A/N: No trigger warnings for this chapter.
Kauri Balestra, age 18
District 9 Female
What I did was not wrong.
Veronica had it coming to her. It was Sameer's fault that he died. They betrayed my trust by sleeping with each other, my girlfriend with my brother. I loved them and I thought I could trust them. I trusted not only them but also the good intentions of most people in the world, but then Veronica and Sameer completely shattered all my trust.
I may have killed them, but they only have themselves to blame.
It's not your fault, Kauri, I think as I stare at the ceiling of my dark prison cell.
Then why am I still having nightmares about it?
I take a few deep breaths, trying to calm down my racing heart as I fully awaken. In my dream, everything happened again. I came home from work late to find the love of my life cheating on me with my brother, and all I saw was red. I screamed. She screamed. He screamed. We all screamed. We got into a big fight and Veronica ran into my knife. She ran into my knife ten times. The next thing I knew Sameer was dead as well.
Then my dream deviated from reality, because in my dream, everything felt wrong. It felt wrong because I stepped out of the house and everyone was trying to hurt me, throwing stones at me and calling me a horrible murderer. Mother was glaring at me with hatred in her eyes, which wasn't new, but Mom, who in real life is understanding and sees my side of the story, was with the mob as well.
In my nightmare, Mom called me a terrible person and a horrible murderer who deserves to rot in jail and go to hell for killing her son.
That wasn't real, I remind myself. Mom betraying me was just a part of the dream. So was me feeling regret.
I may have nightmares in which I feel regret over killing Veronica and Sameer, but those aren't real. In real life, I don't regret what I did. Not one bit. Sometimes everything feels wrong because Mom and Mother refuse to see me, and I did make my mothers lose both their children.
But it wasn't my fault. My ex and brother only have themselves to blame.
"Hey Kauri, you up?"
It's Velma from the cell to the left of mine. My cell block consists of a few female murderers, all in their own cells, but at least the conditions of the prison I'm in aren't the worst. We can talk to each other through the barriers, and some days we're even allowed in the prison courtyard to train service dogs. I really do love puppies, mostly because they don't judge me for what I did.
Dogs are definitely better than people, one of which I have to deal with right now.
"It's none of your business, Velma," I snap, angry that someone is bothering to talk to me on my last Reaping Day.
"She's definitely up, otherwise why else would she be all bitchy?" Roxie snarks from the cell to the right.
"It's Reaping Day, cut Kauri some slack," Nickie, the oldest of the cell block, says in her calm voice.
"I don't need anyone to cut me slack, thank you very much," I huff as I turn around in my bunk and face the wall. "I've been done with people for ages."
"You and me both, kid," Nickie says sympathetically, but she doesn't press further.
Thankfully, everyone shuts up as the door to the prison ward rattles open and a warden comes in to toss us our daily stale bread. I can't believe they don't bother to treat us a bit nicer on Reaping Day. I mean, even the poorest citizens of Nine have something special on this dreary day, but I suppose that since we're criminals we don't even get to go into the courtyard to stretch our legs.
At least I'll be able to see the sun when they march us out to the Reaping. I've seen criminals at previous Reapings, dressed in prison outfits and looking like they're done with the world. I never thought I'd be among them one day, but here I am.
You can't help it if the people you thought you could trust betray you.
Ohio Lequi, age 17
District 9 Male
I hate Reaping Day so much.
Annoyingly enough, sometimes I still feel sad about my mother and three sisters dying in the arson attack on my home. But that was seven years ago, so usually I'm able to just push away the grief and focus on my work in the fields.
Today, however, is different. Every year on this day it's so much easier to feel negative emotions, and I hate it.
I drive the plow through the dirt, trying to focus on my work rather than my bad feelings as I get the grain field I'm working in ready for planting. Since Nine is a major food supplier, people working in the District's grain industry usually continue working on Reaping Days. Usually doing hard physical labor in the fields dispels any negative emotions I feel, but it's much harder today. Still, I make sure to do my best work.
The bells signaling break time ring, and I step away from the plow, wiping sweat off my face. I walk towards the edge of the fields, drinking water and saying hello to fellow workers as I make my way to my favorite tree. It's not that big, just a lone cottonwood that someone planted a long time ago among the fields for a bit of shade. Still, its branches are pretty good for climbing, and its trunk is a decent knife throwing target.
