I could see a figure running towards me. Instead of my natural instinct to run I was running to that person. I had a sword in my hand as well the other person. I couldn't move my body, I tried to turn but that kept me running towards my foe. I braced for impact as we crashed.

I woke with a start. I was back in my room in District 2. My dream felt real as I turned on my light a grabbed one of my pillows. Reality came back to me. My mother had died of a cough and my brother is training for the Hunger Games and to be a Peace keeper. My dad was always drunk and saying nonsense.

…..

"Are you ready for the reaping Sage?" My only friend in the whole entire world, Emerald or Emma asked me.

"Ready as you are. If I get reaped, you'll be in charge of my quarry duties." I teased.

Anyone who knows about the Hunger Games is no laughing matter. My brother Cato, went chasing off for its glory. I haven't really seen my brother for 4 years after he started training. Part of me misses him and part of me thinks he's an idiot for wasting life about these stupid games.

"I know we have the most victors out of all the other districts, but what if we are actually reaped?" Emma askes.

"Low chance of making it too the games. There are most likely a bunch of female 16+ career almost-tributes waiting in a line or something. We'll be safe." I respond in my thoughts.

"But What if?"

"Let's get it out of our heads. We'll be late to getting to work. You know Julia doesn't like us late.

As we step to the quarry base, there is a sign. All go to the training center, all kids under 18 must go. Others continue work. I was chosen to work in the Quarries instead of as a Peace keeper. I'm pretty happy about that choice.

I live in one of the main cities. The training center and a stone quarry or right by in the outskirts of town. My house is closer to the Quarry so going to the training center will be a long walk. I sigh as jog back across town to the Training center.

"Okay young people, because the reaping is only a week away, all of you have to train for the games." The announcements call on fallowed by a screech.

Emma and I head over to the knife station because A, swords and spears are too long for my arms. B, because I really don't want to run into my brother and C, because I am actually skilled somewhat at knifes. Another thirteen year-old is already there, she never missed a target.

Emma grabs a knife and throws it. It misses the target way off. The girl laughs at this and throws another knife. I gulp as I see Emma's older brother come near us. Salem is a really big Annoying bully. I barely see him but I know when Emma has bruises on her. I grab a knife, I look at the blade. I pretend that one of those dummies is Salem and throw it.

It hits the dummy on the arm. That's good enough for me though the brunet knife-girl hits the same dummy in chest.

I hear behind me Salem still taunting his younger sister. Cato never hurt me, he left me but wasn't mean at me besides teasing me. I knew I couldn't do anything because I way the about 90lbs and because I can't do hand to hand combat.

"Your friend of yours at least hit the target. Not in a fatal spot but hit it. You're a shame to our district." I hear.

I know Emma is strong and won't cry. Plus, people are staring now including me and that would be just plain dumb to do that. Emma slowly backs away from her brother. She scampers away from his shadow and then hides behind a wall.

I don't run or turn back to what I was doing. I see ice blue eyes meet up with mine. Great I think, the one thing I wanted to do was to avoid my brother. Salem is now looking at me, he fallows my eye line to Cato. Crap.

I quickly turn back to throwing knives. Emma soon joins my side again, she now every second looks back.

The lunch announcements come on and I just fallow everybody else. I've only been hear twice, deciding to be a career and when I was 12. I head to the line of where people grab their food when I feel myself being pulled back but the edge of my jacket. Hands go over my mouth as I'm pulled back down the hall.

When we enter a smaller gym/classroom, I'm let go. Salem is there and so is my brother.

How was that? I hope you guys enjoyed. This is more of a back-round for Sage from Spirt Hearts.

Till later,

Darkflame