Regrets collect like

Here to relive your darkest moments

I can see no way, I can see no way

And all of the ghouls come out to play

Asha Titus, 18

District 2 Female

Apollo has done well for himself this simulation. It's a little bit more competitive in the academy this time of year. Everyone is trying to impress the trainers enough to get tapped. In order to get into the games you have to be the best and to be the best, you need to beat everyone else.

I will get tapped.

The simulation they chose was a mock of the 18th games. It was one giant mirror with the reflections of the best and worst versions of the tributes. Most people have been fighting their reflections, but I've befriended both of mine. Both Asha's want to win, and they realize that if I die neither of them does.

"So who do we take out?" ask the worst reflection of me. She is a glitzy girly girl. Definitely not me in the slightest, but I understand that the simulation is only a remake of the original technology used for the games. She is decked in a sundress and a pair of sandals, but even the girly girl I am quite vicious when it comes to killing people. Even if we're just holograms at the moment.

"Apollo is doing well for himself," I say. "I don't know if that's a good sign to let him stay because he's earned a higher placement, or kill him now and lose the threat."

"I see both sides." says the best version of me. Ironically, better Asha still dresses the same as me. She just has a better moral compass. "I think we should let him live. He's done really good, and I just see him as someone we can beat later. Especially if there are three of us fighting one of him."

There isn't a guarantee that they'll still be programed once we reach the final 2. Right now we are in the feast, and since people's lives aren't actually on the line they tend to be a bit restless. I'm one of the last girls left in this game, because all of the boys tried taking out the twelve of us first, and we are currently in the last 8 tributes of the game.

"Excuse me, pleasant bitch." says girly girl Asha, "This is not fun fair positive be people's friends! This is the Hunger Games! I say we take him out now."

I have to say I agree with her. I nod, and we sneak quietly throughout the rocky terrain towards the cornucopia. Before I come out into the open the first thing I do is make sure that all the other seven tributes are accounted for. I see Rubin on the inside of the cornucopia, Anastasia on the other side of the cornucopia and hiding in between big rocks, Apollo is 20 yards to the right of me, and the rest of the tributes are duking it out in the middle of the cornucopia.

"Idiots." whispers the better Asha as I grip my katana and get ready to charge at Apollo. As I creep closer, I pause and think about what's about to happen. Even with the two other Asha's with me, there is a good chance that Apollo could overtake us. Instead of allowing him the time to fight me I lift the sword above my head and hurl it at his back. His hologram goes away and his face appears in the sky on top of the simulated arena. The rest of the tributes pick each other off one by one, as Rubin runs from outside of the cornucopia and stabs the last of the fighting tributes in the middle. Anastasia, like the impulsive idiot she is, runs out guns blazing and then gets stabbed in the process before she even gets close enough to inflict damage on him.

It's now just Rubin and myself.

"Asha!" he screams. "Where are you?!"

I step out into the open and smile as he sees me. His eyes light up as he begins to walk towards me very slowly. "I was hoping you'd show up. I always have wanted to see what you're made of."

"Trust me honey." says the worst reflection of myself. "You don't want none of this!"

She runs at him and almost instantly gets stabbed. She falls away like a shattered mirror and that leaves only better Asha, me, and him. He takes a throwing knife out of his pocket and hurls it at better Asha. She, like her counterpart, falls to the ground in shattered glass.

"Now the real fun can begin." says Rubin with a smile.

He runs at me, and I know if I want to have any chance to win I have to act very quickly. Stepping to the side I swing my katana sideways and it rams into his back. His hologram disappears and I'm left in the arena by myself as my name appears in bright stars on the simulated ceiling. A few seconds later I'm surrounded by all the trainers who nod in approval that I just won.

"Lucky shot," says Rubin. As a sixteen-year-old, he's really done well.

"Nice sucker kills, Titus," says Apollo angrily as he stares me down. "Now I have no shot at going in."

