Aurelia Callen 16, District 9 Female
Pre-Reapings
I just hide under the brick fence my heart pounding against my chest as I keep an eye out for the next unfortunate victim. I don't know why this young man is being targeted but that's the way it works, I get freedom from my bedroom (more so I call it a cell) or my leader's bedroom which I have been staying in more after than not, to either use my nature intelligence to craft something to be sold, used to kill someone or be used to make a deal with someone.
Or used as a decoy like right now, I just hear voices as my heart races a little but it's just a little boy and his mother, as a little bit of spite takes over me. I used to be that little girl, innocent and wide-eyed, It's every girl's story in nine, loving parents that make her feel like the world yet like all of the rich my father's job made him a target, he was an engineer for the capitol even as a kid I had his creative nature.
I used to play with blocks and build houses or facilities while my brother was more rough and troublesome, I was the perfect child
So I thought, until one night my life changed and it became my worst nightmare.
The dark regions are seen as a myth to some, Another part of the district that is so bad and dangerous they had to gate it off and ban people from going into the forest, I don't know how I became a target but one night I was snatched as a 6-year-old by a group of teenage boys and even if they were young I knew why they vanished.
No heart, no soul, I was their pawn, their toy but also someone they could mould into their next genius, their decoy, For ten years I have even been mainly locked in a room in the basement and forced to follow the diagram on how to create weapons or mines, been forced to go out and trick people to let their guards down or been used as a toy, a punching bag for the leader.
It was worse when the previous leader was alive, I was nothing but a toy to him, him being ten years older and only being a young child he knew how to break me, to force me into instant submission, I became his little pet.
Even after he was killed by the outlaws the opposing gang of the dark region I wasn't freed, I'm still forever a slave to the outsiders and even if the current leader respects me a little more, and treats me more like a human, him only being 2 years older, he uses my body every day.
I have wanted to try and run but they are too smart, There is a reason the outsiders and the outlaws are forever hidden, they know how, Even we don't know the leader of the outlaws, we nothing about them, they control one side and we control the other, same for the district the north and west are ours, south and east are there's.
I knew if I tried I could have escaped, but after I heard that my parents didn't even bother fighting for me, that they weren't willing to pay the money, it broke my heart so I gave up fighting, there is no point, maybe I am defeated but I'm alive, maybe it's not the life I want, the fact I help hurt people but after I was given the freedom to read books, they make it out that the world can change, that a fairy godmother could come and grant all of your wishes, but I also know my attachment to the current leader Dalton may have forced me to stay when there have been changes to flee.
He is only 2 years older and has had leadership for 4 years, he protects me from other members, It could be seen as another Kaela and Brayen story as I watched the games but I know there isn't, there is only a sense of respect and need of each other, he still treats me badly the only difference is he keeps me safe from the other members is because they need me and he needs me to fulfil his needs, it's why I barely spend time alone in my room, I am always with him.
Being the only female with a group of young men, you are seen as one thing yet outsiders wouldn't be able to do half the things they can without me, while the outlaws leave piles of bodies in their wake and somehow get away with it, I tried to run once and innocent people got killed, their blood on my hands, if I have to suffer through things to keep others safe then I will.
Instead of the outsiders having to use force and potentially kill innocents, I can help them get what they want with minimal blood spilling, and even if I create the mines and bombs, I know how to deactivate them, know how to put safeguards so they won't be misused, I don't how I got so intelligent but I guess the lack of social normality makes you embrace other talents.
I just jump at another nice knowing at least three members are watching me and after seeing that little boy the last thing I want is bullets to fire, I may be a monster, but I may just stand by while people are hurt but I don't like seeing it, I have no choice and people wouldn't understand that, I tried to take the easy option but even that didn't work but there is always hope in life.
I hoped one day my parents would find me but I haven't heard their name being spoken, the district is big, they could be anywhere yet a part of me thinks they are dead, as someone has taken my father's role, all I wanted was the truth.
To know if they happily gave me up or if their hands were tied, We were rich but being rich in nine is the equivalent of being poor in District Two, I knew my parents weren't all perfect not towards my brother anyway.
Declan and I had this bond I never experienced again, We were two years apart, almost inseparable while I was showered with love and protected like every girl, he was forced to work, yet he never showed distaste for me, I wanted to find him yet the fact I haven't even heard his name, that he hasn't tried to find me means like my parents he doesn't care or he is dead.
I don't even know if I would recognise him now anyway, it's been ten years, like me, he could be going around with a fake name that's what I do for reapings yet this year I have this sick feeling in my stomach.
They found Kaela and Brayen, who says they can't start finding us, and if I'm reaped I'm as good as dead. I may be smart, and I may know survival but I'm not a killer, I don't have the heart, I'm just a submissive bystander.
I see the young man I need to someone allow me into his house and distract him, I'm worried about his fate, Dalton and the others never tell me what they plan to do, It's been like this for years, I may be their territory but I'm the furthest things from a member I'm just a valuable asset, no one else has the brains to create mines and small bombs and being obvious street boys no one would guest them in their house so they need me.
I just look around standing out, This is a more wealthy part of 9 Even though things are getting better in the district there is still a gap, people believe children who are in the dark region were sent because they are criminals, but the district dumped the younger orphan boys who had trouble fitting into society, the real poor families were forced to send their children here, the district know about us but they are very closed-lip, they ensure no one is allowed in as long as we keep quiet and supply them with grain, they make sure we are looked after food, clothing and medical wise.
Brayen was lucky he wasn't sent it's pretty much luck of the draw, and Xander was already too old to be sent by the district and too much of a flight risk to be recruited being the leader's favourite companion as I do learn a lot.
