Prologue.
Quinn Fabray is four years old. She lives in District 8 with her mommy, daddy, and older sister Frannie. Frannie was picked to play a game in the capitol. Quinn understands that the game is hard, and that when you lose, you don't come back. Quinn doesn't understand where the losers go. Do they ever come back? She understands that the look on her mommy and daddy's faces when Frannie was picked to play meant sadness. She doesn't understand why they sit down to watch the start of the game, if it makes them so sad. Quinn understands that the people in the game are hurting each other. She understands that a big boy from District 2 hurts Frannie at the start of the game. She doesn't understand why Frannie doesn't get up after the boy walks away. She doesn't understand why no one helps her.
"Mommy" Quinn tugs at her mothers skirt, and pulls herself onto her feet. "Mommy, why wont Frannie get up?"
Quinn's father leaves the room. Quinn hears things breaking, and her father start to cry.
Quinn starts to cry, because mommy is crying, and she doesn't understand why.
Quinn Fabray is seven years old. She understands the game that Frannie had to play. She understands that Frannie wont ever come back. She understands that in five years time, maybe she'll have to play the game too. She doesn't understand why her mother wont eat. She understands why everyone in school has to learn about making clothes. She understands that they're being punished for something. She doesn't understand what they're being punished for.
Quinn Fabray is eleven years old. She understands that her mother is dead, and that her father drinks alcohol all day long. She understands that her best friend Sam may be picked to play the game this summer. She still doesn't understand what the point of it all is. She understands that the girl down the street has a beautiful singing voice. She understands that she, and the rest of Panem, are prisoners.