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[Main] Characters introduced this chapter:

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INCASE YOU MISSED THE PREVIOUS WARNINGS, PLEASE GO BACK AND CHECK THEM. ASSUME ALL CHAPTERS HAVE THESE IN THEM AND READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. TOO MANY CHAPTERS WILL HAVE THESE THEMES TO WARN YOU ABOUT THEM INDIVIDUALLY.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

FINAL WARNING: TROUBLING AND/OR DISTURBING THEMES AND TOPICS WILL BE MENTIONED.

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...

Quiet...

The leaves gently blew in the breeze. And the grass softly swayed in the wind. Trees still had their bright, and vibrant green leaves, and the sky was a nice blue, fading into a gentle yellow. The forest had been breath taking. Barely any clouds littered the sky. It would be calming, if it wasn't a day before the reaping. It was almost as if everything had been fine. Almost... But not quite.

Fear was something natural. Something objects have just learn to bare. They had to. After all, without fear, the capital had no control... And that was something they couldn't let happen. That's just how corrupt the system is. At least, that's what Taco thought. Taco was a seventeen year old girl, her small size leads people to believe she is younger then she is, but looks can be deceiving. Taco had quite the ego. And for good reason, she was quite fast, sharp, and exceptionally intelligent. After all, you had to be in this world. ESPECIALLY if you were a food object.

Taco took residence in District Twelve. The poorest of the current Districts... Objects were starving. This wasn't the best for Objects like herself. Her object type was usually looked down upon... A food object... Treated as IF literally property or inanimate objects. Sold, and eaten... used for others gain. It wasn't fair... Luckily, Taco had avoided that. She was probably the only 'free', food object in District Twelve. If you could even call it that... Being constantly hunted isn't something Taco would consider 'freedom'.

However... Taco was currently outside of District Twelve. She snuck through the Chain-link fence, and had been hunting outside. In hopes to find more food to sell, or eat. Taco briskly rushed over to the spot she kept her bow, and promptly picked it up. She dusted a few leaves off it and poked at the string to check if it was still intact, which, it was. She continued deeper into the forest, watching as the tree cover began to thicken, and feeling the leaves crinkle beneath her feet. She picked up a few sturdy sticks now and again, until she reached a clearing, she immediately picked up a semi-sharp rock and sat on a stump and placed the bow leaning on it beside her as she began to sharpen the sticks that she had found.

She watched as the small flakes of wood flew off and the stick's tip got sharper, and sharper. She hummed a small tune as she did this, after all, this is the most relaxing she usually can get. ESPECIALLY alone. Taco finished the first one of twelve sticks, and moved onto the next. As she did this she pondered who would be the most beneficial to be selected in the reaping. Probably the kids that knew of her existence, more specifically the older ones. The other kids won't kill her. You can't kill something that you don't know exists, or At least... for the most part. Those kids would most likely die in the games, then there would be no proof of her existence. Then again, miracles can happen.

Taco sighed and stopped sharpening the last stick. It was done, she placed the arrows in her shell carefully, and hopped off the stump. She grabbed her bow that a Thad been leaning against the stump and Began to make her way deeper into the forest. Taco was carful, she checked around trees as quietly as she could, as to not scare away any animals that could be nearby. She tread lightly through the forest, until she saw a flock of birds.

Taco stopped in her tracks and and readied an arrow. She took a deep breath and drew the arrow. Taco steadies her aim carefully. Suddenly, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, she spun around in a panic and shot the arrow. The flock of birds flew away hastily as the taller object yelped and stumbled back. Luckily, the arrow only hit the tree beside him.

"Oh GOD-! Jesus!" The taller object huffed in his heavy British accent, as he put his hand over his 'chest' area in shock.

"I- YOU IDIOT!!! Do you KNOW what would've happened if you were just a few more inches to the left?!" Taco hissed angrily in her cold, yet similar British accent. As she ran over and yanked the arrow out of the tree. "DON'T sneak up on me Silver..."

"Well I'm sooorry Ms. Can't deal with being tapped on the shoulder." Silver sassed as he crossed his arms.

