Turns out even though I am pretty busy I still have the motivation to write, and this chapter is the longest reaching nearly 8,000 words! xD

I know I say this every chapter but I like to keep thanking you all for the support, the reviews are all so nice so thank you all so much :D There will be a blog for this eventually, so I shall let you all know when that is up but for now I hope you enjoy this chapter. These tributes were submitted by Fritz as Pritz and Jayfish, enjoy ;D

Zephyr Garnet, 17 years old

The general store was not too far from his house, in the silence of the morning with the sun still hidden and the moon shining high in the sky, Zephyr grabbed a warm jacket from a peg by the door and hurried out. The whole district was quiet; soon the streets would be filled with those heading for the Square joining together with cheers for the reaping.

Zephyr had no desire to volunteer, the Games were something interesting but something he never thought he was suited for. The boy was quick and definitely preferred the shadows, the ability to go unnoticed would surely help in the Games, those who preferred brute strength and couldn't mask their loud footsteps were hopeless if Zephyr decided to stalk them, but he had no determination or love for the idea of killing. This made him different to nearly everyone else in the District, sure not everyone was like the typical career and Zephyr admired this, but he was still regarded as odd.

The quiet boy did train though, but only because she had forced him into it. Zephyr had been bullied for a long time in school for being so different, and that one girl who bullied him the most made him shake with silent rage as he walked down the street, the cold air biting at his skin.

Zephyr would have shrugged off the bullying but it had grown and grown into a monster he just couldn't get rid of, the only way to stop all the insults hurled his way and the fists thrown at his face was to train.

He was able to use his ability of seeing things no one was meant to see to get Lapis one of the greatest private trainers in the whole of the District to help him, the woman was a bitter drunk due to not volunteering but made up for this by providing the District with the best possible careers. The woman would never have taken on Zephyr unless he held something over her, and he did. He had caught her cheating on her husband and that simple little affair was enough to blackmail her.

He was good at training, much less able with weapons as most careers but he wasn't completely useless. If he was like the other careers and wanted to volunteer he'd do well, Zephyr was sure of it.

He finally reached the general store, it was fairly large and the sign above was still fully intact despite the rust clinging to it like an unwanted parasite. The windows were boarded up during closing hours, no light could be seen through the cracks but Zephyr knew the owner was still inside. Mr Rachid was a friendly man who was Zephyr's father figure since his dad had been taken away. No one knew if he was still alive, Zephyr had no idea if he was an avox or in jail for what he had done.

His dad had been a well known and extremely capable thief, and Zephyr had acquired his love of working in the shadows from this. His mum loved him so much, and Zephyr felt the same love for her that he had never felt for anyone else. She had told him not to steal so he didn't, but it still did nothing to quell his desire to do something along those lines.

At least he had something to occupy himself, whereas training was to calm himself down and show to everyone especially that one girl he wasn't a weakling, working here felt natural and his job requirements usually stretched into the use of what Zephyr was so good at doing.

The man had a very round face, a sheet of sweat covering his red forehead and cheeks but he smiled down at Zephyr when he knocked on the back door.

"Thank you Zephyr for coming in today, the store won't be open but I have received a request from someone and they'd like it to be fulfilled today. She'll be round here later."

"Sure thing, happy to help."

Zephyr from working around the store had picked up a knack for eavesdropping conversations and hearing information most people would rather keep hidden. Eventually this grew into a well known thing, people would come to Mr Rachid and he would pay someone he called Jay (who was really Zephyr) to find out this information.

The man led him into the back room lit only by a small lamp on the desk and passed him a note with very messy handwriting scrawled across the paper. A picture of a mean looking boy stapled to the corner.

"She wants you to find out if her son is planning on volunteering." He said as Zephyr's eyes scanned across the sheet.

"Why doesn't she just ask him herself?"

"The boy is a brute and holds no love for her, he only stays to indulge himself with the wealth she has. He will not talk to her; you must find out somehow and return the information to me quickly. She'll be here before the reaping starts."

Zephyr nodded and thanked the man. This was his one way of a steady income to support him and his mum, she worked so hard but it never seemed good enough. Besides this was close to what he loved to do, at least overhearing a conversation between people wasn't totally illegal; his mum could rest easy as long as it never grew into something else. He left the store and headed into the dark, straight for the training centre where the most dedicated careers were most likely starting to train.

