"Though you are stiffer than a girder

They'll let you get away with murder

Razzle dazzle 'em

And you've got a romance."

Alessio Spades, 18, District Twelve Male

The ghosts trail after him, wishing him luck as Alessio Spades creeps out of the mine, blinking in the gaudy light.

He stalks through the shadows, slipping through tight spaces and passing into the Reaping ring unnoticed by the Peacekeepers. The shadows cling to him and provide him shelter as he drifts in among the crowd of people, who chatter and mill and make unnecessary noise.

Alessio is already sick of the sun. He wants to go back to the mine, to the ghosts and the darkness, where he does not feel so exposed and anxious, where he can train for his ultimate goal. And yet, he knows, this is a milestone in his plan. The day has finally come for him to begin his journey. He exhales a breath, fighting the urge to run as people close in around him and the mayor begins speaking.

They go over the procedures of how the Tributes are selected, they speak of the glory that the Games guarantee—which Alessio assumes to be just another lie—and finally talk about Volunteering. Alessio knows this already; the ghosts told him all he needed to know.

The President makes his brief appearance, and Alessio eyes him warily, knowing that he is close to his father and—more importantly—his sister. He exhales another breath through his teeth. Step by step. He will get to her, soon.

Alessio turns the skull ring around and around his finger. He had meant to give it to his sister, had bought it at the market with stolen money for a birthday gift. And he still intended to give it to her. Soon, soon.

The voices were quieter up here in the light, muffled by the crowd of people, and Alessio feels more alone without them. He waits patiently as the Escort sashays over and pulls out a slip of paper with ridiculous fanfare. He Reaps the first Tribute, and Alessio watches the proceedings with mute disinterest until they get to the male.

He waits with anticipation while the Escort draws from the bowl. "For the 16th annual Hunger Games, our male Tribute will be... Cole Wickham!"

Alessio cannot speak fast enough, his voice emerging gruff and disused from his throat. "I Volunteer as Tribute."

He sulks up to the stage, shying away from the light, but feeling a deep sense of progress as he reaches the microphone. This is the moment he's waited for ever since he was young. He has trained and labored for years, and now it's finally time.

So why does he still feel so empty?

"What's your name, young man?" the Escort says with an unnecessary amount of flair.

"Alessio Spades," he says firmly, staring coolly down at the citizens.

He imagines he is standing above the kids who once bullied and shunned his sister and him, the people who think he is a freak, a nobody.

'And maybe they're right,' the Fates whisper in his head. 'But that's why they deserve retribution. They will soon be bowing at your feet, begging for mercy as you stand over them with an axe. They will fear you, Alessio Spades.'

He hopes that they all see him now, the kids that scorned him and the father that abandoned him and even his sister. He hopes that she sees him, and that she will wait for him.

He's coming.

...

Columbia "Colby" Novella, 17, District Five Female

Colby waltzes into the Reaping perfectly on time as usual, brushing a stray strand of black hair behind her ear. People wave at her from all directions as she makes her way to her spot, heels click-clicking. She blows kisses and waves airily, watching as people lean toward her like a flower to the sun. She calls out occasionally to the people she passes. "So good to see you darling, you look splendid! Is that a new haircut? Talk to you soon, love!"

She makes her way into her spot, tactfully ignoring her twin who stands a little ways to her right. He is turned slightly towards her, just like all of the others who fawn and preen and beg for her attention, but she pays him no heed. Yes, she pities the poor fool, but that doesn't mean she needs to embarrass herself by speaking to him.

Colby gracefully adjusts her glittery headband; the slight imperfection had been bothering her and she's glad to have the chance at fixing it. She's been busy all day, volunteering at nursing homes and picking up trash and overall preparing herself to be an heiress. Yet standing in the sun, she feels purposeless and aimless, as if-

But no. How dare she feel tired or confused or anything like that? That's not how she's supposed to feel, and she pins those feelings down and crushes them like insects. It's not becoming of someone like her to feel those things... it's not right.

She watches the Escort twirling across the stage, all fancy clothes and lavish pomp, and she feels a slight tang of envy. Being middle class, she can't wear all that she wants—at least, not yet. But then, Colby knows that she could've done better in this Escort's position. She could've drawn out the name with more passion, more flair, more-

"Columbia Novella."

What did they say? She stands in awe for a moment, fearfully registering the eyes of all her classmates, her past relationships, her parents... it feels like everyone is watching Columbia Novella as she pulls herself together and saunters to the stage like the true actress she is.

And she loves it.

This whole Hunger Games thing does somewhat throw a wrench in her plans. She had so much more to do today, trying to become the rising star that her parents want her to be. Yet maybe this will be good. Maybe it will be beneficial.

"Jett Ramiro," the Escort announces.

But before the other Tribute can even manage to start walking up to the stage, a sickeningly familiar voice calls out four vital words.

"I Volunteer as Tribute."

Colby feels her stomach lurch, her composure shatter, and for a moment she's stricken as her twin approaches the stage. Callisto Novella, who was such a close friend long ago. They'd once dreamed of saving enough money in their piggy bank, running away and living somewhere quaint, picturesque. But that was before their parents found the money. Before their paths split: Columbia, becoming a perfect student, her parent's favorite; and Callisto becoming, well... who he is today. Why on Earth we he Volunteer to be with her?

But Colby is a schemer, through and through. Her head is already reeling with plans, stories to tell, lies to spin. They are the most tragic of twins, two hapless humans just trying to stay together. The Capitol will love it. And Colby will not, come rain or shine, be a failure.

...

Hello friends! I am so happy to introduce to you these lovely evil kids, Alessio and Columbia! I once again want to extend a big thank you to the people that blessed me with these wonderfully fun kids, and I hope you are enjoying the little bite-sized sneak peeks, and I'm so looking forward to developing them further in the Capitol. I can't believe that we're already halfway through intros, and I would love to see your thoughts so far on this first half of the fast. Next chapter is going to be a little lengthy, because it's the Reaping recap, and we'll be catching up with a few of the Capitol characters while also seeing the Tributes being reaped, which is just gonna be a wild ride. Thank you to QueenOfFunerals37 for your review last chapter, and to all those that have cheered me on as I stumble along through this very fun journey, I really appreciate all your kind words and support. I hope to see you Monday!

Much love,

Miri