The Outskirts of District Nine

Reaping day

9:00 hours

Three armored trucks roll across a run-down lane that would appear to many as no more than an old, dirt track. The vehicles are concealed in between tall, seemingly endless wheat fields. There is no sun to be seen, only dull, grey clouds that hang over the fields and turn everything a dreary color.

Old abandoned, rusty cars lie by the side of the road. They probably haven't been touched in decades; rotting away with no one to care for them. As Conrad sits back on his seat with one hand on the steering wheel, he imagines salvaging the cars and using them to build his first junker. He quickly shakes the thought away.

(District Nine is a straight shot to District Three. It is also the sparsest District, which makes it easy to sneak through, especially on Reaping Day when most of the Peacekeepers are concentrated on the Reapings)

Conrad glances over to Kate for a brief second. She is sitting beside him silently, staring off through the front window of the truck.

(He never imagined that she'd trust him to be her driver - but then they have been pretty short-handed ever since the attack. So, she really has no one else left to ask.)

The silence of this journey through a bleak environment somehow seems to be worse than the alternative - which is talking. So, Conrad clears his throat to speak. "You never talked much, did you?" he finds himself saying.

Kate turns her head slowly to him, taken off-guard. "I haven't been crazy about it lately, no," she responds with a slight smile.

"Me either," Conrad shrugs. "Maybe that's why we should…"

The Rebel leader turns to him again, furrowing her eyebrows. "What's there to talk about, exactly?"

"You got any hobbies? Outside of, ya know the whole war thing," Conrad asks, keeping his eyes on the road.

Kate lets out a chuckle; She doesn't give an answer but then Conrad didn't really expect one - a chuckle was all he wanted.

"I used to race… believe it or not," Conrad continues.

"Somehow, I don't doubt that."

Silence ensues again for at least half a minute.

Kate inhales to speak again. "When the letter is delivered. When the duel is confirmed, Saskia, Renaskigo, and the entire Inner-Table will have to honour it and meet us in the Library of New Alexandria, where the fate of the entire country will be decided. They won't be able to send Peacekeepers after us but there's nothing to stop the assassins…"

Conrad tilts his head, smirking. "A library… I never was much of a reader."

Kate laughs again but then her smile suddenly fades, and she sighs, deeply. "You don't have to do this, Conrad… let me do it. I could fight in your place-"

"We've been over this. You're the leader of this rebellion, they need you."

"Think about it, if you lose, they'll execute me anyway, they'll demand I'll be there in the clause of the duel, and they'll execute me if you lose. Then they'll hunt everybody else down!"

Conrad doesn't answer. He keeps facing the road with his cheeks turning slightly red but then finally, he concedes.

"Ok, let's say for a second that you do this-"

He is interrupted by a loud crash echoing from behind. Kate and Conrad glance back - startled but maintaining their composure.

A large creature has burst from the wheatfields and smashed into the truck behind them. It is larger than a horse, with a grey body, four legs, and multiple rotating, razor-sharp tentacles protruding from its back - a mutt, sent from the Capitol.

"It's a prowler!" Kate gasps. "It's been sent to track us down!"

Screams erupt from the overturned truck behind as the creature slaughters the rebels inside; the few numbers that Kate gained over the last months are dwindling down again, rapidly.

Conrad is about to slam his foot on the gas, until a second prowler attacks the truck in front, and begins demolishing the inhabitants inside of it.

The creature screeches, shifting its gaze to Conrad and Kate with blood now dripping from its dagger-like tentacles.

Kate grits her teeth and pulls out a sword from under the seat! She leaps out to meet the charging mutt. Meanwhile, Conrad scrambles to try to find his shotgun on the backseat.

"Wait!"

He hops out of the truck. Kate has already decapitated the mutt with her sword, panting heavily as the beast's body flops down at her feet like a ragdoll.

Her eyes move behind, and she shoots her hand out. "Watch out!"

The mutt behind them launches the destroyed truck through the air and it crashes down on their own truck - squashing it.

