Chapter 9: Children

District Nine Reaping

Daisy Grove - District Nine Female

"Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up,"

- Tom Stoppard

"I hope you do well in the future sir," I told the man as I handed out his lunch.

The man who asked for free soup smiled. "You as well."

Then I noticed something fishy was going on. I think I got it.

"Wait a second. Didn't you already have your lunch?!"

The man was already running away. "You'll never catch me alive!"

That meanie-face. Aw man, this is a charity for everyone. Not one person! Stupid Daisy. I should've remembered that guy's face, but it appears I am unable too. That homeless guy's face was so average that he could blend with the wall. I better make sure this never happens again. Honestly, is getting another sandwich worth getting blacklisted from Colt's Charity Foundation?

I look at the line in front of me, all the people of unfortunate circumstances, waiting to get either some soup and a sandwich. Most of them are most likely not at fault at being where they are. A mean Capitolite could simply have burned a home and got away with it, or President Chamber's could create a new policy that'll make everything harder for District Nine.

I want to help.

There's a little thing my parents alway's taught. It's to do a good deed every day. They mentioned I should open door's for senior's or give the ball I found in the backyard back to the neighbor. Only, that's small. Mom and dad never how big of a good dead I can do, and I wanted to help people. So, I went to the new thing District Nine is talking about, Colt's Charity Foundation. CCF for short. It's been a hundred year's since a welfare organization like this has been in the district. The 'Almost Rebellion' ruined a lot in District Nine from Snow(miserable meanie poo face), and I think the next president took pity on the district and helped it out.

I'm not that good a history, so let's say it's been a while since a thing like this has happened.

Anyway, the organization was new, and it needed people. People like me for volunteer work or some community work, you know, to help out. Maybe I'm a bit too young, being only thirteen, but mom and dad didn't argue, they even encouraged me to help out. I can have fun playing ball with kid's my age, but I enjoy doing this more.

"Daisy," my co-worker(man, I'm way too young to say that) Andrea said uneasily. "Watch out for those kinds of guy's alright? Also, remember to blacklist."

"I know that, Andrea. You know I know that. I'm not dumb," I retorted, giving her a playful glare.

Andrea is a mentor(I guess?) for me here. She's as old as my mom, but she's pretty with her red hair and freckles. I asked if she has any kids, but she laughed at that. I didn't bother after, that laugh creeped me out. Also, she has a bad habit of taking my yogurt. Alway's using seniority as an excuse.

"Yeah. Yeah, don't criticize the younger generation, also don't backtalk else I'll eat your lunch," Andrea told me critically, but also with a teasing grin.

She wouldn't dare! Mom made a salad this time, also a ham sandwich. It's delicious, and she knows it. Is this why shouldn't your parent's heavenly cooking with others? The cruelty of that sentence!

"Andrea don't say that! Where's your heart!?"

"In my freezer, now get to work squirt."

"We have the same job!"

Wait, now that I think about it, don't I have seniority in said job. I started last year when it opened in the first place. Andrea joined a few months after. I see the unfairness here, but I don't care enough. She's an adult, and I'll listen. Honestly, we get along well.

I like to work here. It feels like I'm contributing to something far more important than myself, and for a long time, as Andrea put it: District Nine feels more alive than it has in decades. What she say's is pretty much how I feel. It's a bit livelier when Paprika won last year's hunger games, and her not-boyfriend Colt set up the CCF. It's an honor, in my opinion, about how much this group is helping people, a step in the right direction.

Then, I saw a man in khaki pants, and a plain brown shirt, playing with his food alone in his table. He looked sad.

"Andrea take care of the fort, I have to go somewhere," I told her. Andrea nodded in return.

"Come back soon or better yet, sooner than later, it gives me an excuse for eating your lunch."

"You better not do that!"

I thought of something. My first thought is that there's no respect around here. My second thought is that Andrea gave me an idea, I got my lunch away from the prying eyes of my co-worker and took it with me when I walked to the table when the lonely man sits.

When I came close, I saw the sad man's face. He had a long jawline and long brown hair. His eyes were dark grey, making his sober expression increase.

