She's not bad. She was in my class at school, you might remember her. We weren't friends then but we are now. She's a big help with Cato. You'll see Cato, he really is the way he looks on TV. He's bigger than me, stronger, but not as smart. He doesn't know how to deal with people. He gets too angry. That'll hurt his chances. I hope he doesnt win. He doesn't deserve it and District Two doesn't need any more anything.

I don't know how to say goodbye. I don't want to think about dying, but I'm not the smartest here, that's probably Scarlett. And I'm not that strongest, that's Cato or maybe Thresh. But I'm smarter than Cato, and stronger than Scarlett, and maybe thats enough. I dont want to let you down, Dad. Don't want to let District One down. I'm gonna work with Glimmer, and with Cato and Clove and Joshua and Misty too. Chip has some plan he's been going on about, something he wants to show us, so maybe him too. I want to take Peeta. Loverboy. The girl might be dangerous, but maybe he can help us with her. Besides, he's way smarter than Cato. I guess you'll see. Maybe it'll work but maybe it won't. Maybe Cato will kill us all. I don't know.

I'm gonna try. I know District One doesn't care how many people I kill, but you might. I might too.

I hope you don't have to read this letter, but if you are, I promise to say hi to Mom for you.

Your son,
Marvel

PS: I didn't get the chance, so tell Velvet I love her.


OOC: So I've decided on an updating schedule- I'll be updating twice a week. Male tributes will be updated Tuesdays and female tributes on Fridays, so you can expect Glimmer's letter in three days.

My impression of Marvel is of a fairly smart, savvy kid without the bloodthirstiness that Cato possesses in spades. Oh, and since we know the tributes are all between 12 and 18 years of age, and we don't know most of their ages, I'll be making those up for the most part. People tend to assume the Careers are all 17-18, but I find that unlikely.

I don't think all the Careers are monsters.

Read and review and all that. Let me know what you think. See you on Friday, and until then may the odds be ever in your favor.