He's going to try to break you. This is the sentence I've heard from Haymitch everyday since the rebellion was crushed.

It's been almost six months since the districts were re-established and the Capitol began to reinstate its rule. Back then, I remember thinking he's going to kill me. I'd even resigned myself to the fact that my death would be graphic and poetic at the hands of Snow. I a waited the day with something close to anticipation, the day Snow would pull me from my bed or kidnap me at breakfast, and whisk me away to be chopped up. But the day never came.

Instead, he took Peeta back, and caused the death of the only people in the world I'd consider friends; Finnick, Boggs, even my mother and Prim all died in the attack that obliterated 13.

I remember the day well. I had told everyone that I needed time, space and home if I was ever going to be able to continue being the Mockingjay. Coin had given permission for me to return to 12 for the day with Haymitch and Gale. We had spent the morning out in the woods and the afternoon in the Victors Village. It wasn't a great day, but it was the best I'd had in a long time.

Then we heard them. Hovercrafts passed over our heads, meaning they could only be headed for one place… 13. We climbed back into the hovercraft and watched from a distance as the ships rained missiles on the land which housed our loved ones.

This time they were nuclear. This time they worked. We sat in silence for a long time after they had hit, knowing all our families were dead.

After what must have been minutes, but felt like decades, I felt a small hand on my arm. I turned round and saw Posy, Gales youngest sister, standing beside me her eyes filled with tears.

'Posy!' I cried, and leaned down to embrace the tiny girl in a hug. 'How did you get here?' I asked pulling away from her to see her face.

'I hid in the cargo deck, I wanted go home.'

By this point, Gale had wrapped Posy in a tight hug and lifted her off the ground, gently hushing her as she let the tears fall.

'Everyone else is gone.' She said, with wisdom that far exceeded her age.

'Yes sweetie,' Gale replied, 'it's just you and me.'

That seems so long ago, like a distant memory that now seems almost dreamlike. Gale, Haymitch, Posy and I all returned to 12 (as some of the only residents still alive) and were instrumental in the clean up of the Seam. Soon, the Capitol sent new people some rich, some poor. Everyone began slotting into society and things returned to the bizarre normality I'd come to accept.

There were, of course, a few key differences:

The fence was now electrified 24/7 and so hunting was no longer an option.

The Peacekeepers were all highly trained, and handed out whippings almost hourly.

The Games changed.

The games were redesigned after the rebellion, and Haymitch informs me that I have myself to thank for it.

As always, a tribute between the ages of 12 and 18 is selected, however anyone to the age of 30 can volunteer. As always there is one girl and one boy, however now they are never presented as a unit. From stage one, everything is separate.

The day of the Reaping comes and my stomach is in knots for some inexplicable reason. Gale and I are in the audience this time, but Posy has turned 12 and is standing at the front of the crowd with her hair tied in pigtails.

My eyes turn to the stage as I see Haymitch enter. Since there's still no black market active in 12, he's remained sober and so this time he looks miserable taking his seat on the stage.

Even though my Games are over, he's still saving me. He knows I can't train children to fight, and so he once again took on the burden alone.

A new announcer teeters onto the stage in her powdered wig and gigantic heels and in an upbeat tone states that she's going to 'mix it up' and start with the boys. She says a name that I can't quite make out with her thick Captiol accent, and I see a small boy ascend to the stage.

Then she moves to the second bowl, and pulls out another piece of paper. This time I hear the name, and know it was meant to hurt me.

'Posy Hawthorne.'

Beside me a choked scream erupts from Gale and I quickly turn to quiet him before he's whipped for interrupting proceedings.

'It's okay.' I whisper as I grip his arms with my hands and look him in the eye.

'How?' he asks, desperation in his eyes as they dart from me to Posy's small form as she ascends the steps.

'I promise.' I say, and then turn away from him.

At once he realises my intentions and clamps a hand on my wrist.

'No Katniss, you can't.'

'I have to.' I respond, and in the same breath yell, 'I volunteer!'

The crowd splits and I move forward as Posy descends the steps and runs towards me.

'Katniss!' she says as she locks her arms around my neck, 'You can't do this.'

'I have to sweetie, promise you'll take care of Gale for me.' I whisper,

'I promise.'

Then she's pulled off me and I make my way to the stage.