Last year

Benjamin "Benjie" Seeds (14)- Citizen of District 11

A cold drizzle is falling on our heads. Even if we've got umbrella and warm clothes, I can feel its damp penetrating my bones. But today is an important day, we cannot stay at home. Some weeks ago, my little sister Maya did a test to get into a private school, and today they're putting out the results. I'm going to see them along with her. Actually, private schools are far more expensive than public ones, but they ensure a far better education. Those who graduate from them won't end up working in the orchards, that's for sure. I've never liked studying, that's why I dropped school… but Maya is a whole other story. She's clever and dutiful, I'm pretty sure she'll make it. We're not a wealthy family- just another family who works in the orchards like many others in our district- but we'll do anything we can to support her. She has a future.

"Benjie..." Maya whispers at some point.

"Yes?"

"What if I hadn't passed the test?" she asks me in a worried tone.

"You certainly have," I reply.

"But what if I hadn't?" she insists.

"Nothing would change. We wouldn't stop loving you just because you didn't pass a test," I say.

"But I would disappoint you," she retorts.

I stop. "Not at all, Maya! You were brave to try, and we're proud of you!"

She shyly smiles in response. "Thank you… sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"You don't need to apologize, a bit of anxiety is normal," I say, interrupting her.

We silently resume our walk. She looks relieved. I sincerely hope she made it; she deserves to attend that school, because she has always committed to study. Failing would certainly break her heart, and I don't want that to happen. She has studied a lot for that test, we're ready to make sacrifices to pay the school fees… can the odds be in our favour, for once?

We get to the school and enter it. The interior is quite sober, but the white walls convey an idea of solemnity that makes me feel a bit uneasy. In addition, it's all just quiet, you can barely hear the hushed voices of people inside the hall… on the whole, it feels like you're in a museum and not in a school. Hanging on a wall, there's a long list of names in alphabetic order. Beside every name, the result of the test, either "passed" or "failed". Many people are huddled around the list, looking for the name they're interested in. Both adults and children are wearing fine clothes. This school must be renowned, I don't think they expect a poor girl to be able to attend it, but Maya will surprise them all!

"We'll wait until the crowd disperses," I say.

"Okay," she replies, uneasy.

I get closer to her. "Is everything all right?"

"I… I-I don't know what to expect… the test was difficult, a-and I… I…" she stammers.

I put my hands on her shoulders. "Everything gonna be okay. We'll watch the results together. Do you want me to kick one of those rich asses? They might let us through, in this way."

"You don't need to be so vulgar, Benjie!" she complains.

"I've cheered you up, at least," I retort.

She shakes her head in disapproval, but a slight smile has formed on her lips. Yes, I've cheered her up. When we finally manage to read the list, I start feeling anxious. The names are ordered under the family name, so we have to look for letter s.

MAYA SEEDS...PASSED

I can't believe it! Maya has truly made it!

…...

Some months before the Reaping

Tobias Jackson (13)- Citizen of District 11

Working in the orchards is truly a hard job. You have to get up at dawn and you finish working at dusk… for a meagre wage that can hardly support a family, especially if it's large. Mine is of only three people, but I've become the man of the house since my father's death, so the responsibility of supporting it lays completely on my shoulders. My mother has not fully recovered from his death, and my little sister Flo is too young to work. But I don't mind being the breadwinner of my family, it makes me feel important. I can remember the day of my father's death as if it were yesterday…

"Where's my father? Why did they take him away?" I desperately ask my mother.

But she doesn't say a word in response, she just stays seated, her dark eyes staring off into space.

"Please, answer me!" I insist, shaking her.

Nothing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see my little sister Flo peer into the room, leaning on the door. She has a worried expression on her tiny face, she seems almost scared. I get closer to her and bend down.

"Don't worry, Flo, I just need to talk to mum. Go to bed now," I gently whisper to her.

"You said daddy was taken away," she says, sad and worried.

"I told him… I told him not to protest… but… he didn't listen to me. The crop failure, all those job cuts… he couldn't stand this predicament… and now… and now…" says my mother and then bursts into tears.

"Please, Flo, go to bed now! I'll look after mum, that's just one of her breakdowns," I tell my sister.

There must be something in my expression or in my tone that told her that she has to do what I said, because she leaves the room without saying a word.

"They took him away, because he dared to protest… they killed him, Tobias… they killed him… and now… what will become of us?" …

… "Tobias!"

