CHAPTER 1

I wake to hear the front door slam. I turn over to find my sister, Katniss, has gone. I rush to the window to see her, hunting bag over shoulder, walking boldly toward the meadow. She has left a note by the bed – 'Prim, I've gone out hunting. Will be back in an hour. Don't forget I love you, little duck X'.

Every morning, no matter what the weather is doing, she climbs through the broken electric fence that stretches around the diameter of District 12. Beyond the fence is the forest, where she will hunt to keep the family going.

Our family only consists of three people, me, Katniss, and our mother. My father died in a coal mine accident years ago. I was only 7. I remember the day well; the warning sirens went off, as they always do when there has been an accident at the mines, while we were at school, and I waited for Katniss in my classroom. When she came for me, we rushed home fast.

We waited through the night, each time we heard the creaky lift ascending a tiny piece of hope would rise in our hearts, only to descend, along with the lift, when each man had been collected by an overjoyed family. By morning, all hope was gone, and so was our father.

I remember the feeling of a stone being dropped in the bottom of my heart when we saw the surname 'EVERDEEN' on the notice board.

After our father's death, I faintly remember watching our mother fall into a wormhole of depression. I am thankful that Katniss inherited our father's hunting skills, which enabled her to keep her, our mother and me alive, because our mother did nothing. I forgave her after a while, when she started getting better again, but I can tell that Katniss hasn't yet.

Once, Katniss took me hunting with her, but I was hopeless. It has been clear since a young age that I was a lover of all animals, so when Katniss shot the deer, I broke down in tears. I wanted to help the dying animal. I wanted to take it home and heal it! My mother would help me make it better! She is an amazing healer, so everyone brings the sick and injured to her. I always try to help my mother, and Katniss convinces me that I'm so good at it, I should become a doctor when I'm older.

I love my sister dearly, and I wish she wouldn't go out into the forest. I know she is not alone, she has her friend Gale with her, but there are many people who are scared of the forest, and they say that it is dangerous. I don't know what to believe. I suppose Katniss and Gale do have a bow and arrow to hunt with, just in case something does happen.

It is peaceful here; lay in bed with the sun shining through the window, listening to the birds with my cat, Buttercup, lay on my lap. But all peace is shattered when I remember the contents of my nightmares for the past few weeks. Today is reaping day. The day when each district, gather in the town, in front of their Justice Building, for a young man and young woman (between the ages of 12-18) to be selected to compete in the annual Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is basically just a fight to the death, in a public arena, held for the Capitol's amusement. It is a reminder of the rebellion that happened 74 years ago. Every twenty-five years there is a Quarter Quell, where the Capitol adds an additional twist as an extra reminder. Twenty-four children go in, only one lucky tribute comes out alive to be crowned victor. The victor gets a house in the Victor's Village, the only place in District 12 that is of any value.

Only one person lives in our Victor's Village – Haymitch Abernathy – but everyone knows that he blew all of his prize money on alcohol. We learnt at school that he was the second ever victor from District 12, and was the winner of the 50th Hunger Games (the 2nd Quarter Quell), at the age of sixteen. He is a 40 year old alcoholic now – What a role model!

This is my first year of having my name in the reaping ball. It is only in there once, but each night my nightmares consist of my name being pulled out. As much as Katniss comforts me, I can't help but panic. The reminder of this makes me shoot out of bed instantly. I let a small whimper escape my mouth.

As a distraction, I get up and go to feed and milk my goat, Lady. She was a gift from Katniss. I'm not quite sure why she got her for me, but I am grateful. Over the past 5 years, she has served us well, providing us with milk and cheese. I head back inside, carrying a pail of fresh goats milk. Katniss had just arrived back from hunting.

I'm greeted by a hug from Katniss, a "Good morning, Prim!" from my mother, and the smell of rabbit cooking. But I'm not hungry.

