content warning for domestic abuse in Octavia's POV

Valerius "Val" Vella, 18

District 2 Male

Being beloved was such an exhilarating feeling. It was something I relished and wouldn't relinquish for anything in the world. I'd worked hard to develop and repair my reputation and I deserved to enjoy the benefits of my success.

And my soup kitchen was one of my greatest successes. I'd opened it with a mix of my own funds and funds I won from Vladimir Volkov, the richest banker in District 2. He had a love of gambling and I knew there was nothing more humiliating for him than to lose to me.

After the execution of my parents and the suicide of my older brother, my sister Octavia and I were left in ruin. My parents made some disastrous political choices and were sold out by their wealthy peers, whose only loyalty was to their money. I'd fought tooth and nail to gain respect, and while I wasn't entirely there, I had the love of the poor of District 2. There was no better way to get back at the rich than to help the poor thrive.

"Good morning Anne," I said as I walked into the large sitting area of the soup kitchen. Anne was one of the several volunteers here, and the most dedicated. She was adopted and said she wanted to pay forward the kindness she'd been shown. She was also just very pleasant to be around.

"Good morning," she said, looking up from the ingredients she was collecting. "How are you?"

"A bit tired," I said with a laugh. I had an…eventful night with two of my favorite lovers. I was thoroughly worn out now, but thoroughly satisfied.

"What are you making?" I asked Anne.

"Meatloaf and biscuits," she said. "Want to give me a hand?"

"I will in a bit," I replied. "I have a few bills to sort through." She gave me a thumbs up as I went into my small office.

I did have some financial statements to manage, but I also had something else up my sleeve. Tomorrow was Reaping Day, which meant the betting would start. If I could get an inside look at who would be volunteering, I could potentially convince the other betters to go after someone else. I'd put my money on the real winner and take the money out from under their stupid, snobby noses.

I would do anything to make them suffer.

Octavia Jacobs, 18

District 2 Female

"Show mommy where the pig is?" I said gently. Drusus babbled the word and pointed at the pig in the picture book.

"Good job!" I said, kissing the top of his head. He cooed in excitement, but then climbed off my lap and toddled toward the door. I fought the urge to wince as I heard someone opening it. It was either Hilda, our maid, or my husband Cassius. I was praying it was Hilda.

But my prayers were not answered. Cassius stepped inside and shrugged off his coat.

"Daddy!" Drusus said excitedly. Cassius scooped him up, holding him up in the air and blowing a raspberry on his belly. Drusus giggled happily and I couldn't help but smile. As much as I despised my husband, I had to admit that he was good with Drusus. My son would miss his father when he died.

Next week, my plan would come to fruition. We were having dinner with the Volkov family, and Ruby Volkov was a friend of mine. She was also a clever, secretive woman with dangerous knowledge I was going to utilize. We were having pufferfish imported from District 4, and she and I would be eliminating Cassius.

My husband was a monster. He was cruel and abusive, and only cared about power. But I couldn't deny I was thirsty for power too. I only married Cassius to advance myself politically after my parents were executed. My brother Val was against it, but I knew I had to make my own choice. And marrying Cassius was the right one.

But Drusus's birth changed things. My desire for power shifted to a desire for him to have power. I couldn't let my son suffer the way I did. Valerius had saved our family's reputation, but I wanted to make my own.

Cassius set Drusus down and looked at me.

"How did brunch go?" he asked. I stood up, staring him down.

"It went well. Mrs. Laurier agreed to our terms and is willing to begin making payments starting next month."

"Next month?" Cassius's eye twitched slightly and I clenched my fists. He set Drusus down and came to tower over me.

Before I could flinch, his hand struck the side of my face. I stumbled back, nearly tripping over the picture books on the floor. Once I got my balance back, Cassius got up in my face.

"Next month is not adequate. He will pay us by next week or you will pay."

"I'll get it done," I snapped, moving away from him. "Now, if you'll allow it, I have to put Drusus to bed."

I picked up my wide-eyed, teary son and raced up the stairs.

Hi! Here is our next intro chapter! Thank you to Carlpopa707 for Val and Octavia. Sibling pairs are always so interesting in the arena. I hope you enjoyed reading about these two. Please leave a review and let know your thoughts! And I'm sorry this chapter was on the shorter side. I had a chaotic week and not much writing time.

Also, a quick note about updates: I plan to update this story twice a week, every other week. It will be on Sundays and Wednesdays, or just Sunddays. Hopefully that makes sense! And I'll "see" you this Wednesday with the District 9 intros!

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

- Fiona