At birth, my given name was Sionnach. Back, when the world was not Panem, there was a place called Ireland. My Mom would tell me that's where our ancestors lived, in Ireland, and that's where my name came from. It means fox. Because of my fox-like features, some would say it was an insult. Actually, I considered it a compliment and, as I would learn overtime, very true to my nature.

I was born into District 5, where the citizens were in charge of distributing power and electricity to the entire nation. It's a hard responsibility when you stop to think about it, and even the children have to work. I was no exception. By the time I was five, I was having to lift heavy cables and weave them back and forth through the district. While most of the children had difficulty and often tripped over the cables, I found that I was on light on my feet and could leap over any cable that came into my path. I was not only praised but discovered my name suited me.

For twelve years, I didn't have a care in the world. That was until my first reaping came. The odds were in my favor that year. Then the year after that. Then the year after that. Before I knew it, it was the evening before my fifth reaping and also my seventeenth birthday.

"Happy birthday, Sionnach!" My mom said.

My Father, my mother, and I sat at our table in our tiny kitchen. We, like many citizens of other districts, were not wealthy. We were lucky to live in District 5, cause we did have electricity and working water. We also had food on the table every night and then some. Otherwise, the three of us shared a bed, a leaky roof, and old furniture. We felt blessed with what we had and made do. Still, even though my birthday was meant to be a happy occasion, it was also a frightful reminder of what the next day held.

"Thanks for everything, Mom. Dinner was wonderful."

So, it was. A meal fit for a king! Warm chicken soup, rolls made from a fresh loaf of bread, and my favorite food in the world: Beets!

"Oh, I have more. Wait here."

Mom stood up from the table and disappeared into the kitchen again. She came out with a chocolate cake that had a full seventeen candles on it. She laid it out on the table and took her seat again.

"Blow out the candles, sweetheart." My dad urged.

I closed my eyes and blew out the candles. My parents didn't even ask what I wished for, because they knew already. In fact, we all shared the same wish.

Everyone was silent as Mom served the cake. For as long as I could remember, it was always quiet when the Reaping was approaching.

"I made a new blouse for you today, dear. It's red, your favorite color. I thought you could wear it tomorrow during the thing."

Mom and Dad never used the word "reaping." It was almost as if they did, then I would get chosen.

After cake, I kissed Mom and Dad goodnight, said my prayers, and climbed into bed. I was able to sleep soundly though, perhaps not even thinking of what laid ahead.

The next morning, I woke early and dressed myself. I wore my new blouse to make Mom happy and because it was the most beautiful thing I ever seen. When I went into the kitchen, I found my Mom was sitting at the table and crying, while Dad was pacing the floor.

"Well, I'm ready." I announced, my tone far from happy.

Mom and Dad looked at me. While Mom was still crying, Dad was able to smile and came up to me. He kissed my forehead and hugged me close to his chest.

"You look beautiful." Dad whispered.

"Thanks, Dad."

While I felt a need to be comforted and be told that everything would be all right, I could tell that it was something my Mom needed more. Letting go of Dad, I slowly approached Mom and took her hand.

"Don't worry, Mom. We have so many kids in our District, I don't stand a chance of getting picked." I assured, but my own words held no meaning.

Mom finally dried her eyes and looked up at me. She squeezed my hand hard and stood to her feet.

When we arrived at the home of our Mayor, we saw a big crowd had already gathered. After kissing my parents, I went to stand with my age group. There was only five other people who were seventeen, including my best friend in the world, Ren. She was plain and had black hair that fell to her waistline.

"A big crowd today." I whispered.

"I know. It's scary, 'Nach. Look at the twelvies."

The "twelvies," as Ren called them, were the twelve-year-olds who were here for their first Reaping. In total, there was fifteen, fourteen of them were boys and one was a girl. They all look scared and some were crying. I couldn't help but notice that the little girl was the only one who wasn't crying, but she did hold her doll tight to her chest.

When I heard the crowd cheer, I focused my attention towards the house. Standing on the podium, was Talin Odeflame. He was a member of the Capitol and dressed from head to toe in bright yellow, expect his hair which was gray and combed back.

"Welcome to the Reaping of District 5! I say it's best to skip the wondrous history of our nation, as fabulous as it is. After all, we all are here for one purpose. So, let the games begin."

I held my breath as Talin stuck his hand into the glass bowl. Then I heard the name that I did not want to hear:

"Sionnach Stedwell." Talin called out.

I didn't have time to think about what was happening. Two Peacekeepers came and took me up to the podium. Even then, I was in denial, thinking this was just a horrible nightmare. This wasn't The Reaping and I was back at home in my own bed. Soon, I would wake up and see my parents sitting at the table and eating breakfast.

Another name was called out, but I couldn't make it out. The boy who stepped up onto the podium was a stranger to me. He seemed to be about fourteen and was stone-faced. I smiled, wondering why he was so serious. This was all a dream, nothing bad was going to happen.

"Not Sionnach! Not my little girl!"

That was my Mom who was shouting. She sounded so real and frightened. I followed her cries and found her standing in the crowd, trying to make her way to the podium. She seemed hysterical, sobbing and shrieking. It was then I knew that this was no nightmare. I was not asleep in bed. I was about to join others in the fight for my life.

Everything began to spin around and around. I felt as though I would get sick to my stomach or faint in front of everyone. The latter happened.