Chapter 1: The Quell Announcement

It was the night of the announcement of the 3rd Quarter Quell. The Everdeens were hosting Katniss' fellow District 12 victors, Peeta Mellark and Haymitch Abernathy, over at their home. After dinner, the program started on television. After a brief spiel recapping the themes of the first two Quarter Quells, President Snow read that year's theme from the card:

"On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder that the Capitol has absolute control over the districts' lives, the tributes will be handpicked by the President of Panem. Age eligibility is irrelevant."

The program ended. The Victors of District 12 sat in stunned silence.

"Well, that means no reaping, then," Peeta mused.

"Yeah, but how lame is that?" Haymitch slurred, already buzzed. "That was part of the rules for the one fifty years ago."

Katniss barely heard any of this. "You guys don't get it, do you?" she cried, almost close to hysterics. "Snow can send into the arena whoever he wants! And after the stunt Peeta and I pulled in the arena last year, who do you think he'll pick?" She looked at Prim and immediately collapsed into tears, pulling her little sister in for a hug. Peeta laid a hand gently on her shoulder.

"You don't know that he'll do that, Katniss, just to punish you."

"Then you're a fool, boy," Haymitch growled. "Snow can do and get whatever he wants, especially when he's ticked off. How do you know he won't punish you just as much as Katniss? One of your brothers could easily be the male tribute."

"That's not fair!" Peeta protested. "Leven's too old to be reaped, and Rye…."

"Were you not listening, boy? Snow said, Age eligibility is irrelevant. He can literally pick whoever he wants: old, young, it doesn't matter! Katniss may have been the one to pull out the berries, but you were ready to go right along with it. Who's to say he won't punish you both?"

Katniss suddenly stiffened. "He could pick someone else, too, though. Besides Rye or Leven." The victors looked at each other, the same name in their brains.