Zora Stikander, 16, District 2 Female
The paint felt nice across my skin, almost soothing as I brushed it on. The soft green of a leaf was brushed onto my cheek, while I dabbed the rough brown of bark onto my arms. I kept mixing colours, trying to get the right shade for a tree. When I was satisfied, I stepped aside, looking at myself in the mirror in the academy. There stood a smaller girl, her skin painted like bark and leaves and jet black hair falling down from her head. She looked confident, ready for anything. Ready for the arena.
"Wow, Zora, it looks amazing on you!" my instructor gushed, gazing at me in pride. "If you were in the arena right now, no one would have any clue of what was the tree and what was you!"
I grinned, grabbing a wet cloth and washing the paint off of my face and arms. Then, I smoothed my hair back and took a hairband to form a ponytail to hold my hair.
"I think that's good for today. Shall we move on to the poisonous berries station?" Without waiting for an answer, I brushed by the instructor, jogging towards the station. When there, I started up the program, moving the images into the correct stations.
As I worked, I heard someone let out a disappointed sigh. I turned to my side to see a younger girl working on the program, clearly frustrated with the computer.
"What's the problem?" I asked, walking over to the girl. She looked up, visibly brightening as she saw me.
"Oh, hey Zora! I've been working on the poisonous berry station, but I can't figure out which one this is." She looked up, hopeful now that I was here. "Do you have any idea of what it is?"
I smiled, then pressed the poisonous button, sending the image of the berry off of the screen. "Those are Ink Berries," I said, pressing the next button. "If you ever go into the arena and need food, don't eat that. A dozen of those can have you vomiting like a dog for days."
The girl smiled, happy to move on to the next level. "Thanks, Zora! I've been trying to figure out that for a couple of minutes." She sighed, laughing a little as she did so. "I guess that's why I'm just an average career, not like you with your survival skills."
I laughed and patted her on the back. "Don't worry. I'm one of a kind, and if you keep working on those great weapons skills I've seen you practice, you just might make it to the Games!"
The girl beamed from ear to ear, running off to the weapons stations at the other end of the Academy. I smiled, then turned to walk back to my station.
As I walked, I heard a voice calling me, then footsteps slamming down on the floor as a person sprinted towards me. I turned around to see Ajax Hollis, the male tribute for this year's Games, pant as he ran towards me.
"Instructor Barnes wants us to spar one last time. Are you ready?"
I nodded at Ajax, then ran towards the weapons stations. Once there, I walked into a small changing room, ready to change into one of the sparring uniforms for the fight.
As I changed, I spotted a new helmet right above the uniform.
Must have been because of that accident a couple of months ago…
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts as I changed. When I finally tugged my boots on, I stepped outside, ready to fight with Ajax. He came out several seconds later, his face looking eager to battle behind his helmet. He paused for a second to give his glasses to one of the instructors, then grabbed two daggers before stepping into the ring. I looked at the available weapons, before grabbing a pair of sais, longer but less sharp than the daggers.
I stepped back into the arena, taking a stance for the start of the fight. Ajax stepped back, and we nodded to each other. Then, we attacked, our silver weapons gleaming in the light as they danced towards each other. I stabbed at Ajax, careful to make sure I was still guarding myself with the other Sai. Ajax jumped back, dodging my Sai, then running towards me with his. I ran towards him, ready to stop him from hitting me.
As Ajax got closer, he twirled one of his daggers, seeming to want to go for my face. Just as I raised a Sai to defend myself there, he stabbed at my hand, knocking one of my Sais to the ground. I jumped back, nervous now that I only had one left. Ajax advanced, a small grin visible from behind his visor. Just as he stabbed at my stomach, I twirled and tripped Ajax up. It was a small step which was so close to Ajax that no-one would see, making my victory even more flawless. Ajax fell to the floor, his hands signaling defeat as I brought my last Sai to his neck. The instructor nodded, signifying the victory for me.
Ajax got up slowly, taking his visor off as he grinned up at me. "Good job, Zora!" he laughed, extending his hand to shake. " You've really improved since our last match. You're going to be tough to beat in the arena!"
I shook his hand, helping Ajax walk back to the changing rooms so that we could get out of the bulky protective suits.