"Hey excuse sorry to bother you, but I'm in a little situation now and I'm wondering if I can get some help," I say softly, The young man Izak his name turned around to look at me.
"Of course," he says Even if some people in nine are cold and callous I have learned that they tend to at least want to listen when a young girl comes over to them, but it is obvious what this boy wants.
"I have been kicked out of my orphanage and I have no food or water, I'm just wondering is there any way I can give you something for some money, I will be so grateful," I say Normally the adults tend to want to give a young girl help for nothing, I feel bad for it but normally they don't get harmed it's just to steal money or important things and it is not often adults are targeted I learned young men don't give you the time of the day if you just ask for help unless they get something out of it.
I don't blame them either they pretty much have to work all day or night, The sad thing is if you offer something else they tend to open their arms up not that they get too far into touching me, no way will Dalton let anyone touch what is his, he doesn't even let his closest brothers touch me. I normally distract them and give the others time to steal or whatever they plan to do.
He steps closer to me.
Take one more step closer, just one more step.
"What type of things" he says, I step closer to him placing a hand on his shoulder and gently putting my hand in his pockets grabbing his keys, clearly The rich kids don't understand how dangerous it is, they taught me everything I would need to know just like how easy it is to slide a hand in one's pocket but the rich kids still think they are safe.
"It's really up to you, please I'm desperate," I say
"You are poor, don't blame you really but you are pretty so yeah I have ideas, Come in," he says, I bite my lip to stop myself from snapping at him One thing I learned is how to be in control of my emotions and even if I'm quick to follow I still have opinions even if I'm always worried the others won't step in before it goes too far, if I ever tried to fight against another member I would get a punishment, a beating, it makes me scared to disobey anyone in general.
The idiot doesn't even lock the door "Like it" he winks, It's no mansion but it's better than the majority of the houses here.
"You live alone" I ask as I do see movement to my left as I subtly step there to block his view.
"The folks kicked me out when I turned 18 that's what happens in more wealthy families but hey means I have the house all myself, what about you how did you become an orphan," he says.
He clearly has no sensitivity "Parents died" I say just fiddling with my fingers hoping this ends quick so I can make some excuse to leave, The ones who are stupid to follow and try to chase me don't make it alive.
"How" he says I just look at him ruffling my eyebrows as he just inches close to me
"House fire," I say which actually happens a lot in this district.
"That sucks, so if you turned to prostitution they wouldn't be happy," he says he is lucky I don't have a temper even if it struck a never, little does he know I have never done that for money, I would rather eat dirt.
Not that I have a choice when it comes to Dalton or the previous leader Ryley When he alive they take what believe is there's and I guess since he is keeping me alive, my life is Dalton's at the moment.
"Some people need to turn to drastic measures too" I just jump in shock as his body slumps to the ground.
"I didn't know you were killing him" I yell as Dalton just grabs my wrist, as I see the others go through all of his belongings.
"We weren't but he was an asshole to you" he shrugs
"Thanks, I guess" I stutter
"Good girl though, you are getting good at this," he says, Ryley didn't trust using me as a decoy I was only really a childhood when he was in leadership and he was only young himself, he just wanted to use my brain and my body, it wasn't until Dalton became leader when I was 12 that they started to use me as a decoy.
"You can start trusting me to go out on my own," I say
"Nice try kid, I'm not stupid, hey Max you find it," He says, The blonde boy just nods.
"How the hell did he get morphling, I thought they banned it to stop the victors from grabbing it," I say.
For some reason the only person I was allowed to do dealings with was Brayen, The first time he didn't believe the mines were real so he wanted the person who crafted them, It's funny to think he is Victor now which is why we were extra cautious today in case he spotted us not that he knew who I worked with but I know he did ask me if we had morphling because if anyone would have it, it is us.
"It is but somehow those fuck head outlaws got their hands on it, it doesn't matter come on we need to get you home before someone spots you," Dalton says, he has been a little tense lately like he is concerned about reapings, pretty much all of us are eligible, the more mature members ending up getting killed but ever since the so-called runaways last year got caught everyone has been on edge when I go to reapings every one thinks I'm Matilda Veryon, not Aurelia Callen.
"Go show that to Fiz, ask the moron if he knows anything about it otherwise see how much he will buy," Dalton says.
"Is that a good idea?" I say softly, he just steps closer to me as I put my hands up, he knows how to get me to bow down, Scared of getting hurt, he just smirks at my submissiveness patting my head.
"We can rich, with this stuff sweetheart, now go," He says to the other two, he is a better leader than the previous one more about unity and equality there is less tension and fewer fights I guess he brings young men together.
I just let him pull me out, as we go the back ways I could hear the commotion from the square, The festival used to be just banners for reapings now it's three days with stalls, rides, everything.
We make it to the border and just climb over the fence he just takes the remote from my pocket as I just look around "You are a skittish little thing aren't you, If they were able to find us, don't you think they would be barging into this region, taking all of us if they knew what we really did that we aren't just innocent model citizens" he says deactivating the mines as we walk past and he reactivates it, it's pretty much like a second district but we live underground and there are miles of grain yard separating us from the outlaws but clearly there has been some sort of treaty.
"I just hate going into the public eye," I say
"If someone, somehow recognised you from 10 years ago I would be impressed," he says as we make it back to our facility but instead of going downstairs to my room in the basement of the already basement is placed, we walk into his not that is unusual either when I first got here I was always in that room the previous leader use to do his thing there but ever since Dalton got in charge I have pretty much been staying here only going to my room to build mines.
