Trigger warning: anxiety and other mental illnesses in Demarcus' sections.

Chapter 4:

District Four

Delta Zale, 17

One Year and Two Months Before The Reaping

It had been over a month now since her father was sent away. One month of returning home every day, hoping to see him standing in the kitchen, joking with her mother as they cook dinner together. One month since she last got to see him smile and joke with her, calling her his little girl despite not being little anymore. Every day for the last month she would give herself the hope that she would see him finally home, ready to give her a hug and she would make him promise never to leave her again.

But Delta knows the truth.

Delta knows that she's never going to see her father alive again. Delta has been part of the group long enough to know that those that get smuggled out of the District to the borderlands surrounding Two never return. But they were sent on "a critical mission to gain invaluable information for the rebels regarding military activity". Yeah right, more like a critical mission to get killed for their disobedience.

She kept telling herself over and over again this fact, hoping that the preparation will stop the pain of getting confirmation, a small note from the rebel leaders of Four saying 'We're so sorry for your loss', which is just complete bullshit. And yet, a dumb part of her still kept holding on to the small sliver of hope that her father won't get killed in one of the most dangerous places for a rebel.

Today was no different.

"Hi Mom," Delta calls out as she closes the front door behind her, trying to feign happiness towards her mother. But…she knows who is to blame here. "Hi Da- oh wait," Delta scowls at this as she starts kicking off her shoes, waiting to hear her mother call back, also pretending that everything is just fine.

But unlike every other day for the last month, she doesn't hear any response from her mother. "Mom?" She calls again as she starts walking to the kitchen, almost able to picture for a minute that she'll see her father in the kitchen, working on cooking dinner and calling out a joke to her about being late from training. But she doesn't see that sight. What she sees is even worse than normal days.

Her mother stares down at the table, tears slowly dripping down onto the surface, barely acknowledging Delta. Slowly she lifts her head up and clutches her hands over her chest as she lets out a sob. When Delta sees the piece of paper in her mother's hands, she can feel her heart breaking despite trying to prepare herself for a month for this. Stupidly she had still held on to a slight bit of hope that he would return home.

Nothing could have prepared her to get news of her father's death.

Delta can't stop the blame that starts coursing through her as she stares at her mother, knowing she did this to their family. "This is all your fault!" Delta screams at her mother, hot tears forcing their way out despite making every effort to hold them back. Delta points at the woman, watching her mother start sobbing at the accusations. "You're the one that leaked classified information and got him sent away!"

"D-Delta," her mother gasps as heavy sobs rake through her while Delta glares over, stubbornly wiping away the tears she doesn't want to cry. "I-I-I did-didn't mean to!"

"But you did!" Delta stomps over, watching her mother cringe away before she rips the piece of paper out of her hands to read what it says for herself. "It is with deep regrets that we report the death of Marlin Zale. He fought bravely for our cause and we are all mourning the loss of him." Delta crumples up the piece of paper before throwing it at the garbage can. "What a bunch of bullshit! They didn't care about him at all! They just cared that you leaked information."

"They did care about him," her mother feebly tries to say in defense of the group that Delta is starting to wish they were never part of. Yeah the Capitol is fucked up for having the Games, but she doubts they would send a father out to his certain death for a mistake his wife made.

"Stop lying to yourself and stop lying to me," Delta shakes her head, still glaring at the woman sitting in front of her. "You know what? Fuck the rebels! Fuck everything they stand for! And fuck the assholes in charge that decided to send Dad to his death!"

Delta storms off at this, refusing to look back at the woman calling after her as she throws open the door to their backyard overlooking the beach, slamming the door behind her. She doesn't want to look back and let her mother see the tears falling down her cheeks, no matter how hard she tries to hold them in. She starts running towards the water, wanting to dip her feet in and pretend that she's sitting there with her father, watching the sun set together and staying out until it was just too cold to stay out any longer.

As soon as her bare feet reach the ocean, she falls down to her knees, letting her tears fall into the salty water crashing around her. "Why Dad?" Delta whispers, staring out at the setting sun that shouldn't be out now, not when Delta is mourning. "Why did you have to join the rebels? You never had to worry about me being reaped for the Games…"

Delta takes in a shaky breath, clenching her hands into fists and staring down at her lap. "Why did you throw your life away for a cause that won't ever succeed?"

The rebels will never win. How many failed rebellions need to happen before they'll realize they can never beat the Capitol?

Delta sure as hell isn't losing her life to a third rebellion that is going to fail. She's never going to give her life for the rebel cause. Not after they took away her father. She'll do whatever she can to spite them.

"I don't know how, Dad, but I'm going to get justice for your death," Delta looks up at the sky, never one to believe in the afterlife, but right now…she hopes somehow her father can see her. "I promise you the rebels will regret ever doing this."

