Deltro Litmen, District 6, 15

"I can't hand it over without the full payment," I said.

The alley was dark and narrow; I'd chosen it for that reason. The kid in front of me shuffled around, kicking at the pebbles.

"I can't," I repeated.

"I'm short today," he said suddenly, peering at me. Even in the dim light, I could distinguish the yellow tone of his skin. He'd been addicted for a long time before I started selling, that was for sure. He had to be a few years older than me, but he already looked a decade older.

"Then I can't give it to you," I said.

He sighed, chewing on his lip. He looked at me again, studying my face. He shifted his weight. Trying to gauge the outcome of a fight, most likely. I tensed and held my ground. I felt my hands twitch, and shoved them in my pockets.

"Please," he said. "I… I have the rest, but I need it for something else."

"Word gets out I'm giving discounts, I'll never make a profit again," I told him. "All or nothing."

He sighed again, returning to kicking his pebbles. Honestly, every deal I made made me more certain I'd never go near the stuff. As if my mom weren't reason enough. Morphling already ruined too many lives in Six. I didn't want to be another statistic.

"Fine," the kid said. He passed me the rest of his payment. I handed him the morphling, which he snatched out of my hands. He shoved it in his jacket and retreated quickly. Seconds later, he turned the corner and was gone.

"Looked dicey for a second there," remarked a voice behind me. I turned to see Elaine emerge from the shadows.

Elaine was short, even for a girl, with long black hair and eyes the color of Six's smog-filled skies. She was pretty, although she'd be the last to tell you; she hid it under a fine layer of grease and dirt that never seemed to completely go away. She wore her usual junior mechanic's uniform, including her trusty toolbelt. I trusted this girl with my life. She'd never failed me before.

"I had it under control," I said.

"I know you did," she replied. "I still like to keep an eye out for you."

I spotted the wrench clutched in her hands. "You weren't actually planning on using that, were you?"

"You know me," she said vaguely.

I raised an eyebrow.

"No, okay?" she said. "They just need to think I would. Psych them out before it gets violent and all that."

I smirked. "That was my last one for the night," I said. "You on your way home?"

"I can be," said Elaine, putting her wrench into her toolbelt.

"Okay," I said. We left my alley, turning left towards home. We talked as we made our way through Six's urban jungle.

"I thought you got a real job," she said. "Why are you still selling?"

I shrugged. "Pays well," I said. "Besides, I'm still a beginner. I need to work my way up before I get any real money."

"I guess," she said. "I thought security installment paid pretty well."

"It's okay," I said. "I'd rather have it than nothing. It's a lot better than the factories around here."

"That's for sure," she said. "I'd rather die than work in one of those."

"That seems drastic," I said.

She shook her head. "It's not. I went in one once. There was, like, one window, and it was all hazy. Everyone looked like zombies."

"I don't think they're all like that," I said.

"I do," she stated. "And I'd rather die than be a zombie."

"Whatever," I said. "What do you have to worry about, anyway? I thought your mechanic thing was going well."

"It is," she said. "Doesn't hurt to have backups. Isn't that what dealing is?"

"Fair enough," I replied. We turned again, only a few blocks from my place. Elaine lived down the street, though I'd never met her until that fateful night two years ago.

"How's your mom doing? Tell her I said hi," she said.

"I will. She's pretty good," I said. "Almost four years sober now."

"Wow," said Elaine. "That's impressive. You rarely hear about people getting off morphling these days. Everyone just starts, and then they never stop."

"I know," I said. "I'm never starting."

"Me neither," Elaine agreed. "Not after what it did to my parents."

"Makes sense," I said. Elaine didn't like to talk about them much. All I knew was that morphling had messed them up. She didn't live with them anymore.

We arrived at my apartment building.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I said. "I've got a couple deals to make after the Reapings, but then I'm free."

"Okay," said Elaine. "Take care. Don't do anything stupid."

With that, we parted ways. I climbed the stairs quickly, arriving at my mom's and I's apartment.

"Deltro?" called my mom.

"Yeah," I called back, taking off my shoes at the door.

"Hey, hon," she said. She came out of the kitchen and gave me a hug, kissing the top of my head. She pulled away. "How was your day?"

"Good," I said.

"I made dinner," she said. "You hungry?"

"Yes," I said. "Thanks, Mom."

"Of course, hon," she said, walking back into the kitchen. I followed her, just happy that she was doing okay.