Velvet DeLushe, 18 years old

"Oh come on now, don't tell me you've never thought about it."

Velvet looked down at the smaller girl with a large smile on her face. Graphite looked up at her friend, and shook her head. The girl was the quiet type, incredibly smart but Velvet admired her loyalty. Velvet wasn't the type to make close friends but it would always be her, Graphite and Facet. Unfortunately Facet's incredibly stuck up and irritating mother confined her to her bedroom until her presence was required at the reaping.

Velvet wasn't put down by the lack of Facet, although she was more drawn towards danger like Velvet was, Graphite was still a good friend.

"Graphite, we'll never get this chance again."

"Why not?"

Velvet sighed and rolled her eyes. The two girls were stood outside the office belonging to the head trainer of the Academy closest to where she lived. The door was closed and an incredible colour of blood red, the handle was golden and shone out brighter against the painted wood of the door. In the office were all the files on every single career who belonged to this academy. Velvet didn't train, but the rush of finding out the secrets to those she either didn't like or was curious about was overwhelming, not to mention it was dangerous. If she was caught it could be a punishable offence, and the head trainer was a very stern woman who would jump at the chance to punish a girl like Velvet.

"Because one of those idiots training in the hall that we just passed to get here will tell the head trainer that we were here. They don't know our names, but that's sure to make her increase security around here."

Graphite sighed and nodded her head. Velvet had done enough to persuade her and wrapped her arm round her shoulder. She loved these little things she did with her friends or by herself, danger was one of her loves in life. Velvet was also one for casual sex as well, in fact Velvet nearly giggled when she remembered she hadn't been home yet from last night's little escapade. Her dad was sure to be worried, her mum probably more angry than anything else.

"Who should we look for first?" Velvet said, barely able to contain her excitement as she pulled down the handle and threw open the door. The office was slightly disappointing, she expected swords hanging from the walls; maybe the head of an animal above a roaring fireplace but her imagination had obviously gone over the top because all that she was greeted to was a large desk with a red armchair behind, portraits hanging on the walls and a file cabinet in the corner.

Still, Velvet couldn't help but run over to the cabinet without even worrying about making too much noise. A camera watching them from the corner never entered Velvet's mind, she wasn't sure if there was one but she couldn't help herself. She turned to each corner and blew a kiss before winking.

Something about doing this made her feel the happiest she had felt in a while, it had been a few months since she'd tried to do something that had very large consequences.

"I'll stay on guard then I guess." Graphite said, laughing slightly at Velvet's lovely little interaction with the hidden cameras that might or might not be there. She turned to look out down the hall that led to the room whilst Velvet opened the first draw.

They were filed alphabetically, just to see what each file contained she picked the first one out from the cabinet.

Anda, Kaine.

Whoever Kaine was he was a very naughty boy. Velvet felt slightly drawn to him by the picture stapled to the corner, he was a very attractive young man and it seemed he was drawn to the dangerous side of things like she was. All the rules he had broken were listed along with what he had done.

Rule No.5- No damage to dummies unless through the use of weaponry.

Velvet struggled to contain the laughter that erupted from her mouth, lovely old Kaine had decided to set fire to the dummies and run through each one. Stupid, but definitely daring. Velvet was starting to like this boy more and more as she read through the file.

"What's so funny?"

Velvet looked to the left of her and saw Graphite peering over her shoulder to look at the file. She was about to look back when she saw cold blue eyes staring at her from the doorway. Her heart leapt into her mouth at the sight of the head trainer glaring at the two of them, fingers clenching into fists. She cracked her knuckles and growled at the two of them.

"What do you think you are doing?"

Before either girl could respond she lunged at them, Graphite yelped with pain when she dodged the arms of the trainer but hit her side on the desk corner. Velvet punched the woman in the stomach causing her to yelp with pain. So much for being an untouchable woman.

The two girls, hand in hand sprinted out of the room, through very shocked careers training with one another and out the door. They didn't stop, only when Velvet's house came into view did they let go of each other's hand and try to catch their breath back.