"You are staying with me tonight, wait in the corner I will be back," he says I just nod as he walks out, I never have felt settled always worried my life would get worse than it already is but for some reason, I have this sick feeling.
Declan Callen 18, District 9 Male
Reapings
I just twist the really sharp-looking knife in my fingers.
"I don't man, okay, I don't fucking know" he begs.
Life as an outlaw isn't for the faint-hearted, really isn't for people with humanity in general when I was recruited, I went from a lost boy who panicked and murdered his parents, to a leader of a group that really should be the most criminally wanted if the district isn't stupid and instantly believes it's the street boys, the gang boys, the homeless killing, all these people but it is us the outlaws.
The most ruthless gang in Panem.
Becoming an outlaw stripped me of the humanity of being normal, yet it's given me a sense of belonging, given me a sense of duty. I was a kid living in a fantasy land, with rich parents who seemed to love each other, Little did I know about the truth when my sister got kidnapped, They moved on, and they didn't want to pay the ransom Well my father didn't but mother had no voice, she never did and she had no chance that night she wasn't meant to fight back after I attacked father but I panicked I had enough of being my fathers punching bag, so I become the puncher.
"You didn't know who you were dealing with, You have a big mouth man, going on about how you were able to get supplies from the outsiders, Clearly you got in touch with them," I say, I never imagined I would be this guy, the leader of a group who aren't good people but we were all runaways, castaways, sent to the worst of the worst just because we had no one, there is a reason this is called the dark region, it's a hell hole, you pretty much get dumped to fend for your self, with supplies sent monthly, if you don't send grain you get nothing, there is no electricity, no comfort, no nothing, our side is worse then where the outsiders live they are a bit more privilege but we made a treaty years ago, that we can't go on each others territory and if a tress passer is found they die like their previous leader.
He tried to sneak into our camp, he got what was coming, I was only a fledging member, and I still had a lot to learn, I still had a lot to prove, Most boys come from being poor, and I didn't, yet the district couldn't prove I killed my parents so they sent me to the next best place, but I know deep down the outsiders had something to do with my sister's death. I found her a few years ago, buried in the woods, I had a feeling she was dead yet it didn't feel real. The only person I truly loved, now she is an afterthought. I just have to move on, That's what life is like, We live on a right rope having to kill and steal, it's a dog-eat-dog world even worse than the outskirts, We aren't even seen as District 9 citizens only when it comes to reaping's.
"Look man all it was, was to borrow a book" I don't even know this dick heads name all I know is what we heard, we may have a treaty with the outsiders but we are at war, they have more alliances than us, more control, we don't, we can't deal with anyone, no one trusts us, they see the outlaw symbol on your neck string and they bail like we are plagues to this earth, that's what my father use to call me, he blames me for Aurelia's kidnapping. He is right I was there that night, and I didn't know she was taken from her bedroom but I was only 8, Maybe everything happened for a reason Did I really want to keep living as some punching bag for my abusive father, he was like a knight to my sister but to my mother and I, he was the definition of evil I snapped when I was 11 I stole his gun yet I felt nothing, even when I killed mother it was like a empty void, a empty feeling, a emotion that scares me to the core.
"This district has a library idiot," Darcy my second in command says.
"Please just let me go, please If I say anything-" I just cut him off by slamming the knife into his shoulder This is the closest lead we have to the outsiders even with the leader he killed himself before he could speak, it's a path we share as well, and that was 4 years ago it was the last we saw of a outsider,
He just screams as I roll my eyes "They Will what kill you, if you don't tell us, we will kill you maybe save your pain because I'm not the nicest guy around" I snarl, am I proud of myself, no, I don't like who I become but eventually it got so numb, I can't feel it much, I'm scared of death, scared of an unknown fate like my sister if I'm in control then I can't be hurt, it scares the hell out of me. I learned how to hide my fear, and my emotions in general, Only I can control my life and if I have to be a bad guy, I have to be a bad guy as long as I don't lose control and fully become a monster.
"You don't get it don't you, There is a reason they are so good at hiding their cover without leaving bodies," he says
I'm this close to killing him but for some reason, I know he is hiding something important I have a bad habit of killing someone before they can help us and the more I do it, the more I will lose the trust of my members, I don't know why they chose me to be leader but I can't let them down.
"They have a genius with them may be more than one, a hacker, a weapon smith, people don't realise if you make a deal with them your entire life is bounded to them fuck even saying this will get me killed," he says
I know they sell mines, it's why it's impossible to get into outsider territory They have traps, cameras, and mines, We don't know how they got these people but considering my father was an engineer and we have a whole engineer unit, there are geniuses in 9 sadly I didn't get that gene I got the rude bastard gene.
"I'm this close to gutting you alive may as well spill some details and I will reconsider your fate," I say, of course, I won't leave someone who has dealings with outsiders alive because they go back to them and they see it as a threat, we may be safe in our territory but in the district, we are free game luckily it's hard to tell who is who since we can resemble street boys but it's hard to go into shops without people questioning where you are from everyone should know everyone in nine, we are a massive district but it's easy to tell the rich, from the middle class to the poor, to the street kids.
I just look at my watch We don't have much time either, reapings's but lucky for me it's my last year yet after last year it makes people realise we aren't all safe, Kaela and Brayen were runaways hidden from everyone yet the capitol still found them.
"They didn't let me out alive unless I put this, on its a tracker, they will see I'm in uncharted territory They also have video cameras and a mic in my house hell this could have a microphone," he says That makes me panic slightly as I grab his wrists just stabbing into the metal material sighing in relief.
