A Dark Angel

So, my first hunger games fanfiction, but probably not my last. This is going to be a long fanfiction, probably about 25 chapters at the least.

It's going to be a Cato/OC, if Saskia doesn't kill him first:3

Please read and review, if you leave signed reviews i'll probably reply!

Chapter 1

Breathing in slowly, I got into position, crouching in the leaves, nothing for company but my prey and the whispers of the forest in the harsh wind.
A sudden gust of air swept up my coal-coloured hair, whipping into my face and making me scowl, but I didn't allow it to interfere with my concentration. I was too focused. I was a hunter. A predator. And I wasn't going to let a silly thing like the breeze get in the way of me scoring my next kill.

I could see the fox in clear view. The beautiful creature padded through the undergrowth leisurely, unaware of the killer that stalked her, crimson fur ablaze against the light and dark green hues of the surrounding foliage.
That's it. Just a little bit closer ...
The fox moved agonizingly slow, treading elegantly but noisily through leaves and twigs. It glanced around, before lazily lying down, resting on the carpet of mud. My scowl turned upwards into a smirk.
It was too comfortable.
See, this was the thing. Animal or human, you should never get too comfortable, not even in your own skin, not for a second. You may think you are the top dog, but there is always the possibility that someone is lurking in the background, waiting to take your position.
I was that someone.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Slowly, steadily ...

I could almost see the flecks of mud brown in it's amber eyes, I was so close. So bloody close. I held my breath.
Then, the whoosh of the wind ceased.
Then the distinct sound of a twig snapping beneath my feet. Damn.

The form froze for a second, head lifting to assess the danger, debating whether the noise was worth scampering off. A second was all I needed.

I prepared my knife, and in one fluid motion, it was soaring out of my small, rough fingers and into the white underbelly of the creature, splattered in a lovely crimson.
I sighed in frustration. Hunching over the mewling form, I glanced into it's pained amber eyes, the animal silently begging for me to end it's agony. I nestled it's neck into the crook of my arm, almost in a caring gesture - and then I tensed. I felt the crack as the creatures neck snapped. The light in it's amber eyes snuffed out within a matter of moments. I dropped the animal to the floor, before yanking the shiny metal blade out of it's belly. I began to skin it roughly. No use keeping it's pelt now.

I huffed. Not my cleanest kill - but it was something to put on the table for Terra tonight.

The corners of my mouth upturned into a small smile. Terra Gilbane, my closest friend and Ally. I never used to need to hunt - It was more of an obsession than anything else, to be honest, I reasoned with myself that it wasn't for nothing.
With things like the hunger games still around in this world, and the fact that district 7 was not part of any special careers pack, this would be all the training I got.
And boy, did I train. Everything I did was for the hunt, or for preparing the hunt, or for selling the hunt.
Even then, all the money I made from the meat and the pelts would find it's way back to progressing my hunting skills, or my combat skills. Hey, everyone needed a hobby.
It was something of a need. My sisters all had talents - flirting and socialising with the more privileged of district 7 being the main ones - and were favoured by my mother greatly. When I discovered how good I was at hunting, I put my whole self into it. But it was nothing compared to the need I felt now, with Terra to look out for.
What a strange thing to do, hunt daily to put food on a table that wasn't your own, to feed the mouths of someone else's family. But I did, every day.
It wasn't like my family needed it. District 7 was one of the poorer district, but my family were doing okay. Very well, actually. Not that I held much feelings for them. Some may say that blood runs thicker than water, but not in our district.
The main water supply in District 7 had turned into a thick, muddy, gloopy consistency about 4 months ago. And President Snow had no intention of helping us any time soon; only families like mine had safe drinking water now.

