District 7
Angela Rio
It's me eating the last of my eggs, my mother going on about how I'm never grateful for what I have, my dad trying pointlessly to reason with her and convince her that she didn't give birth to a demon, and my brother inside with the volume on the TV cranked to the max. He's trying to drown out my mother's hateful coments. That really sounds sad when I think about it, a parent hating her child. It's something most people can't imagine, but I'm not most people. At least I try not to be. I love to surprse people, talk when they least expect it. They're reactions range from scared to shocked to weirded out, but one thing they all have in common is how funny they are.
"Emily, she's your only daughter. Can't you show a little empathy for your own flesh and blood?" I think my dad is just a few words about from getting down on his knees and begging her to accept me.
"As a matter of fact no I cannot Drake. She is an ungrateful brat who never even utters a single 'thank you.' Why would I love someone like that?"
"But she's your daughter-"
"No, she's your daughter, and it's about time you taught her some proper discipline. This discussion is over."
"But-"
"End of discussion! We aren't speaking about this again! Understood?"
"I understand that you're going to hate me for the rest of my life." I say casually, as if that was the topic at hand and I was part of the conversation. MY father looks a bit surprised, but mostly because of what I said about my mom. He's come to expect my random interjections. As for my mother, she just glares at me.
"That's another thing. I can't stand how you're always blurting things out whenever you feel like it. Just stop it, all of it." My mother stalks upstairs. I hear her think out loud "Why does she have to by my daughter." Man, she is just mean sometimes. Yet I'm somehow able to get past that aand still love her. Well whatever type of person, she's still my mother. I guess part of me will always be attached to her.
I polish off the last of my breakfast and head into the living room. My Dad tries apologizing for my mother. I nod 'no' to him. I won't forgive her for what she says unless I get an actual apology from her. Dad's nice to me. If anything he shouldn't even have to discuss these kinds of things with my mother.
So I don't talk much or socialize. Does that mean that my mother is supposed to hate me? Since I don't have friends that should actually make us all the more closer. She just despises my personality. Plus I'm not isolated from the world, I have Dad, Rus, and my two friends Melody, and Eva. They like me and I like them, simple as that.
I take a seat next to Rus who is lowering the volume, but still keeps it considerably high. Note to self: by Rus earplugs so he won't go deaf trying to ignore our parents.
"Don't let her get you down, she's a real bitch sometimes." Rus has always stood by me. He makes sure that I don't have to hear any crap from kids who bully me, even if it comes down to blows. Mostly his blows to their faces.
"She hasn't done it before and she won't do it anytime soon." If I cared what everyone thought of me, than I'd be addicted to antidepressants by now. People can get mean. But I'm happy, healthy, and I've got good school grades, not a problem in my life as far as I can see. "By the way, thanks for the skull earing." I tell him smiling.
"No prob." Me and Rus have always been really close to eachother. "It's time to go." My brother responds by simply getting up and walking to the door with my dad and mother following suite. It's these days that Rus is most nervous. He's not in the aging range of course, I'm the ony one eligible to be Reaped in our family.
I think I'll meet up with my friends right after the tributes are chosen. We should be able to have fun, even when the Games are on. Maybe I can space out while they're on.
When we reach the edge of the forest where the Reapings are I split from the rest of my family. It's been done as a precaution since some kid tried hiding there when his name was called. He almost got away. Poor kid, he got killed before the Games even started. Slipped on his plate and triggered a mine.
I try searching out Melody and Eva, but that's when I get the shock of my life.
"Angela Rio!"
My eyes go wide and I stop in my tracks. My name. I've been Reaped. Normally someone would cry, but the shock of it keeps my emotions locked up.
I walk up the stage silently. Everyone I love looks on silently, and my mother just doesn't care. I think I can even make out a small smirk. Love you too, mother.
Annabeth Stone
I slam my axe into the steel shield my dad holds to block it. He's been having trouble keeping up with my moves recently. Guess I'm progressing faster than he thought I would. Well I'm not pulling my punches old man, I'm gonna keep up the pressure.
I leave eight more scars on the already disfigured shield when I decide to drop my one blade and take up another. A sword to be more precise. My blade creates a melodic series of clanging sounds as it bounces off of the shield, causing my dark brown curls to get in my face a few times though it isn't much of a bother. Then my dad loses his grip on his shield and I press my sword's tip to his throat.
