A/N: Blade Ryker belongs to: TGPH
Killian Edwards belong to: PeenissandClato
I sat with all my other 'friends' my feet dangling from the high up bar I was sitting on. The instructor; Echidna Ryker was speaking to the careers clearly and I listened intently. She was after all, my adoptive mother.
"As you all obviously know today is the day of the reaping, the 45th annual Hunger Games. And this year is Blade's year to volunteer." A chorus of protests came from the older careers, including the ones who's this year would be their last.
"Echidna, this is unfair! She's only twelve, she has so many years ahead of her!" One girl career, Secret piped in casting me an angry glare. I looked to the ground awkwardly, swinging my legs back and forth.
"Careers do not complain!" Echidna boomed angrily, causing the angry out bursts to cease "Blade has a higher score than most you older careers; namely you Secret." I sighed, I knew Echidna was proud of me but did she have to go stepping on the other careers toes? I mean I might be thrown in an arena with some of these people! I sighed as the careers began departing, I stood up walking over to Echnida shaking my head as my black hair shook from side to side.
"Why do you always have to talk me up in front of them like that?" I laughed, Echidna pulled me into a hug, laughing along with me.
"Because you're my talented girl, that's why. You'll for sure win these games. I have a feeling you will." I smiled as I hugged her back; when we pulled away she pushed my bangs out of my face.
"Go get dressed for the reaping now, Blade." I nodded, turning to leave into my dorm. I lived in the career quarters with Echidna. Seeming my father was a peacekeeper who was reassigned before I was even born and my mother was merely sixteen and left me on the doorsteps of Echnida's career gym I've been living and training here my whole life. It's true, that I was talented. I could easily come off as compeltely innocent, and shy seeming I was only twelve and friggen tiny.
But when you get to know me, I'm one of the most dangerous people you'll ever meet. Not to be all that cocky or anything; but i've been trainging to kill since birth so obviously I must have some skills.
I remember the first time I actually started trainging with weapons was when I was four years old, I had picked up my very first shuriken; my favourite weapon out of all of them. They where small but deadly, like me. I made the future volunteer list at age nine, five years ahead of all the other careers. They're just jealous, that's all. My only true friend is Diana, she's nineteen and more like and older sister but we fight constantly. So I guess we really are like sister if you think about it.
I sighed, looking over at myself in the mirror. My black hair was shoulder blade length and styled into two lie pigtails. It was always naturally straight; I remember Diana trying to curl my hair for a Careers dance one time, it just went flat an hour later. My eyes are a light green color with little flecks of hazel, wide and innocent and my skin is a tanned by not too tanned; I wasn't really all that pretty but you could say I was cute.
My outfit for the reaping was my favorite part of it all though; I wore a grey denim shirt that was long enough to be a dress on me and my black strapped sandels. I smiled at myself a little sadistically as I walked out to meet with Echnida. She smiled at me, Diana stood beside her wearing a purple flowing dress. She looked stunning as usual.
"Blade you look gorgeous." Echnida commented, Diana nodded her head in agreement. I smiled, thanking her politely as we three and the other Careers made out way towards the square.
District 2; not the most popular district but deffinetly not the least popular. We prided ourselves on how many victors we've had, seeming as we walked into the square there where at least four mentors on stage and that's not even all the victors from district 2 alive at this moment in time. Hardly half of them; this year I was sure to win.
I let the peacekeeper take my blood, wincing at the small prick then being ushered into a roped off area for girls the age of twelve. They where all wide eyed and smelt of fear. It was disgusting, and pathetic. I listened boldly through the announcements, the girl from the capital annoyingly explainging the Hunger Games; the message from the mayor. I sighed; just wanting to get this over with.
I wasn't really paying attention when the lady from the capital crossed the stage in her scary high heels, and reached into the ball. But when the name was called; I was surprised to say in the least. But this meant it was fate.
"Blade Ryker!" I smiled, I wouldn't have to volunteer, I heard Diana and Echnida cheering from the crowd as I walked proudly up to the stage, walking up the steps and stopping by the capitol lady giving her the sweetest smile I could. She smiled back at me, and I couldn't help but wonder if my angle for the games would be sweet and innocent; I could probably trick a lot of people with that one.
Well, life is a one way road with only one exit, and I'm going to stay on it as long as I can.
I sat amuck in the training centre, listeing to the head trainer Echnida speak to the Careers. I smiled when I heard little Blade Ryker would be volunteering this year. She was good alright; but she was tiny and would be easy to kill. I smiled in malice as all the other girl careers began complaining over the unfairness of the situation. The only one I didn't see complaining was Milah; she was gorgeous and I seriously adored her.
Most girls loved me around here; I am quite the lady's man I must admit but the only girl who didn't pay much attention to me was Milah, so she caught my attention. When Echnida had calmed everyone down I stood up, flattening out my black suit and leaving with the rest of the crowd.
Everyone knew this year I was on the list for volunteers; I did after all came from a Victor family and was one of the best Careers. Echnida perfered me over all the other boy Careers, and I prefered her over all the other trainers here. We all walked into the square together and I prided myself upon the frightened looks the District 2 citizens gave us Careers. They should be grateful, with us volunteering for the most years so they don't get their sorry asses sent into the Arena.
My dad was the latest Victor in our family; this year he would not be mentoring due to the fact he knew I was volunteering this year. I was waiting in the year 18 roped off area as the announcments proceeded like every year. Although I had to admit the capitol escort was a lot more strange this year than any other. I was surprised to hear Blade being reaped; no one volunteered seeming they knew she was more than capable. I looked over to Milah, relishing in her ultimate beauty and she returned the gaze giving me a small smile; she was a year younger than I, she would be volunteering next year for the reaping. Her last year, I really hope to make it out of the arena this year so I can be with her and cheer her on next year.
Who am I kidding? Of course I'm going to win this year, I'm the best male Career and I come from a blood line of victors there's no way in hell I wasn't coming out alive. I smiled at myself as Blade walked onto the stage confidently, smiling like the little devil she was. I tried catching her eye but she was reluctant as she continued starring forward into the crowd of District 2 residents. I sighed as the capitol escort pulled a male name from the second ball, calling out a name that was certaintly not mine.
"Olly Berwick!" The name was rather foreign, and I watched as a boy with greasy black hair and a thin frame stepped out of the year fourteen roped off area. He obviously had a horrible family who didn't know how to support properly; I myself have had a great life seeming my family is fairly wealthy. I smiled, watching as he shakily let the preacekeepers bring him halfway up; I was giving the boy a damned heart attack and I knew it.
"I volunteer!" I called after a moments pause, I pushed my way through the other boys around me, coming to stand beside a peacekeeper who looked me up and down and visibly shrunk away from me. I smiled menacingly, as the Olly boy seemed to relax. He returned back to the roped off area as I was escorted to the stage, Echnida's calls for her two Career's where distinct as Diana and even Milah where cheering us both on. Maybe Milah was cheering me on? The escort shoved the mic towards me, asking for my name. I smiled, looking out to the crowd "Killian Edwards, but I prefer Ki."
The escort brought both Blade and I together, her mouth was set in a firm line as she shook my hand. Her hand was so tiny compared to mine; she was so tiny compared to me. I smiled down at her, a bit of a warning for we'd be spending a lot of time together.
Surprisingly enough, she sent me an even more sadistic smile back.
"Ladies and Gentleman of District 2, the female and male tributes for the 45th Annual Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor."
Oh, the odds where in my favor.