Chapter 1 – Aprilynne

(by Femke)

I was walking to the table where I could sign in, the lady was taking blood samples. "Next." She grabbed my hand and took a blood sample.

I would never want to work anywhere that has something to do with the Hunger Games. Watching people die, cry, taking blood samples, being a mentor of someone who has to face the probability of death, it's sick.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome." Speaking of the devil. "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor. We have a special film for you, brought all the way way from the Capitol!"I wasn't really looking at the screen, I don't care about the 'reasons' why we have the Hunger Games, I don't believe any bit of it, same film every damn year.

"It's time to pick our tributes. Boys, pay attention!" She looked into the jar and twirled her hand a few times round before she took one. "Phoenix Abernathy." Everybody started staring at one boy, that would be him. I feel sad for him and everybody else that was reaped. He walked to the stage and looked pale. Now I'm hoping that my future isn't going to be ruined by those stupid games!

"Ladies, prepare yourselves!" She grabbed another piece of paper out of the other jar. "Aprilynne Nightingale."

No. This can't be true, I can lose my mom and of course Katniss.. I walked to the stage slowly, thoughts raced through my head, but there wasn't a single word I could understand. I couldn't face the truth. While walking up the stairs of the stage I almost tripped. "Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you, this years tributes representing district 12." Effie clapped, nobody followed. Why would they give an applause? It's like applauding on a funeral, like 'Well done, you died!'. This wasn't a dream, this was reality and I had to face that. I was staring at the ground, but peekd at the 'audience' and saw Katniss. I saw so much emotion this time, she was with no doubt truly sad. I had never seen her like this before.

Katniss smiled, not because she was happy, but she was trying to comfort me. Unfortunately it wasn't working. I nodded. Her lips were moving but I couldn't hear her. What was she saying? I read her lips. Promise me. I whispered. I promise. I would not forget Katniss, I won't change.

The reaping was over, we stepped into a car and Effie started a whole story on our trip to the Capitol. I couldn't concentrate. And I don't care about how amazing and expensive the train is, I don't care about the Capitol itself, full of people dressed up and being so excited about this whole thing. It's a terrible thing. I heard Effie's words, but I didn't listen to them. I thought about my mom and Katniss, but also about the promise. I don't change for anybody, not for the Capitol, not for the Hunger Games.