Just like to recommend Sovereign1598's SYOT "Jingle Hell: The 12th Annual Hunger Games". Please submit tributes! Heh, it's Christmas themed!
AERYN HAITH, DISTRICT 9 FEMALE
I love the smell of the wheat fields. They're so open and unrestrictive, and sometimes, if you stare right into the distance, you can see the wilds. Out of the districts, and out into the woods. The shrivelled, sun blackened trees around here are nothing special. Sure, they're a lot of fun to climb… but wouldn't those lush green trees out on the other side of the fence be more fun?
Perched on the branch of a large, spread out tree, I sunbathe in the early morning light. Usually I'd have to be working by now, out with my scythe in the fields, but I can relax today. Nobody works on Reaping Day. Even the lowest of the low… and that's me, I can promise you. Someday, I want to be the richest woman in the whole district. Exactly how I'm going to accomplish that is still questionable, but I'm holding out in hope of something happening.
A lot of people call me Squirrel, because I clamber up and down trees so easily. When I was younger it was a way to hide from the rampaging Peacekeepers (one in particular), but even as the Peacekeepers have become calmer, climbing trees has remained my hobby. One of my favourite things to do is jump down at people I know when they come searching for me. However, I'd never do that to anybody I don't know. If a stranger comes along, I'll scramble up that tree faster than a cork out of a bottle.
"Squirrel! Hey, Aeryn!" I hear a familiar voice call, and stick my head out of the branches to find my face inches away from Delaney's. We've been best friends ever since we were little, and she's one of the only people used to my rather odd antics by now. She barely even flinches when I dangle out of the tree, my long red hair brushing the floor. Alright, I'm showing off; I don't normally hang headfirst out of trees. As much as I'd love to say that I do, I don't and saying anything else would be a lie.
Not to say I don't lie, of course.
"Morning," I grin, flicking my legs out of the tree and flopping to the floor in a tangle of red hair and patched clothes. When I get up, there is a smirk on her face. She's always been the more ladylike out of the two of us, and doesn't always approve of my behaviour. However, Delaney is the best friend I've ever had, and I'd trust her with my life any day. Excluding the Games- I wouldn't expect her to volunteer for me or anything.
Honestly, I don't really think about the Games until Reaping Day actually comes along. The rest of the year is spent worrying if we'll get enough food, or if we can afford to keep the house, etcetera. There's no time to think about if you're going to get pulled into a sick game in which you will most probably die. Sure it's pretty sickening to think about it, but I'm really rather vague about the whole thing. I'm sixteen and haven't been chosen yet, and I doubt I will be. That sort of thing just doesn't happen to people like me.
Delaney rummages in her bag, before pulling out a loaf of bread and grinning at me, waving it in the air. I follow it with my eyes hungrily and, when she's not paying attention, throw out my hands to grab it. She lets out a cry of laughter as I snatch it up in both hands and shimmy back up the tree. When I've settled myself in a comfortable nook, I begin tearing the bread to pieces.
"That's for me too, you bitch!" Delaney calls up cheerfully. Tearing it in half with my fingernails, I toss one half down to her and take a large bite out of my piece. It's gritty and rather unpleasant, but that's the fact with almost all district bread. I suppose we get it a little better here than some other districts, since we are the grain district, but it's nothing compared to what I see getting shipped off to the Capitol. Fatasses.
After I finish, I climb down the tree to join her on the ground. Together, we begin to walk back towards the town, keeping up a light chatter. Now the day has actually come, I don't feel quite so confident about the Reaping. Every step I take back towards the town centre makes my heart pound a little bit harder, before eventually, I turn straight round to Delaney and look her straight in the eyes.
"Delaney, if I told you I wanted to run away… what would you do?" I say haltingly, in a quiet tone. If I am overheard talking about wanting to run away, I'll be lashed or maybe even shot. There's a high likelihood that it'll be seen as treason and I'll be sent to the Capitol and tortured. The look on Delaney's face confirms my thoughts.
"Oh my God, Squirrel, don't say that so loudly!" she says in hushed tones, biting her lip and spinning around. When she realises that we are completely alone, Delaney sighs and continues in a rather sarcastic tone, "If you told me you wanted to run away, I'd try to stop you. Aeryn, the Peacekeepers will catch you and… and cut out your tongue or worse! Please don't do anything so drastic!"
The look of fear in her eyes dissuades me, and I follow her back to the district slum. She'll have to keep walking until she gets to the merchant houses, where she lives, but I stop her. Scowling, I make my way into my rundown little house. I think my parents have already gone out to the Reaping… That's fine by me. It's not like we talk very much anyway, and I don't know what I'd say if they were here. My sister Nectar is better, and I trust her a lot more. But when I look around the house for her or them, I can't see anybody.
I get changed quickly, before heading out of the house and walking down to the Reaping, following the stream of people. It takes place in the village square outside the Justice Building, and everyone has to go. If you don't, you get shot.