Salome Terris, District Six, 14

"How do I look?" I asked my mom, spinning around. My blouse was old, but the skirt was new, and I absolutely loved it. The Reapings usually meant new clothes, at least in my family.

"Beautiful, sweetheart," she said. "We'll meet you afterwards."

"Okay!" I said. I peeked out the window. My best friend, Tay, was on the sidewalk outside. "Tay's waiting. I have to go!"

"Okay," said my mom. "Don't get distracted on the way there, okay?"

"Okay," I said. "Bye!"

"Bye, honey," my mom said. I waved and ran out the door, catapulting myself into Tay's arms.

"I missed you!" I said, squeezing her tightly.

"I missed you!" Tay replied. We broke apart. She was wearing an old blue dress and ballet flats.

"Do you like my new skirt?" I asked, spinning around for her.

She clapped enthusiastically. "So pretty!"

"Thank you," I said, smiling. She smiled back at me.

"So, how much time do we have?" she asked.

"Enough," I said. "Come on, let's start walking."

We walked down the street together, hand in hand. We took our time, making sure to check out all the storefront windows once we had passed the apartment buildings. A lot of people liked to splurge after the Reapings, glad to have their kids around for another year.

After about ten minutes, we found ourselves pressed up against a bakery window.

"Look at those cupcakes!" said Tay. "They're so cute."

I looked at the cupcakes. She was right; they were small and had pink frosting and little bows on them.

"Do you want one?" I asked her.

She smiled. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Of course," I said.

Tay grabbed my hand and we entered the bakery. It was mostly empty except for the young man behind the counter- he couldn't be older than twenty- and a couple buying some bread. Tay walked up to the cashier while I hung around the front of the store, peeking into the display.

"Excuse me, sir," said Tay sweetly, "How do I get to the Reapings?"

The cashier cleared his throat and began to answer her questions. "Take a left at the end of this block, and then…"

Tay nodded, asking lots of follow-up questions. This was our chance. I darted up to the window display, grabbed two cupcakes, and ran out the door. Footsteps behind me told me Tay was following.

"Stop them!" shouted the cashier. We sprinted down the street and around the corner, laughing. To our delight, no one followed us. After a few blocks, we slowed, and I passed Tay her reward.

"Worth it," she commented, shoving it into her mouth. I did the same.

"I should've grabbed more," I said. "They were so small."

"Maybe next time," said Tay with a grin. She slipped her hand in mine, and we continued along on our way. Eventually, we reached the square where the Reapings were taking place and got in line. We were almost to the front when Tay whispered in my ear.

"We should trade names again," she said.

"Yes!" I whispered back.

"Next!" called the Peacekeeper at the table. I stepped up, presenting my arm as I did so.

"Name?" he asked crossly.

"Tay Ludemann," I replied. I heard Tay snort behind me. His coworker pricked my finger with the machine, reading its output carefully. I held my hand to my mouth, trying to keep the laughter at bay. It failed, and a few giggles slipped through.

"Wait a second," he said. "I don't think that's her real name."

The first Peacekeeper frowned at me. "I won't ask again."

"Salome Terris," I said.

"Take her sample again," said the first Peacekeeper. The second one pricked me again.

"Ow!" I said.

"That should teach you. This isn't a game, kid," said the second one.

I bit back a smile. "My bad," I said.

I waited off to the side while Tay got her finger pricked and a scolding to match mine. Then, we headed into the fourteen-year-old girl's section, hand in hand.

Piers Morgan, District 6 Mentor, 20

Outside of the Capitol, I'd never seen a big city before. Where the Capitol was shining and sleek, Six seemed more typical. A layer of smog clouded out the sky, and the buildings were gray and uniform. At least in the city center, there seemed to be a little more going on. I could see a few nice little shops from where I sat. I already missed the clear waters of home in Four.

The Mayor, who seemed nice enough, stepped aside, allowing Six's Escort to take the microphone. I'd never met them before, but I knew they were nonbinary. I'd seen them around a little bit last year, although it was mostly a blur. Especially after Brooke died.

"First, let's take a moment to honor the life of Cartner Brunel, who tragically passed away this past year," they said. Everyone bowed their heads for a moment. I wished Carter were still alive, if only to spare me from this mess. I'd still be a Mentor, but maybe I'd be with Finnick, at the least.

"Moving on," they said. Everyone looked back up. "This year's tributes!"

They walked over to the boy's bowl, rifling around for a moment before selecting the unfortunate name. "Deltro Litmen," they announced.

