I wake up to the sun shining through my bedroom window, in a soft, warm bed. Knowing I am one of the most fortunate kids in Panem. I feel a pang in my chest when I remember, today is the day of the reaping. Every year 23 kids are brutally murdered for entertainment, even though I live in district 2 I find the games repulsive. Looking at the clock I quickly get out of bed and get dressed in the pink, glossy gown mom ironed last night. After curling my hair, and doing my makeup all I have to do is sit and wait.
I mentally prepare myself for what I must do; I must volunteer for the 23 hunger games. Its not my parents, or my trainer forcing me into it though, its my sister. I am the middle child, I have an older and younger sister. My younger sister (she's 6) is sick, and will die in a few weeks if she isn't treated. My older sister (who's 18) wants to volunteer for the games in the small chance that she wins, and gets the money to help our sister. I know my sweet gentle sister would never stand a chance in the games, despite her age. She is to kind, and squeamish to kill anyone. I doubt I could kill either, but I couldn't stand to see my sister scarred for life.
When my dad calls from downstairs I run down quickly, halting only when I reach the door. I take a deep breath, and run out the door, to the town square. After sprinting past many peacekeepers (which isn't easy in heels) I reach the marked off area for all the kids who have entries in the reaping. When the ceremony starts I completely drown out the mayor reading the treaty of treason. But when out escort, Alena Rigonson picks the names of the children to participate. She picks both names, then reads. Starting with the boy tribute, with a huge grin on her face she reads, "Wyatt Gilligan" then a boy from the 13 year old area come out with a grin on his face, Knowing someone else will volunteer. Before he can blink a boy from the 18 year old section runs out with a smirk on his face screaming "I volunteer" when asked his name he smirks, saying "Zack Markell, learn the name as the name of this years victor." Everyone cheers, loving his arrogance. She then reads the girls name, Katherine Gibbons. A pale girl with black hair walks out from the 16 year old section, shaking. Its then that I pluck up my courage, and run forward screaming, "I volunteer as tribute!" everyone gasps, for even here in district two, no one has ever seen a 12 year old volunteer
