Daniel Aachen, 8

I'm rather small for my age; could be either to my advantage or disadvantage in the Hunger Games. Most of my class mates are practically mountains in comparison to me. In fact, I'm hardly ever noticed, but I think that has more to do with my personality, which I'll get to later. In the meantime let's continue discussing my appearance. I have pale skin and slightly sunken in cheeks. My hair is dark and reaches almost down to my shoulders. It often appears greasy even when it isn't. But what can I say; resources aren't very broad here in Eight.

I prefer to dress in dark colours. I think it suits me and basically invisible status well, so I mainly stick to blacks even when given the option to dress otherwise. It makes me feel more comfortable. My eyes, which are a dark chocolaty shade compliment my style as well.

I like to consider myself a thoughtful boy. A shy one that doesn't really care what people think of me, too. The sort that appears to simply always go with the flow, but has more depth inside than anyone ever realizes. That's me, Daniel Aachen.

Needless to say, as you have probably already figured it out, I'm not very outgoing; I prefer to keep to myself. Socializing and communication just isn't a skill of mine. However, I feel that I'm not an ignorant boy at all. I spend a great deal of my time listening in to conversations. You'd be surprised at how interesting they can be- and not for the reasons you're probably thinking about right now.

School and home are two places I feel the most safe- home because of it's comforting familiarity and loving family- and school because I love to learn. If I were to pick a favorite sound, it would be the ruffle of flipping through the papers. My dream job would be an author, a unique author, but sadly that just isn't an option in District Eight. We're all about textiles here; hardly any freedom is involved in our daily lives.

Some day I'd like to see that changed. I don't know how I'd do it; it just doesn't make sense that we have to offer our very own youth up to their death every year. It's gruesome. Despicable. Society isn't meant to be like this.

I'm one of a wonderful family with four children. I'm the second oldest. My older sister Daphne, who is fifteen right now, looks the opposite of me, with locks of blonde that flow down her back like the ocean. The boys her age admire her a lot. On the outside we aren't that different though. She's a spiritful girl who loves and cares for her family; she's sort of my role model. I have two younger brothers. One is Philip, an energetic boy of seven. The other is Jurgen, five years old, my little physical copy. Our mother, Anja, like Daphne, is a queen of mysterious beauty. Oleg, our father, is always working so hard to support the family that I hardly ever get to see him. Whenever he's gone, which is quite a lot, a feel that a piece of me is missing.

Friendship has never played much of a role in my life. They all say you can't survive without friends, but I must say I disagree. I am very much alive right now, today, thank you very much. Even though I don't have friends, I'm not really on anyone's bad side, either. I'm just another person in their life. You could say I have allies, though. People who would protect me if I were in danger, but aren't close to me. The only people who I consider myself to be close to is my family.

From what I've heard people say, I have picked up many rumors as to why my family and I are so. . . strange. Right now, I would like to state that we may be different, yes. Unique. But not messed up in any way. I'm pretty happy to be myself, in fact. Life is a high value in the Aachen family. The thing we are all thinking all the time, but never daring to say out loud, is that the Hunger Games are the worst idea ever.