District 11

Kaiden Tearzon:

Sweat poured down my face as I locked eyes with the boy standing before me, his eyes piercing into mine, daring me to make the next move.

I had never been one to pass up opportunities so I sent a hard punch toward his jaw, he grabbed my fist midair. Before he could even begin to twist it I brought my left arm around and cracked his jaw successfully this time and he fell to the ground, releasing my fist.

An excited cheer ran through the audience of the Hob, backing up a few steps panting a little. I resisted the urge to look at the crowd surrounding me, knowing better than to take my eyes off my competitor before I had won.

"1.... 2.... 3...." I heard the grubby announcers voice ring and I watched the boy in front of me groggily open his eyes and attempt to get up. Failing, he collapsed to the ground again and lay motionless.  I felt a little concerned, I hadn't meant to hit him that hard.

"....9 .....10. Kaiden Tearzon is our winner, if you bet on Tearzon, collect your winnings at the table where you placed them." I raised my first in the air for a few seconds, letting my neck fall back in relief. I really hadn't thought I'd come out on top this time.

I let my fist drop as everyone started to go about their ways and I made my way over to the guy I had been fighting who was still on the ground. "Hey," I said extending my hand to him, "Good fight. Better luck next time."

He glared at me and swatted my hand away. "Thanks, I won't need it though." He said sarcastically, painfully pulling himself to his feet.

I felt a twinge of anger at his attitude, I held my tongue and started walking away. Anything I said would be hostile. What a sore looser I thought bitterly as I bustled through the crowd looking for my friends. My eyes eventually settled on a familiar head of black dreads. "Willow!" I yelled and she turned around calmly.

"Oh hey, Kai, the tournament manager is looking for you." She said distractedly, "He went that way." She said casually pointing her thumb behind her shoulder. I dimly wondered why she was so distracted, but I figured it couldn't be that important.

"Thanks Willow, I'll catch you later." I waved and walked in the direction she had pointed.

In almost no time I saw the round figure of Rupert, he was sorting through some money. I wondered if it was the reward he promised for whoever won the tournament. I walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder, he looked at me startled a second before his face warmed up. "How's my favorite you fighter?" He asked hitting my roughly on the back.

"Good. I heard you were looking for me?" I asked raising an eyebrow, wondering if he was going to give me my prize money.

He stuffed the wad of money in his pocket as if reading my mind. "I was just looking to tell you that I can't pay you until a later date." He said hurriedly crossing his arms over his chest.

I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. "Why not?" I demanded, severely pissed. I didn't fight for fun, I fought for extra money. I worked hard for this, and now he was trying to con me? I don't think so.

He sigh, not even flinching under my signature 'death glare' that made even my brother flinch. "See I owe some guys some money I need to pay off before they kill me, now you're a nice guy-"

"I'm not nice when you owe me money! You shouldn't of offered a reward for the winner if you couldn't pay them." I growled cutting him off angrily. I considered beating him up, I knew I could, but I wasn't that brutish. I sigh in frustration, on some level I knew that he really did owe some guys money and that they were really going to kill him. I felt bad, I couldn't help it.

I was about to give in when he handed me the wad of money, "Here, take it. I guess I got a few weeks to pay those guys." He shrugged and walked away, throwing a "See you around, Tearzon!" over his shoulder, before disappearing into the crowd.

I stood there shocked, Rupert gave me the money without a fight? Why? Had he felt bad or something? Rupert is a heartless sociopath though.... I shook off my confusion, I had never been one for thinking. It didn't matter, I had the money and that was what I had come for.

I stuffed it in my pocket bathing in the satisfaction of my winnings, the extra money would be a huge help to my brother and I. We could eat til we were full for the first time since the last fist fighting tournament I had won. The tournaments were far and few between, though. Generally they were scheduled on days that we were given off from the orchard work. Today for example; was reaping day, so we got the half a day before the reaping to ourselves.

I moved to the nearest stand selling food to my excitement I realized it was dried meat! Meat that was uncommon in 11. We lived off leftover fruits mostly, every so often someone would risk traveling to 10 which was only a few miles off to smuggle meat over here.

Rapidly I handed the woman my wad of cash, "Here, I want all the meat it can buy, please." I said trying to keep the excitement from my voice.

The old woman laughed, counting the money, "My son used to love meat as well, whenever my husband crossed into 10 to get it, we'd have all we could do to keep him from eating it all- You have 80 dollars here... You were the one who won the contest?" She asked a bit suspiciously.

