I take a deep breath, not wanting to believe that the day is truly here. The day that 10 children are reaped into the Hunger Games. First, however, we are taking our faction assignment test. There will be a boy and girl reaped from every faction: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and my original faction, Erudite. I smooth down my hair and look into the mirror at my blue clothing. My long, shaggy red hair would appear Dauntless to most, but my piercing green eyes give away my upbringing. I was raised to question anything I didn't think was true or understand. Most boys would be deterred by my bright hair and eyes framed by square glasses, paired with my perfect skin and skinny figure. I don't mean to sound vain. It's just, I come across as a slightly clueless, endearing young girl of just 16. But once you get to know me, I unleash my true curiosity and differences.
I sweep my fingers through my hair, straighten my glasses, and feel the knot in my stomach tighten as the test administrator calls my name: "Maylynn Carson! Let's go – it's your turn, honey!" I breathe slowly, blink, and trudge to the small room that contains the administrator and the test. When I enter, however, there is only a chair and cabinet, like at the dentist's office. I turn to my admin questioningly. "Where is the test?" I ask cautiously.
"Well," she begins, pulling open the cabinet to pull out a small tray. "Why don't you have a seat on the chair so I can explain it?" I sit down, keeping my back straight as an arrow, as my mother taught me to. I get a closer look at the tray as she brings it towards me, and I think it contains a sharp pencil. But as she comes closer, I see it is a needle. She picks it up, bringing it towards my neck, and before I can stop her, plunges it into my neck, causing everything to go black.