Chapter One:

Two-Faced

Ondine Cleravoy

It wasn't fun being the one to always do wrong yet be the best in your class. I was stubborn sometimes, but peaceful at mind and very giving. Little people were able to cope with my multiple personality disorder, while others kept their distance and talked behind my back. It also swapped constantly, abruptly to the point where I had no idea when it would happen. It didn't occur in a pattern so I could warn people-instead, I was burdened with a bipolar disorder, which changed me.

I had killed many people as a child, all with my bad side. In my bad personality, sometimes, I lured them into their deaths with an act of a helpless child; however, I was never the helpless one. Or, my rage would kill them and I would become a murderer, a psychopath killer. Yet, I was strategic and knew how to keep from others. I knew how to hide the truth and that terrible things I did. Suddenly, I'd wake up and be nice again, as if nothing ever happened. At times, I never knew I was the killer.

Life was miserable here in District Four. I watched as people gathered around fires to cook fish they had caught, also tell stories. One of my favorite people to listen to was Annie Cresta. To be honest, she was quite old and was absolutely insane-which was why I found favor in her. She'd tell me things about her past, about the Hunger Games. Really, I was the only one she had, since no one liked her.

I barely ate, since my parents weren't very rich and also, food was short here in Four. I didn't mind though, because I did not want to eat. I loved to go around and sing by the creek. Also, I loved to hear stories from Annie, and I'd visit her often. She was really the only one who'd cope with my bad side and sudden changes.

I sat ever so patiently at the creek, holding a rock in my hands as I gazed into my reflection against the smooth waters. I blinked a little bit, studying my fair skin and dark, thick hair that was wavier than the ocean. I brushed one strand behind my ear, leaning in so I could see my reflection even closer. I was thin and short, as most people weren't. They swam, while I sat around and did nothing. I rarely did work and tended to stay within my studies and cook the fish, like my mother always taught me to do.

My dark green eyes were stormy, like most of the people here in District Four. We almost all looked the same, as if we were born from the same mother and father that had identical eyes.

Something moved behind me and I turned back quickly to see what it was. It was my friend, Lillian Banks. She was rude sometimes and very hard to deal with; however, she got along with both sides of me and once, went along with one of my bad personality's mischiefs. Now, since we were both older, she tried to calm me down and make me more approachable. It didn't really work, but it was always worth a shot. She never gave up, which was very admirable.

"Hey, Ondine," she said lowly, sitting down next to me. She didn't really look at me, but gazed into the waters while putting her finger inside of the warm liquid. Then, she sighed, "Ready for the reaping?"

"It's the same every year," I groaned. "I'm tired of it!"

"Aren't we all?" she grinned and blinked in one eye. She had something with her eye that made it so she blinked in one eye, but never in sync for some reason. Sometimes, one even twitched awkwardly at random moments; at first, it freaked me out. But I happened to get used to it, as she got used to my disorder.

"We probably should start getting ready, don't you think?"

We were both in pajamas, which were small shorts and tank tops. I casted a short gaze at her, then looked back into the creek, green and dirty. "Right," I licked my lips. "Let's go."

She hung out at my house, since my parents held a high (but low-paying) position. Also, her parents cared nothing of her and neglected her requests. Her house is dirtier and smaller than mine, so we had always preferred to go to my place instead of her own.

Once we got to my house, we went into my room to find ourselves looking at dresses set out for us. Mine was beautiful, compared to her ugly rags that her parents gave her a long time ago. Hers was brown and had really no patters and designs; on the other hand, mine was white and clean, with lane along the edges. I was poor, but at least my parents cared about me and always saved their money for a nice reaping dress.

I got dressed quickly and put on some pearl earrings that Annie Cresta once gave me. I slipped on a golden bangle that I found floating in the creek one day and then tied a red ribbon to it. Beside me, Lillian did her ginger hair into a nice bun. She used to wear braids until the president prohibited anyone from wearing them. She looked good in them too; yet, it still wasn't allowed no matter what.

Since I wasn't too well with my hands, she did my hair for me. She put it into a bun, but it took a while since I had so much hair. I thanked her briefly and we set out to leave. Just before exiting, my mother gave me a hug and long kiss on the forehead, while my father patted me on the shoulder. They tried to reserve me for so long, but my bad side always kept my mind from being too pure. I told them goodbye and so did Lillian, since they were almost like her own parents to her. They once kept her for six months, since her parents kicked her out for hanging out with me too much instead of working on the fish.

We made our way silently across the road to the Main Center. It had a large, wooden stage and behind it, a beautiful pond that reflected the nasty stage in its waters. We checked in quickly and went to our assigned seats. Unfortunately, Lillian was instructed to sit far from me and I was on my own, praying my personality wouldn't change.

Both Anthems went on, the first and then the second that was made after the revolution in the Districts. We all waited anxiously for it to end and once it did, two Peacekeepers led a host onto the stage. She was a typical Capitol lady, with large tutus and hair, along with colorful jewelry, accessories, and even clothes. Her large heels made her seem higher, though she was probably just as short as I. I watched her, rolling my eyes as she almost tripped onto the microphone.

"Hello, hello!" her voice was high and reminded me of sugar and candy. I licked my lips at the thought, knowing I had only had it once in my lifetime but it was the best taste ever.

"Welcome to a very special event! This is the 100th Hunger Games, honoring the years of service from the Capitol to you. As usual, two tributes..." she went on, introducing the Games that we all already knew so well. I rolled my eyes, watching my hands as they linked together. Something hit me on the head and I looked up, finding that it was Lillian who threw a tiny rock at me.

She whispered across several other girls, "I can't believe it's the 100th!"

"I know," I didn't think she could hear me, but I didn't care. I didn't want to get in trouble with the Peacekeepers.

"Ladies first!" those two words caught my whole attention and I stared at the lady as she slowly picked her hand through the clear glass bowl. She shuffled it around for a bit and finally chose one. Carefully, she made her way to the microphone and announced, "The girl tribute for this year's games from District Four is... Ondine Cleravoy!"

If you want a character, go on my profile and look for an open spot! Next, get the SYOC submission form and send me a PM that has the form filled out. There are lots of open spaces, and I am hoping to fill them!

By the way, this character was brilliantly made by Hertram. Thanks!

-SYOC