Serena Willis, 17, District 4 Female.
I've heard stories from one of the Victors, Trident Hemsworth, that in the Capitol, there are lovely small pools where you sit and enjoy the warm water. It sounds heavenly, but I still know the best waters in Panem. District Four's seas cannot be rivalled by anything.
I dive into the water, its coldness making me smile. I've never been bothered by cold water, I'm just a bit shocked for a few seconds, then I get used to it. A school of tiny, silvery fish hastily swim away as I plunge into their domain. I then addle up to the surface to see my younger brother Sterling grinning down at me. He has a woven basket I made a few years ago, filled with fish, his spear by his side.
"I have dinner," he says, "It's still about four o'clock, so I might spear some more."
"Wow," I comment, "just a few years ago you could barely tie a good knot, but now you're excellent with that spear, and can tie knots pretty well!" I hold up my wrist, showing him my rope bracelet, tied with a Clove's Hitch knot, that he gave me for my birthday last year.
He beams at me, then dives back into the sea with his spear. My little sister, Zarya, runs up to me, an excited smile on her face. She's also clutching a basket, this one made of twine.
"Serena!", she exclaims happily, "I made it! I made a whole basket!"
"Great!", I say. "Soon you'll be making baskets that water simply cannot seep through, like Mags!" Zarya's already quite good at catching fish with nets and rods, but she's always struggled with basket weaving. I'm glad she's finally gotten the hang of it, because if I remember correctly, there's quite a rigorous basket weaving exam at her age.
I climb out of the surf and sit on the sand where our things are, letting the sun dry my wet body, then I feel a damp hand on my shoulder. I look up to see my older brother, Caspian, smiling down at me. Caspian is 22, and was reaped for the Hunger Games at age 18. Apparently it was the scariest experience he'd had, standing in the pen, knowing that he was going to die. Luckily, the chosen volunteer came through, and won those Games, but Caspian's view on the games was forever different.
"The Reaping's tomorrow," he comments, "I don't want you to go into the Hunger Games, but it's your decision. Just know what happens, the real terror. Television sets can not relay true fear to the viewer."
I see tears are starting to form in his eyes. He walks away, leaving me alone on the beach. I dust off my legs, pick up my fishing rod, and walk down to the jetty not so far away. Fishing always calms me down, and I know someone I love will be there.
Martin Crawler has been my boyfriend for two years. He's doesn't get amazing grades, and he isn't an all-star athlete, but he can make me laugh when no one else can. Martin also hires a yacht to fish whenever he can, and wants to be a ship captain when he's older. As I run down the jetty with my rod, he laughs and sweeps me up in an embrace.
"Serena!", he says, "We haven't been fishing in ages!"
"I know!"
"Well, lucky for you," he replies, gesturing to a yacht, "I hired a yacht today!"
Martin grabs his bait, and we head up onto the deck. We sail the boat out a bit, then cast our lines, chatting about school, about our friends, anything that comes to mind, but then, as the boat draws in to shore, I need to say something important.
"Martin," I say, "I don't want you to be hurt if I die in the Hunger Games. That's why I think we should break this relationship now." Tears are filling up his eyes, and mine too. "You will come back, won't you? Then we can be us again." "I'll try, Martin," I said, "I'll try." I give him one last kiss, the step off the boat and run back to my house.
Dylan Salton, 16, District 4 Male
I'm not the smartest kid in school (that's my friend Gracina), I'm not the best at surfboarding (that's my friend Olivier), I'm not the best at drawing or wisecracking (Hanni and Cahan respectively), but I am usually the first to know any news, for example, when I was walking down past the jetty on the way to Cahan's house, I heard Serena Willis breaking up with Martin Crawler, because she was about to enter the Hunger Games. I'm running quickly away now, so Serena doesn't catch me.
Soon, I reach Cahan's house. He, along with Ollie, Hanni and Gracina, are my best friends. I met Gracina first, we started bickering about a book I'd recently read. She thought it was boring, repetitive and stereotypical. I didn't. We were frenemies at first, but now I can trust her. Hanni was one of her friends, and we always got along fine. Ollie and I were assigned a group project in class, and we met Cahan at the beach once. Somehow, we all got to know each other, and now we're friends forever, however sappy that sounds.
I reach Cahan's place soon, and go straight up to his attic room. Gracina's sitting on a chair, reading a book and eating a bread roll. Cahan's throwing scrunched-up paper and blue sticky notes into the wastebasket a few metres from his bed. Ollie and Hanni aren't here yet.
"What's up?", Cahan says.
"The sky," comments Gracina.
"Wasn't asking you," he mutters underneath his breath, but we all heard it.
"Actually, it was more of a general ques….."
She's cut off by the entrance of Ollie and Hanni. Han's curly red hair is pulled back into a ponytail, wet from the sea. Ollie is sporting a new scrape on his forearm, the cobblestone paths here are as unforgiving as President Aquilo.
"It's the day before the Reaping," comments Cahan, "How's everyone faring?" "I know I'm safe for another year," says Gracina, "That Serena girl is volunteering." "So true." "I'm sort of nervous," I say, "I mean, I am entering this year."
"I can imagine," says Hanni.
"We're going to laugh so hard at you and Grass, Cahan," says Ollie, "in two years when we're out of the reaping ball, and our buddy Dyl will be a victor!" Gracina and Cahan are in the grade below us at school, in class Bass-1. "School of fish" was a good pun, but it's still awkward saying I'm in class Trout-2.
Anyway, we keep talking about everything, swim team auditions, baskets, mahogany tables. It's good to be with my friends, hearing Cahan's jokes, Ollie's comments, Hanni's laugh, and Gracina's wry remarks. I'll miss them in the arena, and there's always the chance I could die. I push that thought from my mind, and keep chatting with my friends.