The man looked up from his soup. "Wat? What are you looking at?"

At that, I went straight for introductions. "Hi! I'm Daisy Grove! What's your name!?"

"Non of your beeswake," he replied grumpily.

"Okay! Are you okay?"

He twitched an annoyed brow. That's good. Less sadness that way. "I'm fine. Now git."

I stayed where I was, but I remained silent for a minute until the man looked up to see I was still there. He sighed, "What do ya want?"

The smile in the face came instinctively. "Is the soup good?"

"Not bad," he said with hesitation. "Not goot either."

"Can you tell me your name?"

"No."

"Hi! I'm Daisy Grove! What's your name?"

The man stroked his face with the palm of his hands, obviously annoyed by me. "You're not going to leave until I tell you, are you?"

"Nope! So, tell me your name. Please."

"... Nathan."

"Hello Mr. Nathan," I snarked.

"Nathan Bellos, brat."

"That's better," It was. "Why are you sad, Mr. Bellos?"

Why should I care? I bet he'll ask me that. I'll bet my entire rock collection(don't judge me).

"Why do you care?"

I knew it!

"Because I want to. Because I can. Because seeing you sad make's me sad," I answered. "You should be happy."

"I don't particularly feel link I should."

He talks funny, I thought about asking him but decided not to(or maybe in a later date). "I promise not to tell anyone. You can trust me. I'm awesome at keeping secrets."

"Oi..."

"Because I don't have any! I'm boring! Please tell me. Talking helps everyone!"

Nathan looked skeptical. I don't blame him. He's a person, worse, he's an adult, and most people are alway's suspicious.

"Unless you have something better to do," I mentioned, not losing my smile. I was eager to learn about this random person I met.

"Fin then. Guess what I am?"

"Oh, I know! A wheat farmer!"

"No, I'm not."

"Really?!"

"No! Of course I'm a bloody farmer!"

"...Awww."

In hindsight, that was very obvious. I mean, what? About three to four quarters of the citizens in the district farm in the wheat fields. The workforce doesn't change much with the Capitol in charge.

"The pay isn't good then," I guessed. Once more, very obvious.

"Why else would I be here? Staving isn't in me to-do list."

Then I thought of something. "Then work here! It's fun here, and you don't have to see the same boring yellow field over and over again!"

"Aye, that would be. Wouldn't it," Nathan mused. He sounded like he would enjoy the prospect, but there's also hesitation and sadness in those near-silent words.

"Why are you so sad?" I asked the question that brought me to this table.

Nathan looked around him, everything in this building to the people, the soup, and that kitten poster. "Why can't I be?" he replied, gazing his eyes at his soup with a mix of sadness and anger. "We live in a crapsack world, a world ruled by terror, a world where they send children like you to fight to the death. It's easy to sadden, don't ye know?"

"I can understand that?"

He eyed me, doubt in his voice. "Do ye?"

My smile did turn a little strained at the question. "I do, but talking about sad stuff isn't what I like doing."

"Anythang in particular?"

"You first," I retorted curiously.

"Had a son. He's gone now."

"Ho-"

"Bloody Hunger Games."

"Oh. Benji Bellos, right? From last year."

Nathan nodded solemnly. Paprika Riverbreath district partner from last year was his son. Honestly, Benji had a good shot at winning Hunger Games. When I saw him with at the Reaping, he looked like Nathan now that I think about it, but younger, taller, and more muscular. He scored an eight along with Paprika. Both of them were some hope that District Nine could win that year, and we did. Paprika won, and Benji died in Day 2 from careers.

"I'm sorry."

I meant it too. I always mean what I say.

"Thank ye," he said. "Now. What about you?"

My eye's wandered possibly everywhere in the CCF Building. "Everyone around me. It's everything, honestly and it still hurts," I looked at the sad man's grey eyes. "I don't have anything personal like you. I still have my parents, and we have a decent house, but this place alway's looked sad to me. Everyone here is alway's sad, and it hurts me. I-I want to help out the best I can, Colt and the CCF are the best I can. I'm sorry if that doesn't make any sense."

