Reapings/Pre-Reapings part 1
Serenity Brander 17, District 2 Female
Pre-Reapings
The spear clatters to the ground, and I almost feel all the hope I have, left shatter, the Reapings are tomorrow and I have made zero progress in the entire year, I can hold a spear, throw a spear Acurrately but not fight with one, the closer he gets the more vulnerable I am
Most battles end in close distance and almost every career these days chooses short range weapons as do the outers "You hestatited again" Sebastian says softly
I sigh picking up the spear putting it back, I can't stop hesitating, cause I'm afraid to hurt him, I'm afraid if I hurt him he will hurt me, I trust Sebastian with my life, he is the closest person I have to a friend even before he was reaped but what Rowan did, the scars he left me mentally I just haven't grown as a person
I'm still afraid I being beaten, invaded, abused, it's just hard for me to trust someone "I can't do this" I say
"Where is your hope, why give up now" He says
I want to cry, but I don't, I never do, I keep my emotions bundled up, my fears, my trauma, how I want to hide in a corner whenever I see Rowan or even my brother, how I just want to escape in a dream world knowing I will be safe, hope, what does that give me
It helped me survive the four years with Rowan, but the games aren't like being a prisoner, I didn't have to kill with him, All I did was take the abuse, mentally, physically, sexually, for me taking the pain got easier but I had hope because I knew I was still alive, I knew he wouldn't kill me so soon
Now that I finally have freedom, I'm afraid to loose it I know the games aren't easy, only the strongest survive and each year the level of tributes get tougher and tougher, tributes like me ones so afraid of pain, of trust, of conflict don't last, the District I am in puts a bigger target on my back
Me and Sebastian have put in time and effort he had taught me all he knows, tried to make me stronger, he tried to nice act, the tough act, but nothing had worked, I'm not ready, he knows that
"Do you really believe I can win this" I ask
He hetsiates and I know the answer "Your current mindset will kill you, your mentally stable that's fine but your too emotional, your not a killer and not even one that can be made and those are rare what I am worried is when your fighting someone, you have him in a position where he will kill you and you hesitate, he won't just hit the spear from your hand, he will push his weapon in your throat, your a natural thrower, your hand to hand combat skills aren't great but can level a outer especially with your endurance and being use to pain but in the games not many will hesitate they will see your weakness and destroy it" He says
"You always say he" I say
"General assumptions, I have studied the tributes this year can't tell you who, but all the females are like you, The males are different a lot of them will use weaknesses against their opponent, as a way to survive, your kindness can get you sp far but you don't have that one factor that would get a hard hearted tirbute like your brother to not want to kill you" He says
His right "I'm not strong though" I say
"You don't think you are but you are believe me, you hit the bullseye I can't do that yet, you were doing well against me until you tripped over your feet or had me in a vulnerable position, you always get lost in your thoughts, the games have changed me, the experiences with Rowan changed you, believe me the new You is better then the old" He says
His right, I am ashamed of my old self and I can't balme Rowan for breaking me the way he did, I was spoilt, a bit of a brat, I was my father's favourite his only daughter, he didn't have a connection with my two brothers, they were tough and defiant, I was dependant and wanted everything, I guess being a young father he wanted one connection with his child
I was only 10 but I knew how I acted, no wonder they both hated me, I didn't want to train because that's not what girls here do, now I don't want anything handed to me, I don't like having people go out g the way for me, I turned selfish to selfless in a second, strong to broken over four years
After Callen got me away from him, I was lost, all I knew was what Rowan drilled into my head, being in a basement waiting for him to come down to do what he pleased to me, whether it was beating me, stabbing me, raping me that's all I knew in those four years, even 3 years on the memories are still clear like it was yesterday
It took me 6 months to finally go outside, to speak, Callen got me a job, gave me a home, care I never experienced after my father was execuated but old habits are still there, I'm submissive still waiting for a order to be given, I bounded by law to follow Callen's Command, he never takes advantage of it but he need to like ordering me to train, ordering me to eat, those small things
"I'm my own person in the games that's what scares me" I say
"The only way you can win is to make your own choices, I can guide as much as I can but at the end of the day Your choices is the most important thing, your fear can help you, killing out of fear does not make you a killer, killing out of accident does not make you a killer"He says
"What about my brother" I say
He puts his spear down sitting next to me "I was in the same situation as him, without knowing, I wanted to kill Taryn, thought I could, but she is my blood, like he is yours, he won't kill you, you two may be disant almost have no relationship, he may be cold hearted but he won't kill you, I know he won't, but I know you, if he is in danger you will react, and it's fine to do that" He says
"I can't Allie with him" I say
"I know, I'm not going to tell you who to either, you need to make your own choices, again I will tell you if you are wrong but I want you to get out of their go with your gut, your heart and you may surprised your self" He says standing up and giving me his hand I take it standing and I let go
"So I have hope" I say
"your not dead yet Serenity remember that" He says
"You told Mason he wasn't the actual tribute does Ciaran know" I ask
