Nicodemus 'Nico' Belts (D8M, 18)

"Uncle Nico, wake up!" I feel small arms shaking me from my bed. I open my eyes to see Celeste, my 'niece'. Four years ago, my friend, Rhosyn, had her but she doesn't know who the dad is. She is a darling though.

"Come on! Mommy says we have to go!" Celeste insists. I groan as I roll out of bed, picking up the girl with the strawberry blonde hair and carrying her downstairs.

"I see someone's finally gotten you out of bed," Rhosyn jokes, taking Celeste from me. Rhosyn's the oldest in the house at twenty one, followed by Calc, who's nineteen and then me and Celeste. None of us are related except for Rhosyn and Celeste, we sort of just came together. When I was ten, I ran away from home. I was too tired of the routine, going to school, working at the factory, coming home and then going to bed. Everyday was a boring clockwork day. I like the life of a rogue, a thief and a swindler. Calc and Rhosyn were fellow outcasts of society and we banded together as roommates. They're the only family I have, since I never go back to my parents or siblings.

" Took you long enough, Nico," Rhosyn sneers. She saves all of her affection for Celeste and is her normal blunt, prissy self with us.

" Save it, Rhos. This is his last year, then he'll be free like us!" my friend, Calc, cheers.

"Fine, then. Come on, Celeste."

"We've got a few minutes, we could do some last second pickpocketing," I suggest. Stealing is one of my favorite pastimes, it gives you a sense of freedom md power.

They all look to me in agreement and we rush out of the apartment. I look around to see a higher class man walking to the square. Perfect target. Rhosyn runs to the side and poses as a distraction, pretending to fall and twist her ankle. As he kneels down to help her up, I notice a wallet in his back pocket. Without a sound, I rush over and snatch it out. The man doesn't even notice, he just continues to help Rhosyn up.

"Um, thanks. I think I'll be fine now," she says weakly to the man. He nods and walks off. As soon as he is out of sight, Calc, who was our guard, comes running towards us.

"Did you get anything?" he eagerly asks.

"Let's see," I pull out a wad of cash, "Good enough. That'll feed us for a week."

Celeste, who was too busy playing with her doll to notice the stealing, comes running over to us, understanding that it's time to go. I grab her hand and we make our way to the center.

Mauve Alleia (D8F, 16)

Death. That's what surrounds me, engulfing me completely. First it was my sister, two years ago in the games. Then it was my best friend, who volunteered afterwards to avenge her. That should have been me up on that stage volunteering. But no, I was too scared, and now I'll have to live the rest of my life with the loss of my two closest friends hanging above me like my own personal rain cloud.

I'm an outcast, but I made myself this way. After my friend Katrina died last year, I left my family to live alone in the woods. I love being at one with the wilderness, surrounded by the plants, flowers and animals. I had built my own little shack from fallen tree limbs and grass as bedding, which I call my home. Outside, is my own little garden of irises, as a memorial to my sister who shared the name with the beautiful flower. It's peaceful out here, no peacekeepers ordering you around or long days at the factory. Of course, my name is still in the reaping, which is unfortunate. I haven't completely disappeared from the face of the earth, but almost. Today is the one day where I go into society, to see the faces of the cruel peacekeepers and the falsely sympathetic citizens.

Knowing that the Reapings will start soon, I go over to a wooden chest in the corner of my house and pull out one of my few belongings from home, a black dress with deep purple accents and swirls, along with a violet ribbon I use as a belt. The ribbon used to belong to Iris, until the games, when she died early on at the hands of a career, the boy from District Two. I don't have a mirror so I can only assume that my thick black hair is straight and untangled. Straightening my dress, I rush out of my forest hideaway and begin the long hike to civilization.

