It is the day of the reaping and I am scarred beyond belief. I am worried about the fact that if I was picked I would have to leave my little sister, Mara, and my mom. My sister is seven years old and I have had a close bond with her since she was born.

My dad left the day before Mara was born, so I have to be a parent figure to her since my mom spends so much time working so that we can have food on the table.

I went into my room and found a nice dress to wear to the reaping. I put it on and walked out into the living room to show my mom and sister. "Oh Finch you look lovely," my mom said as she gave me a hug. Mara nodded in agreement.

We all went down to where the ceremony would be taking place. I got in line with a bunch of other kids waiting to get signed in. When it was my turn I held out my finger and the lady pricked it and put the blood on a piece of paper.

I then walked over to the side where all the girls were standing. I saw a few of my friends from school and decided to stand with them.

"Hi Finch," one of them said, "are you nervous"? I replied to her, "I am not nervous. I'm terrified." She gave me a side hug, "maybe we won't get picked this year."

The escort for District 5 appeared on the stage. Her name was Claudia and was by far one of the strangest looking people I had ever seen.
"Welcome to the 74th Hunger Games reaping," she said with a huge smile on her face. How could anyone be happy about the games? She reached her hand into the large bowl of girl names and took one out.

"Finch Carter." I look over at my friend. She has the same look I do, terrified.

I step out of the cluster and am escorted up onto the stage. I spot my mom and sister in the crowd. Mara doesn't have an idea on what is happening, but my mom is crying her eyes out.

Claudia walked over to the other bowl and drew out a name. "Sam Calloway." I knew him, he was a year older than me and I saw him at school once in a while.

He walked up onto the stage and stood beside me. "Shake hands you two," Claudia said. I turned to him and shook his hand. Then we were both taken into separate rooms for final goodbyes.

My mom and sister were the only ones who came back. Mara came running over and gave me a huge hug. "Mara I want you to know that I love you," I told her trying not to cry. "Will you try and win," she asked. Mom must have explained to her what was going on. "I will, I promise."

I stood up and went over to hug my mom. "Please spend time with her, she needs you now," I told her. She nodded.

A peacekeeper came in and took them out of the room. Once they left I put my head in my hands and just cried. I knew I had to try and win for both of them.

A little while later we were taken onto a train. I went to the back and looked out the window. "Goodbye District 5."