He shakes his head opening the door, we were training in a empty room closed off from the others, to try and distance me from Rowan, he had tried to get me back, by use manipulation, saying I need him and at first I did but I finally feel free, I feel happy with my new life, I'm helping people, I have true friends, I feel proud of myself, I know he will make me break
"No, Fuck him" He says
Sebastian may have changed drastically but his still blunt, I yelp when a office door opens and Sebastian forcefully shoves me behind him "I thought you weren't in today" He Asks Rowan
"I'm mentoring didnt Archer send you the little mentor note because he sent me one" Rowan says passing him a piece of paper
"That fucking bastard, he makes me want to slice his wrists" Sebastian growls, he still isn't fully stable, some things do get him to flip but I seem the only one that brings him out of it, like his the only person to calm Raiden
"Yeah don't do that but hey maybe I will light a fire in her that's the issue right, she has potential, she juts needs the spark" He says
I step behind Sebastian "Don't even look at her" He growls
"I have seen it all although she has grown in three years maybe become more mature I like mature ones they know how to really give you the fully package" He says
I bite my lip, trying not to cry out, I have two clear weaknesses Rowan and my brother, someone could even mention rape or child trafficking and I want to burst in tears, I know I should get over it but it's hard, four years ofmy life I lost, four years of misery and wishing everyday he will kill me
"Don't you have another toy to break" He snarls
"Come on man, I don't do prostitution her brother came to me and I thought why not, I was literally a virgin befor I had her" He says
"Just fuck off, you want her dead" Sebastian says
"I care for her more then you believe, I may have a sick and delusional bond towards her but it's still there, fine, but believe me I won't hold Ciaran back maybe get in his head a bit since clearly Callen won't help him, have fun telling Raiden by the way, heard he is progressing wouldn't he bring this back especially mentoring a girl that has a few qualities to his sister and is most likely to die in the same cruel way, would it be by her brother or a Allie she has bonded with" Rowan says before going back in his office slamming his door
Sebastian turns around "Don't cry" He says
"I wont" I say my voice shaking
"You can though, I learnt the if you bundle your emotions you turn to self harm" He says leading me out of the centre
"I'm okay, you should got to Raiden, he may need you" I say
"His at the boarding house speaking to Callen, he can help you, I hated the guy but he had good advice" He says
"He will say to stop giving me hope, I heard your argument a few days ago" I say
"He just doesn't want me to get to attached to you, Your the last person I truely have, the last purpose, my family that I did everything to avenge weren't my real the family, the girl I wanted so bad to torture was my sister my life was a mess but I made something out of it" He says
"Like I need to, try and win the games" I say
The hunger games aren't some easy walk in the Park, not for someone like me especially, I'm too afraid to join the careers and my brother may be a threat it's also the fact that I really don't like the idea of him dying, he may hate me but I don't hate him, I want my brother back, someone that is truely my family, my mother died in childhood my father executed and my two brothers treated me more like a burden
That's why Elian sold me off and whenever I bump into him he about it, I don't feel angry though, never had I feel more upset and that's what worries Sebastian, anger is a weapon, emotions are a curse, they make you human but every human has a dark side and that side brings you victory
I'm a medic, not a killer, I heal not hurt, but nice people get taken advantage of in the games, betrayed and easily beaten "Exactly, I don't want you to change who you are don't do that, but don't let your past get in your head it did to mine and look what I did, see this as a new start, your not just intelligent your creative if anyone can find a way to win the games without killing its you"He says when we make it outside
I nod "Will you be okay" He says putting a hand on my shoulder
No, I just want to hide, a part of me wants to seek out Rowan knowing he can help me, but I don't want to go back to being his puppet, where he was able to order me to do things I would rather forget, I nod again and he pats my shoulder walking away
I walk in side "Serenity"
I jump but calm a little when I turn to see Raiden "Sorry to scare you" He mumbles
I was scared of him, I mean who wasn't but after Taryn died, he became broken, I can relate to that, I really can "It's okay" I mumble
"Callen told me I will be your mentor as well, I want to try too, I know Sebastian would take the lead and tell you everything but I want to help as well, I was useless with Taryn and when I finally helped it was too late, she would of wanted me to help someone she respected" He says
"You don't have to I know how hard this is for you" I say
"I can't keep locking myself in my room and wishing to turn back time because I can't, I can't change who I was or what I did, we keep loosing tributes that would of made a difference" He says
"You know I have no hope though" I say
"I won't give you false hope saying there is a chance but if you work hard realise what you are doing you may surprise everyone" He says
His right "How do I find the want to win" I say
"You don't it finds you, there is the spark in everyone, it will come, I promise you, but don't give your self false hope" He says
"I won't" I say he nods walking off
I have always found a way to find the light at the end of the tunnel but this time all I can see is darkness
Rhett Halen 18, District 1 Male
Pre-Reapings
There is a myth in this District, a serial killer that hides in the depth of the shadows during the day waiting patiently for his next victim
They call him the silent Killer, a boy that speaks little, seeks little and identity is too challenging to find, they know his real, but they don't know what he wants
