Author's note: I apologize for not updating for a few days! I have been rather busy, but I think you'll quite enjoy these reapings. They're the longest I have done! Happy reading :D

Salmon Craybess, district four.

I sob uncontrollably into my pillow. Why? Why are they going to force me to do it? They found my weak spot and used it against me. But I have to be strong. I can't let Tarpon think I'm just another Capitol pawn, i have to convince him that I wanted to do it.

I wonder how my mom will react. And the rest of my family- my dad and twin brother Goby. See, my family is technically a part of why I'm having this crisis. My mom developed a new, more efficient, less expensive, fishing net. She sold the idea to the Capitol, resulting in us living quite the comfortable lifestyle. That was followed by my dad's patent on a new fishing pole. As a reward for helping to improve the fishing process in the district, the Capitol allowed my parents to open a fishing business that sold only to our district. But then, it expanded to all over Panem. So naturally, everyone knows our names. Go look in your pantry. You probably have Craybess tuna in there. Or some Craybess tilapia in your refrigerator.

Since then, our family has become a little too well known and influential in the eyes of the Capitol. I know that the Capitol sees us as a threat, because my parents talk about it all of the time. But I never thought that the Capitol would do anything as drastic as this. I mean, it is a new government, after all. With the rebellion last year, I thought that we wouldn't have to worry about Capitol threats anymore. I was mistaken.

It's the night before the reaping. My family and I were sitting at the kitchen table, discussing plans for my upcoming birthday party and who was going to volunteer for the games, while eating dinner. I've never given much thought to volunteering for the games, even though kids from my district jump at the chance for glory and riches that the games provide. Since we already live a comfortable lifestyle, it never occurred to me that I should volunteer for the hunger games before, and I thought that the rebellion meant the end of the hunger games. But I was wrong about that too. President Paylor just announced a final set of games. While we were eating dinner, someone came to the door. Not just any person. A newly elected Capitol official. And he wasn't there to break bread with us.

He asked to speak to me. My parents were wary, but agreed. He took me into our sitting room and informed me that if I didn't volunteer for the hunger games tomorrow, they would kill Tarpon. Tarpon is my boyfriend, and I would do anything for him. I could never let something so terrible happen to him. I know he would do the same thing if he was in my place. So I told the official that I would volunteer. He told me that the capitol was doing this to remind my parents that they were ultimately still in charge, no matter how influential my family became. When my parents asked what he wanted, I told them that he came to ask about my intentions of a career after finishing school, since I had flawless grades, and the Capitol was interested in offering me an internship to work at the justice building.

That was an hour ago. Now, I sit here in my room sobbing into my pillow at the realization of what is to come. I am to spend my sixteenth birthday taking part in the most dangerous game known to mankind. And the worst part is, I'm being forced to volunteer for it. My brother, Goby, hears me crying and enters my room.

"What's wrong Salm?" he asks, concerned.

"You do know that you're the best brother anyone could ask for, right Goby?" I question.

"Hey, what's this about? You should be happy! Our birthday is coming up soon!" he exclaims. Then, realization floods his face. "No Salmon. No! You can't! Mom and dad won't let you!" He always know exactly what's going on in my head.

"This isn't about them, Goby. It's about Tarpon. Remember the Capitol official that was here earlier? He said that they would kill Tarpon unless I volunteered for the games tomorrow. And you know that I can't let that happen. I would never forgive myself."

"Well if you're volunteering, so am I." he declares bravely. "I won't let you go through this alone."

"No Goby. If I don't make it out, Mom and Dad are going to need you." I say, putting my hand on his shoulder. I begin to wipe the tears off of my face.

"Tarpon isn't going to take it well. You know he'd do anything to protect you, even volunteer. And if you don't make it out, I don't think I could forgive myself." he says.

"I know. But it doesn't matter. Goby, promise me. Promise me that you won't volunteer tomorrow."

"Okay Salmon, I promise. As long as you promise to do your best to make it home."

"I promise." we say in unison.

