Chapter 5

I am going to be making these reaping chapters shorter and including 2-4 districts in each chapter so that we can get to the Games a bit quicker. Some of the tributes slots are not filled, so when that happens I will just make up a short character and the main focus will be on the submitted ones. Thank you for your patience.

District 9

These great tributes are by Semperfi91 (Nyka) and DariDark (Eden)

Nyka Halliwell - 17

I brushed my long, dark curls out of my face and fanned myself. I had spent all day outside again harvesting grain because I dropped out of school years ago to raise money for Dad. He developed a disease in his spinal cord and he needs medication, but since Mom died giving birth to Mason, my brother, we have had little money and proper care. I want the best for Mason, so I spend all day in the fields.

I looked at the small tattoo of a lily on my tanned wrist. I remember having a local artist do it for me in exchange for grain soon after Mom died. That was her name. Lily. I miss her so much.

Today's the day of the reaping, and I need to get ready. I am quite worried, as I have many slips with my name on them in the glass bowl, as I have taken tesserae each year to support my family. I only hope I don't get reaped. However, the odds are rarely in my favor.

Eden Rhine - 17

"That's right, go away!" The group of bullies called after me, jeering and laughing as I stumbled away. They were making fun of me for not speaking. Like it was my decision. I shuddered as I recalled that one night when my father cornered me in the bathroom and pressed the cold, hard razor to my neck. The dull blade stressing on my vocal cords. My screaming cut off by his hand as I was pinned to the wall.

"Are you okay?" I heard Trinity's soft voice and felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I nodded and gestured back toward the bullies. She looked at me, empathetic. "It'll be okay." She said to me, then began to guide me to the reaping square. Time to get ready.

Nyka Halliwell

As everyone began to file in for the reaping, I sought out Dylan. He was the only person I trusted to take care of my family if I was unable to.

"Dylan," I murmured to him. He looked up at me, surprised.

"Yeah?" He said.

"I just need you to know, I might get reaped. I've been taking tesserae since I was twelve, and there has been a steadily increasing chance I will need to go. Just in case, I need you to know that I'm trusting you to care for my family. Mason needs someone still, and my dad needs help. Please, please care for them. They need you to. I need you too." I took a breath. "Please." Dylan looked at me, surprised.

"Okay. I promise, but are you sure you are going to be reaped? I mean…" He trailed off. "I promise." He said after looking at my face.

"Hello everyone!" The escort called. "Let's go! So, years and years ago, during the Dark Days," She gestured behind her at the presentation.

"Just hurry up," I murmured. Finally, the same presentation that was done every year was finished. Time for the actual reaping.

"The wonderful lady that is going into this year's games is…" She paused dramatically. "Nyka Halliwell."

No, no, no. I was right. I was reaped, and now Dylan would have to care for Mason and Dad… oh, no.

Eden Rhine

The girl was reaped, and I was waiting for her to pull the name out of the male bowl. She reached a ring-covered hand into the bowl and pulled a slip out.

"And the male tribute is… Eden Rhine!"

I froze and stepped back into Trinity. She squeezed my hand tightly, then let go. "Go." She said. "I believe in you." I slowly walked up the stage, then stared into the audience of District 9.

"Well, here we have our tributes," The escort smiled. "Nyka Halliwell and Eden Rhine!"

These next two tributes are by Toasted-Bagel-With-Nutella. Thank you!

District 2

Valerie Mason - 18

I smiled as I heard the satisfying thwack as the knife hits the training dummy. I dropped down and kicked it, then swung around behind it and brought my knife in front of its neck and sliced all in one fluid motion. Dead. I placed my knife back on the rack and ran over to the trainer.

"I finished," I announced. The trainer raised his eyebrows at me.

"Already?" He asked. I nodded. "Okay, are you ready to spar with me?" I smirked at him.

"I'm always ready," I shrugged. "Bring it on." I know I was sounding cocky, but this specific trainer I, well, really like. Nolan. He is also 18, but he is good with weapons too. Perhaps not as good as me, but still quite talented. Nolan grabs his large sword, wooden of course, we don't want people getting hurt, but it is still a massive sword. I, in turn, grab my two small knives.