Every few days another body is found, a body of a young adult male or female, their whole bodies destroyed in similar ways, beaten, stabbed, the only things that are recognizable are their faces that are carved with one word on their forehead signifying the crime they committed
He hangs their bodies on a tree carving the date and time of their death, shoving something that is important to them in their mouths, he waits until the body is found until he captures another victim, hiding them in the forest alone until day when night hits, he kills
He follows a process, uses his sword the same for each victim, finds the same victim, he would not kill a innocent in the way he kills a criminal, in this district he tries hard to only kill a criminal, they call him the silent killer because know one who he is three years he has be killing and no trace has been found of him
I wasn't always a murderer, something clicked inside me that caused the animal to born, I always saw the world differently to others, I didn't see the positives just the negatives I saw the people that would destroy it, whether, peacekeepers, the government, or people in my district that seem to want to destroy everything, I'm don't really understand my thoughts, or my resistance to pain or emotions it makes me feel less human
I have these voices in my head telling me that I need to slay the evil of this world, but the evil isn't in my reach, so I take my blood lust out on the bad people of one
I found who I really feel anger towards when my parents, older brother and younger sister were slaughter by a unstable teenage boy from my training center, after he attacked me and I felt nothing when his blade entered my leg something took over me, now I control it, I am the murderer, I don't have two personalities, but I hide my true self to others
Being hidden is better then being feared
Around the District people see me as the unknown, I get people looking at me like they have never seen me before, I move around, I live in one of the cheap apartments in the poor area of one, but I only go home during the night, during the day I am either scouting for a victim or training
Not that I enjoy it but if I don't do school or training I may look suspicious, a smart serial killer hides his identity, plus if I admit to my crime I will be a hypocrite
Im not a criminal, I'm a vigilante and the District will thank me for my duties
Like Right now I'm at the center, no one here knows my name, no one here bothers with me even the trainers, I don't show much skills just carefully cutting the dummies with my clay-more, it's about precision plus the center is the birth of criminals, if it's attempted murder, fraud, doing anything to get in the games
This district has the wrong mind and purpose, I may enjoy the games due to the deaths and I seem calm watching people die but the people that die, while some of the bad ones are still here
I look at my watch my trapped criminal will be meeting his death soon, I don't get the point of keeping them in my company, it's better to play games, let him wait and think about what he has done
I spend training mostly observing people around me, pulling them apart like puzzle pieces, deciding their strengths, weaknesses and fear, my family were murdered by a unstable boy, being like that my self we can tell, I have tried to get rid of them and have succeeded how ever there is money for the person that uncovers the silent killer, the honor of ending his life to save the district from what they name the plague
A plague sweeps millions of people putting them through torture, I have less then a hundred kills to my name
The plague kills the innocent, I kill the ones that admit to their guilt, I live by the code of innocent until proven guilty
No one has found my hide out yet because the peacekeepers are too afraid of going into the forest, they tell everyone you can't get out of the district that is a lie, it is simple as opening and closing a door but people in one listen to the crowd, they tell us everyone that enters the forest never comes back, that is not the truth I come across bodies when I go to the forest
People don't understand how far each district is away from each other, it takes approximately 5 days to walk to district 8 which is the closest district to us since it's impossible for a human to climb the mountains protecting district 2, it isn't a simple walk either, the climate in one is dry and warm, 8 is one of the colder more windier districts after the second day, there is snow fall, rivers and lakes
District 8 lay traps to stop their citizens from leaving plus no one in one know basic geography or survival knowledge, before my family were murdered, I was the quiet non talkative boy with curious minds and thoughts, they cared but got use to me being absent for days, I wanted to see what another district was like, I didn't go into 8 but I saw enough to have the hatred grow for my district and that was the first time I saw a dead body and my curiosity about the world grew
It was simple for me, my survival skills are by far the best in the training center, I am the only one that actually reads and takes part in that station, I have access to the centre after hours that's when I train in weaponry, if people saw my skills especially Aedan I would be chosen to volunteer as after last year he wanted to do it district 2 style but his more focus on finding the silent killer which is why I just keep slowly bringing my clay more over the neck of the dummy when he approaches me
"Ryan" He says
"Rhett" I say
"What ever, so what do you think of this" He says showing my a photo, I don't change my a facial expression when he shows me a photo of my latest kill, I just stare at him blankly
I don't feel anything towards the people, I killed no guilt, no joy, it was a necessary evil I need to do, that is what a vigilante is "You going to comment or just give me a stupid look" He says
I shrug my shoulders "You chose to train alone didn't you and your the only male here that didn't give a expression of interest to be chosen" He says
I finger my clay more behind my back, I have self control if I didn't he would already be dead "Yes" I say
