Taffeta Paisley, 18, District 1 Female

The quicksand started to swallow me up, enveloping my entire body. It was swallowing me whole, taking me away from everything I had worked for, taking me away from everything that I lived for. I was going to die in it if I didn't manage to find my way out. I breathed slowly, letting the air in slowly, before releasing it out. I was always told by my instructors that if I was ever caught in quicksand, I had to relax. Relaxing in quicksand would stop my body from sinking into the quicksand, even more, letting me be able to move my way back up to the surface and get out. Struggling would only make me sink in even deeper.

And if I kept going deeper, I might not be able to make it back up…

I slowly arched my back backward, trying to change the position of my body. I needed to get into a lying position on top of the quicksand if I wanted to have any chance of escaping this nightmare. If I could do that, I would be able to find a way out.

Slowly but surely, my body bent backward until I was lying on top of the quicksand, lying still and breathing deeply. I slowly raised my right arm up and turned it back as if I was swimming. I did the same for my left arm, and I moved throughout the quicksand quickly, feeling my body float on top of the muddy sand. All I had to do now was roll out until I reached dry ground, and I would be home free. I was going to make it! I was going to survive! I was-

Rain started to pour down from the sky and splashed my face. I sputtered and screamed as it fell onto me, trying to spit out the water that I had just inhaled. I splashed in the quicksand from the shock, and I sank into the quicksand. Screaming, I tried to claw my way back up to the surface. I needed oxygen. I needed to breathe! I needed to get back up to the top of the quicksand and get out of the idiotic sand that I had fallen into!

My head sank into the quicksand, and I saw the last of the light of the sky disappear as the quicksand engulfed me. I was going to die. I was going to drown in freaking mud, for goodness sakes! My family would be so embarrassed.

A strong hand grabbed my arm and lifted me up easily out of the quicksand simulator, tossing me onto the side of the sand. Sputtering, I spat out the sand I had swallowed during my struggle to get back up to the surface. "Why on Panem did you start the rain? You idiot, I was about to make it out of the quicksand! This is why I'll end up dying in the arena. If I've fallen into some silly trap in the arena, I'm going to blame it on you for hindering my preparations."

The instructor, Victorio, gave a deep chuckle, winking at me as he tossed me a towel. "You've been practicing every single survival station that the Academy for Intuitive Minds has to offer. You just failed because you got scared by a little bit of rain, Taffeta. That would look really great in the arena. Can you imagine the headlines? Volunteer from One dies in the rain! Girl from One scared to death by water! Taffeta gets soaked, gets killed! That would look really great up on your parent's wall."

I spat some sand out onto his gleaming new shoes for good measure, and stood up, trying to maintain a regal position even though I was caked with mud. "Well, I'm taking a long shower. You can tax it to the Academy if I wreck the water bill." I walked away from Victorio, the mud on my feet leaving a trail all the way to the showers. I didn't look back. There were cleaners for the academy for a reason.

I took off my mud-soaked uniform, wrinkling my nose in distaste at the mess it was. It was going to leave such horrible marks on my skin. I should have never agreed to do that one last training exercise with Victorio. He was always trying to make me do things that wouldn't have any effect on me in the arena. As if they would actually feature quicksand after it being used only four years ago! It would be a big no-no in the eyes of the Capitol, repeating the same trick twice in only a few years. Game makers got fired for not showing creativity. There would be very different things in the arena this year, or else the Capitol would demand a fresh new team to design next year's arena.

Fifteen minutes later, I stepped out of the shower, pulling on a spare training outfit and walking out of the doors. The mud was gone, just like I expected, and one of the younger recruits standing outside, waiting for me to emerge from the showers. He smiled in relief when I stepped out and launched into his message instantly. "Headmaster Quick wants to see you and Vexx in his office right now. He wants to congratulate you both for becoming the chosen volunteers for this year. He wants you in his office right-"

"Woah!" I said, holding my hand up and putting my towel over his shoulder. "All in good time, Tim. I'll take my time walking there. After all, they chose me to be the volunteer for District 1 months ago. They can surely wait a couple of more minutes for me to arrive. Now, put my towel away, and I'll walk over."

