Chapter 1

Today was the day, the last time I had to put my name in for the reaping. I turn 19 in a few weeks and I wont have to worry about my name being reaped ever past six years i was fortunate enough to never get called. The people I called my friends weren't as lucky. This year my name has been entered 7 times, I need all the Tesserea I can get I live on my own. My odds are actually better then most because there is a family of 6 who had their name entered 45 times.

My name is Olivia Meria, I am from district 4 and our industry is fishing. I know a little about fishing. After dark I would sneak out and practice down by the ocean, I use what I can, sometimes it might be a spear down by the shore or a woven net.

This year is the 69th Hunger Games, we've only had two victor's Mags Flanagan, a woman who won her games at the age of competed in the 11th Hunger Games. She is now 74 years old. I usually see her when I pass by the Victor's village.

The other victor is Finnick Odair, he won the 65th Hunger Games when he was 14, we are the same age. I remember when he was reaped for the games. He was there one day at school then the next he was off on a train to the Captiol. He was always popular, he was also handsome. He would never notice me. I was always in the back of the class room. He was crowded by a sea of people up in the front. Both he and Mags are the mentors for the new tributes each year. This year it's time for another pair of poor teens to be reaped from the globe and killed for the sick enjoyment of the capitol.

I slowly pull myself out of my bed and let my feet hit the cold hard wood floor, I looked out the window and saw that the sun was close to being fully rising.

'Olivia get up!' My Father shouted

'I'm up' I shouted back, I stretched out my muscles and ran my hand through the pony tail I placed my hair up in the night before and pulled my hair down.

' Today is the day.' I said as I got up and headed toward the bathroom to look at myself in the mirror. A messy sight to be honest.

I sighed and stripped out of my night gown and stepped into the bathtub, and started washing myself from the sea water the night before.

I was soon done and climbed out, I dried myself and soon put on my clothes that were chosen the night before for the reaping.It was a grey dress with grey slip on shoes.

'Olivia!' My Father shouted.

' I'm almost done.' I called back

I sat down on the side of my bed and brushed out my hair letting the waves fall down my back. I pulled two parts and placed them up in a clip.

I looked at myself in the mirror and tried smiling but it fell.

My father and I were walking past the market, towards the justice building for the reaping.

'Don't worry Olivia, it's your last year, there is not a chance in hell they'll pick you.' My father stopped walking causing me to stop as well.

'I can't be too sure, you saw what happened last year. That 15 year old, his name was in there twice and he was picked.' I explained as I looked down at the ground.

'Just think positive.' He said as he squeezed my shoulder.

I nodded and we continued to walk.
- -

'Hand.' The Peacekeeper said

I extended my hand and he stuck my finger and drew the blood.

Around me I saw the square fill up with our districts teens. With two unsuspecting, one boy, one girl who will be the tributes for the 69th Hunger Games.

The Peacekeeper put my name in the glass globe, then instructed me to move along.

I walked towards the side with the girls, it's the same song and dance every year.

We watch the lies that the capitol try to feed us in a video, listen to what an honor it is to be chosen as a tribute and have two names chosen.

Our districts' escort Arabella Spritely, an African American woman wearing an eccentric outfit spoke.

' Welcome, Welcome to the 69th annual Hunger Games. Ladies First.'

Arabella, placed her hand in the bowl and let it hover over the papers.

I let out slow and shaky breaths she slowly pulled out the small slip of paper that held the fate of one girl.

'The female tribute from District 4 is Artemis Collins .' Arabella Spoke.

I felt the breath I was holding in get caught in my throat.

'No!' I heard a young voice say.

Artemis was 13, she had no other family other than her 12 year old sister who she had to take care of. It wouldn't be fair. I would watch her occasionally and help her when she couldn't get food. I've known her for a few years now and I enjoy both hers' and her sisters company.

Artemis started walking and I noticed tears slowly falling down her face.

What happened next made me think I couldn't even trust myself

'I volunteer as Tribute.' I said causing Artemis to look at me and fall to her knees crying in the middle of the aisle.

I heard gasps all around me I looked at the stage, I slowly walked out from my spot and started walking down the center.

'Olivia!' My father shouted. I closed my eyes and let the tears slowly fall.

I looked back at my father and saw him crying. I turned my head quickly and walked up to the stage.

I looked up at the victors on stage and saw Finnick staring at me and Mags with a sad look on her face.

'What is your name darling?' Arabella asked.

'Olivia Meria.' I said slowly as I looked out amongst the district teens.

'Delightful!' Arabella shouted ' Moving on. Now for the boys.' Arabella placed her hand in the globe on the other side of the stage and pulled out one name.

'Alec Burke.' A boy I went to school with walked out of the crowd with a big smirk on his face.

Alec always said that if his name was ever reaped he'd win, the first person he would kill is his district partner.

He walked up to the stage and looked at me with a look that could kill.

'Tributes shake hands.' Arabella said

Alec held out his hand and I slowly reached out and we shook hands.

' Ladies and Gentlemen the tributes of District 4.' Arabella said

All was silent, the people in our district kissed three of their fingers and held them up.

I mimicked their gesture as did Alec, followed by being escorted off the stage and taken into the justice building. Alec and I were placed in two different rooms, I waited for the next set of instructions when I saw the door open.

'Olivia?' A small voice said, I looked up and my eyes met with Artemis' who was followed by her younger sister.

'Artemis.'I said

Artemis ran over and hugged me.

'Thank you. ' she sobbed into my dress.

'It's okay.' I wrapped my arms around her in a hug. Artemis' sister Constance joined the hug and repeated 'Thank You.' multiple times.

'You can win.' Constance said as two Peacekeepers came in a dragged them away.

Then walked in my Father.

'How could you be so stupid?' My father said as he pulled me into a hug and cried into my shoulder.' This was your last reaping.'

'If she died,Constance would have nothing left, she is just a kid.' I said as I felt the tears begin to gather in my eyes.

'Please, come back to me.' My Father pleaded. ' I can't lose you like your mother.' He said as he hugged me tighter. 'Don't let Alec kill you.'

'I will.' I said 'and I won't.'

'Take this.' My father told me as he pulled a bracelet out of his pocket, it was had three pearls.

'One pearl is for me, One Pearl is for your Mother, the other is for when you find that special person, I believe that you can make it out. Don't let Alec get in your head.' He instructed and I nodded.

'Times up.' A peacekeeper said as he came into the room and pulled my father away from me.

My dad looked at me one last time, and hugged me again before the Peacekeepers pulled him out of the room.

I looked down at the ground and let the tears finally fall.

'Let's go.' A Peacekeeper said as he walked into the room.

I nodded my head and wiped my eyes before following him out and meeting Alec.

I looked at him and our mentors before we started walking towards the car that was to take us to the train station.

Alec looked at me from the corner of his eye and leaned in and whispered in my ear.

" I'm going to kill you. "