Is anyone still reading this? I'm going to continue updating, but if no one's reading, I may stop in a few chapters. So...I hope you guys are still out there, and if you are, enjoy this chapter!

Penny Morris (Sister of Leatta Morris), Age 12.

I sat on the couch in our small living room, my mother in the kitchen, my seven-year-old sister Cloe sitting next to me. We were required to watch the first official airing of the actual tributes for this year's Hunger Games. There was an empty spot on the couch that, for all of my life, had been filled by my sister, Leatta. A capitol reporter came on the news, and the tiny clock on the television read 7:00. She gripped her microphone in excitement, and started the ever-familiar speech.

"Hello, everyone, and welcome to the 68th Annual Chariot Rides of the Hunger Games! My name is Cloelius, and I'm here at the President's mansion, where the lucky tributes eagerly await their turns to impress the Capitol." My little sister looked up at me, smiling.

"The Capitol lady and I have the same name!" Cloe laughed. I nodded, and held a finger up to my lips, silently telling her to be quiet.

"I'm sure I'm not the only one here that is absolutely ready to be astounded by the brilliance of the Capitol's finest stylists, and the brave tributes that will represent their districts in the 68th Annual Hunger Games-" Ugh. She sounded ridiculous and rehearsed. Suddenly her eyes grew wide and she looked behind her. "President Snow is about to make his speech!" Whatever speech 'President Snow' was about to make, I didn't hear it. I made my way into the kitchen, where my mother was sobbing softly into a handkerchief.

"She'll come back for us, Ma. I know it." I said softly. I could hear the booming voice of our beloved leader rambling on and on about the famous Dark Days, the story I'd only heard a million times. "She wouldn't leave us in the dark." I struggled to find words to comfort my mother. "I can get a job, I could take out tesserae while she's gone-" My mother snapped.

"No. No, I can work extra shifts. No child of mine will ever take out tesserae ever again." She gave me a hug, and knelt down on her knee so that we were at eye-level. "And I'm certain that Leatta will come back. She's determined, and she knows what she's doing." She sighed, and wiped at her eye again.

"Really?"

"Really."

Leatta Morris, Age 14.

My costume was definitely…..creative? But very, very uncomfortable. The skintight jumpsuit dabbled with black and white spots I could've dealt with, but the bright gold tulle bow tied in the shape of a bell was a little too much. I glanced over to my district partner, Kai Deloom, whose outfit was even more stupid than mine. His skin-tight dark pink 'unitard' came complete with a matching bow, except he had a little tail coming out the back. He referred to our costumes as 'unitarded' out of earshot from our stylists. I was nervous, but Kai was shaking.

"You alright?" I asked him. He looked at me, and we held eye contact. "So that's a no, then?" He let out a forced chuckle.

"Yeah, that's a no." The doors in front of our chariot were still closed, but I could hear the booming voice of our president, delivering his speech to his thousands of adoring fans. "You got a family back home?" He asked. I mock-gasped.

"Not of my own! But, yeah, my mom and two sisters. What about you?"

"No-one. Dead mother, and dear pop tossed me out." I raised my eyebrows in curiosity. "Couldn't feed me." Normally I would try to stay as far away from Kai as possible, that had been what I'd done since the reapings, and that he was going to die. Because I'm going to win….I hope. Even though I know I don't have much of a chance. And I've heard that getting close to people doesn't help. It can drive you to insanity when they get brutally killed in front of your eyes. Relationships are a weakness…right? But I figured now was ok. We could both use a little humor to help our nerves. We were putting out for the very people that could save our lives. I hope the Capitol people like me, although the facts are against it. Everyone knows the Capitol loves the wealthy districts, relatives of those who have won in ages past. Bored on the train, I watched tapes of previous Games, and made statistics.

"I hope we get sponsors." I whispered, crossing my arms. I hope the speech was over soon.

"Yeah. It could really help. Assuming we survive long enough to become a fan favorite." I flashed him a look.

"Don't think like that. Of course we'll survive."

"You don't really believe that." I searched for the right words to reply, but right then, the doors opened. It was time for the Chariots to begin.

A Citizen From the Capitol.

I cannot believe that the Hunger Games are already here! I haven't picked a favorite yet, because I always wait until the training scores and the interviews, but I really have my eye on District 4's Pike Reef. What a handsome boy! I sat dutifully through President Snow's important speech, and then a lifted up my opera glasses at the opened door way at the end of the Chariot's Route, and the first chariot that opened. As a hopeful future stylist, I was shocked silly (in a good way, of course) at the District One tributes. The girl, Alex Jeppson, was dressed in a full length white gown that fluttered behind her. Her partner, Blain Sype (Another very handsome fellow) matched hers with a white suit just dabbled with white sequins on the shoulders, to complement Alex's diamond earring and necklace. I loved the pureness, just telling us 'Hello, Capitol! We are the clean and innocent District One!'

The District Two tributes drove out next, were both dressed as Roman stonemasons, very fitting for their district! Brigid Perrilloux's stick straight ashy hair was pulled back in intricate braids, perfectly pinned in place. Hector Hannon's muscular build was shown off in a sneaky one-sleeved warrior-styled uniform. They smiled and waved, sending off the vibe 'We're from the bloodthirsty Two, but we can be sweet as well!'

