Ainsley Blare, District Five, 18

I sighed, staring at the door. More than anything, I wanted to turn around and head home, to my real home. But my mother insisted on tradition, so, despite my reluctance, I forced myself to knock.

I heard footsteps inside, and after a few moments, the door swung open. Lindsay threw herself into my arms. I laughed, caught off guard.

"Mom! Ainsley's here!" Lindsay shouted. She took my hand and led me into the small house, pulling me into the kitchen. Inside, my mother stood at the stove, cooking something. My brothers were nowhere in sight.

"Hi, sweetheart," my mother said without turning around. "I'm almost ready. Lindsay, would you go fetch your brothers?"

Lindsay nodded and raced out of the room, leaving the two of us alone.

"I'm glad you came," said my mother, still facing the stove. "I was afraid you wouldn't."

I shrugged. "I wanted to see Lindsay and the boys," I replied.

"Good," she said. She finally turned around to face me. "We're still a family, even if you refuse to live with us anymore."

"I'm eighteen now," I said. "I'm a legal adult. I can take care of myself."

"Oh, I know," my mother replied. "You've always been very determined to do so."

I didn't reply to that. Thankfully, soon Lindsay came back with my brothers in tow.

"Hi," said Alexander, hugging me. Isaak, who considered himself to be too cool for hugs anymore, just gave me a nod. I nodded back.

"Well, I hope everyone's hungry," said my mother, brightening her tone. "Everyone grab a plate!"

We all did so. As rocky as our relationship has historically been, my mother's cooking has always been consistently fantastic. We filled our plates and sat at the table, digging in.

After a while of silently eating, my mother decided it was time for more conversation. "I'm glad this is your last year, Tessa," she said, dabbing at her mouth with her napkin. "It'll be a kindness to know you're safe."

I sighed. Off to a great start already. "Ainsley, Mom. Not Tessa."

"My mistake," she replied smoothly. If she hadn't deadnamed me so many times, I might have believed she was sincere. "Still, it's nice," she said.

"Yes," I said. "It'll be a relief."

"Nervous for your first time?" my mother asked, turning to my sister Lindsay.

"Yeah, of course," said Lindsay.

"My poor baby," my mother cooed. "All grown up!"

"Ugh, Mom, stop," Lindsay groaned. "I'm twelve years old. I'm not a baby anymore."

"Wow, a whole twelve years old," said Isaak, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Shut up," said Lindsay.

"Don't bicker in front of your sister," said my mother. "She's here as our guest, and she doesn't want to hear any of this. Right, Tessa?"

"It's Ainsley, Mom," I repeated. "And I don't use she/hers pronouns. I use they/them."

"I don't understand why," my mother commented innocently. "Tessa is a beautiful name. Shame you don't appreciate it."

I sighed. My siblings glanced at me, unsure of what to do.

"It's just not my name, Mom," I said quietly, already exhausted.

"Ainsley," Lindsay broke in, "how's school?"

"School is fine," I said, shooting her a grateful look. "I've arranged with my teachers to graduate early, so I can start working full-time after this semester."

"That's so cool," said Alexander.

"I don't get it," said Isaak. "I'd rather hang out with my friends than work more."

I shrugged. "Just want to get a head start on my career, that's all."

"Well, we're all very proud of you," said my mother. "I couldn't be more grateful to have two sons and two daughters."

"Mom," said Lindsay. "Stop it. You're hurting their feelings."

"It's okay, Lindsay," I said, standing. "I think it's about time for me to leave anyway. Maybe I'll see you at the Reapings tomorrow."

"Tessa!" my mother called after me. I didn't respond, leaving through the front door and almost running down the sidewalk.

"Ainsley!" a voice called after me. I turned to see Lindsay chasing me down the street. I stopped, wiping at my eyes so she couldn't see my tears.

"Don't listen to her," Lindsay said earnestly. "She really sucks sometimes."

"She does," I agreed, smiling a little.

"Can I come over tomorrow after the Reapings?" Lindsay asked. "We can hang out or something."

"Are you sure?" I asked. "Mom doesn't like when you visit me."

Lindsay shrugged. "Don't care," she said. "Besides… I'm nervous for tomorrow morning. What if my name gets pulled? Or yours?"

"That won't happen," I said. "It's normal to be nervous, especially the first time. Heck, I still get nervous sometimes."

"Really?"

"Yes, really," I said. "Don't stress out too much, and I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay," she replied. She hugged me tightly, catching me off guard. "Love you, Ainsley," she said.

"Love you too."

Samuel Harris, District Five, 16

I woke up in a pool of sweat, gasping for air. I took several deep breaths, trying to steady myself. It was just a dream.

