The name's Gabe. It's not an easy life being a farmer in District 11. Always having to work in the fields all day while trying to scrape up some food to survive. Almost nothing grows in our farm because of terrible weather conditions. Our family has to survive, for the most part, by taking leftovers from other farms. The leftovers mainly consist of burnt corn, rotten vegetables, and old pork. But that's not the only reason why life isn't easy. We have to live under the mercy of the Capitol, an imperious group that rules Panem and it's 12 districts. They watch over us, keep us in check, and keep us from leaving. Each district has an electric fence blocking us from the other districts. The only time people from different districts get to really interact with each other is during the Hunger Games. Every year, a young boy and girl is reaped from each district, brought to the Capitol, and brought to an arena where they compete in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games is nothing but the kids going around the arena killing each other until one emerges victor, while being recorded on T.V. It's violent, gruesome, and incredibly pointless. I don't see why the Capitol feels the need to take people from the districts like mice from the forest and throw them in an enclosed area with no escape. I am fourteen years old. I have watched people leave the district each year, most of them haven't come back. I've lost several friends, most of which have been friends since I was a toddler. Every day after I'm done in the fields, I train for the games. I know one day I'm going to be chosen. So I might as well prepare. No one in my family has been reaped into the games before. I have an older brother named Zane. He has been watching the Hunger Games on T.V. ever since he was two. Zane has been mentally destroyed by watching the Games. Every time he sees the games playing on T.V. or hears somebody talking about the games, he has a mental breakdown. It has been 17 years and he hasn't been reaped. On every reaping day, Zane wanders around the yard and talks to himself about the reaping and what will happen if he gets picked. He can't think straight anymore. It really scares me. especially seeing as tomorrow is the 71st annual reaping. God help us all.