I grab my knife off my belt and throw it at the tree trunk. The knife gets a good stick in the bark, and I smile. I then climb up the tree. It's gotten slightly more difficult as I've gotten older, but my favorite tree can still support my weight. I reach my favorite limb and sit on it, leaning against the trunk and relaxing in the shade.
I think about work as I cool down. I technically don't have to go to work since I'm the Mayor's son, but I really want to do something useful besides going to school so I'm happy to do my part to help out in the District industry. Besides, the hard manual labor involved in fieldwork helps me chase away sadness and grief, the two things I hate more than anything else.
"Hey Ohio, what's up?"
I snap out of my thoughts and look down to see Toukley Eduards waving at me. I smile and wave back.
"At least work is helping me not feel sad," I say. I realize how awkward this sounds and quickly add, "Sorry, I was just thinking."
"About what?" Toukley asks, and I realize that I may have made things worse.
"Nothing," I say quickly as I make my way down the tree. "Well, I'm going back to work."
"Talk to you later, then," Toukley says, and he waves at me before turning away. I wave back at him and climb down, grabbing my knife from the tree trunk before heading back to the plow.
I try not to think about how I've grown distant from most people over the years. I used to consider Toukley a friend, but it was because of him that I started drinking underage around two years ago. I've stopped thanks to work, but up until today I still can't help but feel awkward around Toukley, who reminds me of bad times because he used to pretty much be my drinking buddy. I've also drifted away from my other best friend, a nice girl named Faye Reynolds. She's helped me through hardships, but she doesn't live very close to me and thanks to the both of us spending more time in our jobs we haven't really talked for a while.
Well, at least I don't exactly need close friends to get my current job done, so I continue my plow work until the bell signaling the end of the shift rings. That's when I'm reminded of all the negative emotions I've been trying to avoid by working all this time.
I sigh. No matter how much I work to distract myself, that doesn't change the fact that the Reaping is in a few hours.
My sadness doesn't make sense, though. I'm the son of the Mayor, and I've never had to take any tesserae, so my chances of getting Reaped are very slim. And why am I still feeling grief for Mom, Nevada, Missouri, and Dakota when they died seven whole years ago?
Stop feeling sad, Ohio, I chide myself as I make my way home. Sadness will only get in the way of things.
I imagine picking up the concept of sadness and flinging it away, and I smile. The thought does make me feel better, but Reaping Day still hangs over my head.
Well, I just need to not get Reaped, I think. Then I can continue living my life.
Beaumont Swainson, age 65
District 9 Escort
I sigh as I sit on one of the two folding chairs set up on the makeshift stage in the Main Square of District 9. I lean back, slightly uncomfortable about the heat from the intense sun as I watch the Square fill up with people. Nine is a large District in terms of area, so there are several places around the District where the Reapings take place. I always draw the names in the Main Square, the closest place Nine has to a city, but most of the tributes I've gotten over the years have come from the more rural areas of the District.
Not a single tribute has come home a Victor.
I allow myself a little scowl. I've been the escort for District 9 for forty-four years, from the very beginning of the Hunger Games, and even after all this time Nine has yet to produce a single Victor. It's ridiculous and I wonder what's wrong with this place. The District is plenty big with a variety of potential tributes, and even though a lot of people have had to take tesserae some of the tributes over the years have been strong enough to be major contenders in the Games. And yet, here I am, sitting in the single District with zero Victors. Even District 12 has produced a Victor, so I thought Nine would have at least one by now, but no. I'm still stuck here, year after year, trying my very best for the tributes but failing time and time again.
It's getting really annoying having to sit on the only stage in all of Panem that has only two chairs, one for me and one for the Mayor, who's sitting next to me and gazing out at the audience, his face unreadable.
I'm very tempted to just resign and be through with this annoying shit, but that would dash all my hopes of getting promoted to District 1, the glamorous District where the tributes are all beautiful and strong. I'd be so happy there, because people there actually like the Games and consistently send in great tributes that have a solid shot at winning. Not to mention, they aren't turned off by fanciness. I've been trying for literally decades to escort for One, but no matter how hard I try I'm still escorting for the District with no Victors. What makes me even madder is that District 1 has had three escorts throughout the Games, and the last two have been younger than me. If they can get there, why the heck can't I?
