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I stand in the crowded town square. We are here for the first ever Hunger Games reaping. They will select one boy and one girl from each district between the ages of 12 and 18 to enter the arena, were they will fight to the death. The last person alive will be crowned victor. They have created this sick game to remind the rebels that were responsible for the war last year that they will never be able to even pose a threat to the capital again. There is an escort for each district that will escort the tributes to the capitol, and if they make it, make home. Imagine getting chosen. You, in an arena, with 25 other tributes, and only one will survive. Wait no. that's wrong. District 13 was destroyed during the war. There will only be 24 tributes. And the worst part of the games, it's all televised, so the odds are your family will see you die.

"Happy Hunger Games!" calls out the district 5 escort, Elixa Klicker. See there`s another horrible part, they treat the whole thing like a holiday "well, you all know why we're here, it's the reaping of the first Hunger Games!" Wow, she really is over the top. And by the disgusted looks of the people around me, I'm not the only one that feels that way.

"well, ladies first" she says as she thrusts her ring clad hand into the big bowl over flowing with tiny slips of paper, 1 of which has my sisters name on it. I would be standing holding her hand right now, but they have us organized by age with the crying and yelling parents in the back "And the first ever female tribute for district 4 is….Kathleen Carpenter!"

This is so much harder than I thought it would be. I know Kathleen. And she`ll probably be the youngest tribute in the mix. She`s only 12. How could they possible send a 12 year old to their death? These evil people. How did they ever get in charge of a country? At least if I was chosen I would be of decent age. Well, no child is of decent age to do this, but more decent, 16. There is only one small twinge of happiness in me, that my sister Cara didn`t get chosen.

"And now gentlemen!" she makes just as big a show of swirling her hand around inside the glass bowl, and the slips of paper, one of which has my name on it "and the male tribute is…Alek Mansfield!"

No. this is not happening. No. this can`t be happening. No. my best friend James grabs me into a big bear hug and whispers in my ear "be brave, you can win this, do it for Cara, and play to your strengths" and then he lets go, and pushes me up to the podium, and my inevitable, immediate or not death.

"well, well, well" trills Elixa "tributes shake hands, shake hands" I reach out and grab Kathleen`s small trembling hand. I try for a reassuring squeeze, but I think it probably feels more like a menacing gesture. "Well, well, well, tributes into the justice building" she ushers us into the justice building. We walk through the building and out to the back were we get into a black car with dimmed windows. Even the car has installed cameras, which footage will be available to the general public, and most importantly the other tributes. Kathleen is crying silently, and I'm trying not to show emotion. If I act weak people will single me out as a weak opponent in the arena. We get out of the car at the train station, were cameras follow us as we board the train. Which is relaxingly camera-free. Elixa ushers us into the dining car, were she says she will explain as much as she can.

"So we will be on this train to the capital for the rest of today and most of tomorrow, then we will get off and you will be brought to the all-new Hunger Games training center, were you will be beatified by your stylists for an on the air interview, so people can decide if they want to sponsor you!" Now, I know your saying that isn`t too bad but she said in is one hyper squeaky rush.

"Sponsor us?" asks Kathleen, voicing the question in my head.

"Well, people in the capitol have the opportunity to donate money, medicine, food or whatever else they like to me, and I will have the ability to send it to you in the arena!" oh god, how is someone that happy? "For now you can go to your rooms, were you can write letters to your friends and family, that will be given to them if you die!" she still sounded happy when she was talking about us dying. Great Support.

Well, either way, I go to my room, intending to write letters to every person I possibly can, because it is very unlikely that I will come home. First I write a letter to Cara.

Cara,

I love you more than I can possibly say. Be brave. Mom will look out for you. And if you need anything, ask James. Don`t mope over me dying, and don1t let mom mope either. Be strong. Don`t blame the person who killed me, it's the capitol doing this to us not them. I love you so, so, so, so, much. Think of the happy times in life, not the sad ones.

Love from your brother,

Alek

I'm not very happy with my end result, and I think they`ll sensor out most of it anyway, but still, it`s something. Next I write to mom.

Mom,

Be brave. Be there for Cara, she`ll need you. I love you more than I can possibly say. If you need anything ask James and his family, this isn`t the time for pride, it's the time to work together and get through this rough patch of history, that hopefully won`t last very long. Don`t hold grudges against the other districts, even if one of their tributes kills me. This is the districts against the capitol, not the districts against the districts. They`re just trying to start discord among districts, so we can`t have another rebellion.

Remember I love you more than anything,

Alek

Well, they`ll definitely sensor out like, all of that, except maybe the first line. Next I write to James.

James,

I miss you already. If you're reading this, it means I'm dead. But whatever it looks like know I didn`t go down without a fight, I would never do that. Please to be there for Cara and mom, make sure there getting along. Don`t blame the person who killed me, blame the capitol. It's the time to work together and get through this rough patch of history, that hopefully won`t last very long. Don`t hold grudges against the other districts, even if one of their tributes kills me. This is the districts against the capitol, not the districts against the districts. They`re just trying to start discord among districts, so we can`t have another rebellion. Don`t do anything stupid.

Love your best friend,

Alek

Part of that was directly copied from my letter to my mother. I go on to write letters to old friends, teachers, neighbors, and acquaintances. All bearing the same message: blame the capitol. Which will probably be censored out, but we can hope. Eventually I get to tired to continue, and fall into the bed, fully clothed. I get to sleep, almost immediately, considering how soft and fluffy the mattress, blankets, and pillows are. My last thought before I lose consciousness is that this will probably be the last good sleep I get for a while.