[A/N: Surprise! Okay, so due to Scylin Renn's criticism, I'm set on fixing them right now! So then, I might change Chapter 01. But when I do, I'll say so in the next chapter. Hahahah, I already have an idea for it ^^ Some reviews would be nice! R&R please? (:]

[Chapter 03: Final Farewells]

When the anthem ends, Michael and I are taken into custody. Not with handcuffs or ropes bound tightly, but with a wall of Peacekeepers surrounding us. It made me feel slightly claustrophobic.

We part ways as the Peacekeepers take us to separate rooms. Inside the room, it is the most luxurious place I have ever been. There is a red velvet couch similar to my dress, and two chairs made of the same velvet, with a mahogany table in the middle.

I sit on the couch, replaying the reaping scene in my head over and over; analyzing the critical details, for my memory is nearly photographic. So far, I see no faults in my actions, or any signs of weakness, which is good—for my part. While I'm deep in thought, I don't notice Lily and Etlen coming in until a crushing hug brings me back to the present.

"What were you thinking?" breathes Etlen from my left side.

"I don't want you to die!" cries Lily as she hugs me from my right. Both of them are crushing every bone me.

"Eugh! Get… off… of… me…" I manage to gasp out. They realize that they are crushing me and back off. I never thought I'd be so happy to breath once more. Air rushes back into my system as I gasp for more. "Never… ever… do that… again."

"Sorry," they say sheepishly. I purse my lips, all my breath returned to me now.

"It's okay." They both take a seat on the two chairs. I start to tell them all the things they would have to do without me, for it is usually I who hunts. Etlen usually haggles with people, but he's better than average when it comes to hunting, so I don't worry too much. I don't bother suggesting that Etlen teach Lily how to hunt. She's too kind of a soul to.

So I decide that Etlen must hunt and haggle while Lily takes care of her vegetable garden and looks for edible plants. And if they're careful enough, I say, and then they could have more food on the table than usual.

"And…" I say, nearly choking on the words. "If I die… Then you can't just stop and zone out. You have to keep on going. You will move on, even if it is painful. Promise me." They both nod, Etlen's face emotionless while Lily looks like she's going to snap at any moment, which I hope for her sake that she doesn't. "And watch over Dani, please."

"Of course," says Lily. "We're not going to let you die for nothing." When she realizes what she's said, she rushes to add, "I mean, not that there's a guarantee that you're going to die or anything. I mean like, there's a slim chance that you might actually die. Oh! But then the others might already be trained, even if it's against the law. But then you probably have more skills than them…" She babbled on as I watched in amusement. Lily can be such an air head sometimes. "Oh I give up!" she says, throwing her hands into her lap in frustration.

"Remember," says Etlen seriously, all traces of humor gone, "when you get into Cornucopia, don't fight. Just take whatever you can and run like hell." I nod, acknowledging his words. "Find some knives—they're your best strength; and a bow and arrow, definitely. Remember, knives are your best weapons." I nod, absorbing all the information. My chest tightened with every breath. I was actually anticipating the Games.

Too soon the Peacekeeper knocks on the door, signaling the end of their time. It takes all my will to keep from crying as I yell, "I love you both! Remember, don't stop!" They both yell "I love you too!" as they are ushered out the door.

As soon as the door is shut, I fall onto the couch and cry soundlessly, letting the tears flow freely. Already I miss home, the mockingjays, the familiar woods. A little part of me regrets volunteering but another scolds it for being selfish.

I hear the door opening and quickly wipe my tears away, feverishly blinking until I'm sure my eyes aren't red anymore. Unsurprisingly, Dani and her mother, Becca, walk in. Dani flings herself onto me and wraps her skinny arms around my neck, burying her face into my neck. Her mother, Becca, quietly sits herself onto the chair.

She has dark brown hair reaching down to her waist that she ties into a neat ponytail with an olive complexion and watchful green eyes.

"I'm so sorry I got you into this mess," Dani says, her voice muffled.

"It's okay, little duck," I say, using her nickname. It reminds me of the first time I met her, when she was merely seven.

