Sam Dronem - 18
I stare across the district from the safety of the building. I've been up here for a couple of hours now, just staring. I enjoy climbing and parkour it makes me feel alive and the chance of death is just a petite disadvantage. I spot the capitol van driving past the building as it occurs to me that I don't have long left until the reaping. I stand up from my position on the building as I land on a balcony of one of the buildings, I come here most days so my path is pretty much already laid out. I thank whoever made these buildings so close together, sure has saved me a few times.
I start heading towards my house as the signs of the reaping become more prominent, I notice a limo type of van drive past only to see it wasn't a capitol official but it actually being the Mayor of the District. He steps out of the van as I walk past and overhear him say "The suspects for last nights robbery have yet to been contained and are still on the run, I say we tell the people we've caught the robbers and say we've executed them."
The peacekeeper besides him continues walking alongside him and replies with "Sir, wouldn't that be lying and putting the District in a false sense of security?"
The Mayor just laughed and said "I've been at this Job for almost 30 years and I wouldn't be here today if I hadn't told a few little lies"
They continue walking in the opposite direction as me and all I can think is that I know exactly who the burglaries were caused by, My friends insisted that I would help them with it but even I thought that was a bit farfetched, I don't really enjoy doing the serious crimes, not saying I don't do them I just prefer to stay away from the crimes that can result in my death.
"Psst Sam" I hear a familiar voice mumble.
I try and locate where the sound was coming from as I spot my friend Nano hiding in an alleyway, her back pressed against the wall.
"Nano! Was you in the whole robbery thing?" I ask her
"If I wasn't do you really think I would be hiding in an alleyway trying not to be seen?" She repied. Looking down at the floor. Her dark red hair falling with her face. "Someone almost died Sam!" She yelled at me obviously holding back tears. "The shop owner got impaled with a shard of glass when we escaped, they told me to not think about it but the blood was there and he was on the floor." She screamed at me, distraught clearly noticeable in her voice.
Tears were starting to fall from her face as the final words were yelled out. I run over to her and embrace her in my arms. " Nano its okay its not your fault, you had no idea this could of happened and I know you wouldn't want to cause him harm."
My shoulder is soaking from her tears by the time we come out of the hug. "Do you mind if I come to your house before the reaping? I don't really want to go back to the group after last night." Nano asked. Nano's Parents died in the same incident that my brother died in. In a section of the factory there was a loose wire which was being used to make the tracks. Tracks that the Teslas family wanted to be made. We was told that the loose wire flicked into a machine which eventually blew up and with it killed Nano's Parents and my brother. Me and Nano have both been back to that section of the factory and the only people we see responsible is the Teslas family, since then I've hated every single one of them. Since then Nano's been living with the rest of the group in a old factory for about 2 years.
Nano Is 19 and luckily she's escaped the Reapings, whilst I'm here still having to do my final reaping. Luckily my adoptive parents don't need me to take out a tesserae so my name is only in there a few times. "Nano I wish I could have been there for you, did they just leave you there?" I asked her.
"No they wouldn't do that to me and you know they wouldn't they're family to me. We just split up when we got the goods." She stares down her worn out shoes. "I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt, but someone could be dead and blood could be on my hands."
"Nano Listen, as long as the Peacekeepers don't find out you had anything to do with it, you'll be fine."
I spot a spray can on a bench across the road. "Come on Nana, I know something that will get your mind off it."
"Sam did you see the look on her face!?" Nano barked, obviously all the thoughts from earlier.
We arrive at my house and are greeted to both my adoptive parents' questioning looks. Although I'm not their true daughter they treat me like I am and I am truly grateful for it. "Hi Mum do you mind if Nano stays here for a while? We can go to the reaping together and give you a Dad time to get ready." I suggested.
"Nano you know you're always welcome in our household and you don't even need to ask?" My mother said with a warming smile on her face. "Sam I didn't know what clothes you wanted to wear so I Just left your..." She pauses for a second before she completes her sentence. "Bracelet, the one Harry made for you, try not to take so long you're on a tight schedule"
Me and Nano walk to my bedroom as I spot my bracelet.
"I'm surprised you haven't lost that yet, you lose everything" Nano remarked with a grin on her face.
I ignore the remark and open my wardrobe and spend a good 3 seconds selecting my outfit. I grab my Maroon beanie, my jeans and my brown knitted jumper. I'm not really into fashion but I adore this outfit more than any others.
"See you two after the reaping" I hear my mother shout as me and Nano leave the house.
I feel Nano hit me with her elbow. "Look who it is, it's the little twerp from the Teslas family"
Maxim Teslas 'Max' - 12
"Hayley why does your mother have to leave early for the reaping?" I ask
Hayley sighs and replies with "She's one of the few victors who liver here Max so she has to welcome the officials."
I'm confused about today, I know what's happening although I'm pretty sure Hayley things I'm oblivious to it. Hayley told me that her parents warned her that victors children always return to the games and told her to keep a low profile. She told me she's terrified
Just as I'm about to reply two girls shoulder barge us both at the same time resulting in both of us falling over.
"Sorry!" I hear the girl who looks older shout. "Didn't see you, must have been the stupidity blocking our line site." They both walk away with smirks on their faces.
"What their problem?" I ask Hayley, my knee starting to feel like it's bruised.
Hayley sighs as she puts her hand out. "Rumour is that they think you killed their families." Hayley must have saw the sheer distraught on my face as she added "Not technically but word around town is that they think your family did, but don't worry about them. I know you had nothing to do with it and that's all that matters."
I go to grab Hayley's hand and pull her down to the ground with me as we both giggle. "Hey that's not fair I got up before you." She yells. As we continue trying to get up of the floor my parents come out of the house.
