These are the District Twelve Reapings, Chariot Rides, Training, and Interviews!
Robin Hilbern POV:
My brother, Jay, woke me up for the reapings. The whole district had an air of grimness and even mother, who was happy when she didn't have to work, was quieter than usual as she slowly brushed my short, choppy black hair. Mother was telling me how gorgeous I looked, but I knew it was a lie. I had the boring typical District 12 eyes, but it was hard to tell on my left eye since I didn't have one. My eyelids were stuck together and I was missing an eyebrow on that side too. My entire left side has evidence of burns and scars and the rest of my skin is typical olive.
The day was cloudy and bleak. The air seemed extra stuffy in the town square where everyone gathered for the reapings. My orange dress stood out among the gray and white frocks. I went into the small pen of 16-year-old girls. There were only two others and they both were extremely gorgeous.
The announcer began speaking and I jumped at the sudden sound of her high-pitched voice. She reached into the girls jar and I thought about how easy it would be for her to just look at the names and decide.
"Robin Hilbern?" She looked over at the crowd and I practically fainted. All my guy friends were staring at me wide-eyed as I walked up onto the stage. Then she reached her arm into the men's jar.
Altar Xine POV:
Robin went up to the stage. I instantly felt sorry for her. She was in a bad explosion when she was taking lunch to her father in the mines, and she never fully recovered.
"Jay Hilbern!" Robin nearly fainted when she heard the name of her brother being called by the announcer. That's when I did something I ultimately regret.
"I volunteer!" I shouted. Everyone looked confused as I ran up to the stage. No one understood why I had volunteered in place of this boy I hardly knew, but no one made any objection.
"Wonderful! What's your name?"
"Altar Xine," I spoke clearly with a steady voice. I finally got to get out of this boring District. Even if means risking my life. At the last thought I begn to black out and slide to the ground. That last thing I saw was Robin mouthing the words, "thank you."
Robin's POV:
I actually felt beautiful. I had always dreamed of fitting in, though I never would admit it, and now thanks to an amazing designer and prep team, it was possible. I began mounting the chariot that would ride through the capitol. My outfit was absolutely stunning. It was this extra long flowing black dress and the rest of my exposed skin was lightly dusted with gold powder. Altar's suit was similar and he had the same powder on. We rode through the town and our designers told us to smile and wave.
Altar's POV:
Our mentor told us that we had to stick together for training. Robin had all these ideas of what stations to go to, but being the male, I had to take the lead. We went to different sorts of stations such as edible plants, knots, and fire starting. Clearly our strategy was to learn how to survive. Then came the evaluations.
I entered the room and saw the evaluators. They were all half-asleep except for one who really was asleep. That was the issue with being in District 12. Any way I grabbed a kinfe and stabbed a few dummies and then I took a bow and arrow and began to shoot at the multiple targets. Clearly my aim was a little off and my stronger weapon of the two was the knife. The evaluator's meal arrived and they dismissed me and called for Robin.
Robin's POV:
I entered the evaluation room and saw the remains of all the other tributes. To my dismay, the evaluators were eating their food and paid no attention to me whatsoever as I did all my pickaxe tricks. It was so frustrating that they were ignoring me and I accidentally stabbed myself in the leg with a knife. Great now they notice me! They sent for someone to treat my wound and then I was dismissed.
Altar's POV:
"Well, I volunteered because I couldn't stand to see Robin face her brother in the arena, and honestly, I could use a little adventure!" I tossed my hair out of my face and smiled a dazzling, confident grin.
"Thank you Alter! Let's bring up your lady friend, Robin!"
Robin's POV:
"I'm sure we are all itching to know, Robin, what happened to you?"
I was shocked at the personal question, but smiled and coolly explained, "I was bringing lunch to my father and there was a massive explosion. My father died in the mines that day, but I feel a part of me died with him."
I earned a chorus of aww's from the audience.
"And do you feel like this will be a setback when in the arena?"
"I hope not!" I smiled.
"I like your attitude! Any last words you want to say?"
"I just want to show my appreciation to the capitol for allowing me the honor to be in the hunger games!"
Truly, I felt the opposite. But the crowd roared with applause anyway and I resumed my seat next to Altar.
There you have it, folks! Liked it? Hated it? Tell me everything!