I'm suddenly dragged back into reality. I look down. Jacob- a fellow worker- is looking at me with a shadow of reproach on his face.

"You know how peacekeepers treat idlers, don't you?" he points out.

"Yes… sorry… I was just thinking," I apologize.

"You'd better finish gathering those apples, we have to fill all those crates by the end of the day," he goes on, pointing at the stacks of crates under the tree I've climbed.

In the orchards, the work of gathering is essentially carried out by hand, whereas in other areas of agriculture they employ also machines. Workers are paired off into couples and assigned a series of trees. One gathers fruit, the other fills the crates. The crates are then sent to a factory, where the fruits will be selected, washed, and then sent by train to the Capitol and the other districts. Only a small amount will remain in District 11. That's really unfair, we grow food, but we cannot enjoy it. These red apples are so inviting… but if someone gets caught stealing or eating the crops, they immediately get whipped, at least twenty lashes. I'm not having this, I remember the signs of the whip on my father's back. All I have to do is working without complaining... for my sake, and for that of my family.

…...

Present day

Maya Seeds (12)- Citizen of District 11

Suddenly, I wake up. I had a nightmare. Even if I can't remember it, I still feel uneasy. I look around. I share the bedroom with all my siblings, but none of them is here now. For a moment, I believe I'm still dreaming, but then Benjamin peeps out from the kitchen.

"You've woke up, sleepyhead!" he says with a smile.

"Apparently," I reply, while yawning and stretching.

"We're already having breakfast. You'd better hurry up, if you want to find something to eat," he continues, giggling.

I snort and follow him in the kitchen. Our house is not that big- a kitchen, a bathroom, two bedrooms all on one floor… maybe too little for our family, but that's what we can afford. Not that I'm complaining… actually, the situation of many families of District 11 is much worse than ours. My parents taught me to appreciate what I have, and I'm going to follow their teaching.

"Good morning, Maya. Are you hungry?" my mother greets me.

"Not really," I answer.

Today, there's my first Reaping. I can't help but worry, even if I've got only one slip in the Reaping ball. Benjie himself looks a bit concerned, and considering that he's usually the nonchalant type... of course, my elder sisters Gaia and Jules can relax, since they're no longer eligible.

"Don't worry, kid, everything gonna be okay. This is a great time for us, our little Maya has started a new school, and nothing will ruin our happiness," says my father.

He's always so positive, self-confident, and ready to look at the bright side. I'd like to be like him.

"He's right, Maya. We'll always be with you, whatever happens," adds my mother with a wide smile.

"Helloooo… she's not the only one who needs support… I'm so scared in this moment, like a fluffy puppy on a dark road!" Benjie chimes in, adding goo-goo eyes and a trembling lip to his performance.

He's joking, of course. As usual, he likes playing the victim, but he always overdoes things so much that we all burst out laughing... as this time.

After having breakfast, we get dressed for the Reaping and head to the main square together. The streets are filled with people and, although many are chatting animatedly, a general feeling of uneasiness and uncertainty looms over us all. There's only one thing we all know for sure: two kids will be sent to the Capitol, and at least one of them won't come back alive. This time of the year is definitely the worst. Once in the main square, Benjie and I join our sections, which are divided by age- the eighteen-year-olds right in front of the stage, the twelve-years-olds like me at the back of the square. Those who are not eligible attend the ceremony at the sides. For the first time in my life, I don't stand at the sides but right in the spotlight. I have to admit that it's a whole other story. In the meantime, the Reaping has begun. The mayor makes a speech about how proud our tributes should be of representing District 11 in the Games. I don't think he really believes in what he's saying, but he has to grin and bear it like all of us, I suppose.

"...our people are used to facing many difficulties to survive, and the Hunger Games are just another challenge to overcome, after all. Go, tributes, and be proud of your roots, because we're not less than the other districts," he says to finish his speech.

"Oh, what a wonderful speech, Mr. Mayor! I sincerely hope everyone has listened carefully!" comments the escort, putting emphasis on the adverbs.

Then, she goes on: "But now it's time to move from words to actions! Ladies first!"

She gets closer to the girls' ball and quickly pulls out a slip of paper. "Maya Seeds!"

What? No, wait, it can't be! I'm imagining it, she has not chosen the only slip I have! However, a peacekeeper drags me out of my section and pushes me towards the stage. I've been reaped for real, then...

