Tatiana Emery 15 2 months before reaping's
"Alright, let's go superstar," I smile with a sarcastic twinkle in my voice, raising my hands up in a defensive stance.
My roommate and best friend Affinity brushes her curly blond hair out of her face and straps her gloves to her hands. I follow her lead. The gloves are small and still allow your fingers to move and grip things so they only really provide padding for your knuckles. To train with heavier gloves for the games would definitely be unrealistic.
We take our fighting stance again, left foot forward to start and begin trading punches. Only lightly at first. I easily swat her first few strikes out the way and land a quick jab to her cheek. After this her eyes switch on her competitive side and her punches begin to become a lot heavier. As I am watching her eyes follow my every move my mind drifts to the hunger games, I have to tell her I'm volunteering right? She's my best friend and deserves to know. It's bad enough that I keep that big secret from her. As I have lost focus I eat a body shot to the ribs but I inhale and prepare to spill the beans. I'm pretty good at keeping secrets but she's my best friend and she has to know now. Yes, it's time.
"Affinity, there's something you need to know," I say, ducking under a left hook.
"Go on." she mumbles, her eyes still glued to where my fists are going.
"I've decided to volunteer this year," I spit out.
Her blue eyes shoot up to mine like a cat on a mouse. I can tell she is in shock but she doesn't respond, only swinging wildly with a heavy right cross. However, because I can see this coming a mile off I shift my body backwards and duck low while ankle picking her which trips her up! When her back collides with the matts the intensity picks up like a spark igniting dynamite. I throw myself on top of her, trying to ground and pound however she is able to flip me over with her legs and ends up putting me in an arm bar, where her legs and body are pinning my body down while she is hyper extending my arm! I can tell she is slightly annoyed at me, I'm her only real friend here and losing me would destroy her. I am almost about to tap out but I'm not about to give up now… not ever! I manage to maintain a grip on my hand, preventing my arm from getting hyperextended, then I shift my body round and launch myself back up so that now I'm the one on top! I'm about to continue our fight until the voice of our angry trainer Cassian, halts us.
"Stop!" He yells in his normal bear-like aggression, he is tall, blond and muscular and runs this place like a Peacekeeper training camp.
I reluctantly cease my fighting with Affinity but she continues almost glaring at me, she never talks much but she doesn't need to, her eyes say everything I need to know. I always hate being told what to do especially by my trainer but I contain myself for now and follow his orders.
Our trainer is shifting through our theory work we did for him.
"Corina! Get over here!" He orders in anger, his face red as a tomato.
The small eleven-year-old slips through the group of trainees looking very sheepish. He pulls out a sheet with her homework.
"It was my idea!" I exclaim, standing out from the crowd.
Cassian turns to me, his eyes filled with rage.
"She was struggling... so I helped her get her homework done on time," I rub the back of my neck, expecting the worst.
He is about to yell until Affinity stands out next to me.
"And it was my idea!" She yells.
Everyone turns to her confused.
"I mean Tatiana's idea was my idea… I was behind it all… sort of thing" She looks over at me, wide-eyed.
"Ok, is there anyone else that wants to admit their part in this?" He asks the group.
Silence fills the room.
"I don't trust a single one of you maggots anymore so all of you have detention!" He throws the papers across the room in frustration!
"But…" I begin, letting my confusion show.
"What!?" Cassian snaps at me.
"But we live here?" I say.
"Then it's ten extra laps around the field outside now!" He shouts.
I can hear the moans and groans at me and Affinity from my academy mates except Corina who only smiles at me. I hate following orders from people but for now I have to play the part however I feel my fists clench as I'm struggling to contain my anger.
We finish the ten laps around the field just as the sun dips below the district, casting a milky shadow over the buildings. Now inside, we are panting and sweating and so most of us decide to take a shower. After I am done I get dressed in my casual clothes and slip out towards the back exit just past some narrow stairs, however I almost jump out of my skin when Affinity catches me in front of the staircase.