The next day, I wake up early, surprised that I slept at all. I think the only reason I could sleep is that I know that everyone I love will be safe. My parents will have Goby, and I'm sure Tarpon will find someone else to love. Everything will be like it is now, except my presence will be erased. But life will go on. Sure, the families of most dead tributes can't ever seem to be the same, but I think that my family is different. They're strong, and they'll have each other and an entire district to lean on for support.

As I rise out of bed, I ponder how I'm most likely to die in the arena. More than likely, I'll join the careers, then end up dying by one of the other career's hands when things get tough. I just hope it's quick, and not too bloody. I don't want my family and Tarpon to have to watch that. I don't want them to remember me as a bloody piece of flesh, but rather a living breathing person. I continue to think about this as I take a shower, then proceed to get ready for the reaping. I blow-dry my hair, all the while thinking about how tedious the task is, then reminding myself that it is the last time i must perform it. I chuckle about how I have such petty issues now, and in around a weeks time, my issues will pertain to my survival. As I wrap strands of my long, golden-brown hair around the barrel of my curling iron, I burn myself. I tell myself that I must get used to pain, as I am going to endure much of it in a short while.

I get dressed and put on makeup methodically, almost robotically. I put on my favorite dress, the strapless salmon-colored one with the fluffy skirt. Tarpon says it looks gorgeous on me. He always gives me compliments, he's sweet that way. I give myself a once-over in the mirror and head downstairs. I sit at the kitchen table, unnoticed due to the vast amount of people there. My parents workers frequently come and go from my house. After a while, I get up and make myself some breakfast. Not even paying attention to what I was making. I sat down to eat and I noticed Goby was also sitting at the kitchen table. I looked up, and our eyes met. It was like looking into a mirror, except my green-blue eyes were fearful, not concerned like Goby's.

Neither of us spoke, just ate. I don't taste the food, and I throw it out after a few bites. I go out our back door, to our private beach. I stand at the edge of the water, letting the waves lap my toes. I stare out onto the horizon and watch a distant fishing boat crossing the water. Goby comes outside and puts his arm around my shoulders, in a comforting way. I realize that I really was the happiest, most fortunate girl in the world. I had a great family and a great boyfriend. Well I still have them, for now. I still have a few precious hours to spend with them.

"I called Tarpon." said Goby. "He'll be here in a few minutes. I just told him that you wanted to go to the reaping together, nothing else. If you want to tell him, it's your decision. If I were you, I would just spend this time with him, and not worry about later. Stay in the present for now. Enjoy it while you can." and with that he left. I stand on the edge of a nearby dock and wait, looking out onto the horizon once again. Only a few short minutes later, I heard someone walking towards me on the dock. I turned around to acknowledge Tarpon's arrival. I greeted him with a hug and a lengthy, passionate kiss, not caring who saw.

"it's not that I don't appreciate it, but what's with the super warm welcome? He asked, chuckling.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to see you." I giggled, and I snuggled up against his side. I'm rather skilled at hiding my emotions. But even my best attempts can't always fool Tarpon. That's why I'm always so open with him. Which is why it is killing me that I am shutting him out from what's really going on. All I really want is to tell him what's wrong, and have him hold me and tell me that everything will be alright, that he'll take care of the problem, like he always does. But in reality, I know that can't happen. Even strong, never-yielding Tarpon can't defy and defeat the Capitol alone.

"Look at me." Tarpon says. But I can't. My eyes begin to fill up with tears.i pinch my arm, close my eyes, and will the tears to go away. They do. But not before one escapes out of the corner of my eye. Tarpon gently brushes it away with his thumb, then kisses the top of my head.

"it's okay, you don't have to tell me what's wrong. Just know that I'm here if you need someone to talk to." he whispers. We decide to take a walk along the beach. This is why i love living in district four. I couldn't imagine living in a place where the beach isn't in my backyard. After a while, we start to head back in the direction of my house. We go and sit on the dock for a few minutes, just enjoying being together. After a little while, Tarpon speaks: "Hey, the reapings are starting soon. Want to go inside and watch?"

