District 9 female tribute (SkeltonsIntheCloset)

Name: Ryme (Rye) Callos

Age: 15

District: 9 grain

Family: Mom and dad, two little brothers, 1 older brother who was thought to be dead but is actually a rebel.

Romance: none

Appearance: long dark brown hair, shining green eyes, soft pale skin, short but a fast runner, never smiles, one goal for the games; to survive.

Weapon of Choice: anything long distance. Preferably a bow and arrows. She's also good with axes, and a mace.

Intro:

It was cold. My toes curled up under my feet. I didn't want to leave here, ever. But I knew if I didn't come back my family would be punished harshly. A public beating, maybe even a pubic hanging for all of them. So I got up off the log and slowly dragged my bare feet toward my district.

My name is Ryme Callos, I am from District 9, the district of grain. I usually work in the fields with my father, but today was different. Today I had been out hunting with no luck, I use throwing knives I carved and made myself. They're not the best, but they're pretty good if I do say so. Today is the day of the reaping, that's why I didn't have to go to work. I've dreaded this day every year it comes, two people from my district would be sent into an arena where only one of twenty four kids could come home. Not many District 9's have won the games, but there are some. Thankfully I've been kept out of the games since I was old enough to enter them. But every year I am reminded that 'This year might be different.' I can only hope and dream that this year will be the same. That two strangers will be chosen for the games, and my friends and I would be saved. I can only hope.

I hid my knives in an old oak tree and proceeded back to the fence.

As I reached home the children of my district were already flocking toward the Square for the reaping. I ran inside my one room hut and Mom greeted me with a sigh of relief, "I didn't know what happened to you!" She said, sounding exhausted.

"It's reaping day. You know I always go hunting every chance I get off work," I replied coldly.

Mom smiled at me weakly, she always liked to dress us up for this day and that made her happy. But now her eyes seemed old, worn, and tired. Probably tired of the Capitol and its lies.

I wanted to smile back, but I had absolutely nothing to smile about.

"I'll go get my dress," I mumbled. "Wait!" Mom called and dragged me over to the closet and opened it up.

She pulled out a gorgeous knee-length white satin dress, it's sleeves went down to the elbows and were slightly ruffled on the underside. I gazed at it in awe and Mother hugged me, then handed me the dress.

"Wear this. It was my mother's," She whispered. I took the dress, I was her only girl and she liked to always give me things. I didn't mind the little she gave me, it showed that she cared. And I tried to give as much if not more back to her.

I attempted a small smile and then went to dress.

When I came out Mother started crying. "Mom!" I whispered and hugged her tight. "You look so beautiful-" She whispered faintly. "Make me proud no matter what happens,"

"No matter what happens? What does that mean? Nothing is going to happen," I said pleadingly. She pulled back from our embrace and looked at me calmly. "I love you. Be safe," She kissed my forehead and ushered us out.

My two little brothers were only five and six, too young for the games thankfully. "Dice, Dendrik, lets go." Mom said, taking both their hands.

Dad came out of his room finally, and we all went together to the Square.

I left them behind the gates as I followed the many sad faces into the fenced in platform. The lady pricked my finger and I winced. She moved me along and I found my age group.

I took deep ragged breaths as I waited patiently. On the stage stood the escort and behind her sat the mayor, the mentors, and someone I'd never seen before. I looked at him, trying to figure out who he was and why he was here.

Then I found out, "Ladies and gentlemen, here we have Drakosa Umbras, an honored guest!" The escort announced.

I still didn't know who he was yet. But I soon found out as he walked forward and the escort mentioned that he was the Head Gamemaker.

I felt enraged, I clenched my fists and breathed hard through my nose. I hated him instantly. He was the one who created it all, he was in charge of the lives of all the tributes who entered the games. He controlled who lived and who died. I glared at him as he was pulled toward the microphone to speak.

