Hell is empty / all the devils are here.
—Shakespeare


It seemed like over the course of a few days, everything in my life had become hard. The news that Gale would be leaving immediately after the Reaping hit me like a ton of bricks, but he was the only person I would let myself cry in front of, putting on my happiest face for Prim.

I didn't sleep very much at all that night, and when I did sleep, it was restless with dreams of Gale being reaped, or Gale turning into a Capitolite, or never seeing Gale again.

The morning of the Reaping continued as it always had, with us having our feast and screaming into the valley what we hated most about the Capitol. I cried when I realized that it was probably our last one, ever. He walked me back to town, his hand never leaving mine, and I realized how much I liked the feel of his warm, coarse hands over mine.

"Wear something pretty to the square, Katniss."

He smirked, and I knew he was being sarcastic, "Don't I always?"

Gale bent down to kiss my forehead and smiled, "Yes you do. But go, you'll have to hurry or you'll be late."

And while Prim and I rushed to get ready in time, nothing was very pressing. She still had another year safe until she was eligible for the Reaping, so I wasn't very worried for anyone except Gale. Even I knew that I would be okay if I were picked, but I didn't know if I could do anything knowing Gale had a possibility of dying by the Capitol's hand.

But I pushed all my worries aside and held Prim's hand as we made our way to the square. We met Gale and the Hawthornes at the end of the street with big smiles and hugs, and Gale grabbed my hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He smiled down at me and led us down to the square, his smile fading with every step. He knew what Reaping day meant just as much as I did.

As we reached the square, I hugged my mother and sister and kissed all of Gale's family before holding his hand down to the 15 year old girls section. He hugged me close, same as he did every year, but instead of pulling away and wishing each other luck, he kissed me in front of everyone. I could hear the gasps of the jealous girls around me, but it was barely long enough for me to register the pressure of his lips on mine.

He let me go to stand next to Madge and he continued to the roped off 17 year old boys section. The bell sounded, and I grabbed Madge's hand as Effie Trinket came to the stage to introduce herself and begin drawing for the tributes. Her hand flitted around, but the only thing I could register was that the name she called was not mine. And as she drew the unlucky tribute from the bowl of boys names, she didn't call Gale either.

We were both safe for another year, and the relief off my shoulders was enough to make me collapse into Gale's arms when he finally found me and smothered me in kisses. I could see the girls around us staring, but I remember that I couldn't find it in me to care.

And he had been gone almost a year.

It had been two months since we walked from the square to his house to get his bags, and then to the train station to see him off. He'd kissed me long enough that I needed to catch my breath afterward, and breathed into my ear just how much he would miss me and that he would write me as soon and as often as he could.

And just like that, he was gone.

In the last eleven months, I felt like I had adjusted pretty well considering what a huge hole of my life was gone. I hunted alone, I sat in the woods alone, I sat at school alone, I ignored the whispers of the girls around me about Gale, and did basically everything by myself. I got a letter from Gale at least once every two days, and it was enough to get me through until I got the next one.

But with the Reaping coming up, I was even more reminded of his absence. His letters promised that he missed me, but I knew I wouldn't be sure until I got him in my arms again.

On the morning of the Reaping, I woke up early and checked the mail. There was a letter from Gale, and it was heavy, as if it had something inside it, but it had "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL YOU ARE IN OUR PLACE" written on it. I assumed "our place" meant the valley, since it was reaping day and all, so I smiled and headed out to the woods with my feast.

When I finally made it out to the valley, I sat on the grass and opened the letter with Gale's scribbles all over it so I could read it.

Catnip,
Today is the big day, our first reaping apart. I know you're probably nervous, and I know you're scared too—but don't be. They aren't going to pick me, Catnip, and even if they do, someone in the crowd is going to volunteer anyway.

As for you, you know you're going to be fine, so I'm not even sure why you're so worried with it (and I know you're worried about it, so don't try to lie). Just think, only one more year until I'm done with this Academy and I can finally come home to you.

Inside is a locket, with my favorite (and probably the only) picture of us. I want you to wear it today and hold it close. If you're picked, I want you to wear it proud, and remember that no matter where I am, you're always going to be on my mind.

Yours always,
Gale.

