District 5: The Manipulator and the Brainiac
District 5: Alina Van der Veen, 15
Empty. Her wallet was completely and totally empty. How had the money slipped away so fast? Alina sighed. How didn't matter. Her wallet was empty, and she couldn't buy her supplies with a mere smile.
The girl rummaged through her closet, plucking out a simple gray shirt and brown pants. Nothing that would draw too much attention.
It was early, too early for her parents and brother to be awake, so Alina had no problem slipping out the door unnoticed.
Alina trailed through her neighbor's backyards, and eventually into the streets that lead to the town's square. Usually the city's center wasn't very busy at this early hour, but she guessed many were out to buy things they couldn't get later due to the reapings. All of the stores would be shut down for that event.
Alina shuddered. She didn't want to think of the reaping right now.
The girl eyes flashed between all this morning's clientele and she smiled. The odds were in her favor today. The square was bustling. She had so much to chose from.
Alina picked her first target. A loud and boisterous woman arguing with a vendor, trying to negotiate the price of some silks. Her purse was hanging at her side. Unguarded.
Her mistake.
Alina walked silently and swiftly, behind the woman, and slipped her nimble hand into the purse. She wriggled around, and slid her hand back out again once she had a grip on something she felt was valuable enough.
In and out. In less than a few seconds. Alina popped the item into her own bag, not bothering to look down at the object she had snagged. She would sort that all out later.
So Alina strolled down the streets, choosing her 'donors' and picking at their things, with finesse and experience. This was not the first time she had done this. And it wouldn't be the last.
After what Alina deemed a sufficient amount of picking, she carried herself to a empty alley where she dumped out her come-ups.
She had gathered coins, dollars; and estimated they might add up to around fifty all together. Alina also snagged a few herbs, a necklace, and a ring.
Not bad. Not bad at all.
Alina packed all the things into the bag and once again strolled down the streets. This time to her destination.
As she walked into the art store the bells jangled signaling she had arrived.
"Alina," The storekeeper greeted, sounding less than enthusiastic.
Alina just smiled. "Good morning Gertrude, you look quite lovely today."
The shopkeeper grumbled, rolling her gaunt eyes.
Alina's smile faded. "I'd like a set of charcoals, three small canvases, new paintbrushes, and some weighted paper." She threw down two five dollar bills on the counter.
Gertrude rolled her eyes again; it was her favorite thing to do. "Well it's 20 dollars for the charcoal and 7 for each canvas. For a whole set of paintbrushes it's 15, and each stack of paper is 10. You do the math," the old woman sneered.
Alina squinted at the money. "No, I think that's exactly the right amount. That's how much my art supplies cost, and the cost of me not telling the butcher you were the one who anonymously sold his rebel daughter out to the Capitol last week. Ah, the things us humans do for money."
Gertrude clenched her teeth and cursed profoundly at Alina. "How do you know that?"
"I know everything," Alina whispered. She motioned to the money. "That's a token of my kindness. It eases my conscience. Helps me sleep at night, you know?"
"I'll go get your supplies, you cheating little bitch."
Alina gave a sweet smile. That's what I thought.
District 5: Roman Aveyard, 17
Roman's eyes flitted open. His vision was hazy and his head pounded.
Again? Roman thought, as his senses sharpened. He looked at the book sprawled across his chest, the science journal open on his bed, and the empty cup of expresso sitting on his bed-side table.
He'd have to get an extra shot of caffeine in it next time.
Roman couldn't remember what time he had fallen asleep, but it must have been early on. He silently cursed at the fact he hadn't even completed half of the work he had wanted to.
And now he'd half to waste half of day, hours that could be used to study, research, learn, standing and watching as two District 5 children were escorted to their deaths. District 5 rarely had winners.
Roman's stomach hurt just thinking about it. He didn't like the Games, not one bit. Of course no one did, unless you lived in the Capitol or maybe a Career district, but the hatred he felt for them was planted deep in his heart.
Roman got up, dressed, and traveled to the kitchen, with his journal and book of course, and sat down for breakfast.
"Good morning Roman," His father said, eyes never veering away from the newspaper they were glued upon.
His mother, who was making breakfast, did not utter a word to her oldest son.
Roman laid his journal down and began reading where he thought he had left off. Microorganisms and their host cells. Right.
After a few more minutes of reading and notating in silence, his little brother Ellis strolled into the kitchen walking with such ease, such grace.
