My breath hitches as she reaches into bowl and moves her hand around to mess with our brains. She pulls one out and says the name, "Cheyenne Upwind". I don't know the name but when I see her face I know her, not well but enough to know she has a family and friends. As I make my way to the opening, I do the math in my head. I conclude she won't make it past the bloodbath. I released the breath I knew I was holding and yell, "I volunteer," as loud as I can. Cheyenne looks back confused. I can see the questions rolling through her brain, asking why I would do that for her but she turns around and walks back to her place not questioning me. Giving me a slight smile and mouthing thank you as she passes. The peacekeepers try to guide me but I brush the off and walk to my death freely. When I reach the stage Effie tries to grab me but I walk past her too. Looking over at the mentors to see Peeta and Haymitch looking the same way Cheyenne did, but Katniss looks like a mixture of mad and sad .Effie pulls the microphone to her and then to me asking my name and why I volunteered. I say Dominitia Miles, ignoring her other question. She holds the microphone in front of me longer expecting me to say more. She nods her head giving up and says, "Nice outfit," not into the microphone, but through the side of her mouth: to me. I look up and down at her butterfly dress and say, "Likewise." She then moves over to the men's bowl doing the same tactic with her hands, finally pulling one out. Waltzing back over to the microphone, she opens the envelope and says, "Collis Keaf." A strong, tall, and handsome man pivots his way through the crowd holding his head high with an evil crooked grin. He swaggers his way up the stairs and jilts his head up to greet the crowd. I suddenly regret calling him handsome. Effie tells us to shake hands and giving up on trying to touch me, Effie guides Collis and only motions me into the building behind us. We are put in the room where we get to say our goodbyes to our loved ones. I'm not expecting anybody to come so I just get comfortable. When I hear the door open, I see Cheyenne walk in. We look at each other for a few seconds until she says, "Thank you."
"Anytime." I say
"Why did you do it? Volunteer for me when you don't even know me."
"I didn't do it for you."
"Then why did you do it?"
"Because no one will miss me."
She stops asking questions but all of a sudden she walks toward me and pulls me into a hug, "I can never repay you," she whispers into ear.
"You don't have to, I chose this," I say.
A peacekeeper comes in to tell us time's up. Cheyenne looks confused again, however, she walks away with a wave and a sad smile.
On the train, Collis was even more annoying than at the reaping now that he is talking. He keeps telling me that he was going to volunteer anyway and how he was going to run with the careers. Before I had the chance to reply Katniss, Peeta, Haymicth, and Effie walk in and sit down. We sit in silence for a while, until Effie starts talking about the wonders of the Capital. Then I ask if we can watch the other districts reaping's not saying I want to so I can see who would be good allies and who I should watch out for. I find some paper and a pen and write down everything I can about them, even Collis and I.
Male-District 1= Age: 17 Price
F-1=17 Lace
M-2=16 Slate
F-2=17 Ashlar
M-3=15 Cable
F-3=16 Flux
M-4=15 Zale
F-4=16 Maria
M-5=13 Albert
F-5=15 Nina
M-6=16 Martin
F-6=18 Carter
M-7=16 Ash
F-7=15 Ivy
M-8=16 Roll
F-8=12 Paige
M-9=17 Miller
F-9=14 Mazie
M-10=15 Orford
F-10=15 Fora
M-11=13 Till
F-11=14 Soya
M-12=18 Collis
F-12=16 Dominitia
When I'm done I see Katniss looking at me with an odd expression. After Effie, Peeta, and Collis went to bed, this just left Katniss, Haymicth, and I. Katniss asked what I was doing and why I was acting weird. I told her I was writing down the tributes to determine allies and enemies before I meet them. On that note, she and Haymicth went to bed. Later that night I was awoken by screaming and I heard someone running down the hall. I looked out my door and saw Peeta running into Katniss's room. I watched for a minute but gave up not expecting him to leave.
The next morning before I go to breakfast, I look over the list again making notes about what I saw in the districts like how many peacekeepers are there. Because the more peacekeepers, the more uprisings, the better chance they would want to restart the rebelling. Districts 3, 5, 7, 8, and 11 have a strange amount of peacekeepers so they go to the top the list. After I'm done, I go to breakfast. Katniss and Peeta are talking about something but stop when I enter. Effie and Collis aren't there so I'm guessing it's still early in the morning. I sit down and try to eat but it's hard to do when you're going to the place you have been trained to hate your whole life. We will arrive at the Capital today. "Peeta and I decided that he will mentor Collis and I you." Katniss says.
"Good," I say turning back to my food not wanting to talk.
AN/ Dominitia is for dominated and Miles is Latin for soldier