"Maxim! You've got your cloths all dirty, you to Hayley. If the capitol sees you we are going to be in a hell of a lot of trouble." My Dad exclaims.
"Oh its hardly anything hunny, they both look dashing and the capitol should be honored to see them both attend the reaping with beautiful clothing." My mother says as she walks up to me and smudges dirt off my face with her thumb.
We set off to the reaping accompanied by my fathers commentaries. "Oh I helped make that!" He pointed at the tracks. "My creation are the main reason that can work!"
"Oh would you stop that sweetie, you're embarrassing the kids." My mother says as she puts her arm around my dad. I hear a gasp come from my father as we pass my real mother, I never really got to know her and my father and mother alike both think that's a good thing. Father says she was always shooting down his ideas and finally it came to the breaking point when she started treating me the same way.
We pass her and I even feel Hayley shudder from the awkwardness, "Hey Dad did you make that too?" I point towards a capitol type car. My father gives me a thanking look
"Ahh yes it was one of..." My father starts
"Hey Max look its your friend Bradly why don't you two hop off and go talk to him and meet us after the reaping?" She bends down and kisses me on the forehead leaving a lipstick mark. Then she links arms with father and Walks off. "And I made..." "Oh shut up."
Bradly comes running over to us and fixes his glasses. "Did you hear? The mean old shop keeper who said he'll call the peacekeepers on us is dead!" he shouts, with a bit too much glee.
"Really? That's what he gets for being mean to the all great and powerful Maxwell!" I shout
"First of all you tried to take all his chocolate and secondly you're called Maxium not Maxwell." Hayley points out as she stares blankly at the floor.
Bradly stares at me before reaching out and grabbing my arm "Tag!"He barked. Hayley notices and starts running alongside Bradly
"Hey that's not fair you didn't warn me!" I shout as I start running.
The bruise on my knee is really starting to kick in as I lose sight of Hayley and Bradly so I turn round a corner and notice glass scattered all over the pavement. I lean against the wall to regain my breath only to find blood scattered all over the wall.
I squeal as I realize where I am. The shop where Bradly said the Shop keeper died. I go against my judgment and peer into the shop and see the body is gone but the blood is still there making it easy to find where he died.
I notice that the shop is untouched and all the items still left on the shelves which makes me come to an amazing idea Get sweats and torment them for running by eating it in their faces. I step into the shop and take a carrier bag from behind the counter and run towards the chocolate section and tip most of the items into the bag. I notice the drink section is also untouched and I see a drink that my parents refused to let me have whilst they drink it on 'special occasions'. I have to get my hands on that and Hayley will definitely be impressed! So I walk over to the drinks and place the smallest one in my pocket.
Suddenly I hear feet approaching the shop at an alarming rate. Where do I hide? I panic and dive behind the counter as the footsteps arrive at the shop.
"Take everything that isn't nailed down, alcohol and cigarettes are on top priory. Anything else we can use for money, spread out." I hear a voice order.
One of the footsteps starts to approach my hiding place as I'm thinking what to do. An idea springs to mind as I jump up and throw my bag of chocolate in his face. I sprint to the broken window as I think I'm almost there as a hand grabs me from the collar. "Please don't hurt me please!" I scream.
"Fine we wont shut up, just run off and make sure we don't see your face ever again unless you want something bad to happen." The guy says as he throws me to the ground. My hand hits the glass as I land which ultimately causes my hand to bleed.
I run off in the direction of the town center as I try to hold back tears. The reaping is visible in the distance as I see its already started. A peacekeeper spots me and grabs me by the arm. "Hey that's not very nice" I say as he stabs my hand on a pin, places it on a piece of paper and throws me into the Reaping area leaving me dumbfounded and everyone staring at me.
"Come to the front now young lad! You'll miss the male reaping." Our male escort shouted.
As I'm walking towards the 12 year old section a spot a leg come out, obviously trying to trip me up. I jump over it and am quite pleased with myself, totally forgetting everyone is still staring at me.
I finally get to the section as I find Bradly "Where have you been? Me and Hayley were worried about you." Bradley whispers.
"I'll tell you after the reaping it's a long story." I reply.
"Maxim Teslas!" I hear our escort shout.
I feel Bradly grab my arm with a really big force. "Was that me." I say.
He stares at me. His eyes look like they're about to burst out with tears. He nods.
I break down and collapse on my knees. This can't be happening. This isn't happening. Please just wake up. More tears fall from my eyes as two peacekeepers grab my arm, removing Bradly's hand from my arm. "No please it wasn't, his, his name is Hayley!" The peacekeepers push Bradley over as they carry me over to the stage. They push me up to the stage as I'm forced to stand up.
The escort looks at me with pity in his eyes. "Onto the girls."
I spot Hayley looking at the ground. She must still be worried she's going to be called. Although it would be nice to have a friend in the arena.
"Sam Dronem." He yells.
I spot the girl who pushed me over this morning as It comes to me how dead I am in the arena. She wouldn't hesitate to drive a dagger into my head. She looks at me and the escort with absolute hatred. She snarls at me as she passes. Resulting in a jump from me.
"Congratulations to our tributes from District 6. Sam and Maxim!" He bellowed, sounding like all the shouting is going to make his voice die out.
I refuse to look at her in the eyes as she crushes my hand with an unneeded force.
Today has been a great day
I am sosososo sorry for not updating. My only excuse is that things have been getting to me that shouldn't and yea. Here we meet the two tributes for District 6 who have a feisty history. How will this effect them in the arena? Next chapter will be up by wednesday. Reviews are greatly appreciated. And can the two authors who have tributes reserved get them to me ASAP. Thanks for reading :)
