Scout Calloway
During the rebellion thousands of residents of Panem were killed, and many more were forced to migrate out of their districts into other ones in order to escape the fighting.
I was a victim to both.
I was originally from District 4, the fishing district, but we were forced on when the fighting became unbearable, and my parents were killed. We were relocated here into District 10 where there is no water for swimming or fishing. Instead we have cows, sheep, pigs, and horses. It smells terrible here, and everybody is always real lax about anything. They don't seem to care what's going on in the world of Panem except that their cattle are producing less milk than normal. It lacks the spirit of District 4, but then again, it is safe.
When my family passed my parent's best friends, Ivy and Jared Farrow, took me in. Their daughter, Hayden was my best friend, and now she's my girlfriend.
The greatest part about the tolerant citizens of District 10 is that Hayden and I are never judged for our relationship. The majority of people accepts it, if not welcomes it, and for that I am grateful, but you always have a few people who give their sideways glances and loud whispers. Plenty of people are much more blatant and have looked down on us with disgust, and call us names on the street. I am not afraid to speak out and stand up for myself. Just like I'll never be afraid to speak out against the Capitol for all that they've put me through.
There is no sense of adventure here like I felt in District 4, I feel as though I am trapped sometimes. I am lucky enough to have a few lakes around that I can go swimming in, but it's nothing like the sea. I miss the fragrance of the salt water and how it would dry on my skin. I miss the taste of the salty air, and how it was always warm, even in December. Here in District 10 I am trapped with only memories of my past life and the hope that one day I can return to the sea with Hayden.
Spring has just started to settle in, and I've preferred to stay outside in order to shake off the depression that settles within me in the wintertime. I take a stroll by the local farms. The air is crisp and dry, opposite of the humidity of District 4. I hear cattle lowing in the pastures, and decide to make my way over to them.
We don't own a farm; instead Jared manages a few farms in the area while Ivy stays at home, still trying to find work. We are at a loss since we do not know how to manage livestock. All we know is fishing and working on the decks.
The cows are a mix of brown and black, and I grab a fistful of hay from the ground and try to call them over. I catch the attention of a calf that hobbles over. I stroke its muzzle, and it sticks it's long sticky tongue out to lick my hand.
I pull my hand away, "Ew, that was uncalled for."
"What do you think you're doing?"
I turn around and realize I have stumbled onto the wrong farm.
River Belaqua
All I've known of my life is work. Milking cows, cleaning stalls, grooming mares, and wrestling pigs.
The life of work does not come without advantages. The heavy lifting has made me strong. The bulk of my body is muscular and my skin is tanned by years in the sun. These two characteristics have made me handsome and therefore I am quite the chick magnet. It's hard to find time to date, but it's nice to know there are girls when I'm ready.
The weather is nice as I make my way to the pastures to check on the cows before I head to the butcher to pick up the meat that'll feed my brother and sister for the next few months.
I see someone on the pasture petting one of the calves, and hand feeding it hay. I hate people who trespass on my land. Strangers shouldn't coddle the calves. I squint for a better look and once I realize who it is I get even angrier.
It's Scout Calloway, also known as the district runaway and lesbian. She walks around with her girlfriend, who she also lives with might I add, like she owns the place. She disgusts me, and I unlatch the knife from my belt.
"What do you think you're doing?"
She is startled by my presence and immediately jumps backwards. Then she quickly pulls herself together and crosses her arms across her chest.
"What are you going to do? Stab me?" Her voice is defiant.
"Don't push me," I say as I point the knife closer to her face. She leans away from it a bit and merely raises her eyebrows at me.
She takes her hand and pushes the knife out of her face. "Too late."
"I don't like dykes running around on my farm." I expect her temper to flare, but she stays cool.
"You're just mad that you can't have me like all the other girls."
I hold back the desire to just kill her now. "I wouldn't want someone like you anyways." I spit on her foot to emphasize my point.
"Wow River, I've been standing here on your land for the last few minutes and all I've gotten is a bunch of empty threats, a knife in my face, and saliva on my shoe. You've really outdone yourself."
"Get out of here!" I scream.
"My pleasure," she yells back and she walks away but not before turning to wink at me.
That girl really knows how to boil my blood.
Scout Calloway
It's the people like River who give this district a bad name. He can go to hell. If I had been any other girl he would've probably invited me in for tea and tried to seduce me in the process.
I storm into the house, and Hayden immediately runs after me to ask what's wrong.
"Nothing, I'm just sick of people like River who has nothing better to do than be pissed off at me for no reason except for my sexuality."
Hayden sighs, "Scout, don't listen to him. He's nothing. Besides there's more pressing matters right now."
Yeah the reapings. We have to leave early in order to board a train to take us to the Justice Building. Since we lie on the border of District 10 it is not in walking distance. District 10 is huge, but I guess it has to be to harbor the nation's supply of meat.
Hayden and I get dressed and meet Ivy in the living room where she pulls us both into a hug.
"You ready girls?"
