Ashley Henns

"You're getting pretty good with that bow, aren't you?" I turn around to see Daryl eyeing me carefully. "You might want to try this though," he shifts my stance a bit and my hold on the bow.

"Why are you helping me?" I ask, lowering the bow to my side. Daryl has been nothing but nice to me since that day we boarded the train. I am confused. They tell me I must kill, but yet my enemies are trying to help me. Is Daryl a friend or a foe? I cannot decide.

"Because I want you to do well," is all I get from him. It does not ease my confusion or frustration. I wonder if I want Daryl to do well also, or if I will easily kill him when I have the opportunity. I have decided that I will not let my need to heal others get in the way. I just want to get home, and if I have to be mean I will be mean.

"Why would you help me? Once the game starts, we'll just be against each other. I'll have to kill you to win and you'll have to kill me."

"Let's cross that bridge when we get there, okay?"

"What does that mean? What about a bridge?"

"It means we won't worry about what may happen now. If we get to the point where we have to deal with it we will deal with it then, not right now. In other words don't worry about me."

I am not worried about Daryl, but I can see he is worried about me. I don't want to be looked at as the little weak girl who is barely twelve, and needs help. I am young, but that doesn't mean I can't be strong right?

I do not ask Daryl this question however. I know what he will say. He will tell me that I can do anything, but it'll feel fake. It'll feel like something a parent would say to their child because they have to. If I brought a badly drawn picture home my mother would say it was beautiful and hang it up, even though it's not beautiful. Instead I ask Daryl a question that's been nagging at me for a while.

"What are you going to do today for the Gamemakers?"

He laughs. "I don't even know. Do you?"

My strengths do not lie in using weaponry. They lie in healing others. I can't do something like that for the Gamemakers though. I hardly doubt they'll be impressed.

I shake my head vigorously. "I'm not excellent at using any of these weapons. I just can't think of what would be impressive."

"Have you thought about the possibility of not using weapons?"

"What else is there? I could be a sissy and name plants or something."

"You should be yourself," Daryl says. "You can heal."

"That won't help me." I feel my voice rise into a whine.

"It'll be different, that's for sure," he says as he lets an arrow go. "Give them something that'll make them remember you. Sometimes that doesn't necessarily mean you have to look tough."

Faunas Dunois

I have been seething since Reaping Day, since I had to say good-bye to my brother and sister, since the Capitol treated me cruelly. Well I will not sit back and take it. I will not go down without a fight.

I have made use of both weaponry and survival skills. Every time I throw a knife or use a scythe I begin to envision myself using such a tool to kill another. How could I be the hand behind the death of somebody who like me has a family and a home? Perhaps they stood as my parents did and tried to aide in the rebellion. How do I kill an ally? But they are not my allies, not anymore.

"Faunas!" I turn around to see Marilynn. Her short blonde hair bobs in the sunlight, and although she is older than me I can't help but see her as something of a child. Somebody who needs protected.

"We have to go, it's almost time for our sessions to begin."

I follow her out into a hallway. I sit next to her on a small seat and force myself to be calm. I must wait until all the other districts are done. Being in District 11 means I get the short end of the stick, the only people who will be going after us is 12, and by then the Gamemakers will probably be bored. I sit rigid; my hands folded beneath my chin and Marilynn swings her legs idly. I wonder what she's thinking about. She must already have her strategy figured out.

I fidget in my seat and she glances over.

"Nervous?" She asks.

I don't lie. "A little, but a little anxiety is good. It'll keep me motivated."

Marilynn nods, a small smile spreads across her face. "I'll think you'll be fine. You always seem very… focused."

I force a laugh. "Is that what you call it?"

She nods. "I mean it, I know you'll do fine."

"What about you?"

She shrugs. "It doesn't really matter."

How I wish I could take on her carefree attitude. Was she trained beforehand? I bet she is confident in her abilities. I have seen her handle a spear and she hardly ever misses. Is that what she will show the Gamemakers? I have debated between showing off my skills with weapons or my skills with poisons and traps. I imagine the weapons will make me look tougher and well-prepared, even though survival skills are just as important.

Marilynn says something to me, but I don't hear her. "Huh?" I ask.

"Your token? I was just curious because I didn't see you wearing anything."