"The games aren't about being fair." I counter. "Had it been me you'd have done the same thing. You do what you need to win."

He rolls his eyes and walks away. I look at my stats on the updated list of rankings after this simulation. There is still one more simulation in place, but looking at their leader board all of the girls were taken out. I smile when I see my name in the number 1 girls slot for the District.

"Well, I guess this year I'm finally going in," I say excitedly to myself.

Take a look at me now

And take a look at my billing

I'm not in it as an extra

I'm in it for the killing

Ortheus Margo, 18

District 2 Male

I've always been extraordinary. It's not something that's a secret, it's mere fact to everyone at this point. My father, if you don't know who he is, is Cyprus Margo. That's right, the Cyprus Margo, Victor of the 6th Hunger Games.

My dad has always seen the talent in me. He's always encouraged me to move forward and to challenge myself to be stronger and better. Note that me being better is very likely. I'm already the best at everything we do in the District. I'm unstoppable.

"Son, let's go. 50 more!"

I push up from the ground as I lay in the plant position and continue to move down and up as I continue the push ups I do every day. Today is the announcement of who will enter into the games for the 31st year of the Hunger Games. I know it will be me, the question is who will be my female counterpart.

There are a number of contenders. The top 3, however, from what I hear is Asha Titus, Anastasia Romano, and Lucite McGee. My money is personally on Anastasia because she seems to be more well rounded. The other two have just seemed to be more about luck and winning because they are less of a threat than the others are.

"Are you nervous for when they announce you, son?" ask my dad after I finish my last set for the day.

"Of course not, Dad. I'm strong like you. Powerful, and honestly all together just an amazing person. I know I have what it takes to win this game and to achieve the title of being the Victor. The other tributes just don't stand a chance."

"Atta boy!" says my dad as he claps me on the back. "I'm proud of you, son. I know you'll make your mother and me proud. You've done amazing and I've just seen you flourish into a real threat. You're going to win."

"I'm going to win!" I cheer as I throw my arm up in the air.

My dad makes a face when I do that and wrinkles his nose. "First prize is a shower. Hit that water son."

I run back upstairs to the main level of our house and run to the bathroom. I turn the knob on boiling hot, just like I like it, and wash quickly with just enough time to throw a new pair of workout clothes on before heading to the academy.

I walk out of the house and head down to the square where the parade for the commencing of the tributes will be held. It's always a big ordeal here in District 2. Out of all of the games we've had 12 of the last 31 victors. That's more than all of the other Districts. District 1 is kind of close behind us, but it's not really a threat. They're more focused on being pretty and looking good for the Capitol than actually winning the games.

When I get to the square the people are crowding the stage where they will get to see their first look at the newly announced tributes for the games. Everyone is decked out in District pride. Dressed in greek gladiator costumes. It's a real show.

"Hello, citizens of 2!" screams the head trainer standing on the podium. "We're so excited to announce the tributes for the 31st Hunger Games! We're so excited to have you here at our parade to celebrate the announcement of our tributes! We've had so many awesome candidates to go through and we have finally narrowed our selection down to two! Without further ado let's get started."

This was my favorite part of my childhood. Watching the candidate's names appear on the screen behind the stage. They decorate it in all of the cool effects and make it look like both tributes have already won. When I was a kid I always told myself that my face would appear on that screen. I always dreamed of it happening.

"Now for the boys!" says the trainer. "We would normally start with the girls, but they had so much competition this year that I like to build suspense." He does a fake evil laugh that doesn't even get a light chuckle and then clears his throat to continue. "With the boys, however, there really wasn't any other choice than what we picked. I would like to take a second and thank the 18-year-old males that have been with us from the beginning. You all knew the odds of you actually getting in the games, but you stuck with us in a true District 2 fashion! Please step to the right of the stage and get your job assignments."

He clears his throat in excitement and then claps his hands together. "Now for the tribute who will be representing our great District in the 31st Games….Ortheus Margo!"

