A/N: So here's District 6, I hope you guys enjoy it.
Just a quick note: These characters are a little more in depth and intense, with some pretty sad backgrounds so just a warning, they're references to drugs in this but nothing too serious. No language or anything like that, just in case some of you are a little softer, thought I might give you a heads up.
Thank you to TranscendentElvenRanger, Winter's Writing, luka11303 and recklessinparadise for your nice reviews.
- Liz
Analise Malboro, 17
District 6 Female
The sound of giggling girls from behind me draws my attention away from the long line of people ahead of me. I turn my head slightly to see who it is, glancing down at them. Of course it's some girls from my school, still making fun of me. Even after all these years of having me for a classmate they still can't get over who I am.
"I'm sorry, is there a problem?" I ask, narrowing my eyes.
One of the girls covers her mouth and shakes her head, when she moves her hand away, she's trying to be straight faced. She shakes her head and glances at her little friend.
"No, it's just... you're blocking our view." she says, trying to look around me.
I glance over my shoulder at an attractive looking boy talking to some of his friends. Narrowing my eyes, I turn back to the girls who are still giggling.
"You're just so... huge." she snickers.
I clench my fists and watch her closely, then turn back around, trying to ignore them. I can't get in trouble in line again, this happened last week too, and the week before, and the week before. The owner of the market said that if I got in another fight in his line then I'd be banned from his market for a year. It's not like anyone else in my family can go to the store in my place if I'm kicked out.
Dad's always working and everyone else is too high to make it out the door without falling on their face. I sigh, cracking my knuckles as the girls continue to laugh. I know mom means well by giving my brothers and I those steroids, it makes us stronger and gives us a chance in the Games if we're Reaped. And I'll admit, it does keep me happy most of the time, but it makes me look like some sort of monster. I am a monster. 6'2, 195 pounds, heavily muscled, let's just say I don't blend in.
Everyone at my school knows it and doesn't let me forget it. I feel a tap on my shoulder and one of the girls, I recognize her as Kyva, tilts her head at me.
"Move." she says, shoving me viciously.
Kyva barely gets me to move a centimeter out of her way, then she glances up at me with a dirty expression.
"I said get out of the way, you freak!" she repeats.
Her friend laughs but the laugh morphs into a surprised shriek when I shove Kyva violently. Kyva stumbles back into her friend and they both go down, hitting the pavement hard. Then it's my turn to laugh. People in line glance back, gasping quietly and muttering to each other. Then I see the owner of the market storm out the door, stalking toward me.
I utter a quiet curse and roll my eyes, glancing back at Kyva and her friend. When I turn back around I'm face to face with the market owner.
"Mr. Carter-" I begin.
"No, you're done." the owner replies stiffly. "I warned you, you can't keep doing this!"
I try to protest but he cuts me off and walks over to Kyva.
"Are you alright, miss?" he asks softly.
Kyva glances at me then gives a subtle smirk before turning back to Mr. Carter, fake tears in her eyes.
"She attacked me!" she says, her lip quivering. "All I did was accidentally bump into her."
My jaw drops and I take a step forward.
"She's lying!" I object.
Mr. Carter holds up a hand, looking fed up. Some people in line grumble about not getting their groceries on time, but Mr. Carter ignores them and pulls me aside.
"Analise, what happened?" he asks, his expression hard but his eyes soft.
I glance at Kyva, still a little riled up.
"She called me a freak, Mr. Carter," I explain. "I just lost my temper."
"You lose your temper a lot." he sighs. "I understand you're the primary provider for your family but you can't fight the other customers just because they got you mad, if a Peacekeeper had seen you-"
I shake my head at him and cross my arms.
"I know, I know.." I huff. "I'm sorry, but this is the only market left that I haven't been kicked out of."
Mr. Carter hesitates, obviously thinking hard, then he sighs and rubs his head.
"Alright, fine." he says, finally looking back at me.
He continues quickly when I smile. "But this is your last warning. After this... you're done."
I nod in understanding, quickly grabbing his hand and shaking it.
"Thank you," I say quickly. "It won't happen again."
Mr. Carter winces and pulls his hand away, rubbing it gingerly.
"Alright, I'm trusting you." he turns and walks past Kyva who's still pretending to cry.
