I lay in my bed, wrapped in the warmth of the thick blanket. My dreams are all the same: Me, running, many people pursuing me with every weapon I can think of. Just as I trip, everyone is gone in a flash. Then its just me, staring into open space. Suddenly, I can't breath. My lungs fill with toxic gas and I start heaving and making horrible choking sounds. Just as I am about to fall unconcious, my eyes shoot open. I'm dripping in sweat, and struggling for air. I stare up at the celing, catching my breath. Some one knocks at my door.

"Annelise, it's almost time to take your tests," Father says.

I rip the covers off my body and walk to the door. I'm greeted by father with a smile, and I return it. "I'm going to hop into the shower real quick." I tell him. He gives me a nod and says, "Ok, but be ready in 30 minutes for the written part of the test." I nod and walk to the bathroom. I turn the water on and let it soak my body. I can't stop thinking about the dream. It makes me wonder what I could encounter in the arena if I was chosen. But the odds of me or my two siblings being chosen was very slim. There are thousands and thousands of people in my state, Kentucky. I'm sure I won't get chosen.

I wash my hair and scrub my body. When I rinse all the soap off, I step out into the humid bathroom air. I dress into black sweatpants and a simple blue t-shirt. I brush my hair out. My thick, wavy, brown hair that falls down to my ribs. I pull it up into a high ponytail and secure it with a black hair tie and slip on a black hair band. Time for the tests. I meet Becca and Daniel at the dining room table. Mother and father walk in with a stack of papers and 3 pencils.

"Good, luck. You guys are going to do great" Mother says.

"Just remember everything we have been learning the past two months." Father adds.

He hands us the papers and we begin. The first 20 questions are a snap, and I fly through them. The next 15 are a little more difficult, but I think I did pretty well. After we finish the test, we do the physical tests next. First is hand-to-hand combat. Father takes turns with us. Daniel and I take him down easily. Becca has to try twice before she gets him down. After that we do weapons. I find i'm pretty good with a sword. Daniel is a wiz with knives and Becca can take down anything from atleast 40 yards away with a spear. After that, we do knot tying, fire starting, edible plants, setting snares, and tree climbing. Becca is like a squirrel, climbing to the thinnest of branches quickly. Daniel and I can climb, but not as high due to our weight. I can start a fire in under 15 minutes, and Daniel and Becca take atleast 30 to start it. Daniel can set snares with his eyes closed. Becca and I are pretty nifty with snares aswell. Daniel, Becca and I all fly through the edible plants without a hitch. We all are timed on our 2 mile run. All three of us zoom through in 10 minutes.

"Nice job, kids. I think we can safely say you all passed the physical portion." Father says. "Wait until your mother is done grading your written tests, then we will address what needs improvement, and what your strategy should be if you are chosen." I notice he winces at the thought of one of us going in. Yea, I dont like the idea either, but we are powerless when it comes to the government. I remember, not too long ago, when we were a peaceful country. But then, in 2015, new laws were put in place. Everyone was furious, saying it took away our rights as Americans. Shortly after, in 2017, groups from different states started talks of rebellion. Two years later, the uprisings started in every state. The government responded back, executing all the rebels. Now they are trying to keep us under control by forcing 100 teens to fight each other. Well, message recieved. No one has even said the word rebellion since then. I just wonder if these games will ever stop and what will happen many years from now. I hope the people who come after us can live in peace.

Mother comes in. "You all passed with flying colors!" She has a huge smile on her face that stretches from ear to ear. She must have hope that we could survive this thing.