Tim nodded, racing into the shower room to put my towel away. I walked around the corner, and paused, waiting to hear the footsteps of Tim running down the hallway. Soon enough, the thumps of his footsteps echoed throughout the halls, and I shrank behind a pillar, waiting.

"Boo!" I yelled, jumping out in front of a frightened Tim. He screamed and jumped back, falling to the ground.

"You should have seen the look on your face!" I laughed, stepping over Tim to make my way to Headmaster Quick's office. "Honestly Tim, if you want to have any chance of being chosen as a volunteer, you can't be jumpy like that. You've got to be ready for any situation."

And with that, I walked into the office, winking at the frowning Tim as I closed the door. Headmaster Quick and Vexx were already there, waiting for me to take a seat with both of them. "Ah! Ms. Paisley!" Headmaster Quick said, watching me with a detached gaze. "So kind of you to join me and Mr. Mortem at this hour."

I smiled primly and sat down next to Vexx, not taking my eyes off of Headmaster Quick. He was only a couple of years older than both of us, at the young age of 21, but he had a presence about him that demanded respect from anyone he met. No one ever spoke out of turn when they met with Headmaster Quick.

Headmaster Quick looked down at us sternly, watching to see if either of us would flinch. We didn't. He cleared his throat, and then brought out some papers on his desk. "I've summoned you here today to talk to you personally about your achievement. I understand that you were chosen after our annual tournament last winter, but I haven't officially gotten the chance to speak to either of you personally. First of all, let me congratulate you on becoming the chosen volunteers for the entire academy."

We both nodded, tensely watching his face. Headmaster Quick always had a serious poker face, but that didn't stop us from trying to read his expressions. We had been trained in it for years, after all. He took the papers and handed them out to us. On them were the faces of several teens, staring intently at both of us. "Do you know who these are?" he asked, staring at us intently.

"Umm, that's… Valour from the 14th Hunger Games," Vexx said, looking at the sheet of the paper intensely. "He was the one who was killed protecting the girl from Two."

"And this is Brilliance from the 10th Hunger Games. She died because she was too confident that the cannon fodder from Three wouldn't end up electrocuting her in the finale." I added, making sure that Headmaster Quick realized that I remembered my history just as well as Vexx did.

"And why did I have you look at them?" Headmaster Quick asked, taking the pictures of the two back and slipping them back inside of his desk. I fingered my christening ring, touching the four gems set into it. There was the amethyst my father picked for me for quick-wittedness, the diamond for the beauty they saw in me as an infant, the pearl for my calm nature, the opal for the enthusiasm I had for life, and the most important of all, the ruby for the sacrifice I would make by entering the arena. I thought long and hard, looking over at Vexx, who was rubbing his temples and trying to think. We needed to get the right answer if we wanted any chance of impressing Headmaster Quick. He looked at us with daring eyes, challenging us to convince him to put effort into bringing us back. This could be the only way for us to have a chance of surviving the Games. If we got this wrong, Headmaster Quick would turn his back on us, giving up on our chances of winning. He was notorious for doing so. It was whispered about in our District that last year the volunteers had gotten this question wrong, and he did everything in his power to discourage sponsors from sponsoring them. The girl died in the bloodbath, slain by the victor, and the boy starved to death in the second week.

"To… show us of the mistakes of our District's past?" Vexx whispered nervously, looking at Headmaster Quick for approval.

"So that we can learn from those mistakes," I said, flashing my eyes and grinning at Headmaster Quick. He grinned slightly at me and fingered his own christening ring.

"You're correct. When you're in the arena, when you're almost dead from exhaustion and you need to make that one decision that might cost you your life if you're wrong, you need to remember our past and use it to guide your choices. That's the District One way."