"Don't take that tone with me... You KNOW for a FACT we aren't supposed to be out here..." Taco reminded, she also jabbed the arrow she was holding near his face, though she had to reach up to do it. "I'm just trying to hunt some food, so we can get some fucking money- Speaking of which, why aren't YOU at the market?" Taco asked as she lowered the arrow.

"Because it would be SOOO boring without you!" Silver teased, as he gestured towards Taco with his hand.

Taco's eye twitched as her face shifted from confusion to anger. "Are you STUPID?! I CAN'T GO OUT IN PUBLIC! You fucking DUMBASS." She seethed.

"Oh. Right..." Silver mumbled as he looked to the side in embarrassment.

"I- you're serious? We LIVE together, and you actually forgot- I'm gonna kill you!" Taco gritted through her teeth, as she clenched the arrow tighter in her fist.

"Ugh... Yeah sure..." Silver scoffed as he rolled his eyes and looked to the side.

"You're and Idiot..." Taco said bluntly. "You know what? Just... Be a quiet idiot, or go away..."

Silver nods dramatically and leaned against a tree as Taco walked a bit further away to a different flock of birds, they were slightly smaller but... They'll have to do.

Taco took another deep breath, and aimed her bow. She drew the arrow, keeping FULL attention on the birds, and not whatever the hell Silver was doing in the distance. She released the arrow and watched as it shot the closest bird. The rest of the birds were startled and started to fly away, but Taco quickly grabbed, and drew another arrow and shot a second mid air. It fell to the ground and Taco smiled proudly.

"THATS how it's done!" She boasted, as she her bow on the ground and ran towards the dead animals.

"Great! You did your job! Yaaaay! Congratulations." Silver replied sarcastically whilst clapping his hands.

"Oh shut up... Be happy we're eating today." Taco hissed, not pleased with Silver's attitude. She removed the bag she had on her shoulders and placed it down. Taco then placed the birds in the bag before hauling the bag back where it was previously.

"Mhm... You done yet?" Silver asked, he then allowed his arms to drop to his sides, as he slightly turned in the direction of the District.

"Nearly. God, you're impatient." Taco huffed as she jogged towards the taller object.

"Mhm, Mhm... And YOU have quite the attitude!" Silver retaliated, smugly smiling at Taco as she slightly shoved him out of the way.

"Yeah, Yeah... I'm going home, you go finish at the market-."

"Oh, but now there's no point! You are going home, and it's already just nearly sunset! I might as well go home with you." Silver sweet-talked with the same smug smile on.

Taco froze for a second before she darted her vision back at him. "You didn't go to the market on PURPOSE didn't you!" Taco hissed, she didn't look happy.

"Well- er... Look dear, I had a long day today okay? And I didn't want to go... I'm sorry." Silver mumbled under his breath. He knew Taco was upset.

"ARE YOU- Ugh... One, Don't EVER call me dear, or I swear to god I'll bend you in half. Two, where the fuck is this blatant LAZINESS coming from?!" Taco fumed, pretty angry at Silver.

"Maybe the fact that I don't want to do anything for someone with such a bad attitude..." Silver said as he rolled his eyes and stopped leaning on the tree he was next to.he then yelped as Taco grabbed one of her arrows and hit him with the side of it. "Ow! Ow ow- Okay! Okay! I'm just nervous alright? God!" Silver flinched, he rubbed his arm where Taco had hit him with the arrow, she didn't hit him very hard. He was being dramatic.

"Oh don't be such a drama queen... Is this about the reaping or something?" Taco asked as she placed the arrow back in her shell.

"Yes actually." Silver said as Taco began to walk back towards the District, Silver followed shortly behind.

Taco sighs. "Silver... The odds, they're so slim, we're most likely fine." Taco
reassured as she pushed a small branch out of her way.

"Yeah, but there's always the chance..." Silver adds. He stepped over the branch and crossed his arms again.

"Yeah... But, it's nearly one in two thousand kids... I HIGHLY doubt one of us will be picked." Taco replied.

"But-!" Silver spoon started, but Taco angrily cut in.

