Ok, first off, SO SO SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN UPDATING! Basically, I went on holiday and certain circumstances... cough, cough, forgot my iPad and iPhone, cough, cough... meant I couldn't write. But I'm here now! If that counts for anything, anything at all...

Nighttimephoenix: I actually did when we started the collab.

I don't think I got anymore reviews so...

Sorry again. I'm failing at this right now.

And...

Sorry?

Ilana Whipple, D6

I was staying at my uncle's when it happened. Ever since my mum died when I was seven, I've been swapping between my house and my uncle's. Anyway, I heard a scream coming from the woods... another reason to stay away from the forest. I couldn't sleep. I told my uncle and he thought it was Reaping nerves.

That was last night. Which makes today the Reaping.

And I have no tesserae. So I won't be Reaped. So I don't have to worry.

That's what Uncle Bobie says. But Daddy says something along the lines of 'Oh Bobie, Bobie, Bobie! When will you learn?' every time I tell him something Uncle said.

I think I died in my dream. I'm not really sure. But it was horrible. There was a guy with a knife in his hand and a cruel sneer on his face and then... black. I woke up after that. Then I heard it.

The scream.

I push thoughts of it out of my mind. I jog over to my house. I'm already panting and puffing by the time I've turned the corner and crossed the street.

But whatever. Daddy has another dress for me. I slip it on immediately without looking to see if one of the others is my favourite. I won't be going anywhere, just like Uncle said. So why bother looking my best. As I strut out the door in wedges- which are rare and sought after- I swear I see a tinge of sadness in my father's eyes.

It vanishes though.

Quickly.

Elber Penley, D6

I wish, not for the first time, that Panem was fairer. The system works, I haven't found anything wrong with it other than the Hunger Games, but I do wish that, as one of a family of five, I could have more than a crust of bread to eat- and that's on a good day.

But I live. Almo lives. Casten lives. My parents live. And that's all that matters.

That's not to say it's easy. I can't count the amount of times we have almost starved to death until Casten and I drag in the few edible plants we can identify within the fence. Casten is seven- there is no fear of him being Reaped. Almo has another year of freedom. So it's just me. And I wish it always was just me. Because they must live.

Even if I don't.

Carsin and Avae- with her beautiful golden hair and her smouldering brown eyes- are at the door. As twins, they have dressed alike. I can't name the shades, but their clothes are purple.

I am dressed in my best attire, an almost unripped flannel shirt and shirts you could never tell were mucky trousers only yesterday.

Carsin and I are in the 14 year old section together. I can vaguely make out Avae's golden head among the sea of people, but it's there. I know it is.

But what if it moves? I wonder.

Would Avae be called out?

Ilana, D6

It's me.

I was called.

And my dad knew it was going to happen.

I can tell by the look on his face, by the fact that he can't quite meet my eyes.

The Reaping was rigged- it must have been! And I- I suffered from it, from the Ca...

I lose my train of thought as a small blonde boy tears his eyes away from Avae- one of the girls in my gang- as his name is called.

Elber, D6

I don't really care that I was Reaped. Because Avae wasn't. And today, that's all that matters.

She's all that matters.

Ilana, D6

Two words- my name- changed my life. Probably ended it.

But now, it's a trivial issue.

Because Uncle Bobie was wrong.

Finally!

These characters were hard to write- especially Ilana.

And...

Did I mention I'm terrible at writing dialogue?

Also, did anyone else notice the similarity between Ilana' name and Venice Liana's?

Nope? Just me?

Okay then...

CandyRue out.