Brandon Colt - District 10 Male - Age 18
"Give me your finest cow or I'll kick you in the nuts," Brandon's foot was dangling over a farm boy while his boyfriend Cadence pinned him to the ground.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" The boy asked.
"Brandon Colt," He said, "Now give me a cow."
"They're to the left of you," The boy winced, "Take the one with a brown spot covering its eye."
"Thank you," Brandon said, "Cadence, let him go."
Cadence removed his hands from the boy and stood up next to his boyfriend, "That was easy."
"Going for the young ones usually is," Brandon started walking towards where the boy said the cow was, "They get scared of people like us."
"Gay people?" Cadence started walking along Brandon.
"No," Brandon sighed, "People with physical strength."
Brandon attached his leash to the cow and walked him back to his family's farm. The Colts were fairly poor so they typically relied on Brandon to get either farm animals or money through brute force and it worked for the most part. It was cruel but honest work.
"This is a nice fat one!" Brandon's mother exclaimed when he brought home his recently acquired cow, "Thanks so much Bran."
"No problem Mom," He laughed, "Cadence helped so this was an easy one."
Cadence had moved in with the Colts a few weeks ago after his parents found out he was dating another boy and kicked him out. Honestly, the two were shocked it took so long for his parents to realize they were dating because they weren't exactly subtle about it but it was fine because Brandon's parents couldn't give half a shit about somebody's sexuality as long as they were hard working. That was definitely an unpopular opinion in the Districts, but the boys were eternally grateful it was one she had.
"I'm so glad he lives with us now," Brandon's mom pinched Cadence's cheek, "He's so good for you, Brandon."
They'd been dating for just over a year now, after Brandon tried to steal a pig from Cadence's family but wound up not doing so because he was somewhat seduced by his hazel eyes and tall posture. He trusted Cadence immediately because the boy didn't mind his money making strategy and actually thought it was a stroke of genius, despite it truly being a dick move.
"I'm happy that you took me in so suddenly," Cadence said, "It means the world to me."
"Well, you mean the world to me," Brandon kissed Cadence's cheek.
"Why don't you boys go do something fun this afternoon," Brandon's mom said, "I know Saturday's are usually your fun days, but the reaping is tomorrow so I reckon you won't have time for that."
Brandon and Cadence's idea of a fun day was riding horses around the district until sunset when they would head home because it was fairly difficult to ride horses in the dark.
"Do you think I'll get reaped tomorrow," Cadence asked about an hour into their ride.
"Why do you ask that?" Brandon said, "I doubt it."
"Because I'm gay."
"The kids don't care about that here, it's mainly the adults, so I'd say you're fine."
Suddenly the boy from earlier approached them.
"What do you want?" Brandon scoffed.
It was amazing how quickly Brandon could change his tone from the gentle way he was with Cadence and family, to the angry person he was with basically everybody else.
"I came to get my cow back!" The boy declared.
"That's hilarious," Brandon chuckled, "You really think I'm just going to give you your cow back."
"Well my parents were pretty upset that I gave it up."
"Do I look like I give a fuck"
Cadence was usually quiet during these encounters. He wasn't nearly as strong as Brandon, but he was willing to help if he needed too.
"Well no." The boy admitted, "But I need my horse back."
"Make me." Brandon sneered.
The boy suddenly pulled out a switchblade from his pocket.
"Oh that's so cute," Brandon dismounted his horse, "Cadence, watch the horses."
Brandon took out his own switchblade and began to circle the boy, being careful not to make a move unless he did first. The boy cut at Brandon's leg. It was relatively painless but it was all Brandon needed to motivate him to fight back.
"Oh, you think you're such a tough guy." Brandon sliced the boy in the stomach and laughed as the blood gushed out. He definitely didn't kill him, but he certainly made his point, and that was definitely the goal as the boy dropped his blade and started screaming.
"Fucking asshole!" He yelled, "I'm going to get people to vote for you tomorrow. You deserve it."
He ran away and Brandon began to blot his wound with his jacket.
"You're so sexy when you're angry." Cadence said.
"I appreciate it," Brandon laughed.
The two were silent for a while as Brandon got back on his horse and started walking home.
"Do you really think people will vote for you," Cadence asked.
"Probably," Brandon sighed, "I don't think it will be a big deal though."
Brandon was fairly certain he could win the Hunger Games. He really didn't want to be in them, obviously, but he definitely had the strength to win.
"At least you could possibly win," Brandon's dad said when Brandon told his parents the news.
"How are we going to get cattle without him?" His mom asked, "I mean if Brandon dies."
"I could do it!" Cadence declared, "Though obviously I don't want Brandon to die."
When Brandon and Cadence got to the reapings, voting was obvious. Actually, it wasn't because they never got the name of the boy who they had the incident, so Brandon wrote down "Dumbfuck Farmer Boy" on his ballot, and Willadeene Rhodes, the mayor's daughter who wanted people to vote for her for some unbeknownst reason. It's not like Brandon's male vote mattered, because surely he would be the male tribute, and he had already accepted it.
"I love you." Cadence squeezed Brandon's hand before the ceremony officially could begin.
"We'll get through this," Brandon whispered in his ear.
Willadeene Rhodes - District 10 Female - Age 16
Willadeene still had nightmares about living in the bunker, despite her being free for almost a year now. She'd wake up in the morning screaming the name of Mr. Thatcher over and over until her parents ran into her room:
"Are you okay?" Her dad asked.
"Just another nightmare," Willadeene said, "It's hard."
"I understand," He said, "I love you and you're safe now."
"Thanks Dad."
