Disclaimer: I, of course, do not the Hunger Games.

(Vail Current will be portrayed by Alexandria Daddario.)

~

I wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat. I sit up in my bed, adorned in white sheets, wait for my heartbeat to slow, and remind myself I'm just in my room, in my family's guarded home.

I'm safe.

For now.

I glance at the clock: 3:36AM. I should probably try to fall asleep again before I have to go to the Academy in a few hours. But it's useless – I never fall back asleep after the Games have infiltrated my dreams.

For the Hunger Games are next week, and I'm volunteering as the female tribute for District 4.

Here the Games are a big deal. We're one of the Career districts, as the lower districts call us. The name started off as a joke in our district, but stuck as a mention of superiority. A Career district means that our district breeds and develops tributes, to honor our own district and bridge relations with the Capitol. In District 4, winning the Games for your family is the highest honor one can bring home.

My name is Vail. I come from one of the oldest, richest families in District 4 – the Currents. My parents are powerful people – my father is a retired yet renowned sea captain, now in charge of building and facilitating the naval fleets, and my mother is one of the district officials, working closely with the mayor, the head of 4, Waverly Seaman.

Though our family has everything it could ever want, we are not a happy one. My parents have a difficult task of keeping our family in good name and the family fortune plentiful. And they don't let me forget that it's my job as their child to protect our honor, too.

It's not a burden I share alone, however. I have four siblings: an older brother, Maston, who my parents ship off six months a year to do the dangerous yet high-paying job of crustacean fishing; an older sister, Coral, who is graduating the Academy at the top of her class, but instead of the Games, is destined to be an engineer; my twin brother, Pierce, who I hate more than anyone on this entire planet; and my younger brother, Saylor, who I love more than anyone on this entire planet.

Pierce, whose name is really Piers but no one calls him that, trains daily at the Academy with me. We're both sixteen. But he's not going to volunteer for the Games. He's much too valuable to my parents to do that, the family favorite. He'll be a sea captain, just like my father. Saylor, however, wasn't deemed as useful at home. So he is expected to volunteer this year at a mere twelve years old.

With so many eligible young male volunteers from the Academy, why is my twelve-year old brother being forced to enter against his will?

I remember the day I found out that he was going to enter and why, four months ago. It was a few days after Maston came home from his half-year voyage.

~

I hovered outside the door to the study. It was creaked open, and I could hear everything inside. It was my parents, talking to Pierce, about the districts and the Capitol. They never shared their plans with me, so I often eavesdropped to find out what was going on and if I might be affected.

"Things aren't good, Piers," my father said, slowly. "Every district except 1, 2, and part of 4 has begun revolting. The Barracks are starting to get out of hand."

"That explains the influx of Peacekeepers," Pierce said, coolly.

"You don't miss a trick," my mother said, fondly.

I felt like throwing up right there. Everyone saw more and more Peacekeepers arriving in the city square every day – it was blatantly done, to induce fear. The lower part of town, the Barracks, had already formed mobs and attacks on the square, but our soldiers in 4 had kept them at bay thus far. It had been quiet the last few weeks after a particularly messy confrontation had taken place, ending most of the revolutioners' lives.

"What does that mean for us, then?" Pierce asked, clearly all business.

"As the most powerful family of District 4, it is our priority to align ourselves with the winning side. The Capitol, obviously. To prove our loyalty, we are going to do several things, all involving you and your siblings."

"We decided to tell you first since you're the most rational, and we want your opinion," my mother quickly gushed.

The most rational? Pierce? Literally just yesterday I saw him almost strangle a nine-year old with his bare hands during "practice" because the boy tripped over Pierce's boot. Definitely mentally stable, uh-huh.

"Maston will quit his job and join the Capitol's army. Coral will finish her studies and be sent to the Capitol as an engineer to design war technology. Piers, you will stay in District 4 as a Peacekeeper-in-training where you will be most safe—"

"I won't be volunteering for the Games?" Pierce asked, obviously confused. "I thought we had made that decision last year." Had they? Not surprised. Pierce was highly regarded at the Academy and my parents have always wanted us to volunteer, but have been reluctant in the past.

Reluctant because with the Games, you win or you die.

My mother spoke quietly and soothingly. "Well—no. I know you've been training very hard, but we need your brains and expertise here in District 4. We are however entering a Current this time."

"So Vail," Pierce concluded. My heart dropped. Yes, I was decent at the Academy, but there were lots of girls stronger than I. I never dreamed I'd have to enter. To be honest, I was scared. I've never wanted to go into the Games. Despite any honor or glory I might receive for winning.

"No," my father answered. "We need Vail here, too. We need an inside to the Capitol. Waverly Seaman has that connection. Therefore, in two months, she will be married to Fisher Seaman, his only son. Thank God she has her good looks going for her, or it would have taken much more convincing."

I tried to put everything together at the point. Me: married to the mayor's son. He wasn't terrible, but I was sick of these decisions made for me, about my life. Train at the Academy for an event that sickens and terrifies you, marry someone your parents chose for you… And then it hit me that my parents hadn't mentioned Saylor.

"So if not Vail…then who?"

"You forgot your younger brother," my father said in an offhand voice. "Saylor will be this year's District 4 tribute. We have already paid—arranged—for Saylor to be the sole volunteer in the district."

"Piers…as parents…it's obvious we are worried. How does Saylor do at the Academy? We want to make sure he has a chance of winning…" my mother said, anxiously, and again, I felt sick. It was all an act. She didn't really care.

Pierce knows that Saylor, being twelve years old, doesn't even come close to the older boys that train at the Academy. But he told my parents they were making the right decision. And even though it isn't Pierce's fault for Saylor being entered, I hated him for it.

I didn't realize I was crying until then, and I waited until my parents were gone to blow up on Pierce.

I was hysterical – screaming, clawing, and fighting him. I didn't care if he hurt me – which I know he could do. I just wanted to cause him as much pain possible. Because I felt a lot of pain. He didn't hurt me, though. Just restrained my arms. I hated him for it. He always had to be the bigger person. I hated him.

"I hate you," I hissed, with such disdain.

"I know. I know you do." And then he walked away.

Pierce and I haven't spoken since that day. I see him briefly at home and at the Academy, but I pay him no mind. And he leaves me alone, too.

After that happened, I ran out to the docks near the Current estate. I faced the ocean breeze and the setting sun. I decided, in front of the earth, sky, and sea, that I would take destiny into my own hands. I would tell no one that I would volunteer for the Games at the Reaping. So that Saylor wouldn't have to.

To make things worse, when Coral found out that she was being shipped off to the Capitol while I was staying to marry Fisher (who she had serious hots for), she went ballistic. Wouldn't speak to me. Even yelled at our parents. But it's been a few months now, and she's calmed down. But I still won't forget the last words she spoke to me, three months ago:

"I wish you were dead."

Well, Coral will have her wish soon enough. Because I'll be entering the Games. And when I do, I most certainly will die.