Dorian Fritz (18), District Five

Look at them. They're savages.

Back at home, dragging criminals to jail was fun. But here, it just spells my doom. There's no way a single boy can take out six Careers during the bloodbath, but I intend to try. They're training to murder children. I can't stand for that. I'm a good person at heart, despite my prickly and cold exterior. I always stand for what is right, and this isn't right.

"You can't make so many enemies, Dorian," says Sabrina as we walk to training. "Seriously. You won't make a difference by killing just one. Pick your battles."

"I can't," I say, "I won't run away while innocent children are being murdered. It's not right."

"None of this is right!" Sabrina exclaims, "Killing them isn't right either."

She has a point, but I can't bring myself to accept it. If I'm going to die, I might as well take out the bigger threats. Some little kid will stand more of a chance. Besides, I wouldn't want to be the victor. Victors have to become murderers, and murderers are as bad as they come. I'd rather be known as the hero that killed big bad Nolan. Or the savior of some little girl. There's too much darkness in this world, and I'll be satisfied if I can cause a single spark of hope. Hope brings rebellion, and that's all the districts need to defy the Capitol.

It happened in the 75th Games. They've banned the tapes, but we all know the story. The Capitol tried to disguise the blacked out screens as a malfunction. They told us that the entire system crashed, causing the arena to collapse. So many good souls died, including Katniss. But there's a rumor that she escaped, that she managed to create a small spark of rebellion. My mother always told me it was extinguished before it could grow into a roaring flame. My rebellion won't be extinguished. I'll die and create a legacy that anyone can defy the Careers, which is just a smaller analogy for defeating the Capitol.

I'm already a good fighter, but my skills need to improve. I tackle the sword station, followed by the knife and mace stations. I don't spend time on survival stations. I either capture the Cornucopia or go down fighting.

"Hey, you seem pretty strong," says Darren, smiling. "Care to ally?"

Poor soul. I can't let him go down with me. I turn him down and walk away without a word. People like him should be back home with their families, not suffering in the Games. That's exactly why they need to come to an end. No child will ever have to fear the Reaping if the districts step up and defend themselves. People will die, but nothing is gained from being afraid.

I hope Sabrina wins the Games. She's kind, nice, and beautiful. I want someone from home to carry on my legacy.

Venus Albryte (14), District Six

"Then you-"

"Find the-," she says.

"Cosine-"

"OF FIFTY-FOUR!" we say in union. Moira and I high-five, laughing quietly to ourselves. I scribble down the answer on our paper and hand it to the instructor, who looks completely amazed. Usually, tributes aren't this smart. Moira and I hit it off right away, going to all the intelligence stations and learning everything we can. She's good at science and I'm good at math. Together, we're an unstoppable duo. I would ally with her, but Vaska won't allow it. He says there's only room for one bloodthirsty tribute in the Games, which is true.

I'm not Vaska's slave. I'm simply listening to him until the time is right. He thinks he's the boss of me, but it's not very hard to slip a poisonous plant into his drink or food. I can take him out whenever, so I figured it can't hurt to be friendly with Moira in case I meet up with her in the arena.

"I'm going to some survival stations," I say, pointing at the other end of the room. "It was nice talking to you. Maybe we can eat lunch together."

Moira simply nods. She doesn't talk unless absolutely necessary. I stand up and walk towards the only unoccupied survival station. Weapon making is a highly underrated skill. So many tributes are swinging knives around, Vaska included, but they don't even consider the possibility of zero weapons in the Cornucopia. It's happened before, and I wouldn't put it past the Gamemakers to try it again. Being able to make my own spear or bow could be the difference between life and death.

The instructor shows me the most basic weapon to make, which is the sling. All you need is a simple piece of cloth. Put a rock in the cloth, swing it around, release one end and huzzah. You have a weapon. I practice with the sling for a while until I'm proficient. Then I learn which types of wood can be used to make a bow. Willow branches are flexible and durable, perfect for a bow. Shoestrings or drawstring cord can be used for the string.

"Thank you very much," I say to the instructor.

My eyes quickly dart around the room, taking in the actions of all the other tributes. Vaska is brutally cutting some dummies with a knife. The Careers are scattered around at different weapon stations. The allied girls from Five, Eight, Eleven, and Twelve are identifying plants. The Tens are reading survival books. The boys from Eleven and Five are on the track. The boys from Three and Eight are bullying an old instructor lady. Overall, a dangerous set of tributes. Only the Careers stand out in my mind, but Moira and the boy from Five are serious competitors as well.

For the rest of the day, I observe. Everyone has a weakness. You just need to take the time to discover it.