It was always just a dream.

I got out of bed and took a quick shower. I ran a comb through my dark hair, knowing Mom would if I didn't, and threw on some jeans and a polo. Hopefully nice enough that they wouldn't make me change. I then followed the scent of breakfast to the kitchen, where my dad was cooking.

"Hi, Sam!" he said cheerily. "Hungry?"

I nodded and sat at the table next to my mom, who was skimming the morning newspaper. "How did you sleep?" she asked absentmindedly, tracing her place with her finger.

"The same," I answered. My dad brought over a plate of toast and scrambled eggs for each of us, which I began wolfing down.

After I was finished, I brought my plate back to the sink.

"Sam," my mom said, putting down her paper, "let's talk through the day."

"Why?"

"I think it's a good idea," she said, watching me carefully. "Just to make sure everything goes smoothly."

I glanced at my dad, who nodded.

"What will you do first?" she asked.

"I'll walk to the Reapings," I replied.

"And you won't talk to anyone, right?" my mom asked.

"Right."

"And if Dean or Stephanie try to talk to you, what do you do?" she asked.

"I ignore them," I said flatly.

"That's right," my dad coached. "And after the Reapings?"

"I come back home," I said.

"Exactly," my mom said. "And then we can celebrate getting through the day! How does that sound?"

"Good," I said. I meant it, too. It really sounded good.

I was almost to the city square when I ran into Steph and Dean.

"Hey, Sam," said Dean, stepping in front of my path.

I kept my head down and tried to move around him, but Steph blocked my path.
"Nice try," she said tauntingly, sucking on a lollipop. "But not so fast."

"Move," I said, avoiding eye contact.

Steph snorted. Dean crossed his arms.

"Move," I said, more quietly this time, "or I'll make you pay, Demon."

"My name is Dean," Dean replied. "Can you say that for me? Dean?" he asked, stretching out his name.

"I don't get all the 'Demon' stuff anyways," said Steph. She pulled her sucker from her mouth, examined it for a moment, and then put it back in. "If anyone's the demon here, it's def you."

"I'll make you pay," I said, hunching my shoulders. Dean scoffed, which only made me madder. Demon scum. I cocked my fist and roared, charging at Dean. Steph screamed as I punched him in the gut. He groaned, and I cocked my fist again.

"Ready for more, Demon?" I said. He glanced up at me, eyes wide.

"Hey, hey!"

I turned. Peacekeepers at the check-in booth had noticed the fight and come over to investigate.

"Break this up!" said the tall one. The short one grabbed Dean, and the other guy got in between us.

Steph was sobbing. Definitely fake. Demons don't cry. "He-he attacked us!" she cried, still sucking on her lollipop. "We-we d-didn't even do anything!"

"We saw everything," said the tall one. He grabbed my arm. I hissed at him, and he recoiled. "What the hell?"

"Demon spawn," I shouted. "Demons! Demons!"

"Jesus Christ," the short one muttered. I don't know how he could say the name, but he had to be powerful to be able to bear it. I tried to free my arm, but the Peacekeeper's grip was iron.

"Let's get them checked in and get rid of them," the other one said. "That one's freaking me out."

He looked at me, and I glared back.

Demons, all of them. They'd regret taunting me. Someday, they'd fear me.

I'd make them pay. I'd make them all pay.

Albert Isaak, District Five Mentor, 30

Another year, another speech. I sighed. I'd tried twelve times to save a kid, any kid, from that damned arena. Every year, I'd failed. What made it even worse was that if it weren't for that damned Quarter Quell, Nina and Mech would still be here, and they'd be sitting beside me. What a strange experience that had been, Mentoring my Mentors. I was only twenty years old. Still a kid, really. Possibly the worst Games I ever watched.

Eventually, Palmyra took over for the Mayor. She'd been Five's Escort for quite some time now, and we got along very well. She gave me a small wave- we hadn't seen each other since the prior year- and got right to selecting the poor tributes.

"For our first tribute," said Palmyra, putting on a dazzling smile (were those diamonds in her teeth? that was new), "Ainsley Blare!"

All eyes shifted over to the tribute in question, who stood among the eighteen-year-old girls. An older one, thank God. The younger ones were too painful. They usually cried when they died. The tribute walked forward steadily, eyes shifting to watch the crowd watching them. They quickly made it up onstage, still eyeing the crowd with caution. They seemed fit enough, and I felt hope bubble up in my chest. Maybe, after all this time, this was the year I succeeded.

Just maybe.

"Welcome, dear Ainsley!" said Palmyra, flashing that smile (yes, definitely diamonds) again. Applause rang shortly through the square.

