What did she say? No, she didn't say what I thought she said, did she? It could not of been that name... It's obviously just a mistake, right?

"Where are you, Evan?"

Could it have been? No... Please... It can't be...

"Evan Odair?"

Yes. It is. How could it be? How could I have gotten the most votes in District Four? Who would want poor little me to be in the Hunger Games? I feel my legs start shaking. Tears are in my eyes. I'm going to be a tribute this year.

Suddenly, Dallas throws me a huge hug, and starts sobbing onto me. "Just wanted you to know that you're my best friend, Evan." This grabs people's attention. Peacekeepers, 5, 6, of them come and drag me towards the stage. Was I fighting back? Yes. Yes I was. I tried my hardest to scream and kick my way out of the peacekeepers' iron-gripped hands. I fail. I eventually find myself on the stage. One of the Peacekeepers puts a needle into my arm, which makes me calm down.
Trixie then says "Our tributes from District Four! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

Well, they certainly weren't in mine.
Trixie tells me and Zelda to shake hands. Zelda gives me an intimidating look, and then reaches out for my hand. I've done all I could do. I shake her hand and accepted the fact that I was sentenced by my own friends and neighbors to the fight in the Hunger Games.

After that ordeal, we are escorted by our escort into the Justice Building. They direct us into the rooms in which we say our good-byes to our loved ones. I stay there, releasing the rest of my tears, waiting for someone to come.

I hear the door creak open, and footsteps. I turn around, and see my mother and brother, Tony. Tony was still in his life-guard clothing, wearing his sapphire anchor necklace. My mother was still wearing her cooking apron. My mother gives me a hug, and tells me to do my best in that arena. "Someday, I can tell," she says to me. "There will be another rebellion. And this time, we are going to win. Soon this will be all over." I then turn to Tony. I notice that his eyes were red. He says in a broken, trembling voice, "I'm here for you, man. I will always be there for you."

I then give him a huge hug. "You're the best big brother ever." I tell him. "Listen," he tells me while wiping tears from his eyes. "I want you to have this. To remember everyone back home while you're away." He reaches his hands behind his neck, takes off his anchor necklace, and puts it around my neck. "Be strong, you promise me, little bro? And hopefully you can come back home."

"Thank you, Tony. I will try."

Just then the door slams open. The Peacekeeper walks in and directs my mother and Tony out. I'm left in silence again. I close my fingers around the anchor pendant. A piece of my home will be with me, at least.

Someone else walks in the door. Dallas Cresta.
I embrace my best friend in another hug, and I tell him that being his friend the past few years was the best. He says that he'll never forget the times we had together, and that he hopes that I can come home soon. When he leaves, I figure that there won't be anymore visitors. But there is still one more.

In through the door comes in my father. Well, I wasn't expecting him. So for a minute a so we just look at each other. He towers over me, giving me a grim look. I feel my heart racing by the second, my breath accelerating. I try not to show this when I finally build the courage to say something.
"It was you, wasn't it?" I say. "You told everyone you knew to vote for me."

"Of course it was. Who else?" He says rather slowly, and kind of dangerously.
"Why?" I ask.
His eyes then flare with red. With clenched fists, he bangs his hand on the table in front of me. "DON'T 'WHY' ME, YOU LITTLE BRAT." He snaps. His hand then swings out and lashes me on my face. The force of his hand is so much, that I get sent tumbling to the ground. "Did you really think that you were able to get away with lying to your own father? Answer me!"
I stay quiet. Anything I say will result in more punishment.
His arm swoops down at me, and he clenches me by the neck. "How dare anyone call you my son. You don't deserve to be an Odair. Unlike your brother, you are arrogant, selfish, and dumb. I knew you went off, playing with that pathetic friend of yours-"
"Don't you dare say a word about Dallas!" I snap back.
"I can say anything I want! I have ultimate power over you! You are nothing!"

He pushes me down to the ground. "If you went to the career training camps, being in the Hunger Games should be no problem. But now, this is your punishment for disobeying your father. Look at you. Small, weak, trembling. The first cannon that sounds in that arena will be for you. Your face will be the first to shine in the sky. You'll make District 12 look like victors. You won't last a second. It'll be better off that way."

"I am not weak!" I shout to him. "If I don't make it out of that arena, I will at least be remembered as a friend! As a brother! As your SON."

"Don't be smart with me! Once your are finished no one will even remember you existed!"
At that moment a Peacekeeper walks in and escorts my father out.