Hey guys! Ok, so next up is District 5, but the girl is a bloodbath character, so I'm going to skip all of the bloodbath characters to speed things up a little. I'm still going to start the guys and girls from the same spot so I don't mix myself up or give someone more "screen time." I hope you're not bored with me yet! Oh and remember to review, otherwise I won't know if I portrayed your character wrong, or if it sounds super cheesy. Well, enjoy!
Bennett Kellston
District 5 Boy
I don't know the girl who has just stepped on the stage, but assuming the escort is correct, and she knows who she is, her name is Emerald Wherton. I think she's from the poorer side of town, but I'm not sure.
I hear my name being called over loud speakers. Oh no. I go to the stage, which might as well crumble to dust right now, and it wouldn't make any difference to the way I feel. The escort runs her hands through my dark hair, which is disturbing. I shudder. "Get away," I say. She quickly backs off like she's scared or something. I didn't mean to do that…
Emerald and I are led away to our rooms to say our goodbyes. My entire family comes in at once. My dad and my step-mom Ham try to hug me. I push them away, and they don't argue. My little half-sister Misty runs up to me and throws herself into my arms. She's only five, and I don't think she knows what's going on, but anyone could sense the solemn atmosphere. I hug her back easily. She's the only person in my family who gets a glimpse of my softer side. I would do anything for her. My older brother Kael comes up to me and pats me on the back. I look up at him. We're not best friends or anything, but we do have some memories. In the old days when mom was still alive, and how we both still call the "new mother" Ham. Her real name is Hamela, but whatever. When our eyes meet I see all those memories in that moment. It sounds weird but it's true. I've tolerated him all these years, but he's my brother. I at least owe him that right? "You'll come back, son," my dad says.
"Yah, if I somehow get past all the careers out to get me, let alone get past the bloodbath, and oh, I'm positive I'll be able to kill anyone and everyone who gets in my way," I counter. He looks at his feet.
They leave, and my best friends come in, Lorly, Alton, and Jag. I spend most of my time with them when I'm not with Misty. They all have their hands in their pockets and are staring at the floor. Alton is the first to look up. "I'm really sorry, man," he says.
"Me too," I answer. We talk about nothing in so many words until the Peacekeepers take them out. I really hope I win this thing.
Rhiannon Lash
District 6 Girl
"It's so wrong that they make innocent kids fight! How is it even legal?" I'm on one of my rampages again. It happens every reaping day, and it's always the same. But my random fits don't change anything, and they never will. It's the price we all pay for being born in these mad times. I hate it, but I tolerate it. I have to.
My best friend Sylvia Walsh always listens to me. She knows nothing will ever change, but it pays to have a friend who will just sit there and let you cry. Not that I cry. I don't. I just storm around the house and yell as loud as I can without Peacekeepers coming. That happened once actually, but my dad somehow convinced them I was sick, and was currently delirious. I don't know how it worked, but if it didn't, I would not be here, with my friend, risking our lives again. "I realize this, and say, "We should go get ready." It's almost scary how casual I sound.
Sylvia goes to her house to get ready, and I do the same. This year, my reaping outfit is a gorgeous spring green dress with willowy leaves and a low neckline. It's my favorite. Sylvia helped her mom make it for my birthday last year. I walk out into the kitchen to find my twin sister Annalaura on the couch, pretending to be asleep. She hates the Hunger Games, like me, but she doesn't like that I say so so openly. She got on my back about it last week, and I got really mad. We haven't talked much since then, but we'll be chatting like old friends after the reaping. We always do, and always will. My older sister Mellaura comes out dressed in and pretty purple dress that she found in mom's closet a few years ago. I guess it fits her now. Mom died of pneumonia a few years ago. I miss her, but I guess that's to be expected. I wish she could see Mel in her dress.
We walk to the town square together with dad, and I run into my boyfriend Derek. Dad shoots him a death glare, but funny enough leaves us to ourselves and goes to stand with his friends. Anna and Mel do the same. We watch them leave for a few seconds and then burst out laughing, which is ironic, since two kids are about to be sent off to their deaths. I feel ashamed and shut up. Derek does the same. "So, you going to volunteer?" he asks. I sigh. We go through this every year. I always feel like I should spare whoever is chosen, but whenever I open my mouth, nothing comes out.
"No," I admit. "I can't, you know that."
"I do," he says, "and I'm glad." He pecks me on the cheek, and we separate. Although we're the same age, we don't stand together since the decided it would be more effective to separate the boys from the girls. I don't understand this, but it is what it is.
The mayor comes up and gives his speech as quickly as he can. He doesn't like it any more than we do. The escort comes up and introduces herself as Jerlie Okman. As if we don't know who she is. She's been the District 6 escort for at least seven years. It freaks me out how she never seems to age. She crosses to the girls' names and pulls one out. She reads in loud clear voice, "Rhiannon Lash."
I'm stunned. I have always debated on whether or not I should save the girl who gets chosen, but now I'm desperately hoping someone is willing to save me. But I know if they volunteer I'll have to turn them down. How can I let someone take my fate from me? They shouldn't have to pay for it. It's not my fault, of course, but I can't let someone sacrifice their life for me. I won't. I'll just have to come back alive.
