Alula Callahan, District 11, 15

My teacher handed me back our math test from the day before.

99%. Good work! :) my teacher had written.

My heart sank into my stomach, and I felt heat rise to my cheeks. My breath began to quicken, soon turning into hyperventilation. My vision swam with tears, distorting the number on the page.

Stop crying, whispered Cataleya.

I shook my head viciously, trying to clear the tears.

Stop it!

Not knowing what else to do, I punched myself in the gut, dropping my paper onto my desk. I gasped, my eyes widening with pain. It was a good punch. I wiped furiously at my face, trying to hide any evidence of emotion.

"What a freak," whispered someone behind me. I looked around. The room was silent, and most of my classmate's eyes were on me. My teacher's lips were pressed together with concern.

Don't listen to them, she whispered. They don't matter. Only I do.

I nodded slowly. They weren't important.

You failed this test, she continued. Don't fail the next one.

My heart, which had risen slightly, sunk even further. I had disappointed her. I had shown weakness, both in my score and my reaction. None of it would've happened if I was smart enough or good enough or strong enough. It was my own fault. Self-doubt clouded my mind.

Was I ready for this? Maybe I should wait another year.

I regretted the question as soon as I'd dared wonder it. I shrank in my chair, anticipating her reaction.

I thought you wanted to be perfect like me? Cataleya asked.

I did. I did, I did, I did, I did.

Then stop questioning me, she said.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

I am flawless. You are weak-minded, stubborn, reckless-

I clapped my hands over my ears, trying to block out her voice. I screwed my eyes shut. Sometimes Cataleya was cruel. But it was all to make me better. To make me perfect. She had only helped me so far: who was I to question her authority?

"Alula?"

I opened my eyes to see my teacher crouching in front of my seat. I lifted my hands from my ears.

"Class is over," she said gently. I looked around; all the other seats were empty. "You can go home now."

"I'm sorry," I said.

"It's okay," she said. "You did wonderfully on your test yesterday."

I felt the emotions rise within me again. "Why would you say that?"

She frowned. "What?"

"It wasn't perfect," I told her. "It wasn't good enough. I failed."

"You didn't fail, sweetheart," she said. "You had the best score in the class."

"It wasn't good enough," I repeated. "What don't you understand about that?"

"Alula-"

But it was too late. She'd proven what I already knew; only Cataleya cared about me. She was the only one who wanted me to be happy. I grabbed my bag and my paper and left, leaving my teacher standing by my desk.

After a long shift in the orchards, I returned home. I didn't bother speaking with my parents; they didn't know what I had planned for tomorrow. They would only try to talk me out of it. They didn't believe that I was strong. But I was. Cataleya showed me how.

I laid awake for a long time. Cataleya told me the plan for tomorrow, what I had to do.

When the girl's name is called, you take her place, she whispered in my ear.

And then I'll be perfect?

No, she said. You have to win first. Like I did.

I wasn't sure if I could do this. I didn't know if I had it in me to kill other children.

Oh, but you do, Cataleya said. You have the drive. You have the hunger. Not the pathetic human kind, but the kind in your heart. I'll be with you every step of the way, Alula.

My heart rate slowed, reassured by her words. There was nothing to worry about.

Fear doesn't become you, she said. Sleep.

I followed her instructions, drifting off to sleep. Cataleya would take care of me. She always had, and she always would. She'd never steered me wrong before.

Parker Dillio, District 11, 16

I arrived back at the community home late at night after my shift ended. Most of the other kids were home for the night, their nerves sending them to the company of others. When I walked into the common room, several others were already there.

"Hi," I signed.

"Hi!" signed Sienna, walking up to me. I let her hug me; I knew she was worried about tomorrow. "How was your day?" she asked.

"Typical," I signed back. "School. Work. I'm tired."

"Me too," she signed. "But I can't sleep. I've been talking with the others all day, but I'm still nervous."

"Makes sense," I signed back. "Give me a minute, and I'll come join you."

