It's coming... It's so close... The 25th Annual Hunger Games! President Snow said something about doing a special thing with the reaping every 25 years, as a reminder for the Capitol's power over the districts, blah, blah, blah. He hasn't announced what it is yet, but I bet this is going to be cruel. They're going to announce it soon.

I open the TV, hoping to find something good to watch before the big announcement, but all I find are movies about The Dark Days, The Rebellion, District 13 and the past Hunger Games, where the Arena was something like... Made out of the 4 seasons, a quarter for each. Every season had its own animals, mutts, plants, climate etc. A girl from our District won, because she stayed in the summer quarter and fished from a pond. And of course, she was good at it, because our district's main industry, District 4, is fishing, so it would've been quite weird if she didn't know how to fish. Unfortunately, she died soon after the Games, before her Victory Tour, because she ate a poisonous fish. Poor her.

I can't find anything to watch, so I just switch to the channel where the announcement is going to be and watch something about the Mutts and that unintended Mutt called "Mockingjay" and things like that. Soon, the announcement starts. Snow is all like "Welcome, blah, blah, blah, Quarter Quell, blah, blah, blah, the Districts have rised against the Capitol, blah, blah, blah". I don't really pay attention, I heard that thousands of times before. Finally, he reads out of a yellow piece of paper "All the Districts must vote for the Tribute they want in the Arena". I can't believe it. Comparing to this, having your name chosen out of a bowl is nothing! It's just like "Vote for the person you hate, so they can be executed right ahead by some random stranger". I want to strangle president Snow right now, but I try to calm myself down.

People keep on voting. Today is the day. The day when the most hated girl and boy with the ages between 12 and 18 are going to be revealed. I just hope it isn't me or my little brother, Triton. I don't know what to expect, but I hold back my tears. 'I'm neither strong, nor extremely hated,' I tell myself. 'They're not going to pick me, out of all those kids in the District.'

The escort gives us a speech about what the Games are and she shows us a movie. She is dressed up like she's a sea monster or something, full of starfish and things like that. She even has her eyelashes in the shape of a fish, which is quite strange I can say. Very strange!

"Ladies first!" She reads a name written on a piece of paper. "Estella Elvey."

NO! NO! She's my best friend! I can't let her die! No, just no! I've known her since... Well, since I can remember! Once again, I blink back tears. A strangled sob escapes my lips, then something even I didn't expect comes out of my mouth.

"I volunteer as tribute."

I am surrounded by Peacekeepers, taking me to the stage. I hope this is just a nightmare, and I will soon wake up. But I know it isn't; this is happening. And there is nothing I can do to stop it.

"What's your name, sweetie?"

I just look at her. She feels bad for me. She sees the pain in my eyes. I know I'm not a good actress, I can't even lie without feeling guilty.

"Dora Finsh." I whisper, and even I can barely hear myself, even through the microphone and the high-tech sound amplification things.

"Well, let's congratulate Lora Fish!"

"Dora Finsh." I say, this time louder, but way too quick.

"Sorry, Cora Dish!"

"DORA. FINSH." I say, accentuating every word equally.

"Sorry, Dora Finsh. Is Dora short from Theodora?"

"No, it's my name. I've been told that a lot, don't worry, uh..." I hesitate, wanting to say her name.

"Nemia Clang."

"Nemia... That's an interesting name."

"Blame my grandfather. He wanted this name."

"Ah, I understand."

We both start laughing. I think I was laughing way too loudly, though. I was still trying not to cry, but I could feel a tear making its way down my cheek.

"Okay, Dora! Now, let's see who else will take the honor of representing District 4 in The First Quarter Quell!"

Don't be Triton, don't be Triton, don't be Triton...

"Len Sack!"

I know that guy. I like him. Damn. I can't believe that. I think most people voted for him to die so he won't be the most handsome boy in the District anymore, because I can't find any other reason. Then again, I had a crush on almost every guy in the school, but I got over it soon. I hope this will happen with Len.

I feel really bad for his family. It's one of the poorest families in the District. He always does the fishing, housework etc. because his mother is always ill and his brother and sister are too young. His father left them in the favor of the Capitol.

"Our Tributes in the 1st Quarter Quell or 25th Annual Hunger Games, Dora Finsh and Len Sack! Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor."