Chapter 1

Katniss P.O.V

The day of the reaping is here again; once again two people from district twelve will be forced to fight to the death in the arena. And I have to watch all of it.

I hate the capitol so much for everything they put me through in the arena and having to mentor two new tributes every year, to get close to them and try to protect them, when the chances are they won't come home. At least one of them won't anyway, after all only one tribute can come back, and district twelve will be amongst the weakest of the twenty four.

Having to watch them through this, knowing they could die any second. That is my worst nightmare.

At times like this I envy Haymitch, his drunkenness may seem embarrassing to the district but at least he might not remember any of this. Not that he has to this year, Peeta and I will be the mentors for our district. We will advise the tributes from our district, we will help them throughout the build-up to the arena, we will help them inside the arena, and then we will return home on the same train their coffins are on.

As I sit next to Effie and Peeta on the stage I can't help but stare at the containers that hold the thousands of pieces of paper, it's hard to believe that pieces of paper can make so much difference to so many lives. I can't help thinking that Prims name is on two of those slips, twice as much chance of being picked than there was last year, only one slip in thousands, yet she was still picked. I glance over to the container with the boy's names in it. Thankfully Gale isn't in there anymore but his brother is.

Peeta is sitting beside me, holding my hand and I realise the only reason I am still here, that I haven't fled to the woods, is his presence.

"Hey, Katniss?" He grins. "Can you stop squeezing my hand so tightly please? I think I'm losing circulation."

At once I drop his hand, scared that I might hurt him but he just puts his arm around my shoulders.

"It's alright you know Katniss. You're safe. You are never going back in that arena again. Please relax a bit." He's trying to comfort me. He knows the real reason why I am so anxious but he knows there is nothing he can say to help.

"I know" I reply softly. "I just can't shake the feeling that Prim might be picked again. You know that President Snow hates me, and you know that he must rig some of the reaping'" I shudder at the thought of him standing there, writing Primrose Everdeen onto each of the thousands of slips.

After that Peeta tries his best to comfort me while the crowds arrive but it's clear that until I know Prim is safe there is nothing anyone can do to calm me down.

Prims P.O.V

I left the house early this morning to help gather some herbs for mother; she'll need some to help the families whose children get reaped.

Unusually for a reaping day morning, the woods were sunny and full of life; I couldn't help singing with the beautiful mockingjays. Obviously my happiness wouldn't last so long but I wasn't worried anymore. I knew Katniss was safe and even though I wasn't it relaxed me, knowing that whatever happens, she'll be okay.

A little while ago I ran into Gale and we hunted for herbs and rabbits together. This had become quite common on his days off, but usually Katniss was also here. Gale would talk to me when she wasn't here though; he tells me everything which is how I know he still likes Katniss. He admitted it to her when she came back which he doesn't regret but now things are awkward between them and he wishes things would go back to normal.

Then he left to drop off his catches at home, and I left for the town square.

When I got there I looked up to the stage and saw Peeta hugging Katniss. I like Peeta, he means well and he really does love her. And she loves him. She does. A lot of people don't believe her. I mean she didn't love him at first but now, now she does.

Effie's P.O.V

"Welcome, welcome and welcome to the reaping of the 75th annual hunger games and may the odds be ever in your favor! As you know this year is the third quarter quell but the surprise has not yet been released publicly. It has been read to the capitol however so this will make for an interestingly secretive year. Now I have a video from the capitol for you all to watch" I announce cheerily.

Here we go again, I hide it well but to be honest I hate the games. You wouldn't think so but after working with Haymitch and seeing how 'glamorous' a victors life is, it doesn't seem so appealing. And then there's Katniss and Peeta. The games destroyed their lives. But I had better keep pretending to be a good little naïve capitol citizen, or I could end up as an avox.

The film finishes and the square goes silent. After 75 years of this they are used to the protocol.

"Now for the girls." I go to the bowl with the girls slips in and hope that the person I pick will stand a chance. I pick up a slip and walk back to the microphone. As I open the slip I let out a gasp of disbelief. Not again, I think to myself.

"I, I'm sorry Katniss" I whisper to her and she buries her face in Peetas chest.

"Primrose Everdeen!" I call out. Then the cameras focus in the beautiful blonde who always reminds me of an angel, as she walks confidently up the steps to the stage. Katniss immediately hugs her and Prim stays next to her.

All I can think about is the fact that she is only thirteen. Thirteen and picked twice. I know that this is no unfortunate coincidence.

After the shock I gather my thoughts and pick a boy's slip. I walk back to the microphone and read out "Alex Johnson for the boys"

Then they shake hands I lead them to the station to say their goodbyes. Then I go to the train to get a drink.

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