"No mic but a tracker fuck they know this is our hunting territory in the district, so what they kill you like I said your fate is in our hands right now, outsiders are fucking soft it's a reason they don't have a large body count, and that they take the effort of putting trackers on people without murdering them," I say
"They put an explosive I can't find or stop in my house, I have a sick mother and five younger siblings, that's why I bought from them in the first place to sell for a bigger amount please okay, just don't get my family hurt," he says
"Give me a name and I can spare and protect all of you," I say
"I'm sorry," he says I just bring the gun from my pocket shooting him square in the head,
"They are going to know we killed him," Darcy says
"Doesn't matter, fuck they are more sneaky than I thought, we can't risk going into his house either?" I say
"He could be bullshitting to protect them," he says
"No he was telling the truth, and why would he protect them They only care about their own like us, we just need to tread carefully for now maybe just stick to our side and let them do their thing, The capital are getting smarter and I was told that the victors have been lurking around the borders of the dark regions for the past few days," I say even the Victor can't get in not that we would kill then anyways, we aren't stupid and Xander and Brayen could have easily been one of us.
"Don't you think if they knew about us they would have found a way in, broken the deal we made with the district, it will get messy if everyone finds out the real truth hell even the current mayor wouldn't know, he thinks we are all psychopaths and murderers yes maybe this life made us like that but we were just kids the district couldn't be bothered looking after?" He says, we are the same age and joined around similar times, he is the one I trust the most.
"Well I was a murderer so," I say
"I heard rumours about your father I would kill that man too," he says
I just nod biting my lip, my father got what was coming but not my mother but at that moment I was scared and panicked, I still held resentment too her as well, she wanted to try to save my sister but father said no, fuck even I started looking for her until I stumbled across the body, people say it might be someone else but even if magically saw my sister now I would know it's her, we may have been kids but we shared a special bond, a bond I will never be able to form with anyone.
"We should go back reaping's are soon," I say
"Just leave the body here," he says
I just shrug "He wasn't important just another body the district will throw away to rot," I say it's only the important figures they really care for, they wanted to publicly whip and execute a ten-year-old because of it, lucky for me someone had a heart and sent me here to rot, little did they know we were better facilitated and prepared than they thought. I guess it's almost like a brotherhood, we are brothers now and all we have is each other but living in the real cold and outer region of nine, we lose boys every day, hell We see snow sometimes when you never see snow in nine, you never see the sun either it's just forever darkness it's quite calming, to be honest.
I just look through his pocket seeing a gun and some cash "I hope he wasn't going to use that on us" Darcy says
"He got a black band every person with a black band would be stupid not to have a gun" I say we don't get easy access to weapons, we normally have to steal them but it makes sense the outsiders have hackers and weapons smith they seem better prepared to us, they seem a lot closer and loyal to each as well which says a lot since we are unbreakable.
"Imagine having easy access to guns," he says as we just walk out, We ambushed the guy at his home and then brought him here early dawn with reapings within an hour we didn't want to be somewhere with a lot of people.
Luckily when we make it, it looks like most are heading towards the square, and the mood has changed Normally everyone hated reapings but first Xander won, then Alistair then Brayen and we became laughing stocks to outer powerhouses but it doesn't mean we will get a Victor every second year.
We just crawl under the fence and towards the small run-down town we have about 5-6 guys living under one roof.
I quickly run into my room to get changed, as much as we wanted to avoid going into reapings we knew the risk of it not that we even signed in with our real names to everyone else we are fake people, the district doesn't do that could of background checks as I meet Darcy at the door and we walk over without saying a word.
Most years I felt comfortable even after they brought in all these stupid twists, I knew I was a ghost in the system I was hoping I would be hard to find, I survive this year and I'm free.
If I get reaped then well that's life I guess, I know I could have a chance but I'm not arrogant, I'm only a District 9 boy yes I could pretty much be confused for a boy from one with my appearance, height and build but I'm not a born killer, yes I can kill and even if I move on like nothing happened, it doesn't mean I like it and yes I have been trained to fight and in weaponry, since we do have elders in the outlaws who train younger members but against a professionally trained career I'm not confident.
We make it to the city square, The mood is more upbeat from last year yet besides Alistair who could have been seen as a fluke there is a pattern between the last two victors, street boys, and rough upbringings. I just sign in as the peacekeeper just nods every year I'm worried they may stop me, or call me by my real name luckily they don't.
They wouldn't know
They can't know
If they did we would know
We make it into the 18-year-old section which doesn't need to be combined like the younger years, yet we don't separate gender either, I have noticed the female population is a little more steady than a few years ago not that I really make contact with the opposite gender, once Kaela died there are no females with a black band or involved in our world.
As I know.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome, welcome"
Guess they haven't changed the host either, and surprisingly instead of losing his shit Xander just glares daggers at her but if looks can kill she would be buried 6 feet under.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome-"
"For fuck sake just get on with it" Xander yells, never mind, a few of us in the crowd chuckle as the pink fairy thing just squeals.
"Welcome, to the 207th Hunger Games reapings How exciting, like the wonderful year we had last year, we have the same twist 18 lucky tributes and once again we are honoured to bring in a female" she squeals
I wouldn't call being chosen lucky but considering I see the pink and blue envelope and not the bowl of papers means both have been hand-chosen, I get a little more tense but it's my paranoia.
"Declan Callen"
I almost fall when I hear my name, my actual name and the fact lot of people around me are whispering with confusion means they don't know, by law if you get sent to the dark region you have to change your name, it is more security for the capitol not that I really went into the city but when I see the peacekeepers barging towards me I know it's me.