"Nay. Don't be. It makes sense," Nathan Bellos half-muttered. "You're a good kid."

"And you're a good man, but you can't stay like this. Sad. Alone. Playing with your food. I don't know much about your son, but he fought until he couldn't fight anymore, I'm sure he would have wanted you to do the same?"

Nathan was a bit taken back by that bit, a little angry, a little confused, but his eyes aren't sad anymore. Not fully. No, I think he realized he could do more.

"I can't help out much here in the CCF. Also, how long do you think this place will last when Chamber's finally feel like it reeks of rebellion? Not long I reckon," he fretted. All he need's is a push.

"Chamber's a is a big meanie poop face. Also a dum-dum," I insulted childishly, making Nathan laugh at the unexpected way I put it. "We managed it this far, and we'll manage it later too. Colt and Paprika will make sure of it."

Nathan was silent at that. "Maybe."

"No maybe's. This place will stay," I stubbornly told the older man.

Nathan finally looked a bit more in peace at that, the highest bit of a smirk came on his face. "What are you? The poster child here?"

I shrugged. I think someone told me that a few days ago. "I don't know. Do you feel a little better now?"

"Just a bit."

That was enough. I helped someone. The rest is up to Nathan if he wants to farm all day and be depressed all his life, I don't want that for anyone, but I know when not to push it. I think that conversation was a month ago, I still talk to Nathan, he seemed to appreciate me trying to cheer him up, and he helps out sometimes. I think he'll be fine.

He'll be fine. The thought that that helped someone makes me feel more refreshed than ever been. CCF helps with that too.

Once Reaping Day is here, I jogged all the way the town square. It took me a while since I slept late, and ate breakfast, but I made it in time. Now, I'm here. In the square where Snow knows how many tributes that old man reaped in this particular spot. A wooden stage, a large office building behind it. I heard that there's a good view of the town around here along with the miles long wheat farms on top of that building. The town hall. I've alway's wondered what it's like to be a mayor.

A skinny capitolite with pale skin, purple-blue lips, and a green afro walked in front of the crowd of all us children. Her high heels were shiny blue, and her similar colored jacket look's like it belongs to a musician. The woman from last year, only happier, and looking more like Elvis Presley(Dad's a big fan of the old times musicals). The bigger than life lady waved at everyone.

"Hello District Nine! My name is Volora Rozan! Big time excited to be here! How about all of yall!?" The capitolite screeched out loud. To my surprise, a few clapped to her, unlike last year. Paprika winning must be it.

The higher class woman walked to the girl's bowl. "Alright girls and ladies! The lucky one here is a Lana Sanchi!"

An older girl came forward. Only slowly, at first I thought she was still shocked, but she wasn't. She was blind. She had a walking stick and sunglasses. Everyone looked miserable, even the usual jolly escort appeared saddened when Lana came to her direction clumsily. Everyone knows she's not going to make it.

I know she's not going to make. I know she's going to die.

And I can't let her.

"I volunteer for tribute!" I shouted out of the top of my lungs.

I sprinted right next to Lana, patted her in the back. "You'll be fine now."

She looked relieved and grateful, and I'm gladdened by it. She shouldn't go.

Volora was back at smiling again, aiming a microphone near me when I get in the stage next to her. "Alright! A girl with a heart of gold! What's your name, cutie pie?!"

"Daisy Grove, mam," I said to the escort politely. No reason to be rude, also I'm a little frightened.

The strange woman chuckled at that. "Give it up to Daisy Grove everyone!" I got a lot of claps surprising enough, but we had to move on. Volora walked to the left of the stage, where the bowl full of the boy's names is. "Now the boys! Ahem! Max Kanstine!"

For the first few seconds, no one came up, and it was then...

"I volunteer to take my brother's place in the Hunger Games!"

That sound's pretty explanatory, and pretty beautiful too. He had short messy blonde hair, blue eyes, clean white shirt with short sleeves and jeans. The brother who volunteered for Max ran forward with a cocky smirk on his face. I didn't like it. I don't get it either. He's thin, not all that muscular. He shouldn't be all that proud of himself.

