Selena Lennock, District 4 POV:

There was a certain calmness about the sea; something about it that made me feel at home. Made me forget the troubles at hand. I brushed my golden brown hair out of my face and looked at my reflections in the water.

My life hadn't been a bad life compared to most people's. I was born into a large family. We were a bit mad, slightly dysfunctional, and there were lots of arguments. More mouths to feed, more people to worry about being reaped. But we stuck together and got through times of trouble. We all worked hard in my father's fishing business. And all in all, we are a loving family and we rarely go hungry. But this could be the day where things go wrong...

The Reapings... I thought to myself feeling my stomach tighten slightly. The day where twenty three children all around Panem were sent to the Capitol to be slaughtered. And one went home, rich and victorious. But, even though they had wealth and money I knew they didn't come out as the people they came in. They were twisted, in some way or another; there is something about killing that could break someone into pieces.

And my family had a lot to lose; there were so many of us. It wasn't just me who would be up for the Reapings, I had younger siblings that would be up. And if they were up, I would probably find myself volunteering; I couldn't afford to lose any of my family. Although a loss in the family wasn't anything rare.

It was inevitable, since there were so many of us. I was nine at the time; it was seven long years ago, but the memory would be in my mind forever. She wasn't very closely related to me, she was my second cousin, Aqua. I don't remember much about her but I knew she was a kind girl that never meant any harm. She was the seventh to die; killed mercilessly in a hand to hand combat match. I remember watching it with my whole family crowded around the old second hand television. When she had died there was a silent aura that had filled the whole room, like nothing would ever be the same again. Although our family steadily recovered as always, I never saw my Aunt and Uncle smile in the same way; they're still grieving Aqua's death.

I knew for certain I would rather gouge my eyes out than see my siblings face a similar fate. And it would kill me inside to see my Mother and Father react the way my Aunt and Uncle did... the silence, the pain, the grief.

Then the thought struck me, and my stomach tightened even more: What if I were to die in the Hunger Games? After all, my name was in there a fair few times. Although the chances of me being chosen were slim, they were most certainly still possible.

But I would rather it be me to be chosen for the Hunger Games than any other members of my family, I could look after myself; I knew how the pack a punch (I was taught by none other than my brother) and I could most certainly handle a spear. To add a bonus, since I was in District 4 I would most certainly be allowed into the Careers with open arms.

I continued looking looking at my reflection in the water, and decided if I were to be called into the Hunger Games, I would at least look decent for it. I was wearing a natural, yet lovely cotton dress that fell down to my knees and white sandals. It seemed like the perfect thing to wear and I could feel the summers breeze perfectly. It was so coincidental that the day of the Reaping usually had such nice weather; it was like a perfection in the most imperfect day.

"Selena, I'd hurry if I were you. You're going to be late."

I grinned, stood up and turned around to face the man who I had grown so close to; the man I trusted and admired more than any other. My father. Daine Lennock was known for his kindness. He was quiet, yet extremely skilful. He knew how to keep the large family of ours running, and I knew whenever I needed advice, or whether I was upset, I could always run to my father with his kind eyes and his crinkled smile.

"Okay, Dad" I replied.

The rest of my family had gone early so me and my father had to rush to the town square. We knew we were probably going to be late which wasn't too bad as I usually found the Mayor's opening speech much too hard to bear. But I couldn't miss the Reaping in general, not just was it illegal but what if I were called? I'd be absent, and my family would look foolish. Or what if one of my friends or relatives were called? I wouldn't get to even get a last glimpse of them... or a last glimpse I could remember well.

Me and my father had arrived about a minute after the Mayor's speech. I was pushing my way towards the crowd of fellow sixteen year old boys and girls, who were waiting anxiously. I heard the annoying voice of our escort, Portia Rhymes.

"Selena Lennock!" Her shrill voice screamed, with that horrible familiar Capitol accent. I stopped in my tracks and felt my heart stop. I looked towards my mother. The smile that was usually on her face had been wiped off, and I could tell she was close to tears. My father was not crying, but I could see his stony expression. I looked to him, as if asking whether this was all true; He just gave me a nod and I looked towards Portia. She was looking around for me, her thick beehive like tied up hair seeming to shake a bit as her head darted around frantically.