"...Hahahahaha, that's my girl! Annabeth, you don't have any worried should you be Reaped. Hopefully that won't ever happen. Could you put your weapon away?" I sheathe my sword and lean back, allowing the grass to cushion my fall. I just smile and stare at the trees towering over head. I love the forest here. It's practically where I've lived my whole life.
It's good that practice just ended, I was just about out of energy. Plus I'm covered in sweat. I need to get showered up.
"Are you ready to go back Annabeth?" asks my dad. I don't see why he's asking if I'm ready to leave, he's already on is way back to District 7. I stand up, staggering a little bit. My legs feel like jelly from running practice.
"No I'm not, and I know what you're going to say but I do not care if I'm late. and don't ask if someone's ready to leave if your already going."
"Yeah, I know you don't care, I know I don't care, but the Peacekeepers... well they probably don't care either. They're just doing their jobs. And whenever someone breaks the rules, your either tortured or killed. And it doesn't matter who." I think he stoppd talking to m around th middle of that statement, he seems to be talking to himself. I know what he means.
I touch the scar runnig down my face that the whip made. That lashing was meant for my sister, Lucy, after she accidentally took some stupid little bobble from the mayors house. She's such an explorer, if only she had chosen somewhere else to look around.
After the Peacekeepers found out that she stole it, her sentence was reduced from death to thirty lashes. I jumped in front of the whip, which gave me the scar I have today.
Lucy was nine. A nine-year-old getting whipped, that's just too cruel. I hate the Capitol for doing this to us, and I hate the Hunger Games. My brother was a tribute and died in the Games ten years ago. Some bitch from 13 turned him into a suicide bomber without him even knowing it and used him to blow up the last of the career pack.
ever since than, I've been training in case I'm ever Reaped. I won't be driven to form a desperate alliance with anyone like my brother did. I'll fight and kill anybody that gets in my way.
When I work up the resolve to leave my comfortable bed of grass, I head home and get washed up. After that I put on a short silky-white dress given to me by my mother and let my dark brown hair down.
" 'Morning Annabeth!" Lucy runs up and hugs me, nearly knocking me to the ground. She's really grownup. I can still see the scars from her punishment. How is she so happy all the time?
"Good morning, Lucy. How are you this morning?" I ask, running my hand through her blond hair. I love her so much.
"I'm doing great! Oh, guess where I went this morning? I went into Levlied's house!" Wait, what?
"You mean Levlied the Victor? Lucy, I thought we talkked about this, no breaking into other people's houses."
"It's okay. Levlied's wife was there and she was happy to have some company. She let me look aaaaaallllllll around their house and I got to see all sorts of stuff, like the weird clothes in Levlied's house. I even saw their baby in it's crib. But I had to be quiet because it was sleeping." Lucy whipers the last part. Well that sounds fine.
"Okay, good. You were invited into their house, that's not breaking and entering."
"Uh, yeah... Annabeth...?"
I'm gonna regret responding to that. "What?"
"Is it bad if you pick someone's houses lock and invite yourself in? Even if the owner of the house catches you and says it's alright and you never intended to steal anything?" I was right. I do regret it.
"In this order, 'Yes,' 'Yes' and 'Yes'. Now before you say anything ls that'll make me believe you'll be breaking and entering as aare, go outside and wait for me, I'll be out there in a minute."
"Are you mad?"
"Sort of," This brings Lucy close to crying. "Hold on, hold on. I'm sort of mad, but I'm sort of proud that you've got such a handy skill. It'll be good if you're ever in a pinch and need money, but only us it if you asoluly n to stl somhin. Stealing is bad. Capisce?"
"Yep! Only in an emergency. Got it!" Lucy runs out the door telling me to hurry up. I just need to get a ring from Mom. It's gold with a little golden leaf encrested with emeralds. Time to get this or with.
Angus Chowdry
"Annabeth Stone!" A girl with black curly hair walks up stage. She's lot calmer than that girl Angela, she looked dead already. Though that may not be the best approach, being scared won't make people scared of you. If you're scary than everyone would stay the hell away from you. If I had known this would happen to her than I'd have told her that she should have stomped up stage to let eryone know she's pissed. When people are angry, that's when they're the scariest.
