"They look at me as if I wanted to be this way, like I wanted to become this monster hidden from the world."
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Daphne Dunn is just like every other teenager in the districts. Her name was written in a small paper, four times now that...
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The air was stolen from Daphne's lungs with two simple words. Liam Dunn. Her brother, Liam Dunn.
This had to be a joke, right? There was no way this was actually happening.
It took all of the control she had not to collapse to the floor, scream, throw a fit, or rip that obnoxious wig off of Evangeline's head. Agnes screamed in overwhelming distress before crumbling to the ground. The sound echoed in Daphne's ears, and she was sure to have nightmares of it. Joshua quickly caught her, and the two found a seat on the dirty floor.
Daphne's bottom lip trembled as she saw Liam make his way up the stage. She couldn't help but run to him. Before Liam could even make it to his respected side of the stage, Daphne had stolen him into a hug. A few peacekeepers went to separate them, but Evangeline raised a hand, signaling to let the siblings be. Even though Daphne still was sickened by the Capitol outfit, she found a newly born respect for Evangeline.
The ceremony concluded with another short speech by Evangeline before the two tributes were ushered off stage and to a few rooms in the back to speak to their family and friends for the very last time. As they were walking off, Daphne casted a small glance to Finnick, who'd now be her mentor until she rested in her deathbed. She'd never spoken to the Capitol's pet before, not even a word, but anyone with eyes could see the break in his usually cheerful expression. He shared a similar sorrow with the rest of District Four. It wasn't every day that a family's only two children were sent to die.
The large doors closed behind them, and Daphne and Liam were walked into a room. Usually, the tributes would get to visit their family in privacy, but seeing as this year's tributes are family, Daphne and Liam occupied the same room.
Annie came into the room first. Daphne was unsure whether or not to be surprised that her best friend managed to be their first visitor, but she guessed that her mother still needed time to collect herself.
As soon as the green eyes met the blue ones, Annie ran and crumbled into Daphne's arms while tugging Liam into the hug as well. At this point, Annie should just be considered Annie Dunn; she fits in with the family perfectly and is close enough with Daphne to be sisters.
"You're both going to go and win. You're going to survive, alright?" Annie did her best to speak clearly through her sobs. Either way, clear or unclear, Daphne wasn't mentally there enough to even pay attention, really.
However, there was one thought Daphne clung to. Her and Liam could never come back here together. Either one or none was to come back, and Daphne already decided this was her last moment in District Four.
"I love you, Annie," was all Daphne had the strength to say before they all stepped back from the hug. "I love you both, too," the redhead sobbed, wiping her tears. "I don't know what I'm going to do without you," Annie added. Daphne's hands gently grasped onto Annie's shoulders.