"As for our second tribute…" she trailed, reaching around in the other glass bowl. "Samuel Harris!"

The eyes swiveled towards the tribute. He wasn't hard to find, because he was throwing quite the tantrum. I stood to try to get a better view of him, as he'd collapsed and was on the ground. Kids near him backed away, eyes wide, trying not to get too close. I didn't blame them; the guy was throwing punches and kicks like no one's business. I glanced at Ainsley, who was biting their lip. Palmyra's jaw had dropped.

Eventually, two Peacekeepers got ahold of him- however, not without taking some damage first. They didn't let go of him when they got to the stage: instead, they held Samuel tightly as he continued to kick and scream. I could finally make out what he was saying.

"Demons!" he cried, his eyes wild, spit dripping from his lips. He thrashed and flailed like a caged animal, screaming the word over and over again. "Demons! Demons! Demons!"

Palmyra took the microphone again. "Our tributes!" she announced, keeping her eyes on Samuel. He kept screaming. "Best of luck, and see you in the Capitol!"

Ainsley Blare, District Five, 18

My friends arrived in the waiting room first. Luka hugged me tightly, and Charlotte wrapped her arms around both of us. After a short minute, they both broke free.

"This is insane," said Charlotte, shaking her head. "I don't think it's hit me yet."

"Me neither," said Luka.

I sighed. "I don't think it'll really hit me until I'm in the arena."

Luka's eyes welled up with tears. "We'll miss you so much, Ains."

Charlotte nodded forlornly.

"I'll try my best," I said firmly. "I'm not giving up already."

Charlotte half-smiled. "You? Never. I don't think I've even heard you say 'give up' before."

"Exactly," I said. "If I can be strong, you guys can be strong too, okay?"

"Okay," Luka whispered. They hugged me again, and then it was time for my family to say their goodbyes.

My mother, Lindsay, Alexander, and Isaak all entered the room together. Lindsay and Alexander practically threw themselves at me, and even Isaak gave me a hug. He hadn't done that since he turned thirteen, three years ago.

Lindsay was crying. "You have to come back, Ainsley, you have to," she sobbed.

"I will, okay? Shhhh," I said, wiping her tears away. "I'll see you when I get back."

"Promise?" she asked. I nodded, and she closed her eyes, water spilling over again. She took a deep breath. "Okay."

My mother and Alexander were crying too. Isaak was stone-faced. He was always the most like our father.

"Be safe," my mother said, hugging me. She quickly let go, feeling me stiffen up. She was so upset, she forgot to deadname me.

Lindsay hugged me again, and I held her close until it was time for them to leave.

Samuel Harris, District Five, 16

The Peacekeepers threw me into a small, dimly lit room with a few folding chairs inside. They hurried back out, closing the door behind them.

"Demons!" I screamed again, my voice hoarse. I sank to the floor, tears flowing. I put my head in my hands and sobbed.

They were conspiring against me. Dean and Steph and the Peacekeepers and the Capitol and everyone. They were demons, all of them, and they were out to get me. And they had succeeded. I was going to be thrown into the arena, with twenty-three demons. At least it was a chance to finally kill them. The Peacekeepers had always held me back in the past.

The door opened, and I backed up to the wall, afraid of more demons. But it was just my parents. I untensed as they rushed toward me, my mom sobbing and my dad tearing up as well. My mom hugged me, and I let her.

"My poor baby," she cried. "Oh, Sam…"

My dad put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry," he told me, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry, Sam. This is unbelievable. I can't believe this happened."

"The demons," I whispered, staring at him. "They did this."

This only made my mom cry harder.

My dad shook his head. "Just bad luck, Sam."

I shook my head back at him. "No. I know it."

He sighed, not willing to continue the argument. We'd had this discussion many times before, and he'd never changed my mind. He never would.

My mom released me, and my dad gave me a quick squeeze of a hug. "Give them hell, okay?"

I smiled for the first time that day. "Hell."

He stared back, baffled.

"Like demons," I explained, miffed.

"Right," he said softly, more to himself than me. "Give them hell."

My mom was still crying too much to say anything. She kissed my forehead, and then it was time for the demons to escort them away.

*And that's a wrap on District 5 and the LAST REAPINGS! How did you like Ainsley and Samuel? Thanks to theflowercrowns and wiifan2002 for sending them in!

As we head into the pre-Games portion of this SYOT, I'd love to hear from everyone about who their favorite tribute is! There's been a range of reactions for most of them, and I'd love to hear who stood out the most- I'm super curious. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, and I can't wait to continue writing :) See you all in the Train Rides chapters!

-r-b*