I smiled down at the letter, Gale always knew what to say, even if I hadn't seen him in a year and he was thousands of miles away. I pulled out the locket so I could stare at the picture. It was one of us from the Hob, and I remembered the day clearly. Darius had just gotten a new camera and was hellbent on taking pictures of all of us. The picture was nice; we were both looking at each other smiling. I had no idea how he could've gotten ahold of the picture, or how he afforded to send the locket to me.

But I did as he asked and put it around my neck, checking my watch and confirming that I had to leave soon so I could be ready for the Reaping.

It angers me to no end that I had to miss today with her.

In fact, this whole stupid decision really pisses me off in general.

Why, oh why, did I think it was a good idea to cross the country just so I could have the money to send home? Why didn't I just keep doing what I was doing? Some nights I try to convince myself that it'll all be worth it in another year's time, but most of the time I just want to throw or punch something so I can release some of my anger.

But a full year is almost too long without her. I know that the PRA gives us a week or two off after the Hunger Games, mainly so they can bring in the new recruits, and it gives me an energy boost to know that I can see her again really soon.

Our quarters given to us are small and a little on the gray side, but it doesn't really bother me. We wake up every morning before the sun rises and quickly get in a workout, then it's showers, breakfast, four hours of classes, lunch, an hour of shooting, an hour of combat, and an hour of the History of Panem. Two hours of downtime, dinner, and another class on the Laws of Panem. It's a boring life, but I start excelling in what I'm doing, and I know that it earns me more money that way.

I've made a few friends in the last year that I've been here, and they've all been from outlying districts. They're nice, but our conversations barely stray over the superficial, and I know neither of them want to get personal with me. I've only made one real enemy, but he's from district 2, his name is Cato or some shit. He's a little fuck and I hate him.

But I think what I hate the most about this whole damn place is how happy everybody is to be the Capitol's lapdogs. No one really knows what it's like in the poorer districts, and none of them really give damn either. Their stomachs are full, their beds are warm, and that's really all they care about.

Like when all the bullshit for the reapings started. We had a debate in one of our classes over it, and all the lapdog kids kept talking about what an honor it was to be in the Hunger Games. I was the only one who opposed them, and I'm sure I made more than a few enemies when I explained what life was like in the poor districts like mine.

But today's the reaping, and as I "feast" on my meager breakfast, I wonder if Katniss's locket has gotten to her yet. I took such great pains in making sure the letter was going to be there on time, so it's going to really piss me off if I happen to see her in the crowd tonight and she's not wearing it.

If vaguely passes my mind that she might get chosen, but I shove the thought away. I'm making more than enough money with the Peacekeeper's scholarship and my Capitol Allowance that I can support her family too, but I'm not sure I could go through the mental and emotional stress of having to watch her fight for her life. It also occurs to me that I might get reaped too, but the idea of killing people and returning home to 12 are kind of welcoming at the moment, so I push away that thought too.

We are excused from the day's classes, so all the Peacekeepers in training start to head for the Justice Building. District 2 is so much different than 12 even in just the square. From my History of Panem class, I know that all the districts were designed with the same plans, so they would all look the same and be equal, but from being in two different districts, I can tell that 2's entire district is nicer than 12's.

As we file into our spots in the square, I notice that the Capitol escort for this district isn't as eccentric as Effie Trinket. She still has the Capitol accent when she speaks, but instead of bright eyelashes and lips and hair, hers is more moderate in color. She wears a green pencil skirt and matching jacket, with a big white flower on it. It's definitely a Capitol fashion, but it actually looks nice on her. She introduces herself as Rysalee Mentow, but I don't really pay attention. She doesn't have the signature line like Effie Trinket does, and I don't have Katniss across the square to make fun of her with.

Rysalee starts to show the standard video from the Capitol that is played at every reaping across the country. I already have the damn thing memorized, so I zone out and begin planning what I'm going to say about this place in my next letter to Katniss. All the sudden I hear, "And the male tribute for district 2 this year is, Gale Hawthorne!"

Gale Hawthorne? Wait, that's my name.

Fuck.

The boys around me start to disperse, as if I have the plague and they'll catch it just by looking at me. I look up to the screens and notice that every camera is focused on me. And I have to make an impression.

