Ruhdian Downs

It was morning when Ruhdian awoke to noises of his parents moving about on the floor below him. It wasn't uncommon for his parents to not wake him up in the morning, but Ruhdian thought that maybe because today was Reaping day his parents would extend him the rare courtesy of some form of attention. But today was no exception and Ruhdian got out of bed and made his way to the shower.

After his shower Ruhdian stared at himself in the mirror for a long time. He looked over his light skin, short dark hair, and bright green eyes. His eyes are strikingly bright and add color to his face, but instead of focusing on his eyes Ruhdian's eyes cannot help but be drawn to the scar running from the corner of his eye straight down to his chest. A scar that most girls his age find rugged and attractive, but that only reminds Ruhdian of that fateful day.

Six years ago when Ruhdian was 10 and his late brother 8, they were in town when the accident happened. Despite his scar and the death of his brother Lucas, Ruhdian still doesn't know exactly what happened but he knows two important things. One: his brother was dead, and two: it was his fault. Ever since the accident, Ruhdian's parents always seemed distant and uninterested in Ruhdian. For the past six years Ruhdian would be lucky to get a nod of the head or a smile or on the rare occasion a brief conversation with his parents but never any real compassion. Because Ruhdian has always felt guilty about his brother and because his parents' actions never let Ruhdian forget his brother's death was his fault, Ruhdian has tried to be an older brother to all of the younger kids in his district.

But today was the day that his parents would no longer ignore him. He was going to volunteer for the Hunger Games in order to win food for his district, pride for himself, and maybe the recognition of his parents. Ruhdian got dressed in his simple outfit consisting of skin tight white top, black trousers, and the dog tag with his name on it that he has had since birth, his brother's dog tag attached right next to his own. He walked down stairs to find his parents at the table having a menial conversation about Reaping day. Ruhdian stood in the doorway of his kitchen and, in as much of a confident voice as he could muster, said to his parents "Today I am going to volunteer at the Reaping and win the Hunger Games so I can make you two proud of me and to honor Lucas". The reaction he received wasn't what he expected. His mother gave a slight nod and his father replied calmly, "What are you waiting for, the Reaping starts in fifteen minutes and you best not be late."

Ruhdian walked calmly from his house. Part of him hoped his parents would try to talk him out of it, and apologize for the years of neglect and as a family they could all move on, but now Ruhdian only cursed himself for thinking such ridiculous thoughts. As he walked to the square he could only think about how his parents almost seemed happy about his decision, how finally he would have to pay for the death of his brother.

When Ruhdian arrived at the square he stood with the rest of the sixteen year olds and only focused on what his brother's life could have been like. Would he have shared the same green eyes or five foot seven muscular build? Questions that could never be answered. Ruhdian snapped back to reality when an energetic and beautiful, but also kind of bossy girl volunteered. Then the escort made her way to the boy's bowl of names. Ruhdian's heart began to pound, this was the moment of truth. His parents could no longer turn a blind eye to him because in a few days they would be required to watch him as a Tribute, and just like that Ruhdian's hand shot straight up and in a loud confident voice he declared "I volunteer as a Tribute". Calmly, Ruhdian made his way to the platform and took his place to the left of the girl Tribute. When he spotted his parents, they were just blankly staring as if nothing interesting happened at all. No one could have guessed that their only remaining child had just done the closest thing to throwing his life away. So as Ruhdian shook hands with his district partner, only one thought went through his mind. "I will make them see me."

Annabelle Jai

Annabelle closed her eyes, letting her ears take total control over her senses, poised listening for any sound of her competitor. She knew he was hiding somewhere out here, but wasn't about to go looking for him only to be ambushed, she knew better than that. Finally, she heard the give-away sound she had been waiting for, a heavy boot crunching a dry leaf just behind her. She snapped open her startlingly aqua eyes and, with a small knife in both hands, she flung herself around with deadly speed.

"Damnit!" shouted Liam, throwing his club a few feet away, exasperated, and accepting that he had been bested, once again, by his twin sister Annabelle. Annabelle laughed, pleased with herself and with her brother's reaction. She dropped her knives and flung a lean, muscular arm around Liam's neck affectionately, guiding him back to their house, through the training area that their father had created just for them in the backyard.

The 16 year old twins entered their house to find, not surprisingly, a note sitting on the kitchen table written for them by their mother. Gone out. Good luck today. Mom.

"Sounds like she's not coming today," Liam noted, it was hard to tell how he felt about their mother's message.

"Whatever, Liam. It doesn't matter, just as long as Dad's there," Annabelle said, scowling as she crumpled the note and threw it away.

"What are you two doing?," shouted their father from upstairs, "you need to be getting ready for the Reaping!"

"Just getting in some last minute practice!," returned Annabelle, a smile playing at the corners or her lips, knowing her father would be pleased with her dedication to her Career training.

"That's my girl!," he shouted back.

"I was training too!," Liam added, not wanting to be outdone.

" . . . and boy!," their father amended.

Annabelle ran to her room, hurrying to get ready as her father had instructed. Her long, light brown hair was already in a ponytail from being outside with Liam, so she decided to leave it as is. She grabbed her white dress, the one she had been waiting to wear for weeks now, and carefully put it on. Annabelle then plucked a beautiful aquamarine necklace and matching ring from a dresser drawer, both gifts from her boyfriend Colton for their one year anniversary just last week. Lastly she pulled on her silver stilettos. She loved the way she looked in this outfit and her jewelry, sleek and powerful. This was the day she has been training for, and she was ready.

Annabelle, Liam, and their father were all extremely well dressed, all were proud to be attending the Reaping, for this year, Annabelle had been instructed by her father to volunteer. This was her time. Liam wanted to volunteer as well, but the family refused, they had to keep the twins as separate competitors so they wouldn't be forced to become enemies in the Games.

The Jai family members, minus Mom of course, went to their appropriate areas of the square after a quick hug and a proud smile from their father. Annabelle watched Liam walk to his area, jealous to see that he got to stand next to Colton and she did not. She gave them both a wave as she reached her designated area, easing her jealousy by finding and joining her good friend Jasmine.

Annabelle waited impatiently, without nervousness or doubts, and when the moment finally came, "any volunteers?", Annabelle shot one quick look over to Liam and Colton who both nodded and grinned excitedly at her, and then stepped forward and said, in a loud and commanding voice, "I volunteer, Annabelle Jai." Walking skillfully and confidently in her high heels and tight dress, Annabelle took her long-awaited and well-deserved place on the stage, standing above the people of District One.

NOTE: Here is a little teaser of what's to come. We still need more Careers before we can continue with Reapings. So if you want to get to your characters feel free to submit a Career Tribute for us to use. Also feel free to review our writing so far.