Conrad rolls out of the way, and Kate begins engaging the second mutt - managing to slice a couple of its tentacles off! It hisses in pain. Then, it slashes Kate across the arm, sending her flying into the busted-up trucks.

The mutt prowls over to Kate bearing its dozens of teeth like a wolf stalking its prey. It's about to leap at her again but Conrad quickly raises his shotgun and fires three successive shots into its head. It drops dead.

Conrad kneels down beside the rebel leader, strapping his shotgun to his back. She groans in pain while he puts her arm around his shoulder to help her up.

"We gotta get outta here, fast," he says, darting his eyes to their destroyed truck.

Kate doesn't answer, she only pants in agony.

Conrad activates his comms. "Grey, come in."

He gets no response. After fetching some supplies front the truck, he peers into the fields, and together they begin stumbling through them.

After the attack, Conrad and Kate have hidden themselves in an abandoned wooden building; a barn that's slowly falling apart piece by piece. Kate winces as Conrad finishes stitching up a wound in her shoulder before wrapping her arm in a bandage from the truck.

"Looks like it's broken," Conrad mutters.

Kate sighs, leaning back on her chair.

"Guess it'll be me fighting after all," The boy from Six says with a shrug.

Kate chuckles, ironically. "You always were a pain in my ass, Conrad."

Conrad laughs back before jumping up and heading into the mini-kitchen in the barn. He batters a couple of cobwebs out of the way and yanks open one of the cupboard doors. Inside, he discovers some mugs next to some grains of tea.

"Good news," he announces, standing in the doorway and waving the cups.

"You found whiskey?"

"No… but tea!"

Kate rolls her eyes.

"C'mon, I've heard it's good for the soul!"

Kate agrees with a sigh, and Conrad sits down next to her, handing her a mug of tea whilst an owl hoots in the distance and the evening air begins filtering in.

Kate takes a sip from her mug and sets it down. "Have you heard from the others, yet?"

Conrad shakes his head after taking a sip out of his own mug. Then, a rustling from outside the barn startles him. A switch seems to flick inside of his brain and the young man immediately snatches his gun into his hands and creeps towards the barn door. He creaks the door open slightly with the barrel of his gun, and peers outside. It is fast becoming pitch black. The fields are swaying in the wind and cicadas hum all around.

Another young man in a grey jacket hops out of the grass with his hands up, he's covered in dirt and scratches.

"Don't worry… it's just me," Grey exclaims. "Unless you knew that and were still planning to shoot me, in which case… what the hell."

Conrad smirks, lowering his gun. "How'd you find us?"

"I followed the destroyed jeep and then the path in the field… there was blood, I was worried."

"We're fine, what about you… where are the others? Darrah? I?"

Grey's eyes drop and he begins fiddling with his fingers. "Captured… about to be used as leverage against us, no doubt."

Conrad hits his fist against the barn door. He helps Grey inside and sits him down on the chair next to Kate.

"Ma'am," Grey greets, smiling. "We need to keep moving, if it was that easy for me to find you, then it's only a matter of time before-"

"The letter calling for the parley will reach them by tonight. Then they'll be obliged to accept our truce until the duel is done… of course, I can't speak for the other rebel factions," Kate interrupts.

Grey looks to Conrad, wide-eyed. "So, you're actually going ahead with this?"

Conrad shrugs. "These people killed my parents, put me into the hunger games and they're responsible for every bit of suffering I've ever gone through," his voice becomes more intense the longer he speaks, and his face is suddenly red. "I'd like to see you stop me."

"That just sounds like revenge to me. I don't think you want that, deep down."

Grey diverts his gaze from Conrad's intense eyes. "They have Darrah… and everyone else," he murmurs "If you lose they'll kill them all… us all-"

"I won't," Conrad interjects, and there is no doubt in his voice.

"But… there's no reason for you two to risk anymore." He looks at Kate. "Grey could look at your arm properly, and you could move somewhere safer until this is all over-"

"We're coming with you, Martell," Kate says, sternly. Then, she tilts her head, smiling playfully. "Besides, you don't get to give me orders."

