Ivory Hart, 16

When I dream about Cedar, I'm usually just a viewer, just watching him get shot by the Career, screaming at him to run. But not this time. This time, I'm running beside him. We're running, but not fast enough. The arrow pierces us both and we fall to the ground.

I wake up screaming, it takes me a second to register I'm safe, secure. That's when the tears come. I hear a knock on my door, most likely Roselyn.

"Go away." I say, not intending to be rude to her yet I still come off as such. She tries a bit longer to comfort me, but I don't allow it. I lay down and cover my head with the blanket.

Ever since Cedar died in last years Games, nothing has been the same. The carefree girl I used to be has been ripped out of me, leaving me empty. I spend all of my time training deep in the woods. I practice with my axe on trees, the air, even a few animals. I wonder if this is how Careers feel.

After many minutes of laying in bed, I stretch out my limbs. My blonde hair has knotted itself in a ball during my nightmare. Whatever.

I fill up the tub and undress, submerging myself into the lukewarm water. I put my head under, imagining myself swimming in the nearby lake. I let my lungs start begging for air before I resurface.

I dry off and after much fight, manage to untangle my hair. I put on a simple blue dress with white shoes, nothing too fancy. My green eyes stare back at a stranger. It's crazy how much changes in a year.

More knocking on my door makes me roll my eyes. I wish they'd leave me alone.

I open the door however, and see the face of my twin, Roselyn. Her face shows sadness, I know she wishes we could go back to how it used to be.

"Hi." I say with no emotion. Her eyes appear glossy. Has she been crying?

"Dad wants us to eat together." I nod. I give her a hug, hoping it will apologize for my actions this morning.

The three of us sit in the kitchen, enjoying the basic meal my father has put together for us. My dad's sad eyes look at me, yet we stay relatively silent throughout the meal. I help tidy up afterwords.

"Thank you." I tell my father. He smiles a bit.

"You're welcome, sweetheart." My mother's death hurt him, but my actions have broken him. He deserves a better daughter.

I excuse myself and walk to the reapings alone. I listen to the chirping of birds and shuffling of feet that surround me. The scared faces of young children hurt my soul.

I sign in and stand alone in my section. I keep my arms crossed, praying for it to be over. It was easier with Cedar by my side, he made everything better.

We have the same escort as last year, same level of excitement. At least someone enjoys this.

"Let's start with the ladies!" He picks a single slip of paper. "Amber Paul!" It takes a long time for a small, thirteen year old girl to stumble on stage. I recognize her from school, while she's much younger than me, she's the deaf one. The one that struggles in classes. The one with seven other siblings, who's parents passed away in the same week.

I shut my eyes. When I open them, my decision has been made.

"I volunteer." I say, walking up to the stage. Amber trips while walking off stage, but I saw the relief in her face. I've been training. I have a good chance.

Maybe I'll get the chance to take out some Careers. The thought makes me smile.

Seth O'Donnell, 16

I search the meadow near my house, looking for the perfect bud. Blue is my mother's favorite color, so I stick to that. I eventually come across a patch of beautiful blue hydrangeas and know these will be perfect. I pick the biggest ones before turning to head back to my house.

I slowly open and close the door, hoping I wake nobody. I tip toe to her bedroom and knock on the door. I enter and see her sitting on the edge of her bed, looking at a picture of her late husband. Guilt sweeps over me and I contemplate turning around, escaping the feeling. But when she turns to look at me I know that's not an option.

"I brought you something." I say with a smile. She smiles back and I walk the bouquet over to her.

"Thank you, Seth." She sets them in the vase by her bed and gives me a hug. Despite her new mood swings, she always tries to be the best for her children. It's the best way to recover from a major loss.

She knows it was an accident, simple self defense, but it was a hard day for us all. He had too much to drink, he was angry at my sister for running away, he was taking it out on me. One day, I couldn't take it anymore. I snapped, and hit back. I never realized how strong I was, until I watched him fall. I watched him smash his head on the side of the table that sits in a nearby landfill. Life has never been the same.

I exit my mother's room and enter the room my five siblings and I share. Most are still asleep, but I see little Belle moving around in her crib. I go over and kiss her on the head. She holds a small teddy bear tight in her little arms. Her smile makes me smile back at her.

I find a nice pair of jeans and a grey shirt in my pile of clothes that I decide will work for the Games. I go into our bathroom and quickly change. I brush back my brown hair and wash my face off.

I hear more commotion in the bedroom and exit the bathroom. Greg and Juniper are messing around on their bed.

"Be careful, guys, we don't want any injuries." Thankfully, they were too young to remember the accident, but I refuse to let anything similar happen. Juniper stops, but Greg keeps teasing her. I separate them, taking her and her twin to the kitchen. I serve them a small breakfast as Carlisle joins us. I notice the pencil markings all over his hands.

"Drawing?" I ask. He smiles and nods at me. He's artistic and one of the bravest boys I've ever met. I serve him food as well, while I begin snacking on an apple.

I think about the reapings I have to face today. It's Katherine's last year eligible, and Greg's first. Even though I haven't seen Katherine since she ran away, I still worry about her.

I am less worried for Greg, with only one name in the bowl. I refuse to let him take any tesserae, I put all of that responsibility on myself. I can't even think about how many times my name is in that bowl. Too many.

I help my siblings get ready as the bell starts ringing. My mother comes out of her bedroom and gathers the younger ones. I take Greg's hand and we all walk to the square as one large family.

I give my mother a kiss before I take Greg to sign in. He's very brave during the process.

He stands in the back and I make my way near the front. I take a deep breath. It's okay, it'll be okay.

I pray for Katherine's safety as the girl tribute is reaped. A name I don't recognize is pulled, yet a girl named Ivory volunteers.

My heart races faster as the escort pulls a name out of the second bowl. He reads it.

"Seth O'Donnell!" I freeze, shocked at what I hear. I slowly walk up to the stage, overwhelmed. As I stand on the stage, I overlook the district in front of me. Emotion, exhaustion, and stress take over and I feel my legs give out. Before I know it, I've collapsed on the stage.

Let me know what you think of these two!