"No! No 'but's or 'what if's" Taco turned slightly while walking to look up at Silver. "This is EXACTLY what the Capital wants us to do... Be in constant fear, so they can have the control. I won't stand for it. It's so... Bullshit. What they put me and MY kind through... It's just not fair." Taco looked away sadly.

"I know, I know..." Silver sighs. "Sorry for bringing such things up."

"It's whatever... I just- You know what? We're almost there... Let's just get home." Taco mumbled as she ducked underneath the chain-link fence again.

"Alright." Silver agreed as he also ducked underneath the fence, he was a bit larger so he had to be more careful.

Taco and Silver continue to walk down a path, back to their house in the thicker part of the forest in the district. They had to go through a small housing area with an ally to get there, but while passing through, Two objects stepped around the corner. Stopping Taco and Silver immediately. One of them was a mask, the other was a duffle bag looking object.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in!" The first one boasted as they stepped closer, and crossed his arms.

"Shit..." Taco mumbled under her breath, she took a step back.

"Oh god..." Silver whispered. He was frozen in place. This was the exact situation Taco and Silver wanted to avoid.

"Hey Spoon fella, how'd you find her huh?" The other one asked. These objects were clearly looking for trouble...

"I- UGH! Back off!" Silver hissed as he took a step further offensively.

"Yeah." Taco growled. She seemed pissed. Taco fixed her posture to seem more threatening.

"Hm... You seem quite uneasy... I just wanna know if you're selling! If so, how much?" The first one smiled smugly.

"I- SHE'S MY FRIEND YOU UNHOLY, LOW LIVED BASTARD!" Silver Gritted through his teeth, as he clenched his fists.

"Pft! hahah- 'Friend'? HER? You must be insane!" The man giggled, he looked at Silver, then Taco. "You know what she is right?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I DO! I just don't care! She's my friend- So fuck right off!" Silver shouted angrily.

"I'm gonna fucking kill them..." Taco whispered to silver, she looked like she was HEAVILY restraining herself. Like if Taco had it her way, both the opposing objects would be dead on the floor.

"I don't want murder on our hands right now..." Silver whispered back. As he slightly walked backwards to reach earshot of Taco's whispers.

"What's that? I'm gonna need you to speak up!" The Mask laughed. "You know... You both are really pathetic..."

"ILL SHOW YOU PATHETIC!!!" Taco screamed as she took an angry step closer.

"Oh hush up sweetie... The grown ups are talking." The bag sneered. He seemed agitated with Taco's attitude. But Taco didn't give a shit.

"So how much? How bout... Ten gold Coins eh? That's like 150 Silver parts! Good deal? Otherwise I'll have to kill ya." The mask explained as he put his hands behind his back.

"OVER MY DEAD BODY!" Silver shouted. Though he made a sound of being nervous as they both took a step closer.

"That can be arranged..." The mask hissed, his face shifting from a smug one to a cold and angry one.

"Take another step, and I swear to god you won't be able to get the taste of dirt out of your mouth until the next reaping." Taco said in monotone growl.

"Heh, what are you gonna do?" The mask asked in a menacing voice. He took out a knife, Taco didn't even flinch.

"Kick your ass..." Taco responded.

"Hah! I'd like to see you try." The mask boasted as he took another step closer, but... That was a mistake.

Taco bolted forward, the two flinched and one slashed the knife at her, but Taco easily ducked under it and swept the first's legs, then grabbed the wrist of the second and yanked them to the ground, Taco then punched them both in the back of their 'Head area's' incredibly hard, and they both are knocked out immediately.

Silver stood there, wide-eyed, completely in shock. His mouth was open in shock, seems his plan was just to run away.

Taco looked back at him, then back at the two on the floor, but as she registered the look on his face, she swiftly looked back at Silver. "What? I warned them." She spat.

"I-I had no idea y-you could do THAT..." Silver mumbled in shock, his arms dropped to his sides.

"How else do you think I survived all these years? I've been on the 'streets' since I was six..." Taco raised an Eyebrow.

