Alright! District 10 here we go! Just a warning: Updates may be a bit slow, now that I'm back in school ^-^ I don't know if this is creepy to you guys, but they actually installed cameras on the ends of each building. O_O" Creepy, right?! Anyway, read and review! Leave your thoughts on the Tributes, and earn yourself sponsor cash :) Enjoy! ~Squintz

DISTRICT 10 REAPING

Bandit Lee Highland -

I wake up early, swinging the sheets off of my legs and feeling the cool air rush over my skin. I smile, yawn, and then walk to the window. It's still a tiny bit dark out, and the sun peeks over the mountains of District Ten. I then walk over to my closet, pulling on a jacket over my tank top, and run downstairs in my pajamas. The house is dark, silent, and still. Good enough for me, though. I already know that my father is out in the stables.

I walk out the back door, then run through the garden and slip through the half open stable doors. My father leans against the door of the stable belonging to our only Clydesdale, Micki. I sneak over, then lean against the door beside him. He flashes me a grin, then nods to the tiny colt standing beside Micki. I smile, seeing the little energetic horse. He squeaks, squealing and nudging at Micki's forelegs.

"I didn't name him yet... I thought maybe you'd want to." My father says, unlatching the door and letting me in.

He stays outside, watching as I crouch down beside the light brown colt, stroking his side. He nudges at my hand, and Micki continues to gnaw on the feed, keeping an eye on us. I smile as the colt tilts his head at me and lets out another squeak. I run my fingers across his nose, then scratch behind his ears.

"I think... I think I'll name him Kesler." I nod, laughing as the colt huffs and swishes his short, white tail.

"Kesler?" My father chuckles, lifting a quizzical eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, Kesler. You know? Meaning energetic." I grin, running my fingers through Kesler's short little mane.

Kesler nudges my hand, and I smile up at Micki. She whinnies, and I brush my hand along her back.

"When was he born?" I ask my father.

"About... Three hours ago." He nods, scratching his curly brown hair.

"Cute little boy." I laugh, standing up and walking outside the stable.

"Dale up yet?" I ask him.

"Uh, yeah. She should be out in the ring with Cecily." He replies, keeping his eyes locked on Micki and Kesler.

"Alright, I'll be back after the Reaping." I say, walking out of the back doors of the stables and towards the ring.

Sure enough, my younger sister Dale sits atop her most troublesome black horse, Cecily. Cecily rears up on her back legs, letting out a loud huff. Dale yells out as she goes tumbling off Cecily's back, hitting the ground on her back. Her legs go flying behind her head, and she does a back flip on the ground, sitting up with wide eyes.

"Dang it, Cecily! You'll never be trained, will you?!" Dale yells, watching as Cecily paces quick circles.

I walk over, leaning against the railing.

"Maybe something's bothering her." I say.

Dale stands up, looking over to me as she brushes off her filthy jeans and shirt.

"Nah, I think she's just spooked from the storm a few days ago..." Dale nods, her voice still loud... As usual.

"Horses don't stay spooked for that long." I say, moving to sit up on the fence.

"Yeah! They can! She does, look!" Dale argues, jabbing a finger in the direction of Cecily.

"That doesn't mean anything." I laugh, hopping down onto the dirt.

I walk over to Cecily, getting close enough to grab her saddle. I hoist myself up, and Cecily begins to trot along. I click my tongue, then tug on the reigns a little bit.

"Calm down." I say quietly, stroking her neck.

Cecily slows down a little, and huffs a few times. I tug on the reigns a bit more, and she slows to a stop.

"Good girl... Now, let's see if you can pick up the pace..." I murmur, using my heels to push into her sides.

She speeds up, and I repeat the process until we're at a gentle run. I smile, then look over to Dale. She glares at me with crossed arms, and I bring Cecily to a quick stop next to Dale.

"It just takes patience... And you have to be calm around her, or she'll get uneasy." I say, hopping off the saddle and stroking the side of Cecily's neck.

"I don't get it, though! I mean, I practice with her every day, and sometimes I have to battle her to get on the saddle." She frowns, wrapping her index finger around the side of Cecily's bridle and walking her out of the ring.

She takes her back to the stables, and I follow. When she's got Cecily in her stable, I turn to her.

"Maybe you should just keep it calm when you train with her... She'll get better, Dale. I promise. How do you think I trained Casanova?" I say, giving her a hug with a calm smile.

Casanova is my favorite horse, and he is also my horse. He is a gruella, and he's the most beautiful horse you ever saw. He's a total sweetheart, and he's always willing to work with me. He's truly an amazing horse. He was born the same year I turned five, and as a present, my parents let me have him.

"Whatever you say. Now, come on... Let's get dressed for the Reaping." Dale nods, walking out to the house and passing my father as he leans against Micki's stable.

The sun had completely come out from behind the mountains, and it was going to be a hot day in District Ten. The refreshing burst of cool air rushes over me as I follow Dale back into the house. We walk upstairs, and she branches off into her room, as I do to mine. I head to my dresser, picking out my favorite sundress. It's a warm color, and it's also my only dress.

