Robyn Seiwald, 15

District 3 Female

I rolled my sore shoulders as I walked down the darkening streets of my district. Factory work was grueling and I was often left aching from a long day hunched over a conveyor belt. I adjusted my backpack, trying to find a comfortable position, but it was useless. I'd just have to tough it out until I was home.

The sound of glass breaking made me jump. I was immediately on edge, eyes scanning the dark alleyways for the source of the sound. Suddenly a young man came flying out of the shadows, brandishing a long knife. I swung my backpack at him, knocking his arm aside and reaching for the knife I kept in a special sheath on my ankle.

Our blades scraped against each other as I parried his second strike. His boot made contact with my shin and I grunted in pain but swiped my knife across his chest, cutting into his jacket. I recognized the symbol of the bird on his coat. He was a Grayhawk.

The Grayhawks were a small gang that terrorized the streets of my neighborhood. I'd seen them around, causing mischief and occasionally mugging someone, but this was my first time facing one. But I was ready.

I'd dealt with my fair share of bullies and thieves and this young man was nothing new. He was fast, but he was clumsy, leaving room for me to utilize technique. I'd spent hours honing my skills with a knife and I wasn't going to lose.

The tip of his knife cut through my sleeve but didn't break the skin. I grit my teeth and drove my blade into his shoulder, right below the joint. I didn't stab deep enough to kill, but he'd need medical intention.

Whimpering, he dropped his blade and drew back. I wrenched my knife free and shoved him in the chest, knocking him on his butt. Then I dealt two swift kicks to his ribs before grabbing my backpack and hurrying off.

I only paused to clean my knife and return it to it's sheath. If my parents saw the blade, I was doomed. My mother could be as violent as I was and my father was terrifying when he yelled. So I had to be careful.

I unlocked the front door and slipped inside, listening for my parents. But the house was quiet. They must still be at work. I rushed into my room and shut and locked the door before examining my torn sleeve. I'd say it caught on something at work if they asked. I was always working with small, sharp pieces, so it would be believable.

I double-checked the door lock and closed my curtains before turning to my backpack. I cautiously unzipped it and delicately removed my prizes. It was filled with sharp screws, scrap metal, wire, and various other odds and ends. The Grayhawks messed with the wrong girl and I was going to make them pay.

Kairos Nakamura, 15

District 3 Male

I gripped my laptop tightly, but it wasn't enough to keep my hands from shaking. The red light on the screen reflected off the ruby piercing in my ear, creating a strange glow all around me. And my heart was beating faster than it ever had before. We'd been caught.

Unauthorized User Detected

I was a good hacker. Probably one of the best in District 3. I'd hacked dozens of systems and shared information with multiple underground rebel groups without being detected. But I'd been caught.

Panic was racing through me. What should I do? Erase all the data? Destroy the laptop? If the Capitol didn't already know it was me, I had to get rid of all the evidence. I looked around wildly before slamming my computer shut and grabbing my notes. All the details about the upcoming Hunger Games arena were carefully written out. Mutts, traps, weak points… everything.

Heart pounding, I collected everything in my arms and slipped out of my room. I tiptoed to my mom's office and pulled out her paper shredder. The evidence had to be destroyed. I switched the machine on and shredded each piece of paper with shaking hands. Once it was done, I tucked the machine away and snuck back to my room.

Tomorrow was the reaping. Would they have time to investigate an unauthorized user? Or would the Capitol Games team be too busy managing the incoming tributes? There was so many unanswered questions. How could this have happened? My uncle would be so disappointed.

My Uncle Kento was a part of an underground group of rebels for years. He was the one who taught me how to hack, and inspired my hatred of the Capitol. Two years ago, he was executed for a fiery attack on a Peacekeeper building and I'd taken up the mantle of rebel.

I had amassed a following of about eight teens from my school. They would follow wherever I led. We mostly did minor things, like vandalism and occasionally diverting funds, but hacking into the Games database was something entirely new. And it hadn't paid off.

