No one ever mentioned that they never took out the tracker after you won. They never told the tributes that after they won, they would not be watched by the Capitol ever second. They never told us that because that would be a lie. Not that the Capitol would care. Lies were just another part of the Games. The victors always knew their lives would be different, but none of us ever assumed that we would be watched every second. Well, not those of us in the outlying districts. The Careers always wanted the fame, that is why they even risked their lives. But we, we never even wanted the fame. Well not most of us. I won my Games, the 72nd, because I refused to give in. I just needed to go home. I just needed to be the same little girl as when I left, but no amount of normalcy can bring back the innocence lost in the games, even if you never killed a soul. Thirteen years old and my innocence was gone. I can still remember the soft touch of his hand on my cheek as he told me that I would win, that I would outsmart them all. And I remember grasping his hand in mine and telling him that he would make it, that we would get out together, that I would never leave him. He smiled softly at me and laughed. When he laughed the blood flew into my face and combined with my tears. I will never forget kissing his bloody lips the minute after the cannon sounded. I watched the new star-crossed lovers, seems like there is a pair every year, do everything in their power to keep the other safe, when I knew that even if the Capitol said that two could win this year, they lied. They always lie. The victors of the 74th Hunger Games. Why could there not be two victors of the 72nd Hunger Games? How come the Capitol allows the star-crossed lovers District 12? Why could there not have been the victors and star-crossed lovers of District 8? Bitterness and hate replaced what used to be love and innocence in my deep, dark soul. Are they and exception? Just because they were openly in love? Just because she blew up the Career supplies? Just because she saved his life and I could not? How are we any diffrent? The answer is that she is a murderer and I am not. I do not have the blood of others on my hands. When the Capitol says that the games will bring you fame and fortune, they are right. But they never tell you that your happiness will disappear. That would be a lie.