"Thank you," she signed. She gave me a nervous smile. I went into the boy's room, changing quickly into some pajamas. I wished Onna Lynn, the home's head, would invest in some gender neutral areas, but until then, I was stuck with the boys. At least they didn't tease me about it. Some of the older ones used to, but they had all left the home. Besides, Sienna was fairly protective of me. It was nice to have her around. It made me feel less alone in this world.

I returned to the small common area, where most of the older kids had gathered, and some of the younger ones, too. The younger kids outnumbered us, and us older ones took it upon ourselves to make sure they were doing okay. A lot of us took out tesserae to help out. Sienna and I had both taken on more than our fair share.

"Hey, Parker!" said Nik, who was sixteen. "How's it going?"

I flashed him a thumbs-up and sat on the floor next to Sienna.

"Anyway," said Neev, "like I was saying. She literally punched herself out of nowhere!"

"Who?" asked Sienna.

"This girl in my math class," Neev replied. "I'm serious, something is wrong with her. I always catch her talking to herself."

"It's not nice to judge people," said Nik, ever the sweetheart.

"I know that," said Neev. "That doesn't mean she doesn't need help."

"Sounds like an exciting day," said Sienna, wisely interjecting before a full-blown argument could ensue. The conversation shifted, a few others talking about their days. Then, into an argument about whether red or green apples tasted better.

I could already feel my social energy giving out. I loved them all, but being with all of them at once was incredibly tiring. Besides, it'd been a long day.

"I'm going to bed," I signed to Sienna.

"Already?" she signed back.

"Yes," I signed. "Tired."

"Can I talk to you for a second?" she signed.

"Yes."

I stood, waving goodnight to everyone.

"Goodnight!" they chorused.

"I'll be back," said Sienna. They nodded, quickly resuming their conversation.

Sienna and I walked into the hall. Girls weren't allowed in the boy's bedrooms. Or the nonexistent gender neutral bedrooms.

"Are you okay?" she asked, signing for privacy.

"Fine," I signed in response.

"I'm nervous that you took out too much tesserae," she signed.

I looked away.

"Parker?" she signed.

I sighed. "I took more today."

"What?" she signed, her eyes wide. "Why?"

"I had to," I signed.

She shook her head. "I worry about you," she signed.

"I know," I signed. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she signed. "Go to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight," I signed.

"Goodnight," she replied aloud.

I returned to my room and laid in bed, staring at the bunk above me for a while. Before I went to sleep, I always thought of Alex. Sometimes my parents too, but always Alex. It was easy to picture him; I saw his face every time I looked in the mirror, heard his voice every time I spoke. An image that was harder to banish was how he looked broken in the orchard grass, his blood mixing with the berry juice. "A tragic accident," Onna Lynn had called it. Tragic, it definitely was. Only a month in the home, and my brother was already gone. I stopped speaking soon after that. It hurt too much.

At least I didn't have to worry about him being Reaped. I was glad nothing could hurt him anymore.

Grover Delcid, District 11 Mentor, 23

Year five. Unsurprisingly, not much had changed since my name was called half a decade ago. The kids were different, but the looks on their faces were the same. At least most of them were luckier than I'd been. Unfortunately, that luck didn't apply to all of them.

The speech ended, and I was thankful for it. It was a hot day out. At least there was no work today.

"Let's find out who our tributes are, shall we?" asked Dominica, stepping up to the mic. Honestly, apart from her clothing and style, Dominica could easily fit in among the crowd. She had the same dark skin and hair. However, her eyes were bright and energetic, which was a standout here. She also appeared to be wearing purple color contacts. Oh well.

She stepped over to the girl's bowl, rifling through the slips until she found one she liked. "Adelaide Fields!" she shouted into the microphone.

A girl started to make her way to the front of the crowd. She was petite, and her eyes were wide with fear. I felt my stomach sink. The poor thing didn't stand a chance. Oh, God. She had such a kind face, too. How was I going to do this?

But before she could arrive on the stage next to Dominica, a voice sounded out from the crowd. "I Volunteer!"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I rose from my seat, trying to figure out who said it. After a moment, I got my answer. A fifteen-year-old girl walked forward, short and thin. Her dark hair was woven back in a single braid, and her eyes were enormous, like they could see directly into your heart. She wore a sundress. I sat back down, uneasy.