One and a Half Months Later

Delta stops her angry hits against the punching bag at the sound of a whistle blowing, turning her attention over to the person making the noise. Okeanas Var stands at the front of the room, hands on her hips and still looking like she could kick all of their asses, despite being forty years older than all of them. "Listen up, you bumbling idiots!"

Delta would love to get personally trained by Okeanas.

"I know you're all excited to watch Stormy and Velmour compete in just a couple weeks for the Games," Okeanas calls out to the silent room and a few people start murmuring in excitement about the two chosen volunteers for this year. Delta is indifferent about Stormy, but Velmour? She resents everything about him. "But that doesn't mean you can slack off. We have a Quarter Quell to be preparing for next year! And there is no fucking way I'm letting District Two win a Quell again."

Some of the trainees cheer at this statement, but Delta just focuses on Okeanas, waiting to hear the rest of what the victor has to say so she can get back to training. She refuses to stop training until she gets that spot as the volunteer for the Quell. What better way to stick up a big middle finger and say 'Fuck you' to the rebels than winning the Hunger Games, especially a Quell, in the name of the Capitol?

Revenge is going to taste so sweet.

"Starting now, we're going to have monthly assessments of your ranks for everyone who will be seventeen or eighteen at the time of the Quell," Okeanas pauses to stare out at each person, her eyes cutting through them and making some nervously look away. But Delta keeps her gaze on Okeanas, refusing to let the victor think she can't do this. "If you're not serious about volunteering, you might as well just quit now and save me the time of dealing with your embarrassment."

No one makes a move to leave the training room, much to Okeanas' disappointment. "Well, here are your current rankings," she says as one of the other trainers brings out to lists, setting them up on a stand next to Okeanas. "Each month you will be reassessed and we will start to eliminate those who have no chance to focus on the top competitors. Try not to disappoint me."

At her stepping away from the lists, everyone starts crowding around them. Delta starts storming over, determined to see where she stands after barely doing anything but train for the last month and a half. She starts pushing people aside, getting a few girls shouting at her but she just flips them off with a hand that's raw from punching the training bag for hours today.

But before she can reach the front of the crowd, a sharp voice calls her name out over the crowd. "Delta Zale, come here!"

Delta would have to be an idiot to ignore Okeanas Var calling for her, so despite her burning curiosity to know where she ranks, she changes the direction she's walking, heading towards the victor instead. Once free of the crowd still mumbling about her pushing them aside, she stops in front of Okeanas, crossing her arms as she's unable to read the expression on her face. A man in his thirties stands next to the victor, grinning proudly at Delta. "Yes ma'am?"

"I'm impressed by you," Okeanas gets right to the point and Delta raises an eyebrow at the praise from the victor. "No one in our history has ever managed to jump so many placements in such a short amount of time. You went from near the bottom to being in the top ten out of all the sixteen and seventeen year olds in just one and a half months. How?"

Delta tries to carefully consider her answer to Okeanas, but winds up just honestly blurting out her reason, "Revenge."

Okeanas stares at her curiously for a few seconds before laughing loudly, pointing a finger at Delta while grinning at the man next to her. "I like her. Revenge is your motivation? I don't want to know who it's against, I just care that you keep it up."

"I have every intention of becoming a victor for Four," Delta answers, getting a rare proud smile from Okeanas. "Just watch."

"I am watching," Okeanas puts a hand on the man's shoulder, pushing him forward slightly. "Which is why I'm assigning Sebastian to be your personal trainer. I trained him myself so you'll be in good hands. Don't disappoint me."

"I have no intention of that," Delta responds before Okeanas gives a nod of her head and walks away, leaving Delta to start training with Sebastian. The man holds out a hand to her and Delta awkwardly shakes it, not knowing what she's supposed to be doing. "Uh, I'm Delta. Delta Zale."

"I know," Sebastian answers with a grin, firmly shaking her hand before letting go. "I've been really excited watching your progress. Okeanas is too, even if she won't admit it. We haven't seen someone as dedicated as you in a long time. And we really believe that you have a good chance at winning next year, but we would like to wait until you're eighteen to guarantee your victory."

Delta stares up at him in confusion for a few seconds, letting his words slowly sink in. Wait until she's eighteen? It's bad enough that she already has to wait a year now for the 150th Games. She can't wait another year. She needs to do something now to prove to the rebels that they picked the wrong father to kill. "No."

"No?" Sebastian asks, his turn to be confused. "Delta, I'm afraid you don't have a say in who Iona and Okeanas pick to volunteer. So if they decide to wait, well, there's not much we can do."