Willadeene had a fairly great childhood up until the age of 10. She is the mayor's daughter, and has absolutely everything going for her, but when she was 10 her and a group of other kids that went to her school were taken by one of the teachers in the District, Named Mr. Thatcher. He kept them in a basement like room under his house. He kept them there because he had a pretty significant brain tumor on his frontal lobe. No one knew he had it, and he was very good at hiding his moments of unclarity. He would have them perform experiments like separating them, and then putting a button with each of their names on it. When a timer goes off they'll get electrocuted unless they press a button of another name. Their parents looked for the children for forever, but eventually, you have to accept the facts and move on.
Five years later the teacher died, and his wife heard five hungry 15-year-olds banging on a hidden door behind a bookshelf. It was marked as one of the Districts most interesting events, but Willadeene refused to let this tragedy define her, even though she had nightmares about it semi-regularly. A lot of her nightmares were about Kara. She died in the bunker. Mr. Thatcher had an obsession with her, and every three months performed one experiment on the children. Kara's just went tragically wrong and Willadeene always felt guilty about not trying to save her.
When the Quarter Quell twist was announced, Willadeene decided she had to campaign, much to her father's dismay as she had already almost lost her once.
"I need to prove that I'm not just that girl who was kidnapped."
She begged her father over and over again until he allowed her to. That was the thing about Willadeene, she was stubborn as a mule. She was always determined to be okay while in the bunker. She was always able to be okay and be the other children's rock. She became a mother figure. She'd always been a bit of a tomboy, and she always considered herself more mature than the people she lived around, but the bunker was a whole new turn. She took on the role of caregiver and negotiator. Willadeene was a real leader down there. She'd be the one to negotiate with Mr. Thatcher, and try and get more food when needed or medical supplies. She wasn't his favorite, but he admired her spirit and leadership abilities. Even in his unpredictable state, he would allow her to talk back to him because she served as an ambassador for the children in the bunker.
Yet, Willadeene was quietly not a confident person. She didn't like the idea of people being able to think of her without her knowing. She's very untrusting due to what happened in her past, especially with men. Mr. Thatcher did a lot of bad things to a lot of the children, and the first time he attempted with Willadeene she fought him with a tenacity that he respected. She's always been sensitive to the mean comments people say to her. She didn't outwardly show it, but she struggles with it internally, just like she struggles with a lot of things internally from the bunker.
She knew being in the Hunger Games would help her come to terms with everything that happened, even if it meant her dying in the process, it would at least give her some form of the closure she so desperately longed for. Willadeene also longed for someone to allow her to trust them. She hadn't met someone worthy of that other than the kids in the bunker. She loves them because they were people that for five years they were her family. But she's their leader. She can't possibly trust them because that messes with dynamics. It would be like a mother tragically telling her children everything. She feels she can't let them in because she's responsible for them still.
When the time came to vote, Willadeene's parents were upset as she entered the polling booth, but they knew her fate was inevitable. Her sister Piper cried. Willadeene's mother was destroyed when Willadeene went missing. She devoted two years to searching for her daughter, and finally gave up hope that she was still alive. She then had another baby to fill the void, but alas, Piper was annoying, as most two year olds were.
Willadeene wrote her own name for the female tribute, and Thomas Thatcher for the male tribute, even though he was obviously ineligible, as he was both dead and over 18, but it was her little way of showing that she was above him.
As she waited for the reaping to begin, she thought about strategy. She's a fighter, and she has a lot of things that she had to work through in her life already. The Capitol would probably Capitalize on her winning because she has such a different story. She would be called Bunker Girl, and probably others would gravitate towards her to get sponsors.
Olive Hudson- District 10 Mentor
Olive was confused as hell as to why the mayor's daughter actually wanted to be in the Hunger Games. She remembered the whole bunker story and truly thought that was enough suffering for her but I guess not. Maybe she was a masochist? She would definitely be a handful to train that was for sure, and she was obviously a bloodbath, that was for sure. But then again, everybody thought Olive was a bloodbath and look at her now. She won the games in a fairly unusual way. She used her farming experience to her advantage and somehow managed to tame the mutts in the arena and get them to attack her fellow tributes. Nothing close to what she did had ever happened since, and Olive was happy to be known as unique, that was for sure, as she was fairly boring in her personal life. The male tribute on the other hand, appeared to be a fighter, even though he had a resting bitch face. She was pleased to have somebody who stood somewhat of a chance, even if it was a small chance.
Brandon Colt - District 10 Male
"I can't believe this is happening." Cadence had just recently accepted the reality of the situation, "You'll be okay right."
"Of course I will!"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes."
Cadence got down on one knee, "I was planning on doing this a few weeks from now but clearly I cannot, Brandon Colt, will you marry me, if you come back that is."
Cadence unveiled a metal ring.
"It would be my honor." Brandon slipped on the ring, "I'll win this for you, Mr. Colt."
Willadeene Rhodes - District 10 Female
"We're going to miss you!" Willadeene's mother said as Piper wailed, "Even she will."
Willadeene's father couldn't make it to the train station to visit, as he had mayor things to do. Their relationship had always been a bit skewed. He was crushed when Willadeene went missing, but was able to move past it a lot quicker than her mother. He never wanted kids so when they had Willadeene he was less than enthused. So her going missing was a good thing for him almost, but he knew he would miss her too. It was rather sad that their last interaction was just a simple wave goodbye, but what else could she do.
AND I AM NOW DONE WITH REAPINGS! Thanks to everybody for sticking through this with me! I am so excited to move on to the fun stuff. Thanks to z-fun2001 for Brandon, and IVolunteerAsAuthor for Willadeene. Have an amazing day!