Travis O'Quinn, District 7, 17

I walked up to the secretary's desk. "Travis O'Quinn. I have a meeting with Mayor Spano," I said, checking my watch. Class started soon, and I needed to get going.

The secretary looked up from her computer and raised an eyebrow. "Really."

"Yes," I insisted, quickly growing irritated with her.

"I'm afraid that Mayor Spano is busy right now," she said, returning to her computer.

"I have an appointment," I said. "I don't have all day."

"I don't see any appointments for him this morning," she said.

"You're lying, and I'm not leaving without seeing him," I said. I crossed my arms.

"In that case, I'll have to call security," she replied nonchalantly. "Security!"

Two Peacekeepers began to walk up to me. At the sound of the commotion, the Mayor opened his door, popping his head out to investigate.

"Oh, hello Travis," he said. "It's all right. We have a meeting," he told the Peacekeepers. They returned to their posts. I saw the secretary roll her eyes.

"Come on in," he said, opening the door. I shot a glare at the secretary, who frowned back. Then I followed the Mayor into his office.

"How are you, Travis?" he asked cheerfully.

"Your secretary is impossible," I told him.

He chuckled good-naturedly. "Petunia is Petunia," he said. "I assume you're here for your fee?"

I nodded. He strode over to his desk, opening up the bottom drawer with a key from his pocket. He pulled out an envelope and walked back over, handing it to me. I opened it, quickly counting through the bills inside.

"That will be enough, I assume," he said.

"For now," I said, shoving the envelope in my backpack.

"Listen, Travis," said Mayor Spano, lowering his voice. "There's a limit to how much we can give you. There are others on my payroll as well, not just you."

"As far as I'm concerned," I replied, "I know too much, and you can't afford to get rid of me. Giving me what I ask for is your only option if you want to keep me quiet. That is, without drawing suspicion."

Mayor Spano sighed.

"You're a nice man, Mayor," I said. "I appreciate your willingness to work with me."

"I do what I have to do," he said.

"I should get going," I said, checking my watch again. "I'll see you next month."

He waved. I left, passing through his doors and past the secretary's desk. I gave her another glare for good measure. With luck, she'd be gone by next month.

I was almost to the front door when I ran into my mother.

"Travis?" she said, stopping in her tracks. "Why aren't you at school?"

I hesitated. My mother frowned. I'd never run into her at City Hall before; I supposed it was only a matter of time. She worked as a secretary for one of the officials in charge of shipping lumber. Since the official's office was in City Hall, so was hers.

"School project," I managed.

My mother crossed her arms. "A project?"

"Yes," I said. "I needed some information, you know, from the archives."

"The archives," she repeated.

"Yes," I said.

"The archives aren't in City Hall," she said. "The archivist's building is down the street."

"That's what they just told me," I said. "I'm on my way to school now. I don't have time to stop by anymore."

"Mmm-hmm," she said, clearly doubtful of my cover story. "Looking forward to hearing about this project of yours."

"Looking forward to telling you about it," I said. "Anyways… I have to go. I'll see you at home."

"See you at home," she replied. She cast me another suspicious glance before continuing on her way. I hustled towards school, checking my watch again. I'd be lucky if I weren't late.

I slid into my desk seconds before the bell rang, breathing heavily.

"Damn, dude, where were you?" asked Zander, who was seated beside me.

"Overslept," I said, pulling out my notebook.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see my friend Jaxon. "You guys coming to my game after school?" he asked.

"Yeah, duh," said Nolan, who was a seat over from Jaxon. "I made us all cheerleader outfits to wear."

I held back a laugh. "You did what?"

Nolan grinned. "Pom-poms and everything. You'll love it."

Zander cleared his throat. "That's okay, man, I think we're good."

Nolan's grin widened. "Oh, like you have a choice."

Jaxon laughed out loud, glad he wouldn't have to deal with Nolan's outfits later.