"Oh I'll have a say," Delta says quietly, mind turning as she tries to figure out how she can get herself picked as the volunteer next year. She has rebel information… Maybe the Capitol will reward her loyalty for some information on the rebels in Four. "Can I take an hour lunch break before we get started? I have something to do."

Sebastian looks a little concerned at this, but soon nods his head in agreement. "Alright, one hour. And then we start getting you trained to be a victor."

Delta had always feared walking into the Justice Building as a child, knowing it's the representation of the Capitol's power in Four. As the daughter of a rebel and for many years, a rebel herself, she never thought she would step foot in this building. And now?

Now she's being led to talk to the mayor of District Four by her choice.

Delta had been quickly rushed through the building after she stormed in, demanding to talk to the mayor about classified rebel information. The secretary at the front desk seemed very nervous about Delta and keeps looking around as they walk towards the mayor's office. The man's action surprises Delta a bit. It would seem that the mayor is aware of the rebels among the District government.

Delta is motioned into a fancy office and she stops at the door, staring over at Mayor Tarus, unsure where to start now that she's actually in front of the mayor. "Please, come sit down," he motions for Delta to take a seat across from him at his desk and Delta quickly complies, trying to suppress the years of nervousness in her. "I was told you have classified information regarding rebel activity here in District Four."

"Yes, sir," Delta nods her head, really trying to be careful with what she says so she doesn't get incriminated herself as a rebel. "I want to report a family that has relations to one of the rebel leaders of the Second Rebellion and distant relatives that are still active in District Seven."

Mayor Tarus stares at her for a few seconds, making her nervously glance away at his scrutiny. "How do you know this information?"

"Let me make it clear, I absolutely hate the rebels," Delta starts raising her voice, wanting to make sure this man won't try to arrest her. "They took away someone I love…and they need to pay for it."

"Very well," Mayor Tarus leans back in his chair, still watching Delta carefully. "Who is the family? And you do realize the consequences if you are falsely reporting this family?"

"I do, sir, and I know it isn't a false report." Delta takes a deep breath, knowing she's about to fully betray the rebels. The training was just the start. But this? This is firmly cementing her place as a loyalist to the Capitol. And she likes the feeling of it.

"I would like to report James and Melanie Christian."

Five Months Before The Reaping

Delta sighs heavily as she throws herself into the chair, getting temporary relief from all the aches of training. She's still waiting for when this will all be worth it. Still waiting for the day she gets to stick a big middle finger in the air to the rebels for killing her father as she wins the Games for the Capitol. The thought brings a smile to her face as she closes her eyes and leans back in the arm chair she spent so many nights as a little girl, sitting on her father's lap as he told her wild stories. Soon, Dad, I'm going to get that revenge for you. The rebels picked the wrong father to kill.

"Delta?"

Delta slowly opens her eyes at the scared and timid voice of her mother, but keeps her eyes narrowed. She'll never be able to forgive her. Maybe after she's victor she could start to slowly make amends but for now…not happening. She's distrustful of whatever her mother might say, having barely spoken in months aside from necessary conversation to live together. "What?"

Her mother turns her eyes down immediately, staring at the floor instead of meeting Delta's glare. "You got a letter today…"

"A letter?" Delta asks, temporarily forgetting her deep grudge against her mother in her confusion as she passes Delta the letter. "Who would send me a- oh."

Delta gently holds the envelope in her hands, staring at the Capitol seal unbroken on the back of it. She slowly turns it over, certain that this must have been sent to the wrong house because why would someone in the Capitol – someone important enough to seal letters with a wax seal – send her a letter? And yet…there's Delta Zale written in delicate cursive handwriting.

She hadn't heard anything ever since she turned in the Christian family seven months ago… Could she finally be getting her reward?

Will it even be the reward that she wants?

Delta's fingers slowly trail over the Capitol seal, almost a little afraid of what she might find inside. And yet, she'll never know if she doesn't just read the thing already. She breaks the wax seal and gently takes out the letter, holding it closer to herself when she notices her mother trying to look over to read it.

'Dear Miss Zale,

It has been brought to my attention the valiant actions you have completed in the name of the Capitol. Actions that have gone against the ideals you were raised with.'

Delta freezes up at this, her heart rate slowly increasing as a cold shiver goes down her spine. They know…? How do they know about her rebel past? And if they know, why haven't they arrested her, just like they did to the family she turned in? Taken her away from the mother she doesn't love to be hidden away from the rebels?

Despite the fear, her curiosity wins over and she quickly keeps reading the letter.

'But by turning in the Christian family and other rebels in District Four, you have demonstrated your rejection of the rebel ideals that wish to tear apart this country. Loyalists are rewarded for their actions. I am aware that you have not yet been rewarded for turning in a family with such a prominent rebel relationship. That will change shortly.

