That sucked. The stupid kid told me his name. Now, when he dies I'll feel bad not only because he was from home but also because I knew his name. Names are the killer of people. I mean think about all the psycho winners who became nuts when their partner died. If I did win, I did not want to have to carry that around with me; that I let my district partner die. I really don't want to respond but if I don't then he'll get mad at me and then he'll want to kill me. I really don't need another person wanting to kill me.

"Johanna." One word.

We climb aboard our cart. He's dressed as a tree, which makes me feel bad cause in a way lumberjacks kill trees. I'm not going to kill him. I think about the next thing coming up in our prep for the Games, the interviews. I don't know what I'm going to say, much less my personality. I really want sponsors because they can keep you alive. I don't want to be the pretty girl or the one who is ready to kill anyone who steps within two feet of her. I decide winging it is the best way to go.

Our cart starts moving along so we wave and smile to all the people. It's really boring. Then, we step off our carts and wait for the interviews to begin.

I'm not quite last but I go right in the middle. I walk up and there is Caesar Flickerman. It seems his color this year is sea blue. I wonder if he is betting on District 4.

"So, Johanna right?" That's a really stupid question.

"Yeah."

"What is your philosophy about the games, strategies?"

"If I told you that, I would have to make a new strategy." I get a chuckle out of the audience.

"How do you feel about your opponents?"

"Fear, what else? Friendship? No way I am making friends with any of these people." That takes all my sponsors away. I must be the stupidest tribute here. Why I am such a loud mouth? Guess I'm the tribute without allies or strategies that perishes on the first day. Oh well, at least I won't get caught up in the drama of it all. It will be over easy.

I walk of the stage and start preparing strategies. I figure I at least have two allies. We have gotten to know each other pretty well over the past few days and they have promised to be my allies. I just have to keep them that way.

As soon as the interviews are over, I rush to find them. They really don't care. They know I was putting on a show. I let them think that.

The next day, we go into the arena. I try to sleep but I really can't. My prep team comes in and do my outfit and then I go into the little tube that will bring me up to my circle.

I look out around the arena. I can see trees, lots of trees. They have a lake in the center and mountains on the sides. I can work in this arena. I see the Cornucopia. I am making plans to run right past it. My allies and I have made plans to meet 70 steps away from the Cornucopia on the east side. I really hope I can trust them. I am blanking out everything. Then, everyone starts running. I guess the gong has sounded and we can leave our discs. I start running and flee the sight of the Cornucopia.