"That. Was. Amazing!" Velvet punched the air and laughed so loud her neighbour looked through her curtains at the girl.

Graphite didn't look too impressed, but Velvet didn't care. One thing was for sure, she needed more moments like that. Quick getaways from dangerous situations. The answer came to her mind as soon as she thought about it. Volunteer for the Hunger Games. Velvet collapsed against the wall outside her house and looked up at the sky. It was probably a stupid thing to do, but yet again when had she ever done something smart. The idea was perfect.

Zephyr Garnet, 17 years old

He looked down at the picture again, the harsh eyes of the target he had to seek out staring into his own. After speaking with Mr Rachid and leaving the general store he had found his way to the training academy that had been added to the bottom of the note. The boy he was seeking out hadn't been there to start with, and still was nowhere to be seen.

Zephyr stood behind the beams that supported the upper level, he was tucked away into the darkness and had so far gone unnoticed by any of the incredibly rude and arrogant careers that trained with one another, swinging sword against sword and throwing all manner of things at the targets dotted in each corner.

When required to Zephyr would move, if the boy he had to hear from didn't venture closer to where he hid he'd have to get as close to him as possible. The information was useless to Zephyr but he had a job to do, and he'd always gathered the information required of him, he wasn't about to fail.

The sound of loud cheering distracted him as the main door opened, two tall girls walked in smiling at one another. The cheering had come from a few metres to their left, a small girl with blonde hair spilling over her face was on the ground, she spat out a tooth and licked the blood from her lips.

She looked about twelve, maybe thirteen but there was a cold and vastly evil hint of something in those eyes, she stood up and attacked the much older girl who had got her to the ground. Strands of hair littered the floor when she was done, and the older girl walked away clutching a broken wrist.

This is what made Zephyr so ashamed, he lived in a District like this that had so much love for causing pain and destruction. If he could live anywhere else he would, anywhere but a career district but it wasn't allowed , he'd have to grow up here for the rest of his life. The only thing that would get him through it would be his mum and Mr Rachid.

"Come on Jared, would you hurry up!"

Zephyr looked over at the interaction of two large boys who had just stepped into the hall from the back door. One had very dark brown hair, Jared who seemed to be annoyed by being pushed by this boy growled back at him and stormed off.

His eyes were what caught Zephyr's attention, this was his target.

Unfortunately for Zephyr the boy didn't make his job any easier, he stopped on the other side of the hall and decided to start throwing knives at the targets. Zephyr groaned from his place in the shadows and walked quickly from behind his beam to the next, one girl looked his way and for a few seconds from the way she kept staring right where Zephyr had just stepped he swore she had seen him.

Luckily she walked away, whistling to herself and began a fight with some other girl. The people here were such savage human beings, Zephyr felt sick when he moved five beams down and came across a small boy purposely engraving symbols into his arm.

He'd heard people do stuff like that before, to test pain tolerance but the sight of the blood flowing from his skin was sickening. The boy didn't make any noise however, he seemed rather happy to be carving into his flesh. Zephyr had to bite hard on his lip to stop himself from shouting out at him, District One was so messed up.

When the beams ended all Zephyr had left to do was to run behind a shelf of small knives and stay hidden there hoping that Jared would be visited by someone, or maybe talk to himself. He ran from the beam and took his place, holding his breath to try and not make a noise. Jared looked over at the rack but luckily Zephyr was hidden too well and Jared simply carried on throwing his knives.

"When I said hurry up I didn't mean go and train alone." The other boy from a few minutes ago returned to Jared's side, he didn't look too happy to have company but he lowered the knife and turned to face him.

"What do you want?"

"To train against you, sharpen my skills. I'm heading for that stage today and most likely will make it." The boy seemed so sure of his abilities, the arrogance was indeed idiotic. There were so many other careers who would try to make it to the stage, his place wasn't guaranteed.

"Go find someone else, I'm not interested."

"You're a career, train against me, or are you scared?"

"Just go spy on the competition for that place on stage why don't you." Jared was getting annoyed, his grip on the knife getting tighter and tighter.

"Join me then."

"I'd rather stay here."

"You aren't volunteering?"

"No."

