Chapter 10: Twins

District Ten Reaping

Doe Maryn Adler - District Ten Female

"Twins: Two unique souls united by birth."

-Unknown Author.

I hope Buck is alright. Only I know he isn't, deep down.

Dad doesn't have to do what he does to my brother. He doesn't. It's cruel. It's unnecessary.

Shaking my head, I looked out of the window. Seeing the large tract of land that contains barns and animals, all of that belongs to my father. Some would be jealous that I got born with such wealth(at least, in this district's standards), but I would give it away, being born with money, as long as Buck is free from father puts him through.

It's not fair. It wasn't Buck's fault, I thought sorrowfully. It was never his fault dad.

My father, Thomas Adler, an upper-class rancher, his blonde beard and sharp brown eyes were prestained as his cowboy boss getup that's popular for the affluent in the district, walked on in the large house we lived in as if nothing happened. I was staring at my father, his eyes hard and hateful. Father turned his head my way, noticing me, instantly wiping out that look, giving a wide reassuring smile that I couldn't help but flinch.

"Princess! How was school today?" Father asked me once he got close. "You did well in class, didn't you?"

I nodded, frowning. "I did." I eyed my father carefully, wanting to say something that's not about me. "Buck did well, too?"

Father needed to remember that I'm not the only child he has that goes to the Academy. My twin, Buck goes their too. It took a lot of convincing and patience in my part to persuade dad for Buck to join the school with me. He didn't like, no, he never likes it when Buck is a topic of the conversation.

Dad breathed angrily in and then out, trying to stay cool in front of me, his sweet darling princess. "Doe. What did I say about bringing up that monster?"

"He's doing better in his classes, trying to prove that he's worth your money," I said to him. I hate talking like this. It's not fair how Buck is, but dad can't seem to understand. "He should be rewarded. You know. For good behavior."

"You are far too kind, princess," dad remarked with his tone a scolding one. "That thing doesn't even deserve it. You know what he to your mother. He can not have any kindness."

That thing is your son, my twin brother. I wanted to say that, but it won't have any effect on dad. If I couldn't convince him to change his ways all those years ago, how can I know? It's not even Buck's fault! Well, it is, but it's also mine. We were both in the same womb, and dad blame's mom's death on Buck since he was born later than me, but I had a part in it too. Mom couldn't handle giving birth to two children, me being one of them.

Buck doesn't deserve to suffer for being born after me.

Dad saw the plate filled with on the table. "Why didn't you finish your dinner? You know the chef work's hard on it."

I hate this feeling more, the guilt, knowing that dad's spoiling me. That I get everything, and Buck gets nothing. Not fair.

How can I eat when you're hurting my twin, dad?

"Sir, we have a problem!" a farmhand came out the door. He was a dirt-covered person, like most in this district, and I can't say I remember him particularly. "Some bunch of thieves stole a couple the horse's ser! And a few of the other animals got loss!"

"Dam it," dad muttered, he looked me in the eyes. "Eat some dinner princess. Papa has some stragglers to deal with."

With that, he left, taking care of his merchandise. For all his cruelty to Buck, he does care about me. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing.

Now's not the time for dad. I walked to the table, seeing the expensive looking dish filled with mashed potatoes, green beans, a lot of salad. I picked that up, then moved to the fridge, where there's a large bag of ice and picked that up as well. It's not that heavy, thankfully. There's only so much a small girl like me can carry.

As soon as I got the item's I needed, I headed to the barn that's near my house. It's were all Buck rest's, also where dad keeps his prized horses. Those horses are more of a concern for dad sadly.

A clanky cowbell noise was ringing loudly from inside the barn.

I know that sound. It's my brother's funny way of calling me.

The door's of the barn house opened up once pulled it, and then I saw my brother.

My bleeding brother. On the other side of the barn, leaning on the wall, and despite all those bruises on him. He's breathing hard, his lips are busted, and he has small patches of blood on his shoulders. That doesn't look good at all.

It's not fair. No, it's not. Life is like this. We have to be used to it. I have to be used to dad hurting my brother. I will never like getting used to it, but this is how it is always is.

Buck gets hurt.

And I take care of the aftermath.

He smiled once he saw me.

"Good morning Doe," Buck greeted, then turned to hide a cough. Hiding it to make me worry less isn't working. It's making me worry more. My twin noticed the food. "What do you got for me, sis?"

I see what he's doing. I walked up to my blond twin. It's weird, how he got most of dad's looks and I got mom's. Maybe that's why dad never hurts me. That mom's brown eyes and auburn mane she passed onto me remind him of the love of his life. Alway's wondered if dad would be nicer to Buck if he didn't have blue eyes and that wild blonde hair he has.

Walking closer to him, I put my hand on his head. He was far too warm again. "Buck, lay down," I told him.

