So! This is my new story. Its based on The Hunger Games and is as if Catching Fire and Mockingjay don't exist. So yeah! I want to say a massive thanks to Jasmine for helping me with characters and a story names. I love her, I really do! But anyway. If you have any suggestions on what the arena should be like, don't hesitate to tell me your ideas! I welcome them with open arms! I would love your feedback too! Thanks! Enjoy and Review! :) xoxo

The Devils Halo

Phoebe

That morning, I woke, just as if it was a normal morning. Except, this day, could be the last I get to see my family. Today, in every district across Panem, one boy and one girl are to be chosen, to send into an arena, to fight to the death, in the 75th Hunger Games. The difference between the normal games, and these games, The Quarter Quell, is that the Capitol can change the games this year. Yes they do that every year but these games can mean, more opponents, or victors of years before could end up back in the arena. This year's turn for the Quarter Quell, there could be two victors, if from the same district.

"Phoebe! Come on! Get up! It's the reaping today!" Reaping. The one word I didn't want to come into my head. I had signed up for tesserae since I was 12. One for me, my mother, father and brother. I'm now 16 and my name is in that bowl 25 times. Looks like the odd aren't in my favour today. My brother, Ryan, ran into my room in his reaping outfit. It was his first year and his name was in there once. I wouldn't let him sign up for tesserae.

"Hey Ry!" I said as he jumped onto my bed, sitting on the end of it.

"Morning Phee! It won't be one of us will it?" he asked me. He knew all too well what these games meant. They meant if you were picked, you had a death sentence. Simple.

"No, it's your first year! And anyway, you know what Hayden's like. If your name is pulled out, he will volunteer!" I told him. My best friend. Hayden Smith. Could go into that arena. But so could I. Last year, the Star-Crossed lovers of District 12 won together. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. This year's mentors. I got up and had a cold bath, like always and my mother braided my hair back. I had my reaping outfit laid on my bed. It was a light blue shirt, with a pair of grey trousers. We made our way down to the centre. Ryan found Hayden and they went in together. I signed in, with blood as usual and took my place with the other 16 year old girls. They had us split into ages and genders.

"Welcome! To the Seventy Fifth Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" Effie Trinket stood before us. The Capitol accent is so easy to mock. Hayden and I do it on a regular basis. "Ladies First!" I had tuned out, through the whole of the Dark Days speech and Effie had snapped me back to reality. She pulled out a piece of paper. Someone's name, on that paper. It's not me. It won't be me. "Phoebe Hunter" It is me. I was in shock. But my feet reacted before I wanted them to. I was making my way towards the stage when I stumbled. A Peacekeeper caught me and helped me towards the stage. I was a typical girl from the Seam. Black hair and grey eyes. "Thank you! Phoebe Hunter everyone!" Effie said, a little too excited for my liking. "A young man now!" she heads towards the boys bowl. I pray Hayden isn't
called out. "Landon Cole!" she announces. The crowd again, moves from around him. I've seen him, around the Seam. In the Hob and down by Peeta's bakery. But he looks so, afraid of this. He eventually reaches the stage and everyone cheers before we are ushered into the Justice Building.

Because these words are never easier for me to say
Or her to second guess
But I guess
That I can live without you but
Without you I'll be miserable at best

You're all that I'd hoped I'd find
In every single way
And everything I could give
Is everything you couldn't take
Cause nothing feels like home, you're a thousand miles away
And the hardest part of living
Is just taking breaths to stay

Cause I know I'm good for something
I just haven't found it yet
But I need it

So let's not pretend like you're alone tonight
I know he's there and
You're probably hanging out and making eyes
While across the room, he stares
I bet he gets the nerve to walk the floor
And ask my girl to dance, she'll say yes