Velvet Twaron, D8
Everything in this tiny room began to annoy Velvet. The pictures of the factories, the needles, and the past Victors made her want to destroy it all. She shouldn't even be in this room. She should be home, with her Daddy and all the expensive furnishings, but her name had to be called. She doesn't deserve to be sitting on this bench, waiting for someone to wish her luck in the Games. She crossed her arms over her chest and let out a frustrated sigh. The door creaked open and a tall man with a dark suit was in the doorway. Velvet stood up at the sight of her Daddy. When the door shut, her anger released like a broken dam. "Daddy, why didn't you do anything? You let me get dragged away by those men! Daddy, why?!" Mr. Twaron pulled his only daughter to the couch.
"Honey, you can't just fight the Reaping. No matter how much money a child has or doesn't have, they must be eligible for the Games. I can't just fight the system. I'm sorry, sweetie." Velvet didn't even look at her father the whole time he talked. It was still his fault she is sitting on this couch, in this building, getting ready for the Hunger Games. She felt the pearl necklace on her throat. It was a gift from her father for her eighteenth birthday a month ago. As naïve as it seemed, her father said that the pearls can protect her against anything, as they came straight from District Four. Velvet was naïve enough to believe him. She knows nothing can protect her from the Games.
As their last moments together ticked away, Mr. Twaron unclipped something from his neck. When Velvet looked to her father, she saw that his favorite bow tie was in his hands. "I can't help you from this point on. You need to rely on yourself and the faith that you can come home safe and sound. I want you to take this, to remind yourself of me. I love you, dear, and I will be waiting for you to come back to me." He placed his hands over her porcelain hands, placing his bow tie in her palm. He kissed her forehead one last time before a Peacekeeper came in to take away her father.
Bianca 'Darling' Calder, D8
Bianca's parents still had a hold on her body. Her father was stroking her brown curls while her mother was just sobbing into her Reaping dress. The Reaping has just ended, and Bianca was one of the seven tributes that were Reaped fairly. Memories from a few years ago of Jane, her older sister, came swirling back. Jane made it to the final two before a Career from Four took her out. Her mother stayed in a state of depression for months while her father shut up completely. The parents and Bianca fell to the floor, awkwardly hugging while doing so.
"Honey, I just want to let you know that you can come home." Her father spoke while her mother was getting all of her sobs out. "You have what it takes to be a Victor. In fact, all the other tributes should just stay home and give you the Victor's crown. We believe it you." Those encouraging words hit her in heart, making tears spring to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around both of her parents and held on tightly. They knew the odds of her avenging her sister's death and the odds of even surviving the Hunger Games. The odds weren't in her favor at all.
No one said a word for the rest of the visit. They knew that words can't comfort the situation at all. Bianca began to think of the Games when Jane finished second out of twenty eight. The Career from Four ended up killing himself weeks after the Games finished. Before long, the Peacekeepers forcefully took away Bianca's parents, leaving her alone on the floor.
Kim 'Ky' Doner, D8
"You have three minutes!" The Peacekeeper announced to Kim and Anna. The door slammed shut, rocking the whole room. Anna stood in silence for the first few seconds before she fell on the couch. "Ky, why did you do that? volunteering yourself when the Games have a one to 140 chance of winning? You can't take down 139 kids! Tell me, why did you do that?" Kim jumps back, stunned at her older sister's voice. Sweet little Anna has never raised her voice above a whisper. Just thinking of Anna yelling like that made Kim scared to her bones.
Kim pushed her red hair behind her, thinking of a perfect way to say this. "Anna, we have had so many problems since Mom and Dad left us in the Community Home. We walk down the street and people call us the 'poor kids'. When I was in school, someone told me Mom and Dad left us because we were the ugliest children alive. Don't say I am just doing this for glory and pride, Anna." Anna's mouth slowly closed. "I am doing this so we don't have to live in the crappy Community Home. I can come home and I will make sure we live in that Victor's Village home. You know, the one with the cheery blossoms in the backyard?"
Anna and Kim smiled together. When they were younger, they used to wander into the Victor's Village, scoping out houses and seeing how pretty they are. Anna used to spend hours dreaming about a certain house with a cherry blossom planted in the backyard. She would watch it bloom and she'd love to watch the petals fall. Kim would keep watch while Anna went to go pick up a few petals for when they went back to the Community Home. The memory stopped short when a Peacekeeper grabbed Anna by the arm. "I promise I'll come back, Anna!" The door slammed shut once more.
