Introductory Note: Please read the Author Note at the end of the chapter.


District Twelve Train Ride
Tuesday, July 7th, 1663 P.A.


Emeri Malloy, 14
District Twelve Female Tribute


Ever since I first visited the mines, I've always hated tight quarters. There's no fresh air to breathe nor any means to escape. If someone were to get trapped, they're as good as dead. My mom claims this is why I'm a dancer: I enjoy the space, the freedom, the opportunities. While the majority of the district is confined underground, I'm on the stage. I was born at the wrong place, at the wrong time. The Capitol should have been my home.

I unbuckle my beige character shoes, letting them drop to the floor with a thud. They're the most expensive shoes I own, and they're versatile: I can wear them for formal events and dance recitals. That is, if I ever dance again. It won't be a possibility if I don't make it out of the arena. The thought alone makes my stomach stir.

"Who would I be without dancing?" I whisper to my reflection.

In the mirror, I look meek. My face looks immature and childish: a narrow nose, olive eyes, thin eyebrows, small ears, bony cheeks, and a flat jaw. It's fitting that my straight, dirty blonde hair is styled in a simple braid. But my body resembles a dancer: lean yet strong. Although my arms are slender, my core is toned and my legs are muscular. After all, dancing is a sport. I don't know why people are always surprised I'm in shape.

"I would be nothing."

"You just have to find other interests," my mother told me. "You're young, you still have so much to learn."

"But dancing—"

"Honey, you won't get far with dancing." My mother frowned. "I'm not trying to sound mean, but you might not even walk again, much less dance."

I looked at my broken leg. "Topher wanted me to keep dancing."

"Honey, you can't keep living your life for him." She placed her hand on my thigh. "I know he was your partner, but he's dead, sweetie. You just have to accept that."

"Mom, I told him I would keep dancing. For him." I swatted her hand away. "I'm not going to break a promise to a dead man."

"Emeri—"

"No, Mom, I'm not going to break my promise."

She kept her mouth closed.

I stare at the tattered blue ribbon pinned to my dress. Although the "First Place" lettering have faded over time, it's my most valuable item. It marks the first time Topher and I won a competition. We were both new dancers at the time, but ever since, it became a passion. He even brought his into the arena, and once he died, he gave it to me in his will. So, I guess, his ribbon is the reason I was eligible for the Games.

It's funny how everything plays out.


Isidore Crusoe, 17
District Twelve Male Tribute


I was twelve years old when my father murdered my mother. Everyone believed it was an accident, but I know the truth. My parents weren't a happy, loving couple; they hated one another. They just knew how to act in public. When my father was about to blow up our old house, he asked my mother to go back inside. He said he left something important, something vital for their business. But the moment she stepped through the front doors, he let off the explosives.

I became his partner then. (After all, it was a family business.) He taught me how to create bombs out of everything, as long as there was a source of electricity. But I was never as stupid as my mother. Once my father placed the explosives, I left the building. He's unpredictable and impulsive. I wouldn't put it past him to kill me if it meant getting a hefty paycheck.

I never want to be like him, but I'm afraid I might.

The Games change a person.

"Isidore, how are you doing?" Cress Mariposa, my district escort, asks.

I gag when I see her rainbow mohawk and cheetah print tattoos on the side of her head. Combined with her multiple piercings, she looks like a freak. Do Capitolites really find that attractive?

"What's with the look?"

"The sight of you makes me sick." I turn my back towards her. "Leave before I vomit."

"Well that's incredibly disrespectful," she huffs. "Do you speak to your mother with that tongue?"

"I would if she were still alive."

Cress is speechless.

"Are you going to just stand there like an idiot, or are you going to leave?"

She doesn't move.

"You know what, I'll just leave then."

I wish I could slam the door behind me, but the sliding doors make it impossible. When I reach the front end of the train (before the restricted area), I slump down to the ground. I wish I could go into the arena with Cress and the other Capitolites. Killing them would be like killing evil itself. Besides, it only seems fair for the Capitol to get a taste of their own medicine. They're not as pure as they like to believe.

When I notice an electrical panel against the wall, a plan formulates in my mind.