When she watches him pass her teary eyes fill with confusion and anger. She scowls and glances at me then steps out of line, dragging her friend along. I smirk and watch them leave. Then I suddenly feel as though I'm being watched and glance at the other people in line who are staring at me like I'm some sort of wild animal. I frown and look back down at the ground, avoiding their piercing, judging gazes.
I know that if I make eye contact with someone I'll just get mad again. They all think I'm some psychotic freak who's too high to think straight. Eventually they all turn back around and move through the line. I quickly throw some coins on the counter to pay for the small bag of food then hurry off to avoid anymore confrontations.
There's a slight chill in the air so I attempt to zip up my jacket, finding that it's becoming uncomfortably tight. I huff and barely zip it up to my chest then stop. This is the fourth sweater I've outgrown this year. The steroids work fast. But mom is right, they have more benefits than setbacks. Although dad may not realize it, if I or one of my brothers were to be reaped, which is very possible, then we'd be one of the strongest tributes. Maybe even as strong as the careers.
I'm not saying I'm hoping to be reaped, and I'm not saying I'd win if I were to go in either. I'm just saying that I'd have an advantage, especially over some of the other districts. There have been younger, smaller tributes reaped in the past years so it'd be easy to get ahead and be a Capitol favorite.
I shudder slightly and hold the bag close to my chest. Just thinking about the Games makes me uncomfortable, it's sick that I even have to think about this. But I guess it's apart of life, isn't it?
The broken down house on the side of the road is mine, the one that looks abandoned, like no one lives in it. I guess in a way that's true. No one really does live in it, we haven't truly lived for I don't know how long.
The curtains move slightly and I peer into the window, seeing the silhouette of someone watching me. I jog up the stairs and carefully open the door, glancing around the corner.
"Hey Analise."
It's my brother Allan.
"Hi." I say, placing the small bag of food on the table. "Why are you waiting by the window?"
Allan glances back outside, moving the curtains a little then looks back at me. He gestures to the kitchen where I see my mom packaging something that looks like white pills into a paper bag.
"Mom has another client." he responds, looking disappointed.
I frown and move to the table again, passing my brother. My mom doesn't even have a legit job. She's a drug trafficker, it makes good money but she risks getting thrown in jail, or flogged, or killed. If any of those things happens then that means life will be harder for me and my father. Which is something I can barely even think about. All the things my father does and my mom does nothing but feed us steroids and practically hand someone a death sentence. Those drugs can be dangerous.
You wouldn't believe how many times I've walked to school or to the market and seen someone dead in an alley. That's part of the reason why I don't want my brothers coming with me to go get food. They shouldn't see that, the Games are hard enough on them.
"Mom, they're here." Allan calls over his shoulder.
My mom fumbles with the bag, her fingers shaking as she smiles and walks to the door, hastily grabbing her jacket.
"Thank you, Allan." she says, messing up his hair a little.
She turns to me as she slips on her jacket and reaches out to give me a hug but I pull away for her, giving her an unintentional look of disgust. She tilts her head and waves a hand.
"Thank you for running the errands Analise." she says then turns and hurries out the door.
Allan makes room for me by the window as we watch quietly as someone in a hooded sweatshirt paces slowly by an alley. My mom and her 'client' disappear into the alley, making my stomach twist into a knot. Allan seems to hold his breath and I rub his back comfortingly.
"What're you doing?"
Allan and I jump almost a foot in the air and I turn quickly. I relax when I recognize my other brother, Amos. He curiously walks over to the window and peers out as well.
"Mom's out again." I say, trying to suppress the worry in my voice.
Amos narrows his eyes and watches closely.
"Alright, I'm going out there."
I quickly shake my head and grab his arm as he makes for the door, pulling him back.
"No way." I snap. "It's dangerous, she'll be fine and if she isn't then we're probably better off."
Amos and Allan go silent, staring at me with wide eyes filled with disbelief. I slowly shrug and glance back out the window, avoiding their sad gazes. They know that I have a tense relationship with my mom, this shouldn't surprise him and I shouldn't feel bad about it. But I can't help but feel a little guilty, if not for my mom then for my brothers. I didn't mean to scare them.
"She'll be fine, she's done this a million times." I add quietly.
As if on cue my mother emerges hastily from the alley, carrying a small bundle with her. Allan sighs with relief while Amos just moves away from the window and back to his room.