I nodded, "Yeah. It was a lot harder than I expected." I shrugged, "I still managed though."

She smiled as if her faith was restored in me, "Yes, I'm sure it was. 80 dollars will buy 160 strips of meat."

My jaw dropped, that was enough meat to last me to eternity- or at least a day anyway. The old woman started to pile all of the meat I was able to buy into a small burlap bag. I wasted no time in reaching forward stuffing one of the strips of meat into my mouth. I closed my mouth as I chewed, focusing on the sensation it flooded my mouth with. It tasted like heaven, some of the best meat I've ever had. The woman sent me a warm smile before handing it to me.

"Thanks!" I said turning away and walking out of the hob, fighting the bustling crowd. Finally I made it onto the open street and I started toward my home. I knew that Kerrigan, my brother, would be furious that I had been fist fighting again but hopefully the meat would make up for it... The sweet delicious meat. I looked at it a second, trying to resist and save it to share with my brother. I lost,  wasting no time in sticking another slab in my mouth.

Suddenly someone jumped on my back, I yelled, stumbling forward a few steps but catching myself, somehow managing not to drop my bag of meat.

"Hey. Is that meat? I like meat." A very familiar voice said in my ear, instantly I eased up.

"Xaviar, if you get off my back I will give you a piece." I said borderline annoyed. Xaviar needed to learn about personal boundaries.

The petite boy slid from my back and reached his hand into my bag of meat, pulling out the largest piece and putting it in his mouth.

"I told him not to jump on your back." A softer voice said from behind me, I turned to see the gentle giant, who was ironically named Wilder.

"Here." I said handing him a piece as well, knowing that such a big guy must need it.

"Are you sure? I don't want to take your winnings...." He said hesitantly, though I knew he wanted it. I sigh, sometimes Wilder could be be annoyingly nice.

"Take it before I shove it in your mouth." I said smiling, but only half joking.

He took it and thanked me, "Where's Willow?" I asked, scanning the surroundings for the fourth member of our quintet.

"I don't know." Xaviar said chewing with his mouth full, and very unconcerned. "She's been acting weird lately. Maybe she's on that special time of month." He suggested rather unhelpfully. "Best not go not her for 5-6 days."

"That's kind of mean Xav, girls can't help it if blood comes out of their vagina once a month." Wilder whispered timidly, wringing his shirt nervously in his big sweaty palms.

Xaviar cocked his head to one side thoughtfully, "You know... What if its all a scam? Trick us guys into thinking that they bleed out of their privates once a month so they can go around being evil for a few days?"

I stared at him a little bit unbelieving that this was even debatable. "Are we seriously having a conversation?" I asked squinting at the scrawny boy before me.

"Well it all seems a bit far fetched to me... Like the existence of unicorns. I mean have you ever seen a period?" He said supporting himself on one hip and pointing at us with the half eaten slab of meat.

"No-" I started but he cut me off.

"I know you haven't, Kaiden, that pale skin of yours is very unattractive. I was talking to Wilder. I hear ladies like sensitive guys." Xaviar said heartlessly, not even concerned about my feelings.

My jaw dropped, first from surprise that he would even consider saying that. I mean yes, Xaviar was downright obnoxious, but insulting me was new. "Seriously? Says the guy that is 5 feet tall." I snapped, furiously, wondering if it was possible to make him regurgitate the meat I had so kindly shared a few minutes earlier.

His jaw dropped, "Oh no you didn't!"

I rolled my eyes, "Yes, yes I did." I said flatly, annoyed by his over dramatic tendencies.

"Look here, don't you dare bring my height into things!" He snapped, his left eye twitching rapidly.

I looked at him unamused, "Don't you dare bring my skin tone into things." I said flatly, realizing how stupid this was.

"You don't boss me!" He yelled, backing off, almost comically, "Come Wilder! We will socialize elsewhere!" He yelled, dragging the now terrified boy behind him.

If it were anyone else besides Xaviar I would of wrung his neck for saying that, but it was Xaviar and I knew better than to argue with stupid people. Knowing him, he'd be over it by tomorrow.

I started walking toward my house again still a bit miffed, however what I saw when I pushed the door open miffed me all the more.

Maeve Brooks sat on my brothers lap at the kitchen table kissing his cheek as he gazed at her clearly smitten, that such a pretty girl had decided to date him. Instantly I sent her an involuntary glare, knowing that she was only using him to get at me.

