Wren Fields, age 18

District 11 Female


Wren scanned the boy's fifteen year old section for her brother, Kane. He didn't know about her plan. Her plan to get them out of the community home or die trying. Maybe they could go back where they belonged.

Wren's family was originally from District Nine, which was where Wren got her blonde hair and light skin, so different from District Eleven's dark skin and black hair. Her parents got divorced when she was four and Kane was one, and her mother moved to Eleven with them. Life wasn't so different. They still had to work harvesting, but Wren went alone. Her mother had to take care of Kane, so Wren became the supporter of the family at four years old. Then eight years later, their mother died, and they were sent to the community home. Wren was forced to take out lots of tesserae like the other community home kids.

That wasn't a good life. Wren decided a few days ago to try and get her and Kane a better one. She knew District Eleven was known for choosing young tributes. So if the girl picked was fourteen or younger, Wren would volunteer and win the Games for Kane. Then they would live in the Victor's Village.

The district escort, Lila, took the stage. She was bright as ever when she said, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" She made a small speech about how much she loved Eleven, then cut right to business. Lila walked to the girls reaping ball and plucked a name. The crowd went silent.

Let me be able to save whoever this poor girl is, Wren thought. Or just let it be me.

Lila called out, "The lucky young lady representing District Eleven this year is… Skye Farmer!"

Wren turned around to see the girl who was reaped. When she saw a family in the perimeter crying out, and reaching for Skye, Wren felt she had to do something. Only a family of a young child would have a reaction like that.

The girl Skye was being pulled from the thirteen year old section by Peacekeepers. The sight of her tears caused Wren to push into the aisle and shout, "I volunteer!"


Rye Thorne, age 16

District 11 Male


Rye watched in disbelief as the community home girl volunteered. Why would she do that? This wasn't a Career district. But still, Rye was grateful. If either of his sisters were picked, they would have been safe, despite being eighteen and seventeen. Now, Rye had to worry about himself and Jay.

"Let's give a round of applause for your newest tribute, Wren Fields!" Lila said, and few people clapped. Rye couldn't imagine having the guts to sacrifice yourself and volunteer. Himself and Sparrow, the oldest boy and girl in his family had agreed to volunteer if Jay or Fawn were picked. But Rye wouldn't admit, he was afraid of the Games. So afraid, he wouldn't volunteer for Jay.

But now Sparrow was safe from the reaping. Rye was glad. Now he just had to survive this reaping and he would have only two more to go through.

"And now, the boys," Lila chirped. She walked to the reaping ball, pulled a slip, and practically ran back to the microphone. Rye caught Fawn's eye. Out of all of their siblings, Rye was closest with her. She mouthed, You'll be fine. Rye nodded, then turned back to the stage.

"I can feel the suspense in the air. The boy tribute for District Eleven in the 101st Hunger Games is," Lila trilled, unfolding the paper. "Rye Thorne! Where is Rye?"

Rye's mouth dropped open, and Fawn's face went slack. That...that was his name. That wasn't possible. He had only two tesserae, only fifteen slips! Most of his friends had over thirty slips. But it didn't matter.

Rye stepped from his section and walked to the stage. He refused to get help from Lila as he mounted the steps. He looked out at the crowd and saw Jay standing near the back, Sparrow in the front, and Fawn just behind her. His family, watching him take the stage to death.

"District Eleven, your newest tributes, Wren Fields and Rye Thorne! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!" Lila said, and motioned for Rye and Wren to shake hands. They did, and the anthem played. Rye caught a glimpse of his parents before being led into the Justice Building.


Wren Fields, age 18

District 11 Female


"Why did you do that?" Kane practically screamed. Wren tried to calm him, without success.

"Kane! Listen to me." Wren took a deep breath. She needed to make this sound good. "Look, I hate life at the community home. I can win these Games. I'll get us out of there! We'll be rich, no more starving or working. Maybe we can go back to Nine."

Wren watched as Kane composed himself. She hoped he didn't hate her. But she could win. She would be one of the oldest—if not the oldest—tributes in the Games. And just because she came from District Eleven didn't mean anything.

"I don't have anything here," Wren said. "All I do is work and I'm sick and tired of that. I can do this."

"What about me, Wren?" Kane asked. "If you lose, I'll be alone. I'll be in the community home by myself. Did you ever think of me when you made this plan?"

Wren froze, because she hadn't. She had only wanted to save a little girl's life, go to the Games to get a better life. Get a better life or die trying.

"I can do it, Kane," Wren whispered. "I'll be back soon, okay?" She hugged her brother, who was now crying. "I love you."

"Love you, too," Kane said, then the Peacekeepers dragged him away.

Wren wished Kane had given her a token. But they barely had anything, not even one thing, to call their own. She thought back to last year, where the Eleven girl, Blossom, had been stabbed to death by a twelve year old girl while trapped in a net. Get a better life or die trying.

Wren suddenly realized her terrible mistake.


Rye Thorne, age 16

District 11 Male


"I love you, Rye!" his mother screamed as a Peacekeeper dragged her out. His father went with the Peacekeepers voluntarily. Seeing his parents both crying had broke Rye's heart. He felt like this was his fault, but it wasn't. Lila had picked his name, not him. But it was still awful.

The door opened again, and Jay ran in. His face was tear-streaked and red. Jay wrapped his arms around Rye as his sisters walked in. Fawn was weeping uncontrollably, and Sparrow was barely holding it in.

"You have to come back, Rye," Jay said.

"I will, Jay," Rye said. "I'll be back before you know it."

"Promise me you'll fight out there," Fawn cried. "Please, Rye." Rye's heart twisted. He didn't want to see his family like this. It had been difficult to see his mother and father crying, but with his siblings, it was much worse. He walked over to Fawn. Her brown eyes—so much like his—were bright with tears.

"I'm coming back," Rye said firmly, hugging her. Sparrow joined in.

"Just know that we'll love you no matter what happens in that arena," Sparrow stated, her voice trembling. Her arms were tight around everybody. Three minutes wasn't long enough for a proper goodbye. Everyone knew that.

"I have something for you," Fawn said, breaking away. Sparrow pried Jay off of Rye. Fawn held out her hand. In her palm was her most prized possession: a pin made of silver that was molded into the shape of a fawn. Rye took it from her.

"Thank you, Fawn," Rye said, his eyes starting to tear up. No crying, he told himself. "But you know if I don't come home you may not get this back."

"You're coming back," Jay said. He said it with such confidence that even Rye believed it for a moment. But when the Peacekeepers came to take them away, Rye's hope vanished when Fawn's and Sparrow's and Jay's tears started up again.


We're almost finished with the reapings! Can you believe it? What did you guys think of Wren and Rye? Sorry that this chapter seems shorter than the other ones, I had this prewritten a while ago and I couldn't find a good spot to add more. It sounded choppy wherever I added something. See you Sunday in District Twelve!