Blue Jefferson (District 8 escort)

"You're on in five, Mr. Jefferson," my annoying manager, Klaira, chirps. Alright, I can do this, just charm my way through everything. All I have to do is impress President Cyprus and of course, Cyra. Ever since Cyra was announced victorious when I was fifteen, I've had a secret crush on her for the longest time. For the past two years, I've tried to approach her, but she always turns me away. I admire my outfit in the wall mirror in my dressing room. My suit is inspired by Cyra's interview outfit from the 125th Games. Her color changing dress inspired hundreds of new fashion lines and for the longest time, color changing clothes were the thing. Well, they still are, there hasn't been an amazing fashion break through in five years. To be honest, the last five years have been boring ever since the Quarter Quell. The games aren't as entertaining, the tributes are boring, and there have been no style outbreaks. I'm counting on the head Gamemakers message to Panem that these games will be like none other. This is Angel Morrissey's first year, but she has been an assistant for three. She was the only reason that the games were even remotely interesting.

"You're on in three... two... one!"

I rush out onstage in front of the district, giving my speech for the games. I love the reapings, it's a great way to see the districts. When the Capitol video is finished, I applaud, of course, being the only one doing so. District Eight was never the most festive. I rush over to the girls bowl and quickly select a name. Written in neat errorless font is...

"Mauve Alleia!"

A sixteen year old girl with long black hair and a pretty black dress comes out into the isle calmly. Funny, most girls scream or cry. Mauve just seems indifferent. When she is onstage, her face remains calm and expressionless as she stares off at the audience. I don't know what to think about her.

When it seems clear that she won't be saying a word to me, I move on to choosing the male tribute.

Making sure to smile at Cyra, who's golden hair has been styled into a twisted braid and looking beautiful as usual, I choose the male name. In the same black print, I read off...

"Nicodemus Belts!"

Suddenly, there is an uproar. Nicodemus shoves people aside and bolts from the square. Being eighteen, he had the farthest to run. He almost made it, too. But he was restrained by peacekeepers by the thirteen year olds. Meanwhile, another guy in the family section runs up, screaming, "I VOLUNTEER!"

Of course, it's me who has to break it to him when he gets onstage.

"You're too old, kid!" I shout to him as he begins to scream and punch. A girl in the audience, who is carrying a young girl is screaming profanities at everyone in the district. I try to drown her out, I don't appreciate such foul language. Some of these words I've never even heard before!

Finally, Nicodemus is thrown onto the stage where he is clearly unconscious. How are they going to shake hands now? Whatever, they'll do it later.

"Umm, your tributes this year, Nicodemus Belts and Mauve Alleia!"

Kodi Ostowski (D3M, 14)

As I board the train to the Capitol, I am overwhelmed by the sight of all of the luxury. I thought that I was privileged! This is going to be so much fun! I get to be on television, it's amazing! Norene seemed less than thrilled to be here, I don't see how it's possible. She's going to be famous! While I'm busy stuffing my face with fancy pastries, our mentor, Kristopher Dane walks in on his wooden cane. He's one of the older mentors, at age sixty seven.

"So how do you feel about being chosen for the games?" he asks us.

"Scared," Norene whimpers.

"I'm excited! I'm not exactly sure what they are though," I say.

"Now can you not know what the games are?" Kristopher asks, shocked.

"I was homeschooled," I say matter-of-factly.

" Alright then," he sighs, "What you need to do is watch the reapings for the other districts."

He claps his hands and suddenly a television turns on. My mouth drops open at the technology of it.

I sit on the couch and watch as many Districts are shown on the screen. District Eight stuck out to me, the boy went on a complete rampage, trying to run away. Another person who doesn't want to be famous, what's their problem? Well the tributes from One, Two and Four seem to get it, everyone volunteered there.

I don't know about allies, maybe the girl from Ten would work. She's my age and seems nice enough. But I'll have to see when I meet them, I'm so excited!

A/N

So there was a bit of the train rides and also an escort POV! What did you think of Nico's reaction? Death surrounding Mauve? Blue's crush on Cyra? Kodi being naïve? Norene's scared act? And most importantly, who did you prefer, Nico or Mauve?

Trivia: what song did Katniss learn when she was little that was against the rules in the District? (Hint, involves rope)

Thanks and please review!

Angelofmusic4ever