See, a few months ago she asked me out. I turned her down instantly because of the fact she was a witch most of the time. Not a month after that she asked my brother out and has been using him to make my life miserable ever since. I really hate that girl.

My brother caught my glare and narrowed his eyes. I watched as he gently nudged Maeve off his lap and then stormed over to me. "Look Kaiden, Maeve is over. You are going to behave and smile. Understand?" He hissed, sensing my agitation.

I looked over his shoulder and saw Maeve watching us intently with an smirk on her face. As soon as she saw me looking she waved, her smirk widening.

"Kerrigan," I said, desperately, hoping he'd listen this time. "She's evil. She is using you to get at me."  

His face contorted into rage, "Are you serious? Are you serious? You know, Kaiden, you are so freaking selfish! I finally get a girlfriend and you want me to break up with her because you say she's using me to try to get at you! You know, life isn't always about you! You aren't the center of the universe! And you need to get that into your small little skull!" Kerrigan yelled knocking his fist on my head. I swatted it away.

"I'd be ok with you dating her if she actually loved you! Seriously, I mean think about it. Do you really think a pretty girl half your age with a history of sleeping around really likes you? Use your head! And yeah! Yeah I know it isn't all about me! I'm not stupid! I'm just trying to help you!" I yelled, infuriated by him. Why wouldn't he believe me? I mean how could he not see that she didn't love him?!

For a second it looked like Kerrigan was going to yell every profanity he could possibly come up with at me, but then his face fell and I could tell that I had hurt him. I hadn't meant to hurt him. I was about to apologize when he said something that destroyed every ounce of sympathy I could possibly of had for him. "Mom and Dad would be so disappointed in you." He spat bitterly.

My jaw dropped, "You don't know what Mom and Dad would of thought! Don't you dare bring them into this!" I yelled, trying to keep the hurt from my voice.

"You were only ten when they died! Kerrigan actually knew them, he was 18. And he choose to take you in! He didn't have to! You would of ended up in the children's home! Now leave him alone, you jerk!" Maeve was suddenly at his side stroking his back, with a wily little smirk on her face.

I narrowed my eyes, "You’re not apart of this!" I yelled at her venomously. How dare she take sides in something like this?! She was so manipulative! This is what I had to deal with every day!

"Don't you dare talk to her like that!" Kerrigan yelled, shoving me.

I snorted, using every ounce of willpower I had not to push him back. I knew Kerrigan was about the only person in district 11 who was capable of beating the crap out of me. "Look. I'm just going to go up to the room and get dressed for the reaping...." I said backing off. Clearly Kerrigan wasn't going to hear me out today.

"No, you're leaving the house." He said flatly opening the door and waiting for me to exit. I rolled my eyes and started toward the sleeping room.

He reached forward and grabbed my arm. "I said get the-" he stopped his eyes falling on my bag of meat that I still clutched in my hands. "Where did you get that?" He demanded furiously, already knowing the answer.

I tried ripping my arm from his ironlike grasp. "None of your business." I snapped, furiously. If he wasn't going to listen to me, I wasn't listening to him. "Now let me go right now, or I swear I'll punch you."

He yanked me closer to him, "I told you no fist fighting! I don't want you within a mile of the hob! You'll get mixed up with the wrong people, or worse you'll get caught by the peacekeepers!" He yelled, his spit hitting my face.

"Shut up!" I yelled, punching his arm with all my might. He let go and I sprinted into the street. I ran a block before slowing down, realizing that my brother wasn't following me.

I slowed to a walk and ducked into an ally and leaning against a wall. A large wave of depression hitting me and dragging me down with it. I cared about my brother, but he didn't care back. I think. At least he didn't act like it. He was such a nazi. I slid downward to a sitting position and began to eat my meat to console myself.

And why had be brought mom and dad into things? I had been young, but I still remember them. I stuffed another piece of mean into my mouth as I remembered the morning that they had died.

We had been eating breakfast, we had been happy back then. I remember that mom had cooked fried peaches and we had been sitting around the table laughing and eating- then a burst of bright vermillion exploded from mom's head and she slumped forward, dead. My father had been next. I remember how we were both screaming trying to see if they were alive. Then the peacekeeper had bounded in, telling us that they had been shot for treason.

My parents hadn't done anything against the capital. I felt a twinge of anger as I thought of the happiness that they had destroyed. I stood up and in rage a kicked a trash can over.

Just like that, my rage was gone and it seemed all the energy had been drained from my body and I slumped to the ground again feeling defeated. I should've found a way to save them... But I hadn't. I pulled my legs to my chest, hugging them tightly then buried my head in my knees. I hated them. I hated the capital.

