Fodille Earthdrop, 18

I sit on my windowsill, looking at the animals that linger in my backyard. Birds, rabbits, squirrels. All in control of their own lives, no one to tell them what to do. Thinking about it makes me start to tear up, so I switch my brain off. I close my eyes and dream of a perfect world, one where I control every piece of my life. No reapings, no starvation, no sorrow. The tears continue until I hear the footsteps of my baby brother, Farn. I wipe a tear away as he walks into my room.

"You should knock before you enter." I state. He lowers his head in shame.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again." And I know he's genuine.

"It's okay, baby brother. Come here." I say, and he obliges. I wrap him in a tight hug. I am a few days from being safe from the reapings forever, yet this is his first time eligible. The reapings are the biggest thing I have no control over and it kills me. If I get reaped, there's absolutely nothing I can do. If he gets reaped, there's absolutely nothing I can do. I can't stand it, that feeling of helplessness, despair, all those things that show on the faces of the reaped children year after year.

"Go get ready." I tell him. He nods and runs off to his room. I stretch out my legs and stand up, feeling the effects of being stationary for so long.

I open my dresser and slowly decide on what to wear. I am finally content with a green tank top and white tights. I slip everything on, brushing out my blonde hair. I take my time braiding it, and before long I am presentable. I sigh and close my eyes. It'll be okay. We'll be okay.

I have to take a few deep breaths to fully calm myself. The reapings are the worst part of the year, and that was before I had to worry about Farn. Nothing I do will matter at the square, two children will be sentenced to death, just like last year and just like they will next year. When was the last time we had a victor? I hold my head in my hands but the anxiety is too far gone.

I hear the door open and suddenly feel the embrace of my little brother. I unhide my face and smile at him, kissing him on the forehead. He's too pure.

"Let's go." I tell him. He nods, holding his hand out. In it lies three braided bracelets of three different colors. I made two sets, one for him and one for me. I take the bracelets out of his hand and slip them over my wrist. He shows me his other arm with the same bracelets on. It makes me happy.

I see my parents laying in their bed, fast asleep. My mother looks younger asleep, less worn down by the hardships of the world. My father appears as laid back as usual, he works as hard as my mother but he has learned how to stay calm during it all.

I take Farn by the hand and together we walk towards the square. I notice some harsh looks directed towards us, well specifically towards me. I have always rubbed people the wrong way. It sucks, but at least I have Farn.

I help him sign in and he's super brave during the process. I kiss him goodbye before heading near the front of the crowd. I hear snickering to my left. Just ignore them. Just ignore them.

I look at the stage. The few victors that sit up there look sad, worn down. Winning may not be the best outcome, I pity them.

Our escort hops onto stage and wastes no time picking out names from the bowls. I close my eyes as she begins to read the names.

"Our female tribute will be Fodille Earthdrop!" I feel my entire body freeze into place. How did I get reaped? I made it all this time….I was safe for so long. I shake out my fear and walk onto stage with my head held high.

How did I get here?

Farn Earthdrop, 12

I strum the makeshift guitar I found near a trash pile a few years ago. Despite it's age and condition, it still produces a lovely melody. I begin to hum, closing my eyes and letting the music flow through me. It calms me, preparing me for my very first reaping.

I am slightly more confident as Fodille has survived each one she has attended, it gives me hope that I will be as fortunate as she is.

I set the guitar down and decide to see my sister. I open her door and she turns to look at me.

"You should knock before you enter." She tells me. I feel my face turn red and lower my head in shame.

"I'm sorry, I won't do it again." I say softly. I see a small smile form on her lips and it makes me feel slightly better.

She asks me to come to her and I oblige, hugging her tightly. We stay there for a moment. It's nice.

"Go get ready." She tells me. I nod, about to ask what I should wear, but I refrain.

I enter my room and spend a lot of time trying to find a decent outfit. We're not the poorest in the district, but we do not have a ton of money like the people in the Capitol. I find the cleanest pair of pants I have, a green pair, and an unstained white button up. The shirt is a little long on my arms and I keep having to roll them up. It's a little embarrassing, I hope nobody notices.

I look on my bed and see two pairs of bracelets, both bracelets that Fodille made for me. I put one set around my wrist and grab the other set for her.

I wait a few minutes for Fodille to open her door, but she never does. I decide to check on her. I see her sitting on her bed with her head in her hands. I instinctively go over and hug her tight, feeling her relax. I wish I could do more for her, tell her it will be okay, but I can't.

I give her the bracelet and I see her face light up with a smile. I can tell she's grateful which makes me happy.

Together we walk towards the square. I try to hide how much I'm shaking, but I'm sure Fodille has noticed by now. I can't stop thinking about what could happen to us out there. I could be reaped, worse, Fodille could be reaped. I don't know what I'd do without her by my side.

We sign in and my body continues to shake even more than it already has been.

We say our goodbyes and I watch her walk away from me towards the front of the crowd. At least this is her last year. She'll be safe after this.

I take in the crowd around me. Many try to be brave, but they fail. I feel bad for each and every child standing in this crowd. This isn't how children should be treated.

Our escort picks a name and I hold my breath, praying it's not my sister.

"Our female tribute is Fodille Earthdrop!" I start to tear up when I register the name. I watch her walk onto the stage, her pale body turns even paler up there.

I hear the second name announced very faintly. It takes me a long time to register it was my name that was called. What? They reaped siblings this year?

I find the courage to move up onto the stage. I see the fear in my sisters eyes and hug her tightly, trying not to cry.

I don't succeed.

I will be out of the country from July 14th-21st, so the updates will be very slow, if not nonexistent. I will definitely be writing though, on the flight and on the train rides. I'd like to start a new SYOT soon, most likely once the Games are in action.

Let me know what you think of these two!