Prologue

I sat quietly in the bushes as I watched Clove and Marvel walking past, I was crouching just behind the bush, they were obviously looking for me since I betrayed them and ran off after helping Lover-Boy. One part of me felt happy to help, but by helping others in the arena I won't be able to win and avenge Aaron and my district partner - Collin, I'd have to kill Lover-Boy and Katniss if I'd want to win and I would have to kill Cato and the other careers as well. Even though I'm a career too, alliances NEVER last in the arena. I wait quietly and I bite my bottom lip as they turn to look back at the bush, do they know I'm here? In the sheer shock of things I don't hear footsteps behind me and then before the blink of an eye a hand encloses over my mouth and I'm dragged kicking and screaming away.

Chapter One: Reaping Day.

I awoke early this morning for some reason. After all everyone knows what today is, Reaping Day. So school is cancelled and Career training is cancelled, work is cancelled and pretty much everything really is off because the Capitol declared this a "holiday to be celebrated." But nethertheless I get up and look at the space where my brothers bed use to be. Last year on the 73rd Annual Hunger Games, my older twin brother Aaron was Reaped for the games. Unfortuantly no one would volunteer and he died during the games, even though he was a career he died when it came down to the final few careers left. Around this time I actually thought he had a chance but nope. The career from District 2 jumped him and they fought to the death. He even begged me not to look cause he knew he was going to die and I managed to look away as the kid stabbed him. So from that day I vowed I would train harder than ever and when my time came to "play" the deadly games, I would be ready, and win for his sake.

I'm not a bloodthirsty person if that is what your thinking, I'm only 16 and have no interest in killing everyone in that arena IF I ever get picked from the kids here. We have 3 victors living in the victors village, the luxurious place you go and live if you come out alive. District 4 never has the best luck when it comes to winning: our victors are Annie, Mags and Finnick, I never knew their last names, not that it mattered.

I lived with my mum and little sister Abigail. My father ran away to the Capitol and became a gamemaker when Aaron and I were 6 and Abby was only 3. Mother took it bad but she recovered from the initial shock pretty quickly around half a year later and then condemned him to death when Aaron was reaped - and died. This severed the last remaining ties he had with the family. Aaron dying was the topping on the cake. The cake which has gone off and never looked good enough to eat, the feel of nausea always setting in with one glance...

The smell of the sea greeted me as I pushed open my bedroom window and leaned on the frame. District 4 was famous for its industry in fishing, basically we're trained to make nets, throwing spears, knowing lots about aquatic creatures living in rivers and oceans and making hooks out of nothing. We are also really good swimmers which is what I usually do every morning before school and during career training.

My little sister joined me on my bed still wearing her nightdress. I reminded her not to forget to get ready for the reaping which was at 2. It was currently 9. I was currently getting changed to go and meet my best friend Jake. It was unimaginely hot today, so I pulled on a pair of trousers, a light baggy shirt and trainers and tied my hair back. I should be getting dressed for the reaping but it wasn't for another few hours so I just threw on what I could grab leaving the blue dress I had planned on the hanger in the wardrobe and I left the house without a second glance.

Jake was leaning against a boat waiting for me. "Well, look who it is." He smiled as I approached him. "Thought the Peacekeepers dragged you off early for the games." He joked as I punched him gently in the arm.

I giggled in response to him flinching and we sat down and enjoyed the sun. "So glad Career training isn't scheduled for today..." I admitted as I looked out over the body of water.

"Yeah me too." There was a pause before he continued. "Allie, they say I'm ready to volunteer for the Hunger Games and they believe it should be me. That this is my year." Jake replied quietly.

"You're not even 18 yet, you're only 17." I said looking up to meet his eyes.

"Well they say that I should be the one to do it as I have improved most and am the best in the class, male wise."

"I don't want you to volunteer, you're too young to throw your life away like that. Please promise me you'll turn the trainers down and not volunteer for anyone today. Jake, I need you to promise me this."

Usually when it comes round for the time of the Reaping, our trainers pick two people they believe should volunteer, usually this decision is only cast upon 18 year olds who have their last year eligable and have been training the longest. Jake was 10 months shy of his 18th birthday. I only just turned 17 myself. The request of volunteering isn't mandatory, but it is frowned upon if you turn it down.