The knife left his hand instantly and thudded into the bull's eye, he picked up another one and paid no attention to the insult thrown his way from the other angry boy. Zephyr smiled, job done. It wasn't hard work to return to where he had been and exit the academy. The careers may have annoyed him but the job was still satisfying, at least he had something to do. The note from the woman crumpled in his fist, Zephyr noted that Jared had indeed been different from what he had imagined. He was sure he would have volunteered, but looks can be deceiving. Most people in the damn District had some kind of mask on.

Velvet DeLushe, 18 years old

Danger had been something she could never brush off, the thrill of coming across a challenge that most would turn away from and coming out the other side was what Velvet loved the most. The risks of everything she did was what made it that much better and it was usually when it looked as if she might die or was so close to die when Velvet had the greatest amount of pleasure from her exploits.

This love for living on the edge had blossomed when Velvet had been ten years old and had managed to make her way on to the roof of her house, her feet had slipped and she fell, at that moment Velvet had thought she was going to die but her shirt caught on the drainpipe and her life had been saved. Most people Velvet was sure would have been terrified, but that one moment had started a new life for her, a life of daring situations that Velvet had to repeat.

Her most dangerous situation, regardless of the fact most had resulted in her death had been the encounter with the serial killer of One.

A man had plagued the streets nearby to where Velvet lived, killing girls that had been her age, he was quick and cunning, a perfect example of an intelligent sadist who with each kill grew more competent. The Peacekeepers were genuinely clueless, the District was full of killers, most were just teenagers who used the hunger games as the way to satisfy this hunger for murder. It could have been anyone, but Velvet didn't care for his identity. Being found by a serial killer would give her the greatest rush possible, she didn't want to die but was prepared to just for that pleasure in everything.

The man found her eventually, after Velvet continued to walk around the streets at night. He was known to remove the viscera from his victims, the knife had sent white hot pain across her body but before he could do any further damage she had stabbed him in the collarbone and smashed his skull with one firm stomp on the head from her high heel.

The pain had been agonizing but she never told anyone what happened, the fight with that serial killer, being close to death again had been thrilling. Everything Velvet had done from that moment on had never come close to it.

She stroked the puckered pink tissue just below her ribs, the scar was a reminder to her of that moment with the serial killer, her fingers grazed lightly over the skin and she felt lightheaded thinking about it all. It was a foolish thing to do, volunteering for the Games but Velvet knew that that was the one place she'd come across incidents exactly like the one with the serial killer. She'd never back down from the fights, she had killed the serial killer after all, but a little pain here and there would mean nothing to her. Graphite, Facet and her parents were sure to be shocked, she was by no means weak at all but she'd never trained and never really showed much of an interest in the hunger games. Watching them every year she always would imagine herself in those particular situations an unlucky tribute found themselves in but she'd never voiced her thoughts to anyone, those images of herself being where the tributes were had been locked deep in her mind.

Everyone knew she had a wild side and a desire for danger, but the hunger games was something else. Velvet knew it was stupid, she knew she should forget about it because the chances of her winning were so low but she just couldn't. The Hunger Games was the epitome of danger, not only were tributes vying for your blood you also had Gamemakers throwing tricks and traps at you. Velvet nodded her head as she gazed into the mirror, the hunger games was the place for her and by all means necessary she would make it to that stage.

She pulled her top back down and splashed water across her face. The reaping was soon and she had to look as beautiful as possible. From her bedroom wardrobe she found a very low cut dress that definitely accentuated her curves, she wasn't embarrassed to slip it onto her body. She wasn't prude, to her sex was sex and showing herself off was important and nothing to be embarrassed about.

The shock on her mum's face when she appeared at the dining table was hilarious, Velvet nearly knocked her glass from the table as her body shook with laughter. She was a strict old lady who had a very traditional view on women and how they should behave. Velvet didn't care for anything she ever said, in fact she didn't really care for what anyone said. Her dad was a very humorous man, the way he and Velvet interacted made it clear they had a bond greater than Velvet shared with her mum but the two didn't spend much time together regardless of this.

When they had finished their late breakfast, her parents left the room together. The two of them were so different yet still loved each other so much. Velvet could never see herself settling down with anyone, life was too short to be restrained by marriage and being committed to a family. Of course she might not be alive for much longer depending on what went on during the Games but whatever happened Velvet would live every day like it was her last.