Don't look scared, Selena I told myself, as I made my way up to the stand, a confident smile on my face. I wouldn't even let the Hunger Games make a fool out of me. In no way, shape or form...

Let the Hunger Games begin...

Vivienna Holden, District 7 POV:

"Vivienna Francesca Carmen-Reyna Holden!" the voice of the District 7 escort, Edoire Gazette called out. I simply blinked and looked towards the front, not knowing what to expect. Did he just call my name? I was called forward to the games? How... why me?

My life flashed before my eyes, and I knew things would never be the same again. Ever. I was practically being called forward to die and I didn't know what to do. I wanted to call out to my father... my mother or to Aunt Francesca. Anyone who could help me!

But there was no-one there. Only everyone's eyes, focused on me. I was the centre of attention and if I didn't get up to the front soon I'd be dragged up and made to look like an imbecile on television. I didn't want that; I could at least appear tough, at least intimidate my opponents.

I looked behind me to the fourteen year olds, and my eyes met that of Marcella Greenwood, my best friend; the best friend who I might never see again. A part of me hoped that she would stand up and volunteer for me but that wasn't going to happen. Not any time soon. I suddenly felt a pang of guilt as I wanted my childhood friend to sacrifice her life for me. Marcella looked at me, and I saw the traces of tear lines on her cheeks. I couldn't bear to look at her a second longer, and I could imagine my family all crying.

Putting on my angry and annoyed persona, I shoved the people in front of me aside, and stood in front, continuing to shove people away from me. No-one fought back, and it wasn't out of fear (well, a lot of the time it was out of fear) but it was out of sympathy. It was like the children around me, the children I was violently shoving around, could feel the pain in me. Could feel my head spinning... could still feel that faint sickly sensation in my stomach. The worry that I would never make it home again.

I shoved my way through the Sixteen's group and my eyes met for a moment with my cousin, Wren. Wren looked as pale as a ghost and as I shoved past her she continued to look at me; a puzzled and disbelieving expression on her face. That just made me angrier. I knew that by being called forward to play these wretched games it wasn't just me that was hurting inside; it was my family and my friends. I could even see some kind of sorrow and sadness from Carmella Lorenzo, a girl who I unfortunately had to work with in school. Carmella was bratty and up herself and so from day one I was always harsh to her. She always loved seeing me hurt, but this time it was different...

Hope you're happy, Carmella.

As I approached the front of the stage I looked into the eyes of Edoire Gazette. The skin around his eyes was blue and there were little silver dots that circled around his eyes; it was all sickly, tacky and over the top in my opinion. And his electrical blue hair was slicked back and seemed to glimmer in the sunlight. I never seemed to get the fashion tastes of the Capitol; it was incredibly inhuman looking in my humble opinion.

I thought of different strategies in the arena already; looking for any way that I could live, any at all. I decided to look through my strengths and weaknesses. I couldn't swim very well, I doubt I could swim at all. That could be a major disadvantage. But I can handle an axe very well; it came naturally to one coming from District 7. I wouldn't be afraid to kill someone, and after years of being around trees, I know I could climb them very well; but this time it wasn't bark I'd be tearing into, it'd be human flesh. Real human flesh...

I was either going to be brutally killed in these games (whether in some horrible freak disaster or killed mercilessly at the hands of one of the brutish tributes, like a Career). I always wanted to die old and grey, on my deathbed. Not young, still full of life in a field somewhere.

"Ready for the Hunger Games to begin?" Edoire whispered to me in an enthusiastic manner as he dipped his hand in the glass box with all of the boy's names in.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I simply reply, waiting for him to call some other poor kid to their death...

Spyglys Spime Dorn, District 11 POV:

I know during the Reapings I should be worried for my life; but I couldn't help but think about the previous day I had had before it. I had spent my time working in the Orchards and I didn't get a lovely welcome home after hours of hard labour. Just my father grumbling and complaining. I had always admired my father; he was like the older version of me, but for once I'd just like to go home to him with a proud smile on my face; telling me he cared for me. Cared for me like I cared for him.

