Nan Weatherall

My eyes flutter open, and I jerk back in my bed. Elisa's blue eyes sparkle with laughter. She giggles and attempts to scamper out of my room. I jump up before she can manage it and grab her middle. She laughs louder and squirms away. Before I can get a hold of her again, she runs down the hallway, toward the smells of breakfast. Mmmm… The sweet scent drifts into my room, swirling around my, filling me up, beckoning. Oh. Smells of breakfast. Sweet smells of breakfast. Strawberries. Reaping Day. She did this last year too. This being District 5, we have Reapings earlier in the day. Apparently, District 12 has them at 2:00 pm. The best my parents can figure, the Reapings happen a half an hour apart in each district. They think that the Capitol wants to film everything, then go back and tweak and edit those things that need to be perfected or changed. I wish real life was like that. At least Elisa is not old enough to be drawn. I'm terrified I will be, though. I don't want to die.

Milo Toll

"I don't want to die."

Lacey whimpers. "I promise, Lacey. Look at Matilda, she hasn't died yet, has she? And she's 14 now."

"But what if I don't get so lucky this year, Mi? I don't want to die anymore than Lacey. Or anyone else."

"Mat, I love you too much to let you die. And in 2 years, just 2 years, I'll be old enough to provide for you fully."

That is, if I don't get chosen today.

No! That won't happen. District 5 is fairly large. They won't call me! It won't happen! It mustn't!

Nan Weatherall

No. "NO!'

Milo Toll

No. They did not just call her. And it shouldn't affect me so much. I always feel extremely sorry for the family and wish the tributes luck. Those 2 that have come back thanked me. But Nan. She looks the perfect cross between Lacey and Matilda. 13, I estimate. And so small. There's a little girl crying, and I think, at first, it's Lacey, but then I realize that the girl must be her sister. Then, all of a sudden, I know what I'm going to do. They've already called up the boy, which means there was no one there for the girl. Nan.

The boy looks 14, and lost. They're asking for volunteers. As he slumps, thinking there's no hope for him, he looks familiar as well, and I find my voice.

"I… volunteer."

Nan Weatherall

I cry with Elisa and my family before saying goodbye for good.

Milo Toll

I never wanted to see this… room, no matter how plush. It's like a pen for an animal waiting to be taken to the slaughterhouse.

I comfort my sisters. Matilda stays. "Thank you for everything. And… for Billy."

Billy. I remember why the boy was familiar. He's been around my house recently. Sweet on my sister. Well, one thing will be happy when I don't come back. Because I'm making sure that Nan comes home. Even though the price is my life.

YES! VICTORY! Good, I'm done. 2 chapters for you, and Happy 4th of July! I'm not making any promises when I'll get District 6 up though, so don't wait up.

I don't own… the Hunger Games or Nan. Weatherall. :P