District 4 Reaping

Now we come to my favourite district, mainly because it's the home district of my favourite hunger games character, Finnick Odair and because I, like the bad bitches in district 4, am a pretty good swimmer if I do say so myself. Anyways, my weirdness aside, I just thought I'd let all you people who are new to my stories know this; after the reapings I do 3 POVS when tributes are on the trains to the Capitol, 3 about the chariot parade, 3 about picking allies, 6 about training, 3 about training scores and 6 about interviews. That way, every tribute will get a POV about something. But most important of all I need to tell you some bad news- from now on it's probably going to have to be 1 chapter a week. I really hope you keep reading but I feel like such a bitch for saying although I don't want you guys wondering where the hell I am. Enjoy the Chapter and May the Odds be Ever in Your Favour!

Dusty Abnernez POV

I stand in the cemetery, beginning to feel like one of the stone angels sitting by my sister December's grave. I put down the flowers my mum gave to me and then look at the head stone as if it were December herself.

"Someday I'm gonna make them pay for what they did to you. The Capitol will never see it coming. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine" I take one last long look at the grave and then turn my back on it.

I hate the games and I hate the Capitol. However unlike most Career outcasts, I don't hate killing. A lot of the time, killing brings justice. That's why when I get to the Capitol I'm going to kill every single one I see. My sister died playing their stupid game; now I want revenge. Her games had less hype and weren't as frequently shown but she was there. She competed in the mid-season games, a "celebration" of the new President. I watched every day, waiting for her to come home. She'd just turned 13 on the final day, when the district 11 boy crushed her skull with a hammer before being skewered by a spear thrown by the district 1 boy, the victor. My dad was working at the time and my mom had left to go to work early; my guess was she didn't want to see if December was killed. I was the only one who saw what happened to December and I am the only one who will have the image of her severed head rolling onto the ground in two separate pieces in my head for the rest of my life. Her death wasn't justice; it was pure brutality.

"Hey; hey Dusty!" calls a girl, Sandy, from my class "Come walk to the reaping with me and Rafael!"

Just my luck; I hate people who complain, especially over minor things, but I have no time for those two. Sandy's about as dumb as a girl can get and her boyfriend Rafael is just the typical Career. He doesn't like me and frankly I don't care enough to dislike him back. Sandy obviously doesn't get this, even when I get over there and Rafael says-

"Fuck off loser."

"Oh babe; I invited Dusty to walk with us. You don't care right?" Sandy pouts at him childishly and he just glares at me, as if it's my fault his girlfriend is a moron.

Santana Wolf POV

I sit up and let out a yawn. I look at myself in the mirror and smooth my hair down before heading downstairs. My sister Laila is already fully clothed, with all the enthusiasm of an annoying district 1 girl. My mom sits across from her, reading from the flashcards she'd made months in advance and my dad is flipping pancakes. This is my family; this perfect little Career family. Where do I fit? I don't.

"So, Laila, what made you decide this was your year to volunteer?" my mom asks my sister, mimicking Raymond Miles, the cheesy host of "The Raymond Show", who also interviews the tributes before the games.

"Well this is the second to last time I can compete and I thought I should try this year in case someone else beat me to it. Plus, I wanted to bring pride back to my district after last year" my sister flicks her hair in an almost cutesy way.

"Last year?"

"Oh come on Raymond; you saw the pathetic display that girl from my district put on."

The girl she's referring to is Glinda Odair. She was a little perky for my tastes but at least she was noble. Her mother died in the spring, some unknown illness. The supposed "display" she put on was by trying to abandon her ally in the games, Shimmer Starlight. Personally I thought she was right to leave that bitch, even if she did die minutes later. The games are irrelevant to me. They're just there. Luckily rather than alienating people, my "don't give a shit" attitude has earned me an unpredictable reputation, and that's just the way I like it. My twin sister, on the other hand, adores the games, to a point where it's quite sickening. I'm slightly older, like 10 minutes or something, so my parents had planned I would be the amazing viscous Career of the family and started training me when I was 5. When I got to 10, I started skipping training sessions and generally showing how little I care so in turn, my parents started to pay more attention to Laila. I'd be fine with this if they actually cared about me and didn't treat me like some kind of outcast. Ok, I'm not games obsessed but I'm not some weakling from 9 or something.