"We're with you… until the end," she says.

A slight smile forms on Conrad's lips as his eyes move between his friends.

"I know that look," Grey says to Kate as they sit beside each other in the barn.

(Not many people can talk to Kate as a friend would. In fact, Grey might be the only person.)

Kate doesn't answer. She stares off towards Conrad who is perched by the barn door - practicing unloading and loading his gun as fast as possible.

"You don't think he's up to it, do you?" Grey continues to press.

Kate shakes her head. "Death is his art, you saw what he did to the Four boy… it's just, he's been through enough and I kind of wanted more for him than this."

"Me too," Grey says.

Grey places his hand under his chin. "You know, before he broke up with me, I discovered that there's a really loving guy buried beneath that shell. Maybe one day we'll see him again."

The Capitol

Day After the Reaping

8:00 hours

"You may enter."

Tatiana places her hand against The President's office and nudges it open. Inside, President Saskia Storm is sitting with her back facing Tatiana, staring out of the large windows - which face the garden.

Estaban is there as well, by the door. He is in his usual black suit and tie, with his chin up and his hands behind his back.

"Madam President," Tatiana greets, monotone.

Saskia ignores her and continues to read from something in her hands; she doesn't even ask Tatiana about her trip to her home District for the Reapings.

So, the young woman from Two begins pacing around the large, golden, prestigious office, stroking her hand on some old ornaments along the way.

Saskia swivels around in her chair and places the parchment, that she was reading off of, on her desk. The President looks paler than ever, she has dark bags under her eyes and they are tired and distant. However, at this moment, they have a hint of anger in them.

"You told me he was dead," She seethes.

"Who?"

"Conrad, he's issued a duel against me. He has a right by blood to do it and I have to oblige. This is why I ordered you to kill him before they found out."

Tatiana swallows, trying to ignore the fact that she's the one who told Conrad of his parents.

"I-I… it's not possible… I locked him in a burning room…"

Saskia raises an eyebrow. "Did you see a body?"

"It's like I thought," Estaban cuts in. "She couldn't bring herself to do it. She spent years with the rebels, clearly, she has grown… attached to them."

Tatiana clenches her fists. "You're wrong!" She yells back at Estaban.

Saskia glares at her but suddenly bursts into a violent cough. Tatiana gasps, rushing forward to help her before Estaban. Saskia holds out her hand to stop them. The President fumbles around in her desk drawer for a pill and discreetly slips it into her mouth.

"I'm sorry… he's just always doubted me," Tatiana continues. "Just give me another chance-"

"It looks like you might already have it," Saskia interjects, gesturing to the parchment. "You will fight in my place as my champion," she coughs.

Tatiana's eyes light up.

(Years after Tatiana's and Conrad's from the arena, it seems they will fight to the death after all.)

"I hope you realize what's at stake. If you win then Kate and the remainder of her rebels are to be executed. Renaskigo can continue with his plans. We win. But if you lose-"

"I understand."

Estaban steps forward. "Madam President, do you really trust her with this? So far, she has failed to kill him at every chance she's got."

"We won't have to," Saskia states. "We can't kill them directly in this truce." She places her hand under her chin, contemplating. "Send word out to the best assassins. Conrad and Kate are high-priority targets. Make sure none of them make it to the duel."

Estaban bows his head. "Yes, Ma'am."

After Estaban has left the office, Tatiana lets out a huge sigh.

(Why don't they trust her after all this time. She's given everything for them.)

"I know what you're thinking," Saskia begins, her eyes on her apprentice. "You will get your time. There's nobody I trust more than you. Just be patient. We will get our better tomorrow."

"Estaban doesn't seem to think so."

"He's a viper but he serves his purpose," Saskia says.

The old national anthem begins playing, and a screen in the office switches on. The running commentary of the Reapings from yesterday begins playing.