She'd lived like that for so long and would make sure her death if it was to occur in the Arena would be a real show to the Capitol. If she died from something boring, well Velvet didn't know what she could do but as long as she'd get into those fights she was happy. The Arena was the place for her.

Zephyr Garnet, 17 years old

A woman the same size as Mr Rachid grasped Zephyr and pulled him into a hug that nearly crushed his ribs. His face turned an unhealthy shade of dark blue and the worst thing of all was as soon as she released him, her lips met his face over and over again. Tears fell from her eyes as she carried on smothering his face with kisses.

Zephyr wasn't one to be rude but felt awkward and incredibly uncomfortable, he tried to pull away but the large woman had incredible strength and kept her hands locked on his arms. Mr Rachid although chuckling to himself with his back leant against the counter placed a hand on her shoulder; she realized just how red Zephyr had become, slightly with embarrassment but also with irritation. She pulled away, wiped her hand across her wet lips and smiled, her cheeks going the same shade of red.

"Sorry my dear boy, it's just my son isn't volunteering. This is a happy day!" She thumped him on the back which nearly knocked him into her, she had such a powerful punch that he had to rub his back although he was sure a bruise was already starting to form.

"I'd keep that kind of talk in here; you know how most people are out there when it comes to people not liking the hunger games and the volunteers we're so famous for!"

"Well they can all stuff themselves; my son will not be dying! This is an incredible day!" She cheered and skipped her way out of the shop, but not before placing a good sized amount of money on the counter. Mr Rachid and Zephyr both glanced over at the money, he could see temptation in the older man's eyes, but he always paid Zephyr for his hard work and gladly handed it all over.

"Now go to the Square, don't want you to start getting into trouble." He smiled and unlike Jared's mother, his pat on the back was very gentle.

He wasn't looking forward to the reaping; in fact it was the last place he wanted to be. At least he trained, that was one thing no one could insult him about any longer. Zephyr waved goodbye to Mr Rachid, the old man would soon follow since he was required like everyone else to attend to the reaping but the man was slow and wasn't one to hold Zephyr back.

The freezing cold air did not affect his mood, the one thing that did make it lower was the attitude of all those who walked around him as he headed to the Square, they were all so caught up in cheering and laughing with one another, no one ever stopped to question the real reasons behind the hunger games, it was all such fun to them all, a chance for glory. It was difficult to understand at times how people could even act like that on a day like the reaping but Zephyr knew it was stupid to waste any of his time thinking about it, to change these people was impossible so he joined the queue and did his best to ignore all the noises that filled the cold air.

The prick of his skin at the desk by the Peacekeeper wasn't too painful, Zephyr made no noise unlike a few people who had gone before him. The stern looking lady looked to be in a hurry, she shoved a plastic sheet into his hands and shooed him away. Zephyr looked down at the bold '10', most people around him seemed to be confused even when they headed to their appropriate sections, it was clear that this was the way to organize it, it wasn't rocket science.

He had two best friends, brother and sister they were and he loved both of them dearly. They lived in the poorer side of the District; Amberg was a very deceptive young boy and was a real good manipulator. He smiled at Zephyr as he took his place next to him. His sister Rose was a thief, she knew the consequences despite how many times Zephyr told her she never listened, he understood. They had a very bad lifestyle and needed food.

The two boys chatted amongst one another as the Square filled up to the point of people having to tuck themselves as close to one another as possible. Not long after everyone was in their positions did the mayor come out, he didn't stay for long at all, Renelda briskly walked to the centre of the stage and did her usual greetings. Most people around him seemed to stretch their necks as high as possible, just to get a glimpse of the tributes as they raced to the stage, Zephyr kept himself the same and would just wait for them to reach the stage, he rarely supported any of the tributes for his District, they didn't deserve to win.

Up until section five Zephyr paid hardly any attention, looking at the stage some seemed the usual tributes and others were slightly different to tradition. However as soon as that girlish and annoying voice he knew so well announced that she had won, did Zephyr really look as closely as he could at the girl.

It was her. Ismene Silas usually kept to herself most of the time although showing a definite psychotic side to herself but when it came to Zephyr she couldn't hold herself back. He shook with rage at the sight of the girl who had bullied him for so long before he trained, the girl from his section looked like a usual tribute, she volunteered and managed to beat a whole group of girls who tried to gain that position as tribute.