Mentally, I went a separate way to my parents and 3 older sisters a long time ago. Father was the owner of a paper making factory, and Mother was a professional in charming her way to the top of the corporate and social ladder.
And my sisters - they liked to flirt with men, hoping that one day one of the poor richer saps would ask for their hand, breaking a string of other hearts they deem unworthy in the process.
I hate to admit it worked, though, especially with the bonus of our family gene pool.
My siblings all had long blonde, pin straight hair, and blue eyes so perfectly lovely that it was difficult not to get lost in them. So perfectly lovely that boys lost their wallets staring into them.
My wavy hair was the colour of midnight however, and my green orbs were said to reflect the colour of leaves in the summertime.
I was most definitely the black sheep of the family. I preferred to be out hunting, waiting for the next kill. It's always been that way, but what really put me off them was their ability to look past the poverty on their doorstep.
I used to be kind of be that way too, being connected to the village, but never quite understanding their pain - that was, until I met her.

I was 11 years old, and it was mid autumn. I had never taken on such a big kill before, but today that would change. Today was the day I'd conquer the giant boar I had encountered about a month ago.
I had been preparing for this event for days, weeks perhaps, and I was so excited for this kill that I could literally feel the adrenaline pumping straight through my veins like blood. Through the bushes I peered into the small clearing, where this boar was snuffling about in the mud. I grinned.

This would be too easy. I could already feel the money that I'd make from this very worthy prize in the pocket of the light green army jacket I was wearing. I'd probably give what I made on this to the library owner, and in exchange, she'd get me more books about wild herbs and berries, and what was safe to eat and what was not.
Maybe I'd even give some money to crazy Bennett, who sold weapons at the market on Tuesdays, if he would sell me a proper spear - unlike the ones I'd been making and showing him for a few years now - on a friends discount.
I could see the whites of the creatures eyes now. I took a few seconds to admire the beast. After all, I had all the time in the world.
I got ready to throw my axe.
3.
I breathed in elation, taking aim. I could feel the excitement, the nerves, the power all coursing through me. All the small victories; the squirrels, the rabbits, the badgers - they were all just training for this moment.
2.
 I put my arms back, putting all the force I could muster behind the throw.
1.
It was then that I was about to strike, when I heard a noise from the other side of the clearing.
I lowered my axe, curious. Infuriatingly, the time I had lost gave the opponent I didn't even know I was up against an advantage.
A knife flew through the air, clumsily embedding itself into the boars side. The beast whined and squealed in pain.
Anger and confusion washed over me. Who was the novice who interfered with my kill?
The boar was heavily injured, flailing about, writhing on the floor. I sighed with fury. Coming out of my hiding place, I strode over to the creature. It looked at me with orbs full of sadness. It knew it's fate, and wasn't going to fight any more.
With a sickening crunch, I snapped it's neck as I tensed, my arms around it's airways, almost as I was holding it in some sort of embrace, when in reality it was a choke hold.
And so I watched the life go out in its eyes. Annoyed, I managed to growl out "Well, you can come out now."
Out of the foliage came a small girl, who was far too thin for it to be healthy. She looked at me tentatively, icy eyes submissive.
I recognised her.
Terra Gilbane, about a year older than me, though her malnourished appearance made it seem otherwise. She was short, had orbs the colour of melting snow, and lank but striking white-blonde hair. I remembered seeing her in school.
Her family were load-pullers, the poorest of poor. My eyes softened, and she hung her head slightly, with shame or guilt I didn't know.

"I'm sorry. We- We're just so hungry and I thought -"

All the anger drained from me. How could I be angry with someone as kind and sweet-natured as Terra Gilbane?

"Take it." I sighed softly, stopping her mid-sentence. "I'd have just sold it on anyway." I looked at her, studying her reaction. Her face lit up in awe, before falling again.

"But, I screwed up .." She protested in a small, sad voice, and I sighed.

"We all have off days, Terra. Don't feel sorry for yourself." It was meant to come out as comforting, but my tone betrayed me. She winced, before looking surprised that I even knew her name. She shook off the thought.

"This was my first time trying.." The blue eyed girl confessed. "I know it's illegal but I need to look after my family."

I let out a short laugh. As if I cared about legal - I was out here doing exactly the same thing she was. "Well if it's your first time, I'm impressed." I noticed her relax some at the praise. "I've been working up to this kill for weeks."
Her face crumbled in guilt. She may have been 12, but right then she looked about 8, her shoulders sunken, and her teary-eyed expression. I'd never encountered this type of behaviour before, and I didn't know how to react either.

