Natara Dotia, District Six Female (Age 16)
I ignored the visions, just for this morning. You'd think by now I'd learn to live with the blood on the walls, but it still frightened me as much as being told nobody else saw it frightened me. It seemed so real and like I could touch it. At least now I could resist the temptation to scream and run away.
I sat at the kitchen table. My sister, Twyla, and her boyfriend Daniel gathered the whole family together for an announcement. I wasn't sure why they chose Reaping morning but I didn't question it. Twyla always had her reasons. If it were almost anyone else I'd be annoyed.
My mom munched on a biscuit, and she smiled at me once she saw me looking across the table at her. "Good morning dear, do you want some breakfast?"
"No thank you." I replied. I didn't have much of an appetite. I saw an unusual amount of blood this morning.
My dad sat next to her and stared at her like he'd never seen anyone like her before. Love was gross but they were heartwarming together.
Daniel and Twyla came down the stairs, their faces beaming. It must be good news. The blood faded as they came closer.
"Hi Mom, Dad, Natara." Twyla grinned ear to ear. "We have something important to tell you."
"We're engaged!" She lifted her hand up and showed us the simple silver band on her finger. Daniel, blushing, kissed her on the cheek.
"Aw, congratulations!" I smiled at the two of them. My sister would be married. I mean, she dated Daniel for three years, but it still was a pleasant surprise for me. She was happy.
My mom's eyes immediately began to well with tears. "Oh my goodness, I can't believe-" She stood up and wrapped her arms around Twyla, then Daniel. "I love you so much."
I wasn't sentimental but it was sweet.
My dad hugged my sister and nodded at Daniel. "Congrats."
Twyla was glowing. "Thank you so much, I'm so excited." She reached over and hugged me, and I was so happy for her I almost forgot it was Reaping day.
Kied Zola, District Six Male (Age 16)
"So how many times are your names in?" Rena lied flat on her back, staring up at the ceiling. "I have five. We didn't need to take any tesserae."
"Ten." Julian responded, sitting on the couch next to me and rummaging around in his pocket. "I don't give a fuck, and it wouldn't hurt to get some extra food. It's dumb how so many people don't take it because they're scared of raising their odds. Everyone still has a next-to-zero chance."
"It is actually rational." Eri replied. "And is that weed you're holding?"
"Shut up." He muttered, shoving the green stuff back in his pocket. "Please, there are thousands of kids who could get picked. It's like skipping one meal then worrying about starving."
"It's not, dumbass." Rena sighed, rolling over and sitting up.
They got so riled up so quickly.
"Calm down guys, we'll all be fine." I looked over at Rena, who scoffed at me.
"Classic Kied."
I shrugged. "Just trying to help." Even though they were my friends and they show me they're good people often, sometimes they got on my nerves a little. I usually ignored it for the sake of avoiding an argument.
Eri tapped his fingers on the armrest. "Not gonna listen to the girl who slept with every guy in our grade. Even Julian."
Oh boy.
The two of them immediately snapped back.
"Ok, first of all, fuck you-" Rena adjusted her beanie.
"THAT WAS TWICE." Julian scowled.
"I can do whatever the Hell I want, and even though it was a joke, it was a shitty one, try harder next time, you virgin." She kicked Eri in the shin and he winced.
"Damn, Rena." He grabbed his leg. "That really hurt."
She grinned. "Good."
I checked the clock. It was eleven thirty, which meant the Reapings were in half an hour. I loved my friends, but I was too tired and nervous to deal with their play-arguments. I was glad it was time to leave soon.
"Hey, I'm gonna run over to the Reapings. Better early than late." I nodded at them. "See you!"
"Alright, bye." Rena pat my shoulder. "Sorry we're wearing you out."
We said our brief goodbyes and I hurried to the square. Come on, come on, I just wanted to move past it. Get it over with. Go back to being relaxed.
But another Reaping was here, and I'd have to worry about it.
Natara Dotia, District Six Female (Age 16)
The escort, Valeria, had bright violet skin. Capitol fashion was weird. I might have been hallucinating it, but her eyes appeared to shine far, far brighter than they would naturally.
Ronnie Flax, District Six's only Victor, sat next to her. He was in his early twenties and won one of the weirdest years of all nineteen. The Capitol took random parts of an old, abandoned Six factory for the arena, and Ronnie worked nearby. He figured out what was going on and prepared accordingly in case he got Reaped.
Of course, the Capitol didn't know why he won, but almost everyone in our District did.
I sometimes saw him around, always surrounded by Peacekeepers. He was usually quiet and sullen, but nice enough. He didn't have glowing eyes or weird limbs or a bloody mouth like most strangers. He wouldn't be a bad mentor.
Six was in that nice spot between frigid and boiling. The summers were pleasant and warm, the winters chilly. Near the factories, it was too smoggy to enjoy the weather, but square was far away from anything unclean. I lived in the middle.
I wore a simple black and gray dress. Not ugly, but not noticeable. Just right.
"I'm pretty sure her eyes are glowing, like a demon or something." I said to my best friend, Bethany, looking at Valeria. My voice was flat.
