District 1: Nadaline Sift Pov-

"Okay- so, it's the last three. They're both your allies- what do you do?"

"Kill them when they least expect it…" I mutter. I could answer some of these in my sleep because Dad's asked me about every possible question to do with the games.

"That's right." Dad smiles. He starts talking about effective ways to kill people when they're not expecting it. See, my Dad was the victor of the 205th hunger games. And he thinks he knows everything about the games.

The truth is, maybe if my Dad wasn't victor- my sister might still be alive. She volunteered four years ago- and she knew everything about the games- maybe even more than me- and she still died. It's because her allies turned on her. That's why Dad always asks me questions about allies. My sister could have won if she had turned on her allies first.

"Good luck, sweetheart." Mom gives me a big hug. "I'll see you next when you're District 1's tribute!"

"Don't jinx it." My older brother, Jackson says. "Nadaline, you still have to be the first person to volunteer. Trust me, that's the hardest part of the whole games."

I suppose it's worthy to mention my brother is victor of the 249th hunger games. I say a quick goodbye to my family so I can get to the reapings.

As I hurry down the streets of district 1, I can't believe I'm volunteering today. I can't wrap my mind around the fact that tonight I'm not going to be listening to Dad blabber on and on about the games. Tonight I'm going to be on my way to the capitol. I'm going to be on my way to the games.

I walk over to the sixteen-year-old girls section.

"Hey, Nadaline." This girl from school smiles at me. "You're volunteering today, right?"

I nod, swallowing. I don't even know the girl's name- I've only seen her in the hallways once or twice. But, everyone knows I'm volunteering this year.

"Awesome. Well, I want you to know I'll be routing for you." She smiles.

"Thank you." I wish I had taken the time to learn this girl's name. These last few years have been all about the games, I actually haven't had the time for anything but training.

But, Jackson says when I win I'll have all the time to make friends. When I win Dad will let me do whatever I want.

And it's always when I win. Never if I win.

"Welcome, Welcome district 1!" District 1's escort, Flora May, is standing on the stage, positively beaming. Jackson slips onto the stage behind her, and smiles out at the audience. He's going to be my mentor. That calms me down a little bit. "Now, let's get right into it, shall we?" Flora sings, and prances over to the bowl full of girls' names. I can feel some of the girls around me tense up, ready to volunteer. "Kat-"

"I volunteer!" I shout, and leap to the stage before anyone can stop me. It's not until I'm on stage that I realize how stupid I possibly looked jumping to the stage like that. I catch Jackson's glance. He's smiling. Well, at least I'm one step closer to winning these games.

Titanium "Titan" Arvelo Pov-

The girl says her name is Nadaline Sift. I feel a wave of dread run through me when I realize she's the sibling of Jackson Sift. If the last name wasn't proof enough the same dirty blonde hair and shocking blue eyes confirms my fears. Now my mentor is going to want me dead.

I consider again maybe not volunteering. But, I know that's not going to work. If I don't volunteer I know my father's going to make sure I end up like my older brother. If I don't volunteer my father's just going to kill me. And he'll get away with it- just like he got away with killing my brother.

"Now, let's find out who the lucky boy is this year." Flora reaches into the bowl of boys' names. Her hand fishes around before picking out a piece of paper. I let out a quick sigh, and take a glance over at Quince.

"Dude, you don't have to…" He whispers softly. But, I know the only chance I have of staying alive is winning the games.

"And the boy's tribute is M-"

"I volunteer!" I shout. I refuse to look at anyone I know in the audience as I make my way to the stage.

"And what's your name?" Flora asks.

"Titan Arevelo." I say, trying to sound confident. Flora says something about the tributes for district 1, and there's a nice, hearty round of applause. My eyes run over the audience, and fall on my father. He gives me an almost imperceptible smile.

And I don't remember the last time he smiled at me. I bet he just can't wait for the money, for the fame. And besides, I bet he wouldn't mind watching me die. Neither would my mom, or my little sister, Ruby. They're all run by the greed inside of them. All any of them care about is the money. I turn away from my family, and smile.

Nadaline Sift Pov-

"This is your year, Nadaline. It's your year to win." Dad has his arms wrapped around me. "You don't have anything to worry about, Jackson is going to make sure everything goes according to plan."

"Okay." I bite my lip. I don't want to cry. I want to show Mom and Dad that I really am strong.

"Okay, and what are you going to do when-" Dad starts.

"Honey, I think she's ready. No more questions." Mom says.

"Right." Dad nods. "I know, it's just…" He looks at me for a moment. "I love you."

"I know, Dad." I say. Dad reaches into his pocket and takes out a necklace with a gold key on the end of it. I recognize it immediately. The token my sister wore for her games. I reach my hand out immediately- and just grasp the necklace. It reminds me so much of my sister- and for a moment my mind flashes to that moment in the games; that moment where that boy from 2 hurled that spear through her chest.

I look up at my Dad.

"Just something to remind you that she's still with you…"

Titanium "Titan" Arvelo Pov-

Lacey is the first person to visit me in the justice building. She's already crying.

She wraps her arms around me and kisses me on the lips.

"It's okay." I say, when she just starts blabbering a whole bunch of incoherent sentences. "Don't worry about me." I hold her hand. She nods. Lacey is like the only reason I want to come back, because I can't leave her behind. Well, her and her brother Quince.

I hold her in my arms for a while, and she just quietly rests her head against me. I run my hands through her brown hair once more. We don't say goodbye. Because I can't. I can't say goodbye to Lacey. She just kisses me once more before hurrying back outside.

Next in is Quince. He doesn't cry, he just stands in front of me and bites his lip.

"I'm really sorry, man." He eventually says.

I shake my head, and say a quick "It's no big deal. I volunteered".

But, it is a big deal and we both know I didn't really have a choice.

"You know, you can win. You're strong and smart and you can win." Quince says quickly. "And don't think I'm lying. I really mean it…I wouldn't lie to you."

"Thanks." I say. He nods, and heads out. I assume Quince was my last visitor. But, next in is my family. The last three people I want to see right now.

Ruby hugs me. She's just happy that I'm out of the way. That next year no matter what she can volunteer. She just can't wait to kill.

And then my father puts his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm very proud of you, Titanium." My father's the only person who doesn't know I go by Titan. He places a ring in my hand. "I want you to wear this. So you can always remember you're part of the Arvelo family." I want to say no. I want to say I'm not part of the family. I want to tell the group of them I'm never going to come back. If I win- I'm going to move away.

"Thank you" is all I manage. And then they all leave the room. Ruby skips outside with a new bounce in her step.