I'm watching the Reapings while eating my lunch. Grandpa's really nice, he lets me eat and watch the broadcast at the same time; Mummy forbids me from doing it at home because she says that it's bad for your digestion.

Daddy went home after dropping me off last night. He and Mummy are not staying – Grandpa doesn't like Mummy much, I think. He says that she's 'weak-minded and feeble' for not supporting the Games, and I have to say that I don't understand why she doesn't like watching them. They're the best entertainment we get all year – much more fun than those operas and theatre shows that she seems to like so much.

Besides, no-one ever seems to fight and die in all the shows that she brings me to.

I keep one eye on the screen as I pick at my food – really, I'm more excited that I am hungry – but there's nothing much going on at the moment. They're showing the Reaping of District 12 and beside me, Grandpa yawns.

Nothing ever happens in District 12.

"Ladies first!" Effie Trinket announces cheerfully, her wig still slightly askew. "Primrose Everdeen!"

I look up as a skinny girl, short, pale and dark-haired, steps out from the crows, who parts before her, leaving her a clear path to the stage. She looks shock, almost terrified, and I bite back an inpatient snort.

What are you waiting for, you ninny? You're a Tribute, do you know how lucky you are?

Then, and only then, something interesting finally happens. The girl takes a shaky step forward, then two, and the speakers erupt with a scream that make me start and drop my spoon to the table with a clatter. Grandpa shoots me a sharp look at the disturbance, and I wince in reply.

"Sorry."

"I volunteer!" A girl – almost a woman – steps forward defiantly, and I can feel my brows rising in shock. A volunteer from a non-Career district? "I volunteer as Tribute."

I turn to Grandpa.

"Why can't I be a Tribute? You're the President, Grandpa, maybe you can make me one!"

Grandpa merely shakes his head and laughs. "You're too young to understand this, Erika. The Reaping, the Games… It's all a punishment to the Districts. They did something very bad many years ago, and now the Hunger Games will teach them to be good."

I stare at the screen thoughtfully… Good. But isn't love good? And what happened in District 12… Katniss Everdeen, I know her name now, she loves her sister enough to sacrifice her life for her.

"Grandpa?"

"Hmm?" He sounds preoccupied now, reading through his papers.

"I have another question."

"Make it quick, Erika, I need to be back at my office soon." Grandpa is always busy.

"Katniss Everdeen. She is sacrificing everything for her sister. Does that make her good, now?"

He studies me for a long moment, and I think he doesn't know how to reply.

"No,' he finally says after a long moment. "No… She'll still have to take part in the Games."

He leaves after this conversation, and I am left to wonder why he says that taking part in the Games is a punishment when it should be like a reward.