Word has spread to the Capitol about your record setting progress through the ranks of the training center. The Capitol will proudly cheer for such a loyal citizen in this year's Quarter Quell.

Continue to train hard and show your support for the Capitol. I will personally be looking forward to what you accomplish in the arena.

With gratitude,

President Mendalius Xavier'

The words start to blur as Delta's hands shake and her grip tightens on the piece of paper. The President had personally sent her a letter? A letter that has finally given her the one thing she wants more than anything. Well…there's only one thing she wants more, but it's not possible for her to bring back the dead.

"Delta?" Her mother asks timidly again, but Delta can't glare at her as satisfaction is building inside her. "What does it say? And who is it from?"

"It's from the President," Delta answers, watching the fear cross her mother's face at her former rebel daughter receiving a personal letter from the President of Panem. "And he's giving me my reward for turning in the Christian family and the chance to fix the mistake you made."

Delta jumps up from the chair, the ache in her muscles forgotten as a new set of determination courses through her. She hadn't had the chance to change out of her workout clothes yet, only making things easier for her. "I'm going back to the training center."

"But it's already 9 pm!" Her mother starts following Delta towards the door, letting her concern fill her voice. "Delta, where are you going?"

Delta pauses from sliding her shoes back on to stare up at her mother, feeling more resentment than usual at the woman that sent her down this path. "I'm going to get what I want." She finishes tying up her laces and throws open the door, stepping out into the warm spring night and taking a moment to let the satisfaction run through her at finally getting what she wants before she turns back to her mother.

"Revenge."

Demarcus Pollock, 18

Two Months Before The Reaping

If Demarcus doesn't get an answer soon, the stress of waiting might just kill him before he even gets into the arena. That is…assuming the victors decide for some reason that he is good enough to volunteer. He's not even sure they will think that. He barely thinks it right now… Yet he has to be the volunteer. He doesn't have any more years to wait. Not if he's to get his family help.

He just wishes there was a different way to get the money other than becoming victor. Some way other than killing. And especially with the Quell twist…it made some of his competitors run, but he couldn't afford to do that. Even if the thought of losing his sight or hearing terrifies him.

Demarcus half-heartedly keeps up with punching the small hand targets his friend Zale holds up for him. But he just hasn't been able to focus for days, ever since the rumors started to spread through the training center that the victors had made their decisions on the volunteers.

Demarcus has no clue what he'll do if he isn't one of them.

Caught up in his thoughts, his fist slips, hitting Zale in the chest instead and make his friend let out a small gasp of pain. Demarcus takes a step back and immediately starts apologizing, "I'm so sorry Zale, it was an accident because I wasn't focusing." He can already picture in his head how Zale is going to yell at him for messing up, yell at him to go away and be alone because no one will ever like him. Why would anyone like him? His breathing increases as he waits for Zale to start yelling at him. That's what they all do because Demarcus keeps messing up. There's no way the victors will pick him to volunteer, not when he messes up a simple thing like practicing punches. And if they don't pick him, he'll never get the money from winning and he'll never be able to pay for treatment for his-

"Hey," Zale says suddenly, snapping Demarcus out of his rapid downward spiral of negative thoughts. He stares at his friend, growing aware of how fast he's breathing and the quick thudding of his heart. "I know what you're doing and stop being so hard on yourself. I don't think you have to worry about who the victors pick and it's going to be fine, Demarcus," Zale says calmly, giving Demarcus a reassuring smile, knowing it's just what he needs right now. Except it's not. It just makes Demarcus grow distrustful, a small part of him still questioning why Zale is being so nice to him. "You're so well trained they would be dumb to not pick you. So stop worrying."

"Easy for you to say," Demarcus responds softly, halfheartedly resuming to punch the targets Zale holds. He should just keep quiet so Zale doesn't start thinking the same things that everyone else always does about him… Just keep quiet so he doesn't push away the one person who has decided to be his friend for reasons completely unknown to him. "You don't have any worry about it since you just want to be a trainer."

"I'm worried for you," Zale says under his breath as everyone's attention in the room is drawn over to the victors that just entered the room. Hard not to be drawn towards Okeanas Var and Iona Lamonte.

"Can we have your attention please?" Iona calls out, even though almost everyone was already paying attention to her. Demarcus nervously glances away when Iona's gaze lands on him for an extended amount of time before moving to look around the room again. "Delta Zale and Demarcus Pollock, please come with us."

Whispers start up immediately in the training room at this and Demarcus can feel all the people looking over at him, building up his anxiety on top of the concern for why Iona is calling him and Delta. And then there's a bit of fear at Okeanas and Delta and the way they both stomp around the room, a look on their face like they'll punch you if you say something wrong.

