Nina's POV:

My name is Nina Martin. Sixteen years old and living in District 9. It isn't so bad here. The town is rather small with dusty cobblestone streets and wooden and stone houses with ivy cascading over them. It's a tight community, where everyone goes through everything together. Reaping's are always hard for us. I live in a little cottage made entirely of wood, right outside the fields, with a few old pine trees by the house. Every morning I wake up to see the delicate amber waves of grain swaying in the breeze gently, and the rough cold faces of the harvesters working hardly, hoping for a good day's pay. That used to be my father, a warm loving man with a great sense of humor. And then there was my mom, a gentle delicate lady with curiosity about every little thing. They died in the District 13 accident when I was little. Everything became dark for me then. But there was one person there for me; my Gran.

I admire myself as I look in a dusty old mirror. I am wearing a pale yellow dress that was once my mothers with some beat up flats in a deep shade of chestnut. Gran comes in and sheds a few tears, wiping them slowly off her thin cheeks.

"That dress used to be your mothers," She says softly. "I know," I reply, slightly sad. Gran smiles warmly at me, which comforts my sorrow and pain I deal with throughout the days. Even though we are both desperately hungry and pained, we keep each other going. I love her to pieces.

We head over to our Justice Building; the one thing that stands out in our district. It gives of a dark glow, no matter how much the sun gleams off the glistening grey walls. After they take my blood sample, I head off to go stand by May, my good friend. Soon after, our mentor Annette walks up on to the stage in her ridiculous Capitol outfit; a disgusting shade of pastel green coat with a matching dress and skirt. Her heels are ridiculously high and she has a flower hat with a bird cage veil in an ugly shade of pink.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome. The time has come to select one courageous young man and women, for the honor of representing District 9, in the 100th Annual Hunger Games and 4th Quarter Quell!" She squealed, in her ridiculous Capitol accent. "Ladies, first." She dug her hand around the glass bowl and pulled out a slip.

"Nina Martin."

There goes my world, crashing down as usual. Why me? Out of all people, why me? Enough of bad things have happened in my life already, is this supposed to be the cherry on top?

"And now, for the boys," She says with a smile. After moving her hand around the bowl, she finally picks out a name. "Edison Sweet," She called out. A boy slowly makes his way into the crowd, with dirty blond hair and dark brown eyes filled with sorrow. He seems strangely familiar, and then it clicks; he would stick up for me at school when people would bully me, and there were no parents to be concerned, no friends to stick up (I hadn't met May yet), there was only Eddie. He's the mayor's son, who must be disappointed; I bet he would've volunteered if he could.

I give Eddie a look of empathy, understanding the feeling of the world crashing on your shoulders, and watching it all crumble down from your own eyes, wanting to go back, but knowing nothing can be done. He gives me a quick glance, but looks away quickly, leaving me in a train of thoughts and a frown in confusion, which is interrupted quickly by Annette's perky capital accent.

"Representing District 9, Nina Martin and Edison Sweet!"

Next thing I know, we are whisked off to say our goodbyes. Gran and May rush in, almost knocking over a peacekeeper. Gran is sobbing, not wanting to lose the last family member, and May is tearing up. They hug me as tight as possible, and I never want to let go of their warm embraces. They go on about how much I mean to them, and May leaves before time is up, with a tearful goodbye. Gran stays with me, cooing comfortable words to me.

She then pulls out a necklace, with the shape of a…eye? It's a light colored wood with metal edges and a red jewel in the center.

"This was your Great-Grandmothers, Sarah," She says gripping it tightly with one hand, holding mine with her other. "It's the Eye of Horus, and it will watch over you." She holds out her hand, waiting for me to accept the beautiful antique.

"Oh Gran, I can't accept this," I reply sadly, knowing how much it must mean to her.

"I want you to have this, as your tribute token," She offers once more, lightly granting the lovely item to me. I give it a squeeze, and the tears start to form in my eyes. They roll gently down my pale complexion. Gran embraces me so warm and comforting, it's heartbreaking. A peacekeeper rushes in telling Gran it's time to leave.

"I love you Gran," I cry, clasping her hand tightly and enfolding her with a final hug.

"I love you too," She replies tearfully, trying to stay strong. "I know you can do this." The peacekeeper escorts her to the door quickly, and the door is slammed shut, leaving me alone and emotional. I put the locket on and grasp it, thinking of my Gran.

I will do this, for my district, for May, for Gran.