Also I think that a ponytail would look better. And maybe she should have ironed her dress to get a few wrinkles out. And combat boots, to show that she hikes a lot and she's strong. Oh, and to show that she's impatient and wants sponsors now, she should cross her arms and tap her finger. The hand she isn't good at writing with just to show how pissed she is about waiting.
As for the girl Annabeth, it would have been much cuter if she cried. She is obviously weak, that would have good use of how she is. Plus I feel that I should have told her, had I known that she'd be Reaped, that it's better on your foot if you put the front part of it down first then the back. It'll help out even more when she's running away in the arena.
"Drooling over those girl's Angus?" I turn around to see my old friend Desire looking mildly upset. Odd how she's only upset when I'm flirting with a girl.
"Hey Desire. And please, girls are the ones who drool over me, not the other way around." I brush my red afro with my hand, showing off one of my great features.
"Angus, it's not like that. Girl's you flirt with don't like you the way you think. It's all in your head." No way. I know that those girls just can't resist me. "By the way, I found a letter for you in the office of the my folks lumber mill. I think you should read it."
"You know, it's bad to read other peoples mail. You sshould ask the person that the letter is for what it says. Of course if you're really interested than you can hold a letter up to a light to-"
"Just read the letter."
Dear Millers,
I'm resigning. I'm sorry to bring this up all of a sudden, but I can't stand that freak of nature Angus Chowdry. He constantly talks to me and doesn't stop no matter what I say. Again, I'm sorry, but I just can't take it any more
-Jacob
P.S. I know that your daughter is friends with him. When you get a chance have her deliver this letter to Angus sometime.
Angus, if you're reading this, than turn over to the other side.
Lets see.
I swear to God, if you ever come near me and talk to me again, than I will not hesutate to kill you! I am not jokingn! Never come near me again.
"Hehehe, good one Jacob. It's been a while since I got one of these"
"Angus, I don't think it was a joke. And what do you mean ''one of these?" she asks me in a suspicious tone.
"You see, Desire, my closest friends who I talk with every day tend to send me these gag-letters. I get one every couple of weeks. For some reason they're never around anymore for me to tell them how funny they are. Odd, huh. Though this one is a bit lazier than the others, they usually go into greater detail." Desire just deadpans at everything I say. I thought she'd be surprised, this doesn't happen to just anyone.
"I don't know what's sadder, the fact that that actually happens to you, or that I can believe that happening to you so easily."
Before I understand exactly what Desire means, I hear the most shocking thing anyone can hear.
"Angus Chowdry!" Me. I hear my name. Desire's just as shocked as I am. Her hands are covering her mouth and I can see some tears trickling down her face.
I start up the stage when I realize that no one would let me die. Everyone loves me! I'll be volunteered for sure.
I stand around for a minute and hear my name again. Okay, maybe my buddies don't remembeer my name. I decide to walk up stage and give a confident smile and wait for the volunteer to come up. They'll recognize me for sure.
"Any volunteers. Anyone. No? Moving on then." What! No one's volunteering to save me from my death? What's going on? This is so weird! This is impossible! Everyone would be lost without me, why won't someone else come up?
Cavet Elxor
I look at the time on the wall clock in my room and realize how late it has gotten. I need to dress myself for the Reapings. I lay down the Physics textbook I got from my local library next to the evergrowing stack of books that I have read. The first was about the history of Panem, the second taught me about how the blacksmith's forged steel, which is very similar to how it's done today, the next was a book about the laws of Panem, after that was a book about politics, and so on.
Learning is something I have always had a passion for. I had a ball in school, but I had to be pulled out to help my family make money. That does not stop me from doing what I love. I even pay a visit to the school I previously enrolled in from time to time to see if my teachers would be willing to give me a few lessons.
I put on a simple dress shirt and pants. Naturally, I'm sure to tuck my shirt in and look neat, unlike most men my age. A lot of people here are not that interested in their education, their interests to want to cut down what the text books are made of. Lumberjacking is the best way to earn money, even if you would be really poor with what little money there was. The only way for anyone to get some decent cash is to try becoming an entrepenuer. The only problem with it being how finincially ruined you would end up if you failed at it.
The rest of my family is already downstairs waiting for me and we start walking to the Reapings.