"Don't make me go with her alone," Demarcus tries to grab on to Zale's arm, failing to grasp it with the boxing glove still on his hand. "She intimidates me."

Zale stares at Demarcus for a few seconds, only making his anxiety keep growing as his eyes flick over to the waiting mentor, before his friend slowly starts to smile at him. "Demarcus, when are you going to realize people have the same reaction to you?"

Demarcus frowns immediately at this, "I hate people being afraid of me for how I look."

"I know," Zale gives him a comforting pat on the shoulder before nudging him towards the victor who is rapidly growing impatient. "No one knows that you're really a big teddy bear. Now go, I promise it will be fine."

Demarcus nods at this and takes a deep breath before taking a few steps towards Okeanas, with Delta already at her side. He pauses to turn back to his friend to give Zale a grateful smile, but falters at the weird look on Zale's face, making him grow uncomfortable and avert his eyes. "Uh…" Demarcus quickly turns back around, mentally cursing himself for being so terrible at talking to people. For being so afraid to talk to people. He has no clue how Zale has remained his friend for this long. No one has ever stayed his friend this long. Demarcus isn't sure how much longer Zale will stay his friend before he messes it up and it scares him to think about when that will happen.

As Demarcus falls into line behind the three women, he tries to keep his breathing normal but his fear of this conversation won't let that happen. Why would they be calling both of them together? Maybe they're picking them as the volunteers…but surely that's not the case. Delta is only 17 and Demarcus is…well, not that great.

Iona leads them to her office, standing aside in the door to motion them in. She gives a warm smile to Demarcus when he hesitates at the door, staring after Okeanas and Delta. "Please, take a seat."

"Yes, ma'am," Demarcus answers quietly before slowly walking in, subtly moving his chair at Iona's desk as far as he can from Delta before sitting down. He tries not to look at the victors directly, instead focusing on controlling his breathing and keeping his heart rate normal. But it's hard to do that when his mind won't stop imagining all sorts of scenarios where the victors are going to tell him that he's terrible and they're kicking him out of the training center.

"Well," Iona starts, sighing a little before smiling at the two as she folds her hands on her desk. Okeanas stays standing next to her, arms crossed and intimidating look on her face that has never faded over the years. "I'm sorry this conversation is happening so late, but we had some…things we had to do for the Capitol. But congratulations, you both have been selected as our volunteers this year."

Iona stares at the two for a few seconds, waiting for their reactions. And in Demarcus' panic at being in this office, it takes a bit for the news to fully settle in. He did it…somehow, he actually did it and the victors have picked him.

He's going into the Hunger Games.

But with that thought brings a whole train of fear at actually having to kill people. How is he supposed to do that?

"We're giving you the chance now to turn down this offer before we announce you to the training center," Iona continues, still watching both of them.

"You better not be fucking weak and back out now," Okeanas adds and Demarcus quickly shakes his head out of fear for his life at the way she glares him down.

"Never," Delta answers, voice smug and full of confidence. How is he supposed to compete against her? She has to be better than him if she was picked at seventeen…

"Demarcus?"

He looks at Iona at the sound of his name, realizing the victor is waiting for his response. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't realize she was staring at him, but now wishes he could stay in ignorance. "Of course not, ma'am," Demarcus finally answers, even if his stomach twists at the thought of actually fighting and hurting people. But what other option does he have? There's no other way he can get the money he needs for his family. "I'm not backing out."

Demarcus hesitates with his hand on the doorknob, afraid to walk into his own home today. He never knows what to expect with his family, but today he's even more uncertain because he has no idea how they will react to the news that he was picked to volunteer. He doesn't trust them to react well, even though the news means they can start getting treatment for their parents and start putting back together their broken family. Even though he knows he should help himself first, he can't, not when his parents need it more. For the sake of his brothers and sisters.

It's also the fear that they're going to yell at him and tell him he's making the wrong choice that has him standing at his own front door, terrified to enter the house.

Demarcus can hear the youngest two screaming at each other from outside and sighs loudly before finally getting the smallest amount of courage needed to enter the house and face all of them. The screams only get louder and he heads to the living room, knowing that's where his siblings will be. He stops in the doorway, staring at the chaos happening in the small room as Mark and Marvin are fighting on the ground over one of the very few toys their family has been able to afford, passed down from when Demarcus was a baby through five children until finally Mark has them. The twin girls sit on the couch, watching the two younger boys fight, sticking to themselves like always.

His parents are nowhere to be seen, but Demarcus expected that. If the youngest stopped yelling, he could probably hear the mutterings of their father from his room, saying all sorts of terrible things about them. And his mother… if she's not out here, she's probably stuck in bed, unable to bring herself out of her room. Demarcus can only hope none of the younger ones gave in to her and brought her alcohol, making the situation even worse.

