I wake up with a feeling of fear. For the first time in decades I'm scared of what the day would bring. And for the first time in my life I'm not afraid of pain that would be inflicted on me by Vampires but by humans. I look at my Nessie, still asleep. Today our lives are going to change, because of the Hunger Games.
The Cullens and I have been living in District 12 for a year now. When much of the world was destroyed in the terrible nuclear war 130 years ago we found ourselves living in Panem. We have been moving around the districts every ten years. We have all been fortunate to not be picked for the Hunger Games the past 24 years but this year it is different.
The rule of the first Quarter Quell is that the children will be chosen to partake by the members of the district. When Carlisle heard the news he started urging the rest of the people to vote for us. His reasoning is that we'll survive. This is the first time we have been able to stop the death of innocent children.
I slip out from under Nessie's arm and go to the kitchen to eat breakfast. As I walk in I see that Esme has already cooked a breakfast of toast and eggs for me. She tells me that the others have already jumped over the fence and gone on a hunting trip. If they were picked it would be a fortnight before they were able to hunt again, two weeks before they go into the arena.
I'm midway through my breakfast when Nessie walks into the kitchen. I see the same worries plague her. She loves her family, even though she knows we'll win she still worries for our safety. She gets that from her mother. But what she doesn't know is that I'm worried for my own safety. I doubt that I'll be able to survive a direct attack to my heart or head. I'm immortal but not invincible like Nessie and the other Cullens. Wow, for the first time in my life I'm actually jealous of them.
Its time for the reaping and everyone is gathered in the square. This year, instead of two glass bowls there's just two envelopes lying on a table. We all watch as the ever-exuberant Prema Howe walks onto the stage. "Happy Hunger Games everybody!" she cries to the audience. She picks up an envelope and I can't help but be reminded of a reality TV show when someone is about to be voted off. Except this is far more serious. "Ok, Ladies first." she says and slowly pulls a card out from the envelope. "The female tribute from district 12 is Zara Sirtly!" I know why people voted for her. She is incredibly smart. One way to survive the Games is to outsmart the other tributes. Zara gives her family a quick hug before joining Prema on the stage. "Ok! Now its time to announce our male tribute." Prema says with a smile. She pulls out the card and with a pause for effect, "Jacob Black!" she says. I am in shock, I knew one of us would be chosen but I always thought that Emmett would have been picked because he is so large. Nessie gives me a peck on the check before pushing me in the direction of the stage.