"That's the District One way," we repeated, nodding our heads at Headmaster Quick. It was what we were taught ever since we were small children, still too young to walk. We learned from the mistakes of our past, to correct our future.

Luxx Mortem, 18, District 1 Male

Twelve Years Ago

I tiptoed to the living room, following my brother as we tried to get to the TV. Mom and Dad were long asleep by now, snoring their heads off as they lay in their bed. That meant it was the perfect time for us to watch the show that they wouldn't let us watch this afternoon. Vexx grabbed the remote, and I turned on the TV for him. Vexx flicked through the channels, looking for the name of the show that they were watching. "What was it again, Luxx? Eating Game?"

"I think it was Starving," I said, staring at the channels as they flicked across the screen. "What do you think it will be about? Cooking?"

"Oh, please," Vexx laughed as he flicked through channels, searching for the elusive show. "We watch Mom cook all the time in the kitchen. The worst thing that happens is when she cuts the smelly cheese. It can't be that. Maybe they eat animals… alive!"

I gasped in shock, hugging the stuffed elephant that I had brought out with me to my chest tightly.

"The poor animals! I hope it's not."

"Is so!" Vexx retorted as he found the channel, pointing at the screen. "There it is! Told you that it would be Hunger, not starving, nimrod. Now, let's find out what it is!"

"You said eating!" I sneered, mocking Vexx. He growled at me before turning his attention to the screen. "Woah!"

"Woah!" I repeated, watching a girl grab a sword and swing it into the side of a little boy. The ruby blood sprayed onto the snowed-over ground, leaving a crimson mark. I gulped, watching another little boy run away from the big golden structure, running away into the swirling snow in the distance. "Vexx, I don't like this. I don't like this very much."

Vexx watched the screen, his eyes transfixed on a boy who was stabbing the ice frantically. It cracked, and he floated away into the icy water. His eyes gleamed with excitement, and he turned to me. "I want to do that when I'm old enough. Do you think I could do it, Luxx?"

"Oh please!" I said, making sure that Vexx didn't get too full of himself. "You'd have to practice lots and lots to do that."

We both turned back to the TV, watching more kids falling into the water, leaving only the boy floating on the water. A big hovercraft landed right next to him, and he was carried into the hovercraft, shivering horribly all the way. It took off once more, leaving behind the bodies of the rest of the kids. The TV cut to the boy sitting on a couch, talking to a man with funny hair. He looked less cold now.

Vexx turned off the TV, excitedly tiptoeing back to our room. We both crawled back into our beds, both unable to sleep; for very different reasons.

Present

I walked through the dark of the town, walking towards the Academy for Intuitive Minds. District One might seem glimmering and beautiful when it was time for the reapings, but in the dark of the night, when no one was watching us, the ugly parts started to show once more. I watched one of the beggars try to sleep on a piece of cardboard that he had salvaged from the garbage dumps, shivering against the cool wind that flowing throughout the town. No one cared about him. They only cared about their next pathetic volunteer, trying to make sure that they could finally catch up to District 4 in terms of victors. Even though we were supposed careers, we still only had one Victor. If you looked closely at District One, you realized that we were just as weak as the rest of the Districts.

I fingered my torn clothing, trying to not shiver from the wind blowing through the streets. My clothes were never clean anymore. Not like before.

I kept walking, looking for the spot in the fence that Vexx and I had climbed into a couple of years ago, looking to see what our first Victor, Ben Quick, was building. That was how I would find my way into the Academy.

Three Years Ago

Vexx and I ran through the town, towards the sound of heavy machinery and drilling. Nothing big ever happened in the Capital town of District One, just repairs, and additions to households. This was something else. This was something big.

We ran along the large wooden fence, trying to look at it and see what was being built. Vexx let me try to stand on his shoulders, trying to get me high enough to look over the fence. It was too tall. I jumped back down, and we kept looking for a spot to find a place to look through. We wanted to get in.

