They walked me to a dodgy car parked outside the school. Even if we're one of the well-off districts, we still can't afford the shiny new cars they drive in the Capitol. I got in without saying a word. I was afraid of what might come out if I opened my mouth.

I kept trying to hold on to a flicker of hope that maybe they were here for some other reason—something other than the Selection…but my mind kept playing back those agonizing minutes when I was almost chosen, and I knew it was a very long shot that this meeting was unrelated.

The lady took the seat next to me and introduced herself. She was one of the victors that won the games 10 years ago and she was in charge of selecting the special few that had the honor of being prepared for representing the District in the Games to come. Her words, not mine— myself, I didn't see the honor in being a killer. And then she announced in a solemn voice that I was one of those "privileged few." I felt my heart drop and with it that last shred of hope I was holding on to slipped away from me.

She kept going on, not bothering to wait for a response from my part, about sacrifice and bravery and again about honor, but I tuned her out. Her speech seemed fake and rehearsed— I guess years of repetition take their toll on even the most patriotic of us.

I hugged myself, a gesture that had become familiar to me during the last months of worrying, and continued to stare ahead. Oddly enough I didn't feel the need to cry. Or scream. Or any of the other things I had felt during the weeks since the Selection.

Actually, I felt sort of relieved. My worst fears had just become reality. Now I didn't have to worry any longer. I could focus on how to make the best out of this situation. After all, I've always managed to land on my feet.

But to do that now, I needed to know one thing.

When we reached our destination, the lady— Selena — finally finished her speech. I turned and looked at her, surprised to see her face still seemed kind to me.

"Why me?" I asked in a surprisingly steady voice.

She looked as if taken by surprise by my question and then seemed to ponder for a few seconds. I worried she wouldn't answer.

"Well...we do need to lose the Games at some point..."