"Can't I eat first?" he whined, an attempt at humor. Not that I don't appreciate it, but his health is more important.

"No," I put the dish of food down, and pushed the pack of ice next to Buck lightly. He was already looking relieved from the cold. "Now, let me look into you alright? No backtalk and no jokes. Not now."

Buck nodded, losing that false humor in his face.

I got a medical pack hidden under the hay nearby. A necessary precession, since the father tends to not be peaceful with Buck. Bandages, healing cream, and cotton balls. A box I packed just for Buck. For more than once.

Touching his arms, the first thing I noticed was that his right was bent slightly wrong. "Your arm is dislocated," I informed.

"Oh," his eyes went to the arm. "You know what to do."

"I learned medicine for a reason," I commented. "Stay still."

Once I positioned myself, I set the arm as it should be, and so a popping noise was heard.

Buck seethed in pain. "Fuck," he blurted.

I'd say watch your language, but I believe that cuss was warranted. Anyway, I needed to get the cotton balls and apply with the healing cream, making him wince every time it touched his bruises, but he doesn't complain or whine about it, he never does. He's tough. Buck has to be.

"You can eat now," I told him kindly. He deserves it, more than I do.

Buck licked his lips when he looked at the food there. Thought better of something, he turned to me. "What about you? Did you eat anything?"

"I'm fine," I reassured him. Dam it, he's not supposed to be worried about me, it's the other way around.

"You sure. You need a little meat in your muscles, you know. Doe, you're the closest thing to a stick person I know," Buck said concernedly, perhaps he's feeling the need to repay me, or he's getting extra worried because of the Reaping that's coming soon. I mean, sure, I'm not the most healthy, and Buck has much more muscles from all the work dad forces him to do, but I'm not that thin.

I huffed, crossing my arms. Thank you comedic but crappy sitcoms. "Eat your dinner young man, so one day you'll grow up and be a strong man. You need all the energy and protein you can have."

"Yes, mom," he said, rolling his eyes. He knows better than to argue with me.

Once he gave put some salad in his mouth, he's growing more appreciate. Eating without many manners, he gobbled the meat like a dog, but he saw my gaze and hesitantly used a fork and knife.

I looked at Buck in the eyes. "I've been learning about herbs at school. Also, a bit about hunting."

He knew what that meant. He swallowed whatever he had.

"So, we're finally leaving," Buck said hopefully. "We talked a lot about this, getting out of Thomas's farm," he refuses to say the word, dad, not that I blame him. "What are we even going to do when we get out of here?

Good question.

"Healing isn't the only thing I've been learning," I answered. "I thought that maybe I could be a vet's assistant, or perhaps a nurse. After that, I could be a doctor, you know," It's a dream of mine, and Buck knows it, but if I could be Buck, maybe I could help others too. "They seem like practical jobs."

"You'd make a great doctor," Buck complimented with a smile, which eventually turned strained. "I guess I'll be a work hand somewhere. Seem's to be the only thing I'm good for."

That isn't what I like hearing. "Buck, don't say that. You're smart in school, you can do better than what dad," he scowled at that, but for all of their progenitor's faults, he is a good dad to me, even Buck can't question that. "wanted you to do all your life. We can get some money and put you back to school."

"Where are we going to get the money?"

I shifted my eyes elsewhere. "Well, dad doesn't need all his money?"

"Oh, we're stealing from him," Buck said amusingly. "Nice."

"Not nice," I told him. "Stealing isn't a good thing. And I don't resort to it unless we absolutely need to."

"It's Thomas. He deserves more than a little theft on his part," he said angrily.

That's not how this conversation. Dad, dad's broken. He doesn't know what he's doing, and he's broken Buck too. My twin wouldn't harm me, he'd never do that, but that doesn't mean he won't harm others. Buck gets angered easily by others who pick on him, and he fights back hard. I'm not a mental health person, but I maybe I could help with both Thomas and Buck one day. It's a hopeful dream.

I stretched my arm and put it on his shoulder, the farther side. I put my back against the wall, and put my head on his shoulder. Both of us were watching the clouds out the barn door. "I know, Buck. I know, but you're better than that, right?"

Buck didn't say anything for a few seconds before he said, "Sure."

He hesitated. I noticed but didn't say anything. Buck is my brother. My twin. I'll be with every step of the way.

Buck Hyde Adler - District Ten Male

I know that Doe worries about me constantly. I hope she doesn't worry more she has too. I'm fine. Most of the time.

Who knows why Thomas act's the way he does? Some people are screwed up in the head, and it's not like I can't handle whatever that old bastard throws at me. So far, my life consists of work, Thomas beating me, and going to school where I either learn(because Doe asks me) or beat up other students(because they were making fun of Doe). It's simple. It's how I go about my day.

Usual shitty.

