District 9 Female, Victoria Laws, 15

" 10 9 8," Jazz calls off numbers from below.

I am standing on the roof of Lilian Barters house. She once called me unimaginative and weak. Now, I am proving her wrong.

After careful research, if I pull this one screw off the roof of her house, the whole house will come crashing down. Then I will have exactly 5 seconds to jump off, or I will come tumbling down with it.

" 3 2 1" Jazz finishes.

I automatically tug the grey screw off, then jump the moment it hits my fingers.

When I safely hit the ground, I turn around to the house collapsing behind me.

Then Jazz and I sprint out of view to avoid getting caught.

When we finally get far enough away Jazz stops to catch her breath.

" How are you sure we didn't get caught. What if Lilian guesses it was you," Jazz asks.

" Relax, I have never got caught. She probably thinks it was her ex-boyfriend," I laugh.

" What if she got hurt," Jazz questions me.

" She wasn't even in the house, thanks to my excessive planning," I reassure her.

To the bystander, I am the least likely person to be pulling these pranks. On the outside, I am usually a quiet girl, and not even slightly dangerous-looking. My only give away is that I tend to smirk when I am planning something, at least according to Jazz. However, I am usually ignored because I keep a low profile.

" It's time to go to the Reapings," Jazz informs me.

I hope this is not my last prank.

District 9 Male, Rye Kaiet, 15

" Rye, can you chop some lumber for the fire," my mom asks.

" Sure, mom," I reply.

I am glad today is the Reaping day, so I have the chance to help my mom around the house. I don't have to work my sweat pouring job at the wheat field.

It has always just been the two of us for as long as I can remember. When I was only an infant my father was banished. That's all my mom would tell me, and I am not going to pry her for information. However, I can't help wondering what our life would be like if he wasn't banished. Would we not have to work exhaustively to put food on the table?

I must have got my black hair from him, for my mom is a red-head. Would I recognize him, if I ever saw him? Would he be proud to be my father? Too many questions, but no answers. I need to focus on chopping the wood, not obsessing over the past. This is my life now, I must live with it.

When I bring the wood inside my mother asks, " are you walking with your friends to the Reaping?"

" Yeah," I respond.

I can't really call them my friends. I'm part of their group, but I don't have a level of understanding with any of them. I just hang out with them to make my mom happy.

They probably would not even care if I got reaped today.

District 9 Female, Victoria Laws, 15

I am standing all alone is the female 15-year-old section.

After the red-headed peacekeeper identified us, she has to go to the 14-year-old section.

I try to keep a reserved and quiet manner, but inside my body is jumping for more action.

" Welcome to the 31st Hunger Games. I am your new escort, Cloudess Faith," she announces.

Hopefully, she is better than our last escort. He was so drunk he vomited all over the podium last year.

" This year's games will be very exciting! With multiple twists and turns to throw everyone off guard," Cloudess advertises.

Again, with this twist propaganda.

" The beautiful female representing this district is," she reads the name on th slip of paper, " Victoria Laws!"

I raise my left eyebrow up in surprise, but quickly bring it down.

I don't want to leak my mischievious trait, yet.

I walk to the podium, forcing every muscle in my body to achieve a dull look in my eyes.

I don't want to be perceived as a threat.

I will be the only one who knows that I will survive this.

Even if it involves cheating. Or how I shall call it….meddling.

District 9 Male, Rye Kaiet, 15

Such a shame Victoria got reaped.

She is a quiet girl, never causing anyone trouble.

I have little faith she will survive the games.

" Now for our brave male," she accidentally draws two names but let's one fall, " Rye Kaiet!"

Why couldn't my name be the one that fell?

Fate, destiny, call it what you wish. It's against me.

I frantically try to hide in the crowd.

Maybe if they can't find me, she will draw another name.

However, my eyes betray me and tears start pouring off my face.

As if I have pulled an alarm announcing where I am, peacekeepers swarm me.

They drag me to the podium. I don't fight back as there's no use. I was dead the minute Cloudess called my name. The same fate as the girl standing across from me. It's only a matter of time till we both drop dead.

Authors Note,

Thanks abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz005 for Victoria and 20 for Rye. I am sorry this chapter is rushed. I am leaving for vacation soon for two weeks. I will try to submit another chapter tomorrow before I leave, but no promises. When I get back, I will be constantly uploading chapters! 10/12 Reapings! We are almost there! Thank you, everybody, for reading this!