"Hey! We need to talk…" She says softly.
"Huh!?" I exclaim, grabbing my heart in surprise.
"About you volunteering…" She smiles.
My heart rate sinks again and I relax.
"Oh… of course…" I say, knowing what's coming next.
"Look if you really want to do this then I'm going to be behind you every step of the way… you know that right?" She says.
I nod happily.
"Good, by the way we're all going out for drinks and I think all the first rounds are on us, you know for making everyone do ten extra laps," she tells me.
"I think I'm a bit young for that…" I laugh.
"Come on… if you're planning on volunteering it will be a good moment to announce it to everyone!" Affinity says.
"I would love to but I've got some family errands to run," I explain.
She shakes her head in disappointment.
"As usual," she groans.
"Yep! I'm a busy bee!" I smile at her and she returns the smile.
"You know… you never tell me about your mysterious "family errands". I know that's up to you but I am your best friend after all…" She tilts her head, hoping for an explanation.
I don't give her one, only looking quietly inwards.
"Ok fine but next time you're coming, no excuses." She sighs, disappointed but she lets it go.
I take a deep breath. I thought my cover was almost blown there. She needs me at these social events, otherwise she barely talks to anyone so I feel kind of bad…
I head down the stairs and out the small. metal back door into the dark alleyway on the streets, making sure to avoid my loud friends.
After I glance behind me one last time to make sure no one is following, I turn right down a much narrower ally. There is a homeless man slumped against the wall, his face is hidden behind a head of dirty, long curly hair and a brown hat.
"Ash," I mutter, reaching into my pocket and pulling out my signature silver coin.
He inspects it before tapping on the door next to him, two people appear from the building beside me. A man and a woman. A black cloth is quickly placed over my head and I am transported to an undisclosed location...
When the cloth is finally whipped off my head I find myself sitting at a table in an abandoned warehouse.
"Phew! It's hard to breathe in those things," I complain.
I am met with the sight of Saskia, the leader of our rebel group, leaning across the table. Her medium brown skin and long, wavy auburn hair illuminated by the dim light in the warehouse. I always look forward to the moment I see her, like my breath is taken away. I can feel a buzz in my heart every time I lay eyes on her and she's the only person that I get nervous speaking to. It's not just because she's our leader, it goes deeper than that. My parents stand on either side of her, my dad with his 6'3 frame and his arms crossed and my mum smiling.
"Was this really necessary?" I ask, referring to the black cloth.
"I'm sorry sweetie but we can't be too careful. Many rebel groups have fallen in the past for carelessness," my mum says.
I pick myself up off the chair and give my parents a long warm hug.
"We're so proud of you and you're far more brave and committed to the cause than either of us," Dad says.
These words mean a lot, considering they have both been rebels almost their entire lives. The cause means everything to them, especially my mum whose parents were gunned down for being a part of it.
Saskia clears her throat from behind, she is perched on the table watching us. The young 22-year-old rebel leader is getting straight to business as always.
"This is all great but we have a lot to discuss and not long to discuss it, especially regarding you Tatiana," her green eyes move to me, there is a lot of expectation in them.
She is counting on me. They all are.
"Everyone! We don't have much time," she announces.
The rest of the rebels gather around us.
"Finally, with Tatiana in the hunger games we'll have the chance to broadcast our cause to the other districts! Our rebellion will grow nationwide!"
I can feel the pressure weighing down on my shoulders like a mountain, everything comes down to me here and now! It terrifies me but excites me at the same time! I am going to change the world for the better! History will remember me and it's going to happen now!
"If you're not ready for this sweetie, we could do this in a couple of years maybe…"
"No mum! I'm going to do this here and now!" I cut her off.
I look at Saskia, hoping to have impressed her.
"If not now? Then when? It's time to finally end this oppressive regime," my words echo that of Saskia's.
"Well Mrs. Emery, your daughter seems more committed to the cause than even you," Saskia laughs.
She turns to me with a far more serious expression.