He waits for me to talk more but I don't, actions speak louder then words, so why should I represent my self with words that may not mean anything plus I am not the best at speaking to others, sometimes I feel as if I have another language because people twist what I say
"So you want to volunteer?" He says
"I clearly don't have the skills" I say
"Don't lie kid, You have an after hours pass I have seen you, your the next victor come on" He says
I put my weapon down, feeling just a bit of anger consuming me that's an enough to back out, for me I don't feel anger just blood lust, which is why I loose it when I don't kill someone in more then a week, it scares me but I embraced the animal inside me otherwise I would be just another manic killer
I think it's a illness but I don't get sick or feel pain, if I hit my head, cut my hand, I feel nothing that's what further disconnects me from humanity "I train for no reason" I say
He is getting annoyed with my small conversations "I don't know much about you, your files pretty blank, so what do you really want with life" He says
To erase this world of dangers, but I can't say that, I'm not afraid of death, I don't care if I get killed tomorrow but I want my purpose to be fulfilled, or at least to get the satisfaction within me
"Isolation" I mumble
"I like you, so yes" He says
"No" I say beginning to walk off, he walks after me
"Come on every boy here will kill for the honor to be the tribute, and your just going to throw it away" He says
"How do you know the choice is yours" I say
I'm the eyes and ears of the District, I spend most of my spare time lurking, walking around knowing what is going on, I just so happen hear a conversation that the escort had a few days ago, The tributes have already been chosen, 20 Male are going in, they are orchestrating a war
"what do you mean" He says grabbing my arm
I quickly shove him off turning around "Last year" I say
"So last year was last year" He says
"2 always goes after 1" I say quickly walking off he calls me some name but doesn't follow, sometimes it's easy to confuse people with words to get them off my back, I'm a Intellectual I don't use death worse every third word, I take a moment to think before I speak though
I look at my watch time is ticking and I am one to follow patterns, like I told Aedan, one is before two every time, it's a message of this world, numbers that's all it is about, patterns, puzzles, you just need to dig deeper to find the real truth
Looking at this District I can see their desperation, our economy is decreasing the need for gems and feathers becoming less important to the Capitol, they want education, entertainment and too look strong, the rich District can become the poor very soon, the games are our only hope, They have one more year to get a good result or the career status will be stripped
I hope they do loose
A career killed my family, I'm becoming a career and it makes me sick, which is why I would never volunteer
I don't mind killing, that's not the issue it's just what the games are about that anger me, people die everyday in the districts whether it's by someone like me, disease, hunger, suicide or peacekeepers, we don't need the hunger games to cut down population or to show how powerful the Capitol is
The hunger games spark the need for rebellion, retribution, that causes more death and more angry citizens, which makes it harder for the districts
District one is technically the most loyal District, no mouthy victors, our population is decreasing which is why security here is next to nothing but the search for the silent killer is their main focus, they don't just know I kill outside the District even walking around I get glances from the peacekeepers but nothing else
They treat trainees nicer, the students harsher, to them education is less important, 3 and 5 may not do well in the games but their District is steady, that more important
I make it to the outskirts sun is just about to set, people will be going to bed early waiting in anticipation for tomorrow, I already gave in my letter to leave, Aedan must of not seen it
After Reapings you officially become a adult if your 18, I don't really need money since I just take what ever the person I killed had and some have a lot, plus some guy in the black market pays a lot for human blood, The freaks that go there, I actually can speak a few more words with them because I am one and I'm not going to Deny it but I won't tell anyone either, secrets are left best hidden
I make it to the fence, once again no peacekeepers and I easily crawl under, honestly all I had to do was rip the wires out of the large obvious box that used to keep our fence electrocuted, I quickly run to the abandoned cabin, I set traps out here to be safe, I'm not all brawn, which if I go into the games may be seen as the biggest threat however my weaknesses is my distance from humanity, not feeling pain, the voices I sometimes hear
If I get stabbed I won't feel it, which means I won't know death is coming or me which is both a good and bad thing, when I walk in he starts screaming in his gag
His just as bad as me, there are quite a few orphanages in one that lack funding, the worse is the girls one near the outskirts, I saw him one day tempt a young girl with money and clothes to do it with him, she agreed and I stumbled across her body the next days, they don't care about the killings of the orphan girls but some of the people I have killed were important the worse thing is his younger then me which once again reminds me of my families killer which is why I recklessly attacked him yesterday
I controlled my self knowing any change to May ring louder alarms, I walk up to him pulling the gag off "Apologies and I may spare you" I mumble
That's a lie, it always has been but people do desperate things if their life is hanging in my a thing wire, me however are not one of those people which is why if I somehow do get reaped, I won't change anything because for me that's the biggest crime to commit
Hudson Labelle 18, District 8 Male
Pre-Reapings
Every time Reapings come along, I have this sick feeling in my stomach, nightmares and stress that I can't stop
I have 3 younger siblings all in reaping age, I have the risk of getting reaped myself plus it opens bad memories of what I lost, of who I lost to the games
