What? No it can be! Alice has been picked, in her first reaping. It was what she most feared of and it came true. I felt speechless, i couldnt move. I stared at the floor i wanted to cry but i had to be strong. I cant let Alice go, shes too young she wont be able to survive! I saw two peacekeepers taking her to the stage but i knew i had to stop this. I wont let my sister died in the hands of the capitol! When i sit in the grass i think of freedom thats what i want for my sister, to not be in the games. I made my way to Alice, i shoved people out of my way.

"Alice!" I yelled. The two peacekeepers beside her went towards me and tried ti take me away.

"I volunteer" I yelled. I couldnt believe what i said, but i this is what i lt takes to keep Alice safe, then so it be. "I volunteer as tribute!"

Everyone is confused, they havent had a voluneteer in decades. There are no rules against on what im doing. It clearly says that if the name of a boy or girl is pulled out, a tribute can step forward to take their place. I know it will cost my life, but its for my sister. I wont blame her of my death, ill die for a good reason.

"Lovely!" says Madame Gothel. "But I believe there's a small matter of introducing the reaping winner and then asking for volunteers, and if one does come forth then we, um. " she trails off, unsure herself.

Alice is screaming hysterically behind me. She's wrapped her arms around me like the times when shes scared, because she was. "No, Ariel! No! You can't go!"

"Alice, let go," I say harshly, because this is upsetting me and I don't want to cry. When they televise the replay of the reapings tonight, everyone will make note of my tears, and I'll be marked as an easy target. A weakling. I will give no one that satisfaction. "Let go!"

I can feel someone pulling her from my back. I turn and see Eric has lifted Alice off the ground and she's thrashing in his arms. "Up you go, Ariel," he says, in a voice he's fighting to keep steady, and then he carries Alice off toward my mother. I then climb myself thesteps.

"Well, bravo!" gushes Madame Gothel. "That's the spirit of the Games!" She's pleased, she then put the microphone near my mouth so i could speak. "What's your name?"

I swallow hard. "Ariel Triton," I say.

"I bet my buttons that was your sister. Don't want her to steal all the glory, do we? Come on, everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!" trills Madame Gothel.

No one claps. I dont think they would care of me, they dont know me that well. Then the unexpected happens. But a shift has occurred since I stepped up to take Alice's place, and now it seems I have become someone precious. At first one, then another, then almost every member of the crowd touches the three middle fingers of their left hand to their lips and holds it out to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture of our district, occasionally seen at funerals. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means good-bye to someone you love.

I wanted to cry, but i didnt want then to think im weak. I had to show them im strong, no matter what. Theres no way going back, no one can escape this. Once youre choosen thats the end of your trial.

"What an exciting day!" she warbles as she attempts to straighten her hair. "But more excitement to come! It's time to choose our boy tribute!" Clearly hoping to contain her tenuous hair situation, she plants one hand on her head as she crosses to the ball that contains the boys' names and grabs the first slip she encounters. She zips back to the podium, and I don't even have time to wish for Eric's safety when she's reading the name. "James Pleiades Hawkins"

Oh no. I know him, but i havent talked to him. Ive met him in the but never talked to him. Madame Gothel asked for volunteers but no one did. I felt bad for him, no one dared to volunteered. He looks speechless and scared like i am. I watch him as he makes his way toward the stag, brown hair both parted at his forehead and tied to a brief rattail, thick brown eyebrows, blue eyes, fair skin.

It happened time ago i was hungry and it was raining. I was really depressed my mom didnt had enough money to buy us food. My father died in the mine three months earlier back then. I was in front of a bakery and sitting by a tree. The rain dripping on my face, the fresh smell of bread. I then saw the woman who owns the bakery yelling at James. She said to throw the burned breads to the pigs and feed them. He had a bucket full with bread. He was tearing the breading into chunks, and throwing them at the pigs. I was so hungry i just stared at him, he then saw me. Ge knew i was dying of hunger. He then looked back to check if the womand was gone and then back at me. He goes to my school and was in the same year as i was. He then threw the bread directly at me and got inside. He saved me, and i couldnt thank him. I didnt ha the guts.

Madame Gothel motions for James and me to shake hands. His are as solid and warm as those loaves of bread. James looks me right in the eye and gives my hand what I think is meant to be a reassuring squeeze. Maybe it's just a nervous spasm. We face the crowd as the anthem of Panem plays. There will be twenty-four of us, and only one comes out. Of course, i dont think i might make it.