"Still reading every hour?" My brother Darsk asks me with a smirk. I should respond in turn with the same tone, confirming his suspicions. Also to mimic his snyde attitude, I think I'll ask him about something he usually does, hehe.
"Indeed, I am still reading, but mainly I'm doing it with the intention of learning. Are you still eating all of the candy that you can fit into your mouth?"
"Yep!" I get a smile that could melt anybody's heart returned to me. I consider asking why he thinks that his sugar intake isn't an issue when I feel Toren nudging me in the shoulder. He's the middle child of our family of five siblings. As I respond, he's nudging me with his elbow so hard that I think it could be categorized as assault. It seems appropriate to alter my countenance to give an air of dissaproval.
"I understand from the bruising that you gave me that you'd like to have a conversation with me. Well, let's start then."
"Tell me you notice it." I haven't the foggiest idea as to what he could mean. Maybe some sarcasm will help to show my lack of understanding.
"First off, I would appreciate an apology for your bruising my rib cage. Secondly, if you were any vaguer, I'd assume that you meant every 'it' on the planet. I can only guess that you mean a thing. I'd be thankful for a bit of elaboration."
"You don't notice anything? Nothing at all." I think I should just repeat what I said.
"Yes Toren, If I did notice something than of course I would understand what we were talking about, but I do not, so I cannot contribute to this fascinating conversation. Would you care to enlighten me?"
"Y'know what man, forget it. Just forget it." He seems to be in a surly mood. Why is he upset at me?
By the time my family and I are actually at the Reapings, the first victim of this years Hunger Games is called to the stage.
"Angela Rio!" A tall girl with black hair walk up, the shock of being Reaped evident by the expression on her face. Potential volunteers are called out, but nobody does. No surprise. The next name is called.
"Annabeth Stone!" A sixteen-year-old walks up stage looking calm. She seems so frail. Poor girl. I hope that she's killed quickly in the bloodbath.
"Angus Chowdry!" The name is called again before a confident looking person with... a red afro... tanned skin... a huge adam's apple and scrawny limbs... he looks quite awkward. And his confidence dissappears after no one volunteers to be in the Games. Did he seriously believe that the impossible act of someone willingly sending themselves to die would actually happen. I hope the last tribute is smarter than him.
"Cavet Elxor" I think he is smarter than him, though I don't really know for sure. It's me. I've been Reaped.
Okay, just calm down Cavet. Just keep yourself calm. Don't let anyone else know that your scared. Just walk up the stage and don't think about the Hunger Games. Just focus on what's happening to you right now.
"Lady's and Gentleman, our tributes for District 7!" The only sound heard in response is a chorus of crickets. This isn't a time to be happy, it's the time to break down and cry, like my family is doing along with the other two families... why only three? There are four of us up here meaning... one of us is an orphan. At least that persons parents don't have to watch their children die.
As we are excorted to the Justice Hall where we are to give our final good bye's, I decide to interact with my District partners. The boy with the red afro still seems to be in a state of shock, he won't be much for conversation. He probably won't even hear me.
I look at the two girls and notice that they're both already looking at me. They look a bit surprised when I look back at them. After some odd silence, it would seem that they merely intend to burn a hole through me with their eyes.
"It's impolite to stare, is there something that I can help you with?" In response, their cheeks turn to a light pink shade and they merely look away. The girl, Annabeth I think, gives a stammered "Sorry," and says nothing more.
Odd.
More importantly, I need to assess my chances of returning home as one of the two who remain alive. I'm smart, I know it from all of the books that I've read. And I've become strobnng between work and the time spent working out. It would seem that I have some good odds. Plus I have one more advantage. I stare at the twine bracelet on my wrist that Darsk and Toren made for me.
I have my family to return to. A family that loves me. A family that needs me. But will that fact be enough to return me safely to their warm embrace?
Levlied Frest
These tributes look... promisin? Rig nnow, te only person impresssing me was Cavet, the other three just don't seem like victor material.
"So you'll get the weakling's and I'm gonna take the strong ones. Agreed? I don't want you screwing our chances of winning by taking care of the tributes who can actually win." Why does she have so little confidence in me?
"What makes you think that I can't turn one of these kids into a winner Sawtia?"
"I didn't say that. I just meant that I'm a much better mentor than you." she states matter-of-factly. Better? Not after the last time she seperately coached somebody.