I guess someone has to escort for Nine, though. I just hope that they'll get a Victor quickly so I can get promoted and let someone else take this job. But while I'm here, I might as well try my best to help my tributes. As long as I'm always on my best behavior, I'm sure to get promoted to any District I want as soon as I finally produce a Victor. The officials will admire my dedication and loyalty, and they'll have to promote me.
If only Nine would hurry up…
The current Mayor of the District, Jemal Lequi, gets up from his seat next to me and makes his way to the microphone. As far as mayors go, he's extremely boring, but at least he gets the job done. The crowd quiets down, knowing that the Reaping is starting.
Mayor Lequi gives his usual spiel about the importance of the Hunger Games - not like anyone's interested, but it's required - before announcing my name turning it over to me.
Alright, it's showtime, I think. Best behavior, now. No snide remarks towards the District even though you really want to make them.
I stand up, smooth out my suit, and make my way to the microphone, smiling slightly at District 9 but making sure not to overdo it. After all, I have to be sensitive to the feelings of the District, even though their lack of enthusiasm for the Games is disheartening. I wear mostly black, as I've done for two decades, but this year my tie and hair, both of which I change every year, are dark blue.
"Alright District 9," I say briskly, "you know me and I know you, and we both know that there's no point in dragging this out. So let's just reap our tributes and try our best to bring it home this year, okay? I'm sure that this year is the year we finally get a Victor." Lies. But I don't say anything more as I walk to the female Reaping Bowl and hastily pull out a name before walking back to the microphone and announcing the tribute.
"Our female tribute is Kauri Balestra!" I exclaim, pronouncing the name loudly and clearly.
I watch the screens set up in the Main Square in anticipation. Each screen shows a different Reaping Area, and most of them exhibit no reaction. On one screen, however - it shows the Reaping Area of a remote part of the District - there is movement as a tan-skinned girl from the eighteen-year-old section steps forward. She wears prisoner's clothes and a scowl.
Well, she's a criminal, so I can write her off, I think. That doesn't mean I'm not going to try, though. I have to help my tributes no matter what their backgrounds are.
"Are there any volunteers for Kauri?" I ask as per tradition once Kauri is on the stage, but the entire District is silent at my question. The Reaped girl, Kauri, stands silently in place, glaring outwards at the crowd.
"Alright then, let's move on and meet our boy tribute," I say as I walk to the boys' Reaping Bowl and pluck out a slip. I frown when I recognize the last name, but I can't do anything about it.
"Ohio Lequi!"
He's Mayor Lequi's son, I think as the Reaped boy comes out of the crowd of seventeen-year-old boys in the Main Square. Since I'm standing in the Main Square as well, I can see him clearly. He seems resolute but not as sour as his District Partner, looking down and exhaling as he walks slowly to the stage.
He has a better chance than Kauri, I think, but I'm going to try my best for the both of them. I'll have to, if I want any chance of being promoted.
"Welcome, Ohio," I say gently as the Reaped boy climbs onto the stage. He glances at me before giving a small smile to the crowd. Then he looks at his feet, and I walk over to Ohio to put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You'll be alright," I say, knowing that since Ohio is right in front of me it's a good idea for me to comfort him. It's going to make me look better and increase the chances that I'll be promoted. Ohio just shrugs, and I squeeze his shoulder, telling him that we'll talk later.
"Are there any volunteers?" I ask as I return to the microphone, hoping that someone will save the Mayor's son from going into the Arena. I glance at Jemal, who just looks down, averting my gaze. That's interesting. I would've expected a more overt display of sadness and anger. But I don't know Mayor Lequi very well, so maybe he and his son aren't that close. Still, I would've expected a bigger reaction from someone whose son was going into the Hunger Games.
There are no volunteers, not that I expected one. Still, it's a little disappointing. I'm forced to shrug it off and focus on figuring out how to get one of Kauri and Ohio home. I hope that this is the year I can manage to finally bring home a Victor, and maybe I can actually do it because my tributes this time around seem healthy and strong enough.