Sheath Stone, D8
The sunlight made a pool of rays on the floor. Sheath began to stare at it, her mind not really paying attention at all. She knew no one will say good-bye to her today. Her parents both suffered an illness and died last year. Her only sibling, Prick, volunteered herself right after Sheath was Reaped. She began to tug at the thread wrapped around her finger. No one will say good-bye? She doesn't have a ton of friends, but couldn't someone from school say good-bye to her? Sheath doesn't know any of Prick's friends and not a lot of people know that Sheath exists. So, until everyone is done saying good-bye, she will wait in this room alone. Why wouldn't anyone visit her?
Prick Stone, D8
Prick looked outside the window. No one was in the Square anymore. Everyone was home, celebrating another year with their kids. Why couldn't Prick and Sheath be lucky like them? They get to stay in Eight while the sisters get to go to the Capitol and die for entertainment. Her fingers gripped onto the wood of the window sill. The thread tired around her finger made blood circulation stop. Only a moment passed before the door opened. The Peacekeeper threw in a girl with long brown hair and blue eyes. He yelled out their time before slamming the door. "I'm glad you came to say good-bye, Chenille." Prick hugged her only friend in the district tightly.
"I wouldn't let you go without saying good-bye first, silly." Chenille continued to hug her best friend. This wasn't a typical visit by any means. Prick would have loved to see her sister before they board the train to their deaths. She would have loved if her parents didn't die so she can say good-bye to them. Maybe if she had another friend, the good-byes would be more emotional. Chenille promised to find any money she could so she could sponsor her. She also promised to convince the whole Community Home to scrounge for money to sponsor the sisters. "I know it won't be easy, but we have faith in you two. Make District Eight proud." Those would be the last words from Chenille that Prick would hear for a few months.
Killian 'Hook' Jones, D8
As soon as Killian got to his room, he had a visitor right outside his door. The Peacekeeper led in a small woman with brown curls. He has seen this woman before. "Mrs. Calder?" Mrs. Calder nodded her head and wrapped her arms around the boy. They are no strangers. She has known Killian since he was a little baby boy, and Killian's mother has known Bianca since she was born. They are like an extended family. Except for the fact that Killian is now dating Bianca. "How was Bianca doing? Was she alright?"
Mrs. Calder took a seat on the couch, her eyes turning red. While Killian waited for Bianca's mother to calm down, he twisted the ring on his fingers Bianca gave him when they first started dating. "Bianca is upset about this whole mess, as my husband and I are. The Peacekeepers had to pull us off of her. I need to ask you a huge favor when you get to the arena, Hook." Killian's heart stopped when she called him by his old nickname. When he was younger, he and Bianca used to play Pirates. He insisted everyone called him 'Hook' and nothing else. "Promise me you'll keep Bianca out of danger. Promise me she won't get hurt or mentally destroyed when she comes home."
Killian took a seat next to his second mother, whose eyes have turned completely red and filled with clear tears. He places a hand on her back, rubbing it up and down. He uses his index finger to raise her face to look at his. "Mrs. Calder, I'll do anything in my power to keep Bianca safe and out of harm's way. She will not be hurt while I am there." Killian wiped away Mrs. Calder's tears and wrapped his arms around her body. The odds don't look good for him and Bianca, but Killian can't accept defeat yet.
John 'Johnny' Wayne, D8
"Nice presentation when your name was called, Johnny." Johanna, his mother, said sarcastically. "Now the sponsors think you are just another scared twelve-year-old. How can a twelve year old win when he cries when his name is called for this honor?" Johanna loves the idea of being a Victor from a young age, although she wasn't a Victor herself. She pushes for victory, even if it comes at the expense of a life. Because of his mother's behavior, he lost his sister, Penny, to the Games. His mother's response to her death? She shouldn't have helped an ally during the bloodbath.
Johnny wiped his eyes free from tears while his mother was lecturing him. She stressed the strategies they have talked about since Penny passed away. She told him to aim for success in the Training Sessions. She reminded him about the interviews and how appearance is everything for the sponsors. Johnny stayed quiet as his mother talked. He was naturally a pleaser, never wanting to interrupt someone or say something wrong. His father has tried to stop Johanna from talking to her children like this, but Johanna keeps pushing for a young Victor. "And the most important thing about the Games is this. Make me and all of District Eight proud. I believe you can do this, Johnny."
