District 10 Justice Building & Train Rides

(Kendall Owens and Butch Gallows)

Kendall Owens (12) - D10

I sit in the dusty room, alone. The sun shines through the small window, but it's lost its cheeriness. I feel sick to the stomach. I might have to throw up again if I'm not careful. I try to take deep breaths, but they do little to calm me down.

I hear my family approaching and Mama bursts through the door first.

"My baby! Mi bebé! Mi mariposa." She throws herself over top of me, sobbing. I am now sobbing as well.

Papa leads the rest of my family in. They all look sober and grim. Tears are falling from every one of their faces. MAma still hugs me close to her body, crying without any realization of anything other than her baby is leaving.

Papa comes over and hugs me before gently pulling Mama away. "We love you, Kendall." He says gently. Mama struggles in his arms to get back to me.

"I love you too," I whisper.

Papa is forced to take Mama from the room. She is screaming and fighting him, but her weak body is futile in my father's strong arms. They are then gone and I know I will never see them again.

I stand up and hug each of my siblings in turn. Aart comes forward first, holding Baylee's hand.

"My poor sister." He strokes my hair as I lean into his chest. "It'll be ok. Remember us when you go and remember that you are smart and lithe. You have some good qualities. Don't underestimate yourself."

I nod and Baylee hugs me. "I'll miss you, Kendall." She whispers, a single tear falling from her right eye.

"I'll miss you too," I say slowly as if I don't trust my voice.

Aart and Baylee leave and Aries steps up. He looks at me with so much sadness that I start to cry. "Kendall," he coos. "Please be careful. If you're going to die, please don't suffer."

"I don't know if I have that control," I say softly.

Aries sighs. "Do your best, ok?"

"Ok." I wipe away a tear from his face and he turns away. The door slams behind him as he rushes out.

Bee, Robin, and Colin come next. Bee kisses my forehead gently. "We love you, Kendall. Be safe, please."

"Ok," I nod and hug the last of my siblings. They leave me standing alone.

Conner and Darva come in quickly. They are running out of time. Darva hugs me close, tears falling freely down her fair face. Conner looks at me with a mixture of pity and anger.

"I can't believe you're leaving!" Darva sobs. I hug her tightly.

"Me either," I say.

Conner sighs heavily. "I would have volunteered for you, but I'm not a girl." He shakes his head and rubs his eyes.

"I don't know why Bee wouldn't volunteer?" I say to myself.

Darva sighs. "She wanted to, but it was too late. She was too shocked."

I start to sob again as the peacekeeper calls from my friends.

"Don't go!" I sob as they leave. I run up and hug Conner tightly. He kisses the top of my head and leaves. I fall on the ground, unable to move. My grief swallows me and I can feel nothing but numbness.

The peacekeeper watches me disdainfully for a bit before hauling me to my feet. I am dragged down the hall, though I hardly remember it. I can feel nothing as the peacekeeper dumps me on the floor next to my district partner. He is hardly older than I am, but he regards me with a look of disgust and anger.

I sniffle loudly and climb to my feet. I have to try and be strong, even though it hurts. Our escort arrives. He's still in his ridiculous costume and looks at us both as a master might regard a slave. I keep my eyes downward, ignoring everyone else. What am I supposed to do? Does no one here feel any grief with me? It seemed strange that the whole world could go on as I had my family, my friends, and my life ripped away from me.

Butch Gallows (13) - D10

I sit, alone, for 10 whole minutes until a peacekeeper fetches me. I have no reason to say goodbye. I hate this place and everyone in it. I'm so sick of living this life and I can't wait for the games to begin. Maybe I can die with honor and let go of this life that I hate so much.

Kendall Owens (12) - D10

We're led onto the train and dropped off in our respective rooms. I take off my flower crown and set it on the dresser. I change out of my dress and into an oversized white shirt and black pants. I put on the only shoes in the closet that fit, a pair of small, brown boots. I pull my grandmother's necklace out and look at it. It's the only thing left from home that I have. I then proceed to lay on the plush bed, curled in a ball, until the escort calls me out.

"Tribute," The man knocks on the door roughly. "Your presence is requested."

I walk over and open up the door. Butch's door is open and there is no else around. I turn down the hallway and back to the door where we came in. Next to the door is a small window. The world outside rushes away as the train speeds off. I wonder what would happen if the train crashed.

"Miss Owens?" A voice calls loudly.

I whip around and run back down the hallway. Standing by my door is an older woman who is wearing a black dress, black gloves, and a black hat pulled over her black hair. The only thing that stood out was her pale skin.

"There you are." She says and beckons me with her gloved hand.

I follow her into a room filled with chairs and couches of all sorts. Butch is reclining in a chair, his eyes following me like a hawk as I sit. The cowboy mentor is smoking a cigar in the corner. I roll my eyes. Why do people think that District 10 is all about cowboys and cigars?

The woman smiles weakly. "Hello, tributes. I am Laura Banks. I will be your mentor. Would you like to train together or separate?

I don't even have to answer because Butch calls out. "Separate, please for the love of all that is good. I would never partner with a weakling like her."

I stiffen and tighten my lip. He doesn't even know me. Even Miss Banks looks aghast.

"Ok then, we will have Kendall go first."

Butch stands up and walks out of the room, stumbling and tripping over his legs as if he were drunk.

"Well then," Laura folds her hands on her lap. "What can you tell me about yourself."

"Well," I look up at my mentor and then back at my hands. "I'm very young and not very strong. I am squeamish and can't handle any weapons. But, I am disciplined and creative. I can withstand a lot of what nature can throw at me.

Miss Banks nods slowly. Then she proceeds to drone on and on about arena strategies and training strategies. I try to take it all in, but I can only handle so much information. I am dismissed from the room feeling a bit overwhelmed. Butch strides down the hall and nearly knocks me over. I jump out of the way barely in time to avoid his shoulder. A wave of despair falls over me. There's no way I was going to win. Not when everyone was as heartless as Butch. I go into my room and cry until I have no tears left.

Butch Gallows (13) - D10

I walk into the room with confidence, well, as much confidence as I can while still stumbling on my "prison legs."

Miss Banks glares at me and looks me up and down. "Have you been drinking?" She asks.

I shake my head. "Ever been in prison?"

Miss Banks shakes her head. "No, I have not. And why were you in prison?"

I unleash a torrent of hatred towards the people who captured me, using language that might have gotten me thrown in prison again.

Miss Banks' face got very pale and she looked disturbed. "What can you tell me about yourself, Butch?"

I roll my eyes. "I can win the games without a widow's help."

Now, Miss Banks rolls her eyes. "I already know everything about you, Butch. You were abused by your parents and they were killed. You were thrown in prison for stealing. You're a hothead, but you're a good fighter and a fast runner."

My eyes widen as she talks. "How do you know?"

She shrugs. "I have my ways."

"How did you know I was going to get reaped?" I ask incredulously.

She hesitates for a split second. "I do my research quickly once your names are called."

It sounds strange, but I don't say anything and walk away. As I go back to my room, I wonder why she hesitated. What was she hiding? I shrug and close the door to my room. There are no windows, which is disappointing. I sit on a hard chair until we arrive at the capital, pondering over what would happen when we got there.