We stood awkwardly for a few moments. I glanced over her again and decided eventually that there was no way she'd make it back to her house carrying that big lump of meat. Clearing my throat, I asked "Hey, do you know how to skin that thing?" She blinked. "Because it won't be much use to you if you can't skin or gut it." I noticed her shudder. Clearly she hadn't thought about that.
Not waiting for a reply, I yanked her blade out of the boar, and got to work.

"What are you doing?" She asked me quizzically, kneeling down next to me. I looked up at her for a second, before focusing fully on my work.

"What does it look like?" I grunted irritably in retort. Though truth be told, I wasn't that irritated. I felt kind of ... tingly. Saskia Argave, the protector of the vulnerable. It had a nice ring to it.

Though after a few dozen times of hauling slabs of animal meat and skins to the Gilbane residence, I knew that the only vulnerable person i'd ever protect was her. The only sister I ever really needed. My oldest two sisters had no time for me, and Leigh - well, Leigh was just Mother in a smaller, younger form - repeating all her opinions in a matter-of-fact way like some kind of bloody parrot.
I taught Terra more about hunting, gathering berries and such, and she taught me stuff as well. Like what it's like to have a best friend - a real best friend. Someone you'd die for. She'd always been naive and innocent, but she never judged me, and that's what I craved. I had enough judgement from my tyrant Mother.
She'd always be singing a sweet melody - she sang it so often that I soon picked up on it. She told me that it wasn't our national anthem, but it was something more so special to us. The villagers would sing this song in the hardest of times, to keep their spirits up. And each time she sung it, I felt closer to the heart of district 7.

After I had skinned and took all the useful flesh off of the fox carcass, I made my way to the Gilbane residence. I chose a fox this time because the fox always bared the nicest meat. And in approximately 4 hours, was a celebration.
Well, not a celebration as such.
Today was the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games.

"Oh hello Saskia," Terra's father Than greeted me warmly as he answered the door. "Have you came to celebrate with us for the reaping?" Terra's father was a great man, with hair the colour of a raven's wing and the same icy eyes as his daughter. Like his daughter, I considered him family.

"Maybe later, but for now I'm just stopping by to deliver this meat." I flashed him a smile just as warm, and handed him over the slabs of fox flesh. His face lit up, and I sighed inwardly with contempt. This was one of the best feelings in the world.

"Ah I see, just been out hunting? I guess your family want to get you ready before the show." He said knowingly.

My parents always got me and Leigh, the only other Argrave child young enough to compete in the games, to dress up to the nines. 'You want to look your best if you get picked', Mother would say. I retched at the thought, not of being picked for that stupid game, but because of how mother viewed it. It screamed out 'You want to look great for your final hours in district 7, don't you?'

"Well I won't keep you. Please pop round later after the reaping, alright? Terra's been asking if you could come round again for some time." Than said kindly.

My grin widened at the idea. "Of course." I turned round to leave before saying "It's always a pleasure, Than." He nodded as I walked out of the door.

Home was unfortunately just that little bit less homely than Terra's house. I stepped into the considerably more expensive household, greeted with "Good Afternoon, loser." from my least favourite sibling. Leigh and me had always clashed, mainly since I started hanging round with kids from the village - whilst she thought she was too good for them, snubbing them whenever she could.

"Go give a blowjob to a knife, Leigh." I growled, not having time for her. I thought I saw something like pain flash through her eyes, but it couldn't have been. She'd regained her composition before I even had chance to question it.

"You know if you're attitude was as lovely as your face, boys might be interested in you." She snickered to herself at her double edged compliment. "You're outfit for the reaping is upstairs on your bed. Careful not to rip it, you don't look like you have the figure for it." She smiled spitefully.

I huffed. "Just fuck off Leigh, I don't want to hear it." I couldn't be bothered with her silly attempts to get my attention, Not today.

She frowned, her eyes softening. "Sas, what's wrong?"

I ground my teeth in frustration. "Don't you dare call me 'Sas'. Only my friends can call me Sas."
I knew I was being unnecessarily spiteful - but this was how we always were. She was just like mother.