As the District Three tributes rolled by I turned to my dear friend, who was already betting.

"All of my money's on Mr. Hector Hannon. He'll win for sure." He smirked. I shook my head, pointing down to the District Four chariot, where Delta Woodrow was draped in seaweed, ever proving the rule that a dress should 'Be long enough to cover everything but short enough to be interesting.' It was quite revealing for a lady of her age, but the stylists are geniuses! My favorite, Pike, was dressed in a silver jumpsuit, with a headpiece resembling a shark's head.

"Mr. Pike Reef or Delta Woodrow is where I'm betting." My friend shook his head, laughing. "Who do you think will die off first?" He raised his glasses and pointed to the District Five boy, Merrill Neisus, who was dressed as a giant lightbulb, complete with a soft glowing halo-looking piece. The girl from Five, Nikki Fray, wore a similar costume, except her glow made her look angelic.

"The boy. I doubt he'll last two minutes!" We both shared in our laughter.

District Six passed while we were debating, their train-conductor outfits not really sticking out. District Seven passed too, both Wilhemina Malavet and Flint Oakley dressed in plaid lumberjack suits, looking very camouflaged with leaves entwined in their hair.

District Eight was dressed a magnificent display of every fabric imaginable stitched into a knee-length dress for the girl, Ember Hotchson, and a suit for the boy, Avish Cerral. District Nine was dressed in very classy baker's outfits, with the cream colored shirts matching the horses. I thought this was a very nice touch.

"District Ten." The president announced, as the duo dressed as livestock rode out. I adjusted my opera glasses and peered at their faces. The poor boy was terrified! Why he would be I have no idea. The Hunger Games are a perfect way to bring honor and glory to the districts! He should take an example from Districts One and Two.

District Eleven's tributes were both an unnatural pale skin tone for District Eleven. Their costumes captured the essence and beauty of the golden plains of Eleven that I've always wanted to visit. Finally, District Twelve pulled up the rear by putting on a lovely miner's uniform, pickaxes slung over their shoulders to complete the look. I winced at the girl's deep scars, and felt pity for her. Not everyone can be as fabulous as we Citizens. As they were taken out of sight, I turned to my friend.

"Oh goodness! That was simply marvelous!"

"Oh yes, marvelous indeed. Finest I have ever seen."

"I agree with you!" What a wonderful opening ceremony for a wonderful Games….

Kai Deloom, Age 14.

Well, that has to have been the single most terrifying thing I've ever been through in my entire life. It was only ten minutes, but it felt like five hours. We were herded into a giant room, where we were dismounted from our chariots and given a few minutes to socialize with eachother while our escorts and mentors finalized plans or something or other. The girl from Nine, Abohe Greene or something, had come to talk to Leatta, so I was left all alone. I was surprised when two kids, at least twelve, came up to me.

"Kai, right? Deloom? Of Nine?" The one with a brown mop for hair asked me.

"Um….yeah."

"I'm Merril Neisus from Five, and this is Douglas Arnold from Twelve." The kid looked nervous, both of them did.

"We were wondering," the other kid piped, "if you'd like to be in an alliance with us. We know it's still really early, but the Career pack's already settled," He gestured over to where the all the tributes from One, Two, and Four were already gathered, and they were all laughing about something. "And we wanted to get one before everyone else was already taken. So, what'ya say?"

"Sure…..I guess. Why not?"

"Sweet!" They ran back to the District Five chariot, and appeared to be fast friends. I sighed, and my stomach felt like it was going to fall out. It's a feeling I get when I'm nervous. The mentors, escorts, and stylists came back from wherever they had left to go, and ushered us all back into another elevator. When ours stopped at the tenth floor, I was exhausted. While my mentor, the Capitol escort, Leatta's mentor, and Leatta ate dinner, I collapsed on a random bed. How could they eat at one in the morning? Before the escort could yell at me to come and eat, I was out. My dreams were filled with monsters, citizens from the Capitol, and my fellow tributes.

Leatta Morris, Age 14.

We sat at the fancy Capitol dinner table, everyone from the train (except Kai,) was taking small polite bites in complete silence, except for the escort.

"And tomorrow you and Mr. Deloom will go to the training facility. Apricant, do you have something to say about training day?" She asked my mentor. Apricant wiped her mouth with a napkin, and carefully placed her fork on the edge of her plate. She cleared her throat and struggled to remember.

"Yeah. You need to try to go to every station, but the nature survival is the most important."

"I know nature survival." I tried to explain. Back in Ten, I was known as 'healer girl.' I know virtually every plant, or so I think. Apricant rolled her eyes.

"That's what they all say, kid. Just go and double check. If you want, check out the knives. I don't think you'll be any good with a sword or spear. If there's anything about blowguns, just try it. There haven't been many in past Games."

"Alright. Can I go to bed now? I'm really tired." Apricant nodded. "Thanks." On my way to the bedroom the attendants pointed me to; I peeked in Kai's, to see if he was alright. He was snoring. I laughed to myself, and changed into some Capitol-readied pajamas. The bed was really soft. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Don't forget to review if you liked it, or please review if you didn't like it! Anything is welcomed.