"You're so funny, Natara." She laughed, looking around the crowd. "You make the Reapings a little more bearable."
She was sweet but never took me seriously. I tried to change the subject.
"Did you know Twyla's getting married? It's gonna be this fall."
"Oh my God!" She turned back towards me, her eyes wide. "That's amazing! I'm so happy for her! Does she have a dress? Am I invited? Are you gonna be a bridesmaid?"
Bethany was also bubbly.
"I don't know, and she'll probably invite you and your parents, and I don't know. I might get a vision in the middle of the ceremony and cause a fuss."
"You'll be fine!" She reassured me. I liked her. She was nice.
All of a sudden, the square went quiet. Valeria stood in front of the mic, clearing her throat. Here we go.
"Hello everybody!" She squealed. "Welcome!"
"We're gathered in this lovely square today for the Reapings of the 20th Annual Hunger Games. We will select two lucky young adults to represent District Six in the Games, and hopefully one will return as a Victor."
"Now, two decades ago, the rebels were finally defeated after years of trying to destroy Panem and its peace. As an appropriate punishment, the Capitol decided each year, each District would send a teenage boy and a teenage girl to fight to the death in a pageant known as the Hunger Games. Only one survivor would emerge, representing the hope of Panem's new beginning."
Valeria chirps, "How exciting. Let's begin!"
She sashayed towards the girls' bowl. I didn't take any tesserae but my heart was racing. There still was a tiny chance I would be sent away.
Valeria carefully chose a slip of paper and unfolded it with grace. I held my breath. She cleared her throat.
"Natara Dotia!"
Oh no.
What the Hell? Why me? What the fuck? I had no chance!
I wouldn't ever see my sister married, my family would sell my dining room chair for extra money. Today might as well be the end of my life.
Kied Zola, District Six Male (Age 16)
Natara Dotia. I recognized the name vaguely, maybe I knew her when I was little and she moved away? I didn't recognize her face.
She darted up to the podium. Although she was still technically walking, it was fast. She seemed angry and glared at everyone in sight. She was skinny and on the shorter side, but something about her was off. Unsettling. It could've been her sheer anger.
Eri's lips were curled down slightly in an expression of sadness. "Aw, I feel bad for her. She looks frail." She did, and seeing a tribute in person made it hit me that the Capitol was slaughtering actual kids. It wasn't right but it wasn't going to change anytime soon.
Valeria pursed her lips. "Natara Dotia." Her voice was sour.
Natara didn't say a thing and simply stared at her. After a few seconds it became one of the most evil-looking death glares I'd ever seen. Her eyes were almost on fire.
Valeria shook her head. "Anyway. Now to select the boy." She sashayed over to the second bowl and stuck her hand in.
The entire square seemed to hold their breath, myself included, as she took her sweet time unfolding the slip she chose. Blood rushed in my ears.
"Kied Zola!"
My lungs began to shrivel. Oh my God, how? I'm the tribute?
I took in a deep breath and stood tall, even though it felt more like I was held up by a puppeteer's strings.
My hands shook and I let out a nervous laugh. Everyone looked at me and usually I loved attention but not like this.
I walked up, slowly putting one foot in front of the other. I smiled at one kid. I didn't know who, my mind clouded my vision.
I found myself at the podium, still trembling. Well, here I was. I better go with it now.
"Hello, Keid." Her voice was smooth. "So how are you feeling?"
"Good." I grinned. My cheeks were beginning to ache. "I mean, it all went according to plan. It's good."
"A plan? Would you like to tell us this plan?" Valeria raised one of her heavily-penciled eyebrows.
I felt ready to panic but I hid it well. "Nah, you'll figure it out later." I smirked.
"Ooh, you're secretive, I like that!" She looked like she was holding back a sigh of relief, while I felt the exact opposite. I felt like I was going to throw up, and I was a pretty darn chill guy. "I'll be rooting for you… Kied?"
"Yes." I gave her a charming smile, even though she forgot my name less than a minute after I was Reaped. "Thank you, District Six, for letting me represent you. I'll do you proud." What was this bullshit? I was gonna die, I wouldn't embarrass everyone but it wasn't like I would win.
"I'm sure you will. Now shake hands with Natara."
Natara looked at me like a weirdo. It wasn't mean, there was just a lot of confusion in her eyes.
I extended my hand. She hesitated for a moment, then shook it with a firm grip. I had to restrain myself from wincing. My hand was red when I pulled it back, and she probably would have crushed my bones if she held on for a while longer.
"Ladies and gentlemen, your tributes, Kied Zola and Natara Dotia!"
AN: Sorry I took a little while to update. These were two good and fun characters, so thank you to the submitters for letting me write them! I'm getting more and more excited to write the Capitol chapters and their interactions and eventually, the Games. We're also two thirds done with the Reapings! Thank you so much for reading and please leave a review! I've read some of my submitters' stories and holy heck, so many of you guys are super talented! Always feel free to give me some advice.
1. What did you think of Natara and Kied?
2. How long do you expect them to last?