A/N: First off, allow me to apologize for the late update. My internet went out for a few days, but it's back now and with it, here is the new chapter. Thank you to BoshiEeveeMockingjay and Radio Free Death for the reviews on the first chapter. Enjoy.

...

I sigh as I head home. But what could I do? I guess even with the Reaping being today, the Peacekeepers aren't taking any chances; they're everywhere. Even if I'm not selected for the Games, I'm in no mood to be whipped today. I never have been on the receiving end of the whip, but I've seen more than my fair share of the public punishment in the square.

I enter the door and shake my head. My mother forces a smile. She understands that there is nothing we can do where the Peacekeepers are concerned. My father is less submissive. My siblings have not heard his angry, but silent, tirades against the Capitol. More than once I have heard them, along with my mother's attempts to calm him. But the anger still seethes within him, even when he says nothing. Mother reminds him that he has six children to worry about, not just himself. But the rants always continue. The Games, the tesserae, the constant whippings here, and of course the murder of the boy Martin a few months ago. That particular incident is not one I like to remember.

Here in District 11, we are the ones who provide the majority of crops for Panem. The Harvest is especially busy and everyone, even children, are required to help. If there is any comfort in that time of the year, it is that we are provided with more food so we can keep going longer. During that time, we are also given glasses that help the wearer see in the dark. This definitely helps those of us in the trees, where the torch light doesn't reach, so we can continue picking fruit even after night falls.

But one evening, a boy named Martin didn't hand his glasses in when we were finally relieved for the night. He hid the glasses in his back pocket. And before anyone could do anything, the Peacekeepers quickly apprehended him and killed him on the spot.

All of us were horrified. We had all seen several whippings, but never something so brutal. Martin was ten, the same age as my brother Sage. Maybe that's why his death shook me up the way that it did. Or perhaps it's because even though he was ten, he behaved as though he were three. My father said he was just different, but that he was no danger to anyone. I don't think he was either. He may have only wanted the glasses to play with. But that didn't matter to the Peacekeepers.

I push these thoughts from my mind as I walk over to where Iris and Sage are sitting. Sage is carving again and Iris is weaving some lengths of grass together.

"They're making a gift for you," my mother whispers.

I smile slightly. But I decide to leave the pair to their craft as they probably mean for whatever it is to be a surprise.

My father is with Cassia and Camellia, letting the two sit on his lap as he playfully claims to be unable to tell the twins apart. But in reality, he is the one who taught me to tell the difference when they were first born; Cassia is the elder twin, two minutes older than Camellia and as such she is the more outspoken of the two.

Another difference is the birthmark on the back of Camellia's neck. But other than that, both have the same dark skin and hair the rest of our family have, and the same dark brown eyes.

All too soon, it's time for us to get ready for the Reaping.

Cassia and Camellia braid one another's hair, Sage dresses himself and manages to help my mother in dressing a protesting Alder, and Iris sneaks the gift that she and Sage made together into her dress pocket when she thinks I'm not looking. But Iris is perceptive; I would be willing to bet that she knows I saw her.

But I will worry about that later, now it is time to go.

...

Words cannot describe the wave of shock that washes over my body as my name is called.

This can't be...I'm only twelve years old...this was the first year my name was entered in the Reaping...even with the tesserae, the odds still favored me in a sense...

I will myself to keep calm as I slowly ascend the stage.

The escort, a lady from the Capitol named Chrysanta, smiles at me before turning to the crowd.

"Do we have any volunteers who would like to compete in her stead?" she asks.

The only answer is a small breeze that flutters through our crowded town square. I am upset, but not surprised in the least. I don't expect anyone to volunteer for me. Here in the outlying Panem districts, you're almost guaranteed death if you enter the arena. Why would you intentionally sentence yourself to that, even if it was to save someone else?

I can see my father, his arms wrapped around my crying mother as he wills himself not to cry as well. Alder doesn't fully understand, nor do Cassia and Camellia. But Sage does, and so does Iris. Both of them stare straight at me and though they are fighting it, I can see the tears forming in their eyes. If there is any consolation to this, it is that I am the eldest child and none of them are old enough to enter the Reaping. Yet.

(Sage's POV)

I actually gasp when Rue's name is called.

Rue is only twelve. Her name should have only gone in the one time...unless...

Suddenly, Iris gasps and clutches my arm. She realizes it at the same time I do. Though younger than me, Iris is incredibly perceptive.

Rue took out tesserae...it's the only explanation. It all makes sense now, the extra oil, the grain, the looks she constantly exchanged with our parents when she believed we weren't looking...

But they never would have allowed such a thing! The only way it could have happened is if she did it without their knowledge!

The woman from the Capitol is smiling as she gestures to Rue. I glare at her. This woman is treating my older sister as though she is some sort of display.

(Rue's POV)

I force myself to stay strong as a boy named Thresh steps onto the stage and Chrysanta has us shake hands.

Thresh is enormous. He looks to be even taller than my father and even more sturdily built. He will no doubt receive sponsors on his daunting appearance alone. His golden brown eyes peer into mine for only a moment before he looks away. But I can see the flicker of pity in them. He knows I am only twelve. He knows as do I, as does the nation of Panem itself that this is wrong. But we are powerless to stop it.

Before I can comprehend the realization of what is happening, I'm ushered into the Justice Building. I sit stiffly on the plush velvet chairs, unable to fully appreciate the softness of the fabric as I am more worried about what will await me.

...

(Iris's POV)

I race into the room when the Peacekeepers let us in. I don't want to miss a moment of what may be my last time with my older sister.

"My baby..." my mother whispers as she throws her arms around Rue and runs her hands through her hair. She knows this may be the last time we will all ever be together.

I hand Rue the gift Sage and I made for her earlier. She already saw it, but now is as good a time as any for it.

"Here," I tell her. "This was going to be a Reaping gift...but..."

"I'll wear it as my Tribute token," Rue says to me. She smiles, trying to reassure us, but I can see a glimmer of unshed tears in her eyes. I hug her and tell her I love her. As does Sage, who now has a look of absolute horror in his eyes.

(Rue's POV)

I glance down at the item in my hand. It is a necklace of braided grass and a wooden star. Sage's carving is still far from perfect, but to me this is more wonderful than any expertly carved piece.

Sage, Iris, the twins, and even little Alder all look so frightened, as though it is they who are being forced into the arena.

"I'll have Seeder to mentor me," I tell them, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. "She won before so if anyone can bring me home, it's her."

I still feel a sense of dread inside. Seeder is one of the only Victors of District 11. The only other one I know of is Chaff, a man who lost one of his hands in his Games. If this says anything about my chances, it is that they are even slimmer than I thought.

Soon the Peacekeepers come to escort my family out and put me on the train bound for the Capitol. I spend my last moments with my family telling them I love them. I don't give them false hope, but I vow to myself that I will not die in the arena. I may be small and younger than the others will probably be. But I do not let that count me out.

I am Rue of District 11. I will not lose. I will not let myself be punished for a supposed crime committed almost a hundred years ago.

...

...

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Wow, I have to admit, most of you might find the multiple POV thing to have been a little unorthodox, but I wanted to see if I could manage it, I'm always up for a challenge. That said, I do hope you all enjoyed it.

The next chapter will be out on Sunday, October 1st. Until then, everyone.