I wake up to the sound of screaming. I whip my head around to confirm what I already knew. It was me screaming, not my sisters, Lacey and Eden, twins. No, they had to leave. I look down at my feet, the guilt piling up. It wasn't entirely my fault, but I had a great deal to do with it.

It was a terrible time. We had hardly any food, even with my whole family working. My mother and father at a factory, helping with the energy that goes to District 6. My sisters, just 12, were maids. I was a servant to the wealthiest family in town. But all this didn't change the fact that we were dying. I needed to do something. It was once, only once.

I shake my head and get back to reality. I bath and get dressed in one of my mother's dresses. She would want me to wear it. I sit at the kitchen table and remember I get to see them today. Attendence of the reaping is mandatory. It will be the first time in two months. I need to get them out, but I don't have the money.

I force myself to the door and walk to the square. I sign in, get my finger pricked, and walk to the 15 year old's section. I glance at the 12 year olds and see my sisters. They keep their eyes on the ground. They don't want to see me. I look at the sun and determine the time. Around 11. I quickly look at the stage and determine a more certain time. 11:25. Yes, that's good. The reaping will start in 5 minutes. 5 minutes and 7 seconds later, our escort, Scootaloo Cherry, is on the stage. She plays a video about the dark days, then walks over to the girl's reaping ball. She digs around and pulls out a name.

"Finch Leil!" I walk up to the stage. I can't say I'm surprised, really. I entered my name in so many times, I lost count. really, I just wanted to. I have no family, no friends. If I wasn't picked, I would of volunteered. I keep on a mysterious face and climb the stairs. I stand to Scootaloo's left. I see Lacey looking at me from where she stands. I stare back at her.

I had been walking around town when I saw it. An a rose. I followed it and it's bushes until I reached the fench surrounding our meager district. I quickly grabbed as many as I could and ran home. Roses aren't great, but they're food. The next day, I had my sisters gather them. They never returned. A peacekeeper found them. They should of been killed, but our mayor isn't much for killing kids. So he took them and my parents away. I was still at work. I came home to an empty house. I went to the justice building and asked to see them. Said I was a friend. I didn't want to be taken, too. the peacekeepers gave me a deal. If I could get $1,000 by the end of the year, he would release them. I had around $100. I couldn't, just couldn't.

I snap back to reality to see Scootaloo has already chosen the boy, a 17 year old, I think. I am escorted into a room where I will have my goodbyes.

But they never come