My mom walks inside a weak grin on her face as she places the bundle on the table and reveals a good sum of money. Allan looks happy but I maintain my frown. I appreciate that she's trying her best to provide but she's doing it all wrong. I glance up and notice my mom looking at me, seeming upset.
"What?" I ask.
She shakes her head and turns away from me.
"I'm doing the best I can." she mumbles before going back into the kitchen with the food.
Allan looks at me with big eyes, trying to guilt me into apologizing so I turn away from him too, heading to my room. I'm not going to be manipulated into apologizing to someone who doesn't deserve it.
That's not how I work.
Diesel Revv, 17
District 6 Male
"Hey, Diesel, go home already!"
I glance over my shoulder at my co-worker Vulcan, who's giving me a wide smile.
"You've been taking everyone's shifts lately, take a break."
I look at him for a moment then sigh and shake my head, turning back to the dented Peacekeeper truck.
"I can't afford to take a break," I respond quietly, focused on tightened one of the loose bolts on the tire.
Vulcan goes silent and mumbles something to himself, but I ignore him. I don't want to take a break, I don't want to go home. I'm willing to help out the ones who actually have someone to go home to. If I go home it won't make a difference, some of these guys have families to feed, they need to comfort their children, they have wives they love.
I squint when my work light suddenly darkens, then blink a few times and flick my gaze to my large co-worker, Reynolds. He crosses his arms, blocking out my light then takes the wrench from my hands.
"You won't be doing anyone good here if you come in tired every single day and make mistakes." he says in his gravely voice.
I stand from where I was crouched beside the wheel and try to grab the wrench back. Reynolds jerks it away from me and shakes his head, smirking with amusement.
"Go get some rest, we're serious." he says, looking at me intently.
I stare past him at the group of workers gathered behind him then frown.
"Fine." I say, turning quickly and throwing my gloves on the floor.
Reynolds scoffs and places the wrench down on the work bench.
"Take it easy, we're just worried about you, you're overworking yourself." he adds in, trying to get my full attention.
Right now I'm too annoyed to hear what he has to say. I'm just trying to do something nice and be where I enjoy. I grab my jacket from one of the hooks and throw it on, glancing back at them.
"And for God's sake smile a little, will you?" Vulcan jokes.
I watch them all for a second then continue to frown, pushing the doors open. I walk out quietly, stuffing my hands in my pocket and glance up at the darkening sky, a dusting of stars already beginning to appear. I glance around warily, making sure to keep a sharp eye out while passing the alleys. I continue walking and shift slightly as a cold breeze softly sweeps through the streets.
An old man on the corner mutters to himself, shaking slightly while pacing back and forth. I walk away from him, only to stumble into another man, unnaturally skinny, his face gaunt and his eyes wide. He grabs my jacket trying to ask me for something but I can't make it out. I quickly pull away from him, shoving him aside then continue on my way quickly.
I hate walking home this late, the streets are filled with nuts as high as the sky and most of the time it's dangerous. I prefer to get home before it gets too dark, or I'll stay at work overnight. It disturbs me to see people this way, their lives destroyed by drugs just because living without them is too painful.
I'm suddenly aware of the sound of footsteps behind me and start off dismissing it as just someone stumbling around in an alley. But when I stop, they stop. I give a quick look over my shoulder, seeing no one then walk faster toward my house. The footsteps speed up as well. I whip around, turning to face whoever's following me, but once again see no one.
I slowly turn back around and come face to face with a figure. I shout in surprise and scramble back then recognize them.
"Zhaust, what the hell!" I gasp.
Zhaust gives a raspy laugh then wraps me in a friendly hug. I hug him back numbly, then move away from him, my heart still pounding in my chest. He does this all the time, I should have gotten used to it after all these years, but I never do.
"Your face was amazing." he snickers, falling into step beside me with a small smile.
I roll my eyes and avoid his gaze, pulling up the collar of my jacket. He goes quiet but keeps watching me then tilts his head.
"What's going on?" he asks.
I glance at him slightly then shrug and sigh, prepared to tell him everything that's on my mind. He's really the only person I can open up to, aside from some of my co-workers.
"My dad's getting worse, I'm worried for him. I have to work double shifts to get enough money to hire a doctor or a nurse or something." I explain quietly. "I think my mom is stealing some of his morphling too."
Zhaust shrugs. "Well you can't blame your dad," he replies, looking distracted. "I mean he broke his back or something?"
