"Viola Emberlee!"

My insides turned to snow. My breathing becomes shaky and my lower lip is quivering. Why? How? My name was in a slip of thousands! The chances are more then unlikely! But this is real. It is happening. Right now.

I look to children around me for support, but they just back away silently. I look around helplessly. But everyone just looks at the floor. Thanking the heavens it wasn't them. I look and see snowy white peacekeepers a few feet away from me. They gesture impatiently for me to come to them. My legs felt numb. And I am starting to shake. But I'm in this now. And I'm going to do it properly. I drop my arms to my side, and press them hard against my body, to hold myself together. My legs feel stiff as lead, but I slowly put one in front of the other and move forward. I hold my head high when walking down the aisle, a crowd of people either side of me, staring at me. And a thousand people watching from Panem. I must be calm. The peacekeepers are on either side of me, making sure I don't run. I abandoned that option. I had a feeling I'd get shot on the spot. And if not, a thousand people would see me pathetically attempt to escape.

The peacekeepers hoist me onto the stage. Well throw me onto the stage seems more accurate. I stumble and then straighten immediately, praying no one noticed. I turn and face the crowd. I don't make eye contact with any of the many eyes staring at me. I just fix a point near the hills beyond the rows of houses. I exit the horrific reality for a second. But Dena Royla brings me back.

"Splendid!" She squeaks. I look at her. I don't give her any horrid look. I just stare at her. Her eye shadow is a few inches thick and covers the top half of her face, her eyelashes have been sliced off accept for 3 long golden lashes that curl upwards. Her hair is black. And curves in a huge quiff. My staring is making her self-conscious, because she breaks away from my gaze, looking slightly worried and starts fiddling with the wisps of hair escaping from her quiffs.

"Lovely. Now any volunteers?

"ME! ME!" Cassa screams. I blush a deep pink. My 5-year-old sister breaks away from the people along the perimeter. And rushes forward. The peacekeepers meet her halfway. And sieve her by the shoulders and drags her back. You can see her struggle is actually affecting them. Her screams and movements, kicks and punches are affecting them. How dare they! How dare they treat my little sister like some aggressive animal!

"DON'T YOU DARE HARM HER!" I bellow. It echo's across the whole of District 6. Everyone is frozen with shock. Even Cassa's struggling has stopped and she stares at me. The whole district is silent. Great I think. The gamemakers are going to kill me for doing that. Fern, my other sister bravely steps forward and picks up my sister. She gives me a reassuring nod, but her eyes were filled with tears, I could see from all the way up here. She collects Cassa without noticing the peacekeepers, and disappears into the sea of people round the perimeter. Dena looked slightly annoyed by the interruption, but let it pass.

"Any volunteers?"

All we could hear was the whistle of the wind.

"Right that's sorted!" Dena says, relieved." Now onto the boys!" This might be the one I kill. Odds are he'll be dead during the bloodbath. And I will be alongside him. Dena thrusts her hand in the bowl and fishes for a slip of paper. She has one, and holds it out to the audience. She reads:

"Fabian Wolfe!"

I gulp. The odds stand against me now. Fabian is a very large and aggressive boy, with very sharp black hair. The color to match his eyes. He smirks, and slowly walks up to the stage, with no hesitation like me. We make eye contact when he walks up the small set of stairs. This gaze is filled with curiosity and fear. Dena's voice breaks the tension.

"Lovely! May I present, the 78th annual hunger games tributes of District 6!".

This is how I will be remembered. It is disgusting.

When the anthem ends. We're escorted into different rooms in the justice building. I am once again thrown. I guess they're blaming my sisters defiance on me. I just lie on the floor. And sob for a minute. Then I just lie there in silence and stand up. The peacekeepers would laugh at me if they saw me in this state. But they're probably used to it. Just then my family are bustled in. My sisters make a beeline for me and my arms are already open. They crash into me, and I feel whole. Then my mother comes and joins us. My father is long gone. He died in a train crash. Mother took it well, but screamed at the television when the capitol was only bothered about transport problems. Our family was broken. But after hours of helping mother with her sewing. We created a small business that helped us financially. When the girls go to bed, we just sit silently and sew.

I haven't noticed this room is beautiful. Every furniture piece is covered with red velvet. But that is not on my mind. My sisters are sobbing and my mother is crying. I must say something before its too late.

"Listen. Listen. You need to calm down" their loud sobs turned silent and I spoke again "You will be fine. I promise. I'll try to win for you. And I will win. I've got a trick up my sleeve" These are all lies, but my humoring calms them a bit. I turn to fern. "Fern, try to help mother with the sewing because I won't be here… for a while" I added tactfully. Then I addressed Cassa "I need you to be a big brave girl for me now. Ok?" She nods, but coughs, which turns back into crying. Then I address all of them. "Keep safe. I love you. I love you" I say this even after their gone. I am not expecting any more visitors. But there is one.

It's Mona.

Mona is rather old, and runs the only bookshop in district 6, the only district in all of the districts really. We spend hours in her shop. Chatting, discussing books. I am her only regular customer, and she is my best friend. She even lets me read her classics. Something she's very picky about. I love 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'The secret garden'. I recently read 'Romeo and Juliet" By an author unknown. His name got lost in time. Forgotten forever.

Mona has dark grey hair, the color of sooty smoke. And is not skinny, but she's not fat either. Her long hair is up in a bun and wisps of hair are escaping, making her look beautifully young. I've never seen Mona with her hair down.

She seizes me by the shoulders and speaks urgently and quietly.

"Think. What book did you just read?"

I search my brain.

"Uhhh… Romeo and Juliet" I stutter

"Good. Now-" She reaches in her large fleece, and pulls out a tiny bottle, the size of a dung beetle. It is green tinted, and there is a liquid swishing inside. Barely enough for a mouthful. A cork is in the top. Mona rushes and places it in my hand. Hugs me, and whispers in my ear.

"The death scene of Romeo and Juliet. Remember. Do not let anyone find it, hide the bottle in your mouth." She pulls back and smiles, but I see tears spilling over her grey lashes. I realize I've said nothing.

"Oh Mona" I whisper. I cannot bare to be starved of her love. She is my one true friend. I take hold of her hands and hold them in my own.

She smiles and whispers "Juliet's death". Then peacekeepers barge in and bustle her out.

I stand alone, my hands clasped around the bottle, and exhale.

I've never felt more alone in my life.