Chapter 4

I tossed and turned most of the night and finally decided to get something to drink. As I crept downstairs, the house was quiet, the workers had left, and it was just me and my father in this large house. I gulped down my glass of water and set it in the sink. For a moment, I rested my hands on the counter and then went to the living room. My dad was still sleeping and his blanket had fallen on to the floor. Stepping quietly over to his chair, I picked up the blanket, laying it across him. I hated him for what he had been doing, for casting me aside like he did…but….I knelt down next to the chair, my hands in my lap and I whispered into the darkness.

"…Daddy…I hope you can forgive me…But I may not be home for a while….I may not be home at all….I wish that we could've talked about it. We both might have been in better….I-I…." I rubbed my forehead. My words didn't want to come out right. There was a slight mumble and movement from my Father. And my heart picked up speed, afraid he would wake up, but he didn't.

"…Daddy, I-I love you…" I stood up and walked away, stopping in the living room doorway, hand on the door frame. I looked over my shoulder and whispered one last thing into the night. "…See you at the Reaping tomorrow…"

"Alright, Ladies shall go first as usual." The peppy Capitol citizen called out into the microphone. My heart was racing twice as fast as it should. The dress that I was wearing suddenly felt tighter than before. My thoughts blurred together like water being spilled on a wet painting. My hands were going clammy and my eyes flitted about and ended up locking with the boy from last night. I knew as soon as he looked at me, there was no hiding. I felt a deep crimson blush coming over my face and I wasn't going to lie to myself, I was afraid. It was then that I had forced my gaze away from his, just in time to hear the name called out.

"Mara Aven. Step forward Mara!" I knew of this girl. Mara was only 13…And there it was, a hint of defeat and fear in the young girls' face. But I knew that it would fade soon. The District 2 Rep. spoke out as Mara walked towards the stage.

"Would anyone like to take her place?" I swallowed, my hands beginning to shake. I spoke in a whisper.

"…I-I do…"

"Anyone at all?"

"I volunteer!" I shouted, my lungs now burning, mostly from nervousness. As well as from shouting.

"Ahh! Thank you! Please step forward!" The man said bouncily. I watched as Mara returned to her place among the younger girls. Deep breath. There was no turning back now. 'I'm sorry Jack. I'm sorry Carlotta. There would also be no need to confess…And Dad I'm…I just needed out so bad.' I found that I was now on the stage; the District Rep had an arm around my shoulders.

"What is your name?" I heard the question, but my eyes had found my Fathers'. They were wide with terror, his mouth had fallen open. I mouthed 'I'm sorry' and I swear this was the first time I ever personally saw tears fall down that man's face. "Miss, your name?"

"Oh, uh, yes…Sarah Earnheart."

"Alright then. Now it's time to select this year's boy tribute." I made sure to keep my face stoic, unchanging. I wanted to show that I was not afraid. My eyes followed the brightly colored man saunter over to the boy's name bowl and draw out a slip of paper. He walked back to the microphone and unfolded the paper. My stomach dropped as the name was read off. I couldn't breathe. One of the things I was trying to escape would be following me into the arena. I would have to kill the person I had fallen in love with.

"Jason Donaley." He made his way up to the stage, and once on stage, his Hazel eyes locked once again with my blue ones. I couldn't breathe, had someone cut off my oxygen? Nothing was going into my lungs. My head began to feel light and floaty, almost as if it were like one of your limbs falling asleep.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you your District 2 tributes: Sarah Earnheart and Jason Donaley!" It was then I felt my eyes roll back and everything move in slow motion. I felt my body shutting down and then the world went black.

My name is Sarah Renée Earnheart, I am 17 years old. I'm 5'7 and I weigh about 148 lbs. I have wavy brown hair down to my waist and blue eyes like my father. I have no mother and no brother. I hated my life and wanted to leave. I got my wish and now I am in the Hunger Games. Did I forget to mention that I might have to kill the man I have fallen love with? It's a small world, go figure…