"I can walk for myself" I growl when one tries to grab my arm I want to run but I know there is no point I just walk onto the stage standing as far away from the pink thing as possible.
Xander just nods to me as I don't acknowledge him, I don't really know what to feel but it is clear both mentors knew since they clearly already decided who gets who.
"Aurelia Callen"
What the fuck, I subtly stumble on my feet, that can't be possible, unless there is someone else with that name it can't be possible, but when a young girl gets dragged upstage looking as shocked as I was I know straight away that's my sister.
"Be gentle, why don't you, fuck" Brayen says running over to her as they just throw onto the stage, helping her up, she just looks over to me shock written on her face.
Both of us were almost lost for words even the crowd seemed stunned.
"Your tributes, how exciting," Fairy thing says She just runs off squealing when Xander growls at her, I just grab Aurelia's wrist before Brayen can lead her away.
"I thought you were dead," I say
"Same with you" she stutters
"I will explain okay" Xander whispers in my ear, he can explain all he wants still doesn't change the fact I'm going into the Hunger Games with my long-lost sister.
Levin Huxley 18, District 1 Male
Pre-Reapings
Step 1: Get an assignment
Step 2: Hack into the district database to get every little detail about the person
Step 3: Spend a few days following them, watching them
Step 4: Target them
It's almost like a handbook, an How to Kill Someone 101, creepily enough we actually have a Hitman handbook, it's a brown leather book you get given when you see the devil himself, the leader of the Hitman underworld.
The book, a laptop and a gun are all he gives you then you never hear him again unless you are lucky, sometimes I wake up thinking I'm delusional and this man called Saint isn't alive, but considering I went from my siblings and I having to sleep on the streets of the slums of district one for a month straight, almost dying from starvation my self since all the food I found I gave to them.
To now actually having a roof, having money for food, and not being shunned by the general public for being seen as a street rat, I made a deal with the devil, it meant having to give him my soul it meant having to become one of district 1's hitman, a society that was formed after they had to obliterate the assassin society but this one isn't distract formed, it's an underground illegal world but it is crazy the number of people who call you up, wanting someone killed.
I can get five or six calls a day, When I went to saint at the age of 14 I thought it would be simple but everything in his book taught me about patience and organisation, It's not just the normal people we kill, some want socialites killed, elitists killed, that's when it gets a little tricky.
We may be the second richest district but there is a really poor side in District One, a side I was pretty much raised in, my father was a con man, a fraud Once they found out we were stripped of everything, wealth, a home, my father would say he couldn't walk the streets without being spat on, so we joint the poor community a area in district one I didn't even know about, you could think it's district 12 with the run down and destroyed houses, the lack of food and water, it's why not many adults survive it gets too much for them.
I was only 8 when we moved there, during then my mother had one more child alongside my two young brothers, Life was hard it was hell really, I couldn't even join the academy, couldn't go to school, but we had each other.
Until my mother got sick, sickness in one should be rare but if you are the poor of the poor, you have no hope, She died I was 12, my father later couldn't handle it, and killed himself, I was a 12-year-old boy stuck with looking after 3 siblings, luckily the poor community are welcoming, are generous and helped me, the district moved us out of the slums and into the street where we all forced to work, we had food and safety but not a roof that's when I heard about saint.
It means having to become a killer, someone that tortures, I hated it, even now I see myself as a monster but I knew I couldn't let my siblings live this life, especially my sister she was only 2 when my parents died she never got to experience their love, I had to give her a normal life, I didn't want them to be raised like this, people here don't question what you do but when they see the logo on the black band on your wrist, they know what you are, the old women that use to scream at me and chase me out of her store when I had coins to buy something to eat now let me take what I want.
I'm feared because they know they could be the next to die, The funny thing is I'm not an assassin I don't just kill because I want to, I don't kill for free everyone I have killed I got money for it.
Plus I have morals no children, no women, it wouldn't feel right even killing some men don't feel right, that's why I don't understand why we have to follow our future targets, some are normal people, but the money I can get for it, I have to, it makes me cruel and a monster that I sometimes kill men that really are just being killed for a petty reason but I'm not doing it for myself, my siblings can go to school now, they can get whatever they want.
I went from the poorest of the poor to one of the more wealthy but there is always a con to making deals with the devil Once you sign, they control you, they own you and you are forced to do ten years of duty.
Most people will say Why didn't you study and get a job or work in the factories like everyone else but being in the slums, it's like you have a black mark to your name, what my father did was hated by everyone now everyone that hated him is dead, maybe I did get my vengeance those were the only people I killed that weren't an assignment.
I know I do need to be careful though, I know the more I kill the more my soul will be destroyed, the first few times when I first started I used to cry myself to sleep from the guilt I hated myself now I just feel nothing, it's like this numb feeling, I just bow my head in respect and then move on, I get my cash and spend it, cash, I get for ending someone's life, like it means nothing to me.
Yet I know if it was just myself I would have just put up with being a Street boy, I was always a taller and well-built kid, and ever since I joined the hitman society, we have access to an underground training facility where I truly got to train, in fighting, weaponry, a part of me is worried this become assassins 2.0 but the other boys that are hitman all of them chose it because they wanted help, needed help, even saint, he doesn't ask for our money, he just gives us everything we need, if it wasn't for my younger siblings I wouldn't have done this but I needed to look after them, I tried everything else it came down to this or prostitution.
Maybe looking at it now I chose the selfish option and even if whenever I do tell my siblings one day they will hate me, I know I have to look after myself too, self pride is more important than having a soul.
As selfish as that sounds this is District one, being a nice guy, and a good person, it gets you nowhere it's all about the price tags next to your name, or if you have a chance to volunteer for the games.
