MUST READ!

Hello, it's Evila… again but this time I have quite an important message. First off, thanks to everyone who reviews, you actually have no idea how much of a boost it gives me.

Next, I've started planning the actual games and it is vitally important that ANYONE WHO SUBMITTED A TRIBUTE and who is still following the story send in a review or PM so I know who is still out there.

I'm also trying to sort out a sponsor system so I NEED to know who will be included in that.

Thanks for bearing with me and enjoy D7!

Forrest Morose, District 7 (12)

I closed my eyes and breathed in the smell of pine, blocking out the sound of workers shouting and the crashing of trees as they were hit to the ground. I sat with my back against the trunk of a tree and my legs dangling about twenty feet off the ground. The beginning drops of rain were pattering against the leaves above me and the smell it brings with it is worth the journey into the forest.

As the afternoon turns into evening and one by one the workers retire back to their families, I carefully climb back down the tree and venture further into the darkness of the wood, prolonging the time when I'll have to return to the community home in the centre of the district.

It was still threatening to rain and the temperature dropped when I finally decided to turn back. That's when I heard it, a voice coming from in front of me. Curiosity got the better of me and I quietly made my way towards the sound, my slight body made it easier for me to avoid the rustling of bushes and the snapping of twigs.

As I got closer, I could faintly make out the words spoken: "Don't look at the axe, look at your target… Not that target, that one!"

That's when he came into view or when they came into view. There was a boy around my age standing in the middle of a clearing, clutching a small axe and looking fixedly at a tree right in front of him.

"Use both hands to throw it," Someone else said from behind him. His brother from the looks of him. The young one brought the axe back and threw it with all his might only to let go of it slightly too late and it embedded itself into the ground in front of him with a dull thunk. They both just looked at the axe in the ground for a moment before the younger one angrily kicked it over and stomped out of the clearing, furiously grumbling to himself.

"Wait, Ivan-" His brother said only to cover his mouth as he started to laugh and followed him out, completely forgetting the axe.

When I'm certain they're gone, I walk out and stand over the axe. Most kids in District 7 learn to use axes at a very young age in order to help out with the Capitol's demand which comes in handy in events like the Hunger Games. With my small frame, however, I've been told I'll only be able to manage jobs like 'paper-maker'.

Using the green ribbon tired around my wrist, I tie my brown hair up at the back of my head and pick up the weapon, weighing it up in my hands. I walked towards the nearest tree and swung back, mainly wanting to prove to myself that I could do the same job as everybody else. The shock of the impact reverberated all the way up my arms and forced me to let go, leaving it in the tree. Once I'd recovered, I placed my hands back on the handle and gave it a tug but it wouldn't budge.

I went to try again when I heard footsteps approaching. Pulling with all my strength still had no affect and I abandoned my efforts to retire back to my hiding place. It was the older boy from earlier coming back to retrieve the axe. He looked on the ground where it had been left and frowned when he couldn't find it. A brief look around and he spotted it in the tree.

"Hello?" He called, turning around. When he was answered with silence, he wandered cautiously over to the tree and gave the axe several sharp yanks before it came free in his hands. With one last puzzled look around, he walked back the way he'd come, leaving me alone once again.

The walk back to the centre of the district was uneventful. I had picked up some berries on the way and was busying myself with analysing them. After one agonising night spent withering on the forest floor after eating some poisoned berries, I made an effort to learn which plants and berries are dangerous within District 7 as a precaution. It eventually became a fascination of mine.

Back in the centre, most people were closing up for the night. Most of those still out were the Peacekeepers, making all the preparations for tomorrow in and around the square. I knew the Peacekeepers all too well; they were the ones who killed my parents and I was reminded of that every time I laid eyes on their white uniforms.

I ball my hands up into fists and shake my head to rid myself of these thoughts. Arriving back at the home, Batty Hattie is waiting for me outside in her dressing gown, her face like thunder and her foot was tapping showing her impatience. Her name was Ms Harriet but everyone had nicknamed her Batty Hattie for a reason.

"Why are we always waiting for you, Forrest?" She stormed when she saw me approaching. "It's the Reaping tomorrow, you should be in bed! I cannot believe-" I tuned the rest out as I always did. I know how these lectures end, I'll be grounded and forced to have half-rations for the rest of the week.

When Ms Harriet finally finished her lecture, she ordered me to bed and tottered off, murmuring about the insolence of my generation.

Lying on my bed after having washed up, I think about my first Reaping tomorrow. I know people always over react about the unbearable intensity of the Reapings but my name was only in the bowl once, what did I have to fear?

Ryder Smith, District 7 (17)

Ivan was in a foul mood the whole way back. He looked down at his feet and wouldn't even acknowledge me when I spoke. I was still laughing from his attempt at axe throwing which even caused me to forget my father's axe, the only thing I bothered to keep of his. Once I'd managed to catch up with my younger brother again, we were still only half way home.

"Come on, it took me a couple of years to learn, how are you expected to learn in a day?" I asked good-naturedly. He had asked me yesterday if I would teach him how to use an axe just like dad had taught me even though I was younger than Ivan is now.

