Rue Stenberg, aged 12
Rue's never been terrified of the Reaping before.
Her heart cries out in pity when she watches as classmates, neighbours, and even schoolyards crushes walk to their deaths, and she hugs her nearest sibling close. She fears the way the Reaping destroys those she loves. Even at seven, eight, nine, ten years old, she knows the dead quiet truth.
She's never seen any of them come back.
Now, she's 12. She's taken out 7 tessarae rations so far, the day she became eligible. And she knows the truth; little children never make it out alive. Only monsters do.
She puts on her new paisley dress that Ma bought her. It's a little scratchy, but it's them sot expensive piece of clothing she owns and she's going to treasure it. Her old blue dress has gone to Mazie, before being passed down to Lilac and then Rosie, assuming it lives that long. Nothing is wasted in the Stenberg household.
Every morning, it's a mad dash to get everyone ready. Rue holds little Rosie still so she can help her put on her dress. Then, she chases down Flax and runs an old comb through his hair. Ma smiles at her, the dark bags under her eyes as noticeable as ever. Really, it's them against Rue's five rambunctious siblings. Sometimes, Rue feels overwhelmed and outnumbered.
But she wouldn't give up her family for anything in the world.
Rosie pouts and grab's Rue skirt. "Up!"
Rue does as she's told, picking up her youngest sister. That means she can't catch Flax, so Mazie, the second-eldest, has to do it instead. Lilac and Linden hold hands; they're twins. Ma is pouring out seven portions of meager broth for them to eat. Rue gratefully accepts her portion with a smile.
"I'm hungry!" Flax whines. Rue's stomach drops. She wants to feed him, she really does. Even with her part-time shift in the orchards and those nights she sneaks out into the meadows to forage, it will never be enough. There's just so many mouths to feed and only so much Rue can collect before she hears the Peacekeepers in the distance and runs for the safety of her home.
Ma gently shushes Flax; Rosie pouts and holds up her empty bowl. There's nothing left.
It's time to leave for the Reaping. Rue wipes her sweaty palms on her dress as Rosie and Flax grab either of her hands. Linden and Lilac lead the way, pulling each other along. Mazie lingers by Ma, silently pulling up the rear. Other families have arrived, the teenagers with their heads down and their feet heavy. They fear their fate. Rue will be one of them.
You'll be fine, she thinks to herself. 8 slips mean nothing. Lots of people take tessarae. What are the odds?
She's not entirely sure she wants to know.
"Stay strong baby," Ma says as she kisses Rue's forehead. "You'll be alright."
"I know."
"We'll see you later, okay?"
Rue nods and she stretches up to her full height of 4 and a half feet. She has to believe in fate, odds, the supernatural, whoever holds her life in their hands. Do they still believe in religion in Panem? Are the old gods a thing? Maybe she'll never know. All she knows is that it's just one day a year and she and her family will be just like everybody else, with their hearts bleeding for the two children doomed to never come home.
Rue thinks of abandoned fields, empty desks, and silent orchards. She thinks of boarded up houses, cheeks stained with tears. She thinks of uneaten meals, tidied beds, and parents who walk arm in arm, heads down. She imagines broken siblings and now she's almost at the front of the line and she's insisting that she will do whatever it takes to come back home to her family. The reality scares her, as it scares everyone.
What comes after death? Rue asks, but she doesn't want anybody to hear.
Teenagers shove her this way and that. The bile rises in her throat. Her hands are clammy again and she feels crowded, like she can't breath. She's been through this procedure before, she reminds herself the odds and she's not scared. She's not! She'll be safe, she'll be okay. There's nothing to fear.
But she's up on the stage and they all stare at her and pity and she can feel the cold truth sitting on her shoulder.
This Thresh guy, now he's a real contender. Look at him, look at his size! He's the one they're all betting for, he has to win. Not Rue. Not sweet, little Rue. Not a lovely little girl who's as good as dead. She glances across the crowd, she slowly makes eye contact with her mother.
"I'm scared," Rue whispers.
"I love you," her mother whispers back.
She's not just scared.
She's terrified.
But Rue holds her head up high because there's simply nothing else left for her to do.