I see kids get bullied and shunned because they are normal, hell the amount of times I have had to save this one goofball from being beaten alive just because his a funny and nice guy yet he can't Barely walk five minutes without tripping over his feet or struggling to pull a punch, it's the world we live in it is why I hate district one in the distance I see the man come as I quickly pick the lock to his house sliding in.
Ken Union, 27, a Sales executive at one of the jewellery shops, has a partner Lacey who is a dress designer and a 3-year-old daughter Izzy, Lacey always takes Izzy to work while Ken comes home earlier, and he always stops off at the coffee shop and always buys a gingerbread man for his daughter, a guy like this, why would anyone want him dead, well his rival, he wants his job his wealth, I shouldn't do this, yet the money this man is willing to pay is a lot higher then most, we may be in district one but we aren't rich, the money I get for being a hitman is a weeks rent, maybe a month of food, schools fees I can't just stop.
I do make sure if I kill a man with a family, I take all the money he has and hide it for the wife to find so at least she doesn't end with nothing, I just act dumb if they want to take everything they had, there is a reason people hire hitmen they can't do it themselves, they aren't smart enough, not that these men want them dead for their money, it's more for power, or hatred, I even get teenagers wanting someone dead, I just hold the gun in my pocket as I hear the door open, I watch him take his coat off as he moves towards the kitchen and I gently follow him.
When it's someone who doesn't deserve to die I make it quick I don't want them to know, I watch him put the coffee and the little gingerbread man on the table as he turns around and I bring the gun out the bullet collides with his skull before he can even move as his body crashes to the ground.
I just stand there making sure he is a 100% dead, of course, he would be, no one survives a bullet to the skull as I bring my camera out to take the photo, I have exactly 37 minutes before the wife and child come in, I'm quick to go through his wallet, taking the ring and watch out, when I make it to their room I stop for a moment a ping of guilt flooding me when I see the photo of him with his child and wife they look so happy and now I stole a child's a father away but he has enemies if it wasn't me, it would have been someone else to kill him and the other hitman aren't as merciful as me, some kill the entire family as it's safer, it gets rid of any loose ends.
I just get everything of value he owned and I put it in the wife's underwear draw as I just run out, at first I used to hide the bodies but then I realised they should know he is dead, the district would rather find a dead body than a missing man, they know we exist they don't just know who, luckily for me my schedule was right, no sight of his family, and no one saw me.
I just walk towards the alleyway and see the man in the corner I just show him the photo and he hands me the bag of cash.
"I want an extra thousand," I say
"What for" he says
"I charge interest if they have children," I say
"Fine here," he says handing me more cash These men aren't stupid to dob us in because we are just doing our job, they aren't, in District one, getting someone to do your dirty work is looked down upon, even if the career system is getting well better they still want us to be formidable.
"Nice doing business with your sir, here take my business card," I say smirking as I give him the card, I just run out of the alleyway taking the back way to my house as I quickly bury the money in a box in my backyard not wanting my siblings to question why I have a sports bag of money, I got 15-year-old and 12-year-old brother and an 8 year old sister the older two boys I more switched on than I thought, my little sister is well in fairy land but she is still young.
"Levin" My sister screams running over to me as I open the door and I just grab her.
"Hey kiddo how is school" I say it almost breaks my heart knowing that their brother is a heartless killer and they are completely oblivious to it but I'm not a serial killer I'm hitman it's different even if people might question it.
"Great, we got to bake, oh oh and we are a dress up day next week, please please can I get a dress, all the other girls are going to have one" she says.
"Of course I will take you shopping on the weekend" I say
"Yay Your the best" she says running out, I try to ignore the fact reaping's are tomorrow I felt safe ever since the whole twist District one have tend to bring airs since the Luca incident and I don't have any friends but I have siblings.
"I didn't know we were rich" My 15 year old brother Braydon says from the table, Jed just watching TV in the corner, I was even able to afford a TV.
"We aren't rich but I have gotten extra work" I shrug
"When can I work I'm sick of training" he says, he got into golf class which meant he had to drop out of school, lucky for me I never went to the training facility I have been chased on the streets by Aryan a few times trying to recruit me but I just give him the finger abs he lets me be.
"Soon okay, Training isn't that bad is it" I say
"I have Aryan has a trainer" he says
"I can see what I can do yeah" I say, I mean being a hitman does give me extra contacts no way would I let my brother going into the work I do, he might be a strong kid but it does something to you, takes a part of you that's hard to replace, I just walk over to Jed.
"I'm scared" he says as I sit next to him, the mentality in one has almost changed you have the few oddballs like Andres was last year who revolve their heart and soul for the games, but all the victors beside Aryan are starting to train survivors they don't care about getting victors they just want to kids to live, now training is about preparing for the games not to volunteer for them not that volunteering has been a thing for 7 years it's been all chosen from the Capitol and with the success rate I doubt they would drop
It's a good thing for my brothers, not for me, but I just hope they have more entertaining people I'm just a boring guy from one who just kills for money, I have no true story but I also know I can't go into the games, I am scared if this side to me, I have over killed before.
"You have nothing to worry about okay, I promise" I say, you never know I mean they threw in a 12 year old a few years ago, they can do it again but rumours were she was a random draw too, ever since then we haven't had a ransom draw.
"What about you, your big and strong they might take you" he says
"I won't let them" I say he just smiles and laughs it's all lies a lot of what I tell them is lies but having to pretty raise them I can't tell the real truth about the world because there is nothing good about.