"All my friends can do it!" He retorted and kept walking furiously.

"We'll try again tomorrow after the Reaping and then-"

"And what if I get Reaped? What if I can't defend myself because I can't use a stupid axe?" Ivan stopped and whirled around; catching me off guard as I almost collided into him.

I paused, frowning at my brother. "Is that what all this is about? You're worried you'll get Reaped?" He didn't reply and instead just turned around and kept walking, unwittingly answering my question. I hadn't forgotten it was his first year tomorrow but he had never expressed any nervousness about it so I had decided not to bring it up.

"Ivan, you're not going to get Reaped. Your name is in that bowl once; one small paper amongst the thousands of kids participating this year. It's not going to happen. Trust me."

He didn't reply and instead we walked the rest of the way in silence, each left to our own thoughts. We arrived home a short while later to find mum and Piper watching the preparations for the Reapings tomorrow. Tenney was busy taking to a Gamemaker about the layout of this year's arena, though not much information was actually given as the Capitol loves to draw out suspense.

Upon hearing us enter, Piper jumped up and threw her little arms around my waist while Ivan took himself off upstairs. Mum gave me a plate of cold food before looking up the stairs questioningly.

Shrugging, I sat down next to my sister on the sofa and start picking at my dinner. "Bad mood." Ivan had made it clear that he didn't want anyone to know about his 'training' and I didn't feel up to explaining it now. Thankfully, mum didn't push.

"One thing we can be sure of, people, is that this year's Games are going to be like nothing we've ever seen before." Tenney finished with a close up on his gleaming smile and painted face which changes each year.

"There are going to be gigantic monsters this year," Piper giggled, showing me how big with her little arm span.

"Alright, Piper. Enough TV for one night." Mum smiled as she sent her off to bed. My sister wasn't fazed by the games as much as most, mainly because she was too young to understand what they are but it helped to brighten up the house; as soon as dad had left four years ago, it helped to have someone as carefree as Piper around.

I sighed as the highlights of last year came on.

The next morning, I was in charge of getting both Piper and Ivan ready for the Reaping even though it wasn't until late morning while mum focussed on making breakfast.

Piper was always the worst. I swear the girl would chain herself to the bed if it would excuse her getting out of it. This was usually solved however by opening the window to the crisp morning air and whipping away her covers. Water over the head is optional though I only needed to do it once. Now only the threat of it sends her squealing downstairs to mum.

Ivan looked like he hadn't slept at all and was already busy pulling on his Raping outfit when I knocked.

Everyone was silent at the table, even Piper seemed tense today. Not much food was eaten before we had to make our way to the square. Most people were already gathered and even getting into position within their age groups. Piper was holding tightly onto my hand and I had to gently ease her off in order to take Ivan to signing. He soon found his friends, however and wondered off to the 12 year old section.

Being the biggest District, in size and numbers, District 7 was generally in good spirits during the Reaping. Besides the careers, we have the most amount of Victors and were rarely underestimated.

Our escort, Gilese wasted no time in the traditional over excited welcome followed by the mayors speech. We also had to applaud the latest winner of the Hunger Games, Blight who treated District 7 to massive celebrations last year. In response, he bowed and smiled politely.

"Okay okay, now it's time to do what you're all waiting for, shall we?" Gliese beamed and turned towards the girl's bowl.

"District 7's girl tribute is… Forrest Morose!"

The 12 year old section parts to reveal a petite girl in a plain green dress. She looked terrified and somewhat resigned. She slowly approached the stage and even with the coaxing of Gilese, she took her time in climbing the stairs.

"The boys are next," She continued after patting Forrest on the shoulder.

I looked over and managed to catch Ivan's eye. I smiled reassuringly at him until our escort announced:

"Ivan Smith."

Both of our heads snapped to the front but as Ivan started to move forward, I pushed through the crowd, my body working on auto pilot. I truly wasn't aware of my intentions until I yelled out two fateful words.

"I volunteer!"

The whole district was ghostly silent as I walked straight past my brother and up to the stage.

"Wow, well it has been a while since District 7 has had a volunteer." Gilese tried to get ahold of the situation once more. "What is your name, young man?"

"Ryder Smith," I say in a voice more confident than I feel.

"Oh well then I reckon I'm not leaping to conclusions when I ask whether that was your brother."

All I could do was nod as I watched all the sympathetic faces in the crowd until I found the tearful eyes of my mother. Piper was clinging onto her arm, also in tears.

"This concludes this year's Reapings! Happy Hunger Games!"

Forrest and I were lead into the building behind us to await our friends and family.

I was sitting on the sofa when my family entered. Piper sat on my lap while Ivan stayed near the door and mum sat next to me, brushing my floppy hair out of my eyes. No one said anything but we didn't need to. It was only when they announced that 3 minutes were almost up when I finally spoke.

"Take care of them," I said looking directly at Ivan. He only nodded and didn't move from his position.

"Stay away from the monsters," Piper said, wrapping herself around my neck as I rubbed her back. I couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Be careful," Mum whispered, squeezing my arm before gathering up Ivan and Piper and leaving me to think about what I just got myself into.