Faces. Empty faces. Everywhere. All so worried about their fate. We never wanted a part in this cruel world; we were just born into it. The escort for District 7, Elleny Brodge, walks over to the ball to choose the female tribute. The anxiety in the air, and especially in me is only heightening as Elleny's bright teal heels click on the concrete floor along with her silver dress jingling with every step she takes towards the bowl for the females. I begin to twist my shoulder-length brunette pigtails uneasily. Click clack click clack. She opens the paper a little too joyfully as the world seemingly stops and she reads the name on the slip. "Aria Caddick", she says, "Where are you darling, come on up." Air, I need air. Everyone turns to me, and I swallow the lump in my throat. How? Why? God, no, I can't do this. Wake up Aria, wake up; it's just a dream. "Aria? Aria?" Elleny asks again in her oh-so-annoying Capitol accent. I slowly edge my way out of the crowd and walk slowly up to the stage. I can hear my brother Adkin shouting my name, but I don't respond, as I can barely breathe. I reach the stage and just look out at the mass of people. Everyone whispering to one another about how such a small, innocent, little twelve-year-old girl could have fate like this. I once again hear the click-clack of Elleny's heels walking over to pick the male tribute from District 7. I don't pay much attention to her as I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I've just been reaped for the 73rd Hunger Games. "Deven Zulen", she says excitedly. Who the hell is he? Never heard the name before in my life. I see a muscular boy with rich brown hair walk up. He looks to be about sixteen or seventeen. I turn to him, still not able to breathe sufficiently and we shake hands. He mouths to me "I'll protect you." and with those words it all becomes real to me; I, Aria Caddick, age twelve, have just been picked to essentially die in front of all of Panem. Great, this is just amazing. I'm not angry or sad, I'm just numb and in shock. Well, goodbye old friends and people I hate, have fun watching me get murdered.