"Sure." I smile. I'm going to need to know who I'm up against, and who the other careers are. We start to head into the house, but I stop outside the door. Tarpon and I face each other, and I put a hand on his cheek and trace the outline of his nose, his jaw, every nook and cranny on his face. I try to absorb every detail, try to memorize his face, because this may be one of the last times I gaze upon it. I can tell by the look in his eyes and the crease in his brow that he is fervently attempting to figure out what's wrong. He would never guess the truth. Finally, we go inside and watch as Districts One, Two, and Three reap their tributes. I see my fellow careers, a brunette girl, a red haired girl, and two tall, blonde, muscular boys. I also watch as a strange looking blue-eyed boy is reaped, giving a devilish smile to the camera, along with a small, blonde girl. She couldn't have been older than twelve. My heart went out to her family, and another tear escaped my eye as I watched in horror how nobody volunteered in her place. She looked so small and scared, I wished I could just reach inside the television and hold her. Chances are, I am going to be meeting her very soon. I vow to myself that I will not be the one to kill her. Besides, the mayor of District One announced that eight of us would survive. I prayed that she would be among those eight. If it came down to it, I would kill myself and let her live. I couldn't explain it, but I felt some kind of bond between us. I felt like I had to protect her.

After we watched the reapings, Goby, Tarpon, and I head out the door, saying goodbye to my parents, who were in the middle of some business stuff with some of their employees. They would come to the reaping too, just a little later. They wouldn't be there to see their only daughter volunteer. They would arrive in time to say goodbye.

I tried to make things as lively as possible on our way to the reaping, knowing that these were the kind of memories that were going to get me through the games. We made our way to the town square, and when we get close enough, we can see our district escort on stage. The town square is located in the middle of the fishing market. Don't ask me why they decided to put the justice building in the middle of such a strongly-scented place. The stench of the fish market is...indescribable. It would be an overwhelming scent for anyone not from our district, which is why our district escort's nose is constantly wrinkled in disgust. Her name is Melody, and she is actually very friendly, though you wouldn't be able to tell by the looks of her sometimes. Her appearance is typical Capitolian, her hair a gamut of silver and gold tones. She most always has a very stern look on her face, because she takes her job very seriously. However, in private she is quite the lively individual. We had her over for dinner a few times over the years, and she is always full of charming anecdotes about her responsibilities as district escort. I do rather enjoy her company, and that will be one of the few positive aspects of volunteering for the games.

Goby realizes that Melody is trying to start the reaping, so he tells us that we should go to our age sections. I fiercely kiss Tarpon, knowing it is the one of the very last times I will be allowed such a privilege. I try to cheer myself up by saying that there are dozens of girls who would kill for this opportunity, but it doesn't do much to ease the pain. Tarpon heads to the sixteens, and Goby to the fifteens boys, while I head over to the fifteens girls section, staring intently at the ground as Melody reaches into the reaping ball and pulls out a girl's name, one I do not hear, as I am too focused on what I am about to do. It's now or never, Craybess. I tell myself. FOR TARPON! I yell in my head. I muster my strength and a loud "I VOLUNTEER!" erupts from my vocal chords. I see Tarpon's head snap in my direction, as a look of realization dawns on his face. It's the same look Goby had last night. No Salmon, no. He mouths. Why Salmon? His face begins to show pain and betrayal. I can't bear to look at him anymore, so I turn towards the stage and bravely force myself to march up and onto it. As hard as I try, I can't prevent a tear from falling out of the corner of my eye. He'll understand eventually, that I didn't have a choice. I find Goby's face in the crowd, and i realize what he's about to do. No. I mouth. Goby, you promised. He tries to ignore me, intent on doing what he wants. Thats his mortal flaw: his stubborn ways.

No one knows exactly how to react. Everyone is shocked, including Melody. I can't bring myself to look at all of those disbelieving faces anymore, so I stare at the ground.

