If you recognise it, it's not mine.

I am Laurel Crane, secretary to the President of Panem. We are all sitting round a table. Me, Venus Charm, Marchell Crimson, Liana Starling, Merchant Angelo and President Isaac Garnet. We are the probably strongest people in the Capitol. Garnet speaks.

"We are here today because of the rebels. " This causes a stir. We have just subdued the districts. Thousands were killed. We have an agreement, a treaty, with District 13, although most believe it to be obliterated. Have we not done enough?

"This peace will not last. We will never let this happen again."

Merchant asks the question we are all waiting for. "So what will we do?"

The President smiles.

"We will make them pay. "

And he goes on to explain his plan. Every year each of the remaining districts will offer up one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to fight to the death on live television. As he continues to talk, explaining arenas and Cornucopias, tours and reapings, Gamemakers and mentors, I see everyone reacting differently. Marchell, who is well known to have a love of fighting and gore, is grinning widely, whereas Liana looks like she may faint.

"And every twenty-five years there will be a special celebration. A glorified version to remind the districts why their children are dying. Crane, I want you to be in charge of that. Prepare for centuries."

I nod, too numb to speak. What Garnet is suggesting is monstrous, hideous, inhumane. But it might work.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your votes."

Liana speaks first. "No! We can't! I mean, this is why they rebelled, because we took away their rights. No!"

Merchant nods. "If we kill their children, what will they think of us? I'm with Liana."

Marchell smiles. "I don't see anything wrong. They need to be controlled, and what better way? This way, everyone will be happy. Yes."

Venus bats her eyelids at him and giggles.

"Why not? It will be good fun to watch!"

"Looks like it's down to you then Crane."

I take my time. I think about the uprising and the reasons behind it, and any other ways this could be prevented. I look up and see Marchell smirking at me, while Venus is still looking adoringly at him. Merchant's face is grey, but his lips move silently, and Liana screams at me, begging, tears pouring down her face. Garnet's eyes are cold and calculating. I don't know what he's thinking. Then I remember the name of our country. Panem, bread. It's from an old saying from an ancient world long gone, Panem et Circenses. Bread and Circuses. Maybe if we can sort something out, the districts provide the bread, we watch their circuses, we can save a little bit of dignity for our country. This could be the evolution of the human race. Or it could destroy us. Carefully, without looking at anyone, I cast my vote.

"Yes."

For the next few months, everything is hectic. I am appointed as the first Head Gamemaker. We design an arena. When I say 'we', I mean me, Venus and Marchell. A few others. I don't know what happened to Liana and Merchant. I also have to create centuries worth of Quarter Quells. One year the tributes will be voted in. Another, twice as many will be entered. I pretend it's just figures on a map, not real people. Real children.

Finally, a few weeks before the announcement, I come up with a name. The Hunger Games. We all want the same thing. Maybe this time, the human race will step out of the dark. But there will be such a cost.

I am so sorry.