Fat chance, I thought to myself. But deep inside I knew my father should appreciate the care I do have for him, as I don't give it out so willingly. In all honesty, it's only him and my mother that I do care about, or care about truly. I don't care about many people at all. Most of the Hunger Games when I watch people from my district get slaughtered in my opinion it's just ''another one bites the dust.''

I wasn't a horrible person for thinking that; it was just me. I wouldn't kill somebody. Not mercilessly anyway; I wasn't that evil. Maybe I was a bit dark, maybe even in some ways twisted... but I wasn't evil. And people who won't appreciate the person I am can just freely walk out of the door, including my stuck up father.

And god, I swear I was nodding off to sleep as the idiotic Mayor was reading out his incredibly boring speech about how Panem ''rose out of the ashes of North America'' and how the Capitol was great, successfully evading both rebellions.

I looked at the escort; a woman named Magellan La Monte. She dipped her hand in the glass box... preparing to pick out the name of the District 11 girl who will be walking to her death. I sighed and scanned her body with my eyes... even though her skin was made into a reddish colour (which made her look badly sunburnt... but that kind of made her fit in with the District 11 citizens; sunburn wasn't very rare, if my skin hadn't adjusted to it I'd probably be burnt to hell) she was extremely good looking. Eyes of an angel, curves in all the right places.

"Metsey Jazgo!" She called out, flicking her curly yellow hair back; I looked around for this girl, and sighed as a minuscule looking girl had stepped up. She had honey like skin and had such an innocent and angelic kind of appearance, I rarely felt sorry for people... but I felt sorry for this girl. She looked like she wouldn't last five seconds in the Arena.

She stood up on stage and it was quite obvious she was trembling. I could make out the fear etched onto her face and usually this wouldn't bother me; but I couldn't help but feel sorry for this girl. She was so small, so fragile. I couldn't even imagine how her parents would feel, or her loved ones. We had to be fairly honest, she wouldn't exactly last in the Arena. I doubt I could last very long myself.

I was strong. I knew that; it probably came from my work of picking things from the orchards and whatnot. Also, I had found myself in many fights. In fact, that was a understatement. I've beat a lot of people who treated me with disrespect. Probably the reason the Peacekeepers were giving me a strange look right now...

"Spyglys Spime Dorn!" The voice of Magellan had called out. The many thoughts darting around in my head had suddenly stopped; I looked around at everyone and they gave me a look back. Some kid gave me a nudge, I would've punched him, but I couldn't; I was too shocked. This wasn't fear stopping me, it was ninety-nine percent surprise.

Then I took it all in my stride, if anything this could be a chance to prove myself. To prove myself to everyone, to the people that I wasn't just the 'boy in the Orchard's you can mess with' (although I don't think they had that impression of me anyway) and most of all, a chance to prove myself to my father. Winning these games would be the ultimate way of winning his heart. Only the best could survive the Hunger Games after all. I wanted to show my dad I was the best.

I hope you're happy Dad.

Kieran Ruse, District 9 POV:

"Felicia Bennet!" The voice of Daymiun Atilia called out. I found myself looking behind me to the girl. I knew her from around. Her father had taught me Science and he had brought her along to the parents evenings. I spoke to her and she seemed like one of those people; there was something about her that lit up the room. I probably didn't speak much to her; in fact, she probably thought I was rude. But she was a nice girl.

I looked to Mr. Bennet as Felicia stepped onto the stage. He was hugging his wife close and they were both sobbing into each other. Not that I could blame them. Chances are they would never see their daughter again... I know that would really bug me if I was a parent.

I then looked beside me and saw the expression on my friend Vair's face. It was same look as everybody else. Disapproving. I glanced once again to the front, and then my eyes darted to all of my family members who were also up to being reaped. Rora and Aubren. A part of me inside was worried about them being reaped. even though they annoy me, and make me an outcast I could not deny my love for my brothers and sisters. I sighed and looked out to Daymiun speaking to Felicia.

"Are you looking forward to the Games then, little girl?" He asked.

"Well," Felicia replied "I guess it's going to be an adventure and an experience! So I guess I am."