Just like that, my face appears on the screen. Decked out in all the celebratory graphics. The words District 2 Male appear right over my head in bright white letters and I can't help but smile. I walk up to the front and grab the mic from the trainer and smile.

"I'm honored to be the representative for District 2...Dad… I did it!" I say as I throw a fist up in the air and the audience roars.

And every demon wants its pound of flesh

But I like to keep some things to myself

I like to keep my issues strong

It's always darkest before the dawn

Asha Titus, 18

District 2 Female

I don't think I ever felt my heartbeat this hard in my life. As I watch Ortheus standing there smiling at the audience. He pumps his fist in the air like he's already won, and I'm still holding my breath waiting for the announcement of the female tribute of the games.

"Now, I bet you're all wondering who the female tribute for these games will be. I'll let you know that we had a very hard time picking the female tribute for this game. It's come down to literally a decimal point, but our top two female candidates are Asha Titus and Anastasia Romano. The female tributes that will be...Asha Titus!"

I can't feel anything in my body when I hear my name. It's not something that I was expecting because I genuinely thought that Anastasia had it! I can't move my feet, so the trainers come and put me on their shoulders and raise up into the air. Ortheus sits on top of the other trainers as he continues to pump his fist in the air.

"Congratulations!" he says as he sticks his hand out for me to shake. The trainers lead us into the justice building, and when they put us down Ortheus looks at me and says, "Never touch me again." He wipes his hand off on his jeans and then looks at me. "It'll be the last thing you ever do," he says.

"You're so charming," I say with a fake smile.

"This is the Hunger Games, sweetheart." he says "I have no time for you to get in my way. So do your best to just stay alive until the top 10 and then die peacefully."

"Here I thought we were going to a tea party. I thought I'd bake scones, maybe some cupcakes, and we would just sit around a campfire and sing a kumbaya song." I say with a straight face that earns a chuckle from the trainers.

"Okay so here is how it's going to go tomorrow," he says ushering us down at a table that is in the middle of the room. "I don't want my tributes to look prissy, and this district isn't going to allow you two to be such. Asha no dresses, I want a strict pant suit and light make-up. You need to look fierce not like you were just picking dandelions. Ortheus your shirt better not be cut lower than my wives because no one wants to see your muscles here, kid. Save it for the Capitol."

"Yes sir." we say in unison as he continues to go on a list of rules and regulations we have to follow.

"Lastly we are a united front. If you can't take that as the tributes of this district I will gladly pull you and offer the title of tribute up to the next two that earned it. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, now go celebrate. Get a good night's rest, and make some memories. For at least one of you it is your last night home here in District 2."

He gets up from the table we are at and leaves the room. Ortheus stares back at me and chuckles which make me uneasy.

"Is there a problem?" I ask him

"Yes," he says. "You know they're putting all their money on me, right?" he responds like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "My dad is a Victor, how cool would it be for them to have a father-son pair. You're just here out of necessity."

I stand up and get close to his face and smile. "We'll see who was right when I'm back home in a couple of weeks. Hope you enjoy hell Ortheus." I say as turn around and leave the room.

"You know, I'm sensing an attraction that you have for me. Might want to get that worked out before the games!" he calls after me. I raise my middle finger in the air as I exit the building, and take a sharp inhale as the once nice day here in District 2 is now storming.

"Well," I say to myself as I step off the porch and begin my short walk home. "What's a little bit of water?"

As I walk I begin to take in the surrounding area around me. If I truly am going to have my last few days in the arena, I want everything here to be remembered. The uneven cobblestone roads, to the flasher that basically lives in the pub. This place might be so far up the Capitol's ass I'm surprised it doesn't have skid marks everywhere, but it's home. It's all I've known.

There's a nervousness brewing inside of me when I think about the games. It's not an "oh my gosh can I do this?!" kind of nervous, but more of a "wow, this is everything I worked for." Let's say I do win the games...what comes after that? This is something that I never thought of once I was training. What comes after all of your sleepless nights of training, and your eventual victory in your sport?

