The Hunger Games Destinies Entwined

by BTolson23

It's the 100th Hunger Games. Therefore, a 'twist' is added to the games as it's a Quarter Quell. Three Cornicopia's, hidden from the Tributes, all contain an advantage. Which one of the twenty-four will win? COMPLETE!

3. District 2 Reapings

(Thanks to angie2282, Mulligatawny, Hahukum Konn and AlexTheMortal for your reviews! You're awesome! Okay, let us head off to District 2, shall we?)

Aron Nethers POV

I shiver slightly in the biting air, adjusting my earmuffs so the tips of my ears wouldn't freeze off. You would have thought District 2 would be warm with factories. Nope. The factories were to the edges of the District, and the best way to describe the main district would be... empty. The streets were wide and silent, the buildings made from granite, small and homely.

The reason why hardly any people were here was the fact that most were at the quarries, mining for either granite, marble or sandstone, and as such there were three separate quarries filled with miners with frosty breath and dressed in the usual thick clothing.

I continued walking, my boots hitting the slightly dusty ground from year's worth of stone remains. Soon enough I came to my house, smaller than most and positioned at the edge of the main square, which was getting set up for the Hunger Games selection progress. I ignored it, and opened my grey door, letting myself into my warm – albeit not much – house.

I listened carefully, but I couldn't hear my father. Thank god for that, I'm not sure I could handle him to-

"Aron!"

I instinctively ducked, my father's hand flying over my head and slamming against a small cabinet, knocking an intricate vase off, which smashed against the floor into tiny shards.

I looked at my father, Brock, whose nose was slightly red and his cheeks blushed. That's just great.

"What are you standing around for, kid?" Brock demanded. That question was a jolt to my chest. He called my kid, not Aron, but kid.

"Sorry..." I mumble, despising his every aspect. I knelt down and started to pick the bits of shards from the stone floor, placing them in my hand to deposit of later. Around halfway through, I noticed my mother enter the front door, a shopping bag in one hand and a bottle of liquor in the other.

"Foolish boy!" My mother, Clere, scolded me, pointedly looking at the vase. "Why did you knock it over?"

"I didn't. That was Brock." I say, not looking up.

"Are you blaming me?" My father asked incredulously. "How dare you! I am your father; you do not lie to your mother, especially if you're blaming me!"

"I think the one lying here is you!" I shoot back, before standing up and going over to the bin, throwing the shards of glass in.

My dad sauntered off, and grabbed me hard by the shoulder. "Don't you talk to me like that, boy!"

"Brock!" My mother exclaimed, pushing Brock of me. "Be careful." She then turned to me. "Get out of the house. I don't want to see you until tonight."

"Maybe you won't see me again!" I retort, crossing my arms. "Or have you forgotten? It's the Hunger Games selection tonight, and if I get chosen, well then, I won't BE coming back, will I? You know I can't win them, so just actually do or say something good for once, will you?"

My father opened his mouth.

"In fact, just shut it. I-I just cannot be bother to deal with this bull anymore." I turn in anger and stalk past my somewhat shocked mother and father, exiting the house into the street beyond. Walking briskly down the path, heading towards the quarries, I sigh. I don't usually blow up like that, but those two... they not really worthy to be called parents. Plus, it made me think about the Hunger Games. I didn't really want to think about that.

I shrug, and let of the thought of talking to Sina Terra, my girlfriend, cheer me up.

Sina Terra POV

I wipe the sweat from my face as I mine in the quarries, the pickaxe in my scarred hands. It's laborious work, that's for sure. Pick, pick, pick, gather and repeat. That's what I do the majority of the day, but at least I get payed for it, thus keeping me and my family alive. Well... I say that, but my father, Jem, gets the most for us, that is me, Jem, and my mother, Angela.

I shake my head at the thought of my mother, and I can't help but feel angry at her. You see, she used to be a great mother, hard-working, practically raking in the money. But then part of the quarry collapsed, killed 12 and injured 20. My mother was one of the injured, and now sits at home, watching TV and drinking liquor with a lame leg.

"What are you thinking about?" someone whispers into my eye, hugging me from behind.

"What are you doing here Aron?" I ask, grinning despite myself and kissing him quickly on the cheek.

"Got a bit annoyed with my parents." Aron shrugs as I quickly adjust his earmuffs, which I know he loves as it tickles his ears.

"Oh?" I question, looking around for any peacekeepers.

"Yeah... I just got annoyed at my dad blaming me for something I didn't do, and my mother is being useless as always." Aron explains, just as I see a peacekeeper approaching.

"We'll talk later." I say. "Go and find Gary, and I'll meet up with you two in the Den."

Aron nods, and jogs away. The peacekeeper glares at me, and I continue to work.

Pick, pick, pick, gather and repeat.

Aron Nethers POV

After my brief exchange with Sina, I feel much, much better. Grinning like a fool, I jog all the way to the corner of the District, towards the larger house made of granite with glass windows. These houses are reserved for the usually richer factory workers. I knock on the door, and wait for a few moments, before Maria Hemlock opens the door. Maria is a large, jolly woman who gives free food to any who need it. But if she finds out someone is swindling her, god forbid, that woman with her ladle hurts!

