1

I awake with a start, happy to begin a new day.

That is until I recall the fact that today 23 children will be sent to their doom.

I climb out of bed desperate not to wake up my mother.

I peer to the bed across the room empty of Katniss.

"Off hunting to escape reality" I muse in my mind.

I quietly pull on Katniss's old reaping clothes that my mom had left out last night.

Once I'm dressed I step towards where Lady is housed.

My dress falls to floor. I pull it back on and call for mom.

She comes from her room in her old formal dress and a handful of pins later, I look presentable.

Mom braids my hair as we wait for Katniss to come back.

When she arrives the first thing she does is take a bath.

When she returns I see she's wearing a beautiful blue dress.

"You look beautiful" I say in a hushed voice.

"And nothing like myself" Katniss mutters before engulfing me in a hug.

When I finally escape it the back of my blouse is untucked. "Tuck your tail in, little duck" She says smoothing it back into place.

"Quack" I giggle in spite of my self.

"Quack yourself" Katniss responds with a light laugh.

Suddenly the clock strikes 9 and before I know it I'm clustered into a group of 12 year olds.

I tune out the mayor and the guide Effie Trinket. That is until something snaps me back into reality, my name is being shouted...