Her expression changed. I saw the same hurt I saw a few moments ago, but she hid it very well with anger. Soon she was walking upstairs, before yelling irritatedly "I hope you get picked!"down at me. I sighed slightly at her immaturity. There really was nothing else I could do. These people weren't my family, not since they turned up their noses at the Gilbanes - and the rest of our community, for that matter.

I went upstairs after a while too, looking at what Mother had bought me this year. It was a flimsy dark green summer dress with black lace trimmings. I smiled in approval.

Most people dressed up nowadays for the reaping, as if it was a special occasion, and not a game that used children as pawn to brutally murder each other. I knew the poorer families wouldn't dress up, as they had nothing to dress into - though I had gave Terra a pretty white dress to wear last year, which she was thrilled with - but they would still pretend they were enjoying the 'festivity'. Which I hoped was all it was to any of us. Just pretending for the sake of the capitol.
We weren't like the career districts, who happily trained all their life for this. Whilst I trained, I didn't train for this. No one in district 7 wanted any part of this.

I threw the dress over my head, yanking it over my chest. It clung to the swell of my breast, and then fell to my mid-thigh. My parent's were never ones to preserve their daughters modesty. I knew this dress had most likely came from district 8. I wondered who'd had to suffer to make this.

"Oooh, Darling," I heard a shrill voice from the door of my bedroom; Mother. "That looks great on you - I was going to make Leigh wear it, but - Well, she doesn't have the figure for it." She laughed to herself - a false, tinkering laugh. Then she paused a second, clicking her tongue softly. "You've got 10 minutes before I'm finished doing Leigh's make up. I'll come in to do yours soon."

I nodded in reply, turning away from the mirror, Knowing I shouldn't ask the question, but doing so anyway. "Can I go to Terra's house after the reaping?"

Mother's smile faltered. "Saskia, why do you insist on hanging around with the lower class riff-raff? Why don't you meet up with my friends daughter Ametrine instead? She's lovely, just around your age, I think."
She was wrong. I was Ametrine Belvidere's senior by 3 years. I had a small feeling she knew that, and braced myself for what she was about to say.
She started again, suggestively. "I happen to know that she has an older brother called Jasper, who's very nice. He's just been dying to talk to you, you know."
So she wanted to set me up with a Belvidere boy. Or, one of the 'gemstone' family, as I liked to call them, as they were all named after some sort of rock or another.

The Belvidere's were originally from district 2, but were high up enough that they could bribe the capitol to let them move to a lesser district. 'Lord know's why', my Mother would say, but I knew. They'd already bought half of the district now.
What I wanted to know was how Mother associated with such a high class family. A lot of ass licking, I bet.

"I don't want to be with a Belvidere, Mother." I growled out, and I'm sure it took a toll on Mothers patience.

"Well," my Mothers voice was strained. "He has certainly had his eye on you. Why don't you just do it for mommy, okay?"

I breathed in sharply. "Do what?" I said slowly, testily.

"Just make friends with Ammolite or Ametrine or whatever the fuck her name is and get talking to Jasper Belvidere, yes?" She snapped sharply. I stayed quiet. She left the room in 2 long, swift strides, and the room suddenly seemed colder.
I felt more alone than ever.
I knew I was just a pawn to her, to get higher in the social ladder. Oh yes, I knew.
However, no matter how high-class we were in District 7, that's all we'd ever be to the capitol. District 7 scum. I bet Mother thought she could charm her way up to the top of the other Districts, too.

I waited patiently in my room before she came back in, a bit more relaxed. "Right, my beautiful daughter, we are going to make you flawless."

I fought back a low growl. I hated the feel of her hands on me, the poisonous touch of her finger tips on my skin. But sickeningly, at the same time, I yearned for it. This was the only time of the year that I felt that I could somehow earn my mothers love.

The process seemed like years, when it only took about half an hour for Mother to deem me 'flawless'. She brushed through my long honey-coloured hair, humming an unrecognisable song. "Right, I think we're done here." She breathed out. She stood back for a second, drinking in my appearance.

"How do I look?" I asked wearily. A second passed in silence. Then two.

Finally, she grinned, looking at me as I looked at that wild boar in the clearing 5 years ago. "Like a prize."

