Tiresias (Reese) Slater, 18, District 2 Male
I throw open the front door, not caring whether I wake anyone. Today is too important to waste any time on courtesy. Today is the day I will become the volunteer for my District. I step outside into the crisp morning air.

"Ahh." I inhale the cool oxygen, letting it fill my throat. I stay still for a moment. This could be the last day that the air is fresh for a while, with my going into the arena. I wonder what my competition will be like. Will I destroy them, or will they actually fight back?

"Enough." I say to my surroundings. "I won't be distracted by this air. It's time to kill." I walk down the street, feeling a sense of purpose.

When I get to the arena, all eyes are staring at me.

A pitiful girl, probably around fifteen or sixteen, runs over to me. I flinch. Why is this girl before me?

"Reese!" She says to me, her eyes big, mouth slightly open.

"What?" I ask, not bothering to hide my annoyance. "Spit it out. I haven't got all day."

"You're handsome."

I scoff, rolling my eyes. "Out of my way."

When she doesn't move, I grab her tiny head, and shove her down. Continuing along, I step over her confused form, and into the Academy.

About forty teens are huddled around a piece of paper on the wall. I knew what it was of course. Only one piece of paper could have such importance.

But there were people in the way. And I needed to see.

Someone turns around and sees me. A murmur floats throughout the crowd, and the children in the middle move out of the way so I can see the results for myself.

But there is one girl who doesn't move.

"Ahem." I clear my throat to get her attention, but she doesn't budge.

"Take the hint." I say louder, but still calm.
The girl turns around, and smiles at me. I can't tell if it's real or not. I know that if someone told me to move, I wouldn't be pleased, but this looks genuine.

"Hello, it looks like we are district partners!" The girl says, all too enthusiastically.

"Ugh." I think to myself. "Why are some people so enthusiastic about everything?"

"And who are you?" I ask, sizing up my competitor.

"That's Zaira Liu." A smaller kid pipes. "She's really good."

A look at him for a moment. A walk over to him, and press my fingers against his lips softly.

"Hush." I mouth, my voice barely above a whisper. The kid looks down at his toes, embarrassed.

"So, Zaira." I turn my head to the girl, who is a full head shorter than me.

Zaira Liu, 17, District 2 Female
Typical. The meathead career who swings his sword at anyone he sees. It's the same way every year. All they think about is killing, but there is so much more than that. It may be all they teach in the Academy, but no tribute has ever become a victor by killing everyone. You have to survive.

So when I see Tiresias in front of me, I don't see a victor, I see a tribute.

But I would never say any of that to him of course. If there is anything I've learned from five years of psychology class, it's that people don't like being insulted.

So, I will put on a face, and smile at Tiresias. I'll let him think I'm just an airhead like him. I'll stay with the careers, and let them think I'm like them. I won't let anyone see the true side of me until we get into the arena.

I've had seventeen years to prepare for this moment in my life, and I won't lose it. This victory is mine for the taking.

"Excuse me Tiresias. I have somewhere to be." I say absently, pushing past him.

"Hey! Where are you going? We have to train, the games start tomorrow!"

I stop at the door, and sigh, turning around.

"I've been training since I was born. Haven't you?" I question, already knowing the answer.

I smile as I walk out the door. I like this Zaira. The confident Zaira. The career Zaira.

I'm not going to be another girl from two that dies, soon to be forgotten. I'm going to be the girl from two that comes home from the Hunger Games the same way she left.

I push open the door to my house, and run up the stairs, skipping one, like I used to do when I was a little girl.

Knock Knock.

I push open the door to my brother Torrin's room.

I see him, laying facedown on his bed.

"Torrin? Are you okay?" I ask, slightly worried.

Torrin notices my tone and cocks his head towards me, looking straight into my eyes.

"Zaira. You're going to die!." Torrin yells at me, exasperated, sitting up now.

"What, I was just about to tell you-" I begin, confused, but Torrin cuts me off.

"No! Everyone already knows, you're going to die, you're going to die!" He babbles.

"Torrin. No, I'm going to come ba-"

"Stop Zaira! You don't understand, do you? You think you're different, but you're not. You're going to go volunteer to slaughter innocent kids just like the others! You're no different than Tiresias! Do you know how many kids are distraught when they go into the games. They have no chance! But you're going to choose to be the girl who tortures little boys and girls before killing them." He shouts angrily.

"Don't do it, Zaira. You're not a monster." He begs, clasping his hands together.

I feel a tear run down my cheek.

He's the one that doesn't understand. I turn on my heels, and run down the stairs, out of the house.

I sit on my porch, and bury my face in my hands.

"I wish he understood." I cry.

Tiresias (Reese) Slater, 18, District 2 Male
It's finally time to get out of this place. To earn my spot in Victor's Village, bathing in hundred dollar bills.

I smile just thinking about it.

I step into the square. I've been here six times before, but now is the only time that it matters.

I look over at Zaira, who is lost in thought.

I roll my eyes. Thinkers never win this competition of strength.

Our escort, a fat, make-up covered man called Othello Losteporticus walks out of an entrance that leads who knows where.

I grin, knowing I'll be walking through that door in just a few minutes.

Zaira Liu, 17, District 2 Female

"Leena Reqalla!" Othello calls.

The girl doesn't move, knowing there will be a volunteer to take her place.

"I volunteer as tribute!" I shout into the air, loud enough for everyone to hear. I sprint excitedly up to the stage, a rush of adrenaline pumping through me.

I scan the crowd for my family.

I see my parents, waving proudly. I beam. But my happiness instantly fades when I see Torrin shaking his head, disappointed.

But Othello has already moved on.

"Porter Bronswell!" A boy in my grade begins walking up to the stage, and he actually looks excited. But of course,

"I VOLUNTEER!" Shrieks Tiresias, with an enthusiasm I have never known. He shoves poor Porter to the ground, and bounds up the steps.

"District 2!" He shouts into the crowd, his adoring fans jumping up and down, filled with excitement for Tiresias.

The rest is a blur.

We are whisked away to the Goodbye Area, where Tiresias's ecstatic parents praise him.

My parents come in.

"I love you so much Zaira!" My mother says.

"We know you are going to come home and make all of our lives better." Father beams.

Tiresias looks over at us.

"Actually, I'm coming home." He says, matter-of-factly.

I cringe, bracing for some sort of reaction from my parents, but they say nothing.

"Come back Zaira." Torrin whispers from the doorway.

My expression turns grim.

"I will, Torrin." I say to him.

And I hope to God that I do.

"Tiresias, the Victor!" Tiresias shouts at me.

Shut up Tiresias.

A/N: 2 Chapters in 3 Days! I'm great, I know. (pats self on back lololololol) Tell me what you think down below!

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