I'm so sorry, it's extremely overdue. The Wi-Fi was literally killing me lately, the computer crashed and deleted my docs, AND I had the TESTS last week. But here's a brand new chappie, if you can ever forgive me! (Virtual man hugs)
And for the contest last chapter, NO ONE WON! Atalanta is actually Maya's niece. Her parents were killed by the Capitol because of how Maya win, so now Atalanta lives with her aunt, Maya. I promise you I DID NOT change it.
Also, if you submitted a tribute and you never review, you can expect who to die first in these Games. (Angel face)
Thank you 20 for le male tribute of D6! I won't write Cooper's POV, because I'm terrible at writing drunken people's perspective. Sorry :'(

Atalanta Ryder, 16

I wake up, the sun is shining in my face, the birds are tweeting happily, la la la la la…

Wait- today's Reaping Day, isn't it? Oh shoot, shoot. I'm not ready for this, at least not now…

This HAS to be a dream. It must be. There's no other possible answer-

Slowly, I check the calendar beside my bed that will seal my fate. Nope. Today is officially June 1st, the day I volunteer.

How did I forget this? I could swear just yesterday it was February 25th, and Maya was asking me if I wanted to help start a rebellion. Of course I said yes, those freaks from the Capitol flipping murdered my parents.

Now that I actually concentrate, I do remember Maya saying I could help by volunteering… or was it just my conscious talking. Who knows?

I don't exactly remember what happened after that, thanks to my firetrucking short-term memory loss. I'm pretty sure I said yes, though.

I was well-aware that I could die, and fail the whole rebellion. But I was willing to give up my life for the freedom and lives of the future generation.

The only thing I'm pissed out about is that I won't ever get to write my book about the rebellion. I really wanted to finish it, and now I might be sent to my death. Actually, hold-up-

I think I may have plan. I have no idea if it'll work, the variables might not be how I want them. I toss on my best dress, which is a mint-green silk gown, with white lace etched on the hems. I put up my hair into a bun, and clip a hairpin onto my bangs. I rush down the stairs, trying to find my aunt only to figure out that she's left early. Great.

Grumbling, I eat my bland pancake in silence. About 7 minutes later, I'm finished with breakfast. Rushing towards the door, I jam my small feet into my sneakers.

Oh shoot-! I forgot to brush my stupid hair. I check my watch, and it's too late. 7:59- nope, it's 8:00.

I break out into a full-steam run, combing through my short, extremely tangled, crimson hair with my long fingers. I hate this dress SO much.

"I'm here!" I announce when I finally get to the Square. The man who does the blood samples grabs me by my scrawny wrist. "Hey, what're you-"

The man pulls me upwards, and I can literally see his nostrils aflame. "You're late," he snarls, and practically spits in my face with the next few words. "If you're Reaped, be glad. After this little ceremony you won't be the same." He drops me suddenly, and I quickly scurry to the 16 year-old girl section right before the escort Danielliana announces the girl Reaped.

"Elline Humbler!"

"I volunteer!" I exclaim, and my voice rings out the Square. I start to blush, and my pale cheeks turn red instantaneously. I sheepishly jump up the stairs that lead into the podium. I can see the man who had yelled at me earlier looking astonished. I was really tempted to blow a raspberry at him, but I needed to get sponsors, so I smiled widely, and waved at the cameras.

"What's your name, sweetie?" The escort asks, overjoyed. "Atalanta Ryder," I answer.

After me, it was the boy's turn to be Reaped. "Cooper "Corvette"!" Danielliana yelled, looking at the crowd expectantly.

Through my chocolate brown eyes, I see a man in a train suit perk up, his head shooting above the 18 year-old males section. His wide, brown eyes looked haunted, and he had stubble on his face. Upon further investigation, I could also see that he had short black hair and… Cooper was an orphan, wasn't he?

He seemed like the type of guy who could make a joke, and was very talkative- well, until whatever happened to him.

He stumbled up the stage, obviously on some kind of drug. "Swirly…" he mutters. "SWIRLY CHOCOLATE RAINBOW! NO SWIPER NO!"

Normally, I would roll my eyes, but this wasn't normal.

Danielliana looked confused, if not even more perplexed than I. "District 6's tributes this year are… Atalanta Ryder and um, Cooper."

GOODBYES

Maya storms in, with a determined look on her face. "Okay, Lannie. I'm not bothering with the strategy-telling this year. If it was a normal year, I'd say-"

"Yeah, I know. Stay away from the Bloodbath. Hide out near a water source. I know."

She sighs exasperatedly. "This is not a normal year, Atalanta."

"I kinda figured that out already." I say. "Maya, I'm trying to get sponsors. While I'm in the arena, can you get me a notepad?"

"Yes, yes!" Maya exclaims. The Peacekeeper is halfway down the hall. "Keep this in mind, Atalanta. Remember this one thing- There will be no Bloodbath."

I don't know what happens next, but suddenly I'm all alone again.

Eliah's POV

First thing in the morning, I wake up and watch the recaps of the Reapings in District 6.

Just a few seconds in, a skinny girl volunteers. I start to lean forward in my seat, genuinely intrigued. Who is this girl? Why did she volunteer? The only time someone in District 6 volunteered was when the man who killed for fun had volunteered. It was a gory year, and the Gamemakers had to… get rid of him.

"My name is Atalanta Ryder."

Now I'm starting to get suspicious. Isn't Ryder also the last name of the girl who won by hiding out? I barely remember this, but I knew that she didn't like the Capitol. What does this mean?

I pull out a check pad, and put a question mark on the side of the girl's name.

QUESTION TIME!

WHO DO YOU LIKE BETTER AND WHY?

NO BLOODBATH? WHAT'S YOUR REACTION?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ELIAH'S AND POV?

Heehee… Let's play catch the reference! Find the kids' show reference!

BONUS QUESTION… (EARN 15 SPONSOR POINTS)

What year did Maya win her games? This question requires math from the previous chapter.