Volora smirked. "Your name, sweetcheeks?"

My district partner smirked back. "Kalvin Kanstine."

"Neat," she said happily. She turned to the crowd. "You hear that District Nine! Two volunteers! Give it up to our brother and sister: Daisy Grove and Kalvin Kanstine!"

For most likely the first time, District Nine clapped at this announcement. Everyone cheered, but it wasn't like the career districts. It was more out of respect and hope. It makes me feel better about my decision, and Kalvin looked like he enjoyed the attention a bit too much. He blew a kiss at them for crying out loud. Did he honestly only volunteer for his brother?

I know why I volunteered. For a girl who needed me to, I saved Lana's life. Now, I got to say bye to mine.

"Why did you do it Daisy!? God, why!? My sweet little Daisy!?" my mother cried out the moment she hugged me, sobbing uncontrollably. She had blonde hair like me, but straighter and cleaner, mine is messier. I don't blame her for crying. I'm doing my best not to, however.

"Why did you do sweetheart?" my father said more calmly, staying more in control of himself unlike mother, but the wet eyes meant he's holding back considerably.

That's a good question. "Because it's the right thing to do. You two alway's taught me to help others, to not be selfish. I did what I thought was right. I stay by that."

"Ah!" my mom was holding back a few tears, wanting to get something out. "We raised you well. We did, but now I think we did it a little too well."

Maybe. Dad said the same, but all of us cried, and they wished me in absolute confidence of any God out there to help me out. They eventually left, but then I had another guest.

A familiar brown-haired man came.

"Mister Colt!? What are you doing here?"

My boss had a wavering tired smile, but he tried to look optimistic. "I came up with a policy to visit any kid of any of my employee's in case they get reaped for the Hunger Games or in your case, my direct employee," he looked at me sternly. "What were you thinking Daisy?"

"I did the right thing. That's what," I said stubbornly.

"Daisy, I don't mean to come out like a..."

"Meanie face," I put in, knowing he'd curse. I think it's Paprika and her influence on that.

"Yeah that. You know, you're going to have to kill to survive, right? It's going to pretty."

I shook my head in disagreement. "I'm not going to kill anyone."

"Then chances are. You're not going to win," Colt said sadly.

"I can," I stated. "Claudio did. He didn't kill, and he won the Hunger Games."

I refuse to kill. I don't want to! It's wrong to do so, just like it's wrong to have the games in the first place! I know I had to fight or hurt someone, but I don't want to do that. I can't live with myself if I do. If some guy from Four made it, I can too.

"Claudio got lucky," Colt commented, winced with sadness. "I'm sorry Daisy. Many in CCF will be saddened when you go," he looked like he didn't know how else to say it. "You brighten up a lot of people. Wish we had more Daisy's in Panem. We'd probably be half-way to World Peace if there was."

He did look extremely saddened and uncomfortable by this. I decided something. "Just keep being good. Or try to be good, that's what I think. Mister Colt, can you do that? Keep being good. For everyone."

Colt nodded as if he was making a promise. "I'll try my best."

That's all it takes: to try. I'll try to win. I'll also try not to hurt anyone, okay.

I'll help anyone because that's the type of person I am. Even in the Hunger Games.

Kalvin Kanstine - District Nine Male

"Kalvin. Are you sure we should be doing this?" my younger brother Max asked.

"Yeah, I am. Trust me, Max," I said with a disarming and mischievous smile. "I mean, when have I ever let us down?"

Max had a thoughtful expression, then shook his head. "Never, I guess?"

"That's right. Now, pass the brown dye bro."

I am a prankster, dam proud of it too. Never got caught, I learned from a very young age that people like money, and stealing money is an easy chore for me. That's what I am, a thief and a prankster. Not like I'd do actual work. I mean, I can do better than all those other poor bastards working in those endless fields of wheat.

Now, today's prank is to fool everyone in the CCD and get some free grub. I don't want to get Max and me in trouble, so we decided to disguise me, get as of those delicious sandwiches they have, and feel proud of me hoodwinking them.