Seeder Howell, aged 67
When she won the 24th Hunger Games, she was leaving behind her boyfriend and a two year-old son.
Now that she's destined to go back into the 75th Hunger Games, she's leaving behind her husband, four children, and nine grandchildren.
District 11 has three living Victors, but Seeder knows she'll volunteer anyways if Paprika is Reaped. The younger Victor has so much of her life ahead of her, while Seeder's lived her life. She's gotten married, raised her family, her kids have families of their own. As much as Seeder would love to keep on living (she fought for her right to survive after all), she's seen too many children slip from her fingers with their blood painting the grass red. She refuses to lose anybody else.
She just wishes she could do something for Chaff, the first tribute she's ever brought back. He's past saving, they say. But Seeder knows deep down, there's a troubled man who hides behind the liquor bottle to keep his demons at bay. She's seen him retreat, hide inside himself.
He's not drunk. Not now. But he sways a little, from foot to foot. His lips purse together. A small bead of sweat trickles down his forehead. He knows. Everybody knows. The only question is, who will accompany him into the arena yet again?
Everyone is hot and sticky. Sweat slowly drips down the side of Seeder's face. It will all be over soon, but the Reaping slowly goes on, like an eternity. She doesn't mind, she can wait. She knows what her fate is going to be. Paprika's hands shake slightly as her quiet breaths pick up their pace. Seeder reaches out and grabs her hand. Paprika calms. In the crowd, Seeder sees her husband. He gives her a small nod, all he can do, really.
The escort's dainty pale pink hand slips into the first bowl. "Seeder Howell."
"Stay strong," Paprika says as she lets go of Seeder's hand and the older woman keeps her head held high as she walks up to the stage. The crowd is silent.
Her family is scattered about, but Seeder spots their faces in no time. Silent tears run down her children's cheeks. Her grandchildren squirm in their arms. Her husband's face is emotionless, but Seeder knows he's worried for her.
She might never come back.
Seeder's a peacemaker, not a fighter. A rebel, not a lapdog. And with Everdeen's little stunt and the whispers of her fellow Victors behind dark curtains, there's a good chance it won't be her leaving the arena alive. It's a chance they need to take, though. They've got a shot at finally driving the rebellion home and she'll do everything for the cause.
Even if it means giving up her life.
Chaff is Reaped next. Nobody is surprised.
They shake hands, and Seeder notices the tear in Chaff's eye.
In the Justice Building, her family surrounds her. There's so many of them and she loves it. Seeder's always wanted a big family after all. Her youngest grandchild sits on her lap and her husband places his head on her shoulder.
"I love you all," Seeder says in her quaint, motherly voice. "Please, love one another as well. Look after yourselves. And don't dare hesitate to offer a helping hand."
Those are her trademark words. They're a bit open-ended, but they're supposed to be that way. Seeder will help anyone who needs it.
Eventually, they've all gone. Seeder sits alone. There's a knock at the door. "Let's go," a grave voice says ass the Peacekeeper leads her out. His shoulders slumps slightly. After so many years in 11, many Peacekeepers have become one with the district, regulars in the market and orchards. Sometimes, they come to Seeder on stormy nights for a warm blanket and sage advice.
"We're all rooting for you," the Peacekeeper says.
"I appreciate it," Seeder replies back.
The escort waits silently, before following them to the train. A small pink lipstick tube falls from her pocket. Seeder quickly picks it up and offers it back. The escort nods, lips trembling, eyes watered. They look at each other, but only for a few moments.
Can Seeder save them all?
She hopes she can. Tributes, victors, citizens, Peacekeepers, escorts. She hopes she can help kick start the rebellion that will free them from the iron grip of President Snow's poisoned hands. All of them. It saddens her to think that she won't be around to see the change. But it will happen. That reassures her more than anything.
They've all put too much faith in Katniss Everdeen to let the sparks die, Seeder included.
Chaff extends a hand to help her onto the train. The door shuts behind them.
Next thing she knows, she's leaving behind District 11, and all those who wait with quiet breaths of hope for her return.
Little Rue and Seeder! Who doesn't love them! It's nice to be back in canon character territories, even if we still know so little details about these two.
Next up, Thresh and Chaff! Last three chapters already!