James and I were led through the Justice Building, and each escorted to a separate room. The Peacekeeper who walked between the two of us, and kept a strong hold on my arm during that time, opened the door to the left first, and shoved me inside, closing the door afterwards.

I stared at the door as it was closed for a few seconds before actually taking in what had happened. I felt as if someone had poured acid into my stomach, and I just wanted to cry. I was going to die; nothing could be done about that. I ran over to the sofa, jumped onto it, and while face-down, cried my eyes out, being too far in grief to sob or wail.

I didn't even hear the door open, and had no idea that was anyone else in the room, until I felt comforting arms wrap themselves around me in a hug.

I sniffled and looked up, to see my mother there, tears on her face too. She pulled me into a hug as I stood up, and I just sobbed into her shoulder. "Oh my baby girl." She said soothingly. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." She went to say more, but I stopped her.

"no!" I interrupted. "No I WON'T be fine!" I cried and pulled out of the hug, sitting down on the sofa behind me. "I only volunteered because has more of a life to live than me!" I leaned forward onto my knees and sobbed again. I felt my mother sit beside me, and I looked up as she said my name.

"Louise, listen to me." She stated, suddenly serious. I was shocked. I had never seen her serious in my life, yet here we are. "Do not give in. You have the smarts to win this. Remember everything that you've read, that might actually help you."

"But I don't know what the arena will be like!" I say, disheartened.

"That won't matter, you are smart enough to adapt to any environment that they might throw at you." She continued. I looked my mother in the eye, and saw a fire burning there. "Just keep going, and remember, you are strong enough, mentally, to win this thing."

The door swings open, and a Peacekeeper walked in. "Time to go." He stated to my mother, and she unwillingly, stood, gave me one last hug, and was escorted from the room, with the door shut behind them.

I will never see her again, I thought as I heard their footsteps fade away, and I had to stop myself from crying more. I placed my elbows on my knees, and put my head on my hands, and I sat there, staring at the floor for a while until I heard the door open again.

I looked up, and ran straight into her arms. Katharine was there, and looked like she hadn't stopped crying since the reaping, which must've been about an hour ago.

"Katharine, I am SO sorry!" I mumble into her shoulder, as she brings to hug back, and we both stand there, crying on each other. After thirty or so seconds, we pull away and we look each other in the eyes.

"Why are you saying sorry?" Katharine asks me, choking on her words slightly, as tears continued to spill down her face. "You're the on who is going into the arena!"

Just out of pure stress and panic, we both burst out laughing and we only stop when Katharine speaks again.

"You have to win." She whispers, and I look at her as if she is mad. I shake my head, and the positive effects of the laughter have all faded away. I stepped back, and sighed.

"I don't know if I can." I state, and my stomach sinks.

"Just TRY, then. It can't hurt for you to do that." She yells at me, and in surprise, I stumble backwards. She never shouts, so you can see why I am a bit shocked. I open my mouth to reply, but the Peacekeepers have opened the door to the room and are beckoning Katharine out the door. She steals one last, sad look at me, and the Peacekeeper gets frustrated, and literally picks her up and carries her out of the room.

I managed to shout "I'll try for you, Kath." Before the door is slammed shut. It is likely that, Katharine was the last person that would come to see me before I'm shipped off to die, so I just sit back onto the sofa, and wait to be collected.

I don't sit still, though, as something is biting at my brain, and making me worry and I end up pacing, muttering to myself.

"what's the worst that could happen?... Oh yeah, the fact that I have no chance in getting back here, alive... But what if I could? People seem to have faith in me, but why? Nobody has given a damn about me before?.. Was it the volunteering thing?... Yeah, it's probably that. Nobody gives a district about anyone else other than their family, but me? What do I go and do?... Prove that wrong, and save my only friend from certain death.. Well, hers anyway. Why do people have hope in me, if I am one of the definite Bloodbath victims, that will die on the first day?" I think, and my pacing begins to stop, but I begin to get really twichy, and I am constantly glancing over at the door.

After ten minutes, I look at the door, as it is opened the last time, and see that Jackson Lincoln was standing there with James, and without hesitation, I turned over to them and walked over.

Jackson eagerly clapped his hands once, and beckoned for us to follow him. "Good, good." He stated, simply jumping with excitement. "Now, for your information..." He said, talking to us, but still facing ahead as he walked us back through the Justice building, heading for the street before it. "...There is a small car journey to the station, where we will be getting on a train to the Capitol!" He exclaimed, and I tried to smile at his stupid antics. But in all my grief, I couldn't master one, not even a tiny one.

As we exited the building, we were marched to the motor car that was waiting for us were keeping the crowds of District 7 back, and forged us a direct path to the doors, and I saw that cameras were everywhere. In my mind, I was positive on two things. One; this was being broadcast live to the Capitol, and Two; that I looked like a complete weakling, earning no sponsors...

James and I were shoved into the back of the motor car, which was nicer inside than out. The plush leather seats were a level of comfort that I had never experienced before.

Jackson sat in between us, and the doors were locked shut, as the driver started the engine and drove away. I kept my head down through the entire journey, apart from a few seconds, when I decided to look out of the window. It was only for a split second, but I saw everyone I cared about standing around in one place, kissing the central three fingers on their left hands, and holding them high.

It means thanks; a mark of respect. It's a way of saying goodbye to somebody you love.

They know as well as I, that I will not be returning.