Dressed in a dirty brown shirt, work pants, and even made my hair brown. Making me as plain as possible was the plan, I even had to change my blonde hair to brown. One of my best schemes yet, if not enjoyable.

"I'm going now," I addressed to Max. He had chubby cheeks, blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and well, he still has some baby fat on him, but he'll be a looker like me when he grows up. "Don't get in trouble while I'm gone."

"Ha. Don't worry about it," Max said. His smile didn't reach his eyes, which now that I think about it, he's been a little down recently. Great, does this I have to ask him later about his problems? Ugh, that sound's emotionally exhausting.

When I got to the CCD building, I got in line, pretending to miserable like the rest of these losers. I went to the first line, where at the end of the line, there was this smoking hot redhead chick named Andrea, and of course, all those sandwiches. Those delicious ham sandwiches are mine now.

Then, I turned back where waited to ten minutes. Stashing the sandwiches to my hidden pockets, I progressed to the next line. I think I see a twelve-year-old at the end of it. I recognize her. She's semi-famous, all I hear is that she's the closest thing this district has to a literal angel, which I think people exaggerate.

"I hope you do well in the future sir," the poster-girl of this charity organization said with a cheery smile. She was short, a head smaller than me, and wore her hay-colored hair in pigtail styles. I think her name is Dais- Petunia? Primrose? Some kind of flower. At least she's not named after a bread.

Once she gave me a can of free soup, I gave her a little smile of my own. "You as well."

It took a moment for her to realize I was in Andrea's line. Now, it's my turn to leave.

"Wait a second. Didn't you already have your lunch?!"

I was already on my way the hell out. Good thing there's no peacekeeper's here.

"You'll never catch me alive!" I couldn't help but say that.

Maybe I should feel bad? Nah. I got free food! I successfully pulled my prank! I'm the best, I smirked with no small amount of pride. I got away from farmwork the moment I heard of it, for at least all of my life. I never got caught, maybe it's luck, but who gives a dam, I won once more!

I saw my brother, sitting on a bench, and playing the stolen old fashioned small handheld gaming device. I sat next to him.

"You got those sandwiches?" Max asked curiously. I took the zip-locked sandwich out of my pocket, showed it off while grinning like punk and throwing it to him. Max caught it just in time and checked it. "Umm, ham."

"Your welcome, little bro," I said. Someone has to take care of the only family I have left.

Max and me, both of us are orphans. We never knew our parents, only that both of us were brothers and left in an orphanage. A shitty orphanage with shitty food, and when both of us were forced by the matron to harvest the crops for the factories... and I did not do that. I'm a little lazy, and I like to avoid much work as possible. Hate getting my hands dirty.

So, I made a decision. We don't work, me and Max, and avoid it. We steal, we prank because it's fun, and we don't get caught. It's fun when you're as smart as me, and Max has been my accomplice since forever. My little shadow, I taught the happy little guy everything I know.

Or at least Max should be happy. I view my brother from my side, seeing a thoughtfully sad look on his face.

I groaned. "Okay, what's wrong?"

Max looked away from his sandwich and turned to me. "Nothing."

"Come on Max. You're obviously down about something, talk to me, bro."

"It's about the factory," he croaked.

Oh yeah. I laughed. "Yeah, that was a fun prank."

"You burned it down!" Max exclaimed with uncharacteristic sudden anger.

I flinched at the outburst and waved my hand. "Sheesh bro, tone it down. And since when was it a problem? You were there with me, in case you forgot."

"We went too far. You went too far on some 'prank' Kalvin. People lost jobs because of us," Max explained mournfully.

I rolled my eyes. "And? What does that matter to us? It's not like those farmers would ever lift a finger to help us. Stop being so dramatic."

"And stealing from the CCD? Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure we could have gotten the food for free."

"Maybe? But, we got extra rations that'll last us longer. Stop being such a sourpuss. It's pissing me off," I told him. "Stick with being that cheery little shadow we all love." He didn't like that. I sighed. "Fine, I promise not to do something like that again. Better."