"But you have to understand, if you do this the chances of you making it out alive are very low."
"Yes...We all must give sacrifice for the cause," I state, trying to keep my voice emotionless.
This is met with silence in the room. Saskia looks pleased but I can't bear to look at my parents, they are devoted to the cause and this was their plan after all but their parental instincts have to be splitting their minds in two!
A woman steps forward from the group and speaks out.
"This is all so wonderful but isn't there the practical problem that there are still two other girls that are before you to volunteer?"
"I have that covered," I smirk confidently.
"What if the two girls… meet with a little accident preventing them from volunteering?" I say.
"Woah! That would be lucky, imagine that," a man calls out.
I sigh and roll my eyes.
"What I mean is what if they met with a little accident on a staircase in the 6th grade weapons training room…"
"Damn, what are the chances," the man says.
I just shake my head in annoyance…
None of my friends know about my rebel group. I want to tell Affinity, I really do but she will just brand me as a traitor and report me, I know it. Her mind is far too deep into the capitol brainwashing at the moment. Hopefully, one day she will join the cause, I know I can inspire her, I can inspire everyone! It's what I do best! Convincing people of my point of view just like that time I convinced my trainer to increase my grade and even my parents that I didn't need a bedtime. Sure, convincing the entire nation of our cause will be a slightly harder challenge but I'm up for it!
Franz Kubo, 18 5 years ago
The bell dismisses us from our final class and I make sure I'm the first one out the door. I find it unnecessary to be locked in that building for any longer than required. Some people require books and teachers to learn something, but I don't find that to be true for me.
The walk is long and the heat is strong today, so I'm thankful when I reach the long alley that leads from the market near the school to my house. I'm only a few yards deep when I realize something is wrong.
I glance behind my shoulder and see the first guy walking behind me. Although he's looking down, his hands are tucked in his jacket pockets and he's striding fast towards me. I look back in front of me and my heart nearly jumps out of my chest when I see the second guy. He's coming straight at me.
In a panic, I'm unsure what to do. I freeze in place and the knife is raised to my neck before I know it.
"Don't scream." The man behind me whispers in my ear while the one in front of me makes sure I can't get past. He grabs the handle of my backpack and yanks it off my shoulders.
"Good boy." The man in front of me forms an evil smirk on his face. I don't dare to move or speak. Once he gets the bag off, I send a quick prayer to whatever entity is watching over me that they leave me now.
"Let's get out of here." The guy behind me says. The one in front of me doesn't move.
"Aw, but I was just starting to have some fun." He gently presses the knife into my skin. I can feel the pressure as he gently pushes down.
"Hey!" I see the Peacekeeper running down the alley and the two muggers sprint away, but not before the knife gets caught in my shoulder. I feel the warmth of my blood seep down my back as I fall to my knees, watching the Peacekeeper run towards me.
"Are you okay, kid?" These are the last words I hear before I close my eyes and let myself fade to black.
Day of the reaping
I'm sitting deep beyond the edge of District 2's suburbs, leaning my back against the large rock that both provides me support and hides me from any wandering eyes, if any were to be this far out. My notebook sits rested on my lap, filled with various observations and research. Today's topic: a bluebird.
The birds fly over my head, hopping from the trees to the wired fence that keeps predators out of the district. One of them will leave for minutes at a time, then return to the tree. I lean a little closer and notice the nest built in the branches of the tree. Tiny beaks reach for the food their father brought them. I write it all down.
Once I'm sufficed with my notes, I pack it up and head back into town. I could spend all day out here, in fact it wouldn't be the first time. But today is the day I have to volunteer for the Hunger Games.