"Come on Bucky! We have to get to the Reaping quickly!" Doe said while pulled my hands, walking quickly.

She's the only thing that keeps it from my life being hell.

"No rush Doe, we'll make it," I promised, hoping that'll do something to calm her nerves.

Doe shook her head. "I heard a rumor from Mane that being the last mean's that the Capitol will notice us, and probably be likely to be reaped."

"That can't be true. It's all at random," I pointed out with a jealous tone. I don't particularly care for Doe's 'best friend' Mare. That ditzy girl is probably only hanging out with Doe out of pity, which disgusts me. I don't see Mane very much, but when we do meet at school, Mare looks at me with pity. Her concern means nothing if she can't stop Thomas, which she won't. It's not her problem.

"I don't want to risk it," Doe said not unkindly. "The Capitol is unpredictable, you know."

"I guess," I replied, unconvinced. She's not wrong, but what are the chances we're going to get reaped? One out of a billion, that's what.

Doe kept a tight hold of my hand and speed walked anyway. She's alway's so concerned over me, alway's so caring. She's perfect, and I'll make sure she's never harmed.

I also liked holding onto her, my twin is like a human ice pack. Usually, I'm overheated. Hell, this week I passed out heat exhaustion rather than dad, but it's alright. I have Doe to take care of me.

For the most part, I'm glad she was born first. I don't think she could've handled dad's treatment if she was in my place.

Can't wait to escape with her. Far away from my genitor Thomas.

The town hall was there when we got in. The peacekeepers checked our blood and told us to move to our respected spots. Nothing new.

Our mayor talked. A lot, and I yawned a lot too. Then he invited our dead-eyed escort. Didn't pay any attention to his name.

The black-haired, dead-eyed man walked to the girl's bowl.

"Doe Adler. Is there a Doe Adler somewhere?" the dull escort said without any emotion. As if he was completely dead inside.

Then I processed what just happened. Denial set in, but then I saw my shaken twin walk forward.

I need to throw up! I need to throw up! This can't be happening!

"Alright, let's move on to the boy's section. Everyone okay with that, Okay," the escort said blandly. How could he be so fucking stoic about this!?

There is only one possible idea that came to mind.

"I volunteer for tribute!"

What else was I going to do? I can't do anything without Doe.

My sister was paler than usual when she was me pushing other's out of the way, practically running to her. I ran and gave her a much-needed embrace.

"Wow. A volunteer," the annoying escort said, I'm not sure if that's sarcasm or that's just his voice anymore. "Yeppers. As a volunteer, you have to give out your name, young man?

I glared at him, no effect really, but I got the microphone on his hand and said my name. "Buck Adler!"

"There you have it, folks. Doe and Buck from District Ten. May the odds ever be in their favor. Okay, now go to work. Or torture, as President Chambers once said," the escort announced? Joked? Informed(that could work two ways)? Did he really just say that? The fuck is wrong with him?

Both of us were sent to the Justice Building.

I waited.

In hindsight, I should've expected no one other than Doe would come for me. But she can't visit.

"Hey, Buck," a feminine voice appeared out of nowhere. "Hey, I'm Mare. Not sure if you remember me? I'm Doe's friend from school."

"I do," I said awkwardly. What's she doing here? She ain't my friend.

She rubbed her hands nervously. "Yeah, I know we weren't close, but I figured you needed at least one visitor. Since your dad isn't-"

"Don't call him that!" I screamed at her, surprising her. Thomas has no right to be called that.

Mare bit her lips. "Right, sorry. Sorry," she apologized, a little confused. Good, she should be. "I talked to Doe. You know, she's still concerned over you. Even now. And you are as well."

"Siblings alway's look out of one another," I told her.

Mane nodded sadly. "Yeah, I told her that you'll be looking out for her. And you know what she said."

"I can imagine."

"Doe started crying and said: 'but what about my brother? Who's going to protect him?'. She's real sweet like that, isn't she?"

"Yeah, she is," I agreed.

Mane had an unexpected move against me, which was to hug me. It was a bit awkward. Nobody but Doe ever hugged me. "Protect Doe. Your the only one who can."

Not sure what to say. I guess I was wrong about her. Mare is a good friend.

"Of course I will."

The peacekeepers are calling her out.

"You know. Both you and Doe can come back. Double Victors have happened before. You can come out too," Mare said while heading out the door, leaving with that for me to think about.

Yeah, double victors happened before. Katniss and Peeta being the first, and those two siblings from the centennial quarter quell.

It's been a while, but it's possible. Doe and I could come back.

Whatever the case, I'm going to protect Doe. No matter what.

A/N: Wow. District Ten for the Twins! Doe and Buck Adler everybody! I know I'm kinda late now. So, expect it! Thank you curiousclove for these two wonderful dynamic characters. Seriously, they are going to spice things up!

Thank you for reading readers!