As long as there's a source of electricity . . .


Cress Mariposa, 35
District Twelve Escort


I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Am I really that repulsive to look at? Do I scare the tributes away? Maybe that explains why I've been trapped escorting District Twelve for the last decade. Everyone knows only the deadbeats are assigned to the lower districts. But I thought it was just for consistency. If escorts switched districts every year, the citizens would be confused and alarmed. They're not exactly the smartest people.

I shake my head. No, I'm beautiful. It's a fact my wife reminds me every morning while she's making breakfast. Hell, I've been a model for years. The Capitol loves my style. What does a teenager from District Twelve know anyway? Their fashion is bland and dull. Seriously, it wouldn't kill them to add some color to their clothes.

"Are you okay?" Emeri asks, peeking out from her bedroom door. She's such a sweet little girl, not like most of the kids in her district. "I heard yelling."

"Everything's fine." I check my makeup before turning to her. "Your partner is being a pain."

"What happened?"

"Don't worry about it." I shrug. "Just got back to your room. I'm going to talk to him."

She nods and closes the door.

I fix my posture, standing up as straight as possible, before walking towards Isidore. If he won't listen to me, I'll make him listen to me. I don't want to act like a tyrant, but I will if I need to. Some kids just need some extra authority.

"Hey, you little piece of—" I stop in the doorway when I see him fiddling with an electrical panel. "What are you doing?"

"None of your business." He continues playing around with the panel.

"Stop that!" I order. He doesn't listen. "Stop it before I call security!"

He ignores my threat. "You know, you only need one spark to create an explosion. Just one."

"You're a terrorist!"

"No, I'm a tribute."

"Security!" I scream at the top of my lungs. "Security! We have a terrorist on board!"

"I wish you could've gone into the arena." He finally turns towards me. I can see that he cut a few wires, but the rest looks normal. It doesn't look like a bomb at all. "I would've killed you. But, since that's not possible, I'll take this instead."

I laugh. "I hate to break it to you, but a few broken wires won't do anything. Besides, the main panel is in the control station for this very reason." I cross my arms and smile. "But I applaud you for your attempt."

"I don't need the main panel." He pulls a small device out of his pocket. "Like I said, I only need some electricity."

My smile drops. "You wouldn't dare."

"Would I?" He smirks. "Are you trying to call my bluff?"

"Yes."

"Your mistake." He turns his back towards me. I can't see what he's doing but I hear a click. "Goodbye, Cress."

"Isidore—"

BOOM!


END OF PART I


OFFICIAL TRIBUTE LIST

District One
Male: Lorcan Estrelle, 15
Female: Veira Faustus, 17

District Two
Male: Xolani Satine, 18
Female: Honoria Brantlie, 16

District Three
Male: Skagen Matisse, 14
Female: Eulalia Psy, 17

District Four
Male: Tycho Searling, 17
Female: Mayuri Odelle, 18

District Five
Male: Zephyrin Greer, 18
Female: Jenikka Amias, 13

District Six
Male: Lark Devereaux, 16
Female: Kaia Palani, 15

District Seven
Male: Juniper Anatole, 16
Female: Bryony Linden, 17

District Eight
Male: Octavian Espen, 12
Female: Nadina Windlass, 16

District Nine
Male: Havan Thorpe, 13
Female: Farah Cybele, 15

District Ten
Male: Taneli Masarie, 18
Female: Laelia Lantbruk, 17

District Eleven
Male: Makari Amazu, 17
Female: Fresia Blodwyn, 16

District Twelve
Male: Isidore Crusoe, 17
Female: Emeri Malloy, 14


Author Note: This officially concludes Part I of the story! Now that all the tributes have been introduced, I have the following questions:

1. Who are your favorite tributes (limit to 3 tributes)? Why?

2. Who are your least favorite tributes (limit to 3 tributes)? Why?

3. Do you have any suggestions to improve my writing?

For each question, you will earn a select number of points according to its length. As such, the first two questions will award you 1 point (+1 if you include a reason) for each tribute. The last question will be worth 1 point. You can earn a total of 13 points for this set of questions.

The more points you earn, the higher your priority will be for submitting a tribute in its sequel.