He was hesitant at first, but he soon spoke, "Hello district of grain. I don't have much I can say because I was caught off guard with this. One thing I can say though, is that I am most appreciative of your services to the Capitol. You grow the finest of grain across the whole continent. And I thank you for that." He said. I blinked in surprise, I don't know of anyone in the Capitol who appreciated our work, or at least they never said they appreciate us. But now, here, the Head Gamemaker was thanking us for our work. It just didn't make sense.

The Gamemaker walked over to the big glass bowl, he was doing the boys first, which I found odd.

"Asher Brix," I heard someone crying behind me, I looked back to see an old woman sobbing behind the gates. But the boy called didn't come up. We waited, but he didn't come. There was a rustling in the crowd. Murmuring was heard, but still the boy didn't come on stage.

I wondered what could be going on, but then two boys ran through the gates and one dashed up on stage.

"Asher Brix?" The Gamemaker asked. The grandmother tried to make it to the stage but Peacekeepers stopped her.

I sighed and turned my eyes back to the stage where the escort walked to the girls bowl and pulled a name.

"Ryme Callos," She called out.

I yawned when she said it, I didn't get that it was me until she called it again, "Ryme Callos?"

I froze. No way.

My feet wouldn't move. I could barely breath, but I finally forced myself forward.

I walked to the stage and shook the escorts hand. She smiled at me and then I shook the Gamemakers hand, his eyes gave me chills. One was pitch black, and the other red and purple.

He gave me a little sad smile and moved so I could shake my fellow tributes hand. His ice eyes weren't as creepy as the Gamemakers, but they were still odd.

We walked inside the Justice Building and were put in separate rooms.

I waited silently in mine for my parents to come. But no one did. It took several minutes before someone finally came to see me. But it wasn't my family, it was the Mayor's daughter, Illea.

We stared a few minutes, me surprised and her in tears.

"I'm so sorry," She whispered. "Why?" I asked coldly. "It's not your fault," I added.

She sniffled and took a step closer. "My f-father bribed the escort to help him- rig the reaping- for the girl at least, he wanted you in." She struggled out. She sobbed heavily and I stepped closer, putting my hand on her shoulder.

"Why?" I grumbled, feeling my anger rising.

Illea looked up at me and took in a sharp breath before speaking, "He wants to- to get rid of your family-" She whispered.

"I had nothing to do with it!" She squealed out. "I did manage to get him to leave your brothers alone, but he will kill your parents."

I started breathing heavily and almost hyperventilating. "No! He can't do that! You have to stop him!" I shouted, taking her by the shoulders and shaking her violently.

She struggled not to cry, this was awful! Why would the mayor want to kill my parents? It just didn't make any sense.

"I tried to get him to stop. But he won't! I don't know why he'd wanna hurt your parents, but he does! And there's nothing I can do," She answered sadly.

I removed my hands from her shoulders only to lock her in an embrace as I cried. She cried too and just held me there. "Take care of them for me." I sobbed onto her shoulder, "Take care of Dice and Dendrik, please." I whispered.

Illea nodded and pulled back. She smiled weakly, "You'll win." She whispered. "You can do it." My eyes welled up and I nodded.

"Here, take this-" Illea reached into her dress pocket and pulled out a metal ringlet, the picture of a tiger carved into the center. "For luck. Your district token," She explained, placing it in my hand and closing my fingers around it. "The eye of the tiger, they're gonna hear you roar. Show them, be amazing," I hardly knew this girl, and here she was acting as if we'd been best friends or something.

"Win." She said sternly. I wiped my tears bravely and took the pendant. She smiled and her eyes sparkled, "Don't worry about your brothers. I'll take good care of them," She whispered. I nodded and a Peacekeeper opened the door announcing that our time was up.

I gave this girl one last hug and she left. I opened my palm and looked at the little trinket she'd left behind. Then I noticed a chain, it was a necklace.

I opened the clasp and put it around my neck, then they came for me and led me away to my death.