Although I started training way later in my life, I was determined to learn how to protect myself. After being mugged in broad daylight, and the embarrassment that was felt by all of us, I knew I couldn't let that happen to me again. Although I was only left with a minor scar, the emotional damage was much worse so after this dark memory where my life was a split second away from being snatched, I began teaching myself the basics of self defense. My father noticed this, and it was one of the few times in my life he was truly proud of me. So after my mother came into a bunch of wealth (that my father and I are unsure how she earned), I enrolled into the academy. Shortly after, I dropped out of my schooling to focus on my training. And once I realized my dad expected me to earn the spot of chosen volunteer, I had to make it happen. So I wasn't surprised when the academy announced me as the chosen tribute, nor was I too surprised when they announced Tatiana as my partner. Although she wasn't their first, or even second choice, she will do.
Hesitantly, I approach the front door to my "home" and slowly open it. Even though we've lived here for a little over four years, I don't consider it home. Besides, it seems to reinforce the idea that our wealth isn't legitimate.
"Franz?" My father yells from the other room.
"It's me." I quickly tuck my notebook under my jacket. If he knows I spent my morning away from my training, I know he would be incredibly disappointed in me. Other days I could get away with a mild disappointment, but today of all days, he wouldn't be happy.
"Don't forget what you've been training for. Don't embarrass yourself." He tells me. I nod, but don't reply. What can you say to that? I've been doing nothing but preparing for this moment. Maybe once he sees me up on that stage, maybe then he'll be proud of me. Of what I accomplished.
I turn to go upstairs and I make it halfway up the staircase before he says my name again.
"Once you win, I want you to meet my friend's daughter. Her name is Stella." I nod, knowing there's no reason to refuse. Yet another thing I've disappointed my father on, my lack of interest in...well, any romantic partner. But his request is a future problem. One I can ignore until I return home.
I quickly get dressed for the reapings, putting on a simple tunic and dark pants with my favorite leather boots, taking a second to analyze myself in the mirror. My hair, once black, has been shaved off. Although I stand tall, I'm slimmer than most of my training peers. Despite this, people have learned not to underestimate me.
Once I'm done in the bathroom, I rush out of the house and head towards the square. The footsteps in the house tell me my parents are still home, which I'm thankful for. I can avoid any unnecessary interactions with them until our goodbyes.
I sign in with the Peacekeepers before crowding in with other 18-year-olds. Most of them leave extra space between themselves and me. Some do so because they know I'm volunteering. Others find me intimidating, or just strange. Either way, I like it better this way.
Our escort, a rather obnoxious woman named Rodriga, bounces onto stage, her curly blue hair falling in her face. As she begins her annual speech about how grateful she is to be assigned our district and she looks forward to bringing home another victor, I can't help but roll my eyes. I don't intend to humor her much throughout this experience.
She quickly moves onto the video of our history, which I tune out. I find my eyes wandering around the crowd, looking between the children surrounding me and those observing from behind the rope.
"Without further ado, let's see who will represent District 2 for the 95th Hunger Games!" She hops over to the bowl filled with the names of all the females ages 12-18. Not like those names have any effect on who will end up on that stage.
"Jamie Ajax!" Jamie doesn't have a chance to move before Tatiana volunteers. She hops on stage, smiling out at the audience, but I see the mischievous intentions in her eyes. She's coming into this with a plan. The question is: what?
Rodriga congratulates Tatiana and moves over to the boys bowl. I don't wait for her to pull a name.
"I volunteer." I say quietly but sternly. I walk onto the stage without a smile, without a hint of emotion, knowing my first impression will be strong.
"Welcome! What's your name?" Rodriga asks.
"Franz Kubo." I respond.
"Let's give a round of applause to Tatiana and Franz! Shake hands, you two." The audience does as she asks and I turn to shake Tatiana's hand. She makes eye contact with me, seemingly trying to figure me out, like everyone else at the academy but now I guess is a good time to start. I don't know her very well, . I wish her luck.
The Games are only just beginning.
Thank you to Lilah32 for Franz and evilpencilbox for Tatiana! We'll be accepting our next round of tributes soon so make sure to keep an eye out for that. Thank you for reading and supporting us! Franz was mostly written by Team Shadow and Tatiana was mostly write by Nautics. Hope we wrote your characters how you imagined!