It's hard to love when your young, when You turn to such a dirty job such as prostitution just to save your large family, they mean the world to me, after my two older siblings died to diseases, my father became bed ridden and my mother always over works herself I had to do something
I work in the factory has a box carrier, as even when I was younger my build was too strong to be a clothing designer or maker, being a box carrier is the lowest job you can have in the factories even under the cleaners, the pay is non-existent, and the treatment is harsh
When I was 11 my boss recommended me for that job, he sympathized me, but the peacekeepers control the pay and conditions, so I turned to prostitution, the dark business of District 8 and the only District that does it which is why we have many Capitol citizens staying in the nicest building we have here built especially for them
The pay is worth the pain you go through mentally, my father gets his medicine, my mother only works during the day and my siblings can eat and go to school, my mother is the only one who knows, and she hates it, but I don't give her a choice, especially now I have a daughter
The relationship you have with your clients are next to nothing, they treat you like a toy, but one day I saw a new light in the dark world I had to endure
The mayors daughter Mia was the girl everyone loved, would donate to the poor, help the factories, do things you wouldn't expect from the rich, she caught me walking into the hotel one day when I was only 11 years old, she forced me to come to hers and paid me to do minor jobs in her room such as build a cabinet or fix a hole since I was good with my hands, they say love is blind and I guess it was
After two years spending almost every day with each other we both took it too far, I was young but it was real and she knew it that was until she found out she was pregnant and I had to go through a week court case as the mayor thought I raped his daughter if it wasn't for her pleading for me I would of been sent to the Capitol to become a full time prostitute which is worse than here, they lock you up in a small room and you just lay there whole woman, man do horrible things to you
After our daughter was born I was banned from seeing either of them, but I still did, my parents supported me, they knew our feelings were real, then she was reaped 5 years ago when she was 17 and I can't even go through the pain I felt when she died, the anger, emptiness, her parents gave us my daughter and didn't give me a cent afterwards and I was forced back into prostitution
I hate it, every second of it but my family are all of have left if I don't do this, I will be alone, I can last more than a week without food due to starving myself so they can get more, it doesn't stop me from building strength, I'm one of the only box carriers here which makes that my day job
I quietly open the door, not wanting to wake up the Capitol lady, as I really didn't want to see her again, unfortunately she wakes "Going so early" She yawns
Reaping's Are later tonight, and I have my two twin brothers going in for their first Reaping's, I would prefer not to spend it for some older woman with no life, Apparently I'm the favourite here, for my looks and build, which is why most nights I have about 5 clients men and woman which is why almost every morning I throw up the last food I have in my stomach
After Reaping's I can finally transfer into a machine technician role which means I can drop this, it won't be near as much money but then I have more time to spend with my family mainly my daughter
"Reaping's are today so I need to get back to my family" I say
"So, who cares, I want more" She says winking
"Sorry but I already but in my resignation note this is my last time" I say
She stands up annoyed "You don't have a say in this boy" She says
I sigh "Fine tomorrow night" I say
"Good, but I want you to it the entire night I didn't feel it in my sleep" She says
This because I jump off the bed spending an hour to wash my body, it still doesn't take of the feeling, I nod my head quickly running out, collecting my money from the front counter "Good luck today" The girl at the desk says
"You too" I say
She smiles at me, I know her from the factory, luckily for her she is only do customer service, I count the cash in my pocket realising I was given not even half as what I was supposed to, I see the Capitol woman strut out, I really don't want to speak to her again but I need this money
"Hey, you under paid me" I say running to her
"That's because I wanted the full package you didn't give me enough, you didn't even take all your clothes off, you're a handsome boy why we so shy" She says putting her hand in my chest, I hit her hand away, biting my lip when she screams
A peacekeeper comes by her aid before I can even think of running "He totally ripped me off then attacked me for money" She says
"what, she under paid me" I say
"Did you do what she asked" He says
You got to be kidding me, I almost have the temptation to punch him almost, I don't have a temper but 8 can get overly passionate even violent to get things done, I would kill for my family, I would kill anyone that I have put all my trust in and had blatantly betrayed that but I wouldn't kill some old woman that doesn't have a life or a peacekeeper that is just doing his duty, killing is a necessity but not in District 8, as much as I She the thought I can be chosen this year, especially since last year the Capitol want entertainment
I shake my head "He isn't violent ma'am, I don't think he would have hit you" He says
Surprisingly some of the peacekeepers sympathise the workers and children of this District whole others would shoot if you did one bad thing, if I had once if those I bullet would have already gone through my head "I don't every cent I gave him back" She screeches
Shit, I'm dead, the peacekeeper looks at me brining out his gun "You don't want to do that"
I jump slightly when I see Isaac walk into the alley, stopping when his neck to me, he pulls out a bundle of cash from his pocket throwing it at the lady "There you go why not buy yourself a life and stay away from him" He says
