District 10: Mavvi Levist (17) Pov-

The thing I hate most about the other girls in District 10 is that they complain about things they have no right to complain about. Noor complains about mosquitoes and Finch finds the fault in cloudy days while my doctor tells me that I most likely will never hear a single sound in my life.

It's not like I'm never unhappy with my life in District 10. The ranch always looks depressing, even on the beautiful summer day that happens to be the reaping. A gentle breeze blows, carrying a scent of cow manure and rotten hay. I stick the shovel into the ground and sit cross-legged on the sun-baked earth. Sweat runs down my forehead. Wow. Why can't the Capitol treat us better than this? They literally throw up food just to stuff down more when people are starving in all twelve districts.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and whip around, shocked.

"It's just you, Joru," I sign.

"Yep. Just me," he signs back. "This can be my reaping gift for you."

Joru reaches into his bag and pulls out an entire loaf of bread. But it's not just any loaf of bread. It's dark and rich and filled with nuts and seeds. My mouth waters at the sight.

"Where did you get that?" I sign.

"It turns out that Farmer Rella sometimes leaves out gifts for us poor guys when he leaves his post for bathroom breaks," Joru answers, laughing. I've always wondered what laughter sounds like. It's just one of the million things.

I take the loaf from him. "You want to eat part of it?" I ask, my hands flying in front of me to create the signs.

"Nope. You can have the whole thing. It's a present," Joru answers.

"You really are a good friend," I compliment as my teeth dig into the dark, moist bread.

"Put it away quick! One of the overseers is coming!" Joru warns.

I shove the bread into his bag. The overseer looks at us suspiciously. He looks like he wants to punish us, but apparently decides we're not worth this time and turns the other way.

"I've always wanted to do something to show them I'm not under their control. The Capitol can't just keep pushing us around the way they do," I sign with spite.

"Good luck with that," Joru signs. "We can't even take a two minute break under a tree without being flogged."

Anger boils through me. The Capitol has no right to treat us the way they do. I'll show them we're more than their slaves if it's the last thing I do.

District 10: Orford Shaw (18) Pov-

Blood is a beautiful color. I find myself almost hypnotized by the deep scorching red that twists itself into vibrant black when it dries. Being a butcher, I come into contact with a whole lot of blood on a daily basis.

A bell rings at the front door. A rather lanky gentleman comes inside and shivers from the rain. He shakes his umbrella outside before wrapping his arms around himself to get warm.

"It sure is raining hard out there," he remarks. "Do you think they'll have to reschedule the reaping?"

"I don't think so," I reply with the peppery attitude I always use to talk to customers. "Past reapings have gone on through a lot worse than a rainstorm."

The man approaches the service counter.

"Can I have a boneless beef sirloin?" he requests.

"How will that be cooked?"

He squints his eyes to read the prices on the display. "Broiled."

"Coming right up."

"Buck!" I call. Buck pokes his head in from the back. "We need a broiled boneless beef sirloin."

"Got it."

Buck ties back his loose hair with a rubber band and snatches up a nearby cleaver and serrated knife. He pulls a plastic bag from the back room and lifts out a slab of stone-cold beef. Buck plants his serrated knife into the chunk of beef and pulls out a small piece. He hacks it in half using his cleaver, puts in on a plate, and tosses it into the oven.

"It'll be thirty minutes, sir," I tell the man ordering. "Would you like to sit down?"

"Yes, please," he answers, sinking down into one of the chairs. He grabs one of the ancient magazines and reads intently.

I stroll to the back of the shop, where Buck is re-sealing the bag of beef. "Do you think the rain is going to clear up in time for the reaping?"

"I don't know," Buck replies thoughtfully. "But I hope so. It'd suck to stand in the cold rain the whole time. I hope we don't have a talkative escort this year."

I nod my head in agreement.

Sighing, I sink down onto a nearby wooden stool and stare out the window at the summer rainstorm.

District 10: Mavvi Levist (17) Pov-

Felicity Rama, District 10's escort, does clearly not like the rain. She wears a frown on her face as she holds her umbrella firmly over her head, muttering about how the wind is messing with her hair. Her spring-green suit is covered with drops.

"I suppose it's time to pick a girl," Felicity says. "Better get this whole thing over with in this dreadful weather."

Felicity plunges her hand into the girls' reaping ball and snatches the first slip she encounters. She clearly wants to finish as quickly as possible, because she reads the name the second she reaches the microphone. I watch her lips carefully. I'm not the best at lip-reading, but there's no mistaking the name that she reads off.

"Mavvi Levist!"

I take a few steps forward, glaring at Felicity. I think about how this has to be a joke. But I don't freak out like other girls have. Red-hot anger rolls through my chest. I try to think rationally but can't think of anything but how angry I am. Felicity rests a hand on my shoulder as I stand beside her. I flick her hand off me, recoiling.

"Okay, then. Mavvi is officially our female tribute. Let's have a round of applause!"

The sick thing is that some people clap.

District 10: Orford Shaw (18) Pov-

Mavvi looks like one cold girl. Her thick black hair whips behind her as she stands on the stage, her hands lying limply at her side. When I look up at the screen I can see her dark eyes focused on the camera, a hate so strong inside of them.

"Time to pick a boy now," Felicity says quickly as she glides toward the boys' reaping ball.

"Orford Shaw!"

I straighten my shirt and smile. Trying to ignore the pit forming in my chest, I walk quickly to the stage. If I give the Capitol a good first impression, I'm bound to get their attention, right?

District 10: Mavvi Levist (17) Pov-

My mom and dad come to say goodbye first. They wrap their arms around me and say that they love me. But I don't reply. I'm so furious that I can't think straight. I just stare at them coldly with my jaw set and lips formed into a solid line.

Joru walks into the Justice Building next. Something about him snaps me out of my trance.

"I was so scared you'd get reaped," I sign.

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

"I'm just so mad, Joru. So mad. What if I can't control it and I do something stupid in the Capitol?"

Joru sighs. "Just remember what you have to come home to."

District 10: Orford Shaw (18) Pov-

Mom pulls me into a suffocating hug. She whispers all of these words to me. That it's going to be alright. That I just have to remember ends bring new beginnings. I pull away from her.

"You guys don't have to act like this," I say, surprised by how cocky I sound. "I'm not going to die."

"Don't be afra…"

"I'm not afraid," I say quickly. "I'll win."

When they leave, I lie back on the couch and imagine what being a victor would be like. I can't help but feel ashamed when I imagine living in a warm house full of food while the rest of District 10 is dirt-poor. Then I think about my job, working as a butcher with Buck. The thought of never wearing my apron again makes me more than a little sad.

Thank you for all of your reviews. Only two reapings left to go! Thanks to InfinityBook for Mavvi and jjjr7301 for Orford :D

Question 1: What is Mavvi's hair color?

Question 2: What does Orford's co-worker Buck use to tie back his hair?