standing, crowded with other kids
waiting to see who is next in line to die.
i'm only one name against a hundred more,
mine couldn't possibly be called this time.
the girls' names go first, and katniss
volunteers for her sister who screams
and fights for katniss to not do it.
effie walks toward the boys' names
and calls out the name i was dreading the most.
i lock eyes with katniss, afraid to move,
afraid to leave. i walk onto the stage
and stare at my family. i have no hope
for myself to come out of these games alive.
the baker's son is ready to die.