"Hi, is Gary there?" I ask, twiddling with my glove strap as I wait.

"Yes dear, he is. Come in, come in." Maria says, ushering me in. "Gary! Aron's here!"

"Okay!" Gary replied from upstairs, before I hear footsteps and he comes down the steps, smiling. "Hey Aron, how're you?"

"I'm good." I say as Maria goes into the kitchen. "I was a bit annoyed, but now I'm okay."

"What happened?" Gary asks, tilting his head.

"Just a bit of an argument with my parents. Anyway, Sina says to go to the Den, and we'll meet her there." I say.

"Cool." Gary nods his head. "Hey, mom, can I go to the Den?"

"Of course. But make sure your back by the time of dinner. After that, we'll need to select your outfit for the Reapings."

"Yes mom." Gary rolls his eyes at me, before walking out of the door, followed closely by me.

Sina Terra POV

After a good 15 minutes of working, I'm finished. Taking my payment from the peace-keeper, I start to walk to the Den. Passing various stalls selling produce or materials; I open a wooden fence and go through, before going to the corner of the field. This is the only field of grass District 1 Is actually allowed to go to, as the forest on the other side is completely out of bounds.

In the corner lies a small shack, made of metal sheets and holes cut out to act as windows and doors. I can hear voices inside, and I enter, spotting Gary and Aron. I gave Aron a quick peck on the cheek, before sitting down next to him.

The Den was made a couple of years back, and It was the one place we three could talk about personal matters, about our views on the Capitol and the Hunger Games, and other such things.

"Hey Sina." Gary greeted me, nodding his head.

"How are you doing?" I ask

"I'm good. A bit excited today."

"Why are you excited?" Aron asks, looking at Gary oddly.

"Well, I'm 18, aren't I? Therefore this is my last year of actually being in the Hunger Games."

"But you could still be chosen." I say.

"True..." Gary looked thoughtful, before shrugging and grinning. "If it happens, it happens, right? And If I do get chosen, I'll will go into the Hunger Games all guns a blazing and hopefully win."

"I'm sure you would win." Aron says.

"What about you two?" Gary asks. "What would your reactions be if you were chosen?" Gary looks to me first.

"I'm not sure, to be honest." I reply. "I would hope that I'd go up, looking like it's no big deal."

"Nice. Get the people on your side before you even start. Aron?"

Aron looks to Gary, and shakes his head. "I don't really want to talk about it. I just think we should hope we don't get chosen, and leave it at that."

"Fair enough." Gary sighs and moves back in the chair. "So... what do you think about this situation for the games, the three cornucopia's?"

We know about this, as the selection process takes twelve days, one District a day. Yesterday's was District 1, where a brother and sister volunteered. The mayor announced the three cornucopias were to be placed in the arena, separate from the people.

"To be honest, it's a bad idea." Aron says. "The Capitol wants a blood bath at the beginning. They aren't gonna get that if there is nothing to fight over."

"Not necessarily." Gary replies back. "I'm sure that there will be some volunteers wanting to take out the weaker competition first. Remember last year? That twelve year old kid went completely mental and killed 15 people around the Cornucopia, before running to the mountains. That shows that he didn't do it for the Cornucopia, otherwise he would have stayed there."

"But what if there isn't someone like that this year?" I question. "Aron's right. The Capitol loves a good blood bath, and having nothing there is only going to result in people running different directions. There has to be some other twist, possibly an object people need."

"Maybe the arena will be a labyrinth, and there will be a map." Gary suggests.

"But still. Certain people would risk it without maps." Aron says.

"The President sure has to live up to the hype this year." I say, snuggling closer to Aron, savouring his warmth. "Otherwise the Capitol will protest. Plus it would be bad just using environmental traps."

X-X-X-X-X-X-X

We talk for a good hour and a bit, about our families, things to do in the future, that sort of thing, before Gary decides to go home. Aron then walks me to my house, and kisses me goodbye, before walking away.

I watch him for a moment, before turning into my house and closing the door softly.

"Who's there?" A worn voice calls out from the living room.

"It's me, mom, Sina." I say, frowning slightly as I go to the doorway. My fears are confirmed as my mother's face is red and her eyes slightly cross-eyed. She'd been drinking again.

"Who?" My mother asks, shaking her fist. "I don't have a daughter! Never have, never will!"

"Yes you do." I say calmly walking over to her. "Remember? Seventeen years ago you gave birth to a baby girl, me, Sina."

"I... guess... I believe you... for now." My mother says, turning away towards the TV.

"Angela. She IS our daughter. Don't worry."

I look up to see my dad, his face handsome yet drawn, his hands scarred, holding a cup of tea. "Hey dad."

"Hey sweetie. How're you feeling?" my dad asks, giving the tea to my mother, before picking up a duster from the side and start to clean the house. Since Angela is unable – and unwilling – to do odd jobs around the house, it's up to me and dad.