"Wanna go for a walk?" Jake asked trying to ease the awkwardness that was lingering over us. I nodded silently and got to my feet as Jake rose too. We walked in silence around the town watching as people spent what may be their last hours with their children. "We may not get picked. There are hundreds of children here, we may have a chance at not having to live this nightmare."

"That's what Aaron told me last year before he was reaped." I replied matter-of-factly, we slowed our walking pace as we made it to the middle of the square. "Sorry. I guess I just don't want the same thing to happen to me...or you."

"Don't worry about it, I know you're stressed." He replied, but I knew he was ticked at me. "Look, we gotta go get ready for the reaping, trust me you'll be fine." He smiled placing a hand on my shoulder, gave me a quick pat, and left on his way back to his home. I silently made my way back home, walking past families who were preparing their children for the event which would change two families lives for the next week or two depending on how long the actual "games" last. Sometimes I wished this was all just a horrible nightmare and none of this would happen and everyone in the districts would live in peace. As I took slow strides I took the time to watch what was happening around me. There wasn't much when it came to District Four, we weren't rich but we weren't poor either. I looked over to a family who were outside their house in the garden. The youngest girl was crying. Her name was Sally, this was her first ever Reaping. She turned 11 five months ago.

"I don't want to go to the Reaping, I don't want to get picked." She cried slouching against the wall pulling her legs up against her chest. I felt sorry for her and walked over. Her mother was trying, and failing to reason with her.

"Mrs Blakely, may I talk to Sally please." I said approaching the family.

"Go ahead, maybe you can convince her to get ready and come to the Reaping with us." I nodded and knelt beside the young girl. I sat there for a moment, she knew I was there as she peered out over her arms before burying her head back into her arms.

"Sally. It's me, Allie. Look I know you don't want to go to the Reaping, none of us do. But Sally, your name is only going to be in that pot once. I can say you're pretty much safe from the Games. That bowl is filled with hundreds of names I'm positive you won't get picked. Will you put on a brave face and get yourself ready? It won't be for very long."

Sally uncurled herself, looked me and then gave me a big hug. I stroked the back of her head and smiled. She let go and went with her mum into the house to get ready. She reminded me of myself when I was young.

"I DON'T WANT TO GO, I DON'T WANNA DIE!" A young version of myself cried hiding under the quilts.

"ALLISON JANE MOORE, YOU GET UP AND GET READY RIGHT NOW!" My mother shouted with a force that beat my own pathetic attempt. Whenever mum used your full name and you didn't comply, you would be severly punished. I slowly peered out from under the cushion avoiding her knowing glare and began to get myself ready quietly.

I had been thinking so much I hadn't realised I made it back home. As I entered the door I seen my mum and little sister sitting quietly at the kitchen table eating apple slices.

"Your things have been laid out on your bed, get a bath first." She said without looking up as if she knew I would be picked. Or maybe she was thinking of Aaron. I began getting myself ready, scrubbing the dirt off me, washing my hair and made sure I was presentable. I pulled my dress over my head and looked at it in the mirror, it was a mid-length blue dress which was just above my knees and it flowed out a little.

I felt hands on the back of my head and I looked back into the mirror and say mother fixing my hair so that it hung on my shoulders and appeared wavy.

"There, you're ready. You look beautiful." She turned me round and kissed my forehead. I lightly smiled and nodded. "Let's go." She sad her face turning hard again, before walking over to Abby, taking her hand and went to the door and I slowly followed.

As we neared the town square I saw the lines of young people signing in, I said goodbye to my sister and mum and joined the que. I seen Jake in the other que, he smiled at me.

"Next." Said the woman at the desk, I approached and offered her my finger, she pricked it and placed my finger my by name and scanned it. "On you go." She said and I moved on. Another Peacekeeper guided me to the 16 year old section and I stood there beside girl who looked as scared as I am. I could see young Sally being escorted to her line of 11 year olds, tear stains on her cheeks and they were bright red.

Cameras were every where documenting the event. The camera showed the faces of people signing in, people waiting and anxious families. On the platform were the Mayor, a couple of officials and previous winners who I recognised to be Finnick Odair, Annie Cresta and Mags. The escort stepped up to the mic and tapped it with her finger.

"Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games District 4 reaping!"

This was it.