And then there's Marshall, sitting on the armchair, staring over at Demarcus, his normally calm face full of slow burning rage at Demarcus showing up so late tonight. Demarcus immediately adverts his eyes, hating the judgement from the next eldest boy in the family. "You're late."

"I'm sorry," Demarcus says right away as the younger ones fall quiet, just now realizing that he's returned home. "They kept me late at the training center and I didn't have a way to contact you."

"Demarcus!" Mark yells as he jumps up and runs over to give him a big hug around his legs, trapping him in that spot with Marshall's gaze locked on him. "You're home!"

"Hey buddy," Demarcus responds as he picks up the young boy, placing him on his hip and giving him a little boop on the nose that he giggles about. He focuses on his youngest brother, trying to ignore the growing pit of anxiety in his stomach at Marshall's continued glares. "How was your day?"

"Marvin was mean to me!"

"Because you're a brat!"

"Stop it!" Marshall yells at them, stopping the two from getting into another meltdown. Demarcus sets down Mark as the silence left behind keeps growing into awkwardness until Demarcus can't take it anymore and finally looks up at Marshall, already dreading this conversation and slowly feeling worthless with each passing second. "I had to make dinner for everyone on my own. And get the boys bathed and ready for bed."

"I'm sorry-"

"And this was after working all day on the boats because someone has to work in this family," Marshall continues, completely ignoring Demarcus' attempt to apologize to his brother and simply making him feel even worse, even if it wasn't his fault that the victors want to make up for delaying the volunteer decision. He didn't have a say when Okeanas and Iona told him and Delta they have to start training later. He couldn't argue with that. "Because we both know the parents aren't helping and someone needs to make sure everyone can eat."

"I'm sorry!" Demarcus yells before immediately regretting raising his voice at his brother. "I'm sorry for yelling," Demarcus continues at a much softer tone, feeling the need to defend himself against his brother, but not wanting to make him angrier. "I didn't have a choice in staying later. I have to keep preparing."

Marshall narrows his eyes at Demarcus and the older boy can feel his heart rate picking up as he struggles to keep his breathing calm. He just wants to run to his room and have a small amount of time alone, avoiding all people, at least until Marshall wants to go to bed and he has to share the small bedroom. "Why?"

Demarcus knows he can't avoid the question, despite every part of him screaming to run away and avoid answering so he can avoid his family telling him that he'll never win and bring on more self-doubt that he already has enough of. "Because they picked the volunteers today…"

Demarcus waits for Marshall to put everything together, nervously glancing between Marshall and the floor. Finally, Marshall speaks up, "Oh."

"Oh?" Demarcus echoes, scrunching his face in confusion as he finally looks up at Marshall for more than just a second. But his brother is keeping his face clear, making Demarcus somehow even more anxious that he can't figure out what Marshall thinks. Probably something bad about Demarcus getting picked because people always think poorly about him.

Marshall stands up, heading over to Demarcus to stand right in front of him, forcing Demarcus to look at his younger brother in the eye. "You're abandoning us."

"I'm not doing that-"

"Don't lie to me!" Marshall yells at him, making him cringe away and want to start apologizing. "You've always abandoned us to focus on training and left me to make sure everyone was still fed while our parents can't even look at each other without fighting. And forget about them actually working consistently for more than two months at a time."

"I-I'm trying to help us," Demarcus stammers, trying to avoid Marshall's angry look but it's hard when he's right in his face. All of him is screaming at him to run away from this conversation and go back to the victors and tell them he can't do it. Marshall is right, he's just abandoning them.

He takes a step back and nervously looks around the room. He hesitates when he sees his other siblings all staring up at him, a variety of expressions on their faces. But it's the small bit of hope mixed with fear on Rosemary's face that stops him from running and quitting. "Are you going to…"

She trails of nervously and Samara picks up where she left off, something so common with them, "Help Mom and Dad?"

"Yes," Demarcus says softly, trying to find confidence in himself that he'll be successful. But it's so hard when he has Marshall still glaring at him and making him doubt everything he's learned for the past eight years. "I'm going to help everyone."

"Or you're going to die in the Games," Marshall starts storming off at this and Demarcus anxiously watches him, fighting the urge to yell after him and apologize, despite having nothing to apologize for.

The bedroom door slams shut and Demarcus cringes at the sound. He shuts his eyes as he tries to take in a slow, deep breath to help calm himself down, but there's no way to stop the anxious pit in his stomach that he won't be able to do this. He'll fail and his family will keep struggling without him there to support them and help them become healthy and get out of the toxic environment they're in.

