My name is Gale

Chapter 1: The Reaping

As we sighn in, I think about what I told Katniss this morning, " we could do it you know, take off, live in the woods" it was stupid, and she was right, they would catch us. I don't know what got into my head. What would make me say something like that?

Then Effie Trinket, the Capitol lady who comes every year trying to kill our people, walks out and I forgot every thought I've ever had, My name is in there 44 times. But that's not what's worrying me. Katniss is what's worrying me. What if I never see her again? what if she's sent to the Capitol and never comes back? I stiffen at the thought of Katniss in the games. She'd never survive, those careers are lethal.

" welcome, welcome. " Effie begins, " it is now time to select one courageous young man and women for the honour of representing district 12 for the 74th annual Hunger games." 74 years, how can people live like this.

" as usual, ladies first " she stumbles over to the huge glass bowl with the name of every single girl aged 12 - 18 inside, Katniss and Prim. Two of the most important people in my life.

" Primrose Everdeen " she is 12, her name was in there once, how is that even possible.

I watch her as her bright red face makes its way through the crowd of gasping people. And suddenly I hear a familiar voice,

" I volunteer, I volunteer as tribute" Katniss shouts, my worst nightmare is coming alive, Katniss will enter the Hunger games arena, and try to kill 23 kids, voluntarily. She would do anything to save her sister, even if it means risking her own life. After that I close off and everything becomes a blur, the crazy Capitol lady is talking, but I can't make out what she is saying until she walks over to the bowl with my names printed on expensive Capitol paper 44 times, this really is a nightmare, nothing about living in panem is a happy dream.

" Peeta Mellark." It's the baker boy, the one who saved Katnisses starving family a few years ago, I don't get it, why would he do that?

" the tributes of the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark." Then they're gone and all I have left of her is my rusty memory.