"Look, Luxx!" Vexx cried, pointing at a loose board in the fence. He kicked it, and it moved. Vexx pushed it out of the way, and he made his way through the small hole that was made from the loose board. "Come on, Luxx! Or are you scared?"

I slid through the hole, tiptoeing onto a beautiful lawn with all sorts of bushes and flowers planted over it. In the middle of the lawn stood a huge mansion, the siding being put up as we watched. I dove into one of the bushes after Vexx, and we silently watched the workers put up the siding and carry in various appliances and furniture.

"Luxx!" whispered Vexx, pointing at an open door on the opposite side of the workers. "Let's sneak in and see what the fuss is all about!"

I grinned and ran ahead of Vexx, sprinting towards the door. Whenever a worker turned towards us, we fell into the grass or hid behind a bush, waiting until he decided it was just an animal. Then, we kept on sprinting, running into the door quickly. I closed it silently, and we walked through a long hallway, staring at the rooms along the way. "What do you think that room is for?" Vexx whispered, pointing at a big room with double doors. I peered in and saw all sorts of weapons and gym equipment.

"Maybe it's for the victor. He seems like the kind of person who'd like to stay fit." I said, walking into the room.

Vexx quickly followed, grabbing one of the swords on a rack as he did so. "En garde!" he said, pointing the sword at me. I laughed and grabbed another, holding it up defensively. We walked around in circles, both pretending to go for the other. Then, Vexx charged at me, and I held up my sword, stopping him from hitting me. We kept crashing our swords together, trying to get the edge on each other. Vexx knocked the sword out of my hand, holding his sword at me. "I guess I win. You give up yet?"

I frowned, diving to the floor and grabbing my sword. "I won't give up just yet." I stood up, pretending to move into a defensive position before I suddenly kicked Vexx in the back of his knee and knocked him over. I held up my sword over him, touching him lightly on the stomach. "Who's the winner now? Me, that's who!"

"Cheater!" Vexx spat at me before paling suddenly and standing up. "Hide! There's someone in the halls!"

We both dove behind a rack, the swords forgotten in our rush to hide from whoever was roaming the halls. The person walked in and tapped their foot, obviously noticing the swords that we had abandoned on the floor. They walked over and picked them up, putting them on the rack that we had hidden behind. There they paused, looking at something. I held my breath in anticipation before squealing as the person grabbed both of us by our collars, dragging us out from behind the rack. The amused face of Ben Quick watched us wryly as we both stood up, embarrassed to have been caught. "Now, now, now, here are two little men, just when I was looking for someone to help me use these weapons up!"

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity drowning my nervousness of meeting face to face with District One's only victor. Quick laughed and patted our heads. "How would you boys like to be able to help out your District by volunteering for those who wouldn't be able to defend themselves in the Hunger Games?"

"You mean like District Two?" Vexx asked, his eyes lighting up like the first time we watched the Games. Quick nodded and picked up a knife from one of the racks. "If you spread the word to all of the kids at school, all of your friends, all of your neighbours, you all will be able to do that. At the least, you're learning valuable lessons on how to defend yourself in a fight. What do you think?"

I smiled and shook Quick's outstretched hand, shaking it firmly. "It's a deal."

Present

I spat on the ground as I slipped through the old and worn hole in the fence, running across the lawn silently. Only a couple of lights flickered in the Academy, a couple of students and instructors still leaving the academy after practising a couple of moves and such. What a bunch of idiots, wasting away their precious years for a fleeting chance of trying to be selected. If they didn't, they would be stuck working away in the mines or the factories, only focusing on one thing for the rest of their lives.

I opened the door that we had snuck into three years ago, closing it quietly. It closed silently, and I walked through the halls, slipping into the training room. The place was deserted, save the showers. I walked into the shower room and listened to the sound of Vexx showering, getting ready to go home before his big day tomorrow. I listened to the shower run and then grabbed his clothes before leaving the room. As the shower turned off, I walked out of the training room and closed the door, bolting it closed. No one would be here to open it. There were no guards here, and Quick had left home after his usual speech to the chosen volunteers. Vexx would be trapped until after the reaping, unable to get there.