He slowly opens his eyes, finding his four remaining siblings all still looking at him. He has to help them. He can't quit, no matter how much Marshall tells him to. No matter how much he tells himself to quit. They are all depending on him as the oldest.

Just a couple months. He can try to stop all the fear and self-doubt for just a couple months. And then it will all be worth it.

Bobby Bobbins, Escort for District Four

Bobby Bobbins couldn't believe his luck that he was already promoted to District Four after so little time as an escort! He misses the District Eight team, of course, and will always hold his first victor in a very special spot in his heart.

But, the promotion now gives him the opportunity to make a new District smile. And that's something he's been looking forward to and preparing for months.

Bobby has a grin on his face as he steps out to the applauding crowd, already feeling like his job to make Four smile will be way easier than it was in Eight. "Good morning District Four and whale-come to the Reaping for the Sixth Quarter Quell! I'm your Captain Bobby Bobbins and it is lovely to sea you this year."

Bobby pauses to wait for the crowd to applaud, but when they stay silent apart from a few snickers, he decides to keep going, only growing more determined to get them to laugh. "While I'm sad to leave District Eight and my friend Clark Boat-wright, I'm ready to bring you a new victor too!" He clasps his hands in front of him, smiling out at the crowd of children waiting to see what will happen. "How about we pick the tributes? I sure hope no one clams up!"

Bobby walks over to the first glass sphere full of names, a skip in his step that he just can't help out of his excitement to be here. He takes his time picking the first name, watching as some in the crowd grow impatient with him. That's right! Bobby will be getting his first ever volunteer!

He quickly picks a piece of paper and all but runs back to the microphone, too excited to see who will volunteer. "Alright District Four, let's see who I've hooked as the first tribute! Can Golda Rald join us on stage?"

Bobby tucks his hands into the pockets of his suit as he rocks on his feet, waiting as a girl approaches from the middle of the group. He patiently waits for her to be on the stage before asking the crowd a question he's waited to get a response about for years. "Is anyone going to kelp out Golda and volunteer?"

"I volunteer!"

Bobby claps his hands in excitement at the strong voice that called out, putting a hand up to block the sun from his eyes as he watches a girl step out from not the very front, but the seventeen year olds. Her nice blouse and dress pants do nothing to hide the almost absurd amount of muscles she has for her shorter height. But once free of the crowd, she starts stomping up to the stage, scowl on her face as she glares around at anyone that might dare threaten to take her spot.

No one stops her, which Bobby thinks would be a very bad idea once she's next to him and he sees the fire in her eyes. "I am eelated to meet you! What's your name?"

"Delta Zale," she answers, keeping the glare on her face as she stares out at the crowd, seemingly trying to find someone. Once her gaze stops, she continues, voice dripping in anger, "And I'm going to win this Quell for the Capitol."

Some of the crowd applauds this while Bobby stares at the girl. "Delta Zale?" He asks, getting a nod of confirmation from the girl. "What's a Zale and why are we finding the change in it?" He asks, looking at Delta with a grin on his face, waiting for her to laugh at the joke. But instead, she only glares at him. "Get it? 'Delta'? Geez, maybe we need to change your name to Delta Pressure because I sure can measure the change in pressure on the stage right now."

"Just get on with the fucking Reaping already!" A voice yells from behind him on the stage. He turns back to find Okeanas Var glaring at him, clearly the one who shouted at him. He lets out a little squeak at her glare before turning around, absolutely going to listen to her.

Doesn't mean he can't still make a few jokes. Sounds like she needs a lot.

"No need to be crabby! We shore can continue and sea who is joining Delta," Bobby chuckles at his own joke as he heads to the other glass sphere, picking a name faster this time and returning to the microphone so at least Okeanas can't say he isn't continuing with the Reaping. "And we now have Chandler Mar!"

A small boy slowly makes his way up to the stage from the very back of the crowd and Bobby waves him along, giving a big grin at the sad looking boy. "No need to be sad! There are lots of fish in the sea and I think we might have another volunteer. Am I right?"

A few seconds pass before a voice sounding not quite as confident as Delta calls out, "I volunteer!"

Bobby scans the crowd, waiting for a young man to step out from the front of the crowd, looking a little nervous as he rolls up the sleeves of his white button up shirt, revealing muscles as he glances around nervously at the crowd as he walks up to the stage. "Wonderful!" Bobby says as the man stops next to him, towering over him and looking intimidating as he tries to meet Bobby's gaze. "And what is your name?"

He clears his throat before answering, doing his best to look brave. "Demarcus Pollock."