Hideki Ora (15), District Seven

The key to winning the Games is having a relationship with every tribute. I've talked to almost everyone that seems remotely nice. The only people I haven't talked to are the Sixes, the Threes, the boy from Eight, and the Careers. Everyone else knows me by name. I'm fairly confident that almost everyone will recognize me in the arena. Most of them might even take me in. Manipulating and clinging to alliances like a parasite is my only chance.

Sabrina, Calico, Palata, and Sunny have agreed to take me in if I meet them in the arena. I talked to them at the edible plants station, and they all seem interested in my skill set. I'm good at archery and building shelters, which are two unusual skills that every alliance can benefit from. They're my main target in the arena because everybody knows there's safety in numbers. Hang around with the girls and suddenly I'm no longer a target. The Careers always go after the big alliances last.

I tried talking to Nolan, but he's a lost cause. I don't know how I'm going to take out the Careers. I haven't gotten that far yet. I keep holding to the hope that I'll figure it out eventually, but that's looking less and less likely.

"Excuse me, Miss," I say to Ivy from behind, "But would you care to join me for lunch?" I say it in a deep accent, and even Ms. Feisty Pants can't help but laugh. She looks at me like I'm completely mental, but I don't care. I've received a lot of weird looks in my time as a jokester.

"Fine," she says, "But drop the accent."

"Consider it done," I say, still with the accent.

Ivy rolls her eyes. We sit down with a lunch tray and begin to eat, aware of the chattering tributes surrounding us. The Careers are acting boisterous and tough, while the Tens are crying softly and drawing pictures. The rest are eating and talking quietly. I'm utterly terrified of the Games, but at least I stand more of a chance than some of these fools. Mugger and Hudson specifically. If I play my cards right, I could win this thing.

"So, what stations have you been to?" Ivy asks.

I shrug. "Here and there. What about you?"

"Same."

You'd think I would feel comfortable talking to my district partner, but it's actually quite awkward. Neither of us trusts the other. That needs to change right now.

"Listen," I say, "You're from my home. If I die, I want you to win. Truce?"

She thinks for a moment, then nods. "Truce. Just give my mother money if you win."

"Give my parents money if you win," I reply.

Calico Damask (14), District Eight

"We should split up for the next hour," I say, "That way we can all pick up a different skill. Does anyone have ideas?"

"I'll take fire-making," says Sabrina.

"Sunny can come with me to snares," says Palata, "Then Mugger won't bother her."

"Sounds good," I say, "I'll take knife throwing. Someone needs to learn a weapon. Then I can teach you."

I feel a lot more confident about my chances now that I have an alliance. Yesterday I was terrified at the prospect of the Games, but now I see it as a massive math problem. All twenty-four tributes are variables. The Gamemakers are a variable. Luck is also a variable. If I plug them in the right order, then the equation will make sense. Today's all about figuring out the variables so I can plan my strategy accordingly.

I've learned three things so far. Number one, I can't count on my allies at all. Sunny's a crybaby, Palata is too hard on herself, and Sabrina is too average. They won't stand out or gain sponsors. Most of them will probably die in the bloodbath. To win the Hunger Games, I need to think all original thoughts. I can't trust any of them to lead me.

Number two, the world sucks. I can't stop glancing at Catherine and Chander, two little kids that are way too innocent for the Games. Who decided to make children fight to the death? Killing adults is one thing, but killing children is just wrong. We have our whole lives ahead of us, from little Catherine to big Cendko. None of us should be murderers at such a young age.

And third, I really like potato stew. I tried it on the train, and now I adore it with a burning passion.

Knife throwing requires a lot of mental preparation and focus. The instructor first teaches me the proper stance, which I master instantly. Then we move on to throwing form, and finally, throwing the knives. My first knife misses the target entirely, but my shots get better and better over time. Soon all of my knives are thunking into the wood.

"You're a natural!" exclaims the instructor.

I just wish I didn't have to use it. The thought of killing another human being is horrifying.

Gulping, I wander off to find my allies. We might get separated after the chaotic bloodbath. It's best to teach them some basic principles of knife throwing.

I just hope they don't need to use it.

Howdy. This chapter isn't my best work, but I didn't have nearly as much time today. Wanna know why? Of course you do; my life is super interesting. I got my braces off! Yay!

1. Will Dorian take out any Careers? Will he even make it past the bloodbath?

2. Will Venus manage to take out Vaska? Will she meet Moira in the arena?

3. Will anyone see through Hideki's strategy?

4. Which member of Calico's alliance stands the best chance?