Back in my room, I examined my closed laptop. Destroying it would be the easiest option. The logical part of my mind knew it wouldn't make a difference, but I didn't want the evidence of my crimes sitting on my bed.

Before I could think it through, I grabbed the machine and threw it on the floor. It landed with a thud but didn't break. So I stomped down on it, cracking the plastic covering and destroying it thoroughly.

My door flew open and my little sister Mitsuko burst inside.

"Kairos!" she gasped. "What happened?"

I looked guiltily down at the destroyed computer.

"I tripped and dropped my laptop," I lied. She frowned, a skeptical look on her face, but didn't question me further.

"Okay…" she finally said. "Be more careful though. Mom and Dad won't be happy."

"I know," I grumbled. She didn't know half of it.

But my parents were rich. They'd be able to afford a new computer with no issues. The problem was that I was likely on the top of the Capitol's wanted list. I was screwed.

Lavinia Lyons, 26

District 3 Escort

I frantically fussed with my fluffy hair as I waited in the main room of the Justice Building. The mirror was dusty and old, but it was all I had to work with; and there was a lot of work to do! It was blustery beyond belief outside and my perfect pink and blue curls were a mess!

Today was an exciting day and I wanted to look my best. My outfit was perfect; sleek and white with big shoulder pads and pink and gold accents. My makeup had never looked better. Putting your best foot forward was very important as an escort.

The door opened and District 3's victors stumbled inside. Wiress's dark hair was messy from the wind and Beetee's hands were shoved deep in his coat pockets. Vizio was leaning heavily on his cane. The eldest victor in 3 was nearly eighty, but was still as strong and healthy as he could be.

"Hi!" I cried when they entered. "It's so good to see you all! Sorry about my hair." Wiress gave me a gentle smile and Beetee shook my offered hand. I tried not to wince at his cold fingertips.

"Quite the weather we're having," I commented brightly.

"I thought I was going to blow over," Vizio said with a rough laugh. I giggled.

"Today is so exciting, isn't it?" I gushed. Beetee grimaced a little but Vizio nodded.

"It's certainly anticipated here."

As he spoke, the clock tower struck its hour.

"Ooh! It's time!" I gasped. "I'll see you soon. Bye!" Then I trotted out onto the stage, fighting the wind.

"Hello District 3!" I said into the microphone. The wind whipped the words around, crackling and distorting them.

"Sorry about the weather. I promise you'll be back in your nice warm houses soon. Or on the train and headed to the glorious Capitol!"

The crowd clapped but it sounded hollow and empty. I frowned. The cold must have been draining their excitement. But they all still watched the film we played every year and we all applauded when it was over.

"Now, let's select our female tribute first!" I practically skipped over to the bowl, barely able to contain my excitement. This was it!

"Robyn Seiwald!"

A 15-year-old with dyed gray hair in a gray shirt and black pants slowly trudged out of the crowd. She briefly shook her head but seemed to grow more confident as she walked down the aisle, even flashing a small, mysterious smile to the cameras. Then she came to stand quietly beside me.

"Now for the boys!" I called. This time I selected a slip from the bottom, just to draw out suspense.

"Kairos Nakamura!"

Another 15-year-old came forward. He was stylish, dressed in all black with a ruby piercing in one of his ears. He also had a smile on his face and climbed the stairs with no hesitation.

As he shook Robyn's hand firmly, I looked back at the crowd.

"District 3, I give you your tributes: Robyn Seiwald and Kairos Nakamura!"

Hi! Here is the next intro chapter, featuring our awesome team from 3. Thank you to averyrandomauthor for Robyn and Carlpopa707 for Kairos and Lavinia. They're great! I apologize if something is off about Kairos's computer interactions; I am a technology idiot. And I'm sorry the reaping sections are a little reptitive. I'm trying to differentiate them but there's only so much I can do. Please leave a review and let me know what you think of these characters, and keep an eye out for District 9, which is next. Thanks!

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

- Fiona