Though I walked with them to the meadows, my mind was elsewhere. Mother squeezed my hand at all the right times, and I would repeat the actions back to her, but I was just going through the motions. I wondered who would be picked this year. Last year, Jemimah Eastcotte and Griffin Medcaf were reaped.

I knew Griffin Medcaf. The sweet boy with a stutter, that sold sculptures he whittled out wood at the market place. He had just turned 12, and he died in the bloodbath at the hands of a career. I remember that he bled out slowly, begging for his sister, Gwyneth Medcaf. I wondered who i'd beg for if I got chosen.

Jemimah, I didn't know very well. She was arrogant from what I remember, beautiful though - and she knew it. However, what I remembered the most was the colour draining from her face when her name was called out. I remember her freezing to death on the second night of the hunger games, whimpering about her boyfriend back in the district all the while. Emmett, was it? Emerson? Oh well. It didn't matter now.
That was not a good year for district 7.

Mother ushered me to the registration table for the girls of district 7. I noticed Terra right at the front. She looked back, met my eye, and gave me a shy wave. I returned it with a reassuring smile.

As soon as I could get away from the table I rushed over to the Gilbanes, but was stopped in my tracks by Mother and Leigh. "No you don't, we're on camera, and i'm not letting you be in association with them on film. Go to your designated area." I gave her a feral snarl that made Mother grimace, and made Leigh raised her eyebrows. I could swear I heard her gulp.
So I was hearded off with other girls my age, like cattle. I saw Terra in the group in front and made my way round the mob of young women, and slipped my hand into hers for a second, squeezing it reassuringly. She looked at my face and smiled, though her eyes were teary. It was like this every year.
And then I let go - let her go to the other 17 year olds who were begging silently for their names not to be chosen, whilst I nestled into my line of the 16 year olds, who were thinking exactly the same thing.

I looked at my feet, tapping one impatiently, until I heard a chirpy voice from the stage. I hadn't even noticed that our escort, Vaille Monnaie had arrived, which was surprising as he really did stand out. He was good looking in every sense of the word, even with those bright clothes that made my eyes burn every year.
This year he was clad in hot pink, with baby blue and dashing purple ruffles strategically placed. The florescent green make up he had on did not do him any favours. The capitol women sure do have strange tastes.

He flipped his light blonde hair, and probably expected the ladies to swoon as they did in the capitol. When they didn't, he cleared his throat, and started to speak. "Why hello my lovelies, are you excited for the annual 74th Hunger games?"
The crowd gave a low grumble in response. No one wanted their children to die.

There was a small cheer from the middle of the mob. The face came up on the big screen perched just above Vaille. It was Gwyneth Medcaf, grinning from ear to ear. "Let the odds be ever in your fucking favour, Vaille." She yelled out. I sighed. She'd probably pay for that one way or another. Not that she cared any more.
Her mental stability and calm demeanour had started slipping the moment her baby brother had been reaped for the hunger games last year, and completely shattered when he begged for her in his final moments. It was a shame really, because I had liked the girl.
The only thing that stopped her from volunteering to follow in her brothers footsteps were her parents. Sometimes, through the thin walls of their house at night, if I was out hunting, I'd hear her screaming. Then two voices, trying to calm her down. Smash. The sound of a plate being hurled against the wall.
Silently I couldn't help but think she'd make a good tribute. She may not win, but she'd take out a few careers trying.

Vaille let out a giggle. "Alrighty then, let's get started, shall we? hmm, I wonder which lovely lady will be picked this year."
I remained calm. My name had only been entered the minimum amount of times. There was no way i'd be picked.

The meadows were thick with tension - I could almost taste the fear from everyone else. I was anxious, but not afraid. A small girl in the poorer part of the district soiled herself in the line in front of me. I grimaced.

Vaille made a meal of choosing a name, dipping his fingers into the glass ball daintily, before swirling them around. "Ooh, isn't this exciting folks?" He smiled happily. I almost retched.