I listened to the sound of footsteps running to the door, and then the sound of my twin trying to force open the doors. He started to shout, yelling for someone to help him get out. I listened silently to his screams and then walked out of the academy. Vexx was officially trapped.

Six Months Ago

"This is so stupid!" I shouted, throwing my jacket to the floor as I read the designated tributes for this year's Games.

Chosen Male Volunteer: Vexx Mortem, 18

Designated Replacement: Luxx Mortem, 18

Second Designated Replacement: Obsidian de Luce, 18

Chosen Female Volunteer: Taffeta Paisley, 18

Designated Replacement: Diamonique Kingsbury, 18

Second Designated Replacement: Bernadette Rose, 16

Vexx pumped his fist in the air, rejoicing in his victory. "I'm going to be a volunteer! Dad's gonna be so proud. Isn't it great, Luxx?"

I frowned at him, clenching my fists together. "I'm the stronger overall. The only reason you got picked is that you can beat me in a fight most of the time. I'd survive much longer than you. I should obviously be the volunteer."

Vexx winked at me, rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "And you'd lose half of the fanbase, half of the sponsors because you're, well, more interested in the careers that wouldn't want you than the ones that do, if you know what I mean. I'm the better pick as the volunteer."

I punched Vexx in the nose, grinning as I heard the satisfying crack of his nose breaking. Blood spilled all over his uniform, staining it horribly. Vexx howled in pain, staggering back and clutching his nose. I grinned and grabbed a dagger. "I want a rematch. Winner takes the volunteer spot."

The instructors rushed towards Vexx, protecting them from me, but Vexx pushed them away. "Sure. I'll show you who's the better Mortem."

The instructors hesitated, unsure of what to do, but Headmaster Quick walked up to us. "Let the boys fight, Andrew and Harv. I'm interested in what will happen. The rules stand as they are; winner takes all."

We both stalked into the ring, Vexx grabbing a dagger to match mine, and we growled at each other. The instructors nodded, and we charged at each other, ready to spill more blood. Vexx got the first blood, a small nick on my arm, causing me to jump back. I spat on the floor and charged again, nicking him on the face. Vexx yelled and slashed me on the leg, causing it to bleed deeply. He kept attacking, forcing me to retreat further and further behind. Finally, he hit my dagger ferociously, knocking it out of my hand and letting it skid away onto the floor. He pushed me over and stood on my chest, heaving for breath. "Who's… the better… Mortem? Me! Say… it, Luxx. Say it!"

I grinned, pointing at his face. "Judging by that vicious wound on your face, Vexxie, you aren't in any condition to win this match. Doesn't it burn?"

Vexx clutched his hand to his face, feeling what must have been a burning sensation racing throughout his face. "What.. did... you… do?"

I smiled, standing up and pushing him to the floor. "Poison can so easily be bought in apothecaries, my dear Vexx. You might not know the common flower wolfsbane. These things send a burning sensation throughout your body when touched. Imagine what it'll do in your bloodstream!"

Vexx tried to struggle up, desperately trying to reach the dagger which I had spread the mashed wolfsbane onto. I grabbed it's handle and held it over him. "Looks like I'm the better Mortem, doesn't it Vexx? I think I'll take your top spot now."

The instructors rushed at me, knocking me away from Vexx. "You idiot! You know that you aren't supposed to use poison in fights! It's strictly prohibited. That just cost you the match, young man!"

I growled at them, holding the dagger in my hand and trying to stab them. It bounced off of their protective suits, clattering onto the floor. One of the men punched me in the face, sending me sprawling onto the floor. "You aren't welcome here anymore. Get out!"