We nod slowly, and she leads us to the train station, which is packed full of thousands of other children. Ivy cannot come with us because of prior obligations, but she scoops us into another hug, and wishes us luck.
"I'll see you both tonight."
The train ride doesn't take very long. The Capitol trains are high tech, manufactured by both District 5 and District 3. They move with ease and quickly as well. We arrive at the Justice Building in less than an hour, and I am in awe. The town is bustling with people, and I see no signs of rural ground and farms. I notice the mayor sitting up on a stage that has looks to be just set up specifically for the reapings. The mass of children make the town looks more packed than it usually is, and Hayden grabs my hand.
We maneuver through the crowds, there are Peacekeepers swarming the area, pointing people in the right directions.
"Age?" He asks.
"We're both 17."
He points us back towards where we had just come from and I sigh with frustration as I pull Hayden towards the back. There is a check-in table specifically set for our section and once Hayden and I are in we find ourselves a spot among the mass of other seventeen-year-old girls.
I am relieved that Hayden is able to stand here with me. I'm not sure how I would've found her later if we had to split up. I keep a hold of her hand and she bites her lip nervously.
"Hayden, we'll be okay. Look how many girls are here. Somebody else will be drawn. We just need to get through two years of this that's all."
"I feel so horrible for the younger children. They seem so scared and confused. How does the Capitol expect them to kill one another?"
"The Capitol thinks they can do whatever they want Hayden."
"Quiet, quiet!" A woman with pale skin and bright pink hair approaches the microphone. I can tell she's old, even though she's a Capitolian the make-up and surgeries cannot hide the age.
"Hello District 10," she overestimates the volume of her voice, and I find myself covering my ears.
"My name is Persephone and I've had the privilege of escorting the two lucky tributes through the Capitol before the games."
Why is she using the word 'lucky'? I'll be lucky if I get to go home tonight with Hayden by my side.
"Now how about we pick the male first?" Her grace in those heels is something to be admired. Actually when I look at her, it seems as though she is wearing heelless heels. Wow. She pulls out a name and saunters back to the microphone. Silence fills the square as she opens the slip.
"River Belaqua."
I am ecstatic! I watch him mount the stage like a kicked dog, and I'm starting to think these reapings aren't so bad after all.
"And Scout Calloway!"
Oh no. Did she just say my name?
Hayden's eyes give me the answer, and she grasps my arms with a vice grip.
"Don't," I whisper, "do not volunteer."
I pry her away from me. I am stronger than Hayden. I would actually have a fighting chance.
"Tell Ivy I said thank you."
As I'm walking away Hayden grabs my hand.
"Wait!" She pulls something in her pocket and presses it against my hand. She then kisses me, tears in her eyes as I walk towards the stage.
River is sneering, and I do my famous eyebrow raise at him. River will be first on my list for sure.
River Belaqua
"So this is your compartment," Persephone points to a room, "and Scout this one is yours."
Great I get to live across from her.
"Thanks," I see Scout turn to go, but Persephone grabs her back.
"Why, where do you think you're going my dear? We have much to talk about and little time to say it all."
"I just want to go to my room," Scout pleaded.
"Scheduled sleeping is not until nine o'clock."
Scout rolls her eyes and we follow Persephone to the front of the train.
"So as your district escort I must brief you on the rules on the next few days."
"I'm interested," I say, and I watch Scout look longingly to the door out of here.
"So, we'll be taking this train to the Capitol, once there you will be shown off to the district in a chariot ride."
"What?" Scout crinkles her face. "So we don't just go straight into the arena?"
"Well no dear, the Capitol and other districts must get introductions from you. If not how will they be able to place proper bets?"
"Bets!" Scout pounds on the table. "This isn't some game Persephone, children are dying."
"This was stated in the treaty of treason. It is the residents of Panem who have brought this on. Besides it's a great economical purpose. I imagine you should charm up your attitude my dear or else you won't be getting sponsors."
"Sponsors?" I ask. "People will help us?"
"Yes," the citizens have the ability to buy items for you to send to the arena to help you."
"Is that just another 'economical purpose'? You jack up the prices on items and then earn a profit."
"No Scout! It is to help the tributes. The sponsors could mean the difference between your life and your death."
Scout leans back in her chair and groans angrily.
"Shut up," I finally say.
"Shout it, Belaqua! Nobody wants to hear it!"
"Now, now there must be no fighting until the games begin. Now then, after the chariot rides and interviews…."
"Oh interviews too? What is this a beauty pageant?"
"Scout, shut up," I say again. She ignores me but stops.
Persephone clears her throat. "After the chariot rides and interviews you will have the opportunity to train for three days before the games and show your skills off. I highly advise you to use the time to your worth."
Scout is quiet and she stares at the table contemplating something. I fold my hands on the table and decide to be the polite one.
"Thank you Persephone."
"You're welcome River! Now why don't you two go and get ready for dinner, we can talk afterwards."
Scout is up and out of the room before Persephone finishes. I can hardly wait to put her in her place once the real fighting begins.