Coilee Undergaze, 18, D2

I feel most at ease when I'm with my family. No matter what, no matter how life changes, they're always there for me. It may sound dramatic but I would even willingly die for them.

That's why I have to face my destiny with a willing heart.

It's not what most girls my age imagine will happen to them. In our district, volunteering was supposed to be something honorable, the product of years of hard work, perseverance, and never backing down no matter what. I always imagined that for myself if I were to be lucky enough to be the chosen volunteer one day. But I don't want it to be like this. I didn't want to be forced into something like this, something that concerns life or death. But this is a matter of life of death, not just for me but for my whole family. I would never want them to be harmed, even if I turn into a sort of sacrificial lamb for them.

I suppose I shouldn't be telling you this, it's not like there's anything you can do. But why do I have to suffer for the mistakes of another person, especially my own father? I'm not his keeper. It should be the other way around. It isn't my fault he makes bad decisions.

I shouldn't be thinking like this. My family will get to survive because of me. I should be thankful that we aren't all ending up dead. I always stand up to people who threaten my family, it's one of the ways I like to show my hidden strength that most people don't assume I even have.

If becoming the female tribute is the way to show my strength, so be it.

…

The tendrils of sleep engulf me before I can become too miserable imagining what is soon going to be the near future.

…

Mom and Dad are with me in the living room, cheerfully engaging in some conversation that I've long lost track of. I just like to see their smiling faces, delighting in their laughter that comes often. My sister Megara sits on my lap despite the fact that's close to twelve years old. She always tells me that no matter what, she's the baby. With her rosy cheeks and my overprotectiveness of her, she may as well be.

The sky outside sparkles brightly in all kinds of colors. A streak of bright purple catches my eye, as does an explosion of glittery rain, almost like a dying comet. I can't help but feel like it's a bad omen, despite its beauty.

Life seems a little too perfect.

Then, without warning a group of men burst into our living room, all holding guns that look much bulkier than the ones the Peacekeepers carry. Old-world weaponry floats into my mind from my slew of firearms knowledge ingrained in me from years of school.

They're all wearing black, and look grimly at me and my parents. Once we're all surrounded my sister is grabbed off my lap and held by the tallest man, who has a large, unsettling scar running down his face and horns on his forehead. He holds a knife to her throat as tears start to escape her delicate grey eyes. I turn and notice my parents being held in the same way. They aren't making any noises of struggle or even shouting for help. They just stare deep into my soul with empty, tear-filled eyes. A pit begins to form in my stomach as I resist the urge to faint.

"Coilee Undergaze," one of the men addresses me, holding a long, curved blade. "We came to inform you that a debt is due to be paid." He flashes a toothy grin, but soon all his teeth slip from his mouth and clatter onto the floor with a tink-tink-tink. Sharp fangs grow in their place.

I try to reply, but he raises a finger to silence me.

"Before you say anything, just know that this isn't your fault," the man tells me with a hollow voice as he hands me the knife. I gingerly take it, briefly considering killing him and everyone else who is doing this to us before realizing that would never work with how much my fingers are trembling.

"Now," he sneers, turning to my restrained family. "Who would you like to die?"

"No one!" I instantly answer, dropping the knife. "Just leave us alone and go home!"

"Not an acceptable answer," he says coldly. "Choose someone or we'll kill you and every other Undergaze in this room."

"Why?!" I demand, tears cascading down my ashen cheeks. "Why is this happening?"

A sudden burning sensation erupts in my lower abdomen. The same knife that was given to me is now buried deep into my side.

How did that get there? I was pretty positive I dropped it or something…

"Oh, well, that works," the man says, motioning for his minions to release my family. Through my increasingly blurry vision I see them gaze down at me, their expressions stony and foreboding.

Why aren't they helping me? I'm dying!

"Thank you, Coilee," my mother finally says, her familiar warm smile being anything but comforting to me at the moment. "Now the debt is repaid and we can all go about our lives."

A sudden wave of realization washes over me. I had completely forgotten about the debt in my foolishness. This was good, then. Now that I am gone my family can finally live in peace. It isn't like many people will miss me anyway, I suppose.

…

I awaken with a miserable fever and headache. That was a horrific nightmare to experience so close to the Games, and it didn't make me feel any better waking from it because my reality is just as grim, if not more.

At least my brain had the consideration to let me die surrounded by family in my dreams. In the arena, I'd probably die alone, cursing the day my father ever allowed my future to be destroyed.

Second chapter, hope you liked it. Keep those submissions coming! Thank you for reading! :)

-Aemma