It was a full minute before he even thought about choosing a name. I wondered if he knew the full extent of his power - He held everyone's lives in that delicate glass ball. Two families would be devastated tonight, at the least. Maybe there'd be a new Gwyneth Medcaf this year, losing their minds over the thought of their beautiful younger sibling getting executed in a few days time. I shook my head. I had no time for those thoughts.

And then, between finely manicured fingertips, he pulled out a name. Two words on a piece of paper. He called them out in a booming voice, as if announcing a winner of a beauty pageant.

"And the lovely lady tribute is .." The crowd was silent. No one moved a muscle, breathing hitched. It seemed the surrounding forests themselves went silent for the announcement. My toe was tapping even more impatiently, wanting this to just be over and done with. They were going to ruin lives today, did they have to draw out the pain for everyone?

I didn't expect to hear my name, and I was strangely calm, if not quite irritated.
And of course, I didn't hear my name. "... A miss Terrabyth Gilbane!"
At first, time stood still. It didn't hit me at first, but soon it all came rushing to me at once.
My best friend, my lovely, innocent, naive best friend, the only person I could rely on truly. Her face was on the screen, and I saw her mouth open and then close like a fish, tears spilling over the rims of her snowy eyes.

"No, No, No, NO!" I heard someone cry, their voices rising with every repeat of the protest - but it wasn't coming from Terra. The words spilled out of my mouth like running water. Everyone's eyes were on me, in pity and sympathy.

Everyone in the village knew that we were joined at the hip, and that I was the girl who put the food on her families table. Everyone but the higher class knew how i'd pour buckets of water from our own special pump and deliver it at their door at 5am on the dot. They all knew that on that piece of paper, held my world.

Suddenly I was jostling through the crowd to her, all the while shouting the same variation of protest. Quick to react, the peace keepers were soon restraining me. "No, you can't have her!" I growled, thrashing.
I was strong, and the peace keepers weren't expecting such a petite frame to hold such power. I thrashed against them, and flung the one off like a rag doll. I managed to wriggle out of the others grasp and make my way to her.
I wrapped my arms around her protectively. I could feel her fear, vibrating out of her in laboured sobs. And in that moment, I knew I couldn't let her go through it.
It had only been about 30 seconds since they called her name, when I did something life changing. I never thought i'd ever have to do this.

"I volunteer!" I screeched, and it sounded inhuman, broken. Terra stiffened underneath my body. "I volunteer." I repeated, calmer. My glistening eyes stopped threatening to spill. Now Terra was out of danger, I felt like a weight had been lifted.

Then it was her turn to screech. "What are you doing Saskia?" her voice was shrill and angry, and the tears were flowing faster than before. "Please don't do this - please, please ..." She stopped speaking. I'd already volunteered, and there was nothing she could do about it. She let out pained wails, and I held her close, stroking her hair.
Not one person spoke in the crowd. Terra was well loved amongst the poorer community of district 7, as was I. The Gilbanes always spoke my praise to the village, and I was well known for being fierce, and full of spirit - but most of all, I was known for being able to overcome the social divide.

"It's going to be okay, right Terra? Everything's going to be okay." I comforted softly, before pulling her face back so she could see into my eyes. I didn't care about the whole of district 7 watching us, hell, I didn't even care about the whole of Panem watching us. I couldn't give a toss about Vaille fucking Monnaie, who was cooing at our interaction.
"You were the one who finally gave my life a purpose, Terra." I smiled, my forehead bumping against hers. I could hear the words echoing slightly on the big screen. "I'd die for you, don't you understand?" She wasn't even trying to contain her tears any more, and I could feel the salty liquid on my face. I breathed in shakily, and let go of her.

"Don't go Sas, Please don't go - don't - don't leave me .." She begged, and it came out so desperate, so pathetic, and it broke my heart. "Please, please ... No-o.." Terra's voice cracked as she whimpered now. There were a few milliseconds of silence where I gathered my thoughts.

"I'll come back for you Terra." I said, fire burning in my eyes. I kept in mind that the capitol was watching us, watching me, as I said, a little bit louder, "These games are mine." I could almost hear the capitol going wild at district 7s reaping.
And then I turned away, leaving her to walk up to the stage.