I stood up slowly, glaring at the whole room. Most of the other students shrank away from me, scared of what I could do to them. My brother was trying to stand up, instructors helping him to stay on his feet. Headmaster Quick was the only one not frowning at me, instead watching me almost curiously. I saw a twinkle in his eyes, replaced with a sober look. I glared furiously at all of them, letting them know my fury. Then, I ran out of the room, out of the academy, out of my old life. I wasn't wanted anymore.

Present

I stood in the crowd in my brother's clothes, smiling confidently as our escort Gladys reached her hand into the boy's reaping bowl. Taffeta had already volunteered, lunging forward and smiling joyfully as she yelled her name to the district. Mom and Dad would be standing in the crowd, waiting for their precious little Vexx, their favourite son, to volunteer and bring pride and honour to District 1. The escort took out the slip and opened it, clearing her throat to read it out to the District. "Arthur Ramsay!"

"I volunteer as tribute!" I yelled, walking out confidently from my section up to the stage. As I walked, other kids nodded their head in admiration, some clapping as I ascended up to the stage in my brother's clothes. Gladys smiled and clapped her hands in delight. "And what is your name, young man?"

"Luxx Mortem," I said, watching the excited District suddenly pause, unsure of who their precious volunteer was. "That's right, I'm Luxx Mortem. You good with that? Or should I spell it out for you?"

Taffeta Paisley, 18, District 1 Female

I gasped as Luxx took his place next to me, smirking at all of District One. I saw my parents in the crowd, both in shock that it wasn't his brother that was taking his place next to me. Luxx had been kicked out of the academy after poisoning his brother and had been kicked out of his house by his parents as well. He was living in the streets from what I had heard of him, resorting to begging and stealing to survive. Where was his brother? I scanned the crowd for Vexx, looking at the face of every boy in the eighteen-year-old section. None of them had the same strong jaw and spattering of freckles that Vexx and Luxx shared, none had the feline grace that I always noted when I sparred with Vexx. Luxx had done something to Vexx to make sure that he wasn't able to come to the reapings.

I glared at Luxx, who was smirking at the confused crowd, unaware of the dirty look that I was giving him. He looked over slightly and smirked at me, obviously thinking that I was confused about what had happened. I smiled at him and he looked away, going back to smirk at the crowd once more. He would have no ally in me.

We were soon escorted by the peacekeepers to the Goodbye rooms, and I watched Luxx disappear into the first one. I laughed. If his parents had the same feeling about this that they did about him poisoning his brother, they would make sure that no one would visit him today.

I walked into my room and waited for the pounding of my sisters running down the hall, running to find me. They soon burst into the room, coming towards me and hugging me fiercely. I smiled, confused about why they had chosen today to be so emotional. My question was answered when I heard the crinkling of candy wrappers being opened, and I pushed Ruffle and Lace off of me. They smiled with chocolate smeared all over their faces, and I laughed. My sisters had no self-control when it came to candy.

Mom and Dad came up to me and hugged me awkwardly, unsure of how to express their emotions to my volunteering. We had talked about it lots over the last few months, after all, especially since I had been so enthusiastic about being chosen. This was just a goodbye until I came back in a beautiful outfit and with the title of victor.

"Don't do anything silly in the Capitol." my Dad said, trying to smile as he hugged me. I laughed and sat back down. "Don't worry, Daddy! Think of all of the outfits!"

Mom and Dad smiled and sat back down next to me, not speaking at all. There we sat until the peacekeepers ushered them out, taking them away to our home, where they would watch me claim victory over the other 23 tributes. I smiled thinking of the ways I would rip out Luxx's throat. It was a such a shame, losing Vexx as a volunteer. He was such a handsome guy!

Hey guys! I finished District 1! That means it's just District 12, then an interlude featuring Hiram, and then the District 3 re-reaping! Hooray! What did you think of these two? This was my longest chapter yet, so I'm pretty proud of that, but I don't think I'll make it this long for District 12. Well, I'll see you there, so read and review! Until next time, TheAmazingJAJ