Authors note: This is a one shot, flashback to the day of the reaping from Rue's POV. It starts in the first few minutes of the Hunger Games. Please review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games

I run for the trees, picking anything useful on my way. The trees are my only chance for survival, my only protection. I reach the edge of the forest a sigh with relief. I made I completely unnoticed by any of the other tributes. I start my way up a tall willow, when I hear someone running in my direction. I hurry up the rest of the willow before I allow myself to look down at my oncoming attacker.

It's Katniss, the girl on fire, I will have to keep an eye out for her she got an eleven in training and no one knows why. Everyone assumes she will be a major threat, so she will probably die quickly. I will be safe for a while, no one sees me as a threat. I don't blame them what can a twelve year old do? No one expects me to win.

……………..

I put on my best outfit a green dress with white lace. I love my dress but I hate that I have to wear it today. We should be wearing morning clothes not party outfits. Today we will see two of our districts kids taken away and we will have to watch the get slaughtered. I wonder who I will no longer see working in the apple orchards. I think about my younger siblings. I can't bear the thought of anyone of them being drawn and put into those awful games.

I finish putting on my outfit and help get my younger siblings ready for the reaping. None of them will be entered this year because they are all too young. I want them to stay young forever that way they will never have to face the horrors of not knowing if their name will be called or not. It is time to and we all file out of our house. I don't think you can call it a house; it's more of a shack than an actual house. I watch as each of my family members stand outside the roped off area. I wait to see who will be called this year.

I tune out the repetitive opening ceremony and wait to hear the first name. Our escort announces the female tribute first.

"Rue Bettengaurd!"

I can't breathe. Someone has taken my supply of air and completely destroyed it. A path forms in front of me and I know that here has not been some terrible mistake. I am going to be in the slaughter games myself. I know I have no shot at winning, and my poor family will have to watch me die. I silently walk up to the stage and take my place.

"Are there any volunteers?"

As our escort asked the question I already knew what the answerer would be. No one cares enough to volunteer for me except my little sisters and they are too young to even volunteer. I am glad that they can't because I rather go than have one of them go. The town remains completely silent as the wind starts to whip around the building.

I stand frozen in the center of the stage waiting to hear who will be put into the blood bath with me. I hear the name call but can't remember the face that goes with the name until I see him moving through the crowd. He is muscular and tall, and can kill anyone with his bare hands if he wanted to. If I didn't have a chance before his name was drawn then it's hopeless now. He makes his way onto the stage and stands next to me. Once more volunteers are asked for, and once more none come forward.

Time passes as the major reads some more ceremonial documents and it is time for me to shake the big brute's hand. I see his eyes for his first time. They are full of pity and regret. I know from that one glance that I will not be totally alone in the upcoming slaughter.

Authors note: I hoped you liked it, please tell me what you thought, review.