"I just have one question," he said, glancing at me as I headed into the changing room. I paused, curious to hear what he had to say.
"Why did you trip me? No one else but me noticed, but that was the only reason you won that match, and I'm pretty sure you know it."
I grinned wickedly at Ajax, ruffling his hair as I walked into the room. "Jax, my dear, the answer is simple. Victory has such a sweeter taste than defeat!"
Ajax Hollis, 17, District 2 Male
I laughed to myself as I changed out of the bulky protective suit. Zora never could stand to lose a match, meaning that she would always resort to an ulterior method to win. I didn't mind because anything went in the arena. After all, in a game where you were supposed to kill 23 other children, a little trip was nothing compared to the things people did.
I hung up the suit on a hanger, placing my helmet above it. I made sure it was still on, and then walked out, ready to go home after my last day at the academy.
It was almost surreal, knowing that my time here as a student was going to come to an end today. For years upon years, I had trained in the Academy as an excuse to stay away from becoming a peacekeeper, and this year, very surprisingly, I was chosen as the male volunteer.
Mind you, however, I wasn't the very first pick. The original first pick, an 18-year-old named Tom Barnes, had broken his arm a month ago, effectively putting him out of contention. Next up, Czar Matthews, a 17-year-old, was the second pick, but he had gotten mono after celebrating his bump up to first with his girlfriend. He was in bed right now, resting and regretting the loss of being in the Hunger Games, and I was promoted to first pick, the designated volunteer.
Truthfully, I was very surprised when the head instructors approached me with this news. I was never the fastest kid, the strongest one, the most cunning, or the most weapons canny. I was just Jax, the guy people either thought was a total introvert or, once they got to know me, one of the funniest guys in the whole academy. The only reason I had been the third pick at all was that my Mother and Father paid double the price of any other family here to train me. That meant I got twice the lessons, twice the practice, and eventually, twice the experience of any other trainee in the academy. That work had paid off, and I had been chosen as the third pick.
Now, I was heading into the games, and I was, truth be told, a bit excited to head into the Games. It was the ultimate test of will, of endurance, of survival, and if I could come out of there alive, I would never have to be second best to anyone again.
I walked out of the training center, waving to one of the other trainees as I left. We were going to meet up with some other guys in town after 8:00, to celebrate my success in becoming a volunteer. First of all, however, I'd have to head home for dinner with my parents.
I jogged the short way home, careful to run around any cracks or holes in the sidewalk. If I was heading into the fight of my life, I'd prefer to have both of my feet intact.
The route was quick, and soon enough, I reached my house, lights glowing from inside and a wonderful aroma of steak wafting from an open window. I smiled slightly, unlocking the door with the key I kept in my pocket and going inside.
"I'm home!" I shouted, taking my shoes off and putting them next to the door, before walking to the kitchen.
My mother was there, zipping around the kitchen with more energy than a battery. I took a seat and waited for her to take stuff to the table.
"Hey, Ajax, how was your day? We're having steak and potatoes tonight for your last dinner at home before the games! Your father is upstairs, but he'll be coming down when he smells this steak!"
Right on cue, we both heard the tramping of feet coming down the staircase, and the voice of my father drifted down towards the kitchen.
"Hey, Julia! Is Ajax downstairs, or is he still at the academy? You never can be too sure of where that boy is sometimes…"
"Here I am, Dad!" I shouted, helping my mother carry the plate of steak over to the table, setting it down on a platter. Then, I sat down, waiting for Dad to come down for dinner. Mom sat down too, at one head of the table, the other side for Dad.
"Good, I don't need you running off who knows where when you're about to receive the honor of a lifetime. I do hope that you're having another one of those sessions tonight with one of the instructors. Remember that the Hunger Games aren't won by the most talented, but the most prepared."
"Exactly!" thrilled my mother, smiling at my father as he sat down at the head of the table with a bang, cutting into the aromatic steak. I followed likewise, taking a small but with my fork.
"Don't forget to chew ten times before you swallow, Ajax. You'll do that in the arena as well. I don't want the whole nation to see my only son eating like a barbarian!" chided my mother, taking small, prim bites from her steak. I adjusted my chewing habits, continuing to eat the steak.
