A/N~ Welcome, to the 72nd Annual Hunger Games! The year after Joanna Mason won her Hunger Games Renn Fraser, a boy from District twelve gets reaped for the hunger games. Unsure if he will survive or not he sallies out to the capitol. Happy Reading!

Chapter 1

Once a year all the children between the ages of 12 and 18 gathered in front of the huge and impressive justice building of their District. Every kid was washed up and dressed in their best clothes for two of them would make an appearance on TV today for all of Panem to see. While this could sound rather exciting the purpose of the assembly is terrifying. Two of the children in the crowd, a boy and a girl chosen by lottery, would be sent to fight for their lives in an arena against 22 other children. Only one child would be allowed to return home. District 5 had had 6 Victors in 71 years which was not a horrible quote but in opposition to the District '1 and '2 kids, the 'Careers' children from '5 were not eager to participate in these games. Every now and then there had been a crazy one craving honor and wealth. Vígdis Thorsen, one of the three still living victors of District five had been the one and only to ever volunteer and return home in her District which made her a legend in her home. This rarity usually only happened in higher Districts such as 1 and 2.

Renn Fraser stared into his bathroom mirror and a mirrored Renn Fraser stared back. The tall dark haired boy with grey eyes in the reflection looked only a little bit worried. He took a deep breath. The odds that his name would be the one pulled out of the bowl were minimal. "Renn?" A voice cheeped. The teenager turned around. "Hey Cassie." Renn smiled at his 12 year old sister. She had just turned twelve and it was her first year participating in the reaping. The fragile little girl looked terrified. Renn kneeled in front of her. "Hey" He soothed her, placing his hands on her skinny shoulders. She had always been tiny and thin. "I'm scared Renn. I know i'm baby and...it's just...what if..." "Shhsht. Don't even say that ok? Cass, your name is in there once and for the first time. There is no way you will be picked, ok?" "o...ok." Cassie snaggered trying to sound brave and fearless. Renn pulled his sister into a hug. As he released her he swept some crinkles off her dark blue dress. "Both of you look really handsome." Their Mother stood in the door frame, gazing at her children and trying to hide the fear in her eyes. The same fear that Renn had seen in her eyes for the past 6 years. "Mom, we'll be ok. Stop looking at us like that." He smiled at his Mother, trying to look more confident than he actually was. Jessica Fraser stepped into the room and adjusted her sons dark blue tie. She looked at her son. "You look so much like your father Renn." She sighed. Skander Fraser had died 5 years ago right when Renn had turned 13. The power plant he had been employed in had had a blackout and he happened to be at the wrong place in the wrong time. Luckily only two people had dies, given that it could have been worse. But unfortunatly for Jessica and her kids it had been her husband.

A knock on the door sounded trough the house. "That must be Chris and May. We'll see you later Mom. I love you." He gave his mom a quick hug. Cassie did the same and when Jessica held her twelve year old she struggled to hold back her tears. Reaping day was the worst day of the year. Renn took his sisters hand and they stepped out the door. "Happy reaping day." His best friend Chris Panel smirked. It was an annual joke between the two of them. He and his sister May lived only two houses away from the Frasers and the kids had known oneanother their whole lifes. Chris was 18 like Renn and May had just turned 15. "And may the odds be ever in your favor." Renn laughed. "You gonna volunteer this year?" Chris quipped. "Sure, I'd love to die in the arena. Sounds awesome to me." The other boy played along. Cassies tiny fingers tightened around her brothers. "Hey, I'm just joking Cassie." He ruffled her hair a bit without destroying the hairdo his mom had invested almost an hour into this morning. The little group made their way to the District square. They lined up for the peacekeepers to take a sample of their blood. "Why are they doing that?" Cassie asked her brother. "I have no idea to be honest. It's just a tiny needle though. It wont hurt."

After they had donated some of they blood it was time for the group to part. Girls to the right and boys to the left. Chris and May hugged whishing each other good luck. Renn turned to his sister who seemed to tremble from nervousness. "Hey Cass." He kneeled down again. With his 5' 10'' he was quite a lot taller than his sister who measured tiny 4' 8''. "I'm fine." She said with a surprisingly calm voice. "I'm really ok. Don't get reaped Renn, ok?" "you neither." The older guy hugged his sister. "I love you, Cass." "Love you too big brother." Then she walked over to the girls area with May. "The first year is always the worst, huh?" Chris patted his best friends shoulder. "True. May the odds be in their favor." "and in ours." Renn added. "I don't feel like trying to defend myself against some of those brutes from '1 or '2." The boys lined up among their fellow possible tributes.

The hymn of Panem satrted to play and the usual propaganda film was shown on a big screen in front of the Justice building. None of the older kids seemed to actually pay attention since they had seen this procedure over and over. "Will they ever make a new film to present their utter bullshit? I'm getting tired of this one." Chris muttered and Renn grinned. He apprechiated his friends' humor – even more in a situation like the reaping. When the screen went black again a middle aged woman stepped onto the stage. She wore a dark green dress that looked like it was made from scales and her light blond hair was styled into long spikes that extended from her head. The tips of her hair spikes were dyed pink. "And what the hell is that?!" Chris nodded towards the woman who had just cleared her throat and reached for the microphone.

