The crickets sang their songs as I made my way out of my bed and past the door, careful not to wake Anne.

Mother was waiting in the living room, wearing loose black cloths.

"Are you ready beautiful?" she asked.

"Do we have to wear backcloths? I don't have any." Mother smiled.

"Yes, I know beautiful. That's why I am giving you some of mine." She said, handing me a bundle of cloths. "Now go to the bathroom and get changed." I nod, going to the bathroom.

I entered the bathroom and started to change. I wrapped my hand around my waist, feeling the usual bones of my ribs sticking out. I sigh, still underweight and to thin. Why can't the peacekeepers be nice and give us some of the fruits and vegetables that we give to the capitol and other districts? Maybe it was like this in district thirteen, before it was boomed.

'Guess it's always will be like this.' I thought as I finished getting dressed. I opened the door and went back to mother. She had a sad smile on her face.

"You look just like my sister when she was younger," mother exclaimed. I remember aunt got selected to go to the hunger games before I was born. The worst part, she got selected on her birthday. So, the day she was chosen, she turned seventeen. She died during the third day of either starvation or dehydration.

Mother led me outside to a small desk and to chairs. "Where did you get this mother?" I asked looking up at her. She smiled and said that it was a secret. What was so secretive about it? She pulled out a chair for me and motioned for me to take a seat. I complied and then she sat opposite of me, placing the candle on the table.

"Now Rue," she began. "please give me your hand." I gave her my hand without saying a word. I watched as she rubbed it gently. "Rue, what I'm about to do will probably make you a little bit scared, but this is what they do when you enter." I nodded in response. She sighed and said, "That's my brave girl."

She started to bend down to get something. When she came back up, she had a small knife in her hand. I began to panic slightly, why would she have a knife? She bought it to my pointer finger and gently pressed the blade to my skin. I was surprised that it didn't really hurt, it just stung a little. I still couldn't help but flinch.

"Now, please press your hand onto the paper." She said, sliding a paper close to my other hand. I did as I was told. She smiled weakly and slide the paper back to her. "Okay beautiful, they will ask your name, give them your full name and your age. You also may need to do it again if you want to put it in more times than one. Try to do it with confidence in your voice, they will see it as a sign of bravery, okay?" I simply nodded again.

"My name is Rue Crowley and I am 12 years old." She shook her head and told me to do it again, this time with less fear.

We continued this for seemed like hours until I was told to go back to bed. I changed back into my too big nightgown. I found Mother just sat on the couch, even after I went past her to get some water.


I went back into the room to see that Anne was awake. When she saw me, she ran up and gave me a hug.

"Where did you go? I was so scared!" She managed to say in between sobs. I rubbed her back in an attempt to soothe her, it worked after a while. She asked where I was again, I just lied and told her that I had a bit of a headache and just need a glass of water. Anne nodded and yawned.

"How about we go back to bed?" I suggested. She nodded in response and I picked her up and placed her in her bed. I was about to go back to my side and felt a tug on my sleeve.

"Can you please sing?" Anne asked, looking up at me. I couldn't say no to that; I made her cry, so I'll make her happy.

I smiled and replied with a sure. I sat at the end of her bed and began to hum the beginning of the song.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow.

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow.

Lay down your head and close your eyes.

And when they open, the sun will rise.

I looked at her and saw that she was already starting to fall asleep.

Here it's safe, and here it's warm.

Here the daisies guard you from every harm.

Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true.

Here is the place where I love you.

She started to sing along with me. I see that she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away.

A cloak of green, a moonbeam ray.

Forget your woes, and let your troubles lay.

And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.

I could see that her eyes were already closed, but still singing.

Here it's safe, and here it's warm.

Here the daisies guard you from every harm.

Here your dreams are sweet, and tomorrow brings them true.

Here is the place where I love you.

Anne opened her eyes and looked up at me before whispered a goodnight. I got up and made my way over to my own bed. I fell asleep not long after.


A/N: Boy that was a chapter! Sorry, that I took so long to update the story, I had so much school work that it's not even funny.