After signing myself in, I hurry to near the front where all of the other sixteen year old girls stand. I spot Delaney and we clasp hands as the District escort comes mincing onto the stage, a fixed smile on her painted face. She does her usual talk about the Dark Days and how "gorgeous, fantastic, and FREAKING BEAUTIFUL" The Capitol is, before walking over to the girl's Reaping Ball.
Clutching Delaney's hand, I watch her every movement as she fishes around in the slips… Then, she pulls one out and says in a deep, important voice, "Aeryn Haith!"
Oh shit.
RYE HARRID, DISTRICT 9 MALE
I slice the bread with careful, precise strokes. Most of my family aren't up yet, since it is Reaping Day, but my mother and I have been awake for hours. Ever since my father died, my mother and I have been taking care of my younger siblings. Since I've always been a practical sort of person, I don't mind it all that much. I stopped going to school last year (when I was sixteen) to work in one of the grain factories, and I've taken up the post of provider alongside my mother.
We're a good team.
After I've finished cutting a very precise slice of bread for each person, I take a plate out from below the sink and pile them up on it. Then, I head to the table and dump it down, alongside a small plate of jam that my mother spent all of last night making. As it's the Reaping, we've tried to make things better. My mother's always been the no-nonsense sort, and taught me the difference between right and wrong early on. Sadly, that did not help my intelligence, but that doesn't matter. I've got a steady, practical life and that's all I need.
"Morning mum, Rye," a voice comes from the stairs, and we both turn around to see all three of my siblings standing there, looking sleepy. Bailey, Finn and Tarra: Tarra, at ten years old, isn't yet old enough to go into the Games. However Finn and Bailey are 12 and 15, and it is a possibility that they will be Reaped. There's always the worry that they will get chosen, but I mostly focus on stopping the whole family starving.
"Good morning Finn, Tarra, Bailey," my mother replies, glancing at them approvingly. They're all smart and dressed in their Reaping clothes, like me. Bailey, who is fifteen and usually in dirty jeans, is today wearing a neat dress that makes her look like a respectable merchant's daughter. There is an unmatchable scowl on her face, however, and I can't help but be slightly amused.
"There's food." I say quietly, gesturing at the table. The three of them troop dutifully down and begin tucking in, and I pull a slice for myself and begin to gnaw on it. I don't talk very much and I prefer to just nod or gesture, but sometimes that's difficult. Honestly, I prefer it when other people talk for me.
Once I've finished, I bid the others goodbye and walk out of the door, slipping on my shoes and grabbing a hooded coat as I go. I need to meet Sarah, my best friend, as we always do before the Reaping. She saved me in a fight when I was seven, and I've never forgotten it. Although I've gotten older and much tougher now, from years of hauling sacks at the grain factory, I still try to keep out of fights. However, when provoked, I don't stand down until I've won. Hitting under the belt and throwing sand in the eyes? I'd do it. All's fair in love and war.
I walk through town, and eventually find her outside the Justice Building. She's standing there, leaning against a wall with a slightly moody look on her face. When she spots me a smile appears and she walks towards me.
"Hey, Rye," Sarah says cheerfully, as she comes over to me and embraces me in a quick hug. I hold her back for a few moments before she backs away. I can't help but feel a little bit wistful: I've had a crush on her for a while. Although I'd never tell her, since I'm not that sort of person, it's been growing in me for ages.
"How are you feeling about the Reaping?" she asks as we fall into step side by side, walking towards the square where the Reaping will take place. I can't help but feel a little nervousness growing up in me; honestly, I'm terrified. I try and keep a cool head most of the time and stay calm for my siblings, but I can't suppress the anxiety growing in the pit of my stomach.
"Scared." I answer bluntly, clenching and unclenching my hands. Sarah shoots me a slightly odd look- most people get very confused by the fact I don't answer much in more than a word or a grunt. But it's just how I am. Speaking makes me anxious, and I can't do any harm by not talking at all, can I? However, feeling like I have to exaggerate (and trusting the fact I won't mess up to my best friend), I continue, "I'm scared I'll get Reaped. But I'm scared for Finn and Bailey too."
She is silent for a second, just looking at me, before she slips her hand into mine. I feel my face redden a little at her touch, and let my hand go limp in her own. I don't want to do anything that might offend her, and I'm scared that I'll grip her hand too hard and- God forbid- hurt her. I like Sarah. I don't want to hurt her.
We follow the people heading to the Reaping, and when we eventually get there, the place is packed. We have to split up as she goes to the girl's side, and I go to stand with the other seventeen year old boys. The district escort comes onstage and starts doing her usual repertoire, but I keep my eyes firmly on Sarah.
The district escort calls out a girl- she's got red hair, and she looks rather like she's about to run away as she is called up to the stage. She keeps shifting nervously from foot to foot, and there is a wild look in her eyes. Then, it's the boys turn and I find myself clenching my fists, wishing Sarah could be with me now to hold my hand and comfort me.
And a name is called.
"Rye Harrid!"
I let out a long exhale of breath. My God, it's me. I… I'm going into the Hunger Games. A shiver runs through my entire body as I walk shakily up to the stage.