I made my way to the crowd, the very first thing I did was look for him. I searched every boys face for his; he didn't seem to be anywhere till I noticed him. He was in the middle of a bunch of boys his age. I was relieved just to see him, his blonde hair and his pale face, all the things so usual yet so profoundly him. No one's nose curved the same, no one's lips had just that shade, he was uniquely himself, unlike any other.

Ignoring the Peacekeepers whom were yelling instructions I headed right towards him. In another universe I would have grabbed him and kissed the hell out of him but in this one I just stood behind him silently. He didn't notice me but kept staring straight forward towards the stage.

The 'stage' was really just the front of the Justice Building but every Reaping they used it as their stage. Effie Trinket, an overly dressed woman with an unsettling pink wig, was the announcer of the event. Every year with her Capitol accent that was unlike any other, she would tell us 'May the odds be ever in your favor.' But of course they never were.

I put my hand on Peeta's back, he nearly jumped. When he turned around and looked at me he looked cautiously at his older brother. I knew I shouldn't risk anything so I just smiled at him and moved further into the crowd. I just wished he knew how tightly I wanted to hold him at this moment.

To distract myself I looked over to Katniss. She stood stone faced but I knew underneath it all she was worried shitless. It was Prims first year and Katniss's biggest nightmare. She looked over seemingly passing over faces until her eyes met my own. I gave her a smile, I wished I could give her the strength for the upcoming events, but nothing would make this political atrocity better.

I mouthed 'you okay?' she nodded with a slight smile. We both turned forward was the crowd began to settle, the sign that Effie Trinket now stood center stage. A microphone in from of her face and the dull background not aiding her outfit in the slightest. She tapped the microphone causing an echoing screech to come from the speakers.

I glanced around for Peeta one last time, I imprinted this moment into my memory. If I ever needed a part of him it would now lay within my reach, it would never be as good as him but it would be something to remember him by. Remembering the note I moved my hand to my pocket, I felt the paper threw the fabric of my pants. I had something tangible as well. My love for this one boy would not fade.

"Welcome, Welcome." Effie said into the microphone in a cheerful voice that would and could not ever be meant for an occasion such as this. Did she know she was the person who picked the ones the government slaughters. "Happy Hunger Games!"

The crowd was silent, if a pen were to fall at that moment it would have echoed. This was a less than happy event, sometimes I wondered how people grew so delusional.

"We have a speech by our very own President Snow!" Effie cued the projector and the screen that was rolled out on the right side of the stage lit up. It was the same video we were forced to watch every year. I looked at Katniss who was in turn looking at me and I mouthed 'war terrible war' right before President Snow's voice filled the air.

I watched and as I did my nerves rose to my throat, my face grew hot, and my composure nearly dropped entirely. I had to pull myself together and by the end of the video my calm facade was back up. I adjusted my stance and returned my attention to the stage.

"Now as always let's start with the girls?" Effie seemed in an even better mood then past years. She almost looked as if she was skipping to the clear glass bowl full of names. She stirred for several seconds which seemed to last for minutes. I sighed wishing she would just get on with it; this world couldn't get any worse. She unraveled the piece of paper slowly as she went back to her microphone. "Primrose Everdeen."

I looked immediately over at Katniss, her face went from shock to realization. Prim who I couldn't see from my point of view must have had the same reaction. I saw her several moments later with a Peace Keeper on opposite sides as she walked down the path cleared between the girls and the boys. Tears streaked down her face and I saw Katniss erupt from the crowd. Forcing herself threw everyone else she screamed, "Prim! Prim!"

Prim glanced back taking in her sisters reaction. She took a deep breath as the Peace Keepers pushed her forward and tried to push Katniss back.

"Prim!" Katniss shouted one last time as she fought off the Peace Keepers. "I volunteer."

I didn't think this was possible, my entire body refused to move an inch. My breath seemed to come in short weak spurts and my stomach seemed to have tightened to the point of pain. I felt acid rising in my throat.

"I volunteer as Tribute!" Katniss shouted again. The Peace Keepers backed off and allowed her forward.

"NO!" Prim shouted after her sister and attempted to run to her. Before I knew what I was doing I ran for it. I went into the path and pulled Prim to me. I felt her scrapping at my arms trying to tear her way threw me to her sister. I lifted her onto my shoulder and turned away from Katniss.

"Well, Well District 12's very first volunteer!" Effie shouted happily. Prim's sobs worsened and I kept walking away. Breaking my heart and tearing it from the one of the only people I truly loved. I took Prim to her mother. Effie said a few more things about Katniss that I missed as I tried to force Prim to the ground. At first she refused to let go of me, but her mother's gently hands pulled her toward her mother's welcoming embrace.

I made my way teary eyed to the group. I felt hands reach out and touch me, a comforting touch I was sure but I was beyond comforting. My best friend was up for the slaughter and god knows whose child was going to be her murderer. A factory worker perhaps? Or many a son from the inner districts? She was dead, no matter how you looked at it she was dead.

I took one step at a time till I was in the middle of the crowd again. Effie was at the other clear glass bowl for the boys. At that moment I prayed to be picked, to die protecting Katniss was preferred over starving to death.

Effie went up to the microphone again with hopefully the slip of paper with my name on it in her hand and she unraveled it. I closed my eyes and waited for the announcement, but when the name was called it was the very last person I could stand to be called.

Peeta Mellark.

My boy with his bread, the baker's son, the boy I loved was off to the slaughter.

*Authors note: This has been a long wait for this chapter and I am so sorry but I hoped you enjoyed it. Gale just breaks my heart.