A huge thank you and bows to those who have viewed my story XP This chapter is really short, but I promise the following chapters will get longer~~~ Also, I do not own the Hunger Games, this fantastic series is entirely the works of Suzanne Collins!!! Review and Subscribe, Please!!!! :D

Chapter 3

No, not Cassandra, not when it's her last year of being a candidate.

Thoughts, jumbled together, flitted across my mind. They pounded my skull mercilessly, one after the other. Breathing came in short gasps, and my ribs ached from sharp stabs of pain. They stung like bunches of stinging nettle. Water rose and spilled over from my eyes as scenes of the other Reaping flashed upward like a million dancing sparks. Titus, being called up. Titus, shaking off my hands. Titus, the back of his drenched shirt being swept into oblivion in a moment of blinding white.

"Cassandra!!!" my voice sounded strangely muffled to my ears, as if the ocean had clapped its hands over them. I pushed through the crowd for the erected podium, slipping and sliding with each wobbly tread.

"Curse the Capitol!" the mutter escaped my lips.

Horrified eyes fell on me, of which I ignored.

I no longer cared for my own life. I would rather die than to have to watch another kin suffer from the Capitol's torturous devices. Cassandra will live, even if Titus had not; even if it meant offering my last precious breath in exchange. A grim determination lulled me into making the ultimate decision.

"I volunteer!!!"

The square had gone completely and utterly silent. Cool drops of rain continued to patter the cobble stoned ground listlessly.

I'll protect my family. I swear I will.

"The tribute of District Six shall be me!!!"

Truly, I think I know now why Titus had been driven mad.

Sorry, I know this is short, but I'm married to cliffhangers XP And, don't expect what you're expecting~~~ LOL Thank u all for reading!!!!