Who are you kidding, Beaumont? I think bitterly to myself. You've failed every time you thought that.
Still, I smile one last time at the District.
"There you have it, folks," I say, relieved that this is over but knowing that I will have to do whatever I can to bring one of the two tributes home. "District 9, your tributes for the 44th Annual Hunger Games, Kauri Balestra and Ohio Lequi."
Kauri Balestra, age 18
District 9 Female
Well, fuck me sideways. I'm going into the Hunger Games.
I've been seething all the way here. I'm so mad that I was Reaped. I was surprised at first, but why wouldn't the Capitol get rid of a murderer by sending her into the Games? Still, I'm mad. It's final - there's absolutely nothing left in the world that I can look forward to.
Maybe you can win, I think to myself as the armed Peacekeepers shove me roughly into a room where I'm assuming I'll say my final goodbyes before going into the Games. I almost laugh out loud at the thought of escaping this thing alive. What's the point of even trying in the Games? Everything is going to suck for me forever.
"Is all this security really necessary?" I snap as the door closes behind me but three Peacekeepers remain in the room. "I mean, I know I'm a convicted criminal but can't I have a little privacy?"
"Watch your mouth, Miss Balestra," one of the Peacekeepers growls, pointing one of his guns at me. "We don't want to lose a tribute before the Games start, but you'd better respect authority if you want to keep your head."
"Fine, keep your shirt on," I huff as I hear a knock on the door. I stand up to open it.
"Stay seated, Miss Balestra," another one of the Peacekeepers orders, and I sit down, glaring at the uniformed menaces as one of them opens the door and lets my visitors in. I gasp in surprise and happiness when I see that Mom and Mother have come to send me off.
"Mom," I choke out as I rush towards the one person who has understood me throughout my ordeal, but I'm restrained by two Peacekeepers. I quickly sit down, but I continue smiling at my parents.
"Two minutes, and that's it," Mother says sternly, glancing at her watch. "I don't understand you, Reyna. How can you possibly still feel sympathy for the person who murdered our son?"
"Please, Aava, Kauri is going into the Hunger Games," Mom says softly as she walks forward slowly and kneels down in front of me, taking my hand in hers. She glances around the room at the armed Peacekeepers. "Would it be alright if you let us have our time together privately?"
"Ma'am, you're dealing with a convicted murderer here," one of the Peacekeepers restraining me says, and I feel a rush of anger. How can they keep me from the one person I still trust?
"It'll be alright," Mom says firmly. She glances at Mother and says coldly, "I'll see you later, Aava."
"I suppose you can come with us, Aava," one of the Peacekeepers says awkwardly as the three armed guards lead Mother out of the room. Once they're gone, Mom envelops me in an embrace.
"I've always believed you, my dear, sweet Kauri," she says softly, stroking my hair.
"I know," I whisper back, hugging her. "Thank you. Thanks for not betraying me."
"Kauri," Mom says, looking straight into my eyes, "please, do whatever you can to make it out alive. Learn survival skills, weapon skills, anything that will help you win. And stay away from the Careers. It's not worth it, making trouble."
"Don't worry, I plan on steering clear of everyone," I say sincerely. "And I promise, I'll do my best."
"I know you will," Mom says, hugging me quickly again. "I love you, Kauri. Always be aware of that."
"I love you too, Mom," I say quietly, allowing myself a bit of emotion in front of the one person in the world I still trust.
It's okay for me to tell Mom how I really feel. After all, considering what's in store for me, she's going to be the only bright spot in my life for a long time.
I'm still going to try my hardest to make it out of the Arena alive, though. I've killed before. All I'll have to do is kill again.
Ohio Lequi, age 17
District 9 Male
I sigh as I sit in the Goodbye Room. Nine is a large District, so Kauri's going to have to take a car to the Justice Building in the Main Square to say her Goodbyes before the both of us head off to the train station. Since it'll take a while for Kauri to get here, I'm probably stuck with quite a bit of time.
At least there are things to do here. There are shelves of books and magazines, and I even see a computer terminal.