A part of me wondered whether she was telling the truth or not. Felicia is the kind of girl who would see the Hunger Games as an adventure, but she wasn't the type to kill. I could also see her glancing nervously at her parents. It hurt her to see them upset.

"It's disgusting, the way they do this." Vair commented.
"Well, I guess it's a good way to get rid of brothers and sisters." I said, with a hint of sarcasm in my voice. Vair frowned slightly, although he knew I was joking, and he knew I was sarcastic (after all, I am a sarcastic kind of person) I knew he was hurt slightly; he had always wanted siblings (which I didn't understand personally. As much as I loved my siblings, they made me feel outcast. I had to share my parents affections with four other people).

I looked as Daymiun put his hand in the glass box; he rummaged around in it a bit and my heart stopped suddenly. This was the boys box. And the chances of me being caught were? Slim, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was reaped; it was life's way of biting me in the ass, which is all it ever seems to do.

"And the male Tribute for our lovely District 9 is-" Daymiun called out. My heart stopped as he paused. I could feel it coming. It was like I could already see that slip of paper in his hand with my name scribbled on it. And if not mine someone close to me; Rora or Aubren, the siblings who I loved as much as they irritated me. Maybe even Rother, Vair or Rixenn; who felt like the only friends I had here.

Hurry up. I thought to myself, just call out my name...

There was still that brief pause and it seemed to last longer than usual. I could feel Vair tensing up slowly next to me. I didn't know what to expect now; but I had a gut feeling that these games were going to be the end of me.

"Kieran Ruse!" Daymiun then called out. My heart stopped for a brief second; I was scared... I'd be stupid not to be.

However, I didn't show any shock or anything. I hadn't expected anything less of these games. Anything less of life and the way it treated me. I wasn't suicidal or anything but I always had a cynical view on things, after all... where does optimism ever get me?

Vair looked at me and I could see he was incredibly shocked. I looked at him for a brief second, not knowing what to say. If he didn't visit me in the Justice building this would be the last time I'd ever see my friend.

"I'm sorry... good luck."

'I'm sorry... good luck.' That was all he had to say to me? I simply scowled and made my way to the stand. I wasn't going to let the Hunger Games defeat me, and as I went to the front I saw Daymiun smile at me in a slightly twisted fashion.

"Well, what a good pair you two are! Well... you aren't ugly at least! So who knows, maybe you could get some sponsors!" He stated, smiling to the both of us. I saw Felicia frown slightly and I knew she was thinking exactly what I was, how dare he comment on how ugly we were when he was sending us both to our deaths.

At least Felicia looked half decent, she had a lovely orange short sleeved dress, and her hair went down to her ribs like fire, all drawn together with an orange headband. I probably didn't look as smart with my slightly tatty jacket and boots. I hoped I looked intimidating, at least.

"Good luck." Felicia simply said, smiling at me.

"You too." I replied with an unsure smile on my face. For all I know it might be Felicia who would take my life. Good luck... those were the words I seemed to hear much too much today. All I knew was, I was going to need it.

Sarah-Elizabeth Greten, District 3 POV:

I walked down the stairs and rubbed my eyes; I knew I had woken up late but I struggled to sleep. It was difficult to sleep when you knew there was a chance that the day after you would be called down to your death.

I had recently hit twelve, so today was my first Reapings. My name was only in there once, so the chances were I wouldn't be chosen. One in a couple of thousand names. The odds were very slim, but I still felt horrible about it.

If I were to enter the Games, what were my chances of survival? I didn't even want to think of it. I was a lanky gangly twelve year old. I wouldn't even stand a chance against those big muscular Career's I've seen on TV before.

I looked to see my Grandmother looking at me; she stared at me with no thoughts seeming to go through her head and then smiled that warm loving smile that I had grown up to. Although Penelope Greten was incredibly forgetful, deaf and sometimes completely useless; I'd be nowhere without my her. Her love had kept me going through the rough times and without her I'd have probably starved to the death in the street long ago.

When I was younger my parents had been caught with weapons. Guns to be precise. These were not allowed to anybody without a license in Panem, and like stealing, it was punishable by death. My parents faced that punishment, but to this day both me and my Grandmother think they were innocent.