I can't answer that question. Honestly, I know that I'll find something. I will get home. I will get the title of Victor. I will make District 2 proud.

"You're a fighter, Asha," I whisper to myself. "Time to get swinging."

Step on the thin ice lightly

And check out the show twice nightly

Oh cause I'm, I'm on the stage tonight

And if the price is right

Ortheus Margo, 18

District 2 Male

"Hey," I say trying to wake the naked girl sleeping next to me in my bed. "Wake up. I have things to do."

She lifts her head up and opens her eyes. She smiles at me when she sees that I'm awake. What was her name again? Athena? Romania?

"Last night was amazing," she says as she turns over on her back and laughs. "I had so much fun. Maybe we can do it again when you get back from the games," she says sounding a little too hopeful. It's kind of a turn off if I'm being honest.

"Meh, doubtful," I say. "Thanks for the relief, though. See you on the flip side, Romania."

"It's Hecate." she says rolling her eyes as she gets up and looks for her clothes on the floor.

"Yeah, whatever," I say as I go to the shower and turn on the water. She walks into the bathroom fully clothed in the outfit she was wearing last night. It doesn't look nearly as good on her now as it did with a couple of shots in me.

"Do I just leave?"

"I mean, that's what normal people do after a one night stand," I say stepping in the shower.

"Won't your parents be mad?" she ask me.

"Nah," I say. "They're used to it. Later Persephone"

"It's Hecate," she says again as she leaves my room.

After the shower, I walk over to my closet and throw the door open. I grab a pair of dark faded jeans and a red flannel shirt and button it up almost all the way. I have to leave at least two buttons undone, because, well, it's me.

I leave the house and walk towards the square where there is already a large crowd forming. I hate waiting in lines, but luckily this year, since I'm a tribute they usher me to the front and send me to my designated section.

I stand in the 18-year-old boy section for what seems like forever when the District escort finally comes out. He's wearing a dark orange suit and a pair of black shoes. His hair is fire engine red, and his face has more make-up on it than the girl I picked up last night.

"Welcome to the District 2 Reaping!" says the escort. "I'm so excited to be here! As most of you know, my name is Atallo and this is my favorite part of the whole year," he says as he moves his arms around excitedly as he talks. "I don't want to wait any longer!" he says with a dramatic voice. "It's time to start the reapings, please join with me as I go and pick the lucky young girl who will represent this fine District in the-"

"I VOLUNTEER!" screams Asha from the 18-year-old girl section. She is sporting a light gray pantsuit with her hair pulled back in a tight bun, just like she was told to. She walks up to the front and smiles at the audience and then looks at the escort and sticks her hand out for the mic.

"My name is Asha Titus, and there really isn't a point in even bringing the boy tribute up here. I'll take it from here." the audience "oohs" and "ahhs" as they turn around and look at me.

I don't even let the escort respond to Asha before I begin walking up the stairs to the stage. When I get up to the front and look at Asha the escort stares at me confused. "And who are you?" he asks me.

"The victor of these games Atallo." I say with an arrogant smile. "My name is Ortheus Margo."

With that note, I turn and walk off the stage and into the justice building. I go straight to my goodbye room and lock the door. There's no need for a goodbye. I'll see everyone again soon.

Okay, so if I'm honest...I LOVE the blog reviews. I love that people are going to look at the thing that took me three hours to make. I'm glad people like the tributes, well, mostly. Really appreicate it though!

ONE THING I CANNOT STAND THOUGH IS RACIAL STEREOTYPE!

Not all District 1 girls are going to be blonde hair blue eyes, in fact. I submit girls that look the exact opposite of that on purpose to break those down. I love tributes like Arabia, Alexandrite, and Elodie who don't look the same from what you're used to seeing.

NOT ALL OF DISTRICT 11 IS GOING TO BE BLACK.

Lemme know what you think of these two.

Keep it classy,

Caleb