Chapter 4: Volt Aldrin and AnneMaria Fidle

Volt Aldrin, 15

Sophie Kennard is a woman familiar with District 3, as she has served as the escort for the past 4 years. I never did mind her too much, as I was never the one to spend a week with her in the Capitol. But behind that friendly smile she gives the world of Panem is a woman of obedience. Like many previous escorts, Sophie is rumored to be a cold woman on the inside, and I would not doubt anyone's words about that.

However, my only chances of getting to know her all too well is to actually be reaped this year, and I plan nothing on it. My strength is nothing compared to a Career's, not that I need brawns when I have such intelligence over an oblivious tribute.

Sophie gives a bright grin, her petite arms flying in the air in an effort to greet the people of District 3. I can tell by her hobbling to the stage that she is having difficulty moving in her rather odd costume this year. Tripping once, possibly twice, as she attempts to cover up her mistake, she pauses before the podium, clearing her throat before beginning her speech.

"Another lovely year of this year's Hunger Games, yes?" Sophie speaks into the microphone, "Every year we seem to have a tribute so close to winning. Though Miss Corda was tragically annihilated in the Bloodbath last year, her district partner did District 3 some justice with the landmines. I admit, we could have done better last year, but who is to say we won't this year?"

A quick cry from a woman tells me Sophie has just insulted the memory of their child. Whether that be of the girl or boy tribute last year is beyond me; neither of them served as remotely close to a friend to me.

Not like anyone ever has, truthfully. I am a loner, but it's not like it bothers me too much. People say my parents spoil me with love for being an only child, that it is not entirely accurate that they could when they expected a child who would exceed in sports. I'm not the kid who would care for athletics. They never did interest me.

Sophie rolls her eyes at the sound of the mother's weeps, shrugging it off with no display of sorrow or grieving. Annoying pest.

"We only wish that this year's tributes have a fighting chance, yes? I know we have two wonderful children about to be reaped. And they will do us greatly in fighting for the honor of your district."

The fact Sophie refers to District 3 as your district shows that she is possibly disappointed in receiving District 3 to escort for another year. She never has been a fan of the district, as she seems to have a heart of steel, if any at all. In the 73rd year, she had often argued with the girl tribute, as the girl, Axis, was always resisting a formal dresswear or manners.

Perhaps that was as close as associating with a tribute as she has been.

"Shall we continue forth with our own girl this year? It being the third Quarter Quell, I am sure everyone is desperate to actually carry on without disruptions. This shall be a diligent year for us all." Sophie brushes away at the dirt that has apparently collected on her costume, preparing herself for the honor of selecting the girl tribute again.

Her frail hand entering the bowl, I simply stand there awkwardly as the girls cringe in fear. With no sisters or friends, I was in the clear of caring for any of the girls selected.

"AnneMaria Fidle," Sophie reads immediately after drawing the name from the bowl.

I find no interest in this. I happen to know the girl, as she is in my year, but I have never truly associated with her. She was of my liking, as she depended on brains rather than brawns, but it affected me none to see her small body carrying itself up to the stage. No Volunteers, like I expected, she stares down at the crowd, her eyes filling with tears.

Sophie places her hand on the shoulder of the small girl, whispering something unknown to the rest of us as she grabs AnneMaria's hand and shakes it violently, AnneMaria half-heartedly following.

I know almost nothing of AnneMaria, but I have always found her rather timid at school. She rarely ever gets in trouble, always appearing to be the perfect little angel. And then, of course, comes when she is pushed to the limits where she becomes overly berserk to a rather intimidating point.

Never have I seen this side to her. I only recall the numerous rumors about it, as I am never in the right place to see the fifteen-year-old actually snap.

Sophie grins at the girl, patting her head as AnneMaria says nothing. "So sweet," she says. "On to our male tribute, I suppose. Hopefully, he will prove to be obedient just like you. And not some kind of rebellious child."

The term rebellious did not describe many kids from the district, for many of us kept to ourselves. Only, there are the special few who would do anything to stand out.

