D2 M: Talon Carter

Age: 18

. . .

Talon sighed as he headed home from the training centre; today was his last day before the Hunger Games began. Talon was ready and going to win, but he had to say Kya was a handful. Talon knew Kya was his district partner and, if all went well, his quell partner, but by Panem, everything was a competition with her. Don't get him wrong, Talon loved a good competition, but not that much like competing with him. Kya could turn walking down the hall into a race.

His mom and pop just tell Talon to ignore it, but from the day he met her, Talon was sure she was the most tiring person to deal with in all of Panem.

Every day, he was thankful he was born in District 2. He could not imagine living with Kya day in and day out. He heard from the peacekeepers who originate from District 1 that everyone in the Academy, even if they got folks or were not even training to volunteer, lived together in dorms. Just spending the Hunger Games with Kya would be enough for him.

Sometimes, his mind whispers how much he loved doing those peacekeeper recruiting videos and how he loved learning the lines and performing under the bright lights. Sometimes, his mind wishes he was a 1. Though that was rare, he pushed the thoughts away as soon as he got them.

However, he could not imagine doing anything else but working towards his dream of being a victor. Besides, if he lived in District 1, he wouldn't have his parents there every step of the way cheering him on. After winning, they would have a great life in Victor's Village with him; they would be neighbours with their idols; on top of that, they would have a Victor for a son but a Quell Victor.

He would make his parents proud, and not only his parents but the whole district. Everything he has done has led up to this moment, and he was excited.

Before he knew it, he was home. He took in his house, with its picket fence and light blue walls, and knew in his heart that this would be the last time he would sleep there. As he walked in, to his surprise, nobody was home.

As he looked around for his parents, he saw a note on the kitchen table,

Dearheart, you make us so proud. We know it is your final night here, and we don't want to distract you. But son, dinner is the fridge, and your father and I want you to know we love you so much, and we would have been just as proud as you becoming a Peacekeeper than a volunteer.

Dearheart, you are so special and always strive to be the best. We suppose that is our fault. We encourage you all the way. We will be watching and know we love you no matter what happens.

All our love, Mom and Dad

Talon found himself reading the note over and over again. They left him alone tonight. Why? He knew his mom had been having problems with hysterics in the past year, but it seemed to be getting better. Logically, he knew it was better for him not to see his mom's hysterics before the games started, but... he missed them. They had been so busy in the past month; his mom had been getting better and was barely in the house when he was home.

It didn't matter anyway; he would spend tons of time with them when he came home and get a capital doctor to fix his mom. That way, his dad wouldn't keep having to take her away when she had a fit; she seemed to have a lot of fits around him.

He sighed; it was for the best.

Talon found himself skipping dinner and heading straight for bed.

. . .

The morning was bright on reaping day. Today was the day, and Talon was ready; he looked into the mirror, fixing his suit for the last time, before heading out to the city centre.

Talon was prepared and ready to show everyone just how good of a tribute he could be. He arrived at the city centre just before all the Victors started to fill the benches on the stage, while Brutus and Enobaria took the only chairs showcasing their status as mentors.

About half an hour later, when everyone was present, District 2 Escort Rainan Cruise walked on stage smiling.

Clapping over the loudspeaker to gather everyone's attention before saying, "Happy Reaping Day! Now, I know everyone is excited, but before we get this show started, we will hear a few words for our illustrious President."

After Rainan finished speaking, President Snow's face flickered to life over the huge billboard screens.

War, terrible war. Widows, orphans, a motherless child. This was the uprising that rocked our land. Thirteen Districts rebelled against the country that fed them, loved them, protected them. Brother turned on brother until nothing remained. And then came the peace, hard fought, sorely won. A people rose up from the ashes and a new era was born. But freedom has a cost. When the traitors were defeated, we swore as a nation we would never know this treason again.

And so it was decreed, that each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up in tribute, one young man and woman, to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice. The lone Victor, bathed in riches, would serve as a reminder of our generosity and our forgiveness. This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.

On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes that who would represent it.

On the fiftieth anniversary, as a reminder that two rebels died for each Capitol citizen, every district was required to send twice as many tributes.

On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the united rebels cannot overcome the power of the Capitol and to show the mercy of the Capital, the twenty-four tributes will be split into twelve groups of two decided by the Capitol, and those two, if they make it to the end, can become joint victors.

After the speech ended, thunderous applause rang through the city in celebration. Rainan just smiled indulgently before gesturing with his hands for everyone to calm down.

"Now, everyone, I won't keep you in suspense. Let's start with the boys." Talon watched as Rainan plucked a name from the bowl, "Talon Carter."

Talon felt the world spin. He was reaped, but he was supposed to volunteer. Talon felt himself start to panic as he practically jogged up onto the stage. But he managed to calm himself before Rainan asked him any questions.

Rainan paused for a second, almost as if to wait for a volunteer before Talon saw the recognition in his eyes; as Rainan recognized, he managed to pull the name of the volunteer, the same name submitted to him months ago.

Rainan cleared his throat then, to try to cover the awkward pause, "Well then, Talon Carter, our male tribute."