A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in a while yall! The computer was down and I had to go a long time without updates or even *GASP* A Very Potter Musical! But everything's good again… So let us continue! –Gryffindor12 (Oh and let's all pretend Johanna Mason is still alive in the 115th!)

Preparations

I turn over almost violently…A bit too far. I go crashing to the floor, limbs flailing, with a little scream. "Oof!" The wind was knocked hard out of me as I slammed face first onto the floor. I go to stand up when I hear hushed voices talking downstairs. I flatten myself out again with my ear to the floor and can just barely make out my mother and father speaking frantically.

"She turned sixteen last week, Garnet!" I hear my mom whisper in a terrified tone.
"Ambra, you need to calm yourself" My father attempts so soothe her. "Don't you think she's scared enough? She doesn't need to think her mother has already written her off!"

"I know, Gar, I know. It's just that, I'm so scared for her. Topaz was brilliant! An absolute genius! And she barely got anywhere! And my boy, my Onyx! He was so fast and strong, he could've won!"

"What are you trying to say, Ambra?"

"Don't get me wrong! Safyra might get somewhere. But, not as far as Toa and Onyx. Not even close. She's clever, but no where near as brilliant as Toa. She's quick and a decent shot, but nothing close to the skill Onyx had! If she's reaped, she's as good as d-"

I stand up fast, infuriated. My own mother! Already writing my eulogy! The rage in me has sped up the time it would've taken to get ready. In no time, my long, wavy jet black hair is combed and head banded back and I'm wearing a short, royal blue strapless dress that brings out my sapphire eyes and some old black heels. I dab on a bit of make-up for a smoky-eye that makes me look a bit more fearsome. I turn to look at Topaz's full body mirror. Who am I kidding?

I don't think I could look fearsome if I tried. I stare at the narrow face in the mirror. She has larger than life eyes, a little nose, and round lips that curve down into a frown. She's fairly pretty, but not beautiful. I look down to her body. She has a bit of a runner's body with small muscles. The front of her dress is tight over her chest, but only slightly more than an average sixteen-year-old's.

But it doesn't take a microscope to see the flaws. She's skinny, far more than she should be. And small. It wouldn't exactly take a District 2 tribute to take her down. She's awkward and lanky with a cold and calculating expression permanently etched across her face. I pull myself away from the mirror when I smell food.

I hustle downstairs as fast as possible in the wretched heels, and begin munching on an apple. I expect to see my mother and father waiting by the counter like every morning, so I'm surprised when all I see is a little note, written in my father's steady script.

Dearest Safyre,

Your mother and I will be at the reaping. Please eat before you go. We will see you after. Good luck, my darling, and have faith.

Love,

Dad

P.S. Don't eat the wild turkey or the strawberries, they're for afterwards.

I put down the note and see a little box next to it. It must be a gift for the reaping. I carefully pull the little bowstring and open the box. I gasp when I see what's inside.

It's a necklace with jewels. Real jewels. It could feed my family for a year! Why haven't they sold this? But, then I get a closer look. It is a silver, flat disc, the size of a nickel on a thin, but sturdy black string. A little amber stone is set on the edge of the disc and small garnet is set on the opposite edge. Ambra and Garnet. Mom and Dad. A little pink topaz heart is set in on the top and a small, circular onyx stone is placed just below it, in a row. Topaz and Onyx. I smile weakly because I know whose next. A little sapphire gem cut neatly into a star shines bright at the bottom of the disc. Me.

I know this necklace. I've seen it before… In a gruesome scene. But, I can't place it. I make my way over to the mantle, where two pictures sit, one of Toa and one of Onyx, both on the night of the opening ceremonies. I look closely at both of their necks and sure enough, there sits the little necklace that I'm holding now. That's when it clicks.

When both Onyx and Topaz were killed, they had severe neck wounds that were always zoomed into by the cameras. That must be how I know it. It was their tokens, and they both played a small role in the deaths. I turn the silver disc over in my hand and scream when I see the back. It's spattered with blood. Not just regular blood. My sibling's blood.

Suddenly, I can't breathe. I have to get out of here! I drop my apple, grip the necklace tightly in my fist, and run as fast as I can. To the Reaping.