"Lawliet! Run! Take Nate and just run!" Mother shoved my baby brother into my arms and almost threw me out the room. My 5-year-old self just stared up at her in confusion as amber flames set the living room ablaze.

"Mama? What's going on?"

"Run you stupid boy! Just ru-!"

Her words were cut off as one of the white men shoved a blade into her abdomen, spraying blood onto me and Nate, who began to shriek, even though he didn't know what was going on.

"Mama?" She just gurgled in response as she slumped into a bloody heap on the floor. That's when I ran.

"Lawliet?" My eyes snapped open, my breath ragged. Above me was my guardian Watari, or by his real name Quillish Wammy. Slowly I calmed down, taking a sip of the warm sweetened milk he gave me.

"It was just a nightmare Lawliet. You're safe. Do you want to tell me? I'm all ears."

I took another sip of milk, the warm sweetness making the bitterness on my tongue disappear.

"It was about that day 12 years ago. When District 13 was destroyed."

"I see," Watari's face was grave, "and I suppose since it's the Reaping tomorrow and Nate is now of age to participate, you're getting nervous am I correct?"

I nodded in response. My cup was empty, the sweetness was still on my tongue. Watari smiled softly and reassured me that since Nate hadn't taken the tesserae and his name is only in there once, it's practically impossible he'll be chosen. Yet it's still one slip of paper in over a thousand others, it's still a possibility. I just hope I'm wrong, but I'm normally right...

By this time Watari had turned on my music box, the relaxing music calming me down. Gently I layed back down, shutting my eyes as I fell into a dream less slumber.

"Hey L wake up!" Two pairs of bright eyes stared down at me, prodding my pale cheeks to wake me up.

"Ngh Mail, Miheal what are you doing? Get off, both of your combined mass is making it difficult to breathe."

Both of them slid off, still in their nightclothes. They looked impatient, so I reckoned there was a 87% chance breakfast was ready. Watari only serves breakfast when everyone's out of bed so they got impatient waiting around and decided to wake me up themselves. The only times I sleep like a log are when I have warm milk with exactly 12 spoonfuls of sugar and my beloved music box is playing in the background. Otherwise I don't sleep and have nightmares. Nate's possibly awake but needs me to help him get out of bed.

"Both of you,wash yourselves properly, get dressed and get your asses downstairs. Me and Nate will be with you shortly."

"Okay." Miheal sighed in annoyance before making his way to the bathroom, Mail following suite. Then I got up and made my way to Nate's bedroom.

Surprisingly he was still asleep, softly stirring in a peaceful slumber. Nate was one of the only ones who could make me smile, the others being Watari, Miheal, Mail and my other siblings who died 12 years ago, one-year-old Angela and my twin brother Beyond Birthday or BB for short. I still miss them to this very day but at least I still have Nate and now I've got Watari and the boy's so I guess everything's a bit better. Gently I shook Nate awake.

"Nate? Nate come on wake up." I whispered, stroking his forehead. Slowly his soft grey eyes opened, a cat-like smile making it's way on his face as he saw me.

"Lawliet..." Nate sat up, wiping the sleep from his eyes, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, his lame leg covered by his pyjama bottoms. He was born with a lame leg, another reason why I don't want him to participate in the Hunger Games; he can't run or even walk without his cane.

"Lawliet? You're spacing out."

"I wasn't Nate. I'm just...thinking."

"About today right?"

"You're too smart for your own good Nate."

"Thanks Lawliet. Now get me my cane and clothes."

I smiled and stood up, walking over to his closet, grabbing a white button-up shirt and light blue pants. He had already taken his shirt off so I handed him the button-up and helped with his bottom half. Once we were done I got his cane and we went to the bathroom, did what was necessary before going downstairs.

Miheal and Mail were both sat on the table, a look of impatience on their faces. There wasn't much for breakfast, coffee for me and Watari, sweetened milk for the boy's and French toast, the bread full of fruit.

Crouching on my chair in a foetal position I took a sip of coffee when I realised it wasn't sweet enough. One look from Watari was all I needed to know why; our sugar storage was low. I left my coffee alone after that and just ate my French toast. Thankfully Nate shared his milk with me, so it wasn't too bad.

Breakfast was in silence, noone uttered a word, anxiety gnawing at our stomachs; it was the day of the Reaping, when one young man and woman between the ages of 12 and 18 were selected to be sent to the Capital where they would fight to the death between 22 others to become the lone victor, something that barely happens in District 5. To win is a miracle but it's rare. Those from districts 1 and 2 normally win because they're trained for this since they could toddle. It's unfair but we live in a dystopian universe so what would you expect? It's kill or be killed.

"Boys, it's time."

Nate had finished weaving white lilies into my hair to go with my dress, a white frock that came to my knees and poofed out a bit. It was my mother's, and there's no rules against crossdressing so I decided to wear it. Gnawing on my thumb I turned to the boys.

"Do I look presentable?"

"Beautiful." Nate breathed out, a look of peace on his face. Miheal was smiling in approval while Mail stared off in the distance not giving a crap.

I slipped on my white pumps and hugged them all before we left. In case I never saw them again. I did the same with Watari who gave me good luck then we were off.

The place was already crowded by the time we got there, but at least we weren't late. We signed in and lined up, older ones near the front, youngest at the back. I fiddled with the ends of my dress, anxiety creeping in. What if I was chosen? What if Miheal, Mail or even Nate were chosen, how could I cope? Suddenly the light murmur subsided as a blue-haired woman with very large...assets made her appearance.

"Hello? Can you hear me? Oh! Welcome all of you to the 12th annual Hunger Games!"

I didn't bother listening to her speech as the anxiety was building up. I didn't want to be picked, even with my intellect and fighting skills, what was it against an 18-year-old career tribute who weighed more than me, running at me with a sword? They had already called out the female tribute, a scrawny 15-year-old who looked as if she was about to cry. It was time.

"And the male representative for District 5 is..."

Please let it not be me, please let it not be me, please let it not be-

"Nate River!"