I took slow, paced steps up to the section that was roped off solely for the 17 year olds. I hardly noticed anyone else; how could I, when fear had invaded my mind? I stood, shaking, waiting for Sunny, the District 1 escort that had inhabited my house only an hour before, to take the stage.

Someone came up behind me and slid their arms around my waist, lifting me gently off the dirt ground. I screamed softly, being thoroughly surprised. The person spun me around then put me back on the ground.

"Hi, Emmy." Patrick whispered in my ear. Before I knew it, he had my face cupped in his hard, scar-covered hands and kissed me sweetly.

I pulled away and smiled, forgetting my fears for a moment. Up until this year, Patrick and I had always stood together when waiting for the tributes to be announced. Last year, though, he was picked. He went to the Capitol, and participated in the horrid Games. The entire time, I had been out of my mind with worry. Against all odds, though, he won. Ever since he came back, he has not been the same. Now, he had to be a mentor; control the flow of gifts from sponsors, ready the tributes for the nightmarish games that they were about to compete in.

Patrick... I couldn't believe he had come to see me. He should be up on the stage right now, waiting to meet the next tributes. I hugged him close to me, and laid my head on his chest. It seemed impossible that in just a few moments we would be heading off to the Capitol.

"Hey, Emmy, I have to go. I promise: before I leave, I'll come see you again, okay?"

"Okay." I whispered, barely able to utter anything else. I couldn't tell him what else I knew; he would try to stop it. Run away with me. Protect me however he could. I was so overflowed with emotions, I could barely think straight. It would be a miracle if I could actually make my way up to the stage.

I felt his fingers slip out of mine, and then he was gone. Just like that, I was alone.

Not a second later, though, a loud static filled the air, causing everyone to turn towards the stage. Our escort, Sunny, was standing there, in the most ridiculous outfit yet. She seemed determined to be wearing every color of the rainbow. Framed with her neon yellow hair, It was hard to believe that we would ever be taken seriously as a District.

"Hello, hello. And welcome to the 125th Annual Hunger Games Reaping!" She announce in her annoyingly high-pitched voice. I thought it was quite obvious it had been genetically enhanced several times, making it almost unbearable to listen to.

I forced myself to tune her out while she rambled on and on about the history of the Games and how they brought us all together. This way, I could focus on my last moments as a District 1 citizen. I would never again be able to sit at my secret cave, and write all of my invented stories. I would never again attend that school that I had deemed the worst place in the world, that now seemed so desirable compared to where I was going. Worst, I would never have those afternoons of just Patrick and me, alone, at the secluded lake's beach just past the fences of our District.

Then, she was reaching her hand into the crystal bowl, the one that had all of the girl's names written on little slips of paper. Letting her fingers drip over and stroke the pieces of paper, luxuriating in the full attention of every citizen in Panem, knowing it was being broadcasted live, she reached down, and daintily plucked one out of the bowl.

Unfolding the little, pristine white slip of paper, she cleared her throat, and in a clear voice, announced with false surprise, "Emmy Birche!"

Gulping, I steeled myself to walk up onto the stage to shake her hand. I took slow, deliberate steps up to the raised platform and tripped up the stairs.

Following the same routine, she selected a boy's name from the crystal bowl on her left. As distraught as I was, I didn't hear the boy's name. Only shook his hand and then continued to be marched off of the platform and into the Justice Building.

Sorry it's so short... I'm trying to decide whether or not I should continue it. I have a few ideas, but...
Please review and let me know what you think