Dorien Oakfree
"And that's when I found you. You were just a teeny tiny thing all bundled up in a basket. There was just a small tag tied around your ankle that said 'Dorien Oakfree' with your birthday. I knew I couldn't let you alone; you wouldn't have survived. So I picked you up from the basket and you woke up. You never cried, just looked at me with those dark blue eyes of yours."
I smile up to Patricia, the only woman who I've ever considered family. I loved hearing her tell this story. I've heard it at least a hundred times, but each time she told it I felt like perhaps there would be a new piece of information that Pats would remember. Maybe she saw the parents who had dropped the baby in the bushes.
I imagined them to be young and fearless. They had been running for days with their week-old baby cradled in their arms. They were suddenly cornered here in District 5, somebody was about to find them and take the baby so they placed her in the bushes, but not before holding her close and promising they would someday return.
That's how I wanted to imagine the whole scenario. My story was a bit farfetched though. I knew a more likely outcome would've been that they were dirty and poor and I had been a mistake that would deprive them of much needed food. Or maybe I was just not wanted when I was born. Perhaps my father had wanted a son, so they just decided to dump me in the bushes.
Pats begins to cough violently and I run to her and hand her a glass of water. She's elderly at age 64, and her health has been rapidly deteriorating. Her eyesight is so poor she's practically blind and she can't walk without the aid of both her cane and I. Pats did me a favor the day she decided to pick me up from that basket, and now I had to repay her back for that.
Escule Hirosho
If I could talk to the residents of District 7, my friends and family who have probably perished by now, they would call me a coward. They would feel betrayed that when the rebellion broke out in District 7 and people were sacrificing their lives, that my mother, father, and brothers were running far far away. We somehow managed to make it to the haven of District 5 where the rebellion was not nearly as brutal as it had been in District 7.
This is because District 5 was the source of power for the entire Capitol. If the Capitol were to shut District 5 out it would've meant no electricity or running water, so the Capitol made sure they treated District 5 with respect. We heard rumors of this in seven and that's when we packed our bags and ran away.
I feel guilty about it honestly. I often wondered if I would still be alive, or if I could've died a courageous death instead of being a living coward.
I missed my friends, and my extended family. I also missed my father. We had lost him in the chaos as we were leaving. He begged us to go on because we'd be safer. I don't know if he died that day or if he's in District 7 trying to find a way here.
Today there's a chance that'll I'll be chosen to go to the Hunger Games. I know that if my name is drawn today I'll be wishing I'd died in seven. I know I will not be able to survive. I am neither fast, smart, nor strong. After living in seven I have some knowledge of the forests and the plants, but I know that is not enough to survive. I will certainly be an underdog.
I am however grateful that my brothers are too young to be entered in the games. At least I will not have to worry about them.
"Escule, best you get ready now don't you think?" My mother is yelling from the kitchen where she has prepared a nice dinner before I am forced to stand and watch as two children are forced to the Capitol. One of those children could be me.
I sit down and eat fresh bread, and a stew that actually includes some kind of meat. This is a luxury for our fatherless family of four small children. My mother does the best she can, as do I, but I feel it is not enough.
"I boiled you some water, so you can actually clean yourself before you go. If you're chosen today it'll be in your favor to be cleaned up beforehand."
I do as she says, and I scrub my body until the water looks almost black. My mother has laid out some nice clothes for me, and I put them on. They feel foreign on my body. I am used to old shirts and tattered jeans. When I catch my reflection in the mirror I barely recognize myself.
When my mother sees me her face lights up.
"You look so handsome," she says while taking my face in her hands. She then licks the tip of her thumb and flattens a piece of hair that must've been sticking up. "Your father would be proud of you."
I am confused. "For getting myself bathed and dressed?" I ask.
"No Escule, for being so brave. I can only imagine how it feels."
"I'm okay Mama," I say, and she pulls me into a hug.
"Do you ever regret it?" I ask suddenly.
"Regret what?"
"Running away, losing Dad, leaving everyone behind."
