CHAPTER 1
REAPED
District 11
LAI
BOOM!
I shot up from my bed, gasping. It was another one of those nightmares. I was in the hunger games, fleeing from a faceless creature, when Ty came out of nowhere and stabbed me right in the heart. Before I could let out a scream, the cannon that announced the death of a tribute blasted me out of the horrifying dream. On nights like this, I liked to sneak out to the woods to get some fresh air. I climbed out my window and flitted through the forest, leaving the horror behind me. I scaled a pine tree, letting my mind wander above to the starry night sky.
"Hey," whispered a voice in the tree.
I flinched and turned around, surprised to see Ty on the branch next to me.
"Had a bad night too?" he questioned, gazing at me with his deep brown eyes.
"Ummm, yeah, I'm just worried about the reaping tomorrow. With my name entered sixty-nine times, the odds aren't exactly in my favor."
Ty let his guard down, showing the worry in his eyes, then regained his composure. "Don't worry, I'm sure it will be fine. Nothing will happen to someone as beautiful, smart, and funny as you."
TY
As soon as the words left my mouth, I immediately regretted them. What was I doing flirting with Lai, when I was engaged to the rich mayor's daughter? I had a family to support. If I screwed this marriage up, my parents would go back to being poor and starving. I had to ignore my feelings for the perfect girl sitting next to me under the moonlight.
Lai cleared her throat, and I came back to reality.
"Well," she said, "It's kinda late, I'm gonna head home now."
I nodded, and overcome with emotion over the danger of the upcoming reaping, leaned over and kissed my best friend, the girl who I was forbidden to love. I saw the shock on her face, then watched as it transformed to awe. She kissed me back, and then slowly, as if in a daze, climbed down the tree and made her way home. I watched her until her glowing bronze hair disappeared from sight, my own black hair a shadow in the night.
"Lai, wake up! It's the day of the reaping!"
I opened my eyes, heart racing, and weakly mumbled, "Coming, mom."
This was the day that I dreaded- the day that everyone dreaded. It was the day of the reaping, the day when two tributes, a boy and a girl, would be chosen to be sent to an arena and fight to the death against 22 other teens. I shuffled down the stairs, wishing the day would be over soon so I could sneak out and be with Ty.
"Alainah dear, please wash up and get ready for the reaping," my mother's voice was steady, but I could see the worry in her face. I wanted to comfort her, but how could I, when I needed comforting myself?
An hour later, I found myself being jostled by the crowd of anxious teenagers filing into the courtyard where the reaping would take place. I absentmindedly strolled to the girls' section, my mind occupied with thoughts of the nightmares I had recently been having. It all started with the screech of the microphone...
Screech.
"Fabulous. It's working," a short woman stated as she trotted out on stage, clutching a battered microphone, "Welcome to the reaping! Today we will be choosing two tributes to represent District 11. Isn't that fun?"
The question was met with a groan from the audience, which didn't discourage the bubbly speaker.
"As you know, my name is Wilson, and I am the one who takes care of the tributes up until the actual Games. I also choose the tributes."
Silence.
"Ahem," coughed Wilson.
Everything was still.
"I said, I ALSO CHOOSE THE TRIBUTES!"
Two flustered men rushed out, each holding a bowl filled with slips of paper. Wilson didn't look happy about the tardiness of the two men, and as she whispered something in their ears, their faces paled and they slouched a bit. Any other day I would have laughed at their expressions, but I felt sick myself. This was all coming together just like my nightmares.
I watched fearfully as Wilson stepped over to one of the bowls with that graceful swagger that I had seen countless times in my sleep. Wilson reached in, fished around a little, then pulled out one of the slips.
"This can't be true. It was just a nightmare. It won't be you," I whispered to myself, but I knew I was wrong. I wanted to look to Ty for reassurance, but I couldn't find him within the crowd. As Wilson slowly unfolded the paper, I closed my eyes, waiting for the inevitable.
"Alainah Key," announced Wilson. "Alainah, where are you? Step on up."
TY
No. This couldn't be happening. Not my best friend. Not my crush. Not Alainah...
LAI
When I finally reached my spot next to Wilson, I stared, wide-eyed, at the crowd, then dropped my gaze when I saw Ty. I couldn't look, couldn't give him a reassuring glance. I covered my ears as Wilson pulled out the name of the male tribute, but it was futile. Even with my eyes closed, the nightmare replayed in my mind, and I let out a sob as Wilson called out the name.
"Tyler Lock."
TY
I froze. This couldn't be happening. Not to me. I was supposed to get married, this was supposed to be my golden year. Then some sense rushed into me. I had to protect Lai as long as I could. I had to make sure she won. I couldn't live without her, so I would die for her.
