Hey! So I guess not many of you guys got the notification about the last chapter or you just didn't like it enough to be able to review. I hope that you enjoy this one more and that you will let me know what you think!

We move up in the districts to 8 to the land of Naedle and Smithe brought to us by the wonderful TheRainIsOnFire and Notthegovernment! Rinzu is a boy of my own but the other mentor may be that much more recognisable!

Enjoy the chapter and do let me know what you thinking!

Rinzu Cherry – Victor of the 47th Hunger Games

The paper sits on the table and I have no interest in looking at it again. I know exactly what it says, why would I want to read over words that have already been read. I already know the details; I do not need to waste my time. It is very clear at simple. I am to be a part of the mentoring team for this year's Hunger Games alongside Woof.

It was no secret that Cecelia and Zibeline are relieved to be free from this laborious exercise we are put through each year. I don't want to remember what happened in the Games I was put through, I can remember the people I was in that arena with as if I met them yesterday. Why, every couple of years, must I be put through the memories of what happened?

It's raining here in 8, what a surprise. It rarely stops raining here, whether that's a light drizzle or a heavy shower, or snow. That sometimes gets us every now and then, a nice change up. It's a pleasant change if we get sunshine. The grey factories that cover the districts are only contrasted by the houses in the Victor Village. What a joke, the Capitol wanted to play on us. Each of the houses is painted with a different, equally bright colour. The one that the Capitol assigned to me is lime green. Who wants a house that is lime green, it's like the whole Village is one of the crazy patchwork quilts that have recently come into fashion in the Capitol and they're all demanding right now.

Thank goodness the inside isn't the same as the outside. I would have rather lived in a house in the district like the rest of the folks around here, than live in a house where everything was lime green. The inside of each house is the same, plain walls and furniture of choice.

Crossing the square over to the first house that was ever occupied in this Victor Village, I knock on the door loudly. "Woof?" I call; the guy needs to get a hearing aid and fast. "Woof are you in there?"

The door creaks open and the face of one of the oldest people in the district, one of the few people who remembers before the whole Hunger Games started. "Rinzu? What do you want?"

His voice is as cranky as I remember and he regards me with wary eyes. I force a smile on my face, that's the conventional code to get people to like you and have people to trust you. "Woof, did you not get the letter that was sent to you?"

He frowns and tilts his head slightly. "Letter? What letter?"

Of course he didn't get it, he rarely pays attention to very much. "The letter telling you that we're mentoring together this year?" Patience is a virtue, virtue is a grace, try not to get annoyed when an old man has no idea what's going on. It's a stupid choice asking him to mentor, it means natural that I will end up doing all the work. What a joy.

His eyes widen and he sighs. "I didn't get that. When is the Reaping?"

I check the watch I bought on my last trip to the Capitol and sigh internally; I really have my work cut out for me this year. "In about 35 minutes Woof, you need to be packed and there in time for the Treaty of Treason. Do you need me to help you pack and get you over there?"

Woof runs a hand through his stark white hair before shaking his head. "Don't worry yourself kid, I always have a suitcase half packed somewhere. You go ahead, I'll see you there."

I frown, Woof isn't the most reliable person for being able to get anywhere without hurting himself. "Are you sure?"

He frowns and snorts. "Go kid, make sure that at least one of us is there on time. If you're so worried, send Zee or Cecelia over in a few minutes to make sure I'm out of the house."

No, I don't think that's necessary but it's good to see he knows me well enough. He should, he was the one who mentored me to victor 18 years ago. He was a lot better then. I turn and leave, the quicker I get there, the quicker this can all be over for another year.

Naedle Olliston (16)

You have got to be kidding me. Are they seriously going to try that again? I can see the kids from the other side of the classroom, the ones who are restless and are looking from side to side. I guess we are all on edge today; it is the most nerve-wracking day of the year, exams aside. Who knows which of us might not be here tomorrow? Who knows? None of us can for certain. All we know is that all of us hope that it isn't us.

I can see them out of the corner of my eye. They sit at the back of the class and snigger, I bet they're trying to pull some stupid prank and of course, as per usual, the teacher has no idea what is going on. "Hey Olliston, what do you call a girl who likes math?" One of them calls from two rows behind me.