Cedric Lenlen 16, District 1 Male
Reapings
Just hit the target, please hit the target, I let the knife leave my hand as a chorus of laughter erupts in the room as it just ricochets from the dummy and onto the ground, I just bite my lip, that's awkward that us very awkward.
"Have one more shot" Markus mumbles but I see the disappointment on his face, of course, he would be, I don't belong here, he knows it, I know it, everyone knows it but having really wealthy parents, they paid for me to go straight into the gold class and with the career system dying, with less funding being put into the centre due to the Victor drought we currently have, which mind you isn't as bad as some districts, they need the money, so taking money from rich parents is the way to go.
But I know I'm not even close to being in gold class hell I wouldn't even make bronze, for some reason, I'm too damn clumsy and jumpy, plus I would rather, I don't know chill than train but I just have to make it until I'm 18, then my father won't kick me out and disown me which I know he is close to doing, I'm a laughing stock to the elite, my sister pretends I don't exist and I get bullied left right and centre but I just laugh it off and keep a smile on my face because positivity is really all I have got going for myself, it's the only thing keeping me going.
I just wince when he misses the dummy by miles "Fuck what a loser" Charles says as he and his posey just laugh, they have two main classes in gold classes, the rich kids that get taught by Markus who is in the middle of the beliefs of Aryan and Jasper but at the end of the day only cared about victory and then the others the more middle class poorer students that train for survival and have Jasper, Aryan now has the younger kids.
I just look at my score feeling ashamed, every year we have trials to make sure we are still good enough to be in gold class since there are kids in silver that are good enough to make it.
"Class dismissed, remember reapings are today I will say it again I do not know who is getting chosen so if you aren't chosen it is out of my control, so please don't blame me," Markus says
"See you in the sewers scatterbrain because that's where your daddy will be throwing you," Charles says laughing, In my head I see myself grabbing him by the collar and beating the living daylights out of him yet when I get ready to swing my fist and make his face a bloody pulp I hesitate because I am a coward.
I can't even fucking throw a punch without falling over, hell I can't walk without tripping over, I'm just a clumsy dork, fuck I can't even talk to girls without wanting to pee my pants.
"We should talk," Markus says I just nod even if I know straight away what it's about Last year he reconsidered kicking me out since my dad raised the price but even father is starting to catch on I may not be as good as I lie, throwing knives is hard but once you are allocated a weapon in one, you can't switch without having to go back to black and redoing the whole lengthy process, my father already has threatened to throw me out multiple times I'm disappointment he wanted a strong confident boy instead he gets a lanky skittish kid.
I walk into the door in the way in as Markus just holds in a chuckle signalling to the seat "Look I really like you kid, your not like the other morons here your actually caring and funny but we run a system here and if I keep letting you slide by it's going to be questioned, I need to put you back in black, I mean with the way you perform even some of the pink class girls can do better, you are lucky I'm not going to put you in blue" he says
"No, no please okay you do that and my dad will throw me in the streets please okay I'm practising day and night I'm getting better," I say, I try to practise them I get bored it's not my fault that throwing knives and planning to murder children on live TV isn't something I really want to do, I would rather I don't know just be a normal kid, not that I really have that, my parents ignore me, I struggle to make friends and I have this massive crush on this girl that's way out of my league.
"I'm sorry, look I can give you money to get you a house to stay in on the outskirts make sure your are looked after but people are starting to talk hell I wouldn't be shocked if your door is y locked now, like I said I really like you kid I'm willing to help you," he says
"Can't I try another weapon, I'm not bad with bow and arrow, I'm actually pretty good I hit targets" I say
"You also said that about throwing knives. You know the process Cedric, I can even get you into a job in the jewel factory, I can talk to your father too try to talk some sense into him, you don't deserve the judgment you get" he says, yet he never steps in when I'm getting beaten in the change rooms or called names, hell the only person that actually has helped me is some scary young dude whose name I don't even know he saved me a few times but just runs off before I can even get his name.
"You don't help me," I say
"I'm trying to teach you, kid, you can't just take the punches, look Maybe this isn't the right life for you maybe being out into the real work will be good for you, Just think about what you want to do and talk to me after I come back" he says
"Unless I'm chosen" I stutter
"I think the Capitol wouldn't mind District One winning, throwing you in wouldn't be doing that" he says ouch, but that's Markus for you he makes it out as he cares but at the end of the day he just wants another Victor he doesn't care if we live or die the only one that does is Jasper, but I guess he is a old man that has lived through this for so long I wouldn't be shocked if Markus is getting sick of it.
"Well I think for everyone's sake here I hope I get chosen then they get rid of the embarrassment," I say just walking out I look at my watch I'm not going to bother going home, my father will just berate me for no reason, maybe Markus is right, maybe I should just move on and stop trying so hard for people who don't get or love me, I have spent to long caring, to long taking the punches and thinking I'm a bad person because of it, I just walk over to the little cafe making sure I see her in it before I go in, maybe I'm a little obsessed with this girl who works here but hell she is the only girl that doesn't scare the hell out of me, most the girls are just fake they follow the alphas and the rich boys while the nice girls stay at home.
Even better probably my only friend is here reading the paper, it should be pathetic that my only friend is a 91 year old man but I don't know I love talking to him he has a lot of wisdom, hell he could probably beat me in a fight.
"You mind if I sit," I say
"Come on boy you come here every day at the same time, this is practically your chair, you look upset spill," he says, the great thing about old people is that they are straight to the point and don't beat around the bush, I have been seeing Kenzo every day for about two years now.