Her face takes on a somber look and she stares at me for a while. Her eyes begin to gloss over and I suddenly feel horrible for bringing it up, but I must know. If I'm to go to the Capitol today I want to know how she feels.
"Yes all the time, but I know things happen for a reason. You must always remember that Escule. It's important to be brave also."
"We weren't brave though Mama. Running away isn't brave."
"You have a lot to learn Escule. Bravery doesn't necessarily mean standing and fighting. Sometimes it means being courageous enough to leave the battles you cannot fight even though you desperately do want to stay.
I never wanted to leave Escule, but my first priority is to take care of my children, and that's what I did. So in that aspect I do not regret it, and I know that your father, wherever he is, does not regret it either."
I don't know what to say, but my mother is not waiting for a response. She crosses the room and opens a small box that sits on our table. From it she holds a pin made from stone. It's molded into the letter "E" and I know it once belonged to my father.
"He wanted you to have this. I've been waiting for the right time to give it to you."
She delicately pins it to my shirt. "Let's hope it brings good luck."
Dorien Oakfree
I blame my parents for a lot of things I am today. For example, I do not trust a soul on this Earth besides Pats because I know how easily you can be abandoned. Therefore, I stand at the reapings alone in a group of girls that I've gone to school with forever, but barely know.
I'm terrified of getting reaped today. I wouldn't mind going into the arena, my life feels like an empty shell. However my purpose in life is caring for Pats and the thought of leaving her alone to die makes me feel sick.
Before I left her, she cradled me into her arms and told me not to worry. I always asked her how she would take care of herself without me, but she would merely shrug.
"Honey, I may be old, but I have a lot more strength then you think," and then she weakly laughed before erupting into a loud coughing fit.
So now I stand here as the district escort makes his way to the first bowl. My fingers are crossed and I'm praying that I will not be reaped. I will not be reaped. I cannot be reaped. It will not happen to me. It can't happen to me.
Escule Hirosho
My name is called over the microphone, and I'm suddenly paralyzed with fear. Everyone looks around curiously because they don't know who I am. I am merely an outsider who belongs in District 7.
I feel faint. I am not ready to welcome death, not when I have so many unanswered questions about my father. A scream of protest threatens to escape my lips, but I suddenly hear my mother's voice as though she is next to me.
Bravery. I must be brave, and keep my head up high. Fear and adrenaline are coursing through my veins as I climb the stage. I see my mother, her arms around my four siblings and I wonder how they will survive without both my father and I.
Our escort is now dipping into the other bowl and I'm about to find out who my district partner is.
"Dorien Oakfree."
Her stature is short and her hair is dark and choppy, but she approaches the stage with the upmost grace. I wonder if she's accepted her fate or if she's willing to commit cold-blooded murder for the sake of her life.
She stares into the crowd fearlessly, and I'm feeling slightly intimidated. I thought for a second that my district partner could be my ally, but this girl looks like she's ready for battle, and it strikes a nerve.
Dorien Oakfree
I am well on my way to the Capitol and I'm still in shock. Every morning I wake up in the bed that's way too comfy and I try to convince myself that I am dreaming.
I then look over to see the passing scenery outside the train window and a pang in my stomach reminds me that I am indeed here.
I can accept my death, of course I will fight but if I am to die I will accept it as my fate. I cannot however accept what is going to happen to Pats. I know she will probably die in her home alone, and the thought is unbearable to me.
The boy names Escule has not come out of his room except for mandatory meals. He is terribly frightened and is unable to hide it here on the train. I don't really care. As far as I'm concerned I must try to win to make it back to Pats and befriending the boy who is scared stiff is not going to help me accomplish that goal.
No matter what I must fight this alone. The other tributes are fighting against me, and trusting them would be a horrible idea because I will be setting myself up to be betrayed.
Some of the other tributes are surely fighting the same inner battle. They must return home to their families, and that will make even the friendliest person turn into a ruthless killer. Because of this I will not trust a single soul.