"Oh my god, I love you, how much to get in bed with you" She coos trying to reach up to his face he bats her hand away growling and the peacekeeper escorts her away giving me a nod
"Thanks" I mumble
I can't deny that he does scare me and I'm a little worried about why his here "I hate Capitol bitches, but I need to speak to you" He says
I haven't even spoke to him before or after he won the games, but he seems serious, I nod my head and he slowly takes out a piece of paper handing it over to me and at first, I think it's a joke it had to be, it must be
I hand him back the paper "Please tell me your messing around with me" I say
"Do I look like a guy that jokes" He says
My whole world feels like it has crashed down "How do you know" I say
"Archer left me this, and I know his telling the truth, it may be a good thing at least you can mentally prepare yourself that's why I had to tell you, I know you have more to lose then most people" He says
I'm shocked he seems to care "If I die, then my family won't survive" I mumble
He takes out another bundle of cash form his pocket like it means nothing to him "This can last them a year, this isn't me believing your dead meat, I believe you can win but your worry of your family can cause distraction which can cause your death if you do die I will make sure they are financially stable, but you need to have your head and thus game and realise what you need to do" He days
His right "Why are you helping me, I thought you only help murderers" I say
He smirks "I do have a heart and would put time and effort in a tribute I believe as the potential and deserves victory, I know you wouldn't just hide or die in the bloodbath and your build and determination clearly demonstrates you're a force to be recognised, I also know the boys at the box factories Practised fighting and throwing sticks which can easily be turned into a spear and on the less important note, I don't want to see district two win" He says
"I can't promise you revenge" I say
"I'm not going to ask you that, but I know you wouldn't hesitate to kill one, looking at the list you would have realised there are more boys than girls, the twenty-four rule is back" He says
"I don't know if I should go home" I mumble
"I think that's better you have troubles with your emotions don't you" He says
"They Come on too strong, anger, sadness, I sometimes need to be on my own or I will either loose it or burst in tears, My family is all of have, when I'm carrying boxes for miles or in bed with some filthy money grabber all I can imagine is going back to my daughter and family, sometimes I just want it to end" I mumble
"You win this mate and your family will have the life everyone deserves, you don't have to worry about yourself anymore" He says
"My three brothers would be eligible my daughter later" I mumble
"After Raiden's near suicide attempt when Taryn got killed they realised reaping family members will mentally damage victors they banned it, You need to think that you will win, come back with me until Reaping's tonight, give them the money when they come to goodbyes, we need to start preparing you know because mentally you may break emotionally" He says
I nod my head following him through the District, it feels weird walking through the city area, the factories and my house are in the outskirts So is the hotel, the rich live on the other side of the city, a place where the poor are already feeling out of place due to the faces that are made and the colour of our clothes
We only have white, black and grey, although my siblings and parents wear colour clothes due to my mother's job but 8 tell her to not waste time making some for me when she can get money everyone else here wears bright colours, Isaac wears black but that's because he fits the age boy image perfectly
I guess the best mentor to have he killed 10 people he knows how to defy the odds, I don't want a large body count just to get home and I know that means killing
I look around I didn't even know we have trees here or nice buildings, or a lake, I travel so much around the district, but this area is pretty much closed off to the poor, we make it to the victor's village and his house where He signals me to sit on the couch
"Are you a loyal person" He asks
"I don't friend because I tried to keep away from people, but I will be loyal if I get the same back" I say
"Good because I have this master plan for you to win but I need you to act, I know this may be hard for you, but you want to do anything to win right" He says
"I guess, just don't tell, me to get ten kills no offence" I say
He smiles and I'm actually shocked my how nice he is, everyone called him the boy from hell even worse than a few other victors but here I am, alive and he seems to be putting effort in me "Non taken, the reason why I didn't want you to come home is because the reaction your family will give will instantly give you sympathy who would kill the teenage father, I need you to keep playing the innocent but protective act, keep playing that in the games until you switch, you become a fighter, a victor, the Allie I want you to guy with is a key you your victory" He says
I nod my head but I don't know if I want to use someone, potentially stab them in the back but then I think back to my family, the need me, not just financially but emotionally, My father is ill, my mother works all day and cosmos home but still has a smile on my face then he fighter I can't let her live without her parents
That thought in mind will make me break my moral views to get back home even if that means stealing a life
Ciaran Brander 18, District 2 Male
Reapings
I look at the body then the piece of glass in my hands which are coated in blood
I don't know what to do, I don't know how it happen, something in me snapped, 12 years of hatred finally snapped
He got my father murdered got over it, Sent Serenity away to be Rowan's toy didn't effect me she was a spoilt brat and got her wake up call, but he controlled my life forced me to train forced me to do something I don't like
Fuck training
Fuck the Capitol