"I didn't do too well at training, I'm okay though," I say
"You are a terrible liar, come on speak to old man Kenzo I have to see more days than you have been born," he says he is right, obviously, I love hearing the stories he has to tell, about how the district was like 90 years ago, how bad it was, not bad in the sense poor but everyone wanted to compete, it was dog eat dog that's all the district care about.
They still do I know all the district wants is a Victor, to somehow go ahead of District Two that will never happen, hell if 9 had more victors than us ever since the whole revolution thing.
"Hey Cedric would you like the usual"
My mouth opens a little bit as my eyes meet Sarah's, Oh my god she knows my name, I just gawk at her with no idea what to say, She is the reason I come here and spend $3 a day, I'm in love not that she knows hell I'm shocked she even knows my name most of the time is me spent talking with Kenzo while I just keep staring and watching her, I would find my crush cute and endearing since I have so much love to give yet I don't even know how I could ask her on a date without fainting.
"Yes he will won't you" Kenzo
"Ah, yeah, yeah, here," I say
"I will get you change," she says smiling
"Take it as a tip" I stutter
"As much as I would love to this would be a $97 I will get the change" she smiles
"Hell if you won't take it I will," he says rubbing his hands together.
"You are richer than me old man" I laugh Sarah just smiles walking off fuck she probably thinks I am some creep who is stalking her, in my defence, I started coming here because I liked talking to Kenzo and she made it even better.
"Bloody hell kid even a horse can talk to that Shelia better than you can," Kenzo says.
"I'm progressing she knows my name," I say
"Took 8 months you told her randomly one day Remember, back in my day boy us men didn't wait we took our shot if she said no, she says no, but you can't keep cowering like a little boy, I say go for it what do you have to lose," he says
"My dignity " I say
"You are the laughing stock of the centre if you have any dignity you left it there, didn't I see you have to run home naked one day because they stole your clothes," he says
"You love reminding me about that," I say, so does my sister, she took a photo and has pretty much nailed it to my wall.
"Oh it made my day but back onto the subject," he says as I just stutter out a thank you when Sarah brings my coffee, I'm fine talking to some people, I'm normal with some people I guess pretty much being a loner has made me find it hard to talk to others.
"I'm fine I promise, I just have a decision to make, hope my father will take me in or walk away and live on my own and become a jewel miner," I say
"What makes you happy," he says
"What" I ask
"I mean what makes you happy" he asks
"I don't know, having fun," I say
"And is training fun for you" he says I shake my head
"Exactly," he says I just finish my coffee Kenzo is right, I am hated there are some nights I want to cry myself to sleep, I don't know why I became such an easy punching bag but the times I go out into the forest and practise with the bow and arrow I crafted one day since I love arts and craft that makes me happy, arts makes me happy maybe instead of following my father I need to set my wings and become free.
"You are right thanks you Kenzo, see you tomorrow," I say
"I better," he says, I just wave at Sarah wincing when I walk into the door after she waves back at me, nice one Cedric, nice one, I just get ready to walk to the reapings when I'm pushed to the ground.
"There you are scatter brain didn't think you could hide away did you" Charles says kicking me in the stomach.
"Not now just go to reapings" I mumble and hopefully be reaped That would be nice.
I feel his boot collide with my stomach again but instead of getting up to beat him I just stay on all fours I don't know why I'm scared to fight back, because maybe I am scared of losing control, of hurting people.
"You don't get to tell me what to do," he says kicking me again as I just close my eyes taking the punches as I feel the wind getting taken out from me until it finally stops and I open my eyes.
"Yeah run fucking coward"
I look up to see that guy again as Charles rushes off "You good" he says helping me up.
"Fuck he got dirt on my top," I say just patting my t-shirt
"Oh rich kids, you really need to stop talking about the beatings kid, You won't be alive if you keep taking them" he says
"I know it's just I don't know, I'm scared, I'm not like him," I say as we both walk towards reapings I don't even know if he is eligible either a lot about this dude is unknown but I do notice the black hand on his wrist, oh yeah that's make sense he is street kid it's hard to get a band in one.
"At least you are a decent person, you may think you are nothing compared to him but you are one of the nicest kids I met, don't let it bring you down yeah," he says getting ready to walk off when we make it to the square.
"Wait what's your name," I ask
"Levin" he mumbles
"I'm Cedric," I say
"I know," he says and just like that mystery dude disappears in the crowd, I haven't even heard his name so clearly he doesn't train, I just sign in getting pushed by a few boys on my way in as even one of the girls just scoff and move away, I stand next to her as another girl with glasses just sniffles and waves at me as I awkwardly smile at her I was also a looser at school, had no friends even if I tried.
"Welcome kind souls to the reapings, my name is Genie," she says spinning around, At least with Markus gone for a few weeks I have extra time to work out my plan.
"Once again we will be bringing in two lucky hand-chosen males, lucky male one is," she says
"Levin Huxley"
My ears perk up The guy I literally spoke to not even a second ago being chosen, he doesn't even react just walks over with a blank face as both victors look at him with I impressed look for a boy that doesn't train, he is well built.
"Cedric Lenlen"
I almost faint again luckily I fall onto another boy who just throws me to the ground, that couldn't be my name it can't be but when I see the peacekeepers walk over to me I know straight away I just start run up as I just stumble on my feet falling down the stairs as the entire crowd laughs and I'm filled with even more embarrassment.
"Oh dear," Genie says
As I just pick myself up "Your tributes" she says but even the look she gives me is filled with distaste, Jasper just smiles at me giving me some sort of comfort as Markus just nods at me even if he seems shocked I was chosen.
Levin just grabs my hand shaking it but I'm in too much shock How did me out of all people get chosen.