A/N: So I've made a few changes to this since it was first put up. Don't freak out, I didn't change much. I think. Well, so the next few chapters are a little different. But still, nothing much changed.
Chapter 1
**Nikki**
I sat up, tears streaming down my face and soaking into my pajama top. I hugged my knees to my chest and contemplated calling my mom. Rachel, snoring softly, turned in her sleep and murmured two words: hunger games.
Crying quietly, I curled into a fetal position. Last year's Hunger Games, my older brother Michael volunteered as tribute, saving our younger brother, Jacob. Mike died, not even a week into the Game. If Rachel was chosen as the female tribute this year for our district…I would volunteer for sure.
The sound of small, bare feet running on the wood floors shocked me out of my reverie. My little brother, Jackson, stumbled sleepily into the doorway. With the little light coming in through the windows, I could see the red streaks on his face that I knew so well. "Nicolette," Jackson mumbled, "Nikki, I'm scared."
I held out my arms, and he ran into them, seeking warmth and comfort. "I saw Mike die," he said, my shirt muffling his scratchy throat. "Then it was you. I don't want you to die, Nikki!" Rachel snored loudly. I kissed his forehead and choked back a sob. "Don't worry about me." I whispered. "I can take care of myself, really."
"But the Careers- they're trained to kill people!"
"Sometimes, little brother, people aren't that different from wild animals."
"Nicolette Eleanor Kurtis!" Mom stood in the doorway, an expression of clam horror on her face. "What?" I said, gritting my teeth. "You saw that kid slit Mike's throat without hesitation. You know it's true!" Jack whimpered. I closed my eyes, silently cursing myself for bringing that up in front of him.
"I know, Nikki. I also know that if your father had trained him properly, Michael would've had a better chance of surviving." My dad won the Games when he was Michael's age- 17. Mom is still bitter that he refused to train any of us in combat. "Promise me something, Nikki." She pleaded.
I scowled. I wasn't keen on doing favors for my mother. "What?" Mom touched my cheek, and the sun made the tears in Mom's eyes sparkle like diamonds. "Don't kill unless you absolutely have to."
She left as quickly as she appeared and left me and Jackson alone with Rachel, who was still fast asleep. Mom knew me; she knew that could never kill for fun. I'd kill to protect, myself and those I loved. "I promise," I whispered.
A/N: See, not much changed. The next chapter, also revised, should up shortly. And I'll make them a bit less lovey-dovey (I didn't notice how much "love" I was putting in for Nikki and Kory until after I reread the chapters Sorry about that!), and a bit more serious (but not too much. Nikki is going to be a lot like myself more than she has been!).
Also, I wish it was longer. :P Again, I apologize!