District 12

"I volunteer" I could hear the gasps and whispers circulate around me whilst people edged away as if I was a virus that promised them death. I took the stage in my stride, and winked at the camera lense as the female escort for district 12 tributes tried to compose herself before her jaw hit the floor at what had just happened.

"Looks like we have a volunteer!" the woman beams at the camera trying to act excited by these change of events "what's your name poppet?"

"Fawnest Galloway"

"Well Fawnest you're District 12's tribute for the 73rd annual Hunger Games!" her piercing blue eyes were gleaming with the pure scandal of the event.

I smile at her then the crowd who have already declared me insane; maybe that's what I am.

"Now for the boys!" the female reaches into the incredible glass orb, delicately choosing the next victim and hopelessly wishing for another volunteer to send the reaping out with a bang and really impress the Capitol.

"Kern Blye!"

I scour my brain for identification on my fellow tribute and come up with nothing, I don't remember ever knowing a Kern and I think I'd remember such an unfortunate name.

"The tributes to represent district 12 in the 73rd annual Hunger Games have been chosen! Please shake hands with one another and may the odds ever be in your favour"

I take Kern's left hand to shake, chills run up my spine at contact. His hand feels rough and leathery – the sort of hand a lifelong trained hunter would have. But it also feels stern and safe; you know that if your life depended on holding onto that hand – you'd never fall. We shake and I give him a half smile, a half smile that's never returned.

Kern and I were escorted briskly into two rooms inside of the Justice Building for our family's goodbyes. The thing I had been dreading. The door swings open before I even had the chance to sit down.

"Fawnest what the hell were you thinking!" my mother scowls at me, arms failing "did you even know the girl you volunteered for!"

My father slowly follows behind my mother and places his hands on her shoulders to calm her down.

"Honey I'm sure Fawnest thought she was doing the right thing volunteering for that 12 year old lass, she would have been eaten alive"

"The Hunger Games is a mean game Leporis! We can't let our only child compete!"

My mother collapses into my father's arms releasing small sobs into his chest; he tries to soothe her by stroking her hair and rocking her like a new born baby.

"Fawnest I know you can win" my father looks at me with a look of comfort and worry "you're smart, you're quick, you can do this honey, I believe in you" he let out one of his goofy grins that makes him look young and handsome again then continues to soothe my mother in his arms.

We spend the next few minutes absorbing the moment in silence. Little does he know I'm competing to commit suicide.

AN: hi so could I pls get nice reviews/favs in return for the next chapter ok thanks