Serena Willis, 17, District 4 Female
I awaken smelling fresh sea air. Someone must have opened my window. I smile, and go to the bathroom, where I have a quick shower and dry my hair. I tie it back in a bun, a few loose strands falling out. I then put on a dress that used to be my aunt's, a short-sleeved blue dress with a flowing skirt that goes down to my knees. I wear this dress on every special occasion, birthdays, Victory Tours, reapings. I see the bracelet Sterling made at the last minute, and slip it onto my wrist.
I walk over to the main room, where my siblings and father are eating breakfast. Mum died in the Plague of Four that went around during the 16th Games. I always disliked that Victor after her death. Dad, Caspian and Sterling are wearing white shirts tucked into crisply ironed jeans, Sterling wearing a black sweater vest over his. Zarya is looking as pure as an angel in a yellow dress with white lace. They're all eating toast with jam, a treat we don't usually get. Mum used to say that a nice meal helped prepare you for the stress of the Reaping, and I wholeheartedly agree.
"You're looking excellent, Serena," says Dad, "just like your mother when she was reaping age. Four wasn't this big then, everyone knew each other well."
"Yeah!", pipes Zarya, "You look great!"
We all enjoy our breakfast, and walk, as a family, down to the Reapings, to see our escort, Arcangela Iniko, in some ridiculous outfit, and to see me and Dylan Salton leave the district, and at least one of us will die. I'm hoping it's Dylan.
Several minutes later, Arcangela is pulling a slip of paper out of the female reaping ball with surprisingly short nails, and reads the name.
"Salmonella Solana!"
I crane my head to see who will go to the Hunger Games if I don't volunteer. It's a twelve year old, with scabby knees and watery eyes, who will most certainly die soon. I take a breath, and yell two words, a blessing or a curse.
"I volunteer!" Later, I am sitting in the Justice Building, surrounded by paintings of teal waves. My family walk in, and embrace me. I know every tribute says this at some point, but I need to come back for my family. I know they'll be able to move on, but two deaths might be a bit much for the Willises.
"I know you'll do well," says Zarya, "We'll always be proud, no matter what happens." "I know my sister can come back," says Sterling, "Serena Willis will go down in history. I know that much." "You know how I feel about the Hunger Games," says Caspian, "but you can make it far. Just don't make any stupid mistakes." "We love you, Serena," says Dad, "We always will. Me, Mum, Caspian, Sterling, Zarya, we're always on your side. Good luck in the arena." "Always keep your bracelet on," says Sterling, patting it, "and remember, we're on your side."
They walk out the door, leaving me in silence. I look at my bracelet again, and see a white piece of paper curled around it. Sterling must have left it there just then, he always did have nimble fingers. I take it off and read it.
Dear Serena,
I know we've broken up, but I just want to say, I love you, and I always will. When you come back, can we please be us again? Those times were great, and I miss them already. I know you will come back, you're the most skilled girl I know. I gave Sterling this note, because I didn't think you'd let me explain if I came in here now.
Love, Martin.
Dylan Salton, 16, District 4 Male
My family comes in, proud of their oldest son. I volunteered, and I liked it. Well, I don't think I'll survive the Games without severe mental trauma, but hey, I'll be alive.
My mum and dad are here, with my 25-year-old sister Ottoline and my one-year-old brother Luca. Otto steps forward first, a small feathery thing in the palm of her hands. She silently hands it to me, and I get a closer look. It's a feathered cuff band, woven with scraps of leather that would've been nigh impossible to get. I recognise the feathers from a white seabird that often roosts around here.
"It's your token, for luck," she says. Being the mayor's assistant, she is an expert on the Hunger Games. If you have a question, everyone will direct you to Ottoline Salton. Luca smiles, and claps his hands. He doesn't quite know what's going on.
"Be brave, Dylan," says Mum, "We know you'll do us proud." "That Serena girl seems like a real contender," says Dad, "but you have it in you to vanquish her and everyone else. Just remember that we're right behind you." "Thanks," I say, "Thanks for everything. I love you guys!" They leave, and four teenagers appear in their place. Gracina, Hanni, Ollie, and Cahan.
"Don't do anything stupid," says Gracina, "Word is that the Gamemakers are going to plan a ruthless arena." "How?" "My dad's the mayor, remember? So one wrong foot and the next time we see you, you'll be rotting. Run fast, and win."
"Good luck," says Hanni, "We really want you back, so show everyone who's boss! I know you have it in you." Wow, everyone seems to be saying the same things, so it's probably good advice. I see Ollie step forward, and begin to speak.
"Remember that dude who died drowning when we were little?", he says, "That was a lame way to die. I don't want you dying in a lame way, I don't want you to die at all!" "Yeah, we're with Grass and Han. Be careful," says Cahan, which is a bit hypocritical, but I don't care. "We will face palm so hard if you drown." We all burst into laughter at the hilarity of that, then we hug one last time as the Peacekeepers enter. Next, I see Trident Hemsworth's muscly build and white teeth, and I'm going to the Capitol.
Fish district done, now to the energy district, Five! I really hope you enjoyed reading about Serena and Dyl, submitted by NightandIvy and LookingforhogwartsX respectively. Also, shoutout to BirkaranDaReader, who submitted Trident Hemsworth, the Four mentor for this year. If you still want to submit escorts, the form is on my profile, so shoot me a PM with your escorts! Thanks for reading my fanfiction, and please rate and review! Constructive criticism is very much appreciated. The tribute list is on my profile, and see you next time!