Who was this girl? Why was she doing this? There was no way she understood what she was getting herself into. Did she know Adelaide, maybe? Were they sisters or something?

The girl arrived on the stage, Adelaide having disappeared back into the crowd. Dominica was delighted, bobbing up and down with excitement; I'd often heard her complain of how boring it was in Eleven the few years I'd known her. She must be over the moon right now.

"And what is your name?" Dominica asked her.

"My name is Alula Callahan, and I'm Volunteering," she said robotically. Almost like she was reading a script that she hadn't written.

"Wow! Let's wish Alula good luck!" said Dominica. She clapped enthusiastically. Few joined her.

"And for our male tribute…" she trailed, reaching around inside the glass bowl. "Parker Dillio!"

A kid silently started to make their way forward. The tribute seemed nervous. They looked strong enough, at least. Poor kid. They didn't sign up for this. They didn't deserve it. I still remembered what it felt like to be in their shoes, clear as day. It was a nightmare.

Eventually, they arrived next to Dominica, saying nothing, just looking back at the crowd.

"Alula and Parker, everyone!" announced Dominica. The crowd clapped halfheartedly and dispersed, grateful to have been spared another year.

Alula Callahan, District 11, 15

"Help me understand," said my father. "Why would you do this?"

"I have to," I replied. I couldn't tell them about Cataleya. I'd tried once, many years ago, and they'd freaked out. Cataleya had forbidden talking about her with them ever since.

"You don't have to," he said.

I shook my head. "Yes, I do."

"Alula, please," my mother said. "You can still back out. We can go get that other girl-"

"No, I can't!" I said, my voice rising. "It's too late. And I don't want to anyway."

"You want to go in there?" asked my father.

"I have to!" I repeated. "Why aren't you listening?"

My mother was crying silently. She reached for my hand. I pulled away.

"If all you're going to do is try to stop me, then you should leave."

"If that's what you want," said my father. "We love you."

"We love you so much," said my mother. "Goodbye, Alula."

I watched them leave.

Perfect, whispered Cataleya. Now our work can begin.

Parker Dillio, District 11, 16

Sienna and Onna Lynn came to see me.

"I'm so sorry," signed Onna Lynn. She knew my hearing was just fine, but she signed anyway, because she knew I was more comfortable that way. That was just the kind of woman she was.

"Can I hug you?" she signed. I nodded, my throat tight, and she gave me a quick squeeze.

"Thank you for all you've done at the home," she signed. "I'm so grateful to know you. We'll all be watching, okay?"

"Okay," I signed back. She left, leaving me and Sienna alone. A lump grew in my throat as I watched her go.

Sienna swept me up in a tight hug. Tears trickled down both our cheeks. She held on for a long moment before letting go.

"Too much tesserae, yes?" she signed with a rueful smile.

I shrugged. "Would have taken more, if I knew this would happen," I signed in reply.

Sienna sighed heavily. "I'll miss you very much," she signed.

"I'll miss you too," I signed back.

She paused, considering something. "Will you try to fight?" she signed.

"I think so," I signed in response. "I have to try. Can't go down without a fight. I'm the only one left."

A fresh stream of tears fell down her face. "I'm rooting for you," she signed.

"Thank you," I signed.

"I love you, Parker," she signed. "Can I hug you again?"

"Yes," I signed my permission. She hugged me again, even more fiercely than the first time. We didn't sign any more after that. There was no need to; everything had already been said. She sat with me until the Peacekeeper ushered her away. She gave me a wave on her way out, eyes still brimming with tears.

I had to try. I didn't want to let anyone down.

*Hello friends! What did you think of Parker and Alula? Creation credit goes to Miss Hourigan and evilpencilbox. Thank you both for sending them in! They were very interesting to write.

Unfortunately, it seems that ffnet is being pretty glitchy still. The app seems to be working fine, though, so hopefully most of you can still see the updates over there. Preferably, though, the site starts working again. Fingers crossed.

I hope you're all doing well, and I'll see you next time with District 6 (followed by District 12)!

-r-b*