NOTE: i just wanted to establish that this is an au story. the quarter quell DID happen, but DID NOT end the way it did in the book- this is because there was NO rebellion.

Cammy

I swing down from the tree as silently as I can manage, weighted down by three rabbits. Looks like the snares have struck it big today. I've never been as good with a bow as my mother, but traps are something I have a talent for.

I glance up, trying to read the time of day by the sun. It's only just rising, but I'll have to start heading home soon. Today's the Reaping, so my parents will be up early. And since they don't like for me to hunt on days like these, they can't know that I was gone in the first place.

Still. I'll swing by the Hawthornes' place on my way back to Victor's Village. At least Gale will appreciate my traps' turnout. He's a close family friend, despite what Dad describes as "a rough past" between them.

I slip under the fence with as much grace as I can manage. I have the long, lean build of my mother, which makes the job easier. I also inherited her dark hair, but my face and my skin tone come from the Mellark side of the family. I'm average enough, I guess. Nothing special about me except the fact that I'm the Victors' daughter.

I've heard Mom whispering to Dad about it before. Saying how these sadistic Hunger Games are rigged, how she's sure I'll be picked this or that year, if only because it would add to the drama- and we all know the Capitol loves drama. But I'm fifteen now, and I think they'd have done it already if they wanted to. The suspense wears off after a while. To be honest, I'm not really afraid anymore. The name of Camellia Mellark has been entered only three times, three among thousands, and I know there's not a chance that I'll be chosen. So there's a cocky spring in my step as I arrive at the Hawthornes' home.

"You shouldn't have been hunting today, Cammy," Gale says when he sees me, but he's grinning. "I knew you did a nice job with those traps," he adds in a conspiratorial whisper, as if he thinks my parents will hear from the other side of the district.

"Thanks," I smile back, handing over the rabbits. I have to dispose of the evidence anyway, and the catch may as well be put to good use.

"Good luck today," he says, looking a little more somber than before. I want to wave it off and tell him I won't need it, but I recall that this is his son's first reaping and think better of it.

"You too," I reply, praying silently for Zephyr. I might think of myself as untouchable, but he's twelve and vulnerable and probably the most important thing Gale or Madge has ever had.

We're both silent for a few seconds, then Gale looks to the sky. "You'd better hurry," he says, breaking the silence. "If you don't make it to Victor's Village soon, Katniss will have a fit." I laugh weakly. Suddenly, for the first time in three years of Reapings, I'm nervous. I've never had anyone else to worry about until now. But Zeph is like a little brother to me, and I can't imagine him having to go off to fight in the strange, twisted place I'd heard stories about from Mom.

"Right. I guess I'll get going. Bye Gale!" I call over my shoulder, and then I'm off and running like the wind. I should know better- how could anyone outrun their fear?

Mom's mouth is set into a hard line when I reach the Village a few minutes later. On any ordinary day, she wouldn't care that I'd been in the forest; she'd probably have joined me. But she always seems a little more protective, a little more edgy around the Reaping. She considers me her greatest blessing, I know, but until I'm eighteen and safe from the Capitol's sadistic games, I'll also be her greatest fear.

"Camellia Mellark, do you have any ide-" The beginnings of a tirade is cut off by my father's hand on her shoulder.

"Relax, Katniss. What could possibly have happened to her while she was hunting?"

Mom opens her mouth to respond, but closes it again quickly. Having inherited Dad's talent for camouflage, my getting caught isn't exactly a likely scenario. "Fine," she sighs, then her eyes soften. "Just... be careful, okay?" I am struck by what I mean to her- what a weakness I am to her, in the Capitol's eyes at least. Surely they would want to manipulate that, manipulate the rebel leader who was once so untouchable by taking her only daughter away from her?

But Mom can't know that I've realized all of this now. "Okay," I say, and that's the end of the conversation. I head up to my room to get dressed, and neither one of them tries to stop me.

I can't resist a quick twirl in my new Reaping dress. I'm not usually one for something so girlish, but frankly, it's stunning. A deep midnight blue that brings out my eyes, which seem to be a mix of my mother's dark gray ones and my father's light blue. It has gold lining and a matching sash that hugs my slender frame, and the combination of the two colors is the whole night sky laid out for me to wear. I guess Mom picked up a few things from Cinna after all.

I come downstairs and she nods appreciatively, clearly pleased with her work. "You look gorgeous, darling," she says in the high, trilling tones of a Capitol stylist. We laugh together, but a glance at the clock reminds us that the Reaping isn't far away.

Dad joins us, resting a strong, steady hand on my shoulder. "Good luck, Cammy." I can only nod.

We head to the square in silence.

Effie having moved up in the world, we have a new escort this year. Her name is Azalea, she has a neon green wig, and both her and her hair seem bored to death with the job.

But then the cameras are on and she's happy as a clam, bubbly and simply skipping across the stage. "Hello everyone! Welcome to the 93rd annual Hunger Games! Happy Reaping Day!" She titters, looking thrilled with herself. "I am so excited to be here, in the home district of our most famous victors, Peeta and Katniss Mellark!" I can practically hear the Capitol crowd cheering. "But I won't keep you waiting any longer. Let's pick the first tribute!"

She scurries over to the boys' glass bowl first, but isn't about to admit her mistake and just goes with it. "We'll mix it up a little this year!" She beams at the camera.

I cross my fingers and hope Zeph's name isn't the one she reads off. "Thorn Maelstrom!" A hulking boy from the Seam takes the stage, not even looking scared. I'm sure it's an act though. He's just putting on a brave face and hoping for the best. But then, aren't all of us?

I allow myself a sigh of relief. Zeph's little victory has boosted my confidence again. He, the son of a rebel, didn't get picked. Why should I? What reason do I have to believe this thing is rigged?

"Now we'll pick the girl tribute, hmm?"

And even if it is, that won't matter to me. I am the invincible, the untouchable-

"Camellia Mellark!"

Wait, what?

I step up to the stage without registering any reaction. Not the shock, the fear, the turmoil going on inside my head and my heart. I focus on the little things to help stay emotionless. The spiraling patterns on the wood of the stairs. The individual curls of Azalea's wig. I take my place next to Thorn. Suddenly one of the little things I notice is how strong he is. How small my chances of survival are.

I shake hands with my death.

I turn to face the crowd and try to meet each of their gazes in turn, because I know I will never see these faces again.

"Welcome to the 93rd annual Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

NOTE: camellia is a kind of flower which symbolizes something (not gonna say what) which may or may not be important later in the story. it's pronounced ca-may-lee-uh. since it's kind of a mouthful, i think i'm just going to call her cammy for the most part.

and no, there is not going to be any romance between thorn and cammy. he's more of a thresh-type character, i guess.