Spruce Windstrong, 17

District 11 Male

The brutal summer sun of District 11 beat down on my back as I picked ripe, red strawberries. Today was only a half day, since the reaping was tomorrow, but I wanted to get as much work done as possible. We desperately needed the money and I was feeling okay. I'd even gotten an extra hour of sleep because of the half-day.

Nearby, I could hear Grainer humming one of our local folk songs. The air was still and dry, and everything was peaceful. I liked days like this, where I could just work and not worry about my mom or my siblings.

Tonight we were having dinner with Pina's new boyfriend. This was my older sister's longest relationship yet, and my dad had been asking to meet the boy for a little while now. Pina was always in and out of relationships, lacking the patience needed to truly connect. But we all had high hopes for this new boy.

A loud whistle blew, signaling the end of the work day. I wiped the sweat off my forehead and smiled at Grainer, who was doing the same.

"Good day?" I asked him as we hauled our buckets to the truck.

"Yes," he said.

Most of our conversations were short like that, but we didn't need longer ones. A simple, calm life was all I needed, and wanted. Grainer was the same. We understood each other and that was enough.

After loading our buckets of strawberries onto the trucks, we joined the group of workers walking back to the main building. Our supervisor was there, handing out paychecks to each person leaving. I thanked him for mine and turned to Grainer.

"I'll see you the day after the reaping. Stay safe," I told him. He nodded.

"You too." Then we parted ways.

I had one more stop to make before I headed home though. I was out of vitamins, and I wouldn't be paid until the end of next month. And I had the money now. I wasn't entirely sure if my family would approve of the vitamins, but it benefited them, so I continued to buy them. Anything that would make me stronger and healthier and able to work harder was worth it. I never wanted to lose someone else, the way we lost Fungalia, my little sister.

She died of an infection when she was two and my mom was never the same. She had another baby, my little sister Resina, but didn't seem to improve after her pregnancy, like our dad said she would. It worried me, and so I worked as hard as I could to provide for her.

I made my way to the small shack Luis and Lorna lived in. They were the ones who sold the vitamin pills, and lived in a shack on the outskirts of the main town in 11. I knocked on the rickety front door and it opened a crack.

"Oh. Spruce. Come in," Lorna said, peeking out at me. She opened the crack wider and I stepped inside.

"Do you have the money?" she asked. I offered her my check.

"I want a double supply this time," I said. I was hoping my brother Barkus would start taking them soon. He worked too, and I wanted him to be as strong and healthy as I was.

Lorna pocketed the check and handed over a paper bag. I opened it, looking at the two little glass bottles filled with gray pills.

"Thank you," I said. She nodded.

"Good luck at the reaping."

"Thanks. Have a good day!"

Then I headed home, pills in hand, ready to meet the newest member of our family.

Ruby Ashmead, 13

District 11 Female

I frowned to myself as I stitched, wishing it was cooler. Sweat dripped down the back of my neck and my hair was sticking to my forehead. It was making it quite difficult to focus. I reached up to the bedside table for a new spool of thread but only succeeded in reaching the drawer. My sister's old bed was big, and I wasn't. In fact, I was abnormally small for my age. My parents said I'd hit a growth spurt soon though, and that I was just a late bloomer. I couldn't wait. Maybe when I looked like a woman I'd be allowed to wear eyeliner and dye my hair.

For now, I'd have to settle for wearing fun clothes. I was sewing orange hearts onto an old white dress my sister Ambrosia used to have. It didn't fit her anymore, and it was a bit big on me, but I was also tailoring it to be my size. And maybe I could make a matching bandana with the extra fabric! Or friendship bracelets for Mollie and Sansa. That could be fun.

I got up on my knees to grab the new spool of thread and then sat back down. Mollie was actually coming over later today, once they got off work. We were lucky enough where only my parents had to work, though Ambrosia had a part-time job because she was out of school. Jonathan and I still had to go. But Mollie had a big family and less money, so they worked in the fields.

