Smoke rises from the coal mining buildings, tall and huge. Black smoke rushes around the branches of the trees gracefully and elegantly twirling and dancing. The only difference is that, dancing and twirling is beautiful and happy and smoke is dark and deadly. It suffocates and kills.

Ugh the Reaping...it's awful even to think about. Two teens from each district in Panem will be chosen to be put into the worst games of all time. The Hunger Games. We haven't won for years...I doubt we'll win this year.

I bet you're wondering what this is all about. We live in this country called Panem but it was once called America. America...land of the free...I only wish that were true now. The Capitol does this Hunger Games to show how important they are compared to us basically.

I quickly rush to get into the line with the girls in my age group. I stand there, not sure what to think as the purple haired, red cheeked Effie Trinket pulls the name out of the guy's reaping ball. "Logan Kent." she calls, her voice high and squeaky as usual.

I see a guy who looks about my age, sixteen years old, walk up to the stage almost hesitantly. He has dark brown hair that sweeps to the side to keep from falling in his bright blue eyes. His expression does not show fear, but shows determination as he walks up towards me but what I mainly focus on are his eyes. The shades change depending on where and how he's standing. Like waves of a river, they change just like that. Bright blue, to baby blue, to dark. I keep gazing at him but then shake my head to get myself to stop.

What's odd is that I don't even remember seeing him at school...ever. I remember hearing about him though. He is deffinetly one of the popular kids. Always bragging, always trying to impress girls. He's known for being a total flirt. But I've never met him before. I find it weird that he even looked at me. I'm not much to look at.

I'm five foot seven, and really skinny but thats just because I live here. I have dark brown eyes and long brown wavy hair that sweeps off my shoulders. My cheeks are naturally rosy and I have light freckles that dance on them. My smile is soft but I haven't smiled in a long time.

I almost don't hear the name but then I manage it. "McKenzie Halls." Effie says loudly. My eyes widen and she calls it once more. That name...I know that name...That name is mine. I walk up to the stage quietly. No one talks...no one claps...no one cries. They stand there. In utter silence like hills at night.

"We now present the tributes of district 12!" Effie shouts proudly. Logan and I are called to shake hands. I look at him and he stares at me, his eyes glistening. He is scared. I can tell and why shouldn't he be? I am too...I think we all are.

After we shake hands we are led to the Justice Building. The old building which only Peace Keepers and the mayor and his family are allowed in...well also obviously the Tributes for the Hunger Games. Shaking, I sit down on the couch. Red velvet. I bet this was expensive... I think. I have no one who greets me. No one who says goodbye. Why should I? All of my family is dead.

I wait for the half hour that the tributes are given for goodbyes. No one comes for the first twenty minutes. That is until I hear the door squeak and I see Sarah, a girl at my school, walk in quietly. "Hi." she murmurs. "I need you to have this..." she says handing me a necklace made out of pearls.

Sarah? Why is she even here? I never talk to her...She's sweet and nice but not even my friend. Why does she even care? This shocks me more than anything...Having her here... Wow...

"Sarah...I couldn't. No way." I say in astonishment.

"Please take it. It may bring you some good luck." she smiles, hugs me briefly and then runs off as fast as she came in. I look down at the necklace. It's beautiful...and just...amazing but why did she bring this to me? The beads are beautiful and ellagant. Why would she want to give something like this up? I don't know but I am shocked...Like really shocked.

A peacekeeper walks up to me calmly. He has light blonde hair and dark brown eyes that stand out majorly. "Is anyone else going to come visit-"

"No." I cut him off. "All of my family's dead." Died in a mining accident. My father died when there was a fire in one of the buildings. A huge ember fell on top of him. It broke his back and his neck and he was paralyzed, knocked out, and in flames before anyone could do anything about it. My mother died trying to save him. My little brother, Jenson ran away from everything he didn't die...but he ran away and I haven't seen him since.

"Alright." the man answers. No emotion. No sympathy. Just a plain alright. But I saw that coming. He leads me to the District 12 cart in the train and I take a seat in a row up towards the front. Sighing, I lay my head on my hand and don't make a sound. I refuse to die. For what reason I have to live I have none. I just refuse to die.