"Shhh!" said Ingrid, whipping around in her seat to glare at us. "I'm trying to listen!" she said, pointing at the teacher lecturing at the front of the class.

"Oh, shut it, Ingrid," I said.

She humphed and turned back around, nearly smacking me in the face with her ponytail.

"You're ridiculous, you know that?" I told her.

"Shut up," she mumbled under her breath.

"Damn," whispered Zander.

"So, you'll be at the game?" asked Jaxon, changing the subject.

"Yeah, man," said Zander. "Maybe not with the pom-poms, though."

"We'll see," said Nolan.

"I need full attention up here," called the teacher. Zander and I spun around and began taking down the notes on the board.

Chaney Hallows, District 7, 15

I ran. My lungs heaved, my side ached, and my feet stung, but I didn't stop. I couldn't. I needed to get as far away as possible. Tears streamed down my cheeks, my hair flew out behind me. All I wanted to do was collapse and cry. But I couldn't. I had to keep going.

I ran past the outskirts of town, ducking into the forest. Mom always said never to enter the forests at night, but I didn't care now. I wove through the trees until the town lights were faint in the distance, just specks really. Then, finally, I collapsed to the ground. I curled into a ball on the forest floor. I let go, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't stop shaking.

What had I done?

"Chaney?"

I looked up. A silhouette blocked out the town lights, but I couldn't make out the face. They walked closer, slowly coming into focus. They held something metal in their hand, glinting dully under the moonlight. I started pushing myself backwards, trying to get away. Leaves and twigs crunched underfoot as they came closer.

"Where are you going, Chaney?" the silhouette asked calmly. I could see the item in their hand was an axe now. The voice was young, feminine. I would've mistaken it for mine if I didn't know any better.

"Away," I gasped, scrambling further backwards. But she just kept coming. My back hit a tree. I attempted to swerve around it, but the silhouette blocked my backpedaling.

"I don't think so," she said. Finally, she was close enough for me to fully see her. She looked just like me. Same hair, same height, same eyes. The nose was a little smaller, and the eyebrows a little thinner. But the biggest difference was the dark hole in between her ribs, still leaking blood all down her front. Blood dripped from her mouth and covered her hands.

"Alyvia, please, I didn't mean it, I didn't know-"

"You didn't mean it?" she screamed. I started to cry again. "Not good enough."

I raised my hands above my head, bracing for the impact. She raised the axe above her head-

"Chaney!"

I jolted awake, my eyes flying open. Illana crouched at my bedside, her eyebrows creased together. As I woke up, she backed away, sitting on the empty twin bed next to mine. I sat up.

"You were screaming again," she said softly. "Bad dream?"

I rubbed my eyes. "Yes."

My older sister looked away. "It's probably time to get up anyway," she eventually said. "You and I need to be at the Reapings in about an hour."

"Okay," I said, falling back onto the pillows. "I'll be down in a minute."

Illana nodded, standing. She quickly left without saying anything. I watched her leave. She'd gotten better lately at masking how she felt about me since Alyvia died. Not perfect, but much better.

I started to get ready for the day, brushing out my hair and splashing water on my face. I didn't bother with makeup anymore. I threw on a black turtleneck and the skirt my mother had laid out for me, then headed downstairs.

"Good morning," said my mother. "Pancakes?"

"Yes, please," I said, sitting at the table beside Illana. Illana kept her focus on her meal. My mom passed me a plate, and I began to eat as well.

"Don't forget, your father and brothers are coming over for dinner tonight," my mom reminded us.

"Why?" Illana asked, glancing up at her. I remained silent.

"Because," my mother answered, "your father and I don't have to be together for us to be a family. We both love you very much, and it's a scary time of year."

"I don't like surprises," Illana mumbled, looking back down.

"I know," said my mom. "I thought I reminded you already. I'm sorry if I didn't."

"Haven't seen them in a while," I commented. My mother and sister looked at me, unsure of what to say. I rarely spoke at meals anymore.