"Last question Laila; is that your natural hair colour?"

Oh bloody hell.

Dusty Abnernez POV

Sandy yaps on for the whole of the walk to the justice building while Rafael and I just walk along silently. When we get there, Sandy joins the 15 year old girls and Rafael the 16 year old boys. I edge my way into the 15 year old boys section. I don't wanna be right up by the peacekeepers; bunch of dick heads. Mary Lee West takes the stage, looking pretty pissed off; apparently she didn't want to be here this year. Well her and me both. Some people just love to complain about nothing.

"Hi district 4" she murmurs, before she's shoved by a peacekeeper to get closer to microphone "Alright, alright, let's start with the male tribute. And the lucky boy is…. Davy Nickel."

Davy Nickel… he was December's friend. But I can't volunteer; I need to find some other way to get to the Capitol so I can avenge her. December would understand.

"I volunteer as tribute!"

Everyone turns round to take a look at me, analysing my chances of winning. That kind of thing is important in district 4; how sad. Davy stares at me, puzzled, not recognising me at first. I make my way up to the stage calmly; no use making a scene. I've done this for you sis; I just hope it's worth it.

Santana Wolf POV

The volunteer makes his way up to the stage; I've never understood the hype some people get from "bringing pride to their districts."

"Ok, what's your name?" Mary Lee looks at the volunteer, possibly in disgust; I guess she doesn't like Career volunteers.

"Dusty Abnernez" replies the volunteer.

He doesn't sound too happy; hopefully that's a sign he's not up his own ass. Well, now it's my turn to join the game.

"And the female tribute is… Miss Tanya Bailey" Mary Lee says quickly.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"

I look over at Laila who is looking back in what I can only describe as betrayal, which is, when you think about it, wrong. As I walk up to the stage, I hear lots of timid whispers of "Lupa". It's kind of my nickname, simply because it means "Wolf" in Latin. I don't mind; I am a wolf. Wolves are stealthy; they can rip out someone's throat and be gone seconds later.

"Another volunteer; great" Mary Lee sighs sarcastically.

When the crowd is clear Mary Lee pulls us aside.

"I know you probably think I'm some kind of airhead Capitolite but I assure you, if you behave like a couple of Career arseholes, I will simply treat you that way" she snaps.

Charmed, I'm sure.

Dusty Abnernez POV

My plan is over; I'll never avenge December now. I can't kill the one who caused December's death, not in a week. The only chance I have is winning the games, but to do that, I'll have to be a Career. I'll have to be one of them, like the guy that killed her. Where's the pride? Sure, I might be able to avenge December. But what will she think of me. I hear a knock on the door and my parents come in.

"Why Dusty; we've already lost December. I don't wanna lose you too" my mom winces, as if each word is harmful.

"He was December's friend. I'm sorry" I say, emotionless; showing feelings will just make her sadder.

My mom looks hurt at my tone and my dad just looks angry.

"What happened to you? Do you wanna be one of them? One of those, Careers. Like the one that killed your sister" he growls.

"Max, please" my mom grabs his arm, as if to leave.

"Answer me Dusty. If you are one of them, I don't want to see you again after today."

I don't even blink. He shakes his head sadly and leaves the room in silence.

Santana Wolf POV

"How could you do this to me Santana? I'm your sister and now I'll never get to be a victor!" my sister screeches.

"Well maybe you should have been quicker" I snarl; spoilt brat.

"It was bad thing you did. You don't have enough training; you haven't got a chance" my dad barks.

"Thanks for the confidence boost dad. I just wanted you to acknowledge me for once; all that seems to matter to you is the perfect Career child over there."

"I understand why you did it Santana" says my mom "You just wanted the limelight didn't you? But why did you have to steal it from Laila?"

"I didn't steal it! If you think I'm some kind of attention whore like her, you've got another thing coming."

"Eurgh, that's it; I refuse to stand here and be insulted. I'm leaving!" my sister declares before storming out.

"Oh Laila sweetheart, wait for me!" my mom runs after her and my dad follows.

Of course when I finally decide to behave like a Career, they care even less. Oh well; nobody holding me back now. Game on.

I've got to say; personally I really like Santana. But Dusty's quite the sweetheart too. What do you think? District 5 will be up as soon as I can write it.