I feel myself tearing up as I think about how I've been Reaped into the Hunger Games, and I groan to myself. The last thing I want to feel right now is sadness. That's just going to distract me from surviving the Hunger Games. I get up from the plush couch and pace around the room, thinking about the Games.
What are my strengths? I think to myself. Well, if I think ahead and have a plan, I can be decent with words. I laugh. And if I don't have a plan, I usually end up making a fool out of myself. So I'd better make plans on how to act in the Games.
As I think, however, I find that the sadness I pushed away earlier keeps returning. Annoyed, I decide to think later and check out what's on the computer. I end up playing a game where you control a snake with the arrow keys until the door opens and two familiar faces walk in.
"Ah, I just died," I mutter as I glance back at the computer screen and see that my snake has run into a wall.
"Don't say that, Ohio," Faye says with a small smile as she closes the door behind her and Toukley. "I know we've grown apart over the years but I was hoping you'd be happier to see us."
My eyes widen in embarrassment. "Oh, no no no, I was talking about this game I was playing," I say quickly, standing up and gesturing at the computer screen. "Ah, sorry, I should've at least greeted you, Faye." I laugh awkwardly and scratch my back. "What's up?"
"I was just going to ask you that," Faye says, sitting on the couch across from me. Toukley follows, and I move the chair in front of the computer so that it's facing my friends.
"Since you just got Reaped I had to visit to see how you were doing and wish you luck," Toukley says. "And since Faye was here too I thought I might as well come in with her."
"Look, I'm sorry guys," I say, more gruffly than intended thanks to my sadness. I laugh awkwardly. "And I didn't mean for that to come out like that."
"Why are you sorry?" Faye asks gently.
"Because I kinda stopped talking to you guys as much as I used to thanks to work and stuff, and that's kinda lame," I say, looking down. "It sucks because now that I'm heading off to the Hunger Games, we don't exactly have a chance to get closer anymore. So the least I can do is apologize for drifting away."
"Don't apologize, Ohio," Toukley says, his voice strained. "I should be the one to apologize for drinking with you."
"Well I haven't touched alcohol for at least a year," I say, smiling, "and I've been doing good work in the fields since then so I think I'm good."
"Are you sure?" Faye asks, frowning. "We haven't really talked for a while. Is everything alright?"
"Well, I'm going into the Hunger Games," I say flatly.
"I hope you win," Faye says, looking into my eyes seriously. "Then we can maybe be friends again." She smiles at Toukley. "The three of us."
"I think you have what it takes, Ohio," Toukley says encouragingly, giving me a smile. "You can be Nine's first Victor, and everything will be great."
"Hopefully then I won't have to deal with feeling sad," I say, smiling back. "Alright guys. I'll try my best and if I manage to come home we'll catch up more."
"I'm gonna miss you, Ohio," Faye murmurs, looking down.
"Yeah, I'll miss you too," Toukley says.
"Hey guys, don't be too sad," I say with a smile, patting Faye on the shoulder. "I'll miss you two but life goes on, right?"
"I guess," Faye says, looking up and giving me a quick smile. She stands up slowly and adds, "Well, good luck in the Arena, Ohio. Do your best, okay?"
"I'll probably die anyways but okay," I say with a laugh. "Bye Faye, bye Toukley."
"Let's go, before they make us," Toukley murmurs, standing up as well. He and Faye make their way to the door, but before Toukley opens it he turns back to me.
"Listen to the trainers, Ohio," he says. "Learn stuff and just do whatever you can to survive."
"I will," I say, nodding.
Faye and Toukley nod back before opening the door, stepping through it, and closing it behind them.
My father is the last person to visit me. He's brief, giving me a quick hug and wishing me the best. Neither of us talk about the arson attack, but we're both fine with it.
I think I'm like my dad. We both work extra hard so we won't have to think about sad things.
A/N: Thank you to TheEngineeringGames for submitting Kauri, our District 9 Female, and thank you to cornellfann for submitting Ohio, our District 9 Male! What do you think of Kauri, Ohio, and Beaumont? If I wrote your character, how did I do? Please let me know what you think of the characters and the chapter in the reviews!
Next up is the District 10 Reaping, which will introduce Henrietta Fowl and Benji Patten. This will be brand-new content for the rewrite.
Thanks for reading, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