"Oh," I reach into my pocket and pull out the photograph Kale and Chrys gave to me. "This is my family, before the Dark Days." The photograph is in black and white. We do not have the luxury of colored film, and it makes the photo look much older than what it is. It gives me the idea that although it has only been about a year so much has happened that it feels as though it's been decades.

"That's the girl who ran after you," she says as she points to Chrys, "on Reaping Day."

"Yes," I chuckle, "she's a little firecracker. She's probably much braver than I am. Actually I know she is. Chrys is only twelve, but that doesn't stop her from trying to protect both my older brother and I. Kale is nineteen, and I'm fifteen. We should be the ones to take care of her. I'm glad she didn't get reaped like I did. I know the Capitol has a personal vendetta against our family. You probably know about it though. When they called my name… I was so frightened that they would choose hers as well."

"I'm guessing you think your name was drawn on purpose then?"

I nod. "I'm not guessing, I know."

"Don't you think that could just be a bit of paranoia?" Marilynn's voice does not sound condoning; she sounds as though she is genuinely curious.

"You must know about the Dunois family; my parents. They started the rebellion in District 11. They rounded up a few families and set fire to the fields. The other citizens joined in and suddenly my mother and father were looked up to as leaders." My mind begins to drift to a different time. A time when my family grew strong and my parents had fire in their eyes. A fire that was quenched along with their deaths. "The citizens were so quick to blame them though once the announcement for the Hunger Games was made. After looking up to them and following their lead you would think they would've stuck by their side, even in death, but that is not the case."

"Faunas, I have heard some who have blamed your family for what happened. However, there are many who look up to their leadership. They want to…" her voice slides into a whisper, "they want to restart the rebellion. They are ready."

I almost cannot believe the words that leave her lips. They want to start up the rebellion again? Even after all of this? I feel a dull flame deep within become more intense.

"You must not give up on yourself or the district Faunas. You could use this situation to your advantage. This will be broadcasted to the nation you know? If people saw the fierceness and determination they may be willing to fight back again."

Would they though? Marilynn seems smart. She seems to understand people in a way that I cannot. An alliance with her would help the cause. Two tributes from District 11 restarting the rebellion. Do I want to alliance with her though? I might as well."

"Would you stand by my side Marilynn? We would make a great team."

She smiles. "Of course, Faunas."

"Marilynn Rockford," her name is called over the intercom in a strange robotic voice.

"That's me," she says and begins to make her way to the door.

"Hey, good luck," I tell her.

"And good luck to you."

I consider Marilynn's words. Could I really spark another rebellion, at least in my district, while I'm in the arena? Marilynn was correct; I will be viewed by the entire nation. If the president or Gamemakers knew they would surely call for my death, but what will it matter? If I could be the catalyst for another rebellion my death will be worth it. The only question is how. How will I do this?

"Faunas Dunois."

I will have to think about it later. Right now my focus must be on this session. I must receive a high score.

Scout Calloway

I anxiously await the scores to appear on the television screen. My nails beds are bitten down, and I know my prep team will not be happy with that. I couldn't really care less though.

River sits like a stone next to me, stealing glances towards me every few seconds. I can tell he wants to say something, but I don't want to hear it. He's been acting strange towards me the past couple of days. His attitude towards me has been a little more pleasant and has attempted to engage me in small talk a few times. The last thing I need is for him to try to apologize and try to relieve the tension between us. As far as I'm concerned we are enemies now, and resolving any conflict will just makes things harder later. So, I keep my eyes glued on the screen where two announcers babble on about the Games, and the schedule of events and the tributes and blah blah blah.

I look over to Persephone. I can't tell if she's nervous for us or if she's uncaring. She sits staring at the television, her leg delicately crossed over the other, a cup of tea poised in her hand. She is the definition of proper.

"And now the moment you've been waiting for. We have just received the tribute scores from this afternoon's session. We will start with District 1 and work our way to District 12."

My heart begins to pound. I shouldn't be nervous, but just the thought of millions staring at the screen, seeing my picture, and knowing how I did makes me sweaty. I know that Hayden and her parents will be watching and I instinctively grab the locket around my neck. It calms me and I find myself holding on to it as each tribute's picture flashes on the screen with their score.

"From District 1, Glitter Harison with a 5, and Jade Waterly with a 6."

Surprise. Surprise. Looks like District 1 did not do so hot. Jade is always prancing around with her bow and arrow like she owns the place. Apparently she's not as good as everyone thought.

