Hey everyone, just want to start by saying thanks for the reviews! It really does make me motivated to write the chapters quickly.

Also, I just wanted to answer a question I've had from a couple of reviewers about District 2 tribute Andromeda Ryan. These reviewers asked why Andromeda had to volunteer for her sister, when normally there are many girls in District 2 willing to volunteer?

Well it's because, as I referenced in the chapter, with my portrayal of District 2 respect for a family name can be gained or lost by whether your family members compete in the Hunger Games. It's also a sign of honour in District 2 to volunteer for a younger sibling if they are reaped. So Andromeda knew that she had to volunteer, otherwise her father would most likely kick her out for bringing shame to the family. Also, she of course wants to protect her sister. Furthermore, most other families would generally respect this enough to give Andromeda a chance to volunteer, which is why no other girl from District 2 put themselves forward so quickly. This will be expanded upon in other chapters.

Hope that clears that up, and hope you enjoy this chapter!

District 12 Tributes:

Natasha Trent (17)

Alex Trent (17)

(Twelve years ago)

Peacekeeper Burke knocked three times on the wooden door, and stood back, awaiting an answer. Him and Peacekeeper Cobb were standing at the door of one of the houses in an area of District 12 near the seam. The family living here would be poor, but certainly not amongst the poorest in the district. Next to Cobb stood a three year old girl named Natasha Maxwell.

The door opened, and a scared looking woman of about thirty-three years of age poked her head round the door.

"Mrs Lena Trent?" Burke asked.

The woman nodded, looking scared.

"We come from the Capitol. This is Natasha Maxwell." Burke said as he pointed at the little girl. "Natasha's parents recently perished in a fire, and the Capitol orphanage is overcrowded. Therefore the Capitol has started a new programme where districts will take in orphans from the Capitol to live with them, especially if they are… trouble."

Lena looked at the little girl. She was a sad looking child, so Lena wondered what the peacekeepers meant. What she didn't know was that no-one in the Capitol had wanted to take in this child, as she was aggressive towards other children and rude to adults.

"But I can't take a child in! I'm a single parent with one child to feed already! I can't afford it!" Lena said with worry written all over her face.

"Capitol's orders ma'am. You have no choice in this matter" Cobb replied as they began to walk off.

"Wait, please!" Lena called after them, but her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Lena looked at young Natasha Maxwell, who stared right back at her.

"Are you my new Mommy? She asked.

(Day of the reapings)

"Give me all your money now! Hand it over before I slit your pathetic throat!"

Alex Trent was holding a sickle, pointing it right at the throat of a man who had been unfortunate enough to walk down this particular alleyway in the Seam. Alex was an asian boy who stood at 6 ft 5, with spiky black hair and brown eyes, and right now he was wearing a bandana that was covering his face. He looked very intimidating.

The rest of the gang were stood circled around the innocent man. "Please" the man pleaded. "I have barely a dollar to my name! I have a family to feed!"

"Shut up!" Alex shouted, as he gestured to one of the gang members, who was standing behind the man, and nodded as he gave him a sharp kick to the back of his right leg, making him crumple to the ground as he screamed in pain.

Alex knelt down and wrapped the sickle right around his throat. "So… changed your mind yet?" he said with no emotion on his face whatsoever.

The man, who was now very visibly trembling, scrambled around in his pocket and pulled out two one dollar notes. Alex snatched them out of his hand as he stood up.

"This is all you've got? Don't mess me around!" Alex shouted as he delivered a hard kick to the man's stomach, causing the man to choke heavily.

"That's enough Alex!" Natasha said firmly. Alex's adopted twin sister. She was a beautiful young woman, despite her rough appearence, tall, with long golden blonde hair set against her pale skin, with gorgeous dark blue eyes. She also still had a slight Capitol accent from when she was younger that she had never quite managed to shake off.

Alex calmed down visibly as Natasha spoke, although the anger was still burning in his eyes. "Stay out of this Natasha. It's not your place to get involved."

"It's almost time for the reapings! You don't want a repeat of last year do you?"

The year before on reaping day, Alex refused to go, saying he wasn't bothered, and made the rest of the gang do the same. The peacekeepers came and kicked their door in, before forcibly dragging everyone to the district centre. The gang, especially Alex and Natasha Trent, were well known amongst peacekeepers for the trouble they caused around the district.

Alex lowered his sickle. "Fine." He looked at the man, who was still shaking on the ground.

"It's your lucky day pal! Let's go!" he ordered to the rest of the gang.

As they walked along, Natasha moved alongside Alex. "You've got to be more careful Alex! All that noise will attract peacekeepers and…"

Alex zoned out as she talked. He was used to her telling him off, and he didn't particularly like it. Nonetheless he still attempted to listen every time.

"I know sis, i'm sorry." he said gruffly. Natasha was probably the only person in the world who Alex would listen to.

Natasha smiled at Alex. As they made their way towards the district centre and exited the seam, Natasha noticed their old house, and felt a pang of pain as repressed memories surfaced.

Ever since that day that she had been dropped off at that district 12 house, life had become very different for the girl previously known as Natasha Maxwell. Whisked away from the Capitol and put in the poorest district in Panem, the change was quite harrowing for her. She was raised by Lena, who had always held a grudge against Natasha for being forced upon her. As a result Natasha had grown up unloved and uncared for.

However, she had found comfort over the years in her adopted twin brother, Alex Trent. Despite being an aggressive boy with not many real feelings to his name, Natasha had gotten through to him over their childhood, and the two had developed a remarkable bond.

Natasha shuddered as she remembered the day she had turned 13. Lena had decided it was time that Natasha should start paying her way, by selling her body to men. But as she was about to be assaulted by the first man who had paid for her, Alex had found them and confronted the man. As a result, Alex stabbed him through the chest, killing him.

Two days later, Lena Trent abandoned Alex and Natasha, and ran away. It was at that point that Alex had decided to form the gang, dedicated to stealing and committing any other crimes that took their fancy. They had not seen their Mother since.

As they reached the centre, Natasha was actually surprised. The centre had been decorated more than usual, although this was by District 12 standards. Their district was still bound to be the worst looking in Panem.

The gang parted ways and joined their respective sections for the reapings. Alex was feeling moody, ready to lash out at the next kid that so much as touched him. He hated all of this.

Look at that pathetic creature! He thought to himself, as he audibly laughed as the escort, who was wearing a ridiculous pink suit. Many kids around him backed away as he laughed his rather maniacally. Everyone knew who Alex Trent was.

"So let's start with the girls!" The escort announced brightly.

The whole district held their breaths in anticipation, apart from Alex, who could have even been classed as looking bored.

"The female tribute is… Natasha Trent!"

What?! Alex screamed in his head, as he spun his head round to confirm what he had just heard. Sure enough, Natasha was walking towards the stage, looking shocked.

Alex had barely had time to register what had happened before another name was announced.

"Alex Trent!"

He heard his name, and as he began walking towards the stage, the reality dawned on him. He was going into the Hunger Games with his twin sister.

"What's your name young man?" the escort asked excitedly.

Alex completely ignored him, instead glaring fiercely. The escort got the message, and quickly announced "Your tributes for District 12 everybody! Happy Hunger Games!"

As District 12 gave its obligatory clap, Natasha was still shocked. How could they have both been reaped? Neither of them had ever taken out tesserae, Alex had forbidden it…

Then suddenly, it hit her. The reaping must have been rigged! She thought, the idea of it making more and more sense by the minute.

She was still pondering this as her and Alex were led away to the Justice Building.