9 years had past and I was running from a peacekeeper across town, laughing with Charlie and Dodger. We might have been caught with our hands in his pocket. But we knew all the alleys to cut through to lose his trail. We walked back home laughing, there was a certain thrill to getting away with stealing, but an even bigger one when you escaped almost getting caught. We had not even taken that much, just a few bucks and a watch.

He was one of the extra peacekeepers they sent during the reaping.

We were not stupid enough to steal from our normal peacekeepers. It was actually a great time for thieves during the games. When we had to watch them, people did not pay attention to things disappearing from their pockets or purses. There were extra peacekeepers and sometimes even people from the capitol, which meant even bigger loots. There were few we did not steal from, no orphans or people we knew could not afford to feed themselves. Everyone else were fair bets. So who says thieves have no morals?

We walked inside where Loke was making breakfast he smiled at us as he ushered us to the table. A few of the others were already up. Bill and a few of the other boys would bust some wealthier houses while the rest of us were at the reaping.

Loke served us breakfast perusal and we dug in. But after putting down our bowls he stuck out his hand, his fingers were long, wrinkled and boney. I had always wondered if it was because he was such a thief he had developed them.

I knew what we were doing were not legal, but I figured: we don't take things we know mean a lot to people, and what does it matter, when the government literally has a death television show every year?

I handed over the cash and he padded my head and left us to eat our breakfast.

We got a little in return for our troubles. He sold scarves and the other peculiar things we brought home. He sold it downstairs, and only the locals knew. He would be dead if the peacekeepers ever found out this place existed.

He ushered us to get ready I went to the bathroom to get out of my normal black jeans and leather jacket to a dress dark blue dress. I had dragged Charlie and Dodger along to actually buy this dress.

I mean we took some other clothes which we did not pay for. But I actually properly owned this dress.

It was the only other clothes I had, besides a pair of shorts for the summer. I was used to not having anything, but I still had it better than a lot of people. We were all pretty well fed and at least I did not have to sleep in an overcrowded orphanage or the street.

I put my mess of a hair in a ponytail, to try and contain it. I had green eyes and super unruly red curls. And while they tried their best, not one of us street kids knew much about hair care. Loké would cut it when it got too tangled or else let it sit. I also noticed I was a little dirty. But I had already had this weeks shower, so it would have to do. I yet again put on my black fingerless gloves, most of us wore a pair similar it made you a lot stealthier.

What were the odds of me getting picked anyway? I knew loads of kids who had their name in a lot of times. One girl I knew had her name in 30 times. I had like 7-8, not because I traded for rations, but on the off chance I got caught they would just put my name in a few extra time as punishment. I walked out and some of the boys looked at me confused. I looked down feeling like I looked ridiculous.

"What? Is there something wrong with it?" I asked and a few of them laughed.

"I am just surprised. Why didn't you tell us that you were a girl?" Dogder said I smiled and joined Bill, Charlie and him by the door. Though the comment did earn him a little smack in the shoulder.

"Come back to me children." Loké said to us.

I knew it was foolish to think that he actually cared for us. We were just street kids, who did his bidding, but he did treat us like family. We were all replaceable, but I had to believe he cared for us a little, he had practically raised us.

I was fidgeting a little, a bad habit I had when I was nervous. Bill noticed when we were at the door. He hugged the boys goodbye then me.

"I will see you later Pipsqueak all right? I will see all of you." He said pulling away from my hug. He pointed at us like he was trying to make us swear on something. Everyone knew it was no point in that, we all had at least one slip with our name on it. There was always a chance of you getting picked.

I really hoped that this was not the last time I saw Bill, he was like the older brother I never had.

Dodger as always walked around smirking, he walked a little funny because his legs were a little crooked from birth. But he had turned it around, so he just looked even more smug when he practically waltzed around. I started fidgeting again and Charlie took my hand and held it to make me stop. I smiled up at him thankful.

"How are you gonna get through this next year huh Nova? I can't wait to go househunting with Bill instead of this shit" Dodger said and I chuckled.

"I think I can handle it, I only have 3 years left. And despite what you think, I can survive periods without your dashing company." I said and he chuckled. He turned around and pinched my cheek.

"Liar, you would miss us too much!" He said letting go of my cheek and I rolled my eyes at him, but smiled.

"I mean look at you, having to hold Charlies hand to get here." He said and I shook my head Charlie just hit him playfully as we walked to the nicer part of town.

Most of the normal people knew we were street kids, some also knew us as Loke's "kids". Those who knew that usually glared at us, and in turn so did the children. Pickpocketing does not make you friends with everyone that is for sure.

We signed in and I hugged the boys goodbye when we had to separate. I held it a little longer with Charlie he whispered while we hugged.

"Don't get picked okay?" He said worry in his voice, I guess it being his last year he was extra worried I sighed and nodded.

"You too." I said.

We pulled apart and he kissed the top of my head before letting me go to the girls section, while my two best friends stood with the oldest boys. I talked to a few of the girls I knew from the orphanage. I was also bumped into a few times by girls whom I had probably stolen from.

It went dead silent, when our escort Tiffy clapped on the stage. I turned to see the weirdly orange skinned woman, she was terribly overdressed for this and did not fit in anywhere. I saw the major sitting there with Beetee and Wires our two mentors.

She put on the video we had all seen since we were 12 I did not pay attention, but instead focused on silently laughing and making funny faces back to the boys. As the video came to a close the mood turned a bit more sour. This was their last year, they both probably had their name in 10 times. It was a big risk and I would really like to not see either of them die. It would probably kill me. I was not ready to lose my family again.

I was too busy worrying about Charlie and Dodger, I had not noticed Tiffy moving on. I was ripped from my thoughts when I heard:

"Nova Eliose Hyde."