Just then, I felt a nudge against my foot, and I looked down, surprised to feel it. I squinted to see my little turtle, Bean, running around the bottom of the table, making tiny chirping noises in excitement.
I groaned inwardly. Bean was my pet turtle, but she always tried to escape from her cage when I wasn't there, hoping to find me in another part of the house. I casually lowered my hand down to her, and she scampered on, chirping in excitement as she squirmed into my shirt pocket.
"What was that chirping noise?" my mother inquired, looking around the table with a confused gaze on her face.
"What noise? I didn't hear any noise!" I said, hoping against hope that Bean wouldn't choose this moment to poke her head out of my shirt pocket. I could imagine my mother's reaction to that…
"Why do you have a slimy little reptile in your shirt, Ajax? Turtles can cause salmonella, isn't that right, Paris? You must get rid of that hideous little reptile in the next couple of seconds, or you aren't going anywhere tonight!"
"Ajax? Ajax!"
"What?" I blurted, startled out of my daydream.
"Make sure to set the alarm on your clock tonight at 6:00 am sharp. You don't want to be late for- augh!"
My mother suddenly and let out a shrill scream, her finger wildly pointing at my shirt. I looked down and saw Bean poking her head out of my pocket, happily chirping at the family.
"Why do you have a slimy little reptile in your nice shirt, Ajax? Turtles cause salmonella, don't they… "
Zora Stikander, 16, District 2 Female
The crowd was filled with excitement, the feeling running through most people like energy. I felt it course through my veins, turning the atmosphere into a light-hearted mood. People grinned widely at one another, slapping each other on the backs. I found my mother in the crowd, slightly cringing as towers of men congratulated them on my victory of becoming the volunteer. I smiled, watching all of the other kids watch the stage with excitement. Everyone loved watching volunteers compete, and heavy bets were always taken in District Two on the Games.
I watched our escort, Viridian, come onto the stage, beaming wildly at the crowd as they roared in unison, happy for the reapings to begin. Viridian was rumored among the teens of the district to have changed her name to Viridian to match her hair, a bright shade of the colour that was her name. She grinned widely at the crowd, feeding off of the energy coursing through the town square.
"Good Morning, District Two!" she screamed, pumping her fist in that air as the crowd roared with excitement. Viridian walked to the reaping bowls, flicking back a piece of her hair that had made its way to the side of her face. She looked at the crowd and clapped her hands for attention.
"Attention, District Two! We'll have our Mayor say the Treaty of Treason to us, and then we can get to the reapings!"
The Mayor of District Two stepped onto the stage, carrying the papers for the Treaty of Treason. I groaned inwardly as he flipped to the first page, clearing his throat as he did so. Then, he launched into the speech, the crowd sagging in annoyance as he did so.
I tapped my foot in impatience as the speech wore on, waiting for the time to pass by. I had heard this treaty every year of my life, and it was just as dull and dreary to me as it was two years ago.
Thankfully, the Mayor sped up the speech a bit this time, perhaps sensing the annoyance the crowd was feeling. When he finished, he stepped to the side, letting the seemingly dozing Veridian draw the tributes.
"Wha…. Oh, I'm supposed to reap the tributes so someone can volunteer! Hello, District Two!" Veridian exclaimed, having fully woken up. "Let's reap our lucky lady!"
She stepped towards the bowl, drawing out one of the thousands of slips in the bowl. She unfolded it, once again tucking back her hair behind her ears, and stepped up to the microphone.
"Our first, wonderful tribute for District Two is… Charissa Evans!"
I jerked my head up, my throat automatically spitting out the phrase I had been practicing for the last few months.
"I volunteer as tribute!"
Veridian clapped happily, beckoning me up to the stage. I walked up and stepped onto the stage, Veridian gasping in horror as she saw my face.
"What on Panem happened to your eye? " she blurted out, clasping her hands over her mouth in shock. "I mean, what is your name, young lady?"
I smirked in triumph at Veridian, making sure that she could get a good glimpse at my cold, dead, grey, useless left eye. She cringed, and I stepped up to the microphone. "My name is Zora Stikander!" I yelled at the crowd, raising my hands in triumph. The crowd roared, not caring about my appearance. In District Two, you based someone off of their work drive.
Veridian clapped nervously and then stepped to the boy's reaping bowl. She quickly drew a name out, trying to avoid my gaze, and then read it out.