Bobby waits a few seconds as he tries to think of a good joke about Demarcus' name, but someone clears their throat and he has no doubt that it was Okeanas warning him to keep moving. No matter, there will be plenty of time to think of a joke. "This is just tide-ally awesome to have two volunteers!" Demarcus chuckles a little at the joke, making Bobby start grinning even wider, not that he really thought it was possible. He got one person to laugh! And he will find a way to make Delta laugh too.

"Well District Four, it is time for us to wave goodbye," Bobby grins at the two tributes, putting his hands on their shoulders. Delta immediately shrugs his hand off, sending a glare at him that makes his smile falter for a second. "Delta, there's no need to be salty. But anyways, both of you, be yourself, always avoid pier pressure, and we will sea you soon with your next victor!"

Demarcus Pollock

Demarcus places his face in his hands, trying to get through the panic just barely contained in him by taking deep breaths. His family had done nothing to keep him calm by visiting him and if anything, just made him feel worse and gave doubts that he doesn't need to have right now. He's spent the last two months working with Iona, having her tell him daily that he is capable of this. And slowly, he's started to believe that the victor is right and he deserved to be the volunteer.

But in the course of a couple minutes, his family managed to backtrack all that progress he started to make.

"Why?" He mutters to himself as he rubs his eyes, sighing at the comments that keep echoing in his head from his family visiting. Comments from Marshall that he messed up by volunteering and he's abandoning them all. Comments from his father that Demarcus shouldn't trust anything the rest of his family just told him. But the worst was his mother, barely able to muster any emotion despite him leaving and possibly never coming back home.

The door creaks open and Demarcus sits up right away, stomach twisting at having to talk to someone else and not knowing who it might be. But he relaxes a bit at the sight of Zale walking in, but doesn't lose all of the tension in his shoulders at Zale being uncharacteristically nervous. "Hey Demarcus," he quietly says as he sits down on the couch and starts fidgeting with his hands.

"Are you okay?" Demarcus asks, feeling more concern for his friend's wellbeing than his own right now. "You look nervous."

"That's because I am nervous," Zale responds, finally looking up at Demarcus. "I'm nervous about you going into the Games despite having trained with you for years and knowing you're ready."

"Iona says that I'm ready."

"And that's the problem!" Zale's voice raises a bit and Demarcus cringes away, not wanting his only friend to start telling him he's not good enough. Zale softens at Demarcus' reaction and reaches out to place his hand over Demarcus' on the couch. "It's always Iona telling you that you're ready. You never have the belief in yourself."

Demarcus pulls his hand away from Zale, uncomfortable with the touch. Zale's face immediately looks crushed by this, only leaving Demarcus confused and feeling bad for hurting his friend, even if he doesn't know why. "Zale, I'm sorry…"

"You have to win," Zale says softly, looking at Demarcus with sad eyes. "I don't think I can handle losing you. Not with how I feel about you…"

"Not with how you…" Demarcus starts before the realization of what Zale said hits him. "Oh…" Demarcus tries to keep his face neutral, but as he stares at Zale's expectant gaze, he can feel himself starting to sweat from his nerves. "Oh… Zale…"

"Please," Zale says, scooting a little closer to him and looking so desperate about Demarcus heading into the Games.

Demarcus moves back, keeping the same distance from himself and Zale as he can't control how rapidly he's starting to breath as immense guilt starts to fill him as he watches Zale's heart break. "Zale, I-I've never," he gasps for air as the panic overwhelms him out of fear for Zale's reaction. Demarcus puts his face in his hands, trying to avoid looking over at his friend – well…that's if Zale will actually stay his friend after this. "I've never felt that way…about anyone…" He starts shaking his head in his hands, still refusing to look up at Zale. He doesn't want to see his face when his friend judges him for it. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm this way…"

"Oh…" Zale says and Demarcus can hear the pain in his voice, making him move his hand to glance over, despite not wanting to see the pain he caused. "Demarcus… I'm sorry for putting pressure on you for saying this. I just had to in case I don't see you again… You're still my friend so please, promise me you'll make it out."

Demarcus can see just how painful it is for Zale to sit there after being rejected, yet still tell Demarcus he cares. In fact, he's the only person to ever still seemingly care about him despite Demarcus doing something to wrong them… "I promise," he picks up his head, trying to find the resolve to keep this promise. It's that or think about how he might disappoint Zale by dying, and he doesn't want to do that. "I promise I'm going to do my best to make it out."

Only problem is he doesn't quite know how.

There we go, our tributes for District Four! Big thanks to Goldie for Delta and Pi for Demarcus and Bobby! I had a lot of fun with both of them, especially with their very different reactions to going into the Games. I'm looking forward to writing more of them and how the interact!

What do you think about these two? Now that we've seen all of the careers, how do you think they'll interact? And what fish pun was your favorite from Bobby Bobbins?

See you next time in District Five!