He didn't even hear his name to begin with; his sole focus was on Ismene who kept that sadistic grin on her face. Realization hit him and at first he didn't know what to do, no one from his section was volunteering, Amberg looked down at the ground. He had been reaped.

The walk to the Square was uncomfortable, all those eyes on him. He stood next to a blonde boy he recognized to be the one who didn't train yet was quite popular, why he had volunteered Zephyr had no idea.

The reaping continued and Zephyr looked to the ground, picking up training definitely would help after all, but no way would he feel grateful to Ismene for pushing him to do it. She'd pay for bullying him, Zephyr was a devoted believer to an eye for an eye, and the Arena was the perfect place to stay true to this.

Velvet DeLushe, 18 years old

It made Velvet slightly more excitable than she had been when coming up with the idea of volunteering at the thought of the fact no one knew she was going to be doing this. The shock on the face of her mum would be priceless, she was sure she'd feel slightly guilty when it came to her dad and definitely guilty when it came to saying goodbye to Graphite and Facet but the two were her closest friends, they'd understand why she had done it. Velvet wasn't even sure about Facet, maybe she'd volunteer as well, she definitely had a love for danger, maybe Kaine would volunteer. It would be nice to meet him.

Regardless of other people's opinions she knew this was the right thing for her, even if she was destined to die she had to at least have fun and give everyone a good show, after all the greatest shows to the Capitol and the whole of Panem was when the tributes were in the most dangerous predicament, Velvet was determined to make sure this was where she found herself, she wasn't foolish enough to just throw her life away at the sound of the gong, but if she had to die she had to die.

Velvet realized that the way she was thinking was far from intelligent, and even when she left the house with her parents and saw how all the careers joking around with one another were so strong she still didn't care. The sight of the dangerous competition she might well face in the Arena made everything even better, nothing would be dangerous if the opponents were boring and lacked any skill, that way she'd win without even having to try at all and that was not the way she was planning on playing this game.

"They're so savage."

Her mum had such a posh yet stuck up voice when it came to insulting people and that usually happened very often, she wasn't a firm believer that the Games were right but that didn't stop her from watching them every year and praying for a tribute from One winning, it didn't happen every year but District One was well known for a large number of victors.

"Keep that to yourself, these kids could easily rip you limb from limb and you wouldn't want that." His dad's choice of words were serious, yet the way he spoke made everything funny and Velvet couldn't stop herself from giggling. The walk to the Square was slightly awkward between the three of them, Velvet carried on thinking over everything, from volunteering all the way to her own death if it was to happen, her parents however were being incredibly quiet and not even trying to speak to one another.

It was very different to everyone else, they were all engaged in conversation and she could feel their eyes on her back as she walked.

With each step she took she felt the butterflies in her stomach increase, but it was a good feeling. She was nervous but excited, and when she reached the front of the queue and stepped foot into the Square that excitement nearly caused her to hug the nearest Peacekeeper.

Her dad said goodbye, her mum criticized the way she looked but Velvet simply hugged the two of them and stood in her own section that matched the number on the plastic she had been given. Graphite was nowhere to be seen from her section, but Facet stood next to her and gave her a quick hug, she was a very pretty girl but cared not for settling down with anyone, much like Velvet she considered life to be too short and everyone should just live it on the edge. Most people, even the careers were not like this, they still had some sort of motivation that wasn't all about the danger of things, Velvet was glad she wasn't the typical person from One, who wanted to be part of the crowd anyway?

Neither of the girls spoke to one another, most people fell silent as soon as the Square reached bursting point and the mayor walked onto the stage, he didn't read the treaty which seemed to make everyone that much more happy. Renelda was quite the specimen, she wore her traditional odd clothes but no one really seemed to care, no one laughed like they used to, Velvet would but her eyes were glued to the reaping bowls, soon enough when it came to her section she'd volunteer for whoever was plucked from all those slips. Her stomach flipped once again, it was so close.

