Chapter 1

The last couple of years had changed drastically. The districts hero had suddenly disappeared; we had obtained a new dictator who had stolen every last resource from the capitol, and my family went from being one of the wealthiest in the capitol to being one of the unknowns. Starvation, disease, cruelty…it had all backfired upon us. The worst part of it all? Most of the citizens in the capitol didn't even take the time to realize how unfair we had been treating the rest of Panem.

We should have seen a second rebellion coming; from the second that we allowed two victors to win our games, from the moment when Katniss Everdeen made the speech in the districts, and especially when a handful of competitors escaped the quarter quell. We should have been prepared for a war, unfortunately this wasn't a war, it was a control and conquer plan, Revenge some would call it.

The once gleaming streets of the capitol were now washed out; No color, no festivities, no happiness. Few people were out on the streets; Coin's soldiers were patrolling the downtown areas every day now. Last month we had tried rebelling, which resulted as a colossal failure. We had barely made it to the upper part of the city before Coin had let loose a pack of mutations which tore through us. We have lost so many battles, so many people. Coin had also cut our food supply, our water, and she had soldiers take our homes, our lives. We were made to flee to the downtown part of the capitol. And with so many people down here nerves were tested, there were always murders, and sickness was at an all time high.

I made my way down the street thinking about all of it. I had no where to stay, no one to stay with. When Coin sent the soldiers to raid or homes my parents fought. They had worked so hard to be bumped up in society and wouldn't just let their status be ripped from them. They were killed. I wasn't at home, but at the court yard near the school. I'm guessing now that Coin had crowded us all in there to keep us from making problem for the soldiers. As soon as we heard the gun fire we all panicked. Making our way through the guard's line we ran to our homes but it was too late. Soldiers were there…and our parents weren't.

The wealthier family's children were sent into the hunger games first. So on so forth, Victors weren't granted fortune, or fame. They just went on with their normal lives no more, but less. I knew that my time would be coming soon, I just didn't know when. Today was the day though, the day I knew I was never going to be chosen for the hunger games. Today is the day we stop Coin once and for all. Today she is going to announce the competitors of the games and I am going to take her out. Some say you need no tongue to be an Avox, that may be true but if you have the uniform and don't speak you're just as good as one. Coin has issued an Avox to bring her the envelope with the names of the chosen in it.

"Christian, what's on your mind?" Spencer asked, nudging my shoulder.

"Just a little nervous is all. I'm sure they'll kill me once I get rid of coin."

Don't worry about it little brother; I've got your back." He reassured me. "We have plenty of arms up on the balcony. Even if you miss we can make the shot at Coin, and anyone who tries to get you as a matter of fact."

"Thanks Spence." I mumbled. I was still scared, what if something went wrong.

"Look Christian, you're almost a man, ten more months. The faster we get rid of Coin you'll be able to live a real life, maybe even have a real family."

"How do you know?" I shouted. "What if we do kill her? What then? Who's to say we won't have another corrupt ruler? One that won't starve us, even kill us?"

"We have it under control Christian, Unlike Snow and Coin we are not corrupt. We'll make things right."

"I'm sure they thought they weren't corrupt either Spencer."

He stared at the floor of the car. "You're a smart kid Christian. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise.

"Were here." Called a voice from the front seat of the car.

Spencer sighed. "You know the plan; we've been over it time and time again. Give Coin this envelope." He pulled a long, white, piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. "You have the knife Correct?"

"Yeah." I confirmed checking under the wide Avox belt. "Don't worry, like you said we've been over this a million times. I know what I'm doing."

Spencer looked at me. "You've grown up too fast, but after this a normal life is waiting for you. Be safe when you're up on that podium."

My mind blanked. I hurdled toward him. "I love you, Thanks for being there for me."

He hugged back and then ruffled my hair. "You to Christian." He ruffled my short dirty blonde hair. "But there's no need to be acting like that. This mission is guaranteed to work.

I let go of my older brother and made my way to the gates of the plaza to meet the guards, constantly checking every inch of myself to make sure there were no chinks in my armor. And then I saw her. Coin walking from her limousine with soldiers surrounding her, every inch of her. She had made it to the pedestal and my heart started racing. I knew I couldn't panic hear, the stake were too costly. Then I heard at as clear as day, one word. Avox.

I made my way to the stand and pulled put my hand in my belt. Pulling out the letter I handed it to Coin.

"You may go Avox. " She turned back to the stand and the Crowd began bickering again.

I hesitated. "No. I'm not moving from this spot. " I saw the man beside her put his hand on his belt. He was tall and burley, Olive colored skin black hair, Grey eyes. Probably from district twelve. I pulled out my knife and ran at her. Then I heard a gunshot. I looked down and was surprised to see no blood, and then I looked at Coin. No blood either. More gunshots, that's when I realized they were coming from the balcony

"Spencer!" I yelled. I was too late though. His body was being through off the balcony "Spencer!" I was crying this time. "No, No!"

I made a run for it but was caught by the bigger olive skinned man. He had grabbed me by the arms forcing me to the ground. "What should I do Coin?" He asked.

The woman walked toward us and I spit at her with hatred. "You killed my brother!"

She looked at me and replied almost instantly. "You did that yourself. As a second result Panem will be seeing you in the eighty second hunger games." That's when the tears really came. No family, no happy life, just death.