Davina Sterling, 18, District 1 Female

She stared out into the darkness, looking at the lights of the town shine through the streets. It was so beautiful. And it was hers to live in. It was clean, it was safe, it was pure, and most importantly, it was where her family lived. Nothing could hurt the Sterlings in District One.

Davina looked back into the darkened room, noting fondly the pillows neatly stacked on her bed, the book she had been reading, and the stuffed rabbit that her family had given her when she was born. Mr. Muggins seemed to grin back at her, his ears cocking in excitement. She laughed, then leaped out of the window, running at a full sprint out of her lawn and onto the street. It was best to run in the night. It was only herself, the small town that she lived in, and the beauty of the night sky. She ran every night, embracing the wonder of the night. It seemed as if the town was another world at 9:30. It took on an ethereal, mysterious aura, the buildings seeming to gleam like the gems prized so in the district. It even seemed to change those who went into the night. She felt more herself when she ran at this time, as if the night unraveled the walls surrounding her true personality. People seemed to only be themselves in the dark.

She ran, sprinting down the lawn and onto the street. Her muscles screamed lightly, then relaxed as she got into a rhythm. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. She kept running, past the house where Old Man Ferrin lived, past the junkyard, past the jeweler's store, and to the mountain at the side of the town. People smiled as she went past, knowing that Davina was enjoying the night again. Everyone enjoyed the night in District One. The moon made this gem of a town shine brighter than anything else could.

She reached the mountain, running up the dusty road with careful strides. She made sure to stay away from the potholes, Mama had sprained her ankle on one of her runs last summer from them, and ran close to the dewy grass, smelling the scent of dusk with delight. It was perfect.

She kept running up the mountain with quick, nimble strides. She looked down at her watch. Five minutes. If she wanted to beat her record today, she would have to sprint the last bit. Davina nodded and ran faster, pounding the ground with her feet. Her muscles screamed at the workout, but Davina ignored them. If she succumbed to pain, she was no better than any of the other kids in her town. She had to be stronger, faster, smarter, just like her family. They would all shine together.

She saw the peak of the mountain in the moonlight and ran even faster, her legs starting to cramp as she raced up the last few feet. Closer… closer… and she was there, her lungs heaving for breath and her legs collapsing onto the wet grass. She looked down at her watch. Six minutes and ten seconds. She had done it.

Davina laughed and sank into the grass, watching the moonlight. She should have done her customary stretches first, but the night always seemed to intoxicate her. She would wait for a few moments before stretching. She was basking in her victory.

Davina threw a rock into the air, pondering the days ahead. Tomorrow, her family would be making their way to the capital of One, reaching it in time to find a hotel to sleep for the night. The next day would be the reapings, where two of her fellow teenagers would be taken to the Capitol. She laughed as she remembered the last trip to the capital of One. Stray dogs had followed the family, perhaps smelling the meat that they carried in a basket for dinner. Her mother had beat them away with rocks, stinging one directly on the nose. The dogs had ran away with their tails between their legs, causing the whole family to laugh. Nothing could hurt the Sterlings.

"Hey, sister." Davina shrieked and jumped to her feet, her eyes meeting the ones who had scared her so. Wonder and Lux smiled slightly at her, their grins identical to the other. The twins could always manage to scare others, even if they didn't intend to do so. Davina frowned and pushed them both, causing them to laugh. "Why are you two always skulking around? It's always so unnerving. Honestly, I don't understand the rest of the girls in town. They shouldn't be in love with literal psychopaths!"

Wonder and Lux made faces of mock anger, frowning merrily at Davina. She laughed and rubbed the top of their heads, causing them to both yell at her. "Are Mom and Dad at home?"

"They went to another marriage session with the therapist." Wonder nodded as Lux finished. The bond between their parents had never been the same since their mother had cheated on their father, but they had reconciled. Now, they were working on trusting one another again, helping each other to fall in love again. And honestly, Davina felt that their marriage was now stronger than ever before.

"They said that we can stay out until 10:00 PM, but we have to get back to turn off the stove. Mom doesn't want her roast beef to be blackened again." It was Wonder who spoke this time, his brother fidgeting slightly. Davina looked down at her watch. It was 9:52 PM. They had eight minutes to get back home, or they would have ruined their parent's meal for the eighth time - this month.

"Oh, shi- we have to run back right now, guys. Come on!" Davina raced off without waiting for the twins, her feet flying down the mountain. It was as if she had wings, wings carrying her towards to the house. She would make it back in time. The twins would make their way back. And, most importantly, they would stay together as a family. Nothing, not even the Hunger Games, could hurt the Sterlings.

Here's the next chapter! What did you think of Davina and her family? Any interesting things? I think that she could be a contender...

On another note, I'm having a small sponsor system for this Partial SYOT! Every submission gets 10 points (Submissions are now closed, btw) and every review gets 5 points! Here are the points as of now.

RoadieMcRoadface: 15 Points

Iridescenteverdeen: 20 Points

Goldie031: 15 Points

LongingForRomeo: 15 Points

Jailynne: 10 Points

The sponsor system will be fairly simple, with:

Small food item (Apples, crackers, etc.): 40 Points

Large food item (Anything!): 60 Points

Medicine (Poison cure, fever medicine, aspirin, etc.): 55 Points

First Aid (Bandages, healing cream, etc.): 70 Points

Small Weapons (Knives, poison, etc.): 70 Points

Large Weapons (Sword, spear, etc.): 100 Points

Thanks for all of the support! Hope you liked this chapter, and Read and Review! Only three more chapters until the reapings are over ;) Until next time, TheAmazingJAJ