AN: I apologize for my lack of writing. I had jaw surgery at the beginning of July and the combination of pain and pain meds kept me a little bit preoccupied. That being said, I am now healed for the most part and back to writing! I'll try to update more frequently as to keep you guys interested. Ok! here are the District 8 train rides!
D8 Male- Will Theemor (18):
After one of the most tragically sad goodbyes of my life, Amelia and I joined in the hallway outside of the rooms we said our final farewells in. She has tears on her face, matching mine, and we join hands as we walk to the car. Being terrified as we are, she's trembling slightly. I squeeze her hand reassuringly and give her a smile. She smiles back and I say, "We'll be ok. Everything's gonna be all right! Gotta keep our heads up, right?" She just chuckles and nods. We get into the car that's going to take us to the train station and sit next to each other, looking out at our District for what could be the last time. Even though it's smoggy and smells funny, it's home. A home that I'm going to miss, and definitely try to get back to. We get to the train station and board uneventfully, with just a little bit of pressure from the press. I hear Amelia gasp and look up, gasping as well. The train is breathtakingly beautiful. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, emitting light that looks like it's from the Heavens themselves. Amelia and I find our way over to the living room and decide to watch the Reapings with our mentor, Ruth. She tells us that this will be the first good look at the tributes, and to tell her if any catch our eye. The first thing I notice is that the Careers look a little less brutal than usual, other than the boys. I also notice that there are pretty young tributes this year. Three 12 year olds and two 13 year olds? That many young tributes is almost unheard of! The boy from Six, Donald, and the girl from Nine, Emily, are the only tributes other than Amelia I think I would ally with. I guess I'll just see how everyone does in training and go from there. Heck, for all I know, those young tributes could be more skilled with weapons than I am! Amelia and I have an advantage, however, with our age. Since we're both 18, we stand a MUCH better chance of surviving. My conscience toys with me though. Could I really kill a 12 year old?
D8 Female- Amelia Hecksher (18):
Will and I come out of our rooms with tear-stained faces. We both know that we could've just said our final words to our loved ones, and the thought is horrifying. I know this must've been especially hard on Will, what with Phil and all. They were so close to freedom; just as I was. But now I've been thrown into a brutal death-match where the only one I know I can really trust is myself. Will takes my hand and turns to me, giving me a smile, telling me to keep my head up. I chuckle. How can he be so optimistic in a time like this? I can barely keep myself from bursting into tears at any second, and he's smiling? Goes to show what positive thinking can do. Will and I get into the car that will take us to the train station and stay side by side. I keep a dead-lock on his hand, so even if he wanted to move he couldn't. I'm just so scared. What if the Capitol people hate me? What if I die right off the bat? It most definitely possible. 18 year olds die in the Games all the time! Will and I leave the car and get onto the train, which emits a sharp intake of air by me. This place is gorgeous! How they can fit so much nice furniture into a train, I'll never know. Will and I meander over to the living room and we sit down on the couch. I finally release my grip on his hand when our mentor, Ruth, comes into the room. She tells us that watching these Reapings carefully is crucial, and to tell her if we see anyone we want to ally with. The Careers look intimidating, for the most part. There is that girl who didn't volunteer though. Maybe she isn't as strong as the others. I feel bad for the 12 and 13 year olds reaped. They're so young! Chances are most of them, if not all of them, will die in the Bloodbath. Probably at the hands of a Career. Their lust for blood disgusts me. How could anyone want to volunteer for this? I think it's madness. And a pregnant tribute? What's up with that? How could no one volunteer for her! Heck, even if I didn't know her I think I would volunteer for a pregnant tribute! There hasn't ever been one in the Games before, and hopefully this is the last ever. I can see myself in an alliance with the boy from Six and the boy from Seven. He probably has considerable axe throwing skills due to his District's expertise. My only fear is that I'll get close to them and be devastated when they die, or worse, I'll get close to them and they'll kill me! It happens in almost every Games. Once the field of tributes gets low, alliances turn on each other, and friends become enemies. I know that Will and I will be allies, and I'm almost positive he wouldn't kill me unless he had to. I don't think I could kill him either. The Reapings conclude on the television so Will and I head off to our rooms to get ready for dinner. I find clothes just my size in the closet and get ready for dinner. But until it's ready, I'll just lay here on my bed, wondering just how long I'll be alive.
AN: I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! It was fun to write! I just can't wait till the Games though. My creative side will REALLY take over then! Please read and review! It really means a lot to me and gets me writing faster. Until next time! ~Parkman977