Chapter Two

I look around the hushed crowd and realize Russet has let go of my hand. I'm summoned up on the stage by Roman and her outlandish smile. I can hear the crowd exploding with cheers and applause. My feet are moving but my mind isn't. It's stuck on one thing in particular. No one is volunteering for me. I live in a district full of people who train until their bodies can't possibly improve anymore and not a single soul shouts out and volunteers instead of me. Instead they let me, the only girl who doesn't train, go up on stage and have my fate sealed as I shake hands with Mayor Gamos, Oliver, and Roman. I feel like I'm not inside my body. I'm watching it go through these motions, watching it stand there as the male tribute gets reaped.

"Cadmus Trunch," Roman reads after fetching the slip of paper from the boy's bowl. A young man around the same age as me emerges from the crowd, only to be stopped when another strong looking boy yells and offers himself in his place. Cadmus' face grimaces as if he knew something like this would happen. Someone volunteered for him, but not me?

Cadmus stops in his tracks and turns to the other guy challenging his spot on the stage. Cadmus is intimidating. His features are as if their chiseled out of marble, reminds me of the perfect edges and smooth complexion I've seen on many buildings my dad has crafted. His eyes meet the other boys and they stare at each other for a few seconds sizing each other up. A supposed hush falls on the square but I can't tell if it's because my heart is beating so fast or if the square really is silent as we watch two possible tributes stare down one another. Then Cadmus' lips separate and form words.

"I am going to be tribute, I don't need a volunteer and I refuse your offer," The volunteer stares at Cadmus for another second and turns around and returns to the mob, defeated.

I can tell Cadmus is full of pride as he struts his muscular build up onto the stage. He shakes hands with our mentor, escort, and mayor and takes a spot next to me. He's almost six foot tall; I'd guess he stands in at five feet eleven inches. Give or take a few inches because of his wavy black mess of hair. Pale blue eyes that almost look grey decorate his face. He has stubble on his strong jawbone that only adds to his long list of attractive features. I shouldn't be romanticizing Cadmus because I know how the Hunger Games work. I will eventually have to kill him. Fortunately, Roman's loud voice directs my gaze to her as she introduces us once more.

"Ladies and gentlemen of District Two, I introduce you to your tributes of the 105th annual Hunger Games!" His hands are like baseball mits, calloused and rugged, when he takes my hand. He raises both of ours in the air while I block out all of the applause. I look over at him and his face is emotionless and I wonder how mine looks as it is broadcasted across the entire nation of Panem.

Then, in a whirl we're rushed into the Justice Building and separated into different rooms. The room is chilly, donned with red carpet, has two velvet chairs and an intricately carved oak table. There are no windows, just stone walls the one's my father is so talented at making. I don't know what to do with myself, so I sit down on one of the velvet chairs. I run my finger up and down the arm of the chair as I draw designs in the velvet. Time seems to be passing slowly.

The door opens quickly and my eyes meet a peacekeeper's. My father materializes from behind him and I can tell he is upset, but hiding it like usual. His eyebrows are furrowed and all he does is hug me for a good minute. We say nothing, just existing together is good enough for us because I know that this will be the last night I will ever see him. With tears streaming down my face the peacekeeper announces it is time for him to go and shows my father the door.

"I love you, darling. Remember who you are until your very last breath." Then the door closes. My very last breath is the only words that are in my head right now. I will soon take my very last breath. My days are limited and I am going to die.

Those thoughts aren't pushed away with the arrival of my brother and Plieone. She looks more of a mess than I am because her mascara makes feathery trails down her porcelain cheeks. I tell her that since I won't be coming back they have to stick together for me and that I don't particularly want them to watch the games this year because I know it will only bring more tears and heartbreak to watch me slaughtered. But, I know they won't listen to my advice. Of course they are going to watch the games and I hope they'll hope for me because I'm going to need it.

My brother takes my hand and puts something lightweight and small in my grasp. I can't tell what it is until they are forced to leave by the peacekeeper. Opening my fist I see two tiny pictures. The first one is of my dad; the other is a picture with my brother, his fiancé, and my mother in the background. They're small enough to fit inside a locket. Then I remember the necklace Russet gave me resembled a locket. I take it between my fingers and flip it around between them and it unlatches. The pictures fit perfectly inside and I decide this will be the token I take into the arena.

My mother never comes to see me. Neither does Russet. I try not to think of why this is while Roman comes to collect me. Her flawless mint green arm wraps around my shoulder and escorts me through the building. If the circumstances were different I might have enjoyed this hastened tour as I'm surrounded by stained glass and granite columns. We go out the back door where I'm reunited with my fellow tribute, Cadmus Trunch, and we board the train that will take us to the capitol and eventually our demise.