I have real problems with my temper and with what I want in life and that bastard forced me to train, got in gold class, after Sebastian and Taryn got reaped become the best in the center, while disconnecting me even more to the world and people where now I don't know how to fit in or be myself because I don't know who I am anymore
Today I saw of got angry in the morning and punched the window, which shattered he came in screaming at me telling me to grow up telling me to get over my fear since He was pissed I wasn't chosen as tribute and has locked me up in my room telling me his done with me
When he said I am worse then my sister and that I was the reason our father was killed was when I flipped, threw my self at him and stabbed the glass in his face
Now I don't know what to do
I don't feel guilt, I feel nothing but murder in District two is a big no no and I don't now how to get rid of the body without people seeing and the stupid Reapings are today
I put my hand through my hair realizing being covered in blood paints me as guilty, I know one person who knows how to handle a tough situation
Serenity is a medic but also got Sebastian out of trouble before he was reaped many times, got a lot of boy out of trouble by telling them ideas to hide their crime or to seem innocent
That Coward owes me for not killing her since my brother locked me up because I would not murder the pipsqueak because what's the point of getting punished for murdering her, I just hope some crazed male will kill her in the games and she will be out of my life for good but she can help me and will
She had hope for our relationship I don't see one but why not let her think that, I quickly wash the blood off me and get changed, putting a sheet over my brothers body just in case someone walks in, not that it's obvious
I can't lie and say I hate the new her less since it's good to see she got a wake up call and isn't that bitchy sister that was daddy's little girl while I was on the bottom like always now she is weak and spineless and everyone loves her not that I'm jealous and it's just annoying when people compare me to her
The academy boarding house isn't that far and I feel relieved when I see Sebastian and Callen already at the square speaking with Gunner, Reaping's are in under an hour at least
I walking in quickly look at the room board, Callen did offer me a room but I knew my brother would of done something to ruin my life, apparently he did offer me to Rowan as well but Rowan only wanted a girl and specifically he can break, sometimes I am jealous that Serenity had that
I doubt he would of abused her everyday and believe she is being melodramatic about it, my brother hit me everyday and I don't jump at every little noice
I go to her room number knocking on it and after a few seconds it opens "Ciaran" She mumbles staring at me surprised
We cross paths a lot and most of the times I insulted her or ignored her, this is the first time in 7 years that I have genially wanted to speak to her, after she was rescued from Rowan she tried to speak me but I push her away insulting her as my brother wanted that
He brainwashed me and I would sadly admit that "You busy" I say
She shakes her head and I grab her wrist "Good I need your help" I say
She stares at me but doesn't argue, she has turned from disobedient to submissive, any little thing sometime tells her to do she does unless Callen tells her otherwise, she is bound by law to follow a command of someone higher up then her unless her owner tells her otherwise
We keep walking until we make it back to my house or what use to be our house "I'm not speaking to him I'm not allowed" She says
"Don't worry, he can't talk" I say pushing the door open and walking over to the sheet pulling it off
"What did you do" She says
"Don't worry about it bastard Deserved is Serenity" I say
She looks at me going closer "I uh, didn't think you were capable of this" She says
I slam a hand in her chest which instantly gets her to step back, now I have to be careful where I touch her too, she had to fucking grow a spine, clearly when she goes into the games, a lot of males will have their hands on her, probably to murder her so she needs to get out of her head that they want to assault her
Fuck she makes me want to do the same I did to my brother "Well I fucking did it, can you help me" I say
She hestistaes "It's a order" I snarl
"You have two options, dig the body in your backyard atleast until Reapings are over, it's getting dark out which means more peacekeepers will be patrolling the areas to make sure everyone attends or you can burn his body which meanings sneaking into the forest hoping no one will come" She says
"No one goes into the forest I would prefer not to him in my backyard plus you will be dead soon, so I can't get your help"I say
She nods not even strong enough to get angry at me for calling her weak, I grab a bag stuffing his body in it throwing a box of matches to serenity "There is coal out there right" I ask
"Fires for a camp fire put him in there and no one will notice the fire will burn out quickly anyways" She says
I easily carry the bag and we walk out, we don't speak or even look at each other until we make it to the forest which is more snowy mountains but there are trees and people go out here to camp, I empty bag throwing his body at the wood, snatching the matches from Serenity's hand "You Don't seem upset his dead" I say
"I don't know him, I don't know you so why keep the emotional connection when there was none to begin with" She mumbles
I throw the match at his body pushing her forward "Agree" I say
"Shouldn't you two be getting ready for Reapings"
Serenity jumps and I ignore her looking up at Rowan casually leaving against a tree "How long were you there no actually how do you know we are here" I say
"I always come out here I have a cabin not far by where I do extra curricular activities so whenever the peacekeeprs come to my place they think I have mentally improved since all they see is nothing out of the ordinary, I have a reputation to go just when Reapings begin and no I did not know you were here,Sebastian made it clear what will happen if I stalked Serenity and tried to kidnap her again, I just heard you to" He says
"Well that's nice" I say