He wants to play that game? Oh wow, well I suppose we better humour him. "Smart?"

"Keep your voices down." The strained voice of the teacher at the front of the class has a distant air that suggests that she isn't really concentrating on us. "There are only a few minutes of this class left."

Thank goodness, but does anyone ever pay attention to her? Nope. I turn around and glare at the idiot who has decided to try and make this day even worse than it is probably going to turn out. He doesn't deserve my attention but at least I can humour him.

"No you dumbass, the answer's you." Sniggers followed the comment and I simply roll my eyes.

"Wow, please come and tell me more of these incredible fascinating and hilarious jokes." I hit back, these idiots are really witty. "Give up, you lot couldn't work your way around the quadratic equation even if you wanted to."

And there is the look of complete confusion that I was looking for! Needle triumphs once again over the idiots who think that trying to make other people look like fools are going to end up well for them. "What's the quadratic equation?" I hear one of the whisper to the other.

"No clue, she's probably making up some rubbish to make us look back." The other whispers, although whispering doesn't really cover it when I can hear them from where I am seated.

With a satisfied smirk, I turn back in my seta and look at the piece of paper in front of me, the work we are supposed to be doing. I've completed it already, obviously. A shrill bell breaks anyone's concentration and there is a sense of joy of being let out of class but at the same time, a chill sets over the room. Minutes, that is how long any of us might have in this district.

The teacher sighs and closes her book. "Right, that's lessons for the day. Go back to your homes and get ready for the Reapings." She pauses and looks at each of us in turn. "I hope to see all of you in class tomorrow. Good luck."

The pity in her eyes shines bright, she knows exactly what it is like to go through the Reapings, every adult in this district has had to stand there with terror in their eyes, hoping that they aren't the one who is chosen. Grabbing my thin satchel that holds my school books, I am one of the first out of the classroom and it isn't until I am out of the school gates and heading down the dirt track, overshadowed by the tall grey buildings that are either side of the road, that I feel the presence of a familiar figure keeping in step with me. "Why didn't you wait for me?" The whiny voice makes me stop and glance down at my equally dirt brown haired brother, three years my junior.

"Calico, you know as well as I do that we have to run home if we want to get to the Reaping on time." I explain, as patiently as I can, sometimes he has an awful concept of time. "Now come on, I'm here aren't I?"

Grabbing his hand, I pick up my pace and break into a run, feeling the wind in my hair. He can't go into the Games, anyone but Calico.

Smithe Cooper (16)

"Come on Horus, close down this beautiful stall and we will be on our way!" I call as I watch the boy pack up the little street stall we have at the corner of the Hall of Solitude and the main high street.

Our little business is beautiful, it's an incredible way that I've managed to earn a good lot of money over the years and my parents are very proud of me. We are better off and living in the better part of the district because of what I have achieved and what my parents have achieved.

The skinny boy, who I have had to seriously clean up to make sure he was presentable for sales, smiles as he packs up the rest of the stall, clearing off the last of the coppers that were given by the passing pedestrians who bought the Capitol newspapers and the various odds and ends we sell. "How much did we make today Smithe?" He asks as I jangle the money in my palm.

It's normally a fair amount, around $30 a day on a good day, $15 on a bad day. On Reaping Day, it gets even better. Flicking through the notes and coins, I smile as the money is counted. "$40 Horus, we have managed to be even better than we are already!"

The boy gives me a toothy smile that almost reaches his ears, his eyes dancing with delight. "Oh boy! That's so cool!"

I hand him the money he gets, $15. "Go on, we've got to get to the Reapings. I can take the rest of the stuff home."

Grabbing the rest of the stuff, I watch as Horus dash into the distance as I take what is left of our stall and drop it down the side passage where my parents will collect it soon. Time for the Reapings, get this over and done with.

The town square is packed, the Hall of Solitude rises above us imperiously, waiting and watching over its people. I know a few of the faces around here, you get to when you are in the business that my parents and I pride myself in, but I doubt they know, or indeed remember, me. Murmurs surround all around me as glances go to the stage where two of our Victors are sat. I don't know their names and unless the worst comes to the worst, I won't need to.