He nodded. "Yeah. It is," he then smiled like he alway's does. "Wanna egg the mayor's house?"

Oh, I agreed readily to that. We both laughed when we did. What a waste of egg's now that I think about it.

The mayor, when I saw him on the platform, looked suspiciously at every kid in front of him, and next to him was Paprika Riverbreath. She's hot, you know, in a tomboy kind of way.

"Alright girls and ladies! The lucky one here is a Lana Sanchi!" the weirdly dressed escort Volora cried out the girl's name.

Once I got a closer look at the girl, I noticed she was blind. Yeah, she's not going to survive.

"I volunteer for tribute!" One small familiar girl ran forward. It was that poster girl, and I noticed that a lot of other's are looking downcast and saddened by the pigtailed child.

Volora gave the microphone to the small one. "Alright! A girl with a heart of gold! What's your name, cutie pie?!"

"Daisy Grove, mam," she answered nicely.

Volora, the Elvis looking lady, chuckled at that. "Give it up to Daisy Grove everyone!"

For once in my life, I saw other's cheering for a tribute during the Reaping. Guess she's popular.

Volora walked to the left of the stage, where the bowl full of the boy's names is. "Now the boys! Ahem! Max Kanstine!"

Oh, you have got to be- I looked at my little brother next to me. Max, the only family I had left, the brother I took care of since we were both reaching maturity at childhood. Huh, he's going to the Games. He's going to claim glory. He's going to be more famous than me. I can't allow that to happen.

"I volunteer to take my brother's place in the Hunger Games!" I called out. I put on smirk on my face. Hey, if a thirteen-year-old could look confident, so can I. When I passed Max, he looked more shell-shocked than he already was, and... hurt?

The Elvis looking lady asked with a smirk. "Your name, sweetcheeks?"

I smirked back. "Kalvin Kanstine."

"Neat," she said happily to me. She turned to the crowd. "You hear that District Nine! Two volunteers! Give it up to our brother and sister: Daisy Grove and Kalvin Kanstine!"

Huh, it came to a deep surprise to me that more cheered for us. I felt nice. I waved at the crowd.

It didn't take very long until I was brought to the Justice Building. Of course, there's only one person who'd come to visit me.

That would be my tear-streaming little brother. He's crying a lot.

And he kept on crying.

"Max. You think you can stop now," I demanded. "It's getting annoying."

"Y-y-you're, this is so-," Max spasmed through his words. "I h-hate this. This i-isn't f-f-fair!"

"Yeah," I agreed numbly. "Look Max we don't have a lot of time left. So, I don't know. You got anything to say."

"I do. I do," my little brother calmed himself, getting some wet water out of his cheeks. "What's wrong with you? You didn't have to volunteer."

"Of course I did, I'm the older brother here," I pointed at myself, then at Max. "You get yourself ready. I'll be gone for a while. So take care of yourself the best you can."

"Yeah," Max muttered, looking like the only fully realized everything now. "It's all my fault, isn't it?"

What did I hear him say? Is he? No, he shouldn't.

I opened my mouth, but the peacekeepers came by. "This meeting's time is over. He has to leave."

"What? Now!?" I screamed out loud. Only now having wet liquid out of my eyes.

The peacekeeper's had Max by the shoulder. They were taking him away from me.

"It's not your fault Max! It's not your fault!" I said as loud as possible. That was all I could've said before the peacekeeper's closed the door.

I'm alone now, aren't I?

Well, I better make some friends. Yeah, that's a good plan. Then, I backstab them. That's a good plan. I blinked. Man, I accepted that easily, maybe I do have a problem.

A/N: It's been a month since I uploaded! Wish I could've done so sooner. To District Nine! To the angel Daisy Grave and the trickster Kalvin Kanstine! My moa, and DrOcten(were ever he/she is). So yeah, 2k views. Not bad at all. And thank you for the past reviewers LiveFreeOrDie, District5Ravenclaw, and everyone else. Hopefully, I'll see a review from you guys.