I refuse food, but sip at a glass of goat's milk while my mother and Katniss eat. I can tell Katniss is only eating to make me feel better, because she never normally eats on reaping day. But Katniss is used to this routine now. She is sixteen years old, so has gotten through four reapings already. As for me, I have another seven reapings to get through.

After breakfast, it's time to get ready. My mother has set out a skirt and blouse for me, so after I'm washed, I put them on. Then my mother splits my long blonde hair into two braids. I look at my reflection, and am slightly disappointed. My white arms hang limply down by my side, and my round, nervous face stair back at me with terrified eyes.

When Katniss walks in behind me, I let my jaw drop slightly; her dark hair is up in a single braid, and her bluey-grey eyes stand out next to the pretty knee length dress she is wearing. I can't help feeling a little jealous.

"I wish I looked like you." I say, longingly.

"No, I wish I looked like you, little duck!" she replies, tucking in my blouse at the back, which looks like a duck tail, giving me my nickname. "Hey, you want to see what I got you today?" she asks kindly. She reaches into her pocket and gets out a gold pin. It's a circle, with a Mocking Jay bird inside it, with an arrow in its mouth. It's Beautiful.

"Thank you." I say, accepting the gift. She pins it onto my shirt.

"It's a Mocking Jay." She tells me. "As long as you have it with you, nothing bad will happen to you. Come on now, it's time to leave" she takes my hand, and we walk side by side to the Justice Building.

My hands shake as we approach the town centre. I know Katniss can feel because she holds my hand tight to comfort me. In a way, I wish she wouldn't, because when we get there, our hands are just a clammy, sweaty mess.

As we approach the Justice Building, a wave of panic rushes over me as I see people having their finger pricked. As usual, Katniss is there for me.

"Shhh! It's okay, Prim! It's okay!" she ushers "It's time to sign in now. They will just prick your finger, it doesn't hurt! I promise!" she kisses me on the head, hugs me tightly, and walks away to the line for the older kids. I hesitantly join the younger kids in the other line.

The line gets shorter and shorter, until finally it's my turn. My hand shakes as I hold it out to the peacekeeper. She pricks my finger and I wince slightly. It feels like a bee stung my finger, and it reminds me of when I was little, before my father passed away. It was summer, and we had taken some food in a basket to the meadow for a picnic. A bee had stung my hand, and because I was only five years old, I cried. My father had held me in his arms until I'd stopped crying, and when I did, he kissed it better, and told me everything would be alright.

This memory of my father brings tears to my eyes, and I try to hide them as a put my bloody fingerprint onto the register sheet. I join the crowd in front of the Justice Building and search for Katniss behind me. I see her, and she gives me an encouraging smile.

There is a loud screech from the microphone, and a brightly dressed woman appears at the front doors of the Justice Building, a glass ball on each side of her. Everyone knows what they contain; one contains slips of paper with the male names on them, and the other contains slips of paper with the female names on them, one of which has my name on it.

The woman speaks, and it is obvious from her accent that she is from the Capitol. I think her name is Effie. "Welcome! Welcome!" she chimes "Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour! As you know, we are gathered here today to select one courageous young man and woman to compete in the 74th annual Hunger Games. But first, we have a very special video, all the way from the Capitol!" The Capitol anthem plays, followed by a video, reminding us of the rebellion and the reason for the Games – we have been reminded so many times at school, they may as well just tattoo it on the inside of our eyelids.

Effie seems very enthusiastic about the video, as she knows every word of it, and has to drag her eyes away from the screen at the end.

"Remember, there are absolutely no volunteers! As usual, ladies first." With her words, my body tenses.

Her hand reaches into the glass ball on the left. All I can hear is my heart beat, pounding in my ears. I try to keep calm. The odds are completely in your favor I tell myself. Your name's only in there once. But my heart beats faster.

Effie unfolds the slip of paper, takes a deep breath, and reads the name;

"Primrose Everdeen."