Finally a hush falls over the crowd and my eyes are fixed on the funny little man who comes out with our mayor, our escort Dazzy Drake. "Welcome everyone to the 65th Annual Hunger Games, it is so wonderful to be back with you all again. Let's watch the wonderful video our glorious Capitol has so generously given us."

Generously? And they say I use the wrong words sometimes. It isn't as if we haven't seen the video before. I bet it's been the same video being played for the last 65 years; we all know what it says and why this happens. What kid in Panem doesn't know? The video finally ends before Dazzy moves over to the male Reaping bowl.

His hands dive into the bowl and we are all watching as he selects the piece of paper that will change the life of one boy forever. "Our male tribute is Smithe Cooper!"

Sorry, what? Me? That was my name that was called? What do I do? I need to remain calm, but I can't seem to move. I need to get up onto the stage but I don't seem to be able to go anywhere. Hey, what are the Peacekeepers doing here? I can walk there fine on my own. Can I? I can feel them pushing me to the stage; I don't seem to be able to move. Do I really need help? Look at all the people staring at me, what do I say? Do I say anything at all?

Before I can say anything, Dazzy goes over to the other bowl…who am I doomed to be sent to eh Capitol with. "Our female tribute is Naedle Olliston!"

I don't recognise the exact name, the surname is vaguely familiar but the girl who steps out of the 16 year old girl section is already welling up, the tears coming easily. Is she really crying? Or is it an act? I guess I'll find out soon enough.

Naedle Olliston (16)

It isn't Calico. Thank goodness it isn't Calico. The kid doesn't need this kind of thing to go through. No. Instead it's me. I'm the one who won't be in class tomorrow. Who knows where I'm going to be this time tomorrow. In the Capitol? In a bed? In the training centre? On stage, parading myself for the Capitol's pleasure? I mean sure, the fact that I got my moments of fame and I will be the centre of attention, if I play my cards right, is great. But this way? Not what I was planning.

I can do this, can't I? I can go into the Games and give it my best shot, can't I? I can have a go, do my best, right? I'm fast, I've had my fair share of fisticuffs and I'm not bad when it comes to keeping the energy up in running. Sure, I'll have a better stab at it than the other kid. What was the name? Smithe? He just seems a little strange. Who knows, I might be passing judgement way to early. He's in exactly the same situation as me, thrown into something I really don't want to be in. the least I can do is sympathise with him.

The room I'm in is incredible, but it's the people who are bursting through the door right now that are even more amazing. Calico is the first to reach me, his thin arms wrapping around my body, squeezing me tight. "Please don't go Naedle! You can't go, you have to finish school."

Aw bless him, the first thought he has is for my education. Always thinking of others, the sweet thing. "Don't worry about me Calico, I'll be home in no time. Right Cotton?"

I glance up at my brother, who doesn't share our dirt coloured hair but has our mother's sandy hair. He is biting his lip and forcing a smile onto his face, blinking away the tears. "Yeah, that's right Naedle. Mum and Dad wanted to talk to you separately, they let us come in first."

Of course, don't let the boys see my cry, let them see my break down. It'll happen eventually, I'm an actress; emotions are what come to me naturally. "You have to look after each other, you can do that, can't you?"

Calico nods. "Can we go and visit the boy's family in the Games? Maybe they will want some people to sit through the watching of the Games together."

I nod quickly; it's a sort of tradition in eight. You hear about the families of the tributes sitting together, especially if they are in an alliance together. "I don't know who the family are, but you look after them until I come home." I release Calico and embrace Cotton, leaning into his shirt, which smells exactly like the older brother scent that will always remind me of him. That was his last Reaping, he's safe now. "Make sure Calico doesn't get Reaped." I murmur so that only he can hear it.

He nods although we both know there is very little that he can do. "I'll keep him safe, don't you worry sis." He straightens up and releases me from the hug. He's up to something, what is he up to? Reaching into his pocket, he draws out his hand, which is clasped tightly around something. "I want you to have this Naedle, as your token for the Games."

Unclasping his hand, I gasp as I see what he has. It's his old silver ring, one that he found in the dirt one day when I was about four and there hasn't been a day where I haven't seen him wear it. It's his favourite, I don't know why, very few people really understand Cotton, but everyone knows it is his favourite. "I can't take that Cotton, it's your favourite."

