Victoria Benson, District Five Female, 16 years old
When my family and I sit in silence I think the realisation that none of us believed that myself or Elliot would be reaped dawned on all of us. Our parents never allowed us to take out tesserae, we never needed to, and thus I think they were certain that we would be safe, that they would be able to have us for their rest of our lives.
It's hard for me to see their dreams crumble before me. They've told us when we were growing up that all they wanted was a safe and secure family and now, now that dream is facing ruin as I'm sent off to the Capitol. I'll miss them and they'll miss me.
"Do whatever you can to win," My father says, looking at me with an expression of stone. I've never seen him be this serious before, not even when myself or Elliot were playing up when we were younger, "You've got a chance to come home, you know, take it."
It takes me a few seconds to process what he's told me before nodding. My voice is quiet but I make sure to sound as determined as possible, "I will."
Both of my parents nod and smile sad smiles. Elliot doesn't say anything but I don't blame him - I'd be in complete and utter shock too if he had been reaped.
With our time ticking, we all move into a hug. It's loose and full of sadness. I don't hug too tightly to them. That, to me, signifies that I won't be coming back home but I'll make sure that I do.
I want to come home, and I'm going to give it my best shot.
Tesla Mason, District Five Male, 17 years old
It doesn't surprise me when my family turn up and my father is exempt. I don't think he'd be allowed to anyway, seeing as he's a peacekeeper, but I know he definitely wouldn't after having to forcefully escort me up to the stage. I embarrassed him and, if what I've seen of District Two, they're incredibly proud people and he's no exception.
My mother, being her usual self, doesn't say anything and only expresses sadness. She looks sad and in that moment part of me thinks I could've been a better son to her.
Edison sits beside her and exhibits similar emotions. He's not as close to me as Telkes is and that's why I don't expect him to react as much as she is.
The person in question, Telkes, is bawling into my shoulder with her arms wrapped around my neck as she hugs me as if it's her last chance to. She keeps saying incoherent things and I can only guess that it's a mantra of asking me to try my hardest to come home and to not let myself get killed foolishly. I hug her back and, as she's sitting on my knee, I bounce it slightly. I try calm her down more for my mother's sake - Telkes'll become a problem child in the next three weeks, replacing me. She'll act up more than usual and I don't even want to think about what she'll be like if I do die.
My goodbye from them is rather silent - we sit more in the mutual agreement that this isn't what we thought would happen and that we're all saddened by it. It ends with my mother enveloping me in her arms once before pulling away, smiling sadly at me.
As the doors close I wait for my friends to come in. I know they'll give me their two cents on what I should do when I'm in the Capitol.
Kaiya Geargrind, District Six Female, 16 years old
The atmosphere is tense in the room. My parents seem even more distant than they were this morning - they've already lost one daughter and, if they're thinking of the worst case scenario, they're about to lose another. Only this time they'll have to watch how she's taken from them. They stand on the others side of the room to me and only look at me sadly. Part of me wants them to say something, but it'll probably be nothing I want to hear and they'll just mope.
Kayla sits beside me and tells me that I'll be fine. She tells me to form smart alliances that actually have a chance of survival. This is something she reinforces over and over to make sure I know it. I won't forget.
She knows I'm not afraid of death and I'll do the best I can, so she knows I won't go around acting carelessly.
My niece and nephew are here also, sitting on my lap. They exhausted themselves crying and they're both asleep so I rock gently to keep them that way. Their mother, my sister, hasn't come. She tried to disassociate herself from our family when she married upwards and this time is no different. She didn't even accompany them to come and see me - Kayla had to get them from her.
The allotted time for goodbye is over far sooner than I would have hoped for and my family is escorted out of the room. My niece and nephew wake up and they begin to cry again and even when the door closes, their cries echo in the room.
Kumple Figburns, District Six Male, 15 years old
I'm going to be a real hero! A real superhero who fights crime and will bring justice to this world!
My parents don't come and visit me for the goodbyes, but that's okay because everyone knows that all good superheros have an absence of parents. This'll be the markings of me, Kumple Figburns, being the greatest superhero ever!
I've already got my superhero name picked out. 'Captain Koko'! It's got a ring to it, doesn't it? Maybe at the interviews they'll introduce me as that and I can prove to the evil citizens of the Capitol how much of a superhero I am!
Maybe some of the goodhearted amongst them will sponsor me and, together, we can fight the injustice within the arena!
I spend the majority of the goodbye times thinking of a witty catchphrase and thinking about how, since the trains go so fast, I'll be able to pretend like I'm flying!
Candella Cartwright, District Seven Female, 15 years old
Nobody comes to visit me. I don't expect them to. I'm an orphan and I don't have anyone. The only person who's allegedly my brother hasn't made contact with me even though we live in the same place.
Now that I'm truly alone, I let out my emotions. I cry and cry. I need to get all of my crying done now - I'll be able to shield my face as we walk to the train but the walk from the Capitol train station to where we meet the stylists will be much harder to conceal my emotions.