"I-I don't know! I thought that- jeez... I just didn't expect that is all." Silver nervously rubbed the back of his 'head'.

Taco sighed. "That's reasonable... The POINT is for people to underestimate me..." Taco pointed at herself.

"I mean- well... Yeah..." Silver agreed, he nodded his 'head' a small amount.

"We should get out of here before they wake up, come on." Taco waved Silver over as she ran towards the thicker forest in the distance.

"Alright, I'm coming...!" Silver shouted as he followed her under the tree cover. A wave of safety washed over them both.

"Do me a favour, and pick a more conspicuous path home next time, Hm?" Taco said as she looked behind herself.

"Ah... That would probably be best. Hahah..." Silver smiled apologetically, his face then slowly shifted to a frown. "Sorry you had to deal with that."

"Oh... I'm used to it already... Just drop it alright?" Taco reassured, trying to change the subject. she tugged on a rope that dropped a ladder down.

"Alright..." Silver grabbed the ladder and climbed up, Taco swiftly followed. Silver always struggled with the ladder, but he managed.

They both reached the top and Taco dusted her hands off. Silver looked over at her and Noticed something. He flinched a little.

"Taco, dear... Your fists are bleeding." Silver said as he pointed at Taco's hands.

"They are- WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT THAT NICKNAME?!" Taco spat angrily.

"Well I'm sorry! But I'm TRYING to help!" Silver reasoned. He looked away from her and went through the door to their treehouse.

"I STILL HATE THAT NAME!" Taco shouted as she also stepped through the door.

The tree house was a pretty open one. A decent size with a makeshift stove, table and couch. There was also two beds, they had large, thick, but torn blankets. They needed to be replaced. There was one large window that was pointed towards the mountains surrounding the district. And there was a torn mat underneath the table. A couple cupboards were filled with various items and dishes. And Taco had a collection of hunting gear under her bed, while silver had his plethora of shiny trinkets on a shelf displayed next to his bed.

Taco walked over to the makeshift stove, and grabbed a kettle-looking device. She poured some water inside and started a fire. She then began to prepare one of the birds she caught. Silver walked over to the table and sat down. He loudly sighed and stared out of the window while Taco prepared the bird. Once Taco was done, she put the bird over the flame part of the stove, and stepped away.

"That should do it..." Taco mumbled to herself. She then waited for the water to boil.

"So... Have anything note worthy to talk about?" Silver asked out of boredom. He turned away from the window, and leaned towards the direction of Taco to hear her easier.

"I mean... Other then the reaping? I don't know..." Taco mumbled. Not really wanting to partake in any sort of conversation.

"Do you think one of us will be picked?" Silver raised an eyebrow worriedly.

Taco gave him a look as if he was crazy. "What? Please! I doubt it... Haven't I said this before?" Taco smiled. "I mean... We have pretty good odds..."

"True... But- What if we DO get picked?!" Silver worried. He seemed genuinely nervous.

Taco frowned and then looked to the side. "I mean... It will probably be fine silver... We've survived all this time... you know?" Taco paused for a minute and then sighed as she looked back at Silver directly. "Okay, Hypothetically... if you WERE picked, what weapon would you use?"

"What- huh? Where did this come from?!" Silver asked, confused.

"It's just a question! I'm TRYING to lighten the mood dimwit!" Taco giggled, and leaned against the shelf behind her.

"I-I mean... uhm... Maybe a sword? Or- a cross bow?" Silver nervously smiled and shrugged a small bit.

"What- A SWORD?! PFT!!! HAHAHAHA!" Taco laughed, and practically fell over.

"H-hey! What's so funny?! I want to use a sword! Is that so hard to understand?!" Silver said, his face annoyance laced with confusion.

"HAHA...hehe..." Taco wiped a tear from her eyes. "You... My friend... Wouldn't even be able to PICK UP the sword! It would fall out of your hands immediately!" Taco explained smugly.

"HEY! Are you calling me weak?!" Silver asked, slightly taken aback. "It would certainly not!"

