I was in the dining car, sitting silently across from my district partner, Bryn.

He was older than me, bigger than me too. In fact, he was slightly intimidating. We had already eaten, and just the two of us remained sitting there, not knowing what to do with ourselves. My arms are wrapped around my legs that are drawn up to my chest.

"So," he said. He was leaning back in his chair, one hand on the table, tracing shapes in the wood. I didn't reply. "Okay. Well, I know that this isn't the opportune moment, but, I think that, well, seeing as we're going to be spending the next few weeks together, maybe we should be friends." I was quiet. Bryn sighed. "Okay, that's alright too," he said, standing up. He turned around and started to leave.

"Wait," I said, not looking up from my knees. "Okay. I'm Aven. I'm fifteen. I lived in the Seam."

"Really? You don't exactly look like it," Bryn smiled as he came back and sat down across from me once again. Of course, he was right. I always stood out at home, my red hair was rare throughout the district, and that with my pale skin and brown eyes made me look as though I were adopted. But Dad always said that I looked just like my mother.

"Yeah, well my mother was from town. Her whole family was. My dad, on the other hand, all Seam. Mam's parents were pretty mad at her for marrying Dad. They disowned her."

"Well that's not very nice. How did your mom take it?"

"I don't know exactly. She died when I was little. I can't really remember her."

"Oh. I'm sorry. If it's any consolation, I know what that's like. Both my parents died too. From the Fever. I was young then too."

"I remember that. That's how my mom went. I'm sorry for you too. I don't know what I would do without my dad."

"It wasn't that bad. I mean, obviously, I miss them, but it got easier over the years. My little sister and I went to live with my grandparents."

"You have a little sister? I always wanted one."

"Yeah," Bryn beamed. "Livy. She's ten now. I'm sixteen by the way. She's the best little sister in the world. This year I started working in the mines, and every day when I get home she would be waiting right inside the door, and then jump up and give me the biggest hug."

I laugh, just a little. "That reminds me of my brother. I was his little sister, running to meet him when he came home. I wonder if you know him? Malachy Willowsby?"

"No, sorry, that doesn't sound familiar. Maybe I've seen him around though. Does he look like you?"

"No no, he looks like my dad. I guess that's generally how it is, isn't it, the older one looks like they're from the Seam and the younger one looks like a merchant. That's what I've heard at least."

"Well, I know Livy looks just like a little girl version of me, but both of our parents were from the Seam."

Just then, our mentor, Jago, entered the room. "Come on," he said, "time to go watch the Reapings."

We followed him to another car, the lounge car. There was a large television screen, and on it, the frozen image of District 1's stage. Jago sat down on the sofa and pressed a button on a remote. The Reapings began. I made a mental list of everybody.

District One

Girl: Polexia

Age-17

Boy: Alix

Age-18

District Two

Girl: Silver

Age-14

Boy: Sage

Age-17

District Three

Girl: Katri

Age-16

Boy: Jareth

Age-18

District Four

Girl: Saffra

Age-18

Boy: Phox

Age-18

District Five

Girl: Merope

Age-17

Boy: Noam

Age-17

District Six

Girl: Terra

Age-12

Boy: Spens

Age-15

District Seven

Girl: Nerissa

Age-17

Boy: Griffin

Age-16

District Eight

Girl: Blythe

Age-14

Boy: Atlas

Age-18

District Nine

Girl: Orchid

Age-15

Boy: Hawk

Age-13

District Ten

Girl: Emmeline

Age-14

Boy: James

Age- 16

District Eleven

Girl: Lily

Age-16

Boy: Ezra

Age-14

District Twelve

Girl: Aven

Age-15

Boy: Bryn

Age-16

When I got back to my room I wrote down my list, then folded it up and put it on my bedside table. I would make sure that I had it as a reference point. I would know everything about everyone if I could.

That night it was impossible to sleep. All I could see was my death, over and over, at the hands of 23 different people, in 23 different ways.

Sage from District 2 was the most terrifying. He was practically a giant. About three times my height as well as muscle density. I was no where near an even match compared to him. If I was unfortunate to get on the wrong side of his weapon, I would never make it back home.

I told myself that I would get on his good side. Try to get to know him and maybe the other Careers. They were all so much bigger than me, but maybe I could get in with their group and then slit their throats while they slept.

No. That was ridiculous. They were people, and while I had no doubts that they were cruel and vindictive, that was no excuse for me to be as dreadful as them. But I would protect myself. If anyone tried to kill me I would do what I had to.

That was my resolution. I would kill, I decided, if need be. But I would not hunt for sport.

Ehhh, I don't know if I really like this…. I promise that the next chapter will be much much better! Thanks for reading! Although, I'll only know that you did if you review…..

~Maddie