Sasuka waited in the anxious crowd, waited for the first name to be called. She was eighteen, so this would be the last year that she was in danger from the reaping. But she wasn't safe yet. She knew how unpredictable the reaping was. She had seen twelve-year-olds walk to their deaths, barely even aware of what they were letting themselves in for. One of them had been her cousin, Anika, just two years ago. She drew in a sharp breath remembering Anika's last moments, the child's face frozen in shock, pain and fear, broadcast for all to see. Remembering how she had been before – an innocent, loving, carefree little girl. She hoped that this year there wouldn't be another Anika. But what she wasn't suspecting was:

"Sasuka Vero!"

She stood still for a moment, to gather her thoughts. And then she began the journey up to the platform. She could do this. She had been training for this from the age of four. She was ready. She faced her audience with a feigned look of glory, of hope. The least she could do for her parents and twin brother was to make them believe that she could, would, win. It didn't matter what she thought. It was what people thought that she was thinking that mattered. And people with more faith in her were more likely to sponsor her. Don't worry, you'll make it through, her brother, Jay, told her silently, I believe in you. She responded immediately Thanks, Jay; I'll win for you. Her twin was suddenly fierce No, Sasuka, not for me, or for anyone else. Win for you. For me, just stay alive, okay? Okay, Jay. She promised.

Then the next name was being called out:

"Michael Adeja!"

A small boy walked forward, trembling all over. He was clearly one of the young ones, only 12, 13 at the most, and Sasuka's heart ached for him as she guessed his impending fate. She waited through the agonising silence as no-one stepped forward for him, remembering the silence after Anika was chosen, and how she had not been brave enough...wishing that she had, and knowing that there were others feeling the same way as she had, not daring to do the unthinkable...then it was over, and they were marched into the Justice Building, her and the small boy who did not, could not, deserve this. She could not take in the rich furnishings of the Justice Hall, so much more expensive than those of her own home; a medium sized, four-bedroomed family home, comfortable but not luxurious. Then it was time to say goodbye to her family – this could be the last time she saw them.

Her parents could barely speak to wish her goodbye – they did not cry, they were trying to be strong for her - but she knew that they were remembering Anika. Jay was braver, stronger. He hugged her, holding her close to him. Make me proud Sasuka, he told her, but more importantly, come back alive. Sasuka let out a barely audible whisper.

"I'll try."

Then a Peacekeeper ordered them out.

"I love you," Sasuka called after them, "I love you always," and then they were gone. Sim, her boyfriend of three years, entered the room.

"Sim!" she flung her arms around him and they kissed. Then, too soon, Sim stepped back and looked at her. Just looked, like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Wait for me?" pleaded Sasuka,

"Of course, always," he replied passionately, "And if you die, I will die with you," To Sasuka's shock, she found herself slapping him round the face with all her strength, and then she was screaming at him.

"Never, never, say that to me. Never, Sim, you hear me? You will live on if I die, you can't die because of me. Find another girl, live your life. You don't need me that much – never even think about killing yourself over me. Never, please Sim..." And then she was holding him tight, crying into him and wanting never to let him go.

"I promise you, then," Sim said, "I promise that I will live for you if you die, and live with you forever if you live,"

"Sim, are you asking...?"

"Yes," he said, tears in his eyes, "I have to ask before you...leave. So that I know. Do you love me?"

"Yes, of course, forever and always..."

"Then marry me," he said it so simply that Sasuka had to pause for a minute, not quite understanding, "Sasuka?"

"Yes," she replied, her eyes shining with new hope, "Yes, I will marry you. I will win, I will come home and then..." Her mind drifted into a glorious wedding fantasy, like the other glorious weddings she had seen, only with her in white and Sim, loving, kind, funny Sim, her perfect man, waiting for her at the altar. Then she felt something on her finger. She looked down to see the a beautiful gold ring, two bands intertwined, inseparable, one with her name engraved on it and one with Sim's.

"You're allowed one thing to remind you of home in the arena; will you wear this?"

"Oh, Sim! But it's so beautiful, what if it breaks, or,or..."

"It doesn't matter. Nothing matters except our love. Please Sasuka, wear it, and every time you look at it, think of me. So that I can be with you, at least in one way. I don't want to be apart from you, Sasuka, please?" His voice broke, he was on the brink of tears, but still he tried to be brave for her. She loved him so much.

"I'll wear it," she decided, "And you'll be with me. Forever." Then it was time for Sim to leave.

"I love you, Sasuka Vero, to the ends of the earth and further,"

"I love you too, more than can be measured,"

"To infinity and beyond," he laughed weakly. They exchanged one more quick kiss, and then he was gone. The rest was just a blur of goodbyes, endless goodbyes, it was so final.

At the station, Sasuka grasped firm control over her emotions, and forced her face to appear blank – she would not allow herself to cry. She saw Michael, who had clearly been crying, and even now was struggling not to cry more. Poor kid. She should help him somehow, teach him to mask his emotions at least – he was going to need all the sponsors he could get, and this was not a good way to go about it. And his big, brown eyes reminded her of her cousin.

Sasuka liked the tribute train. Fast, gloriously furnished and all the clothes a girl could dream of. The food was good too. She watched the other reapings, hoping to discern her competition, feeling the familiar ache when kids of only 12 or 13 years old were chosen, which was surprisingly often this year. She tried to console herself – Good; not much competition, but her optimism failed to dispel her feeling of uneasiness. Then a tall woman with flowing black hair down to her shoulders and electric blue eyes approached her.

"My name is Hannah Kenner and I will be your mentor," she spoke clearly, but not patronisingly. Sasuka immediately warmed to her. "You are Sasuka, correct?" Sasuka nodded. "Ok, let's see what you've got. How are you with weapons?"

"I can handle most weapons, but I'm best with throwing knives. I'm not very good at archery, but I can use a bow and arrow. I can do other stuff too - " Hannah cut her off.

"Let's not worry about that yet. Just weapons, endurance, agility and strength. They are the four main areas you need to train hard in, and in between training we'll be working on camera technique – to get as many sponsors as possible – and other useful things that I doubt you've been taught before, okay?" Sasuka nodded again, liking this woman more and more. Yes, she was bossy and teacherish, but she clearly knew what she was doing and had a full-on training routine planned out. With this mentor, how could she go wrong? Just one thing, though...

"Why haven't I seen you before?" she asked Hannah, curiously.

"I like to keep to myself," said Hannah, "And when I won the hunger games, I was just fourteen. That was twenty years ago now, you wouldn't have seen it," Sasuka looked surprised.

"Most of the victors are really...well..." did she dare to say it?

"Full of themselves, I know," replied Hannah, "I don't really see the glory in it myself. I'm just glad it's over!" she gave a light laugh, but Sasuka sensed that there was more to Hannah's story. She didn't press the matter, sensing that it was Hannah's business, not hers. "Anyway, getting late now – you'd better grab whatever sleep you can, cause you won't be getting much once you get in the arena," Hannah advised. Sasuka decided to just do as she was told, and went to her room. Looking at the clock, she saw that it was already 11:30pm, and slipped in between the soft silken sheets. She was asleep in minutes, not giving herself time to think of the next day.