Thank you to Europa22 for Elizabeth and Mockingjay of the East for James :)

Elizabeth Soltis, 15

I lazily open my eyes and stretch my thin arms. My pale skin shines under the sunlight streaming through my curtains. I run my fingers through my matted, bright orange hair and blink my shimmering blue eyes.

I try hard not to bury myself in pillows when I remember what day it is; Reaping Day.

"Can't believe I have only one more year after this." Sighs Rebecca. She smiles and I feel my whole body lift. Her smile, a smile so optimistic and full of life it could cure cancer.

"I still have 8 to go." I reply grumpily. Today is my first reaping and mother has selected a baby blue dress with pink flecks for me to wear. My hair is tied up in a soft pink ribbon and I lap at my oats.

"Eh, you'll get through them." Bubbles Rebecca.

I feel a much-needed smile tug at the corner of my thin lips and I'm filled with warmth at the thought of Rebecca. Ever since she left, our life has been miserable and in need of warmth. She was the hearth of our house, and the long forgotten coals she left behind lie discarded in a grave.

"Liza, are you awake?" Calls mum sadly from the kitchen. Her voice is stained with sadness ever since the death of Rebecca. Ever since the capitol tore her away from us 3 years ago. Ever since we watched her get brutally murdered by teenagers.

"Yes."

I trudge down the lonely hallways, half expecting Rebecca to come waltzing in the door and ruffle my hair like she did all those years ago, yet only shadows greet me as I walk into the kitchen.

I grab a rag and help mother wash up the dishes. We make small chit-chat and the fear is evident in her voice.

"Thank you Elizabeth." Mother acknowledges. She bows her thin face, etched with wrinkles from years of torment and pain.

I sit down at the table where piece of stale bread and a bruised pear greet my eyes. I nibble at the pear and eat my bread bit by bit.

"I'll get your father while you get ready to go." Mother mumbles. I courteously bow my head and go to my bedroom to get ready to go.

I fill the cold, steel bathtub with hot water I have to pump. Once it's filled I strip down and inch my body into the tub. Pangs of heat strike my body, making me lift my body. Eventually I settle into the tub and lie there.

"How come you get a pretty dress!" I stammer. I stare at Rebecca in her cherry red dress, envy streaking into my voice. I stomp my chubby foot and cross my eyes. As she's 15, Rebecca prepares for the reaping. I'm in a lilac t-shirt and a soft green skirt.

"How about when you're 15 you can wear this dress?" Rebecca offers. I start smiling and Rebecca wraps her hands around my body and lifts me up.

"Deal!"

I stare at the red dress lying before me. Slight tears appear on the front but I don't hesitate before throwing it on.

"You look just like her."

I turn and see mother at the doorway. I walk towards her and grip her bony hand in mine.

"We better go. We don't want to be late." I sigh.

We meet father at the door and he opens the door for mother and I. We walk out and the wind nips at my wet body. I lean into mum and we walk briskly.

"We're here." Declares mother. I stare up and see the Justice building come into view and perched upon it is our escort; Clay Forthcorm. His magenta corkscrew curls lay atop his lavender body. He looks like something out of a horror film. He's been escorting us for 5 years and he looks like he should be retiring sometime soon.

"And so it was decreed that each year the twelve districts of Panem..."

I tune out of the reading of the treaty of treason and can hear the Horn of Plenty blaring through speakers.

The line to get marked off is non-existent and I kiss mother and father on the cheek. The capitol lady looks bugged at the fact she has to spend her day being in District 9 of all places. I walk towards her and extend my second finger. My name flashes on the little device and I quickly file into my line.

"Let's start this thing! Ladies first!" Trills Clay.

He struts towards the bowl and before I know it he's opening the paper and reading the name scribbled on it.

"Elizabeth Soltis!"

My heart breaks as mothers screaming echoes throughout the quiet square.

"I remember this name!" He announces happily.

My throat tightens and I let out a sob. I struggle to hold back the tears, attempting to imitate the same exact movements that Rebecca did when Clay called her name.

Rebecca looks determined as she walks towards her death. No tears form in her wide eyes and she appears to stare the Capitol down. Her body stays still and no shaking is visible. Rebecca Soltis, my sister, off to war.

James Wheaters, 15

I stand alone in the crowd. My only friend, my twin sister, is in her roped off area and I long for her hand in mine. The ability to calm me down is one only she possesses when I'm terrified; like now.

The girl was just reaped and she foolishly attempts to imitate her sister. Her sister stuck out in my mind just because she didn't look scared like every other tribute from District 9.

"Now let's wrap this thing up and pick our boy!" Cries Clay.

I don't have to wait long before we find out who our boy is.

"James Wheaters!"

The shaking first resonates in my feet and works its way up my body and my arms shake the most violently. Tears well up in my eyes and a few break through and run down my face.

My feet pound the gravel floor and I hear screaming. I turn and see Jane push through people and running towards me.

She runs into my arms and we stand there, in plain view of Panem. All of a sudden I feel Jane's grip loosen and I look up.

"No! James! Please don't go!"

Jane is lifted up by a peacekeeper and struggles hopelessly against his strong grip.

"Come on up James, we don't need any distractions like that." Scowls Clay.

His comment fills me with rage. My sister is not a thing, she's a person and I love her more than anything. I sprint up for the stage and take the steps 2 at a time.

"Now that's determina-"

My fist connects with Clays ugly face just as he finishes his sentence. He collapses and I stand above him huffing as a pair of peacekeepers knock my legs out from under me. They catch my wrists as I fall and cuff me. Jane screams in the background and I feebly try to block her out with my shoulders.

"James! James!"

I feel strong fists pound me and I feel my mind spinning. Screams accompany the darkness that engulfs me as I give in to the pain and black out.

Bright lights are the first thing to greet me. I slowly lift my head and notice 3 braces around my body. One around my chest, one around my waist and the last around my legs.

"Now that wasn't a very smart thing to do."

I quickly look to my left and see the escort sitting in a white chair. He has his legs crossed and a bruise surrounds his blazing red eyes.

"You deserved it." I hiss.

He lifts his body from the chair and circles me like a shark to its prey. I lifts his arm above my body and brings his elbow crashing down on my abdomen.

"Aagh!" I howl.

Tears sting my eyes and I jam them shut.

"Look. At. Me!" Clay demands.

I open my eyes and he is above me like the crazed hyena that was released in last year's arena. The arena was a savannah and many animals such as lions, crocodiles, wild dogs and hyenas prowled the grass in search of tributes.

"You don't know who you messed with kid. I have connections to many people who could make your life hell!" His voice is enraged and he brings his fist down on my nose. Blood pours out and I hear a sharp CRACK.

"I'll leave you to rest now." He tells me in a sickly sweet voice.

I close my eyes and let the darkness consume me again, praying I'll never have to wake up.

Now I know this is my worst chapter so far but James is a *cough cough* BLOODBATH *cough cough* So I didn't really want to go into depth with him as a character. I hope you all enjoyed the story :) BTW Im sorry to sya that I probably wont be able to update for about a week as I am going away and my mum said I have very limited laptop time while we're their :'(