Johanna embraced her son one final time. Their time was ticking away, and his mother decided to make this their strategy session rather than a goodbye session. Johnny hugged his mother tightly, realizing that he will miss her when he is in the Capitol. His throat began to get tighter with every second of hugging his mother. Tears were being built back up as the Peacekeeper came in. "Time's up!" He boomed, grabbing Johanna's arm. Johanna quickly kissed her son one last time before the Peacekeeper dragged her out.
Ace Plaid, D8
Two girls were escorted into the room by a Peacekeeper. One girl was Cassiera, his girlfriend whom he called 'C.C'. The girl holding C.C's hand was Genevieve, his younger sister who is only twelve. Genevieve let go of C.C and ran for her older brother. She jumped on his six-foot tall body. Ace held his only sister tightly, his eyes turning red. He can't leave while Genevieve stays behind in Eight. He put his sister down and walked over to C.C, who had tears in her eyes. "I'll help your neighbors take care of her. I think of her as a sister now, and I know she feels the same way." Ace let a tear slip down his cheek as he kissed Cassiera's forehead.
For twelve years, Ace has lived with his neighbor's, the Baxter's. His mother died while giving birth to Genevieve, and his father took his life not long after. Mrs. Baxter took Ace and Genevieve in after their father's suicide. Ace didn't like Mr. Baxter that much, but he couldn't complain. It was better than living on the streets. When he was 15, he began to work and he paid Mrs. Baxter for rent. Ever since the incident twelve years ago, he felt so much more connected to his younger sister. No one understood him better than Genevieve.
"I know you can make it home, Ace. Please make it home for me and C.C." Genevieve says. She learned about the Games when she was six. The TV store was playing the bloodbath and she came to Ace, crying about 'big monsters killing little girls'. Ace hugged his two favorite girls before they had to leave him. Genevieve's eyes filled with clear tears. C.C kissed Ace one last time. A Peacekeeper came in and dragged them away. Ace was left alone in the room, hearing little Genevieve's screams from the other side of the door.
Tex Tiles, D8
The sun was glaring brightly into the room, hitting Tex right in the face. The bright sun made his eyes water, but he refused to look away. He rubbed his hands against his fake leg, something the district provided for him. He was working in the factories when the machine ate up his leg. People look at him differently everyday, but he just gives them the cold shoulder. Maybe the Games will give him a chance to get a better leg, or maybe he will just stay in the Capitol after he wins. After ten minutes of sitting in this room, Tex realized that no one will be visiting him. His parents passed away years ago and he lived in the Community House. No one liked him there, so no one will be visiting him today. As he waited for everyone to finish, he began to think about the Games. What will the arena be like? Who will he kill? Will he kill?
Casien 'Cass' Acetate, D8
"Now listen here." Mr. Twaron says sternly, looking at Casien. "I have housed you and raised you as my own. I let you work in my factories so you can have an income. You are dating my daughter and I expect you to treat her nicely in the Capitol. I want you to protect Velvet and make sure she doesn't get hurt. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." Casien replies to Mr. Twaron. Mr. Twaron acted like a father to Casien ever since his family was wiped out. His father was killed by a Capitol van and his mother killed herself, leaving a not stressing her hatred to the Capitol. When Peacekeepers investigated her suicide, they found the note. They assumed all of her children felt the same way, so they attacked all of Casien's brothers and sisters. Casien survived because he ran all the way to Twaron's Textiles and convinced Mr. Twaron himself to let him stay. Mr. Twaron talked to the Peacekeeper for almost twenty minutes before Casien was able to living in the factory. It wasn't long after that when he met Velvet, whose looks put him in a trance. When he began dating her, she slowly got under his skin with her bratty attitude and how selfish she is.
Mr. Twaron shook Casien's hand before he left. He left two minutes before his allotted time was over. Casien was left alone in the room, giving him time to think. He promised not to hurt Velvet. What if he can convince a Career to hurt her, but not hurt him? How can he make it look like an accident so, when he returns, Mr. Twaron won't kill him on the train station?