I fiddle with the button on my coat.
"His legs were crushed when he was working." I reply, knowing full well that I've told Zhaust this numerous times.
Zhaust gives a hard nod.
"Exactly," he says. "So what if he overdoses a few times, it's probably good for him. I'm surprised you haven't started yet."
I look at him with disbelief. He's really saying this to me even though I've explained this to him a million times? Zhaust suddenly scowls and looks to be out of breath.
"Slow down, what're you scared or something?" he asks, pulling me back a little.
I'm suddenly aware of how fast I'm walking, so I allow myself to slow down. Then I slip my hands in my pockets again.
"Sorry.." I mutter absentmindedly. "I just wish they would stop you know? Try to recover... there are different ways to deal with what they're going through... they say they have nothing good in their life but... I'm here-"
"Yeah I totally get you," Zhaust interrupts hastily. "Can I borrow some cash from you?"
I abruptly stop short and turn to look at him.
"Again?" I ask.
He shrugs and nods, giving a sheepish smile.
"What can I say, money is a little hard to come by..." he sighs. "Didn't you say you'd help me out whenever I need it?"
I frown and roll my shoulders a little, trying to suppress my discomfort.
"I just... I need to afford stuff for myself and my parents too, Zhaust I-"
"Didn't you say it?"
I bite my lip slightly and grab my wallet.
"Yeah... I did say it.." I sigh.
I open the worn out wallet, catching some coins that fall out of a whole in the stitching, then I hesitate.
"What are you using it for?" I ask curiously.
"Does it matter?" Zhaust laughs.
I nod slowly, but he only rolls his eyes. "Don't worry about it, I just need it."
The money feels heavy in my hand as I slowly hand it out to him. Right before he snatches it from my grip, I pull it back, changing my mind in an instant. I know he's going to use it to get drugs. He'll end up dead in a gutter somewhere, I can't let him do this to himself, not anymore. He asks for money almost every day, never telling me what he's getting. But I'm not an idiot.
"What gives?" he growls, making a face at me.
"I'm done," I reply, turning away from him. "Get a job, get your own money, I can't keep doing this, I'm sorry."
Bitter laughter stops me in my tracks and I glance back at him, fiddling with the button again. Zhaust continues to laugh, but he looks angry at the same time, it's a little frightening. But I stay where I am, refusing to let him intimidate me.
"Are you serious?" he asks, walking toward me with a dangerous expression.
"I want to help you, but giving you money so you can go buy drugs and kill yourself with them isn't helping you." I respond slowly, watching his anger grow.
"If I wanted to kill myself I wouldn't use drugs," he says, starting to laugh again. "I'd volunteer for the Games, isn't that an idea?"
I watch him worriedly as he breaks into a fit of laughter, but I maintain a straight face. After a few more moments of just watching him, I briskly walk away from him. I hate seeing him like this, unfortunately this is the way he acts most of the time, but sometimes he's decent, a good person. Sometimes.
"Diesel, get back here!" Zhaust calls after me, the laughter gone from his voice. "Fine, go run home to your mom and dad! Don't forget to remind them that they have to love you!"
I flinch, biting down on my lip again. He doesn't mean that, he says stuff like that all the time. He'll cool off by tomorrow and apologize, try to make it up to me. I pick up my pace when my house comes into view, rushing inside. I close the door quietly behind me and close my eyes, taking a minute to myself. The taste of metallic fills my mouth for a second and I quickly stop biting my lip.
I walk to the kitchen and grab a napkin from off the table, holding it to my bleeding lip. I lean on the counter and shift slightly so I can glance around the corner into the room where my father lays passed out on the couch, a bottle of pills on the table beside him. I move away from the counter and toss the napkin into the garbage then grab a glass from the sink, washing it out before filling it with water. I turn away from the sink and carefully carry the glass to my father, stepping over his old work shoes. Pills are scattered about on the floor and I kick them under the sofa with disgust before crouching down beside my father.
I reach out carefully and shake him gently, watching as he slowly wakes back up. As usual, his sunken in eyes are glazed over and filled with confusion. I frown and hand the water to him, watching as he shakily takes it. Then he looks up at me slowly, surprise crossing his face. He suddenly splashes the water on me, looking alarmed, and I jump back.
"Who are you!" he shouts, throwing the glass at me.