Sitka Spruce
District 7 Girl
"Hey Juniper wake up!" I bounce up and down trying to wake my little sister. I know it's immature, but hey, it's fun. Juniper stirs and sits up groggily. "I don't want to," she protests. I smile. She stands up and rubs her eyes. She knows she has to unless she wants to die. We all do. It's the national rule: Be at the reaping unless you're at deaths door. If you're not, you die. It's silly, but we live with it.
I drag Juniper into the living room where Cammie is waiting. Cammie is my best friend, and always will be. After Juniper and I had both of our parents die, Cammie's family offered us a home. We're forever in their debt.
"You still alive Juniper?" Cammie asks. We all laugh for a second, then stop suddenly. It can be seen as a joke, but today at least one totally decent kid will be sent to their death. Despite my ability to find something to laugh about in everything, my talent fails when it comes to the Hunger Games. We sit down to a breakfast of toast and apples. Not the heartiest meal in the world, but we're not the richest people, and we've learned to make do with what we have. And behold! Here we stand, alive, happy and healthy. Well, here we sit actually, but what's the difference?
By the time we're done laughing, talking, and eating, it's time to get ready for the reaping. We all slept in today, since we have work off and it may be our last morning at home. But out of all the kids in District 7, I'd say the odds are in our favor. None of us have taken any tesserae, so we're as safe as anyone our age. I go to my room and slip on my silky green dress, and the brown leggings I always wear with it. I've worn this outfit for the past three years now for the reaping, but I love it, and we can't afford anything new unless we want to go sign up for tesserae. I slip on my moccasins, and meet Juniper and Cammie on the front porch.
We go to the square, none of us speaking a word. Everyone's always quiet today. We're all scared, and we have a right to be. Cammie and I wish good luck to Juniper, and she goes to stand with the rest of the thirteen year olds. Cammie and I go stand together in the sixteen section.
The mayor gives his legendary speech, and once it's over I'm ready to go home. But I can't. I have to stand here and suffer with the rest of Panem. The escort comes up onto the stage. It's a guy, which I find weird. I don't know why, but I do. His name is Bob. Really? Bob? That's the most unoriginal name I've ever heard. And I've heard more than my share of unoriginal names. He says some words I can't understand in that silly Capitol accent, and goes over to the ball containing the girls names. I close my eyes. Please don't be me. Please don't be Cammie. Please don't be Juniper. But it's not Cammie. And it's not Juniper. It's me.
I walk up to the stage with my head held high, as if I had not just been sentenced to my death. Bob introduces me to the crowd, but most of them know who I am. I do a fashion model pose, and manage to wrestle out some laughs. But everyone knows I'll die. But I'm going try my best.
District 8 = Bloodbath Characters
Lavette "Lav" Mandeen
District 9 Girl
"Wake up!"
I hear my sister Kal bang on the door. Today are the reapings. I sit up and storm out the door. "What was that for?" I almost shout at Kal.
"It's nine in the morning. You need to get up," she answers coldly. I scowl, and stomp back to my room. No way am I getting up yet. I will sleep until noon. I'm not hungry. I don't want breakfast. I don't have any friends to go visit, so I'm going to get some sleep. I do get some sleep.
I wake up three hours later. I glance at the clock. Perfect timing. I sigh, because now I have to get up. But that doesn't mean I want to. I'm hungry now. I tiptoe into the kitchen, making sure Kal isn't there. I scurry over to the cabinet, and sneak a loaf of bread into my room. I tear off small pieces, and eat them slowly. This is my thinking time. Thinking makes me mad though. I think about the event that will take place today in the square. "I hate the Capitol!" I scream, throwing the bread at the floor. Kal hears me and barges into my room. "Shut it will you?" she says. No. I won't. I don't care if I die for my feelings. I don't like life much anyway. Death sounds much more enjoyable.
"What gives them the right to kill off kids as they please?" I yell at Kal. "Why do they think that's fair? Why do we have to live here? Why us?" I yell again.
Kal rolls her eyes and slams the door behind her.
I'm done with my tantrum for now. It's time to get ready. I cross the room and open my closet. I pull out a simple black dress. It's the same one I wore for my mom's funeral. This might as well be a funeral, so this is what I put on. I comb out my silky black hair, and head over to the square by myself. I'm early, so I walk slowly. After a few minutes, other people come out of their houses and I speed up to a normal pace. I'm still fairly early, but I go ahead and stand with the two seventeen year olds already here. Next year I'll be eighteen. And the year after that, I won't have to worry about the reaping anymore. I long for that day.
Eventually, the square is packed with people from all over the district. The mayor appears on the stage, gives his long speech, and graciously accepts the halfhearted applause. The escort Miri comes onto the stage; her long lime green curls bouncing. She says a few words of welcome, and hops over to the girls' ball. "Lavette Mandeen," she reads. Oh joy.
Hope you liked it! Review, review, review!