I was exploring the woods again; still disturbed by the same dream that's plagued me for years. It was early morning, meaning that most the people of District 6 were still asleep. The sun was only a small sliver through the mountains, the sky an orange-pink. My boots made no sound as I strayed from the path. I was far too light to make any; high metabolism comes in handy a lot.

Suddenly, a splash of sound echoed through the woods, bring my attention. I speed walked towards the source, wary about what it was. As I got closer, I slowed down and dodged behind the trees, peeking out as another splash took place. What surprised me was that it was a little girl, obviously younger than me, kneeling at the edge of a deep-looking lake. I was only twelve and a half back then.

I observed as she held a short slender stick, poking at something in the lake. Then, she suddenly fell in with a shriek. I started to panic, and dashed over to where the pond was. The little girl was struggling to save herself as she flapped her arms wildly. "Hold still!" I shouted, shrugging off my coat. I stripped down to a camisole and my pants, took a deep breath, and dived in.

The cold of the water hit me as soon as I burst through the surface. I reached for the surface and took another huge gulp of air. I swan towards the girl as she struggled to stay surfaced. I grabbed her arm and pulled her towards me as she squirmed in my grasp. "Hold still," I gasped, swimming for shore. She heeded my command as I finally reached shore.

I heaved her onto land and pulled myself up too, feeling as heavy in my wet clothes. She started to shiver and cry as I collected my clothes. "Shhh…" I said, unsure about what to do. "D-d-d-d-don't cry." I was still cold from the, er, "swim". My teeth were literally chattering and I feared that I had frostbite.

Shaking violently, I forced myself to give her my jacket while I pulled on the rest of my clothes. They clung to my clothes while I carried to girl to the little home Lily, Etlen, and I shared. We were both wet to the bone. "Why were you playing in the lake?" I asked as I navigated us back to civilization.

"I-I-I-I wanted to touch the ducky," she said, clutching my jacket closer to her. I let out a small laugh.

"All that for a duck," I muttered in disbelief. I sighed happily as we came closer to home. "What's your name?" I asked, shifting her weight.

"D-D-Dani," she said, shivering from the cold. "W-w-w-what's your name?" I gave her a small smile.

"Ivy," I said softly, feeling a gust of wind whip through my hair. "Ivy Willow."

Dani's sobs vibrates through my body as I hold her. Finally, about five minutes later, she stops her tears and wipes her face with her fists. My shoulder feels numb and wet. "I'm sorry I," she whispers hoarsely. I force a grim smile.

"It's not your fault," I say firmly. Her lower lips start to quiver again and I look to her mother for help. She bites back a smile and starts to pull Dani away into a motherly embrace.

"I… I thank you for taking her place in the Games," she says for the first time since they came into the room. "You have no idea how much I appreciate it. I… I don't know what I'd do if Dani was thrown into the Games in her… condition." Her voice breaks on the word "condition" and I fear that she was going to cry like her daughter.

Before I can say anything, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out something wrapped in a handkerchief. "I know this doesn't match up to the deed you've done, but I hope this will worth at least a third of it." My mind is boggled as she opens the piece of cloth to reveal a pin. I gasp as she holds it out to me.

In the center is a rose, made of what seems like thin ice blue diamonds, surround by a delicate yet strong ivy-twined silver circlet. It is absolutely breathtaking, and priceless. "I…" I am at loss for words. I try again. "I… I can't accept this!" If sold, it could feed a family for approximately three to five years (assuming the buyer had that much money)!

"Please," she says, "take it. It's the least I can do." I protest, but she keeps handing me it. I try again.

"No," I say firmly. As much as I'd like to have it, I refuse to take something that beautiful. "Use this for yourself. I just can't accept something this priceless!" She shakes her head no just as firmly and pins it on my dress as I watch helplessly.

"There," she says. "It looks better on you than me." I give her a smile that is weak compared to her satisfied one.

"Thank you," I say sincerely. I give her one of my rare, genuine smile which she returns. A knock on the door alerts me of the Peacekeepers, and that visiting time is up. "Remember," I say to Dani, just as she leaves, "be strong. You have to take care of your mother." She nods, her bottom lips quivering, and gives me a kiss on the cheek.

The sight of them leaving hurts, and I wish that I could run after them and beg them to take me along. But I can't. After all, I'm going to have to be strong if I want to survive in the Games.