So here I stand and then again I say, I'm hoping we can make some wishes outta airplanes

Anna Schumacher

District Two Female

December 20, Year 168

It's the Juniors' last day of training before winter break. I miss winter break. Now that we're seniors we get one day off. And these little kids get to build snowmen and have fun. I miss that.

But at least due to the Training Buddy program, I get to hang out with and help the little kids more. My parents don't exactly like it, they think it'll interrupt my training. But they won't pull me out if I don't mention it too much, and I can train any other day. And these kids are so cute!

Instructor Harmon walks through the door with a huge smile, and all the kids run to sit down. I don't see Instructor Harmon smile too much, but I guess being with the Juniors for once can really warm his heart. He's holding an enormous box of training weapons, which must mean…

"Hunger Games Day!"

Everyone cheers. Man, I used to love Hunger Games Day. The senior classes never do that anymore. We all would go outside and lie on our stomachs in a circle while the instructors scattered fake weapons all across the oval. They'd dump the then half-full box in the middle of the circle and tell us when we could go grab stuff. One hit, you're out. Simple. Easy. And hella fun.

This is a good day to be a Training Buddy.

"Now, I know you guys all know the rules of Hunger Games Day, but I'm going to ask Assistant Anna up here to help us out. Now, Anna, what's your favourite weapon?"

"That's easy, Instructor Harmon. A dagger!"

Harmon then proceeds to explain all the rules, and field some questions from some slightly confused kids. I know that everyone else is mad that the questions are taking up so much time. I used to be like that too. But they have the whole day to play at Hunger Games. It's chill for them.

"So can I trust you guys to go to the normal spot and prepare?" asks Harmon, getting a cheer in response, "I'll be right with you, I just have to speak to Assistant Anna for a second."

The kids file out the door, chatting and giggling excitedly. Harmon tosses the foam dagger we used back into the box, and turns back around to face me.

"How are you finding the senior classes, Anna? I know you only recently joined."

"They're great, thanks! I feel like I've really improved my technique."

"That's good to hear," he replies, "Have you decided what technique you want to do focus classes on next year?"
"Oh, definitely sais. Or any kind of dagger. They're efficient, and if I go into the Games I know many different ways to fight with them already."

"Good. Everything going okay in general? I noticed some differences between you outside of formal training and you when you're actually in class. You're a promising girl, Anna."

"Nope. My life is great."

"Good. Now let's put the weapons in place."

We walk out, and surprisingly, everyone's in position to start. I guess the new training regimen truly is effective on these guys. Harmon grabs a handful of foam daggers, and throws them into the air.

"I love a good knife fight."

I pull the only foam bokken out from the bottom, and lean it against a pillar. From the angle of the group and position of the pillar, they won't be able to find it unless they look really hard. I can't wait to see them fight over this. I remember grabbing this same bokken when I was a little kid and knocking my friends Dante and Max over. It was hilarious.

I grab two plastic bows and a quiver full of suction-cup arrows, and place them on opposite sides of the circle. Then there's a bunch of rubber axes, both single and double-bladed, and I make sure to hide them really well. Those things hurt!

"Okay, Anna, I think this is good. Can you run and put the box in the middle?"

I nod, and he hands the box to me. Two daggers, one single-bladed axe, one bow and quiver, foam brass knuckles (foam knuckles?) and inexplicably, a flying disc. I guess they wanted to simulate chakrams, but only about five people in the entire Academy use those. Plus I think being hit by a flying disc might actually be worse than one of those damn rubber axes.

But that's irrelevant. We're all set. I place the box in the centre of the circle, then run out to join Instructor Harmon.

"Starting positions, everyone. Legs down on the floor," he addresses the class, "This is Hunger Games Day. Find a weapon and use your training. If you get hit, go back into class. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour. Anna, would you like to do the honours."

"Thanks, Instructor Harmon. Hunger Games Day begins …now!"

Everyone jumps up, and just about everyone runs towards the box. Six weapons and thirty hyperactive eight year olds. This can't end well.

At least fifteen kids go back to the classroom dejectedly. Rookie mistakes. One didn't look out for the axe when they were reaching for the knuckles, and the axe-wielder tripped over and fell on the flying disc. I hope for that poor kid's sake that no one saw that.

The game continues. Someone grabs the bokken and proceeds to absolutely destroy everyone. I guess that redhead with the flying disc did put up a pretty good fight though. Easy. Simple. And Bokken Kid must be really happy.

Soon they'll grow up. Soon they'll know a million ways to murder and love it, just like me. That bokken is going to be a real sword.

But they're just kids now. I go over, and congratulate the winner of Hunger Games Day.

Who are you to tell me, tell me who to, to be, to be?

