I wanted to run away. I wanted to run away and never look back. It's always been my biggest nightmare to apart of the Capitols sick twisted games, now it's my reality. Every girl around me seemed to make a path for me, or they just didn't want to be near me. I took a few hesitant steps forward, my head bowed down. I didn't want to look up and see my family's scared faces. From the corner of my eyes I saw two peace keepers escorting me up to the podium.

"Come on dearie," I heard Ava say as she reached for my hand to pull me up. Without knowing it, I let her lead me to her side; I didn't even feel her moving me.

"Let's have applause for our female tribute this year!" no one clapped, no one moved, no one dared to breath. Ava cleared her throat and turned to me, "Would you like to say a few words my dear?"

Someone please save me.

I wanted to scream and run into my mother's arms and cry my heart out. But I couldn't let anyone see how scared I truly was. These Games were all about how strong and tough each tribute is. If I wanted to survive, I would have to put up a worthy act.

I bowed my head and stepped away from the microphone.

"No? Well then, onto the male tribute then," she said in a very cheery, ecstatic voice.

I looked into the crowd of boys. I could see in their eyes how terrified they were. I didn't blame them, I knew how they felt. I searched through the mass of people and finally found them. My family was holding each other and crying. The twins had fresh streams of tears running down their faces. Even though they are young, they fully know what just happened. My mother tried to comfort them even though she was trying to comfort herself. My father's eyes were glistened, though no tears fell. If my mother could not put on a brave face, my father would be that face. In his eyes, I could see how broken he was and how broken he's about to become. I would be too if I were about to lose a daughter.

I was too lost in my own world to hear the male tribute's name called out. But Ava called again and this time I heard clearly.

"Bryce Ridon!"

I felt cold and numb. This couldn't be happening, it just couldn't.

But it was happening and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I saw Bryce make his way to the stage. Like myself, trying not to show any fear in his eyes; but I knew the truth. The fear was there in his blue eyes, I could see.

"Let's have a round of applause for this year's tributes!" Ava screeched into the microphone again. And again no one did anything; no one applauded or even looked up.

I wanted to scream at them, every single one of them. Begging them to do something, anything that could help us. But no one did anything. Soon we were taken away from the stage and put into separate rooms. I waited for my family to come and soon enough they all barged through the door. The twins were the first to cling to me. They latched onto my legs so tight that I nearly lost my balance. I could feel the tears streaking my legs.

I pried them off and bent down to their level, looking them both straight in the eyes.

"You will come back sissy," Faye cried, "you have to." I pulled her into a hug and let her sob into my shoulder. I smoothed her hair down.

"I promise I'll come back but you have to do something for me while I'm gone," I pulled her away so I could look at her in the eyes. "You have to be brave for me, for mom, for dad and for Aaric; can you do that for me?" she nodded and wiped away the tears in her eyes.

"And Aaric, promise me that you'll take care of Faye until I get back?" he nodded but stayed silent. "Good boy," I smiled and gave him a quick hug as I now turned to my parents.

My mom pulled me to her instantly, hugging the life out of me. I hugged her back just as tight and the tears I had tried so hard to keep from falling finally fell.

"Listen to me," she pulled me away to look her in the eyes. "You have to be strong, stronger then you've ever been. Analee, I know you can win this, I know you can. You're one of the strongest persons I know. Whatever you do, do not back down and runaway. Show the Capital how strong you truly are."

"I will," I choked out. She gave me one final hug before she took the twins and left me alone with my father.

"Analee," he whispered.

That was all it took. I ran into his arms and hugged him so hard I think I broke a rib or two. He held me just as tightly though, and that's all I needed.

"Your mother's right. You are one of the strongest people that I have ever met. You fight; you fight not for the honor but with your heart. And that's what makes you better than the rest of those killers."

I cringed. In less than two weeks I'll be in the arena with those killers.

"I'm not sure I can do this dad,"

"I know you can, and so does everyone else."

The peacekeepers came in then and took him away. Before he was dragged out though, I heard him shout "I love you," and I cried more.

They were all so sure I was going to come back. I'm not so sure I will be though. I know I'm going to die, but at least my death will be quick.