"So you killed your brother went to serenity so she can help you hide his body a little extreme isn't it, she owes you nothing" He says
"How do you know that happen" I say
"I had her for four years and have almost seen her everyday I know her more the you and she isn't a killer, just a lost and broken little girl who will get ripped apart in the games unless you help her" He says
"Rowan" Serenity mumbles
I raise an eyebrow "Oh didn't he know, that is but harsh isn't it, Sebastian found out the tribute list last year and didn't have the decency to let the male know" He says
"What" I say
"No his lying, he is lying" Serenity mumbles
Even 7 years without contact I know when she is lying, I grab her arm "What does he mean" I snarl
She tries to get out of my grip but I firmly hold her with one arm "Fine okay, your the male tribute, Sebastian didn't want you to know because he thought it would be a good surprise for you" She says quickly and I know that's a lie to
"He didn't want you to know because he doesn't want you to gain a advantage he thinks you have no filter and are like the boys at the center which Clearly you are not because you didn't ask to volunteer, but don't blame her, Callen ordered her to keep her mouth shut, I guess you broke that promise his going to have to punish you now" Rowan says smirking at her
"Why didn't you tell me" I ask I realize I am twisting her arm and Rowan shoves me away, Serenity sprints out i\of the forest and back in the District and Rowan screams out goodbye to her looking back at me
"I literally found out a hour ago, when I was told I was mentoring and Sebastian and Raiden were speaking about your sister which I was eavesdropping but don't worry about that" he says
I don't know what to feel at the moment, happy, angry, I don't want to go in the fucking games "I thought you would be happy that is what you wanted right, you acted like it" He says
"It was a bloody act, to keep my brother from selling or killing me" I say
"Clearly killing isn't a problem with you" He says signalling to my now burnt brother
"I don't care about killing, I care about loosing my life, like everyone should, fuck" I say
"Atleast your mentally stable" He says
"Thanks Rowan that really helps, I don't care, You know how confused I am at the moment, in the games I may turn into a mess, I don't want to play the game at all and do you really think the Capitol will let another district 2 tribute to win" I say
"They wanted Taryn to win, Sebastian won, they don't always get what they want, but they know rigging the games will loose the support from the Capitol people who always attract to a certain groups of tributes and at the beginning it's oreety simple, The heroes, Villains or good looking career boys, which do you choose" He says
"I'm not a villain why does everyone think that" I say
"Because Sebastian's gone and you are the easiest one because you are loud mouthed I know a villain, you won't be one orchestrated death, I see you getting more then 5 kills but that's just a observation, what you need is to clear your mind" He days
"Why are you helping I thought you would want my sister back" I ask
"She is already way to broken to break more, the last year she did what ever I wanted, let me do what ever and didn't say anything or even cry in pain, it would be good if she dies and Because the mentor list has been given in and me and Callen are your mentors, Callen doesn't want to be disloyal to Serenity so he said your all mine and his just going to go to make sure I don't kill her, Sebastian doesn't kill you or me and Raiden doesn't kill his self" He says
The Fire has stopped "Should I give him a funeral" I say
He raises an eyebrow "You will be in the games" He says
"Good I'm trying this be nice thing" I say beginning to walk out
"Do you actually want to kill Serenity" He asks Following me we are almost late but the forest is close to the Reapings
"Want and have to is a different thing, I wasted my life for these stupid games, I'm not going to loose it for anyone" I say
He nods quickly walking to the stage and I sign in, I am still angry she lied but Rowan is right we owe each other nothing, we may be siblings by blood but nothing else, I can't even remember her birthday or how old she is, but I get my anger to the last question when I see her in the 17 year old section, since the 18 and 17 are next to each other in the back since we are the bigger age group and wine there are about 80% males in this District they mix the sections up
Gunner walks on stage, I hear some of the boys quietly complain about both the tributes already being chosen saying we have no chance, I wonder how they will react when I go up, I'm skilled but not arrogant to believe I am skilled enough to win
"Once again the tributes will be chosen so well done to all you 18 year olds who wasted your life for nothing" He says
His right, a lot of us did waste our lives for this, atleatd I didn't, still doesn't make me excited "Before I say the name there will be no volunteers" He says
He picks up the pink envelope "Serenity Brander"
Everyone screams out how it is unfair and a catastrophe she is chosen, I guess when you think about it why would the Capitol schools someone who won't give entertainment, unless she is going to be the survivor of this year, she slowly walks up quickly walking past Rowan, she is holding it in well. Guess she had one year to prepare
"Ciaran Brander"
Mason doesn't react so he knew too, I walk uo in stage "Your tributes"
No one really applauds, the hated boy and the loved girl, it's clear who they will be supporting
Author note: Here is the first set of tributes, the way this will work is that there will be three Reapings/pre Reapings chapters showing 4 tributes each
Anyone new to my stories would know that since I have come up every single character myself not everyone would have a point of view or would be heavily featured wouldn't instantly make them a bloodbath, just means they don't have any deVelopment, also doesn't mean the tribute with the most time will win
Everyone feature in the Reapings will get other point of views a few not in the Reapings will appear in the train rides and so on
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