Those who made their way to the stage definitely were not disappointing, fair enough a few weren't the most impressive but this year was sure to be fun, some looked monstrous. Everything would be amazing this year, all the tributes on the stage made her that much more determined to get that position as tribute, it was a Quell after all. As well as these fearsome tributes the Arena and traps were bound to be extra special.

"Robyn Peverell!"

Velvet wasted no time, this was her moment and no one would take it from her, not those pretty little blonde girls who were more stupid than anything. She burst from the crowd, barely even hearing the shriek come from Facet's mouth, she'd worry about that later. Everything felt perfect, she'd never felt like this before, sure all those little daring stunts she'd performed had been thrilling but the hunger games would be the ultimate hunt for the danger she so desired.

She beat all the girls and smiled to the crowd, not many were paying much attention to her as the male was reaped but that did nothing to quell the excitement bubbling from her stomach. She wasn't psychotic like the red-head girl, she wasn't a monster like that tattooed giant, she was a girl who liked to take risks. That was it, whether people judged her for it, it did not matter to her.

Let the fun begin.

Zephyr Garnet, 17 years old

Nothing seemed real.

Zephyr wasn't one to play up fantasies like so many other people from One, most people deluded themselves with the belief they were going to win the hunger games, Zephyr right now knew he would die. It felt wrong and fake; he was a teenage boy with so much ahead of him. He had a wife to look forward to, starting a family and leaving his own house to make it on his own in his District. Nothing in his plan had been going into the Arena and trying to kill twenty three other kids around his age. It was all wrong.

Zephyr felt overwhelming sadness fill him up bit by bit but no tears fell from his eyes, he was not one to cry often and right now despite the situation his eyes remained dry. He wasn't going to give up, not at all; it was a stupid idea to just give up your life straight away purely because your chances against the other tributes seemed too low for hope.

No matter what, even if the belief that he was going to die, would cause him to throw his life away. He'd play the Game just because that life of his own sounded too sweet to pass up. Working with Mr Rachid and carrying on the little job requests given his way, living with his mum until old enough to move out, all of this was too good, so overwhelmingly good that he couldn't just die.

How he would win he didn't know, but Zephyr was sure to come up with some plan, he knew his plans were usually foolproof despite Mr Rachid's occasional doubts. Somehow, in any way possible that victor spot would be his.

The thought of having to say goodbye, maybe forever added to the despair he felt, even in a room like the room given to him for his goodbyes, even its luxury of furniture and overall positive feel to it did nothing to help him. Before he even had the chance to go over what he might say to those he loved so dearly the door opened and Rose and Amberg walked in. Amberg had a smile on his face but only a fool would believe it was genuine, Rose looked as beautiful as ever. The two had always had a chemistry between them neither had ever acted upon. Zephyr knew she must like him, and knew in his heart of his love he had for her but he cared for Amberg and wouldn't want to do anything to hurt their relationship if something were to happen between him and Rose. It still was difficult though, to see her crying yet so beautiful at his feet.

"The Peacekeeper said we didn't have long, it's supposed to be family first so we lied to get in. He wasn't very smart." Amberg said, laughing slightly to ease the situation. It didn't work. Rose just burst out crying even harder, she was normally so collected and strong but she was a complete wreck and it tugged at Zephyr's heart, only a cold hearted human wouldn't feel sympathy for a girl in her current state.

"Maybe it seems difficult right now, all those tributes are really scary looking-"

"Thanks."

"But, you can still win this. Just come home, I need you and look at Rose." He bent down to help his sister up and pulled her into his arms. The three of them exchanged only a goodbye, with Rose nearly collapsing again. The Peacekeeper didn't look too pleased with them when they passed and his mum walked in. She was much stronger than Rose, when she hugged him and whispered words of comfort into his ear it helped Zephyr more than Rose's sobs had done.

"Your father would have been proud of you, and I'm so happy you listened to me. I couldn't lose you, I can't lose you. Just please win."

Zephyr knew despite the pleas for him to win, it wouldn't help his chances but at least he would do his damn best to stick to any promise he made.

"I will mum, I will."

She stroked his hair and wrapped something comfortable and soft round his neck; he pulled at the dark fabric and realized it was his dad's scarf. The only possession his mum ever kept close to her of him and she was giving it to Zephyr as a token. He hugged his mum tightly and when she leaved he had to fight so hard to not call back to her, he couldn't never see her again.

