Chapter One

Dung, dung, dung.

Three bells rung throughout District 2. Three bells have one meaning and one meaning alone. The reaping has begun. One girl and one boy will be chosen to compete in an arena to the death among twenty-two other tributes. Twenty-three children are brutally killed so that the victor can earn an unlimited supply of gold and glory for their district. It is terrible, horrifying, and glorious. These Games allow the Capitol to weed out the weaklings in our society, so that our country will be constructed of strong men and women.

My father was a victor during the 15th Hunger Games. My sister was a victor during the 31st Hunger Games. I plan on becoming a victor now.

"We shall now begin our reaping!" Minnie Melissa, our host, straight from the Capitol, began, "Now, let's start this reaping with the ladies!"

Minnie strutted over to the big fish bowl labeled "Ladies" and grabbed the name right on the top.

"Well let's see who we got here… Leah Arnstein! Will you please come up Leah?"

A small, skinny girl was shoved towards the stage.

Uh, yeah that's not gonna work, I thought as I watched little 12-year-old Leah trip over each stair that she tried to climb. Even when she reached the stage, she continuously tripped. This year, District 2 will look like a failure.

"Yes… well as always, is their any volunteers?"

Leah held back tears, waiting for someone to volunteer. I raised my hand.

"I volunteer as tribute!" I called. To answer your questions, no I did not do this for Leah. I wouldn't care if it were Leah's name drawn or my little sister's. It truly makes no difference. However, this is my chance to become a victor. This is my chance to stand with my father and sister as an equal.

I walked up the stage with confidence. I looked out into the crowd with a smile. I was happy.

"We have ourselves a volunteer! Will you please say your name for us?"

"Lily Silvia," I announced into the huge microphone.

"Excellent, excellent! Well let's get on with it. I must pick a boy!" She reached into the other fish bowl and drew out a small piece of paper, "Leonardo Memphis."

Walking up to the stage was a tall, dark haired, and handsome man with arms the size of barrels.

Oh my gosh…

That's when tall, dark, and handsome stepped aside to reveal a tiny, stick kid who was apparently named Leonardo. The other guy was a Capitol guard. What a disappointment.

After shaking Leonardo's bony, sweaty hand, we boarded a silver, slick train and drove off towards the capitol.