"Welcome, Welcome! To the reaping of the 72nd annual Hunger Games! My name is Alcyone Salazar and I am District five's new escort! Isn't that exciting? Well, as it is tradition: Ladies first!"

Alcyone's high voice sounds over the whole square. She walks over to the girls' glass ball and runns her hand trough the little paper slips. After building up some tension by taking up almost a minute to pick a slip of paper she decides on a slip and pulls it out.

"And the female tribute for District 5 in the 72nd annual Hunger Games is: Cassidy Fraser!"

'Cassidy Fraser.' The words echoed in Renns' head. It took him a couple seconds to comprehend what just happened. "No" he whispered. "No. Cassie!" Chris grabbed his friends arm. "NO CASSIE!" Renn shouted when he saw his little sister parting from the crowd of girls. Cassidy was shaking but she tried her best to look confident walking up towards the stairs of the Justice bulding. "I volunteer!" A strong, deep voice called from the crowd of girls. Renns mouth dropped open. A buff looking girl stepped forward and showed Cassie aside. "I volunteer as a tribute for District 5." Cassie looked puzzled. She didn't know what just happened. She had never even seen this girl. "Well, how exciting is this!" Alcyone's voice chipped. "District 5 hasn't had a Volunteer in 10 years! Come here girl! Come on! Nobody seemed to care about the twelve year old that just stood there absolutly confused until a peacekeeper shhoed her back to the crowd where May flung her arms around her friend. "What the hell just happened?" Renn was trying to comprehend what just occurred. His sister was reaped. And A girl he had never even seen before had volunteered. That girl had given her life for his sisters! Well, basically. One never knew. But the chances to survive the games were not that high. "Cass is safe!" Chris nudged him. "man! Be happy! Your sister is safe! Do you know that chick?" "no!" Renn examned the girl that had now crested the stairs and stood next to Alcyone. She was quite tall and muscular, almost buff looking. Her blond hair was held together in a pony tail and she wore a white blouse and a black skirt. Who was that? "so honey, what is your name?" "Moira Negrescu" the girl replied. "And why did you volunteer for that little girl? Your sister?" The escort inquired. "No. I don't even know her. I just want to show the people of Panem that '5 is not a bunch of loosers. I have the guts and the strenth to win this." "Ohh a fighter! Well, let's hear a great applause for Moira Negrescu!" Some kids started clapping and the rest joined in. Slowly. None of the Kids had seen someone volunteer during their reaping years. "Holy shit! That girl sounds like she's gonna smack someones skull within the next 5 minutes!" Chris looked impressed and amused at the same time. "I don't even care if she kills everyone in that arena with her bare hands. She saved my sister's life!" Renn clapped and felt the tension in his body decrease a bit.

"And now for the boys!" Alcyone Salazar started swirling her hand trough the other glass bowl trying to buld up the same tension as before. But the crowd still seemed to be too puzzled about what just happened. "And the male Tribute for District 5 is: Renn Fraser!" Renns heart skipped a beat. The tension that had just decreased in his body was gone now. It was replaced by utter inapprehensiveness. His friends were staring at him. "No way." Xander said. Chris couldn't even open his mouth. For the first time ever he was out was out of words. Renn straigtened up and parted from his friends. Everything seemed to spin around him. It was like the whole world was muted all of a sudden. A scream feteched him back into realitiy. "NOO RENN!" It was Cassie. He turned around and saw his little sister running towards him. A peacekeeper stepped into her way. Before Renn could turn around, Chris was next to Cassie. He meet his friends gaze and picked his sister up trying to communicate to him that he'd take care of her. Renn nodded. Seeing his sister crying in his best friends arms almost broke his heart. He scaled up the stairs and was greeted by Alcyone. "Well, what a show we have today! Was that *your* sister then, Renn?" The Boys mouth was completely dry. "Yes." He said tonelessly. He looked at Moira. And wanted to thank her but the Escort interrupted him: "What an exciting show this year! Ladies and gentleman: May I present you this years Tributes for District 5! Moira Negrescu and Renn Fraser! May the odds be ever in your favor." She gave the crowd a huge smile and two peacekeepers guided the two Tributes into the Justice building. "thank you." Renn brought out. "I...Thank you. I don't know why you did this but you saved my sisters life. That is...I can't repay that depth." "You don't need to." Moira replied in her confident voice. I would have volunteered for anyone. This is my year and I will prove those show off Jackasses from '1 and '2 that a volunteer from '5 can win this shit aswell. This has nothing to do with pitty or affection for your baby sister. This is pure buisness. And maybe some fun." She smirked. "uhm..." Renn didn't know what to say. "Well...still...thanks. You seem pretty confident in your beliefs." Moira laughed. "If you say so." She made a derogative gesture with her hand and entered the room in which she'd get to say her goodbyes to family and friends. Renn entered the room next to hers and waited.