I start to make my way to the stage, head high, showing no fear, just as I would want Katniss or Rory to do if they were picked. Just as I reach the stage I start to wonder why no one volunteered, isn't that what this district is famous for? But then I catch Cato's eye, and he smirks at me. The little bastard isn't letting any of his friends volunteer just because I'm from a poorer district. He thinks I'm going to make an idiot of myself because my district is poor.

I smirk, the joke is clearly on him.

Rysalee draws my district partner, a dangerous looking girl named Clove. We shake hands and she smiles at me, clearly trying to intimidate me. I smile back, and I wink, just where I know she can see it. She narrows her eyes and the corners of her mouth turn down as she jerks away from my handshake.

Good, I think. Maybe I've already gotten under her skin.

Rysalee escorts us to the Justice Building, where friends and family can come to say their last goodbyes. Since my family is back in 12 and probably doesn't even know I've been reaped yet, the only person to visit me is my Captain. He sits down quietly in the chair and clearly doesn't know what to say.

"Can you just call my family tonight? Before they televise the reapings?" I ask him.

He nods, "Anybody else you want me to call?"

The Captain and I haven't been very close, but all of the kids who aren't from district 2 are called in for a weekly evaluation with him. It's basically just a bitch session where I complain about how much I miss Katniss and he listens patiently. So when he asks, I know he means her.

"Yeah, Cap," I say. "Call my girl. Tell her I love her, please."

The Captain nods and then stands so he can escort me to the train that I'll be riding to the Capitol on. I ask him to make arrangements that my entire Capitol allowance be sent home until I come back, he agrees and gets back to his explanation about the trains. He explains it's just a two hour ride, so I'll be in the Training Center before they air the reapings tonight. "You're lucky," he says, "The trains from 10, 11, and 12 usually don't get there until almost late at night."

I guess I should consider myself kind of lucky, but I honestly don't. When I get on the train Clove is sitting on the couch with what I assume to be our mentors. The three of them make a mean looking picture, and I automatically decide that I don't really care for any of them. The blonde haired woman introduces herself as Enobaria, and the dark haired, broad shouldered man shakes my hand and says his name is Brutus. I try to hide my disgust at the stupid names people give their children, and tell them that my name is Gale.

Enobaria smiles, showing every tooth in her mouth, "Your fellow tribute here was telling us that you aren't originally from district 2?" she purrs a little when she talks, and I can't tell if it's on purpose or if it's just naturally like that. But I sit down on the couch and try to get acquainted with my mentors.

"No ma'am. I'm originally from district 12."

"12?" Brutus questions, "Such an odd place to be from. Where you in the PRA?" I nod, and I can see Clove's eyes get wider and I can tell she's impressed, but Brutus continues, "That's good. If I hadn't won the Games that's where I would have gone."

Enobaria takes the spotlight from him again as she tries to casually grab my arm, "We will be arriving in the Capitol shortly. You'll be shown to your rooms and have the opportunity to shower and do whatever you like. They'll be showing the reapings from other districts at 7 pm sharp, and we will expect you to eat with us at that time so we can discuss who to watch out for and things like that." Clove sees this as an opportunity of escape and stands up to head to her room. "Goodbye, dears!" Enobaria calls to us.

I take the opportunity to leave and almost go sprinting headlong into my bedroom. Enobaria creeps me out, and it bothers me that she is going to be responsible for all of my sponsorship money and as well as guiding me into what I'm supposed to do. But I still don't like her or Brutus.

I go to reach for my doorknob when Clove grabs my hand. "Where do you think you're going, handsome?"

All I can do is roll my eyes and try to hide my disgusted look, "What do you want?"

Clove starts to pout, "Just some alone time, I guess. I mean, you did wink at me in the square and all…"

"Sorry. I was trying to intimidate you. It obviously had the opposite effect. I didn't grow up in a place where being a tribute is a good thing, and I also didn't get to say goodbye to my family today. So if it's okay with you, I'd like to be alone." And I go into my room and shut the door on my face.

My mentor and my district partner throwing themselves at me, both within an hour of each other.

Seriously, what the hell is going on with these girls in district 2?


A/N: Anon Reviews:

Jeanell: Thank you so much for reading this one and my other stories! it really makes me happy to have someone say that! But i really hope i don't disappoint you :)

Guest: THANK YOU! Your enthusiasm really makes me happy, lol. but i can't take credit for the concept, someone sent it to me and just asked me to write it :P