"Exactly," my mom eventually said. "We're overdue for a visit. Besides, Lincoln got a promotion at work. We should celebrate with him."

My sister got up to put her plate in the sink, starting to make her way towards the door.

"Illana," my mother interrupted.

She stopped in her tracks. "Yes?"

"Take Chaney with you," my mom said.

Illana shuffled her feet. "Come on, Chaney," she said, unwilling to completely look me in the eye.

"I'll take your plate," my mom said to me. "I'll see you afterwards, okay?"

I nodded and stood, following Illana out the door.

Acadia Marlow, District 7 Mentor, 17

I sat in my chair, looking at the audience gathered in Seven's town square. I could feel their eyes on me as I fidgeted with the hem of my sleeve. Last year, I became the first tribute from Seven to make it out of the Games in fifteen years. They wanted my help bringing home more. I hoped I could give them that.

I wished Marius were here. He would know what to say to make me feel better. I could see many of my classmates in the crowd, as well as my teachers, my friends, their parents. They were all looking at me. I tried not to squirm under their gaze. God, I hated this. Terra gave me a small wave from where she stood among the seventeen-year-old girls. I gave a small wave back, reassured a tiny bit.

"Thank you, Mayor Spano!" said the Escort. She was the Escort for Seven last year as well- Aphrodite Armstrong, a slim, bubbly woman who only dressed in shades of pink and red. Today, she wore a nice sweater with a large, floaty skirt. Mayor Spano bowed slightly and returned to his seat a few feet away from mine. He gave me a kind smile, and I relaxed somewhat.

"You'll be okay," he said. "We're all proud of what you've accomplished."

"Thank you," I whispered back shakily. He nodded and returned his attention to Aphrodite.

"Let's select our female tribute first, shall we?" said Aphrodite, waltzing over to the girl's bowl. I had forgotten just how much she liked to lean into the showmanship of her job. She fished around inside the bowl for a long moment, allowing the suspense to build, before returning to the microphone to announce the name. "Chaney Hallows!"

It took me a moment to spot her. My heart sank as I realized she was only fifteen. She had long, light brown hair, and light skin. As she got closer, I couldn't help but notice her eyes. So beautiful, yet so hollow. She walked up, her face empty, and stood next to Aphrodite.

"And for this year's male tribute…" said Aphrodite, dancing over to the boy's bowl, "we have… Travis O'Quinn!"

I sucked in a breath, looking towards the cluster of seventeen-year-old boys. Travis walked forward stiffly. Oh, God. He was in my year at school. We'd had a few classes together, even worked on a project together once a few years ago. How was I supposed to do this? I didn't want to watch him die. I didn't want to watch either of them die.

He passed by Mayor Spano and I, nodding at the Mayor as he went. I glanced at the Mayor, whose expression had turned both solemn and uncomfortable. I wasn't sure what that was about.

"Let's give a warm welcome to Chaney Hallows and Travis O'Quinn!" said Aphrodite. The crowd applauded lukewarmly, and then began to file out. Travis and Chaney were led away to say their goodbyes.

Was I really cut out for this?

Travis O'Quinn, District 7, 17

My parents and older sister Ashley came in to visit me first. Ashley hugged me tightly, crying as she did so.

"I love you so much, baby brother," she said, sniffling.

"I'm not a baby anymore, Ashley," I said. Ashley was ten years older than me, and we'd always gotten along well. When she still lived with us, she used to babysit me all the time.

"I know," she said. "But you're still my baby brother."

My father proceeded to hug me quickly, allowing my mother to hug me for a long moment.

"I'm proud of you, Travis," my father said gruffly. He cleared his throat. "We all are."

"Thanks, Dad," I said. He wiped away a tear. I felt my throat tighten.

"It'll be okay, baby," said my mother softly, patting my back as she pulled away. "We believe in you. You'll be okay."

"And if you can't… come back…" my father trailed. He wiped at his eyes again. "We understand, okay? We love you no matter what."