"Shit!" The door opened and Chris bursted into the room"Shit!" To Renns surprise he was pulled into a strong hug by his childhood friend. "Shit!" he cussed again. "Thanks man." Renn tried to gag. "This is not funny!" 'I know' Renn thought. "Ok man, listen: you can win this! You're freaking smart and not that badly out of shape eventhough you missed our run last week!" Chris adressed his friend. Their tradition of going for a run every wednesday had been existing since three years now. "Wish I didn't now. Let me be honest, I wasn't sick, I kind of just bailed cause I didn't feel like it. Sorry man." "I knew it!" Chris nuged him. "But jokes aside. Renn, you can make this game. You have a chance of coming home." "Chris, seriously? I don't. I have no clue how to kill kids. And infact: I don't want to have anyones life on my account. I...I want to make it home...I really do but...let's be realistic I wont. And even if I had a chance...wonderwoman in the room next to us seems to be pretty keen on winning this. And I am not going to kill her no matter what. I owe her..." "Bullshit! You don't owe her anything! Renn promise me that you'll try! PROMISE ME!" Christian Panel was upset. And mad. "I will. I promise that I'll try man. But you have to promise something too. Please look after Cass and my mom. Just make sure that Cass is ok, ok? My mom...she's strong she'll cope but Cassidy. Please just look after her ok?" "Promised."The two boys shook hands. "Time's up" one of the Peacekeepers said obligating Chris to leave. He gave his friend another hug. "Come home, Ok? You're like my borther" he said, leaving Renn alone in the room.

Five seconds later his sister and mother entered the room. Cassie fell into her brothers arms and he squeezed the tiny girl. Renn did the best he could to look confident. "It's Ok." He said looking at his mother. Jessica fought with tears. "It's not." Her voice was unbroken, almost toneless. She folded her arms around her son. "It's not fair. It's not ok!" "Mom" Renn didn't know what to say. There was so much he wanted to tell his family. So many unsaid things but he couldn't bring a word over his lips. "Renn" Cassy peeped "You have to come home. You..it's not...you can't die!" "At least it wasn't you little one." Renn put his arm around his sister. "I'm just so glad that that girl," he paused. "Moira...I can't belive she volunteered but I am so glad she did. I am so glad you're safe at least." "but you're not" She clung herself to her brothers waist. "Renn, do you know that girl?" His mother asked. "No. I have never talked to her or anything." "It was a very selfless act. She didn't even know Cassidy...i am so grateful that at least it isn't both of you...this is horrible enough." She reached for her sons hand. "Renn, you are smart. You are strong. You know that you have a chance, right? Don't count yourself out just now, do you hear me." His mothers words resonated in Renns head. "Renn come home. Promise me that you will come home." Cassie shook his arm. "I'll try. I promise that I'll try, ok Cass?" The same Peacekeeper that took his childhood best friend away entered the room a second time. "Your Time is up." Renns' sister threw her little arms around his neck again. He squeezed her. "Take care ok? And look after Chris and May. You know, they'll just make trouble if no one looks after them." He ruffled her hair. "I love you Cass." "I love you too Renn." She paused and removed a tiny silver locket from her neck. She got that necklace from Jessica for her tenth birthday. Ever since it contained a picture of their father. "Take this with you! It's a token. With dad by your side the other tributes have no chance!" She fastened the locket around her brothers' neck. "Thanks Cass. This really means a lot!" He kissed his sister on the cheek and squeezed her again. "Really, thank you!" Then he hugged his mother goodbye. "Take care Mom! I love you." Jessica pressed her son against her chest. "I love you too Renn. I've never told you how proud I am. I am so proud of you. You have become the most amazing young man. You can win this. Just remember you can win this ok?!" "I will." and with that she released him and the Peacekeeper lead her and his sister away. The doors closed behind them and left the male tribute of the 72nd annual Hunger Games alone in the elegant room. The boy sighed. Only a few moments later a peacekeeper entered the room and escorted him, Moira and Alcyone to the train station. The tributes were rather silent, Renn because he didn't have anything to say and Moira because it seemed to be her character, Alycone though keept twittering about the capitol and all the amazing things they were to see in the 7 days. The tree of them entered the train and the doors closed almost immediately. Renn looked out of the window and watched his home fade away.

A/N~

-So, what do you think of Renn and Moira so far? I know she has not been a big part of the story yet and it is quite obvious that Renn is our protagonist.
-Also what do you think about Renn's and Chris' friendship. Heads up, I'm sorry to crush some hopes here but no, they are not gay, just really close friends.

-Is there anything that you particulary liked/disliked in this chapter?
-Questions, Constructive Criticism and Comments are encouraged :)