Wisteria Klide, age 18
District Eleven Female
Wisteria gently gathered Perennia's hair in her hands, reaching for the silky yellow ribbon laying on the table beside them. She tied the soft ribbon into a bow and then patted her sister's shoulder.
"All done, Per," Wisteria said. Perennia just turned around and hugged Wisteria. Even though she'd been in the reaping the past two years, the nerves hadn't gone away. But Wisteria understood that feeling. She had survived every single reaping until today, and if she wasn't picked, she would be free.
"I'm scared," Perennia whispered. Wisteria pursed her lips, and knelt down next to her sister.
"I am too," Wisteria admitted. "But I think we're gonna be okay. We're lucky enough to not need tesserae." As the daughters of District Eleven's main shoemakers, they really were lucky. One of Wisteria's good friends, Gerome, had his name in the drawing over thirty times. Needless to say, the odds were not in his favor.
But they tipped in Wisteria's.
The thought made her frown.
"We should get going," Wisteria told Perennia. "Mom and Dad are already there." Perennia just nodded, biting one of her nails.
Out the door they went, heading towards the short, well worn path into the square. Already, the lines to sign in snaked well around the perimeter. Already, the perfect glass balls with all the names stood proudly over the worn down district. Wisteria glanced around her at all of the beaten down people filling the square, the too thin kids in line in front of her. District Eleven certainly had its fair share of hardships.
She was so lucky she didn't share them.
It made today easier to cope with.
Kaiser Hundley, age 17
District Eleven Male
Something was wrong with him. That was the only thing running through a small portion of Kaiser's mind as he waited for the reaping to begin. Most people in Eleven didn't revere the Games. Most people saw them as a death sentence, just a cruel reminder of the steel grip the Capitol had over them.
But not Kaiser. No, he found the Games fascinating. Entertaining, even.
Only he knew to keep that little fact under wraps.
So Kaiser didn't react when the clock chimed to signal the start of the reaping, when the escort and the victors and the mayor took the stage. He just stood there, motionless, in the reaping pen when he wanted to applaud like he saw the crowds do in One and Two. For a moment, he wondered what it must have been like to live somewhere that enjoyed the Games. Somewhere that appreciated them. He wouldn't be such an outcast there.
Outcast. A burst of anger flared up in him, making Kaiser squeeze his hands into fists. They shouldn't cross this outcast.
Up on stage, Lila, the district escort, tapped the microphone, sending feedback into the square. She smiled like nothing had happened. "Welcome, welcome, District Eleven to the reaping for the 95th Annual Hunger Games! Let's not wait any more time than we have to. Time to choose your tributes! As always, ladies first."
Lila glided over to the first glass ball and pulled out a slip. She read out the name, "Wisteria Klide." A tall girl dressed in a fine pale purple dress stumbled out of the eighteen year old section, tears coursing down her face. She stood, hiccupping, next to Lila before the escort walked over to the other reaping ball to pick the boy who would be going into the Games with Wisteria.
With that pathetic mess.
"Kaiser Hundley!" Lila called.
Well, this would be interesting.
Wisteria Klide, age 18
District Eleven Female
I'm going to die.
Wisteria couldn't stop thinking about that inevitable truth. She knew she was no match for the Hunger Games. A merchant's daughter from District Eleven was not victor material. More material to fall during the bloodbath. More tears slipped down her cheeks at the thought.
Perennia ran into the room, her own face wet with tears. She practically jumped into Wisteria's arms as their parents entered, too.
"Please come back," Perennia sobbed. "Please, you can't die." Die. Wisteria shuddered.
I'm going to die.
"I'll try my best," Wisteria said. "And, I mean, maybe I can win?" She wanted it to sound more sure and definite, but instead the last part came out as more of a question.
"I'm sure you can," her father told her, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"We can sponsor you," her mother added. "We could get extra business at the shop and use the extra money to help you out in the arena."
But those words meant close to nothing to Wisteria. She was grateful that her family was willing to help her, but sponsor gifts were outrageously expensive and they weren't rich. They were district shoemakers, not Capitol politicians.
Perennia looked up, her dark brown eyes watery. "I love you," she whispered, her voice cracking. "Please come home."
The simple request was too much for Wisteria. She broke down sobbing, clutching her sister, and her parents came over to hold the two girls.
I'm going to die.
Kaiser Hundley, age 17
District Eleven Male
"I mean, it shouldn't be too bad, right?" Kaiser asked his brother. Loam just rolled his eyes.
"I don't think you get it," he said. "It's a fucking fight to the death. Death, Kaiser. Only one person can walk out of there alive."
"And I think it can be me," Kaiser shot back. "I know it can be me."
"How?" The question was curt, pointed. Like Loam didn't expect Kaiser to have an answer. Because I know the Games better than anybody in the district. But Kaiser didn't say that. Instead, he sighed.
"I don't want to argue with you," he told Loam. "But I really do think I can win this thing."
For a moment, the two brothers stood just looking at each other until Loam also sighed. "I'm not doubting you. I just want you to think things through before you act."
"I will," Kaiser promised. He paused, then said, "I can kill people." Loam looked startled, and Kaiser kept going. "I mean, you have to kill in the Games, right? I don't think I'll have any problem with it."
"You won't have a problem with taking other people's lives?" Loam hissed.
"Do you want me to live?" Kaiser asked him right back, angry all of a sudden.
"Of course. But you should have an issue with murder."
I don't. Want to see?
"I'll do what I have to," Kaiser said darkly. "No matter what it is." He'd slaughter everybody in that arena. He'd torture a twelve year old to death. Hell, he'd cut off one of his own limbs if it meant he could come back home to Eleven.
I'm coming back, one way or another.
I know this chapter probably isn't up to par with all the others but I'm getting really tired of writing these intros. Good news is we only have one left to go! Woohoo!
Anyways, thoughts on Wisteria and Kaiser? I think they'll both be interesting as the story progresses. See you next time in District Twelve for the last reaping!
-D9T