"Are you okay Sarah-Elizabeth?" My grandmother asked.

I really wanted to roll my eyes, as I hated being called by my name. I was named after my Great-Grandmother who was a supposedly fantastic woman. I never really met her but I wish she was called something that didn't get me countlessly bullied in school or around town.

"Yeah Grandmama." I reply calling her by the name I had called her ever since I could remember. I saw a smile cross her face.

She always told me she was proud of calling me her grandson, but I didn't know why; there wasn't really nothing to be proud for with me. I wasn't sporty at all. Nor was I strong, I wasn't Mr. Smart either. I did well in school but that didn't make me a genius. I just had more intelligence than a lot of the idiots that thought they were something special because they ran around like manner less baboons, or making fun of my name. I personally didn't see why they should make a grudge on me because I had a girls name. That didn't necessarily mean I was feminine or girly. Although looking at me, you wouldn't think I was gods gift to the essence of masculinity either.

I stopped my Grandmother as she made her way towards the kitchen:

"Grandmama, shouldn't we be going to the Reapings?"

My Grandmother had stopped in her tracks for a second.

"Are the Reapings on today Sarah?" She simply asked,reaching for her coat and her purse. I knew if I had told her they were she would be a little bit upset; as forgetful as she was, my Grandmother never forgot how old I was. And she'd know today would be my first Reaping; that today I could be snatched from her and never be brought back again. If I were to die, who would look after my Grandmother? Who would help her remember the things she often forgot?

"Yeah." I simply replied. There was no sadness or happiness in my tone, it had some kind of monotone ring to it. I didn't know how I should feel right now.

My Grandmother simply put her coat on and smiled at me; I knew she was hurting inside but I couldn't pull a grudge against her for putting on her brave face. And she like me knew that there was a very slim chance of my name being drawn out of the glass box, after all my name was only in there once.

Me and my Grandmother had gotten to the Town Square and I smiled as I saw my friend Frita Sanders; she gave me a tight hug and looked up to me. It was quite amusing how much taller to her I was. I had to look down every time I spoke to her.

"I wonder who is going to be reaped today!" She exclaimed moving towards the side. I simply looked at her and she paused in her tracks as the realisation hit her. I was up for reaping; this year I wouldn't be standing with her in the side-lines but I would be part of the crowd of children who were fearing for their lives. "Oh god... I'm sorry. I forgot you were up for reaping today. Just don't panic okay? Your name is only in there once, it's never going to happen... right?"

The uncertainty in Frita's voice was worrying. Frita had no older brothers or sisters so she didn't have to worry about someone she loved going in. She was eleven and so she wasn't up for reaping until next year.

I moved towards the group of fellow twelve year olds and got funny looks from a couple of people; they were probably saying something about my lanky appearance or my long ginger hair, or my name... my girly, silly name.

For my first Reapings time seemed to drag on for such a long time. Then our annoying escort Marukilla Ambumzilla stepped up. As he introduced himself with his name the younger kids seemed to giggle. They always did at his ridiculous name.

''AmBUMzilla!" The girl next to me whispered to her friend, and they both covered their mouths and giggled. I really wanted to remind them it would've been funny if he wasn't the person who could be sentencing them to their deaths.

"How about we pick a BOY first?" Marukilla said smiling at the Mayor. "You know, just break tradition?"

There was just silence. The Mayor frowned at how Marukilla found his ''breaking tradition'' funny. I think everybody in the crowd did too; apart from the immature girls beside me who were still giggling over his surname.

"Whatever you find suitable." The Mayor replied bitterly. I could see the stony expression on his face.

"What do you think?" Marukilla said smiling at all of the children crowded in front of him in a cheesy manner. "How about we break tradition?"

Tumble weed could've rolled across right now; no-one found Marukilla's joke funny. He was treating what was practically a death call like it was some kind of amusing pantomime. Even the immature girls in front of me had stopped speaking, and they shook their heads in disapproval. Marukilla simply frowned slightly, and shrugged, going towards the glass box with every district 3 boy (from twelve to eighteen's) name in there.

Marukilla wasn't like the other escorts; he plummeted his hand into the glass jar and as soon as she took the slip of paper out he had read it out in a loud booming voice.