I don't know how long I sat there, but I will never forget what happened next.

Finally, I lifted my head from my knees telling myself I had to get a grip. I had spent enough self pity time.

I was about to get up when I heard something that made me freeze."You done moping like a little girl? Good, we can get down to business now." A deep voice cackled from the shadows as three fissures seemly morphed from the darkest corners of the alley.

Startled I jumped to my feet, looking around trying desperately to determine the best course of action. It was like my stupid brain had been shut off, my heart pounding so fast it felt like it would beat right out of my chest.

The largest figure in the middle had sharp pointy features and beady little eyes that peered at me from under the brim of his bowler hat. "So a friend of ours owes us money, he said he had the money but you jumped him and took it." He growled, "We need that money, boy."

I looked at him, now both terrified and confused. "What?" I asked, "I think you have me mixed up with someone else."

"Red Rupert. I think you know him." The middle one said still advancing slowly.

Then everything clicked, I remembered how he had given the money to me without a fight, him saying he needed to pay someone- that dog! I'd kill him! "He lied! I- I won his fist fighting tournament and he gave me the money." I yelled, suddenly furious.

The men snorted, "Likely story, now I'm giving you one chance to give us the money willingly, after that...." The middle man shrugged, "Who knows what could go wrong?" He laughed and the two men he was with finally became visible enough to see that they were absolutely huge. They must of eaten meat every day!

I glanced down at what I had spent my money on. The meat was gone with an exception of a few crumbs, and my stomach felt queasy from eating so much. This was going to be interesting. Without warning I grabbed one of the trash cans and hurled it at the nearest hulk's head. It connected and he went down. I didn't even waste time glancing at his buddies before sprinting as fast as possible toward the entry of the alleyway.

I leaped over the downed man, almost there, but I felt his iron like fist grapple my ankle and I went down face first to the dirt. Desperately I kicked his face sharply and he let go, with a yelp. I tried to get to my feet again but I felt a crushing blow to my to my side and went down, my ribs throbbing.

Thinking fast I jerked the guys ankle out from under him, he fell to the ground with a sharp cry. I tried to get up once more, pushing myself to my feet swiftly only to feel the back of my shirt get grabbed.  I twisted around punching one of the men in the jaw, hard. I heard a crack as he fell backward, but I felt his grasp on my shirt keep tight. I felt the fabric give out with a sharp rip, but not before I lost my balance a little.

The third man whom I had forgotten about until this point suddenly seized both my arms, at the same time, pinching them behind my back.

Dam! I thought, I was a fist fighter, not a brawler!  I was used to a fair one on one fight, not getting ganged up on by a bunch of older, stronger guys.

Rapidly I began attempting to twist out of his grasp, but was met with a jaw breaking blow to the face. I stopped, dizzy and disoriented as the sides of my vision clouded.

Through the haze I saw the other two men back on their feet looking very pissed, as if they weren't used to getting so much resistance. I almost smirked, but I was way too pissed myself to take any pleasure in this. How dare they accuse me of taking the money, how dare they attack me?! "Let me go right now or I'll kill you all!" I screamed, furiously.

The man with the bowler hat- the ringleader- reached forward and grabbed my throat. "Shut up right now, kid, your not going to be the one doing the killing- trust me. Now tell me where the money is. Now. Or I'll slit your throat." He hissed, squeezing my throat tighter.

I barely processed what he was saying though. I wasn't thinking. I was too mad. Suddenly I was screaming every swear word I knew into his face at the top of my lungs.

He looked a bit startled at my reaction, but his face contorted into rage as he slapped my face sharply. "Shut him up, Casper!" Bowler hat demanded, as the man gripping my arms clasped his alternate hand over my mouth. I bit it, clenching my teeth on the soft skin. I felt his body tense but he didn't let go, much to my added annoyance.

"Mort, make sure he doesn't have the money on him." Bowler hat demanded as the other muscle man stepped forward, feeling my heart begin to race again, I tried to twist out of Casper's grasp, but his stupid grip was freakishly tight. It was like struggling to break metal hand cuffs.

Mort grasped the beltline on my pants and began to peel them off me. I felt my face flush with panic, I kneed him in the jaw with all of my might, and he doubled back holding his jaw. "Why don't we just kill him already?!" He demanded, furiously.

Kill me. I dare you. I attempted to spat, but it was muffled and ununderstandable due to the stupid hand over my mouth.