"From District 2, Bullet Daniels with a 9, and Aeron Swan also a 9."

District 2 will be one of the districts to look out for, though it makes sense. District 2 is known for masonry, but they also construct weapons and train the citizens as Peacekeepers. Of course their tributes will be strong.

"From District 3, Lucian Sparx with an 8, and Athea DiMae with a 7."

I guess the nerd boy knows his shit. I wasn't expecting that one.

"From District 4, Shoal Creek with a 6 and Mikaela Northman with a 4."

What? Mika got a 4? I don't know her that well, but she's trained with me on a few occasions. I've considered her a deadly contender. Perhaps she messed up her session, or they are just being critical. If Mika only got a 4, then there's no way I did well.

"From District 5, Escule Hirosho with a 6 and Dorien Oakfree with an 8."

I silently cheer in my head for Dorien. I'm sure she didn't miss a target.

"From District 6, Jasten Redwood with a 5, and Stephanie Fox with a 4."

There is something wrong. Jasten with a 5? The kid can't even keep his temper under control, yet he scored higher than Mika. My gut feeling tells me something is terribly wrong with this.

"From District 7, David Hammer with a 3, and Alice Leigh with a 7."

Poor David. How is it fair that a young 12-year-old is here, let alone being judged on his abilities?

"From District 8, Orion Kelsey with a 10 and Audrey Carpenter with a 7."

"Wow," I hear River next to me. The Kelsey kid is not one to rile with. He could probably flatten me like a pancake and not think twice about it.

"From District 9, Boxer Lightwood with a 6 and Kyra Valente with an 8."

Kyra and Dorien both received an eight, which is amazing. I am proud to have them as my allies, but it makes me nervous for my score, which is coming up next. If I did horribly they will brand me as weak and I'll be done for. I think of Boxer and his 6. I know River and him had an alliance forming. A six isn't a bad score, but it isn't anything spectacular. I wonder if River is regretting his choice.

"From District 10, River Belaqua with a 7," I hold my breath. Please be higher than his I pray. "and Scout Calloway with a 7."

Shoot. Well I guess I can't complain. I glance over to River who is already staring at me. His mouth opens. He is about to say something, but the television catches my attention, and I turn away.

"…District 11, Faunas Dunois with a 2, and Marilynn Rockford with a 6."

A score of two? How is that possible? I know Faunas is strong. He does not deserve such a low score, even if he did make a few mistakes. I now I have heard him say that the Capitol hates his family, but that can't be the reason he got a low score. Or can it? Is that how the Capitol plays? They give tributes who they don't like lower scores in hopes that it'll ensure their deaths? I usually don't pity others, but right now I can't fathom how Faunas is feeling. Is that what they did to Mika as well? I remember that she was once from the Capitol. Maybe they hated her family too.

"And finally from District 12, Daryl Rivers with a 6 and Ashley Henns with a 7."

Ashley managed a 7? The small girl who just hit the age of twelve got the same score as me. Unbelievable.

"Well that was interesting. Looks like you know who you're competition are." Persephone says as she casually sips at her tea.

I place myself in the middle range of tributes. A lot of us were able to nab a score of seven, so really I'm not much better than anyone else. I can't use these scores to decide who I should look out for and who I shouldn't because I do not believe they reflect on who we will be in the arena.

I get up to go to my bedroom. I want to be alone with my thoughts and I can't have that with Persephone and River.

"Scout," River calls me back, but I stay still.

"I don't want to hear what you have to say River."

"What if it's an apology?"

"Save it."

Faunas Dunois

I feel myself swelling with anger. I did not deserve that score. I deserved at least an 8. Marilynn looks at me with sympathy. I do not want her sympathy. Pride has always been one of my worst weaknesses, and right now my pride is shot. Nobody will dare sponsor somebody with a 2. Now I will have to work harder to gain even a little respect.

I get up and march to my room. The door slides open to let me in, and I wish I at least had the ability to slam it. The Capitol has me under their control. There is no way to escape. I must follow their rules, but I will not let them change me. The score means nothing, my heritage does not dictate how I well I will do in the arena. The Capitol wants it to, but I will not let them.

My desire to restart the rebellion grows, and if I had any doubt before it is now gone. I will devise a plan of action. I am a Dunois, the son of two people who fought against all odds to change the nation. I will not let their legacy die.