I wake to the sound of the phone ringing. Still half asleep, I move to answer it.

"Hello?" I ask groggily.

"Hey Mockingjay, It's Johanna. I just got a call from President Paylor. She said that the victors are to be informed that the reaping for The 76th Hunger Games are in a week."

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about that."

"How? You're one of the ones who voted for it, brainless." She jokes.

"I know, but still. Are they going to air any propos?" I ask.

"They should. It's the most exciting time of the year, right? Anyway, I got to go. But make sure to pass on the message to your boyfriend." I thank her and hang up, but I'm not sure how Peeta will handle this. After his last hijacking episode, I'm afraid that I might lose him again.

I go upstairs to wake Peeta and tell him to turn on the television. The media is buzzing about the games, and looking at the excited faces of the capitol people worries me. It's like they don't even care about the fact that this year it will be their children, because this is still just a game to them. They don't realize that this is reality. It isn't just some fictional show that's played for your entertainment.

I look over to find a pained expression on Peeta's face, and I know we're thinking the same thing.

That it's not right.

****

Peeta, Haymitch, and I all huddle around the tv, watching the reaping being broadcasted from the Capitol. A thin, wiry man who is probably in his late forties steps up to the podium and introduces himself. He looks quite normal, except for the tattoo of vines that cover his upper body.

"Welcome, people of Panem. I am Alamore Drumel, your Head Gamemaker for the 76th Hunger Games. Now, since this year is different than we are used to, we have new rules. There will only be one reaping ball this year, filled with both boy and girl names. We will draw 15 random slips from the reaping ball, and there will be no volunteering allowed." He continues talking about how this games is necessary for finding some justice. Then, two people haul the giant reaping ball to the center of the stage. He pulls a slip out of the ball, reading the name in a clear voice.

"Bria Pendalin." She walks silently up to the stage and stands next to Alamore. She's shaking slightly, and tears are forming in her eyes.

He takes another paper out of the reaping ball and calls a second name. Marlo Sprine. Then Delson Odias, Prestice Tarone, and Braumus Gauler. Looking at the terrified faces of these tributes, I regret ever voting for these Games. But I did it for Prim. For the first time, I think about what Prim would have thought about this. She wouldn't like it. I now realize I made a mistake, but I can't change anything now. Alamore pulls several more names from the reaping ball, and one of them is Snow's granddaughter.

The next name Alamore announces catches me completely off guard. Nothing could've prepared me for this, because I'm looking at someone that I knew to be dead.

It's Madge Undersee.