Mr Rachid was the last one in and their goodbye didn't last for so long, the man was close to breaking down like Rose but kept it together for Zephyr's benefit. The two exchanged their goodbyes, both leaning into one final hug before he departed and Zephyr slumped into his chair.

It was all over, so quick had they come and gone. It wouldn't be the last he'd see of them though, it couldn't be. Zephyr tried to push all the emotions building up deep down inside, all that wouldn't help him in the Arena.

The Arena… he'd never thought he'd have to be there but here he was. A tribute for The Hunger Games.

Velvet DeLushe, 18 years old

Her eyes remained fixed on the door, soon she'd have to reveal to everyone why she had volunteered. She wouldn't hold back or lie. Everyone knew who she was and it wasn't anything she should be ashamed about, most people disliked her love for danger but it was only those close to her that ever told her this. They didn't want her to die, and always made her promise to never do it again next time, of course she never stuck to these promises and her parents had given up on trying to stop her.

Her mum was still not happy at all with what she did, but she didn't tell her to quit messing around because it was pointless. Velvet was an adventurous, risk taker and a woman like her mum couldn't stop her, not even her dad or friends. Advice meant nothing to her, it was her life and she'd live it like she wanted.

How everyone would react she didn't know, she didn't care really since her thoughts were entirely on the Games. As soon as the gong sounded all hell would unleash but the fun would be beginning. With each kill everything would get even more dangerous because as the Games progressed the Gamemakers threw all manner of things at the tributes. All of it, from the killing to the Gamemakers made her over the top with excitement.

At first when the door opened she didn't even realize until her dad placed a large hand on her shoulder and shook her gently. He didn't seem angry, unless he was a good actor he seemed rather calm. Looking over his shoulder her mum was definitely angry but that didn't surprise Velvet. Out of the two of them, it was her mum she'd expected to react the worst.

"We always knew it would come down to this, ever since you first started going on those little adventures. The Hunger Games is probably the greatest adventure for you, I knew one day you would volunteer."

"It doesn't give her the right to do that though, she shouldn't have done it. Do you have a death wish idiot girl?!" Her mum spat out each word with such strong venom it even made Velvet wince. No she didn't want to die, but if it happened it happened and that was the end of it. No point in assuming victory was at hand, that was what those foolish careers thought, she hadn't trained, she wasn't like them. At least she hoped she wasn't like them, how strangers viewed her she had no idea.

"Just because our daughter is different to your perfect idea of a young woman doesn't mean she's all bad. Sure she's a little devil, but we're her parents. Look Velvet, prove to your mother that you have made the right decision, come home." Despite the comfort in his voice she could sense the pleading and begging he was directing towards her.

"Yes come home Velvet." Her mum did not attempt in the slightest to hug her, she didn't even say goodbye. When the Peacekeeper told the two of them it was their time up she nodded at the man in white and walked quickly out the door.

"She loves you really."

"I know dad, but you can't help but hate her."

"She's just one of those people, you love and hate them." He smiled and left the room, leaving Velvet feeling exactly as she had felt before they had arrived. Like she had expected their words hadn't changed her, sure she loved them both but at least her dad had supported her in a sense and stopped her mum from releasing all kinds of fury on her. For that she'd be grateful.

Graphite and Facet were both stunned to begin with when they entered, it was hard to control the two of them who were so close to tears but Velvet managed to silence them and explain to the girls exactly why she had done it. They both became much quieter, neither agreed with her but they always had known how she longed for danger, Facet even smiled when she was finished.

"I love you girls."

"I can't believe I missed that run in with the head trainer. My parents are so annoying."

"It wasn't anything special, just Velvet here trying to get us in trouble."

The three girls hugged, and a minute later Velvet was left alone in the room. She'd miss them all, it was stupid to deny it but what was to come was too good to be sad about. The greatest game of all and she was a part of it, and danger was definitely guaranteed. Her fingers brushed her dress, gently stroking over the scar on her stomach, she'd be receiving and dishing out wounds twice as bad as the serial killer's blade. It was a weird way of thinking, but Velvet couldn't wait. This was the place for her, the only place for her.

So close, only two more reapings to go! ;D