I am sooooooo sorry for the super long update! I had an overload on projects and didn't have time to update. However, no matter HOW long the wait is this story will NEVER be dead. I am determined to finish this story and belive me, I will!

Adriana Landry, 17

The kunai propels itself out of my hand and implants itself in the wooden target. I throw another 2, each one finding its mark.

I then grip the kusarigama resting on the wooden table and walk towards my kunai's. When I'm about 1 metre away I swing my kusarigama, the chain wrapping around one of my kunai's and yank it free before retrieving my other 2.

When I was 14, a crate drifted past dad's boat as he was fishing. He heaved it into the small boat and brought it home. When we examined its contents we discovered a set of intricate weapons. We took them to everyone, asking if they knew anything about the mysterious weapons. Eventually we stumbled across a man who owned a book explaining the weapons in return for a set of knives. They turned out to be deadly weapons, commonly associated with the term "ninja" and I have been practising with them ever since.

I set them down and pick up my tekkokagi and slash apart a sack filled with sand. Strips of burlap float down and sand spills over the tiled floor. I place my tekkokagi down and pack everything away. I have a few hours until the reaping so I may as well spend them down at the beach.

"Mum, can I go down to the beach?" I holler.

A few seconds later an angelic voice echoes down the hallway.

"Sure. Just be home soon." She tells me.

I slip on a pair of flip flops and open the worn down wooden door. The scent of salt water engulfs me and I sigh. I take the small path that leads from my house down to the beach and I smile when I feel the sand beneath my toes. I stare longingly at the horizon, hoping one day I could escape using a boat. I know this is impossible for Sea Sirens monitor the outskirts of Panem. They sing songs that lure any escapees to their dooms.

"Try to catch me!" Cries a shrill voice. A girl in a blue bikini runs down the beach laughing and I call to her.

"Hey Courtney!" She stops running and manages a weak smile.

"Oh, Adriana." Stammers Courtney.

Just then a muscular boy in red board shorts appears from behind the rocks. He grabs Courtney and spins her around. He kisses her and starts smiling. Courtney points a shaking finger at me and he and turns sheet-white.

"Um, Adriana." He begins. Anger bubbles inside me and I tears swell in my eyes. Devito, my boyfriend kissing Courtney, my best friend.

"You evil, rude, back-stabbing-"I burst into tears before I can finish my sentence. Courtney runs forward to comfort me but I push her back. She goes sprawling on her back and Devito rushes forward and runs his fingers through my strawberry blonde hair. I slap his beefy hand and slap his face with my other hand.

I turn on my heel and rush up the track teary eyed. I get to my house and slam the door behind me before locking myself in my room. I curl up into a ball and cry silently into my pillow.

A loud knocking hammers my door and my sister Carmen's voice enters the room.

"Adriana, are you okay?" She asks me. I get up and unlock the door before propelling myself on my bed.

"What happened?" She asks concerned. She pets my head and I whimper in response.

"Devito's cheating on me with Courtney." I quavered.

She frowns in response.

"Little tramp!" She scowls. She gives me her hand and I take it. She helps me up and we walk into the kitchen. When we walk in mum is serving sardines on toast.

"Oh Rani, are you ok?" Fretted mum. Carmen mouths something to me and mum ushers me a seat.

"What would you like to drink?" Smiled mum.

"Could I have some orange juice?" I inquired.

She grabs a set of 2 oranges and squeezes the juice out of them and into a cracked glass. She presents it before me and I smile weakly at her. After I finish my breakfast I go into my room to get dressed. I put on a green dress that reaches my knees. It used to be mums when she was younger, then Carmen's and now it's mine. I then walk back to the kitchen and mum and Carmen are waiting for me.

"Time to go." Carmen informs me. She grips my hand and we walk out the door together.

Sun rains down on me and we all walk, making small chit-chat although I can only think of 1 thought.

"So Courtney, are you volunteering next week?" I ask her. She lifts her gaze before answering my question.

"Yeah. I've always wanted to and now I'll finally be able to!" She beams. We both sit on the beach and draw pictures in the sand.

"May the odds be ever in your favour!" I declaim.

"Thanks."

I will volunteer and ruin Courtney's life like she ruined mine!

Once we get to the reaping I sign in and wait silently in the crowd of 17yr old girls.