"Peter Majlovic!"
"I volunteer as tribute!" Ajax cried out, jogging up to the stage. Viridian frowned slightly in disapproval at his casual reaping outfit, an academy training shirt with black jeans. She recovered quickly though and smiled delightedly at Ajax. "And what is your name, young man?"
"Ajax Hollis!" Ajax said quietly, the microphone barely picking it up. The crowd roared in approval, and Ajax cringed back, nervous of the crowd. He looked over at me, and I winked with my bad eye, smiling broadly as I waved to the crowd.
Ajax snickered at my mocking of Veridian and smiled, following my lead as we waved together. We would go into the Games together.
Ajax Hollis, 17, District 2 Male
I grinned as I headed into the Hall of Justice, walking to the Goodbye Rooms. Zora had carried the brunt of our waving to the crowd, as I had stage fright, but I had managed to pull it out with a couple of waves.
Two peacekeepers walked by my side, carrying guns in their white-gloved hands. I shuddered at the sight of them, knowing their fate of twenty years bound to the Capitol's whimsies.
It could have been me in those masks in a couple of years…
I was brought to the room that I would wait for my parents to come, the peacekeepers opening the door and waiting for me to walk in before they closed it, standing guard on either side of the doors. Two more came in with me, and as I gazed out of the window, I saw even more positioned on the grass behind the building. What on Panem had happened to cause this much security for tributes?
I shook my head clear of the thoughts as I heard the door creak and turned to see my mother and father hurrying into the room. My mother ran in, coming to hug me.
"Ajax! I'm going to miss you so much! Remember when you're in the Capitol, don't take money from strangers, always follow the advice of your mentor, and eat enough to energize you for the Games. I don't want you lackluster during your interview!"
"Yes, of course… " I mumbled, already dreading the day I would have to step out on that stage with thousands of eyes on me.
My father stepped towards me, patting me on the back as he smiled painfully at me.
"Listen to your mother, and remember to brush up on training during your time in the Capitol."
I smiled at both of them, nodding my head. "I'll remember all of those things. Wish me luck!"
My parents smiled happily, my mother chatting about her job at the mine, negotiating agreements with other firms for the stone that they exported to the rest of the Districts.
I nodded my head, half listening to my mother as she chatted. Soon enough, the peacekeepers came in, signifying that they had to leave.
"Now Ajax, you've got to remember, don't eat many sweet things in the Capitol! Those things like the cookies that they advertise on the television can rot your teeth out!"
"Actually, the instructors said that I should carbo-load for the Games, seeing that I'm heading into a potential arena with little food..." I mumbled, staring at the floor.
"Listen to your mother!" my father said, nodding brusquely at the peacekeepers as he walked out.
"And don't catch a cold!" my mother cried, waving goodbye as the doors shut on them. I waved back, waiting until I could get onto the trains. As I counted down the minutes, I heard the doors swing open again, and whipped up my head in surprise as I saw my friend, Slate, walk into the room, holding Bean in his hand.
"After you came by last night, dropping off Bean so that your parents couldn't throw her out, she wanted to see you. So, I brought her over!" he said, grinning as Bean squirmed out of his hands, running around the floor in delight.
"Bean!" I gasped, taking her up and stroking her shell gently. She chirped in delight and settled into my hand.
"Thanks for bringing her!" I said, smiling at Slate as he watched Bean.
"Oh, it's no trouble. The little squirt loves you-" Slate was cut off as the door opened, the peacekeepers beckoning him over. He tried to grab Bean, but she jumped out of my hand, running into the room and hiding. We both gasped in shock, and Slate dropped to the floor, looking for her, but the peacekeepers tapped their guns against the floor, warning Slate. He shrugged in defeat and walked out of the door, a worried expression on his face.
As soon as the doors closed, Bean came back, chirping delightedly as she ran around me in circles. I chuckled unhappily and stared at Bean. 24 tributes and one turtle would be heading into this year's Games.
Hey! It's me again, and here are the reapings that you guys decided you wanted the most! I really like both of these tributes, and thank brooke2214 and The Girl With The Knives for these two. I also have set up a sponsor system for the Games, so check it out on my profile! Until next time, TheAmazingJAJ
