Lawson Charion

The Peacekeepers were talking in the hall. Lawson could just barely head them through the wall. He wondered if their conversation was about him. Most of the Peacekeepers liked his father, and Lawson hoped that meant that they liked him, too.

When his father finally showed up, Lawson noticed the sympathetic look he got from the other peacekeeper standing in the doorway. He nodded to Lawson as he closed the door.

"I've talked to the other high ranking peacekeepers. We're going to sponsor you. We'll get you through to the end, and then you'll be able to go to the Peacekeeper Academy in Two."

"If I'm a Victor, I won't need to go to the Academy. I won't need to work. I'll be able to support a family off the winnings alone, but you know I won't win. Twelve is cursed when it comes to the games. Ever since the rebellion we've been cursed. Don't bother sponsoring me unless I make it past day one. They won't send your money back if I die. Send it only if you see that I need it." Lawson knew he'd need sponsors to survive, but he knew that most of those people would need the money for something else. His father didn't seem too happy about what his son was saying, but it was right.

The Peacekeeper knocked on the door early, telling Lawson that his time was almost up. He hugged his father goodbye before the door opened up for him to leave. Again, the peacekeeper waiting at the door nodded to Lawson as his father left. It was a sign of respect, he guessed.

Evie-Ellen Corona

Evie's older sister Elise rushed into the room and grabbed her little sister. Evie didn't even try to be brave right now. Her family would know she was trying to hold it back. She cried into her sister's shoulder, and she hugged her tight. Elise was sixteen, so she still had two Reapings to go through. Evie just couldn't believe she had been chosen on her first one.

"Jealous that I get to spend so much time with your boyfriend?" She had to joke in order to keep from breaking down completely. Evie knew Elise had a crush on one of the guy tributes, and Evie had teased her about it since she found out a year ago. She knew having him go into the arena would be hard on her sister, but she was trying to lighten the mood. Luckily for her, Elise laughed a little.

"He's not my boyfriend. We don't even really know each other. I spoke to him once." She was smiling now, and it made Evie feel better, so she continued.

"But that was enough to make you fall madly in love," she teased. Elise pushed her away playfully. Evie wished it could stay like this, but before she knew it the Peacekeeper was opening the door to call her sister away.

Evie's parents came in next, and both were in hysterics. Her mother was hugging her and swaying from side to side, and her father lifted her off the ground to hold her. She wasn't really comfortable with this, but she let them have their time. She cried with them, of course. She loved this time she had with them, and she wished it never had to end. But surely enough, after three minutes of painfully tight hugs and final goodbyes, the Peacekeeper came in to bring them away.

Parker Dust

Parker could believe this was happening. He'd lost both of his brothers to the games, and now he was a tribute. Had his family done something to anger the Capitol, because this could not be coincidence? He expected his mother to be in tears when she came to see him, having lost two children this way before, but when the door opened on the far side of the room, she seemed completely calm.

"Are you alright?" he asked. Something had to be up with her, but she shook her head.

"Let's just say I should be used to this by now."

"Don't get too used to it. I'm coming home, okay? I'm going to come home. You won't lose anyone else. I promise."

"I have faith in you, but you can't make that promise. I watched both of your brothers die out there. I need you to fight. Don't let your guard down for a second. I need you to come home. Not want. I need it." Parker hugged his mother tightly, knowing this would be the last time he'd be able to see her. He knew the odds were bad. He could only hope that he would get to come home to Twelve again.

Ula Leeky

Ula's mother was yelling. Not crying, but yelling. She was saying something about how Ula was being selfish. To be honest, she had zoned out fifteen second into her rant. She was angry that Ula was volunteering. She felt like the stress of the Games would just cause her illness to progress faster. Her lungs were slowly failing, yes, and no one in twelve knew why. Ula felt it had something to do with the coal dust. She'd die no matter what, and the only way for her to get better was to win the games and get to a Capitol hospital.

"Mom. Mom! Mom! Please, can you stop yelling? Please?" She was starting to get a headache, and she wondered if the Peacekeepers out in the hall could hear.

"Why in the world would you throw your life away like this? Please, explain to me your reasoning for this. I'm curious to know." She still hadn't said anything close to a 'good luck' or 'goodbye', or even hugged her. Was this really going to be their last moment together?

"I'm dying! If I stay here, I'll die! If…"

"If you go out there, you'll die!"
"Exactly, but out there, there is a chance that I can win and get well! I don't want to die. I'm scared to die, and if this is what it takes for me to actually stay alive, I'm going to do it! Please, time is running out!" Ula held out her arms, and that was the breaking point for her mother. She nearly collapsed to the floor, crying, but held herself together just enough to hug Ula. The peacekeeper came in soon after, and ripped her mother away from her.

There you have it. Your tributes are on their way to the Capitol. In the next chapters, they'll be on the train, talking strategy with their mentors, watching the reapings for their competition, and getting to know the other tributes from their district. Have I mentioned that this is going to be a very long story? hahaha.

Don't forget to sponsor, review, vote, anything you can to help your tributes! ((Submit to me your Stylists and Gamemakers. I need more.))