She let out a high pitch wail after me, howling like an animal, her hand coming out to grab mine, to stop me from going up to the podium - but she missed my grasp by seconds, brushing my fingertips with her own. No one else dared to make a sound, as they parted to make way for me to go and claim my 'prize'. The world stood still.

Then, a voice into the silence, aside from my best friends soft but hysteric sobs.
It was Mrs Ogilvie, the local librarian. I had often went to her book store for how-to guides to progress my hunting skills. She started to sing a soft tune. "Down by the woods under the trees, we dance and move just like the leaves ..."
I recognised it.

It wasn't our national anthem, but it was something more so special to us. The villagers would sing this song when they went through the hardest of times, to keep their spirits up.

I smiled softly as her husband, a stocky, ageing lumberjack, swiftly joined her in song. "I take your hand and you take mine, We're free like birds in this sunshine,"

The Gilbanes joined in soon after. "Stay with the breeze wherever you go, And you'll hear on the wind that I love you so,"

And soon the whole of district 7 was singing the sweet melody of our people. However, though the song was joyful, there was clearly no joy in the audience. As I walked solemnly up the steps and onto the stage, I noticed tears streaming down faces.

I put my fist to my heart and rose it up to my mouth, placing two fingers on my lips, a sign of gratitude widely known in our district, and I received a chorus of them returned. My heart swelled with an emotion like happiness. I gritted my teeth and grinned straight at the camera to the people of Panem. I didn't want to die, but I wasn't afraid any more.

Then Vaille spoke. "Well wasn't that precious?" He swooned. "My, we really do have a lovely lady tribute this year. What's you're name, darling?"

I gave him my best, most dazzling smile, already thinking about strategy, and replied whilst tucking a lone strand of honey blonde hair behind my ear coyly. "My name is Saskia Argrave."

If the capitol weren't cheering me before, they most definitely would be now. "Well Saskia, welcome to the games!"

"Thank you, I can't wait." I tried my best to look joyful, hoping the rest of Panem believed me.

Now the attention was off me, I could look into the audience. I saw Mother glaring my way, and I knew what this meant. I had betrayed her ultimately by exchanging my life for someone she deemed unworthy. I bet she was wishing I would never return from the games.I saw father, looking horrified. Leigh's reaction reminded me somewhat of Jemimah's reaction to being chosen. She looked like she was about to pass out.
Then, it was my turn to be shocked once again. She threw up in front of the whole District - the whole of Panem. I could hear the sad sound of her retching, and a few people from the district turned round and watched her, sympathy in their eyes. It was then that it dawned upon me, why she must be feeling like this. She told me that she hoped I'd get picked.

She met my eye, her expression distraught. I tore my gaze from her before I felt worse, and turned it back to Vaille, who was about to announce the next tribute. "And the just as lovely gentleman tribute is .. " He paused, but it seemed for no where near as long as last time. "Lukan Moxely!"

My heart jittered for him. I knew Lukan - i'd babysitted for the Moxley's quite a lot, actually, with him having a younger brother and all. He was a year my junior. We were friendly enough - I always stood up for him at school if he got any crap, and he'd always tell his little friends off for flirting with me. Not that any of that mattered now.

I knew his family were poor, like most around here, so he probably had to apply for a tesserae a few times.
Though he was young, he wasn't scrawny, and I'd seen him out hunting a few times. I remember I once spied on him, and saw him strike a small, messy kill - a rabbit, I believe. He took it home without skinning it, so I assume he hadn't had much experience. Not a major threat to me.

He didn't cry, and he didn't have anyone to volunteer for him. A low solemn clap rumbled from district 7, still raw from the drama of a few minutes before.
He made his way to the stage looking apathetic. He stood to my side, and I looked at him and gave a tender smile. He nodded, but as his eyes met mine, I saw it. Fear.

"There we have it folks, district 7's tributes for the 74th Hunger games!" We shook hands and he squeezed a bit more forcefully than necessary, probably afraid to let go. "We'll be playing the replays of the reaping tonight if you want to check it out, which i'm sure you will! Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds ever be in your favour!" And with that we were ushered into the 'Hall Of Justice' behind us, with me feeling emptier than ever.