Our mayor, escort and past 3 victors enter the stage and our escort gets up and addresses District 4.

"Hello, hello! Happy Hunger Games and as usual, may the odds be ever in your favour!" She trills. She chatters on and everyone blocks her out, but when she cries the 4 words "Time for the girls turn!" everyone's all ears and paying him his full attention.

She struts towards the stage and reaches into the bowl. She pulls a name out in between her claws. The name she reads rolls off her lips and bounces off the walls.

"Adriana Landry!"

A path materializes in front of me as everyone steps back and I take a few uneasy steps. I get into the aisle and my senses are alert for any sign of Courtney. I mount the stage and still hear no signs of Courtney. Our escort, Kitty Dust asks for volunteers and to my surprise not one girl raises her voice.

Alden James Farrell, 18

"Let's go Niall, let's go!" I chant. I clap my hands rhythmically and Niall holds the squirming minnow above his mouth. The minnow flops aimlessly around and Niall drops the flailing fish. He clasps his hand over his mouth to keep the fish in. After about a minute he opens his mouth and the minnows nowhere to be seen. We all clap and I wrap my arm around him.

"Can't believe you actually did that!" I cheered. We all laugh and begin to line in to get signed off. After we all have had our fingers mutilated Niall has to run into the bushes that decorate the edges and throw up.

"That wasn't fun." He jokes. He wipes a bit of vomit from the corner of his mouth and smiles. The escort rattles on in the background and none of us give her a tiny bit of attention. We all mimic her accent and pretend to walk around in high heels. Her blue nails tap the microphone stand erratically and her flowing violet hair wraps around her neck in some weird hairstyle.

"Ladies turn!" Announces Kitty. She struts towards the girls bowl and reads a name.

"Adriana Landry."

Oh, I know her. She is the "eye-candy" as Niall puts it of many guys and for a reason! Her strawberry blonde hair rests below her shoulders and her sparkly green eyes are easy to get lost in. She strides towards the stage shakily and looks as if someone is about to strike her at any moment.

"Boys turn!"

She walks over to the boys bowl and plucks a slip of paper off the top of the bowl and reads the name.

"Niall Hoult!"

My heart plummets and my throat goes dry. Niall sprints for the stage, high-fiving people on the sidelines. He gets to the stage and looks pumped. The joy, the excitement he must be feeling, and I'm about to steal it all away in an instant.

I step out into the aisle and announce myself.

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" I cry.

Niall looks shocked. His jaw has dropped and he mutters silent curses. He angrily stomps down the stage and elbows my side. I collapse on my knees and shakily get up. Nialls in the crowd, being comforted by friends.

"Oh my. It seems somebody is a rudie patootie!" Mocks Kitty. I walk to the stage and mount the steps. Kitty grabs my shoulders and directs me towards my fellow tribute.

"Shake hands you two."

I grip the girls hand and she grips back. Then the back doors are parted and we are ushered into them by peacekeepers. I push on the rosewood door and step into the room before plopping myself on the couch. I wipe away silent tears for Niall and wait for my first visitor to arrive.

"Oh Alden!"Wails "mum".

When I was 7 my parents were murdered in a house fire and ever since then I've been living with Niall. Nialls mum embraces me and I squeeze back tightly. Her tears soak into my white buttoned down shirt and she lets go.

"I'll always love you." She whispers. Dad pulls her away and hugs me himself. He wishes me good luck and we all sit there.

"I love you guys." I divulge, "Thank you for taking me in."

"It was our pleasure." Dad and mum chorus. They walk out hand in hand and some of my friends enter.

"Good luck." One tells me.

"You'll do great." Says another, then they're gone.

Finally, in comes Niall. He looks livid and his eyes are glowing with rage.

"This was my last chance Alden." He growls.

"I know and I'm so sorry. I just couldn't see you get hurt." I confide.

"I can't forgive you." He hisses. My heart drops and tears threaten to well up in my eyes. I choke on a sob. But the worst part of all is when he gets up and leaves.

I release the sob and my tears explode over my eyes. I wail loudly and lean my head against the armchair.

Im sorry Niall. I am so sorry.

Im not really happy with Aldens story and I feel its a bit rushed. SOrry SeekerDraconis but I'm happy with Adrianas. Read and review please!