He shakes his head and holds it up. "Look, it's a ring as a necklace." His eyes start to water and he breathes deeply. "Please take it Naedle, we have memories of you at home but you can't forget us while you're there. Take it to remember us by."

Finally I nod, if he really doesn't mind, I want to take it. "I'm going to come home and give this to you in person, okay?" I don't know what promise I'm making, I don't know how many promises to stay alive I've made but I will do my best to keep them. I have to, for them.

Smithe Cooper (16)

He has to carry on without me. It's a funny thought, I guess, having to do business and my friends going about their lives without me. I don't know what this life without me is like. I've only ever known myself to be in this world. Is this the time really to be so philosophical? I guess, now that perhaps the end of my life is getting closer and closer so it makes sense to be thinking about who I leave behind. Who each and every tribute that goes from here leaves behind.

The thought of not seeing my parents, of not getting to joke around with Hallen about his work, of not seeing Horus every day and occasionally Dalia when she decides to grace us with her presence, is weird. I have to make new friends, work out who I trust and who I don't trust within a matter of days. I have to look at potentially the face of my killer and see if they are decent enough to be friendly for an alliance, one that might keep me an alive for a few more days.

The door opens to the room and I frown as I see the older man who walks, well limps, into the room. He has a scowl on his face as he stands there, leaning on the door handle, his breathing slightly heavy. "Name?"

His voice is gruff and offbeat. Was he not listening to the Reapings? Or does he have a really bad memory? "Smithe…Smithe Cooper."

He sighed and nodded ever so slightly. "Alright Smithe, Smithe Cooper. Any nicknames? Anything strange I should know?"

"What do you mean strange?" I query, that's a very odd and random question.

"Any unusual habits I should be aware of? Any bad tempers that crop up? Any family issues?" He seems to be reeling off a list. Is this something he does every time he meets a new tribute? Slightly creep them out by being so blasé.

Fine then, let's play him at his own game. "Not that I am aware of, but then sometimes you realised that you don't really know you. What do you want me to do? Do we go now? Are we waiting for someone?"

The man simply snorts. "I'm Woof Karson kid, I'm old and I might die on you during the Games so don't rely too heavily on me." Well this is just getting better and better isn't it? "Rinzu will take care of the girl and you if it needs to come down to it but I will damn try to do my best to get you home. Just because I could die any day doesn't meant hat I don't care about you. Got that?"

Well that's a small mercy, certainly. "Great."

He nods and walks out of the door, down the corridor. Right, I guess that means that I need to be following him. Not much for polite conversation, is he? Going down the corridor, I can feel the Peacekeepers right behind me as we walk out of the back entrance and into the sun where the cameras are clicking away. They're so bright it's nearly hard to see the right way to go but there's a clear enough path to get to the train that's right on the doorstep. Metaphorically speaking of course.

The train itself is incredible, the metal is sleek and smooth, the inside is polished and everything is in its rightful place, I think. That is how the world seems to work here, and I like it. The carriage has so many colours it's hard to take them all in. The panelling is exquisite, the decorations are simply magnificent and I don't think I've seen some of the patterns ever before.

We move past several doors in the carriage, leading who knows where, before entering a larger room where I can see the girl who was Reaped. She looks as if she's been doing a lot crying, her eyes are blotchy. What do I do? Do I say hi? Do I go and comfort her. I've never been good with girls, well ones that get overly emotional. I mean, they have a right to of course, but I don't know how to deal with it.

The other guy who was on the stage comes over, a thin lipped smile on his face. "You must be Smithe, Rinzu Cherry, the other half of the mentor team. Do you and Naedle know each other?"

I shake my head. "I guess we will over the next few days."

That's the only way to get to know the people you might kill or be the one to kill you, get to know them. What a joy.

So...what did you think? Did you like it? I hope that you did like it and do feel free to leave a review with your thoughts! The questions are below as usual:

What did you think of the chapter?

Which of these tributes did you prefer?

Would your tribute ally with either of these tributes?

Here's to whatever the next chapter will bring as we head to another Career district (1 or 4...oooooh!) in just under a week! Do drop me a note to say what you think, whether good or bad! Constructive criticism is always valued!

Happy writing,

PenMagic x