"Didn't a big guy that you had been training super hard and looked like he could win get himself killed in the bloodbath?"
"Levlied, he was snuck up from behind. No one would survive a sneak attack." Your memory's failing you Sawtia.
"Sawtia, I saw what happenned, all of Panem did. He was eager to get to the cornucopia and he stepped on the mines killing himself. You got him all revved up, but you forgot to have him keep in mind the fact that mines were there."
"Come on, I swear I thought he'd remember that."
"People forget, and your year mentoring was the first time in like ten years that a mine went off. Everyone was reminding tributes about them. You're a good mentor, but certainly not the best."
"The past is in the past, what matters is our future and the future I'll be giving to my tributes, and I know I'll be doing my best to make sure that they survive the Quarter Quell."
"The past reflects our actions and-hey wait up!" Sawtia runs ahead off me and hops onto the train. I can hear the steam blowing and the engine running. It starts moving slow and gets faster and faster. I run full throttle to it and just barely manage to grab Sawtia's hand. She gives me a mischevious smile.
"I had the conductor get the train started five minutes ago and I told him we'd be on in time. I wanted to see if you lost your edge, but your still sharp as ever."
"Yeah, great, still sharp, perfect, now PULL ME INTO THE TRAIN DAMMIT!" That was so not funny.
Name: Angela Rio
Age: 18
District #: 7
Personality: Angela is the stereotypical "Loner." She doesn't like to talk with people she doesn't know and she doesn't care what people think about her. She can be considered to be a "Wild Card" almost because since she doesn't talk much if at all, she can surprise, giving her the advice. Very smart.
Appearance: Tall, about 5'9, long straight black hair, dark brown eyes, olive skin tone.
Name: Annabeth Stone
Age: 16
District: 7
Gender:Female
Appearance: Her hair color is a very dark brown, which most people mistake for black. Her hair is naturally in light curls which fall down to a little above her waist and is usually in a ponytail. She has emerald green eyes which she inherited from her father and thick eyelashes. She has light muscles from cutting wood (Her job) and stands at the height of 5'5. A scar is plastered across the side of her face. She weighs at about 115 pounds. She has a slim body from training and a few cruves. Her face is clear except for a spray of freckles across her cheeks and nose.
Personality: She is definitly not like she appears, which she uses to her advantage. She is strong-willed and very stubborn. She can be social at times, and tries to make the best of a bad situation (She copes with the Hunger Games well). She hides things well, and gets annoyed easily. I guess you could say she's waiting for that special someone to bring out the best in her. She has walls built up around her heart and is not very willing to let someone in to get to know the real her. She's cautious about many things and is always on gaurd.
Name: Angus Chowdry
Age: 16
District #: 7
Personality: He's a lumberjack and he's ok! No but really, Angus is that guy. You know. THAT guy. The guy who thinks he's your best friend. The guy who always has advice for you, no matter what the situation, no matter if you want to hear it or not. Angus loves nothing more than to butt into everyone's business. He'll talk your ear off for an hour, even if you have a pot of stew on the burner. He thinks he's everyone's best friend (they're not). He sees himself as a paragon of virtue that everyone looks up to (they don't). He thinks women can't resist him (they can... very, very easily).
Appearance: Bright red curly hair, more like an afro. Normally pale white freckled skin, but since he started working as a lumber jack, he's always sunburned. He's scrawny, with a huge adam's apple, and freakishly flexible for a guy. Like double jointed flexible. He likes to show this off cause he thinks it impresses girls (it doesn't)
Name: Cavet Elxor
Age: 16
District #: 10
Personality: Cavet is a complete nerd. He loves to read and spend all his spare time learning something new. This could be about animals or something more book like like math or scince. He is very curious and loves learning new things. He is always talking about new things and smarticle stuff. Everything he does and says is smart and he will always think something through before doing it. Overall hes a nice guy but doesn't have a huge social like but if people are willing to listen and except him, hed be kinda and return the favour.
Appearance: What makes Cavet different from most nerds is that he is pretty gawd damn good looking. Girls are always staring at him but he doesn't really know and wouldn't really care. He has shrt messy light brown hair and dark blue eyes. He is muscular and tanned perfectly because his family owns a farm and when eh isn't learning he is out working. He has an overall very good sexy looking body but he thinks nothing of it.