Just like he did everything else.
"Good morning dear," Roman's mother mused.
Roman's father looked up from under his spectacles at his youngest son and smiled at his presence. He stood up, and walked to Ellis wrapping him in a big hug and ruffling his hair. "How's my boy?" He asked, releasing Ellis from his grip.
"Okay!" Ellis flashed a smile, and Roman could tell that his little brother was nervous for the upcoming reaping. "I looked over the stuff for my english test last night a bit, and now I'm ready for the test! After the reaping…." He trailed off, "I don't have anything else to worry about for the weekend."
And despite only flipping through his notes once, Roman knew his brother would ace his test. He always did. That's how Ellis was, and his parents loved the boy for that, how easily everything came to him, how he naturally was.
Roman, on the other hand, had a test on Monday as well, a science test. One that he was studying for, analyzing chapters, and taking notes for. With this day of studying ahead of him, he would be ready by the time Monday rolled around.
But he was not like his brother. He had to work for all he achieved.
Roman's mother sat down plates for all four of them, and they whole family began to eat.
He wolfed down his food and stalked back to his room. Roman had a lot of things to get done today, and with the reaping coming up in a few hours there was no time to be wasted on anything other than studying.
District 5: Alina Van der Veen, 14
Alina did what she had to do. Her family was not piss poor, but they did not make nearly enough money to support her artistic endeavors. Supplies were expensive, and didn't last very long.
She walked back into her room. It was filled with colors. Canvases were stacked up against the wall, splashed with an assortment of colors. Alina's artwork covered the walls of her room. A field of daisies bathing in sunlight, a dimly lit alleyway, a waterfall flowing through a dense forest.
She loved color. She relished in in. She wanted to sell her art this summer, to make money doing what she loved. Soon, after school was over, she would. A few clients were already interested.
And then she wouldn't have to steal.
Alina emptied her bag of new supplies on her desk, to be handled later, and headed to her closet to pick out an outfit for the reaping. Her stomach hurt. She knew she probably wouldn't be reaped, but what if? There was always a possibility, and that was what scared her the most.
She finally decided on a light green dress that complimented her dirty blonde hair and brought out the green in her hazel eyes.
It was almost time.
She hated this part. The waiting. The anticipation. Whose name would it be this year? Alina stood among her friends. Their arms were all linked.
The escort took large, grandiose steps up to the first bowl. Her name was in there. He grabbed a card.
"Alina Van der Veen!" He drew out the last syllable, the e, as if she was the winner of a game show.
She was very far from that.
Tears poured down Alina's cheeks as her world shattered.
It seemed the odds weren't in her favor today, after all.
District 5: Roman Aveyard, 17
He felt bad for the girl. She walked to the stage, trying her best to hold herself together, but she couldn't. She was scared, and she had every right to be.
Roman watched the escort make another spectacle of walking up to the next bowl.
It didn't help. He was already agitated they had not let him bring his book into the reaping ceremony. Now he had no distraction from what was really happening here. This girl on stage would die. Anger pulsed beneath his skin, mixing with his own terror.
Roman did all he could to not shake with fear.
The escort held a name. "Roman Aveyard for this year's District 5 male tribute!"
Roman. Him. That was him. He really began shaking now. Trembling. He had never been this scared before.
No. No. No. No.
His vision went hazy again, and the world went black.
Author's Note: I was going to update this last night but the site wasn't wokring? Sorry guys. I will try to update more often, but I have camp coming up these next few weeks so idk. :)
And, each spot has had at least one tribute for a while now :) so thanks to all those who have submitted. I'm not closing submissions just yet though, as I've gotten some really awesome submissions recently!
But... District 5! We are moving along! Who did you like better this chapter? Roman or Alina? And who do you think is The Manipulator, who is The Brainiac?
District 5 Male: Roman Aveyard, 17 (rogueofminds)
District 5 Female: Alina Van der Veen, 15 (Firebird4)
Last chapter The Princess was Brill and the Selfless was Quinten. Congrats to all who got it right!
So we are at 85 reviews right now, if we could get to 100 before the next chapter, I'd be so happy guys, you don't even know. :) And remember, answering the questions and reviewing each chapter gets you sponsor points. Some of you have quite a lot already. ;)
And, I've decided to continue with 12 reapings. I feel as if you'll get to know the characters better this way. So yeah. Until next time my friends!