As I embroidered hearts onto the fabric, my mind drifted to Summer. She was the prettiest girl in our grade, and I had a huge crush on her. My parents didn't know I liked girls yet, and it was new for me too. I didn't even know until Summer showed up to school in a blossom-pink dress and asked to borrow a pencil. Mollie teased me for how my face looked afterwards.

I was actually working on a gift for Summer. My allowance wasn't enough for us to have a nice date, but I'd been saving up and managed to afford some new fabric. Summer liked to wear bandanas to hold her hair back, so I was making her one with little white daisies on it. I really hoped she would like it.

There was a knock at my door and I looked up from my work.

"Come in," I called. The door opened and my mom poked her head in.

"Hi honey," she said. "It's lunch time."

"I'm working on my dress though," I whined.

"You can finish after you eat," my mom said sternly. "And besides, you need to eat if you want to grow."

"Fine." I sighed dramatically, but got up to follow her. I did want to grow. And I was pretty hungry.

Scythe Dussel, 57

District 11 Victor of the 17th Hunger Games

As much as I hated reaping day, I had to admit that I found it interesting. I adored meeting new people and learning about their different mindsets, and where better to do that than in the Hunger Games? One's true self always showed when under duress and everyone reacted differently to trauma. It was fascinating.

Take Chaff. He was young, but he turned to alcohol after his Games to cope, as well as developing quite a morbid sense of humor. And Seeder was the complete opposite. She stayed happy by making others happy. How interesting.

The anthem blared outside, startling me from my thoughts. Isis was strutting onto the stage, tossing her silvery-white hair over her shoulder. She was dressed in a deep blue romper with sparkly silver heels and absolutely exuded confidence and sass.

"Hello District 11!" she sang. "It's reaping day! How thrilling. Now, before we select our lucky pair, let's welcome our past victors!" She gestured to the doors of the Justice Building, which two Peacekeepers opened. Chaff went out first, followed by Seeder, then Autumn, and then me. Zayd limped along behind me.

The crow clapped half-heartedly at our appearance. I didn't blame them for their lack of enthusiasm. Our victories had very little impact on their daily lives. And the possibility of death was much more pressing than our presence.

We took a seat in our designated chairs as the Capitol propaganda film began to play. Zayd squeezed his eyes shut throughout the whole thing while Autumn fiddled nervously with her hands. She was always fiddling with things.

Once it was over, Isis clapped and we all joined in, as we were required to do. Then she strutted over to the glass bowls and hovered nearby.

"Shall we select our gentleman first?" she said into the microphone. No one moved. Her fingers danced over the bowl before she plunged a hand in, selecting a slip.

"Spruce Windstrong!" she announced.

Things were still for a moment longer before a tall boy with a slightly hunched back stepped forward. His mouth hung open slightly as he climbed the steps.

"Welcome Spruce! What a unique name!" Isis said, a smile on her face. Spruce just nodded awkwardly.

"Now for our female representative," Isis called, unaffected by Spruce's quietness. She drew another slip from the glass bowl.

"Ruby Ashmead!"

A very short girl in a yellow dress stumbled forward, tears tracking down her cheeks. She climbed the stairs on shaky legs and stood beside Spruce and Isis, sniffling.

"Another lovely name," Isis gushed. "Now, shake hands please!"

Spruce turned to Ruby, who extended a tiny hand. They shook as Isis announced their names to the world.

"Panem, I give you your District 11 tributes: Ruby Ashmead and Spruce Windstrong!"

Hi everyone! Sorry for the gap between updates. Like I said in the last chapter, I've been having a lot of health issues. And I started school, which also takes up some time. But this SYOT isn't going anywhere! Updates just might be a little slower. I'm excited to be through the intros and onto the pre-Games!

Questions:

1) Who is your favorite tribute so far?

2) Do you have any victor predictions? (I know it's a little early...)

3) Any alliance predictions? Who do you think will get along well?

Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!

- Fiona