"Ah, right on cue," Saskia says. She gestures to the screen. "Let's worry about such matters in time. For now, we have the games to get through…"

The Host goes through the Reapings in District order with running commentary. Starting with the shining, pristine District One - nearest to the Capitol. As always, both tributes have been training for years for the games and have been pre-selected by One's academy. The girl is tall, very tall at Six feet. She has red hair which is tied back in a ponytail and an almost pitch-black dress. She walks up the stage extremely calmly, and quietly. Her eyes dart around the crowd as she tucks her arms in - almost like she's bothered by all the attention from the crowds. The boy is somewhat similar in appearance with darker red hair, tied back in a bun, but is stark contrast in his approach. He leaps and bounds up the stage, like a bird let loose from a cage, and even does a forward somersault at the top before posing and shaking his District partner's hand. The girl hesitantly moves her hand up to shake his.

Next, the screen cuts to the more industrious and built-up District Two. Tatiana is just watching a cut version of the events she already saw when she was there. The boy, Romulus Ryker, sticks out. As a rogue volunteer, he has people's eyes rolling at first. But then, his charm and confidence win the praise of the crowd. Naturally, people have become intrigued by his story and why he volunteered. There's more to it than the speech that he gives during his reaping interview; not many secrets can be kept from Tatiana, the girl who has lived double lives for as long as she can remember.

Saskia's eyes flicker to Tatiana. "Keep an eye on that one while you're mentoring, will you?" She requests.

"Yes, Ma'am."

District Three is next up. Both tributes look like they belong anywhere else. The girl in particular, Meilin Seacole, is hard to spot at first because she's so tiny but when she appears from in between the crowd, she is shaking. Still, she manages a faint smile and a somewhat brave face which Tatiana can't help but admire.

There's something slightly unsettling about both tributes from Four - something Tatiana also has personal experience in. Both Brizio and Aida are placid and almost emotionless. Neither of them look particularly excited about volunteering for their District. There's definitely much more going on here than meets the eye - Tatiana thinks. The pair of them seem to already be in sync with each other with a kind of mutual respect. This could spell disaster for One and Two if they don't watch out for the Fours.

District Five's reaping is quite the spectacle. It's filled with a good amount of drama to keep the Capitol happy. As soon as the boy, Meridian, has their name called out, there is a feeling of what can only be described as hate between him and his District partner Day. They glare at each other like they are trying to burn through the other's skulls, and they refuse to shake each other's hands when prompted by the escort. Shouts and protests erupt from across the reaping square. An older man in a polished suit emerges. Meridian's father - Prime Birdie. He insists that he will get his "asset" back and that the Capitol must find a replacement for Meridian in the games. Tatiana snickers to herself at the suggestion. He's not above them, no one is.

District Six offers possibly the most shocking reaping of the day. The first is a little girl, who volunteers after another girl's name is called out - Tatiana assumes it must be someone close to her. The girl waddles out, her eyes moving in between the crowds like she hasn't fully comprehended what she has just done. But she faces forward at all times, trying her best to ignore the cries from the girl that she volunteered for. After the initial shock of the outer volunteer, the escort pulls a slip from the male bowl, only to be met with another "I volunteer!" Confused mutterings between the crowd follow. A short, slim young man with brown shaggy hair strolls out. He is wearing black leather like he's just jumped off of a motorcycle. His eyes are uncaring and seem somewhat detached even as he takes his place in front of everyone. Then he gives the crowd an ice-cold stare. And nobody can quite understand why this boy has volunteered.

"Two volunteers… intriguing," Saskia remarks.

District Seven brings yet another volunteer; A brave girl who appears to have been pushed into a corner because her sister wasn't there to answer her name. The girl volunteered to save her family, that's a story that people can get behind. She stands up strong and stoic, and Tatiana can even see her reflection in the girl - they share the same conviction.

The grey, smog-filled inner city of District Eight is the next to appear on screen. The girl's name is Alizka, and she practically passes out when her name is called, if not for being caught by a few of her friends. Confusion with a few tears flood her eyes but she manages to reach the front with minimal crying. Next up is yet another volunteer. They seem to do it in a bit of a hurry - like they are scared of something else. He can only be described as fox-like; he creeps steadily to the stage and smirks at a collection of out-of-breath officers, who have just arrived. This volunteer appears to have been on the run from the law already. Maybe the games were his only way out?