"Ready?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"Ready." He said, then swung. I dodged easily and dropped and rolled behind him. He turned around, sword raised, but I wasn't there anymore. I was behind him again, and I made a swipe with my knife. Although it doesn't hurt much, the wooden point still does some damage. He would have some cuts at the end of this. Nolan pushed the hilt of the sword at me, and it hit me in the shoulder.

"Ow!" I muttered through clenched teeth. He smiled, then attacked again. This time, I was more prepared. I ducked to the side of the great weapon and drove the wooden point into his right hand. He dropped the sword and cursed.

"Who's hurting now?" I asked, picking up his sword and stepping back, allowing him to get up.

"You win, Valerie. Again." He looked away. I pulled my long, dark hair out of a ponytail and walked away.

"Come on. We need to go to the reaping." I called over my shoulder.

Nolan Calenver

I smiled at Valerie as she walked out of the training center. She is so pretty, with her dark hair, beautiful green eyes, and fair skin, everything about her is perfect. She also somehow managed to defeat me multiple times while sparring. She is the only one who can do that.

"Hey!" I heard from behind me. "You aren't staring at Valerie again, are you? She clearly doesn't like you."

"Oh, be quiet." I shushed them. Fairti was walking toward me, shaking their head.

"Oh, be quiet." They said mockingly. Fairti clapped me on the shoulder. "I'm right, you know." I pushed their hand off my shoulder and smiled.

"Hey, man," I said, and we both nodded.

"Alright, you ready to go to the reaping?" Fairti said.

"Yeah, let's go."

Valerie Mason

The escort was standing on the stage, wearing a plain black suit for once. I have rarely seen him in something so simple, so un-Capital. He was preparing to pull the slips, and I was standing still, waiting for him to pull the name.

"And the female tribute is… A-"

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!" I yelled as loud as I could, then ran up to the stage.

"Well," The escort said. "And what is your name?"

"I am Valerie Mason," I said, clipped.

"Well, Valerie, I am impressed with your enthusiasm." He turned back to the bowls. I spotted my family in the distance, Cob, Jaune, and Odious standing together, with my two moms holding hands. None of them were crying out for me. I'm not surprised. I need to prove to them that I can do this, because I know I can. I'm ready.

Nolan Calenver

Valerie volunteered? To be honest, I can't say I'm surprised. She is probably the most capable person I've ever met, and she will win. And if she doesn't… I will. The escort reached into the bowl and pulled out a small slip.

"And the male tribute is Marcus Sylver!"

"I volunteer as tribute!" I called, with less force than Valerie, but respectable nonetheless. As I reached the stage, the escort was getting very excited.

"Well, another volunteer. And your name is…?"

"Nolan Calenver," I said.

"Alright then, we have our two tributes, Valerie Mason and Nolan Calenver!"

The next chapter will be a few more reapings, but here is the current tribute list. I am no longer accepting submissions, unfortunately.

Tribute List for The Unfamiliar: The 248th Hunger Games:

D1M: Glint Coldwater - by Improving fanfiction

D1F: Non-POV

D2M: Nolan Calenver - by Toasted-Bagel-With-Nutella

D2F: Valerie Mason - by Toasted-Bagel-With-Nutella

D3M: Non-POV

D3F: Davina Chase - by n3b

D4M: Non-POV

D4F: Marlene "Marley" Crest - by Victoria the Bipolar Tribute

D5M: Kutsa Pazima - by Gomex

D5F: Raeden Raicho - by Gomex

D6M: Non-POV

D6F: Non-POV

D7M: Non-POV

D7F: Non-POV

D8M: Evren Bright - by n3b

D8F: Trillian Shean - by CrazinMonster

D9M: Eden Rhine - by DariDark

D9F: Nyka Halliwell - by Semperfi91

D10M: Max Print - by wiifan2002

D10F: Jennifer Harp - by wiifan2002

D11M: Non-POV

D11F: Non-POV

D12M: Reserved for SakuraDragomir

D12F: Reserved for SakuraDragomir