The next thing I know, Melody is pulling a name out of the boy's reaping ball. I don't hear that name either. However, I do hear a struggle breaking out in the crowd, so I look up again. To my horror, I see Goby and Tarpon fighting over who is going to volunteer, over who can protect me better. They don't hurt each other too much before some other boys break it up. Goby promised not to volunteer. I cant believe he is trying to break that promise. Tarpon begins loudly arguing with Goby, saying how it was his responsibility to protect me, and Goby's responsibility to stay with our parents and help them deal with their only daughter being thrown into the games. Eventually, Goby backed off, and Tarpon walked up to the stage. He looked at me, but I couldn't force myself to return his gaze. His eyes would be full of pain, a pain that I caused. I loved him too much to not care.

Before I could fully process what was happening, we were being ushered off of the stage and into the justice building.

The goodbyes

The goodbyes were a blur. I can't really remember anything except tears, and hugging, and last minute advice. What I do remember is that I told them why I volunteered, and they understood. They both agreed that they would have done the same in my place, and made me promise to fight so that Tarpon and I come home as soon as possible. After that, the peacekeeper had to escort my parents out. My mother was hysterical. It broke my heart to know that I caused pain to all of the people I loved. All I can do now is try my best to make my way home with Tarpon, and I would do just about anything to make it happen.

The train ride

POV Tarpon Buoy, age 17

Why won't she let me in? Why does she put up walls when she's hurting? She should have come to me and told me that she was contemplating volunteering. Instead, she just does it, thinking everything will be okay? Why did she even volunteer anyway? It makes no sense. The Salmon I know and fell in love with wouldn't do this. There has to be something else going on. She isn't a glory hound, and she has no desire for riches. I want her to tell me what's happening, but she won't even let me into her room, let alone her mind. She doesn't understand how much I love her. Ugh, If she would just let me in! I knock on her door yet again. There is no response, yet again. I slump against the wall as a few stray tears make their way down my face. "Salmon, please!" I cry out. "Just let me in!"

Salmon POV

Each time he knocks on my door, my heart breaks even further. Hearing him cry out- I can't take it anymore. I slowly open the door and see that he has been crying too. I try not to show any emotion, but the wall I've built just comes crashing down. I collapse into his arms, sobbing. He begins to try to comfort me, stroking my hair, mumbling comforting words into the top of my head. I take him into my room and close the door. We sit on my bed for some time. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours. He doesn't ask questions, he just sits there, holding me.

Tarpon POV

I can see it in her eyes- I was right. Something is wrong, and I can tell it is causing her pain. I know that she'll talk about it when she's ready, and I will be here for her. Finally, she speaks.

"Tarpon?" she whispers.

"Yes?" I breathe back.

"Why did you volunteer?" she asks.

"Because I couldn't let you do this alone. If anything happened to you, I don't know what I would do." I explain.

"That's what I figured. We'll get through this. I promise." She says, resignedly. She then takes a deep breath and explains why she volunteered. After she is done, she looks at me, trying to determine my reaction. I am in shock. There is no way that this is true. It can't be. But I can see it in her eyes. It is. Of course it is. There is no other way she would volunteer, unless it was for a selfless reason. She volunteered so that I would be safe. But she never considered the fact that I would volunteer. She looks at me curiously, and I realize that she is waiting for a response. I also realize that I would have done the same thing in her position. I look at her and smile, saying "Salmon Craybess, you are the most selfless, courageous, beautiful girl I know. And I don't deserve you. I really don't." She throws herself into my arms and says "Tarpon, you really do. You deserve me, and so much more." I breathe a sigh of relief, as things are back to normal. Well as normal as they could be, under the circumstances. We share a kiss, but pull away when we hear the door opening. It's Melody, telling us that it's time for lunch, and the reapings are playing again. She looks embarrassed; I think she could tell that she interrupted something. Nevertheless, Salmon and I interlock fingers and head off to the dining room with Melody in the lead. When we arrive at the dining room, I hold the door open for the Melody, and then Salmon. When Salmon passes, she kisses me on the cheek and whispers into my ear: "I love you Tarpon. And I always will." I say it back, not missing a beat, and confident that we will make it through this. Together.