Superior Montgomery

District Two Male

March 19, Year 169.

"How do you feel about going into the Hunger Games, Superior?"

Bad. I feel bad about going into the Hunger Games.

"I think it would be great, Headmaster!"

Well, fuck my life.

"Good. Superior, your test results are well, superior," says Headmaster Tiber (sigh). "Your aim and accuracy with your bow is the best in the Academy. You're strong and capable, and I think you're smart enough to get out. You're the best chance we have."

"Thank you, Headmaster," I reply, trying not to punch him in the face, "If you don't mind my asking, who will volunteer with me?"

"Not sure. At this point, it's probably going to be Agatha Less. Dismissed."

"Thank you, Headmaster. I will make the district proud."

I don't mean that, of course. I mean, I kind of like Two. We have nice mountains, my friends and I sometimes watch the sunset from them. It's pretty, and we always have enough to eat. I could do a lot worse.

My father's the only reason I'm going into the Games. I want to avoid them, but Father won't rest until Montgomery becomes a rich and influential Victor's family. The lazy prick won't lift a finger to become rich and famous, mind you. He's just going to send me in. And honestly, if I die in there I guess I'll never have to see him again.

But I won't think of that now. It's only a matter of time before that's all I can think about, and I want to make the most of my time with the only people who don't think I'm a piece of crap.

I throw open the door, and Honor, Kyanite and Atalanta are there waiting with smiles. Ampere, my boyfriend, even somehow managed to get back into the Academy to see me. He graduated last year with average marks.

"How did it go?" asked Honor.

"I'm going in. Quick, kill me now, save Agatha Less the trouble."

"Oh, Aggie's too weak for that," laughs Kyanite, "But seriously, Eri, I'm sorry."

"Let's get your mind off it," says Atalanta, dragging me outside, "To the mountains!"

"As long as we're home for dinner," Honor adds, "we won't be in trouble. So don't worry about that."

"But traini-"

"No buts, Superior. You're getting out of here."

"Typical Two, Lanny," replies Amp, "But you're right. I don't want to spend another second in this place."

We run into the cool evening air, so different from the halls of the Academy. The mountain we usually hang out on is quite close, so we don't have to walk far. All my limbs ache from training, so I can't wait to finally sit down.

We eventually reach a ledge, and sit down. Honor pulls out a box of crackers, undoubtedly stolen when our father wasn't looking, and places them in the middle.

"I bet Capitol sunsets aren't nearly as good as ours," comments Atalanta.

"I'll send you a letter," I reply, "But what about District Four? They have beaches and shit."

Lanny shrugs. "Possibly."

She's right. The sunsets here are beautiful. Well, maybe not down at the Academy, or the Markets. And it's certainly not good through the tiny window of my bedroom. But the mountains seem to make everything better.

I have an idea.

"Kyan, catch!"

I rummage around in my backpack for my notebook, and toss it in Kyan's direction. Kyan catches, and opens it to the bookmarked page. They raise an eyebrow, then smile.

"I thought you were too busy training to write anything new!"

"I am. But I wrote this out while waiting for my duel fixture. You think you can improv a little?"

"Yeah. My teacher says I can sing a lot better now."

Amp knows what we're about to do, and is already tuning his guitar. It's a bit bashed up, but at least it stays in tune. Most of the time. If I get home, I'll buy him a shiny new one.

"What key, Kyan?"

"I think this would sound nice in D major."

I have no idea what they're talking about. I just write stuff, I don't know anything about music. The only thing I really do is train. Maybe in a perfect world, I'd write songs, and Kyan and Amp could play them to Panem.

"Ready?"

Amp nods, and starts to play a few chords. After a few seconds, Kyan's rich voice fills the air, breathing life into whatever angsty crap I have scribbled in my notebook. Ky's considered one of the musical prodigies of our grade, and I can see, well, hear why.

I lean my head on Amp's shoulder, and listen to music we all made. I can forget about everything else, my father, the Games, my failure. But I don't want to forget this moment.

The stars are out tonight
And I'm just a little worried
But I look towards the mountains
And somehow I'll carry on

You can't control me
You can't tell me what to do
Yet here I am, moving the mountains
With the hate I have for you

And I know that someday, when I die
I'll go with the mountains in my eyes

Hey it's the D2 Reapings!

Thank you to MRKenn for Anna and 20 for Superior! Like many others, these are two very layered tributes and more will be revealed about them in the Pre-Games. Every tribute will get two Pre-Games POVs, so a total of 3 POVs before the Games begin.

I have received a lot of submissions recently, thank you all so much! Just a few more slots, then we'll be ready to go!

What were your thoughts on Anna and Superior? How far do you think they'll go? Leave constructive criticism in the reviews if you have any!

-Reed