Gleam Rier, 29, Victor of the 364th Hunger Games (District 1)

"Gleam?"

"What now?" I sigh, rolling over to face my girlfriend.

"Haven't you seen the time? Blain will be announcing the twist soon..." She glares at me, almost expecting me to have some sort of recollection of some twist, but I don't. "You know, for the Games... seeing as it is a Quarter Quell this year..."

"Crap! I forgot that was today! When is it?"

"Oh, you know, only about four hours or so..."

"Crap!" I get out of bed and begin grabbing come clothes to put on when I realise what she said. "Wait, what? Four hours?" I push her playfully but she barely moves an inch, despite her being nearly as light as a feather - I really wish I was stronger. She giggles. "You nearly gave me a heart attack then, Tallie," I say, sitting down on the bed. "I swear, you'll be the death of me, Crystal Olive Darenhof."

"Hey! You want to be careful about what you say - you're not the only victor in this room. And please, don't call me my full name, it's horrible."

"Sure, sure, Crystal..." I joke.

"Tallie," she corrects.

"Fine, Tallie." I roll my eyes, but she takes no notice. "There - better?"

"Yeah." There's an eerie silence for a second before she speaks again. "What do you think it'll be?"

"I haven't a clue - it could be literally anything." It really could - through the years there have been all sorts of twists, such as not allowing volunteers, lowering the participation age, increasing the number of tributes, and sending in those who least expect it - victors and elderly people, to name a few. "

"Maybe it'll be a nice twist again." It's only a suggestion, but it's possible, seeing as twenty-five years ago, the age limit was raised.

"What, you mean like in Amazonia's year?"

"Yeah, like that, Tallie."

"That'd be good, less grief for the victor. Anyway, all this talking is making me hungry, I'm going to get some chocolate..."

"Same," I say, jumping up and going to follow her.

"Um, Gleam?"

"What?"

"Put on some clothes, Italia lives opposite and I'm not sure you want her seeing you like that."

We both erupt in laughter, me saying, "Gleam Rier, I think we need a little talk... about modesty!" in a mocking voice. Italia's a pain.

"You know what? I'll just bring you some."

"No, don't. I want to see her reaction."

"Really, Gleam. Really?"

I wink at her and say, "Of course," racing down the stairs before she can stop me.

Ryeleighe Rawton, 37, Victor of the 356th Hunger Games (District 9)

The Capitol TV theme tune comes on, alerting me of the announcement. I race to the most comfortable sofa, and let my daugher sit next to me. She's such a wonderful person, I find it hard to believe that I was pregnant with her at her age. I'm also hoping that they'll change the reaping age so she isn't eligible. At eighteen, I was volunteering, but she has no such intent. She has no need to, and if she can make it through this year, she should be safe forever.

"Good afternoon, Panem," President Blain says, fiddling with an envelope in his hands. He opens it, not messing about with fancy speeches like many of his predecessors. "On our fifteenth Quarter Quell, we honour the three hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, as a reminder of the number of lives lost in the rebellion preceeding the Hunger Games, each district shall provide six tributes. Three shall be female, and three male. As a reminder that even the youngest citizens suffered, two tributes shall be aged between twelve and fourteen, a further two between fifteen and sixteen, and a final two between seventeen and eighteen. As always, may the odds be ever in your favour."

The screen goes blank and I hear Adeline gasp. Her odds have just been dramatically increased. I wrap my arms around her tight, never wanting to let go of her. She's shaking like crazy - she's plainly terrified, and I'm unable to protect her.

I just have to pray the odds really are in her favour tomorrow, I think.

"What if I'm reaped, Mum?"

"Darling, you won't be."

"You really can't promise me that..."

A tear falls down my cheek, and I let out a small sigh. "No, I can't. It's unlikely though."

"It's still possible!" she cries aloud, and I feel helpless.

"It's improbable..." I whisper.

"I guess," she says, hugging me back. It should be me doing the comforting, but right now it feels like I'm the child, the one at risk of being reaped. I'm not though, so I try to sort myself out.

"Adeline, I'll make you a hot chocolate. Cream or not?" I have to remain strong, for her sake.

"Cream, I guess," comes the response, her mouth forming a sad smile.

"Aw, don't panic. It's not today, just get some rest. You need it, you seem stressed."

"Yeah, but... can I still have a hot chocolate before I sleep?" she giggles. Yes, my daughter's still exactly the same girl as twenty minutes ago.

Adnee Romulus, 26, Victor of the 367th Hunger Games (District 3)

"Well, this'll be hell!" my girlfriend shouts in frustration.

"I think you're right about that, Coguell."

"Oh, it'll be so sad! All those innocent children dying, and so many of them too!" Coguell and I both look at Arya, confused.

Coguell scoffs. "Sad? No, it isn't sad - more annoying for me. Less room to myself in the apartment. More tributes to 'help' - because, let's face it, we won't be able to save them. There's no point! There really isn't!"

"Coguell, you're a victor now. That means you need to grow up, and bloody well act like one!"

"Arya, I've been a victor for five years, don't you think I know how I'm meant to be? Just because you expect me to act a certain way, it doesn't mean I'll act it! You're not my mentor anymore, you know. In fact, I'm not sure you ever were. Adnee helped me a lot more than you did."

"Yes, he did, at the expense of the life of his own tribute as we-"

"HE WAS TWELVE! HE WAS A CONCEITED, BRATTY TWELVE-YEAR-OLD WITH NOT A SINGLE CHANCE!" I scream, furious that she's bringing this up again. "So yes, I helped Coguell more than Vance, and she came home. In fact, whilst we are playing the blame game, I think it's only right to mention how little effort you put into saving her."

Her face distorts into a frown from her smirk, and Coguell bites her lip, nodding.

"Adnee has a point. You were a useless mentor to me, and I pity your two tributes this year. Maybe Adnee will have to take them on again, only this time they'll have me too." Her voice is calm and steady, the words almost a purr, but she has fury in her eyes that only can mean one thing: she's going to explode.

"Darling, I hardly wanted you to be the one to return, almost all of the other tributes were nicer than you. Actually, you can forget the almost - you were the cruellest by far." The older woman's gaze diverts to me, and she walks briskly over. Arya grabs my shoulders tightly, making me shudder. Her eyes have an evil glint in them as she says, "You and I both know that you wouldn't take her side if you weren't fucking her. In fact, I'm pretty certain the only reason you helped her in the first place was to sleep with her, isn't that right, Adnee?"

Coguell launches herself at her, repeatedly punching Ayra in the face before I manage to pull her off. "Adnee, let go!" she screams, trying to escape my grip, but I refuse to let her beat Ayra up again.

"We're leaving now. If you have any sense, you would get out of my house before Coguell knocks you unconscious. It's entirely your choice, but we both know what is wise..." I warn, as I begin to drag my girlfriend back to her own house, where she can't murder any fellow victors besides me.

I walk through the door and lock it behind me. "What was that? Really, that was irresponsible."

"It was her fault. I was fine before she said all that. I mean, is that really why you saved me? To sleep with me?"

"Don't be absurd..."

"Well, you sure succeeded, didn't you?" Tears well up in her eyes as she whispers, "I thought you really loved me, Adnee..."

"And I really do! You know how full of shit that woman is, I helped you because I saw a survivor, someone with potential. Yes, I liked you - it'd be pointless to deny that - but I never thought that you would like me back! You know me, Coguell, I wouldn't be that fickle."

"I guess," she says, wrapping her arms around me. "I swear, I'm going to kill that woman one day..."

"You and I both," I mutter under my breath. Ayra needs to learn a lesson or two.