I also put on my matching shoes, and head down the stairs. My mother smiles at me, taking a sip of coffee.

"Well, I'm guessing someone's heading out early... You taking Dale?" She asks, nodding at my younger sister as she heads down the stairs.

"Of course I will. Did Flynt and Louis already go?" I ask, brushing my loose hair over my shoulders.

"Yup. They left about five minutes ago." My mother says, heading out the back door to find my father.

"Let's go, Dale." I say, leading her out the front door and to the Square, which is a short walk from our house.

We walk in silence, and shuffle through the long check in line. The woman takes my blood, and I wait for Dale. Dale flinches, and then rubs her finger underneath her nose, leaving a streak of blood that looks like a mustache. I wipe it off with my thumb, and then we take our spots in the crowds. The ridiculous District Representative waltzes across the stage, a grin on his face.

"Welcome, District Ten! Are you ready for the Reaping? Let's begin with a short video!" He says, flashing the video, then letting the crowd fall silent once more.

"Let's pick our female Tribute, then. Yes?" He smirks, walking over to the bowl and plucking a single slip.

"Our female Tribute will be..." He pauses for some sort of effect.

"Bandit Lee Highland!" He yells.

Matthew Juliann -

I wake up to the sound of a fight going on outside. Of course, this isn't a surprise since I live in the worst part of District Ten. I sit up in bed, drawing the shades on my window. Sure enough, two big tall guys are swinging at eachother and then the one with black hair dives on top of the blonde, tackling him to the ground. I rush for my closet, tugging out my black sweatshirt, and pulling it over my head.

I tug on my Reaping pants over my boxers, stumbling out my door and hopping out the hallway. I run out the front door, then sneak around to the back of the house where my room is. I pull the hood over my head, and then do a double take... I seriously need cash. I dash out from behind the house, running right in the middle of the scrap. I snatch both wallets from the men's pockets as they fight.

I rocket away from the scene, darting through District Ten. The heat is overwhelming, but I don't dare lower my hood.

"Juliann!" I hear a voice yell from behind, but I keep running as fast as I can.

I swing around a corner, and keep running. My legs burn, but I keep going. Finally, I burst through the doors of the District Ten bakery, and I ring the service bell, catching my breath. Quickly, I pull off the sweatshirt and hide it in my shirt, leaning up against the front counter.

A tall, fairly muscular man comes out from a door in the back, a smile on his face.

"Hey, bud. How can I help you?" He asks.

"Uh, I just need... Three loaves of bread, please." I say, handing him the correct amount of cash.

"Okay... One second." He says, walking back through the door, and then coming back and handing me three loaves of warm bread in a paper bag.

I slip the bag up my shirt as well, and then head out of the bakery, back to my house. My stomach growls as the scent floods my nose, and then I see the black haired man and the blonde haired man heading down the street across from me. They're turned the other way, so they haven't noticed me. I shudder, then run down the street and back to my house.

I burst through the front door, then set the bag on the table and open it up. I cut the loaves into pieces, then place them on plates and cup my hands around my mouth.

"Breakfast, guys! Up and at 'em!" I yell, tucking the stolen wallets in my back pockets.

My sleepy brothers and my sister emerge from their rooms, all yawning and rubbing their eyes.

"What time is it?" Carolyn asks, stretching her arms.

"It's ten thirty, so get ready soon. The Reaping starts at eleven." I say, pointing to the bread loaves as I pull an apple from a bowl on the counter and start eating it.

"Woah, how'd you get this?!" My older brother, Kilo, asks.

"I saved up, and walked to the bakery this morning." I lie.

"Mmm... Still warm." My younger brothers say in unison, being twins.

"Yup. Once you're finished, hurry on up and get dressed, alright?" I say, walking back to my room and finishing up my apple.

I toss the core in the trashcan, and then walk to my closet. I pull out my white dress shirt, and slip it on over my head. I stroll to the mirror, looking at my reflection. I had short, blonde hair and blue eyes. I was okay, I suppose. Generally handsome, but overlooked.

I walk from my room, striding down the hallway.

"You guys ready?" I yell, standing in the empty kitchen.

Mixed answers confirming they are, and they all come into the kitchen. I smile, and then lead them out the front door. Kilo rolls past on his wheelchair, and I close the door behind him. We arrive at the Square a few minutes after we leave, and it takes even longer to get checked in. Carolyn leads Jared and Zach into the back with the other six year olds, and Kilo follows after.

I walk into my crowd of sixteen year olds, and stand there silently. There's a hushed murmur among the crowd, and it instantly ceases when the District Representative walks on stage. He's overly peppy, even when he picks the girl Tribute. She's got no sign of conflicted emotion, and she steps up on stage in silence.

"Our male Tribute for this year will be... Mr... Matthew Juliann!" He yells, waving me up.

I slowly make my way down the isle, a blank expression on my face. I don't know how I should react, and I step up the stairs looking at the ground. I shake the blonde girl's hand, and she flashes my a shy smile.

"Let's go!" He announces, dragging us into the Justice Building.