"Sarah-Elizabeth Greten!"

My heart stopped in my chest, and silence seemed to sink into the atmosphere of the town square. I think Marukilla had mistook the silence for confusion, and he cleared his throat and tapped the glass jar with two fingers repeatedly.

"I thought we were reading out the boys first..." He simply said. No-one laughed, whether what Marukilla was saying was a joke or not. I didn't even think on saying "I am a guy!" like I usually did. I just made my way towards the front, I looked Marukilla in the eyes for a second and turned around to face the audience.

"So THIS is Sarah-Elizabeth!" Marukilla said, smirking to himself.

I looked out into the crowd and saw my grandmama out there. With her was Frita, and they were both crying. I felt almost ashamed, but the tears had welled up in my eyes. This could be an advantage, because the fellow Tributes could just see me as a weakling.

But I was a weakling.

How do I ever say goodbye to my dear Grandmama? To Frita? I know I'll never ever be seeing them again. And they know it too.

"Well... who's next?" Marukilla said in a malicious tone, holding the piece of paper in front of him...

Katie Susan Winters, District 2 POV:

"Tristan Wilds!" Fi-Fi Pendanski, my escort says. I look out to find the person I would soon be competing with. Yes, that's right... I am unfortunately District two's female Tribute for the infamous Hunger Games.

When I look to Tristan step up on stage and smile at me my heart stops, and the thought suddenly struck me, wow... he's good looking. I soon shake the thought from my head. After all, at some point there's most chance me and him will be attempting to tear each other's throats out. I simply smile at him kindly.

I wondered if he was thinking I looked nice; I never really had much confidence in myself, but I had managed to get a gorgeous pink jewelled dress. It was bought second hand but it was still worth a lot, and it was once worn by a Capitol citizen so that must mean it was once extremely valuable. And my sister Sally had washed and pressed it to perfection; for once in my life I felt beautiful- confident. Apart from when I'm on stage, I love theatre acting; because that made me feel beautiful and confident too.

Although it was hard being beautiful and confident when you were being sent in a game where losing equals death; but I felt confident none the less. I did just what my sister told me to- back straight, chin up. Sally told me if either of us got reaped we had to appear confident, as it would get us more sponsors. It was so bad that we were thinking of tactics for if we ever did get in the games but we didn't want to lose each other. Without Sally, I would have no guardian to work for me to get what I want. Without me, Sally would find herself living a lonely life. And I was going to win this for her... Tristan Wilds better watch out, whether he was good looking or not.

"Good luck, I guess." Tristan addressed me holding out his hand. I didn't know whether to grab it or not, after all he could just be acting to stab me in the back...

However, I would just act sociable. I didn't necessarily have to ally with him, although I wanted to be part of the Career's (he possibly wanted to, too) as they were the usual winners. Once they've hunted down the other tributes I'll just watch them pick each other off, and then kill the last one. I wasn't a killer, but I had to do it. There was one rule in the Hunger Games:

Kill or be killed.

I found myself shaking hands with him, and looking into his warm eyes I couldn't help but smile. There was obviously going to be no connection between us but I liked us being on friendly terms. I've never met Tristan Wilds before, but maybe he actually is a nice guy; I guess I'll find out as time progresses.

"Okay, all set?" Fi-Fi says in an impatient manner looking to the both of us. I simply look to her and nod, in which she replied with a smile. "Good, now lets hurry up and get to the Justice building! You know, to say your last goodbye's with your families and such!"

And like robots obeying her, me and Tristan followed. But I'm going to make sure that this wouldn't be the last time I said goodbye to Sally. I'll see her after that... again. Somehow some way... these games weren't going to be the end of me.

Finally! Reapings done... so for those who's characters I did, did I do them well? I sure do hope I did! :D But did the storyline go okay? I hope it did! I'm really trying my best here to do a solid and different SYOT, and if there was something you feel I could've made better, tell me about it :D
What did you think about the other characters? Any caught your eye? Caught your attention? Any you're rooting to win? (Apart from your own of course)

I'd appreciate it if you rated my reapings out of 10 or something... :')