I duck quickly and watch it shatter against the wall, hearing my mother shriek from somewhere in the back of the house.
"It's just me." I say calmly, staying low. "It's Diesel."
My father seems to relax slightly, although still shaking violently.
"Diesel?"
I nod and take a few steps toward him, then stop when he gives a grunt.
"What about diesel?" he asks gruffly. "Are gas prices up again?"
I make a face and shake my head.
"No..." I respond. "It's your son... Diesel?"
My frown lightens when I see him perk up slightly.
"Ah..." he slowly holds his shaking hand out to me and I come closer. "I'm sorry..."
I shake my head and sit beside the couch. This happens sometimes, the morphling messes with his memory, he'll forget who I am. I've gotten used to it. Sometimes he's aggressive, sometimes he's just confused. But it always gets to my mother who bursts out of the back room, her eyes wide and alert.
"What's happened?" she asks quickly.
"Nothing." I reply quietly.
She seems to catch on and nods, her pale, haunting face regains some of it's color and she leans against a chair. Then she turns and walks away stiffly, sighing loudly. I watch her go then turn back to my father.
"Do you need more water?" I ask softly.
He nods and sinks back down into the couch. I get up and walk slowly back to the kitchen, making sure that he can see me so he doesn't forget I'm here again. I wash out another cup, then fill it with water, bringing it back to my father. He takes it gratefully, sipping on it slowly. The shimmer of the shatter glass on the floor draws my attention and I grab a broom under the kitchen table.
As I do, I notice my mother looking through something in her room. I carefully stand, leaning the broom on the table then watch from the doorway, my mother's back is turned to me. She continues to fumble through a drawer, and that's when I notice the extra pill bottle she grabs.
"Mom." I say firmly.
She jolts in surprise and turns quickly to look at me, the pill bottle in her hand.
"Are those dad's?" I ask quietly.
She doesn't respond, only looking guilty as sin. She seems like she's searching for the right words to say, but she never gets them out. The longer she stares at me, the tireder she appears. Then she slips the bottle back in the drawer, closing it quickly. I know she'll go back for them once she thinks I'm asleep.
"I'm sorry.." she rasps. "It helps."
I cross my arms tightly, shrinking against the doorframe.
"It hurts you more than it helps you." I respond. "Don't you see it too?"
She shakes her head slowly and turns away from me, putting her hands over her face. I walk over to her and take her by the arm, leading her away from the drawer and out of the room. I close the door behind me, then walk away, leaving my mother in the hall to figure out what she's going to do without the drugs. Then I sit down in a chair beside the couch where I remain quiet, looking over the silent house. Morphling did this to my family. I hate drugs, they tear families apart and I'm not going to fall victim to them like the rest of my district. Like my parents.
That's not who I am.
A/N: Ah. Yes this chapter was a bit darker than our traditional writing styles, but then again it's the Hunger Games and this is called "Daylight's End" so huehuehue.
Post-Chapter Questions(optional):
Thoughts on Analise?
Diesel?
What stood out to you the most about each character?
Do you think they have the potential to go far?
A/N: Hopefully District 7 will be out soon. Anna and I have standardized tests all this week and then finals the next week so we're gonna be studying and stuff so if we don't post as frequently as normal don't freak, it's just because we're busy.
*IMPORTANT* So you guys will probably want to know this, Anna and I are finally going to implement a sponsoring system. So we're going to do points by reviews because that's the only way I've seen it done. If you get enough points to sponsor something to a tribute, just PM us don't with who and what you want to sponsor. Please don't put it in a review. Yes, you can sponsor more than once with different tributes, but you can only sponsor a tribute once. A tribute can get more than one sponsor but not from the same person.
Item List
*2 points per review and by the time the Games get rolling some people will have a lot of points. The points received for each review may also go up later in the Games if we decide so don't freak out if you see something you want but it's a lot of points.
Net: 4
Rope: 4
Wire: 6
Matches: 10
Flashlight: 10
Food: 12
Sleeping bag: 20
Knife: 24
Dagger: 30
Spear: 40
Axe: 60
Sword: 70
Bomb-Making Materials: 90
The sponsor list may be updated to add stuff or change points or whatever. You can review for points starting today and we'll post who has how many points each chapter.
But yeah. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, reviews make us really happy.
Have a good day,
-Liz