"You don't need to be so rude! Our little tribute is just a bit shy!" complains the escort, but she sounds more amused than annoyed.

It's true. I've been reaped, I'm not imagining it. As I'm mounting the stage, tears start flooding from my eyes. That's so unfair… after what we have all done to make me enroll, all the projects I had for the future…

"Come on, you're on national TV, you cannot cry like a baby! You won't make a strong impression, if you behave like that!" says the escort.

I don't even look at her, I just keep my gaze down. I don't care what the audience will think of me.

"Okay, as you wish. Now, for the boys… Tobias Jackson!"

I don't look up to watch my district partner approach, but, when he eventually walks by me, he puts his hand on my shoulder and whispers: "Courage! We're in this together."

"Ladies and gentlemen, the tributes of District 11, Maya Seeds and Tobias Jackson! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" says the escort, eventually.

We immediately get in the Justice Building, where our families and friends can come to say goodbye before we leave. My vision is blurred by tears, so I don't pay attention to what's happening around me. The only thing I notice is that they leave me alone in a room… it must be the waiting room where I'll receive my visitors. My family comes here, indeed. My mother hugs me tight, and I keep on crying in her arms. She's teary too.

Only when I've calmed down a bit, she breaks the embrace and says: "Remember that we'll always be with you, Maya."

"But you need to be strong. We know you can. You have a whole lifetime to live, you cannot give up now," adds my father with tears in his eyes.

Seeing him cry is a rare event. I think this is the second time in my life I see him cry… the first one was last year, when I told him I had passed the test for the private school. Yeah, it's a rare event, but it's also a bit strange… I mean, seeing a strong man cry… that's why I feel the need to say something, I suppose.

"I'll do my best not to disappoint you," I say.

"You cannot disappoint us, Maya… we're your family, we'll always support you," he replies.

"Thank you."

Then, it's the turn of my siblings.

"That's unfair, Maya, that's f…" says my brother, but I interrupt him before he starts cursing: "I know it's unfair, but we cannot do anything about it, I can only try to do my best."

"We'll be rooting for you, sis."

"Thank you."

"If we were still eligible…" says Gaia.

"…we'd have both volunteered for you," Jules finishes her utterance.

Gaia and Jules are twins, and they have the habit of finishing each other's utterances. I usually find it creepy, but not today. Today, it relaxes me, it gives me a sense of normality that I'm going to miss soon.

…...

Tobias Jackson (13)- District 11 male tribute

I don't know why I tried to comfort my district partner, I don't even know her… yet… I don't know, I just felt that it was the right thing to do. Maybe I did it out of pity. She reminds me of my little sister Flo… ah, I shouldn't make such comparisons! There's no use in getting attached to a person who's going to die soon.

Luckily, my family comes to visit me, interrupting those useless thoughts. My mother hugs me. She's crying, while I haven't shed a tear yet. What's happening to me? Have I become numb?

"Oh, my son, my son! First your father, and now you!" she moans.

No, I cannot let her panic!

I break her embrace and watch her right in the eye. "Listen to me. You cannot… I repeat, you cannot let yourself down. You've got a daughter to look after. Do anything you can to survive while I'm away. You could find a part-time job for starters…"

"Sometimes, I forget that you're a man now, so young but so mature," she comments with a sad smile.

"Please, mum, promise me that you'll do your best!" I insist.

"It's me who should tell you those things… but, yes, I promise," she replies.

"And I promise you that I'll do anything to come back home alive, so wait for me, please," I add.

"Sure."

Then, I get closer to my little sister Flo, who's standing aside. She's not yet of Reaping age, so she's probably unaware of what's really happening. I hug her.

"When are you going to come back?" she asks me.

"As soon as possible," I answer.

"I'd like to go with you, so that you won't feel lonely."

I break our embrace and smile. "It's not possible, Flo, but thank you. Just… don't forget you have a brother, and don't sleep in my bed."

"But yours is bigger!" she complains.

"When I come back, we'll buy a new bed for you, then."

"Okay."

"You can think about me, sometimes… I won't feel lonely, if you do it."

"I'll think about you every day, then."


So, another Reaping is done. What do you think of the tributes of District 11? How do you think their relation will be in the Capitol and during the Games?

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Thank you a lot for reading and reviewing :)