Hey, so I'm at home sick and figured I write something. It's a little slow but I hope you like it anyways.

All Alone

I'm rushing into the hospital room after my mom. Pushing people out of the way and squeezing in between them. I get to her bed and see how pale and much older she looks then she did a week ago. This is it, she wont last much longer.

"Mom, I'm here," I tell her as I take her shaky hand.

"Mato," she says quietly. " My handsome boy. I don't have much time."

Tears streaming down my face now, I give a slight nod.

"You need to take care of your sister make sure she's always ok." her voice is scratchy with urgency, "Promise me you will let nothing hurt her."

"I promise," I say through my sobs.

Her eyes close and she lets out a sigh. "Remember that I will always love you two," and her heart stops. I cry harder then I ever had, squeezing her hand that somehow she would come back and comfort me and tell me everything would be ok. But nothing will ever be ok.

3 Years Later

"Immy, it's time to go!"

"Just give me a minute! Your always rushing me!"

"Well you don't need to get all dressed up we are just going to Rane's house for dinner."

Her door opens, she is wearing her light blue dress with white spots all over it and has her brown hair done up in a bun just like mom taught her. She looks a lot like mom probably because we got a lot of features from mom. Her brown her, her smile, hazel eyes. "Ok lets go."

We walk across the street to Rane's. She was my mom's best friend before she died of cancer. Since then Rane has helped Immy and me with everything. I had to drop out of school at 15 to support me and Immy while mom was in the hospital and she was always there if I ever needed any help with Immy or bills or just someone to talk to.

"Mato!" She says happily, "I was wondering when you two were going to be here."

"Sorry Rane, I was stuck waiting for slow-poke here," and take my arm and put it across her shoulders.

Immy just shots me a look, then hugs Rane. "Well Mato, young ladies always needs to look their best," she states with a wink. That a good thing about Rane, she never gets on anyone's bad side and knows just what to say. " So how about we have dinner now."

Dinner is great, beef stew with the usual District 3 bread, some grilled chicken, and some fancy pasta dish Rane and I spend all year saving up for. She doesn't like to take credit for it, but Rane is a great cook. every time I compliment her she just shakes it off saying stuff like "it was nothing" or "you worked hard and deserve a good dinner."

My head falls back as I push my plate away. I can't eat another bit. "That was delicious Rane, Thank you."

"Thanks Mato, but it was nothing you deserve it after all the hard work," there it is again. "Oh, and Immy. I finished your doll. It's in the sewing room."

"Really!" she says in her high voice and she runs down the hall.

When she gets out of ear shot Rane looks at me, "So Mato, how much did you take?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know, tell me."

My head falls and I look at my hands, "20."

Rane sighs, " Mato! If you needed more help you know you could have came to me."

"I know, but now we will have a lot more food. All of us."

"Its not worth it Mato. I wish you would have came to talk to me first," she turns her head to the hall. "What about Immy, She can't lose you to. You're the only family she has left."

Immy comes running to Rane with her doll in her hands. "Thank you Rane, I'll put it up so it doesn't break again."

"Yes sweety, be careful its old. Your mom and I played with them when we were kids," I can see the sadness in her eyes as she remembers. "You two have a busy day tomorrow, you should get home."

We thank her for dinner again and head home. Tomorrow is the reaping. The first one in 20 years.

2 years ago the Mocking Jay fell, along with everyone else from the rebellion. Then President Snow's grandson, Arul Snow took the presidency. He ordered the Hunger Games to be continued again; however, to celebrate the fall of the Mocking Jay this year they will allow the 2 remaining tributes to be crowned victor. How this makes since of celebrating what started the rebellion in the first place; I don't know, but the capital people love it.

I get Immy into her bed and tuck her in.

"You know, you don't need to tuck me in anymore."

"I just like to know your safe," I kiss her forehead and start to walk out of the room.

"Mato?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm scared."

"There's nothing to be scared of, I want let anything happen. Ok?"

"Ok."

"Goodnight, see you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

The next morning passes pretty fast because the next thing I know Immy and I are getting our fingers pricked by the peace keeper. I walk with Immy till we have to separate from boys and girls. "Immy, see right there," I point to the bakery. "We will meet right there after this, ok?" She nods. I hug her, "remember I wont let anything happen to you," she nods again. "Ok, good luck."

"You too," I watch as she makes her way the 12 year old section before I find mine in the 18 year olds.

I wait there for what seems like an hour before the escort, Janer comes on stage. He is the first capital person I have seen and I can not believe how much funnier they look in real life. He is about 30ish, 5'5, half his head is bald and the other side has long bright red hair, and he is wearing this ridiculous yellow and white jumpsuit.

"Welcome District 3 to the reaping of the 76th Hunger Games!" His voice has a vary high tone, that I can't help but laugh at him more. He continues with how in recent years that the Capital over came the Mocking Jay era and now can have the mighty Hunger Games back. "So, lets go with ladies first!" he bounces over to the ladies bowl and grabs the first slip he sees. "Immy Banna."

My heart sinks. This should be happening, if anything it should be me up there not her! I see her walk out of the 12 year olds, stiffly and nervously making her way to the stage. "Do we have any volunteers?" he wait's a few seconds. I am losing my breath. No one volunteers, they cant let a small 12 year old go off to the games! and I cant just sit here and do nothing, I have to do something. "Vary well then, now time for our male tribute." everything's moving so much fast now. He calls some guy named Markus Grong. This boy comes out of the 13 year old section. By then I know what I have to do to protect her.

"I volunteer!" I scream before the boy even gets to the stage.

"We have a volunteer! Come up here darling," I walk with what confidence I have up to the stage. I am climbing the stage and a swear I am stomping with every step and stand next to our escort. "What is your name?"

"Mato Banna."

"Volunteered so your sister couldn't get all the fame now, huh?" he says with enthusiasm. I shoot him a look so harsh, he moves right along. "Shack hands you two," instead I hug her and the peace keepers break us apart and lead us inside the Justice Building.

Please review! Ill try to make the next chapter more exciting. And maybe get it out today…