"Anxious. A bit scared." I admit. My dad and Aron are the only people I can reveal my problems to completely. Even Gary doesn't know everything about me.

"To be expected." My dad says, before looking to me, his face all serious. "Sina..."

"Yes?"

"If you're chosen... If your name gets called..." My father coughs, clearing his throat, and when he looks up, I see tears in his eyes. This makes my heart thump; I'd never seen my dad cry before, not when mom was injured, or even when his mother died. But now his eyes showed sorrow and sadness, even more than usual. "If you are called... please... please don't think about me or Angela. Just think about surviving, Sina, okay? If you think about me or your mother, you'll make a mistake. I cannot lose you Sina, I just... I just can't... If you get chosen... promise me you'll try your best."

I walk forward and embrace my father in a hug, my eyes welling up themselves. "I will dad. Don't worry. I'll try my best. But don't persuade yourself I'll get chosen. I might not, you know. Just concentrate on preparing one of your very best meals for tonight."

My dad smiles, and pulls away, nodding and wiping his eyes. "Sure will, Sina. I'll make a dinner you've never had before. I'll buy some of the very best chicken from Gertrude."

"Thanks dad."

Aron Nethers POV

It's time for the selection.

I stand, cold, in the area designated for seventeen year old males on the right side of the square, conviently near my house. Straight opposite the group is the seventeen-year old females and I see Sina standing near the front, her eyes red.

She's been crying.

I feel a pang in my chest, hating myself for being unable to comfort her, being unable to just go over and talk to her.

But then the young mayor starts talking, reciting the usual nonsense of the history of District 2 and the other Districts, and how the 'rose up from the ashes'.

Finally, after it was all said and done, the escort, a tall woman with lime green hair with pink highlights and a beaded necklace walks over, grinning like a fool.

"Well, hello there! How are you all feeling? My name is Entivia, and I am to be the escorts of the winners of the Hunger Games! Let's not diddle-doddle! So, without further ado, let us announce the female who shall be chosen for the prestige of participating in the Games, and the honour of winning it!"

I cringe at Entivia's whining voice, but draw my breath with everyone else as her hand goes into the large glass bowl containing every single twelve to eighteen female name, either once or a number of times. She pulls a slip out, and calls out the name.

"Sina Terra!"

No way. No... No! I can't believe it! Not Sina! It can't be Sina, It just can't!

I look to Sina, who is standing in a state of shock, her eyes wide as gasps spread around at the announcement. Sina was known as the girl who worked the hardest in the mines for her age group, always bringing in the money to help her friends and family, just like her father. She was predicted by many to be chosen to work in the factories soon.

Sina steps forward, and then looks pointedly at me. I can sense the camera's following her gaze. She waves at me, mouthing 'goodbye', and then walks to the stage to the awaiting Entivia.

I can't stand it.

Without control, I push my way through the crowd and run forward, embracing a slightly surprised Sina in my arms.

"A-Aron..." Sina mutters, surprised.

"No." I say, ignoring everything and everyone around me. "I won't let you go, I can't let you go!"

"Aron, you have to!"

"No!" I cry out, besides myself, even as two peace-keepers come up and take my arms. "Sina! I won't let you go!"

"What can you do! Oppose the Capitol? Just go... please... leave Aron! You're making a scene." Sina says, tears in her eyes.

I shake my head, thinking quickly, and then struggle with the peace-keepers. "Fine! I volunteer! I-I volunteer for the Games! I don't care who is chosen, I volunteer in their place!"

Entivia glances at the mayor, and then the two mentors, before looking to the peace-keepers and shrugging.

The peace-keepers let me go, and I shoot forward, once again grabbing Sina, leaning my head in her shoulder. "I won't let you die Sina. You'll win this for sure, I won't let you die."

I sit in inside the Justice Building, Sina next to me, my arms around her still. I'm not letting anyone get to her.

"Hey! Hey guys!"

Both of us look up to Gary, who runs in. "Gary?" I say in surprise, as Sina acknowledges him with a nod of the head.

"Brilliant! Bloody brilliant!" Gary laughs, shaking his head. "Who would have thought THAT would happen!"

"What do you mean?" Sina asks, her voice shaky.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm sad both of you are here, but THINK about it!" Gary says enthusiastically. "The amount of sponsors you'll get with that act!"

"It wasn't an act, Gary." I say.

"Well, despite that, you will get so many sponsors, it'll be funny. Lovers; the Capitol just love lovers, you'll practically be bathing in the things they get you."

I smile slightly as Sina's dad comes along, whispering something in Sina's ear, and then embracing her in a hug. My parents don't come. I don't need them to come. They won't see me again apart from a TV screen. I'm well aware that for Sina to win, I have to die, and I'm good with that.

Finally, the peace-keepers usher Gary and Jem out, leaving me and Sina to think about what was to come. Gary yells out "Good luck! Try not to die you lovable idiots!" and he was gone.

Typical Gary. Make the best out of any situation, even a life or death one.