Sophie slips her hand into the boy's bowl, shuffling through the names as though to receive a decent tribute this time. I can tell she is shifting through the names, hoping to find a powerful tribute to send into the Arena this year.

This, I doubt.

A quick glimpse at the name, Sophie releases AnneMaria's hand.

"Volt Aldrin," she announces.

AnneMaria Fidle, 15

Almost instantly do I recognize the name, unable to put a face to it. I was not familiar with many people in my year, but Volt Aldrin was a name that came up frequently due to his liking to school. He was not a friend of mine, but I never did have an issue with him. Volt seemed to have this controlling and arrogant personality, and many people tried to keep away from him because of it.

But as a poorly built boy rises from the crowd, his face is a familiar one. I knew him nothing more than as a kid who preferred to be alone. And, pausing before even leaving the collection of boys, Volt seems to be having issues getting to the stage, shaking terribly. I sympathize him, knowing no matter how much he was exposed to ideas and academics, he never expected to be reaped.

Neither did I.

As a Peacekeeper races to assist Volt to the stage, I feel the hot breath of Sophie Kennard against my neck. "So small. So weak."

I pierce my lips together, tasting the wet tears streaming down my face. I know that if I smart back at how heartless Sophie Kennard can be, I would already be having issues with my district escort.

It isn't fair. None of this fair. I expected some kinda of comfort from this woman, only to receive insults on how much she expects Volt and I to fail at emerging victorious. We aren't like the other tributes. The most recent victor being District 11's male two years back, our strength is nothing compared to his. Last year, our boy tribute reached to the Final 10. He had not an ounce of power on him, he teamed with the Careers. He lasted that long due to powerful allies.

Only, he was shunned upon here. Teaming with the Careers is a terrible thing. I could never manage to do so.

I can only hope that perhaps Volt and I can tag with one another. Maybe then, we could combine what we know about surviving. Maybe it could atone for our little strength.

The Peacekeeper grabs at Volt's arm, forcing him up to the stage. Stumbling once, Volt is left on his own to make his way to Sophie Kennard.

"Volt Aldrin?" Sophie asks, her thin lips twitching into a forced smile.

A nod of the boy's head confirms this, offering his hand over to Sophie, in which she grabs hold of it and shakes it.

"Very light," Sophie says. "Perhaps we may have some chance if you two were to use your smarties."

Smarties...?

"District 3, I give you our 75th Hunger Games tributes!" Sophie shouts to the crowd, only a few applauding.

While the families are celebrating the fact that their children were not reaped, I will be in the Justice Building, tending to my parents as they give me last minute advice on surviving.

Sophie shoves Volt and I together, hissing, "Shake hands," into our ears, in which we do.

And while the crowd begins to gradually shift from the scene in many various departures, a handful of Peacekeepers assist Volt and I to the Justice Building. The men staring down at us as if we were dogs, we are left in the discomforting company of the Peacekeepers.

Volt and I say nothing to one another, or in general, all the way to the Justice Building. We will have plenty of time to speak to one another in the Capitol, and I am in no hurry to get there anytime soon.

By the time we are separated, the Peacekeepers drop me off in a well-organized room, closing the door tightly behind them as I take seat in one of the many chairs. No matter how nice the Justice Building may seem, it is still the area where I am likely to see my parents last.

I have to stay positive. Because if you are throwing it all away, it will get you no where in the Arena. I don't want to be like the rest of the tributes. I don't want to be just one of the many kids who lost their lives to the Capitol and their despicable Hunger Games.

I want to win. I want to come back to see my parents, Coriynne, Circuit, and everyone else.

And no matter the rocky relationship with my parents betrayal eight years prior, I can only hope they will somewhat miss me. So what if they left me to perish in the flames of our old home? The least they could do now is help me get through this.

And no matter what, I won't stop trying to get back home despite that.


A/N: So, I decided to just continue the story despite losing some readers. If you are still here, I thank you. And...yeah. I did this all in one sitting, so I may be doing District 4 very soon. Anyway, I think that is all.

Have a good day/night.

-Sallen