District Nine turns out to bring more drama. The first to be reaped is a girl - Briar Bacardi. She is on the older side but still quite small. Still, just by the pure anger in her eyes, she doesn't seem like someone most people would want to mess with; the dirt and scrapes give that away. Everything seems to be going normal in District Nine until the escort selects the male tribute.

"I-I volunteer!" A voice calls out, almost like the words came out before the person thought them.

"I volunteer!" The voice repeats, this time more confident.

Then, a tall but slim boy emerges from the crowd. He has a buzz cut and large ears. At first, he seems more hesitant than the boy from Six. However, when his eyes meet Briar's, his motivations become a little more clear than the Six male's; they know each other. That much is clear. Briar's eyes narrow at him, and she crosses her arms - even after he sends her a goofy smile. The anger in her eyes isn't like that of the Five's though, it seems more like loss than anger.

The screen cuts to Tulrango in District Ten. Auren, the girl who is reaped, is rather plain in appearance but her demeanor is anything but. The seething glare that she gives everyone from where she emerges to the stage is enough to make the most dangerous peacekeeper cry. Tatiana watches as she chews harder and harder on some gum as the seconds go by - ready to hit the first person who makes the wrong move. Tatiana doesn't feel envious of the other people on the stage, she's damn sure about that. The next is a boy, Emery Vandermast. Tatiana scoffs when his name is read out and can't help but grin at the fact that he has her surname. Emery has bleached hair and is dressed entirely in denim. He has a calm yet fearful look in his eyes, something that can only be described as dread. Auren watches him the entire time, frowning, and he glares back until they shake hands, and he breaks eye contact. Looks like she won their little staring contest.

Then it's onto Eleven's tributes. The boy, Reese, stands out quite heavily in the dry District. He comes from the fifteen-year-old section, but his face seems like he should be younger. His limbs are lanky and almost seem out of place on his body. The boy stumbles forward, seemingly knocked out of some kind of dream. As his legs take him to the stage, his eyebrows furrow in confusion, unsure of what to make of the situation - like a bird that's just been plucked from the sky. Tatiana doubts that he truly understands what's going to happen to him.

District Twelve is next on the screen. The escort calls out "Lilac Rafflesia." At first, nobody responds. But after some whisperings from the crowds, a thin, wiry girl strolls to the front, brushing off some peacekeepers. She has messy, shoulder-length hair, and her baggy clothes are covered in bits of dirt and mud. Tatiana suspects that she's one of the gravediggers of Twelve. Although she's so pale that Tatiana wonders if she just rose from one of the graves herself. When Lilac is facing the escort she asks "Who'll guard the zombies while I'm gone?"

The escort doesn't respond and just glances around in confusion.

Finally, the screen cuts to the outside of the main prison in District Fourteen. The rows of prisoners that are eighteen and under are mixed with the children of guards, and the two groups do their best to ignore each other. One thing they do share in common, however, is they are both being drenched in a torrent of rain and standing almost knee-deep in mud. To Tatiana's amazement - there is yet another volunteer. This time it is a tall boy, with dark eyes, shaggy black hair, and wearing a prison jumpsuit. Although District Fourteen has had a high proportion of volunteers in its short existence, this boy looks different; he's not as miserable as everyone else. His eyes are burning with a fire of purpose as he walks up to the stage with his head held high.

The screen cuts back to the host with the plastic smile. "Well folks, we'll be breaking down the twenty-six new faces we've just met for the rest of the evening, if you stay tuned. Let the games begin!"

Hey everyone! Welcome to the first pregames chapter. I've never wrote a reaping recap before, so I hope this was ok, I guess I never saw them as that necessary. I wrote the subplot part of this a while back, so I just wanted to get this out, hope you like! I don't really have much more to say, next chapter will be trains!