I cry because I fear that all my hard work to save up money and make a life for myself will be for nothing. If the arena doesn't let me climb trees and hide away then I'll be gone for sure. I'll be useless at hand to hand combat, especially when up against someone from One, Two or Four who've trained their entire lives for this. Maybe me being from Seven will give me some intimidation - usually our tributes are ruthless. Maybe people might think that I'm acting innocent only to become savage when the time is right and they'll try to avoid me. That's what I can hope for.
I decide that, in the arena, I'll try to gather as many resources as I can before hiding away for as long as possible. If my supplies run out? That's when I'll move around the arena but if I can I'll hide away for as long as possible. That seems full proof.
The doors open and I get up, thinking it's time for me to go but, to my surprise, one of the older girls in the orphanage steps in. We haven't spoken much - maybe once or twice - but we're on good enough terms where she hugs me lightly in solidarity. We don't exchange many words but she holds out her hand and drops something into my outstretched palm. She gives me another hug before hurrying out of the room.
I look down and, in my palm, is a woven gold bracelet. It's only a small thing, but I slip it onto my wrist and admire it for a moment or two. Maybe people do want me to come home and I'm not as insignificant as I think I am.
Chandler Fenn, District Seven Male, 16 years old
I don't regret volunteering, not for one bit. My life can only get better. Either I win the Games and I get to live a life of luxury for the rest of my life, or I die and never have to go home to my father again. It's a win-win situation and either outcome will satisfy me.
My father doesn't come to visit me, not that I'm too surprised - he's probably out drinking anyway. I wonder when he'll realise that I'm gone and might not be coming back forever. If I don't, his source of food goes and then I wonder what'll happen. It's a bittersweet feeling - maybe he'll finally shape up and act normal for once.
My brothers, Taurus and Dane, come to visit me and they know I didn't volunteer for the glory like the escort insinuated that I had. They knew that I volunteered to escape the life I lead. They tell me that they don't blame me and that all I do is try my best. They say that death might be tempting but living will be so much more rewarding.
We have a solidarity relationship, my brothers and I. We're all victims to our father's drinking habits and subsequently we tend to know what one of the others is thinking and when.
When they have to go they ruffle my hair and hug me. I don't want for it to be my last time to see them, but I know there's a high probability that's the case.
I remind myself, as the door closes, that my life can only get better.
Bobbin Taper, District Eight Female, 12 years old
My father enters the room alongside Lacey and Spool. They all look like they've been crying and, for a good minute, we let out more tears. It's nicer when you cry together - we're all in the same boat here and there's a solidarity between us.
We all know my chances of living are extremely slim - basically nothing - seeing as twelve-year-olds are always among the first to die, but that doesn't stop my father trying to smile optimistically at me in an attempt to reassure me.
"Do you're best Bobbin," He says, nodding slightly, "Yeah? You can do it."
Lacey and Spool nod, chiming in their own words of encouragement and agreement. I hope I can remember their optimism when I'm in the Capitol - it might keep me going.
"Think about it," My father says, spurting out his own dream at this point, "When you win and come home we'll be living in a big house and life'll be perfect."
I nod, wanting to reassure him at this point and flash him a small smile, "That'll be nice."
His smile grows and I wonder if he genuinely believes the words I'm saying, "And we'll have a big meal to celebrate."
I nod and hug him just as tight as he hugs me when it's time for him, Lacey and Spool to leave. The latter two come and give me a hug too, but it's briefer because they're pressed for time.
When the door closes I think about how I'd act if I believe my fathers words - maybe I should. If he believes in me, why can't I?
Phantom Spinarid, District Eight Male, 18 years old
When I entered this room I had thought that my family would come in and have different reactions - and I was right.
My father gives me "tips" (also known as lecturing me) on how to survive, though he's never left the district. The most survival he's had to have endured is a particularly cold winter when Cipher and I were younger. He doesn't know the first thing about living in the arena, but I smile and nod to humour him. It's doubtful that I'd let him live with me when I become a victor, so I make sure my last time interacting with him is making him feel somewhat important.
My mother has a smile on her face, a genuine one and for once in my life she expects too much of me. She tells me how she expects me to win because she knows I can. I plan to win alright, but not in the way they imagine. I think they believe I'll kill tributes up front, possibly joining the Careers, but they've got another thing coming to them. In these Games they'll finally realise how I act and who I really am. It'll be a shock, but that's what they get for not paying as much attention to me as an individual as they did to Cipher.
Speaking of Cipher, throughout the goodbyes he just looks at me and nods from time to time to indicate that he agrees with our parents. His smile is thin and I can't tell if it's genuine or not - not that I care. I'll finally be able to show him up because I, unlike him, will do well in the Games. He'd break down when he first realises that nobody cares about him in the arena. I, on the other hand, will thrive. I'll win the Games and I'll come home and live the life of luxury that they all want to be a part of.
My father gives me a pat on the back when he has to leave, my mother a small yet tight hug and my brother a loose hug, smacking my back like my father had done. They all give me one last, long look before turning and allowing the door to be shut on them.
I let them leave with the image of me as an attentive son because when I come back, I'll be unrecognisable.
So that's the second part of the goodbyes done! I can't believe we're getting there, ahhh!
I hope I wrote all of the above tributes correctly and did them justice :D
As always, reviews make me happy~!
- Oli