Bowler hat man rolled his eyes, "We will kill him, but we can't until we have the money. What if he'd hidden it somewhere? Then the secret will die with him and we won't get our money. Understand?" Mort nodded reluctantly and hesitantly started forward again.

I prepared myself to kick him again but he stopped. "I'm just going to knock him out." He stated, looking to his boss for approval. I narrowed my eyes, my anger intensifying. He was too freaking scared to face me conscious. I desperately tried to free myself from Casper's grip once more and found myself unsuccessful. I wanted to scream in frustration, I hated this! I hated being so helpless.

I watched as Mort's fist came rushing toward my head. I felt an explosion of pain in my temple, my vision was flooded with light for half a second before it all went dark.

<><><><>

Pain was the first thing I was aware of. A dull throbbing pain that sent aching waves though my body. I numbly opened my eyes, wondering why I was lying on the wet pavement in my underwear. I was dimly aware of yelling, my gaze drifted toward three figures who were rummaging through the pockets in my pants. I narrowed my eyes confused for a few seconds, then it all came back to me.

I rolled onto stomach and started crawling toward the entrance of the ally. Not daring to take my eyes off the three men.

Casper suddenly dropped his end of my pants. "It's no use! The money isn't here."

The bowler hat man looked at Casper half a second, then settled on something behind him. The empty bag of meat. He walked toward it.

I quickened my crawl, trying to keep as silent as possible. Once he realized the money had been spent of meat that was now in my stomach, they were going to kill me. I narrowed my eyes, they wouldn't get the honor of killing me- not today.

The leader of the thugs, picked up the bag, turning it over in his hands a few times. A growl erupted in his throat and he threw the bag angrily. "He spent it! He spent it on meat!" He yelled only half believing.

I glanced behind me, I was almost there. I rose slowly to my feet. "Kill him! As soon as he wakes up kill him-"

"Actually I'm already up- see ya, suckers!" I yelled taking off into the street. I heard them all seaming furiously behind me. I didn't dare look back, as I heard their footprints pounding behind me.

The street was oddly empty as I tore through it. The reaping! I realized, I had to get there, though I couldn't- not until I got clothing on. There was no way I was going anywhere in my underwear.

The footsteps sounded louder behind me. They were gaining. I silently began swearing in my head. What was I going to do? That was when I saw the figure on the horizon, a peacekeeper. I sped up, ignoring the sting in my legs from the sprint.

The thugs must of recognized the white uniform as well because they disappeared, but not before bowler hat yelled "We will get you, we will get you when you least expect it!"

What a jerk.... I thought slowing down, only a little out of breath. "Kaiden Tearzon?" The peacekeeper asked approaching me, I squinted to see if I recognized him, but his face covered with a helmet.

"Yeah. That's me." I said trying to appear comfortable, even though my awareness of my lack of clothing was growing.

"Did you get mugged?" He asked looking me in the eye while removing a radio from his pocket.

I felt color rush to my cheeks. "No of course not. I... always walk around this.... Ha... Don't you?" I said sheepishly rubbing the back of my neck. One look at the peacekeeper's face and I knew he knew I was lying, I'd even go as far as to say he appeared amused. I shifted feet even more uncomfortable than before.

"Well, ok then. Look you need to get to the reaping. You're late. You've already got 10 additional slips with your name on it put in the reaping bowl as a penalty for being late." He stated and I felt my heart sink. It was only ten.... I tried to convince myself- Heck that's like saying their are only 23 people die in The Hunger Games.

"Ok can I at least stop by my house and get some clothes?" I asked, not wanting to show up to the reaping in my underwear. Xaviar would never let me hear the end of it.... And everyone would see me....

"I thought you ran around like this on a regular bases?" The peacekeeper asked smirking, clearly expecting me to cave and admit I was lying. Never was when that going to happen.

"I have my special reaping underwear I didn't get the chance to dawn." I said slowly, realizing how utterly retarded I must sound. My face must of resembled the color of a capital woman's lips.

"Look, Kaiden, I don't know what type of childhood abuse you suffered to make you think running around your underwear was normal- but you are late for the reaping and you will face harsh punishment if you refuse to cooperate." The peacekeeper said, beckoning me to follow him. I realized I had no choice, so I followed reluctantly, dying a little from embarrassment every step I took. Part of me wanted to admit I was lying and beg him to let me get clothing, but most of me just couldn't allow myself to.

The reaping was in full swing by the time we approached the square. The peacekeeper told me he could take my fingerprint later and shoved me through the gate.