I looked out into the crowd, looking for the tribute. Among the fifteen-year-olds, I saw someone collapse to the ground. Was that him? It had to be, for a black-haired girl broke loose from her section and pulled him to his feet, walking him to the stage. He climbed the steps and stood next to the Escort. Now that he was closer, and on his feet, I could see him more clearly. He had dark skin and short braids, standing at an average height and weight. His hands shook uncontrollably. I didn't blame him. Poor guy. I remembered what that felt like all too well.

"And…" paused the Escort, reaching into the girl's bowl. "Salome Terris!"

I heard a shriek from the girl's section. I looked over to see a fourteen-year-old girl detach herself from another, who was crying uncontrollably. My heart sank. Brooke was fourteen when she was Reaped, too. God, I wished Finnick were here so badly. How was I supposed to do this alone?

Salome had dark hair and eyes, and walked quickly up to the stage. She wiped a tear from her eye before addressing the Escort. "It's pronounced 'sah-lo-may,'" she said, her voice clear. "Not 'sal-om.'"

"I apologize," said the Escort. "Deltro and Salome, your tributes this year!" he said, correcting their pronunciation.

They crowd applauded briefly before leaving. I watched the tributes as they were marched off to say their goodbyes. Could I really do this again?

Deltro Litmen, District 6, 15

My mom swept in and hugged me tightly, sobbing uncontrollably as she did.

"Oh, my baby," she cried. "I can't believe this."

I held on tight, hiding my face from the world. We just held each other for a while like that, unwilling to let go.

After a few minutes, she pulled back, wiping away her tears and putting on a brave face. "Now, you go out there and show them what a Litmen is made of, you hear me?" she said.

"I will," I said.

"Be brave," she said. "Be strong. I have to go now, but I'm rooting for you to win. You're my whole world."

She turned to leave, still struggling to keep back her tears. I hesitated. "Mom?"

She turned back around. "Yes?"

"Please don't…" I trailed, trying to get out the words.

"What is it?"

"Don't go back to the morphling while I'm gone," I said.

She sighed. "I'm past that chapter of my life. I promise, you have nothing to worry about here. Just focus on what's ahead."

"Okay," I said.

"I love you, baby," she said.

"I love you too," I replied. Then she was gone.

Elaine was my only other visitor, covered in grime as always. She sat next to me, watching my hands shake.

"I can't make them stop," I said quietly.

"It's okay," she said, her usual sarcasm gone. "Can I see them?"

I uncurled my fists, revealing a deep scar that slashed across both of my palms.

"I'm glad I found you that night," she said. "Otherwise we wouldn't be friends. Isn't that strange?"

"It is," I agreed. I still remembered it vividly. Mugging was a serious problem in Six. They were armed with knives, trading me my grocery money for a fresh scar. My hands had never been the same since.

"I hope to see you again soon," she said. "This would be a rotten end to things."

"It would," I said. She gave me a quick hug, catching me off guard- Elaine wasn't much of a hugger- and darted out the door before I could say anything else. I think I heard her sniffle on her way out.

Then I was alone, staring sullenly at my trembling hands.

Salome Terris, District Six, 14

My parents said their goodbyes quickly before leaving, like they always did. I didn't mind, though. I just wanted to see Tay.

She burst into the room, throwing herself into my arms. She was practically hysterical, and I found myself crying along with her.

"You can't leave!" she cried. I tried to pull away to talk, but she clung to me too tightly. "You have to come back," she sobbed.

"I will," I said, my voice muffled by her shoulder.

She finally pulled away, releasing me somewhat from her bear grip. "For real," she said. "I believe it. You can win! You just have to fight."

"I'll fight," I promised. "I'll be sneaky, like with the cupcakes."

"So sneaky," she said, sniffling. "Do what you have to do."

"I will," I told her.

She looked me in the eye. "Anything," she emphasized. "I can't live without you. You have to come back. You have to."

I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen her so serious. "I promise, Tay. I won't leave you."

We hugged for the rest of the time. In the end, Tay refused to let go, and a Peacekeeper had to pull her off of me. We both sobbed the whole time. When she was gone, the room felt empty, and I did too.

No, not empty. Incomplete.

It had been two minutes, and I already missed my partner in crime desperately. There was nothing I wouldn't do to see her again.

*And that's District Six! How did you like Deltro and Salome? Big thanks to G00N and MoonlightSalsa for sending them to me.

Still having glitch issues, hopefully those get resolved soon :(

Halfway through the Reapings now! Next up is District 12 (followed by District 7). See you then!

-r-b*