~Annie~

My breath catches and I think silently 'no that can't be right! They couldn't have just said my name. It's not possible!' I look down at the ground and leave the little pen of safety and the people I have known all my life and I walk out into the cold open air. I glance up for a moment and see her, Mags, looking at me with sweet, gentle, and understanding eyes. Then I glance over at him, Finnick, and his eyes are less kind and more weathered. It's as if he doesn't like me and he hasn't even gotten to know me. I think to myself that it must be my small scrawny figure. I had no muscles, chest, and my I was far from looking fit. My red hair was pulled back into a ponytail that went down to my shoulder blades and the ribbon that tied it back perfectly matched my powder blue dress. I didn't exactly look like mean tribute material. So I supposed maybe he was just upset I was chosen because I was certain to not win.

I quickly walk up the steps and stand next to Gloria, the Escort for District 4. She gives me a quick glance before her hand flutters back down into the glass fishbowl to pull out the male tributes name. As I watch her fingers dance around the little slips of paper it hits me that this is all real. I am going into the arena. I will most likely face all my fears and I could possibly die and never return to my family. I hold back tears and swallow the bile forming in the back of my mouth. I need to be brave. The Capitol will be watching my every move, assessing how well I can behave and act. In one last move of desperation to show my home that I can be strong I hold my chin up and put on the bravest face that I could muster.

"Daniel Taker."

The boy that belonged to the name gasps in horror but unlike me when he pushes through the crowd I see that he is very muscular and fit. Even though his initial reaction is shocked I can tell even now that he will go far in the games. He walks much faster than I did up the steps and he is more polite and even extends a hand to Gloria. She shakes his hand fondly before turning back to our district.

"Here we are! The tributes this year from District 4! Annie Cresta and Daniel Taker!" The crowd applauds but we all know the applause is for show. Deep down everyone is mourning the loss of one or both members of the community. Gloria swiftly turns to us both "now shake hands and then you will have a moment with your families and then we will be on the road! How exciting!" She smiles and you can see the wrinkles form on her face underneath all that caked on makeup when she smiles. I grimace but turn and reach my hand out and grab Daniels. We do a quick shake and nod to each other before being ushered through the back doors to speak to our families.

I walk into a small little room furnished with a small red couch. I sit down and patiently wait for my family to burst through the doors. While I wait my anxiety gets the better of me and I smooth my beautiful dress out over my knees a half a dozen times. Finally my family walk in and I jump up from the couch. My father, mother, and little sister all have tears in the eyes and we form a giant group hug. For a moment all I could here was the sound of my parents sniffles and then they break away. My father whispers "you will be alright Annie. Your mother and I know you can win."

I shake my head "dad you and I both know I don't stand a chance!"

My mother shakes her head "Annie Cresta don't you dare think that way! You can win this! You will train and you will learn all the skills you need." Mom grabs me into a hug and her hand rubs my back "you have to come back to us my love."

I bury my face into her neck and whisper "I will try my best mamma. I promise you, dad, and Rose that I will return."

I feel a tiny tug on my dress and look down to see Rose, my little sister, tugging on my blue dress. I break the hug with my mother so I could gather my little sister up into my arms. I kiss her rosy cheek and wipe the tears away "I will be back before you know it Rosie I promise." Rosie nods and sniffles. She whispers quietly "I love you."

I try not to sob and I whisper back "I love you too." I gently set her back down and I have a few more moments with my family before the peacekeepers come in again and take them away. I watch them all disappear through the door before I allow myself to break down for the first time. I sink to the floor and cry into my hands until the peacekeepers peel me off the ground and push me towards the train on the opposite side of the building.

I board the train and much to my surprise it is rather dull. It was more lavish than any house in district 4 but I still expected more from the capitol. The peacekeepers leave me, and a strange looking girl in a long dress with long blonde hair tied into a neat ponytail walks over to me. She makes a gesture as if to say 'follow me'. I nod and follow her through the cars back to a little room that was supposed to be my quarters during the train ride. I smile weakly "thank you." She nods and walks off. Once she was gone I grumble "weird, you would think she would reply to thank you." I sit down on the side of the bed and can't help but notice how I sink down into the mattress. It is so soft and fluffy and I feel like i'm on a cloud. I lean back and let my body sink down into the mattress. I layed like that for about five minutes before I heard a small knock at the door. I sit upright and fix my dress. "Come in!" The door opens and I see Mags small figure walk into the room.

"Mags? What are you doing?"

She smiles and walks over to the bed and sits down on the side. "Well I just wanted to introduce myself properly and let you know that dinner is in ten minutes. Just in case you want to get cleaned up."

I nod "thanks." I was about to excuse myself but i thought of a question "umm Mags? Will Daniel and Finnick be there?" She gets up and nods "yes child they will be there. It's the first evening so it's mostly just introductions and such, so there is no need to be nervous. Just come to the main dinner car when you're finished getting ready. If you get lost just ask one of the helpers standing by and they will show you the way." She smiles and leaves as quick as she came. By helpers I assumed she meant the creepy people just standing around watching our every move. I shiver at the thought and look for fresh clothes to put on.