"....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."

The video ran as I walked, head hung attempting to hide my shame as I made my way to the seventeen year old's pen. I heard some giggles from the kids who saw me, but I ignored them the best I could, slipping into the pen.

"This is how we remember our past. This is how we safeguard our future.” The film flickered off and I let out a small breath of relief, glad that was over."

I felt a rough poke to my side and I looked over to see Xaviar, his mouth forming a perfect o. "Why are you in your underwear?" He snorted in disbelief.

"I thought you weren't talking to me." I said, not wanting to talk to him- or anyone. Don't get me wrong, I liked people most of the time, this was one of the rare occasions that the only thing I wanted was to be alone. Trust me- if you had fought with your brother and his evil girlfriend, been beaten up, and had to attend a public event in your underwear you would want to be alone too.

"I wasn't.... But now...." Xaviar said smirking, expecting me to respond.

I ignored him looking up at the stage where the escort, a sparkly man, was walking toward the girls reaping bowl.

"So?" Xaviar asked, "What inspired you to strip?"

Oh my goodness, would he not shut up? "Shhh!" I said in alternative to something a lot meaner.

The escort plunged his hand into the bowl, the lifted a slip swiftly from the bowl, wasting no time he read, "Piper Crass." A rugged looking girl's face lit up the screen. She looked younger, maybe 12 or 13. I felt myself let out a breath- she was no one I knew.

"I volunteer!" A sharp voice cried from the 15 year old's pen, my eyes flitted over to see Willow marching forward boldly with a grim expression on her face.

My heart stopped in horror. "What?" I breathed stunned, in disbelief. Why would she volunteer? Did she know Piper?

"What's your name sweetie?" The escort asked Willow as soon as she stepped onto the stage.

"I'm not sweetie. My name is Willow Sash and I'm going to kill every last bastard in that arena." She growled viciously, raising her fist in the air.

I looked at her confused. I had never seen her like this. Beside me, even Xaviar for once stood speechless.

"Now for the young male tribute!" The man giggled prancing to the other bowl on the other side of the stage, offsetting the otherwise grim mood of the crowd.

I should of been focusing on the reaping, but I couldn't. I just couldn't believe that Willow- my Willow had volunteered. She was going to die. I had to save her! How though?

Then suddenly my face lit up the screen. I locked eyes with myself, in horror. I stared at the muscular brunette in his underwear for about three seconds in confusion, before I felt a strong arm grip mine and a peacekeeper gently started coaxing me up to the stage.

It was me. I had been reaped, I realized in horror. I was not ready to die, nor was I ready to go on public television in my underwear. Before I had really thought anything though I had punched the peacekeeper in the mouth and jumped over him running toward the gates. I slammed into the fence, pressing my fingers through the holes. I was trapped.

Three peacekeepers grabbed me and started dragging me toward the stage. I tried twisting out of their grasp but was unsuccessful. I felt myself being pulled onto the stage, I let out my breath and relaxed, glaring at everyone.

The peacekeepers for whatever reason released me, thinking I was no longer a threat which was stupid. I was pissed, embarrassed, scared and miserable which was not a great combo in me. Rather dangerous actually.

I sent everyone around me a hard glare, though I avoided eye contact with Willow. The escort didn't get the hint though, he smiled at me. "It's ok Kaiden, don't be scared. We are going to have lots of fun. So why are you in your underwear?" He asked stupidly. I didn't respond. I hated the capital with every fiber of my being, now more than ever, they destroyed my family, now they will destroy me for their entertainment? I don't think so!

"Cat got your tongue?" the escort laughed, losing any restrain I had on myself, I lunged forward and began strangling him.

Suddenly I felt a sharp needle in my neck, I stopped. Without warning everything started spinning, my grasp on the man slipped and I sunk to my knees. My vision dimmed as I fell forward, I fought to keep my eyes open.

Not now.

I had to stop them.

No...

No...

No....

I felt the lids of my eyes slowly sink downwards and the darkness swallowed me.

For those of you who caught the reference- PERCY JACKSON RULES!!!! For those of you who didn't, never mind. Anyway, I hope you had as much fun reading the chapter as I did writing it. So why did Willow volunteer? What did you think of Kaiden? What was your favorite part?

I Seriously can't believe that I am almost done with the reaping's. Affinity has the last reaping, but sadly I will not be able to update until after I get back from vacation in a little over a week.

Bon voyage!

~A.K.A. Anonymous