"S- hahah... Silver! You have trouble dragging the water cart back to the treehouse! Let alone getting the water back up to it! You really- Pft... You Really think you'd be able to carry a large, HEAVY, metal stick? You'd kill yourself with it! Let alone kill the other tributes." Taco once again explained, she steadied her stance and crossed her arms.

"Well I thought it would be cool! I'd be like... A pirate! Or... Something like that..." Silver said in slightly nervous now.

"The only thing YOU'D be, is an embarrassment." Taco sassed. She was trying to contain her laughter.

Silver scoffed. "Would not!" He whined as he slouched back in his seat and pouted.

"Would so! Now you're acting Like a baby! That was probably dropped on it's head." Taco giggled.

"WHAT- AM NOT!" Silver shouted angrily, he sat back up straight and crossed his arms again.

"Are too~~!" Taco teased. She checked the water again, and the bird. The water was close, the bird still had some time to go.

"W-WELL YOU LOOK LIKE A BABY!" Silver shouted proudly as he smiled smugly at Taco.

Taco slammed her fist agains the side of the shelf and used the other arm to point at Silver. "WE AGREED HIGHT IS OFF LIMITS!" Taco fumed.

"Well I'm SORRY! But we were on the topic of babies, and I saw an opportunity!" Silver explained teasingly.

"You... I'm gonna kick your fucking ass, you hear me?" Taco gritted through her teeth.

"Yeah, yeah. I know." Silver laughed he looked away from Taco, to avoid laughing at the look on her face.

Taco grabs the kettle and pours tea for them both, but gives Silver the shitty cup ON PURPOSE, and hands it to him smugly. "Here you go!" Taco said as she stepped away.

"I- ugh you-! Isn't this the cup you made horribly, by hand, ON PURPOSE just to fuck with me?!" Silver asked as he stared down at the cup.

"Mhm!" Taco hummed. Quite amused.

"Oh! How dare you!" Silver shouted dramatically, trying to make a scene on purpose. Even if it was only the two of them there.

"Well, don't be such a pain in my ass!" Taco said teasingly. She then took a sip of her tea.

"WHY YOU- I WAS SIMPLY EXPLAINING WHAT I WOULD USE AS A WEAPON!" Silver seethed as he slammed his fist down on the table, which made the cup rattle a small amount.

"Quit your whining. Be happy I gave you anything." Taco stuck her tongue out mockingly.

"UGH. Fine. But if I find any chipped paint in here- and I mean ANY, it's going ALL over your face!" Silver hissed defeated.

"Alright, hahah..." Taco smiled.

"Say, how much of the water did you use?" Silver raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, the rest of that bottle? Why?" Taco showed him the empty bottle she threw in the trash pile.

"Oh. Fuck. That was the last one..." Silver sighed as he took a sip from his tea, and coughed, seemingly finding a piece of chipped paint the hard way. "Bleh..." He mumbled under his breath.

"What? Shit! Why didn't you tell me as I was pouring the damn thing?!" Taco asked, annoyed with the situation, not Silver.

"I didn't notice!" Silver defended. He stood up and looked in the kettle. "Shit... Nothing left!"

"Now we have to buy more... Fuck..." Taco sighed. And looked up at Silver.

"Aw... I didn't wanna have to go today!" Silver mumbled sadly. He then watched as Taco dragged out Silver's backpack. Silver looked over to Taco and raised an eyebrow. "What do you plan on doing with THAT?" Silver asked.

"Oh, I can fit in your backpack. So I can come too." Taco explained.

"Oh! Well then! God bless your small object-ness!" Silver happily shouted as he clapped his hands.

"We should get going now. It's getting late." Taco reminded as she hopped in the backpack.

"Right! Let's go!" Silver said as he picked up the backpack. He zipped it up, but not too much, as Taco still needed to breath, and probably wanted a peeking hole.

Silver made his way towards the ladder to head down to the market.

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WRITERS NOTE!

Heyyy! I'm trying my best to write this book into the context of objects, if you have any suggestions or things I may have missed, I'd be happy to hear about it! I'm so excited to continue this project with you guys!

See you in the next chapter!!

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