"I'll fight," I told them. "I'm not going down easy."

"We know you won't," said my mother, her eyes shining.

"We'll be with you," said Ashley. She pointed to her chest. "In here."

After that, they all hugged me again, and then they left, their shoulders low. My friends visited me after that.

"This is unbelievable," said Jaxon. "I honestly just can't believe this."

Zander nodded. "Damn, dude. This sucks."

"Really sucks," Nolan echoed.

"Don't have to tell me that," I said humorlessly.

"We'll miss you," said Jaxon. "You'll fight, right?"

"Yeah," I said. "Don't really feel like dying."

"Good," said Jaxon. "We'll be rooting for you, man."

"I'll wear the cheerleader outfit when I watch," added Nolan. "Just for you."

I smirked. Nolan was the only one at the game yesterday to wear the outfit. Zander and I had obliged him by carrying around the pom-poms while we cheered on Jaxon.

"When I get back," I said, "you had better never try to make me wear that uniform again."

"Deal," Nolan said, lifting slightly.

We were silent for a moment.

"Damn," said Zander again.

"Damn," Jaxon agreed.

"Damn," repeated Nolan.

"Damn," I said.

They each thumped me on the back quickly- except for Nolan, who gave me a quick squeeze- and then they were gone.

Chaney Hallows, District 7, 15

My family all crowded into the waiting room. My father and brothers, Lincoln and Cedar, stood off to the left. My mother and Illana stood to the right.

My mom hugged me first, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, sweetheart," she says. "First Alyvia, and now you…"

"I'll try to fight," I said.

"I know you will," she said, "but I still hate seeing you go." She hugged me again.

My father hugged me next. His hug was so tight that it nearly knocked the wind out of me. I didn't mind, though. It was nice.

"Be strong," he told me. "I know you can. We love you so much."

"Love you too," I said.

Illana hugged me too. I couldn't remember the last time she'd hugged me. Definitely not in the past few months. "I'll miss you," she said softly.

"Really?" I asked.

She nodded. "You're my only sister," she said, her eyes watery. A lump gathered in my throat. She should have two sisters. Not one. This was all my fault.

Then it was my brother's turns. They glanced at each other, on edge, before Cedar stepped forward and hugged me quickly. It was the shortest embrace it'd ever experienced.

"Best of luck, Chaney," he said.

I nodded to him in thanks. Then Lincoln, my eldest sibling, ever the skittish one, hugged me. Somehow, it was even quicker than Cedar's, and he quickly backpedaled away.

"Good luck," he mumbled.

"Thanks," I said. He broke our eye contact. He'd always been the most cautious around me. I couldn't blame him.

My mom hugged me one more time. "Love you so much, sweetheart," she said.

I looked at them all, watching them watch me. Then they turned away, heading for the door.

"Wait," I said. They all turned back to look at me, expectant.

My parents had always believed me with all of their hearts. Even my siblings, who preferred to avoid my temper, didn't truly suspect what I'd done. I'd probably never see them again. I wanted to tell them.

"What is it?" asked my mother.

"I…" I trailed. Cedar raised an eyebrow. Illana made eye contact for once instead of looking at the ground.

They didn't deserve to have their closure ruined by my guilt. They had done so much healing; I couldn't break their hearts again.

"I love you," I said simply.

"We love you too," my father said. My mom blew me a kiss. Then they were gone, and I was alone with my ghosts.

Honestly, it was what I deserved.

*Hi, friends! Happy weekend (at least in my timezone)! How did you like Travis and Chaney? Thank you Tyquavis and chcolate for sending them to me!

Since I forgot to plug it last time, this SYOT has a blog! The link is on my profile if you're interested. More information will continue to be added to it as the story continues, including as Reapings continue, training scores are released, and the Games begin.

Thank you evilpencilbox for catching my typo- next up is the District 2 Reapings, followed by District 3 :)

-r-b*