Sierra Moon's POV

"ARTEMIS!" I called, knocking on my friend's door.

"Sierra?" She asked, confused once she opened the door. "Oh, right, it's Reaping day. Come on in."

I always stay with Artemis on Reaping Day. Well, ever since I became friends with the girl. You see, my mom died giving birth to me, and I guess that made my dad fall off of the edge or something. Ever since, my dad has hated me. Last year, my sister Sarah died in the games. My dad started blaming me, saying she would still be alive if I volunteered for her. I used to live part time with my friends, and when I wasn't Sarah would protect me from dad. Now that she's dead, I live with my friends full time.

I hated seeing my sister die on-screen. No one suspected that petty girl, Elliot, from District 5 to last until the final four. But, she did, and literally backstabbed my sister. Elliot was killed later by last year's Victor, Thompson from District 1, but I still despise her. However, I try to look on the bright side, and I became sort of an optimist.

"You ready for the Reaping today?" Artemis's mom, Chyrrll, asked us.

"Uh-huh!" I exclaimed, eating breakfast with Artemis's family. I didn't tell any of them I was going to volunteer.

After we helped clean the dishes, Artemis and I walked upstairs to her room, where we got ready for the Reaping. I wore a white top with a green skirt and black knee high boots. Artemis slipped on a silver dress and black flats. I brushed and braided Artemis's dirty blond hair, and she did mine.

We talked and laughed until one o'clock, when Chyrrll called for us to come downstairs. We walked out of the door, into the crisp morning air, making away to the square.

"Hey! Artemis! Si!" Courtney called, running up to us. "Are you worried? I know I am! Even though I'm probs not going to get Reaped, I'm still nervous ya'know?"

"I get it," I sighed.

"Hey! Don't leave without me!" Marie cried, trying to run in her heels. We all laughed.

We hopped in line, and signed in. Marie and I were walking towards the 15 square when there was a tap on my shoulder.

"Hey, Sierra!" Keith exclaimed.

"Oh, hey Keith," I told him. We stared into each other's eyes, his green and mine blue. "Good luck in The Reaping."

"You too!" He laughed before walking over to the boys side.

As I walked into the 15 square, I noticed Marisol giving me a dirty look. She believes I stole her boyfriend, Keith, but I didn't. She actually tried to attack me with a knife earlier, but I easily won. No one has ever tried to bully me again, unless it was verbal. The bells tolled, showing it was two, and our Escort walked onto the stage. We had a new one this year, and I wondered how it was going to work out.

"Happy Hunger Games!" She called out, her dyed ginger hair whipping in the wind. "I am your new escort, Liliz, and we'll start with the ladies." She walked over to one of the Reaping bowls, and pulled out a slip. "The female tribute for District 9 is..."

"I volunteer as tribute!" I called out, a smile on my face.

Time to avenge my sister.

Nite Minous's POV

"Nite?" I heard my mom call, knocking on my door. "Come on, come eat breakfast with us! It's the least you can do on Reaping Day!"

"Yeah, fine," I muttered.

"Okay, I'll see you downstairs."

Annoyed, I walked to the other side of the room and grabbed my Reaping outfit. I quickly slipped it on, a slightly nice looking black shirt and khaki pants. I opened my door slightly, and slipped into the hallway. Why am I sneaking around? Well, you don't know if Cerberus or a frost giant is going to pop out of nowhere. I walked down the stairs, and sat down at the table. Mom kept piling my plate higher, which I didn't like, but didn't mind either. My dad just sat there, waiting for a chance to tell me to 'Shut up, grow up, and stop talking about what's fake.' In my opinion, it's not my fault his heart will get eaten when weighed against the feather of truth.

Mom ruffled my black hair, and pushed her hand away.

"You're not real, Zeus is just testing me," I accidentally let slip.

"Shut up, grow up, and stop talking about what's fake," My dad told me.

I kept quiet again after that, which was normal for me.

"Nite, you need to go to school tomorrow, no excuses." Mom told me.

"It's not real anyways," I muttered, excusing myself from the table.

I sat down on the couch, and put my head in my hands. This isn't real, this isn't real, this isn't real!

Sierra Moon's POV

"And what's your name, miss?" Liliz asked.

"I'm Sierra Moon!" I exclaimed into the mic.

"Okay then! Hello, Sierra. Anyways, the male tribute for District 9 is..." she paused. "Nite Minous!

A short, thin boy walked out of the 13 square, shrugging his shoulder. I saw a woman crying in the crowd, and I guess it was his mom. He walked onto the stage, and stared at me with brown eyes.

"Our Tributes for district 9!"

Justice Building

"Sierra!" Artemis cried, running in with Courtney and Marie on her tail. "Why did you volunteer? Why, why, why?"

"Is it because of your dad?" Marie asked.

"It was because of my sister," I told them. "I will avenge her death, or die trying!"

"Why couldn't you wait until you were older or more experienced?" Marie asked. My face started burning, I hadn't thought of that.

"Too late now," I gave a nervous laugh.

"Sierra, please," Artemis begged. "If you die trying, remember you have great friends, and we're cheering for you all the way!"

Courtney and Marie nodded in agreement, and I smiled.

"Thank you!" I exclaimed, hugging them all. "There couldn't be better friends!"

"Time's up," the Peacekeeper told us. We told our sad goodbyes, then Keith walked in.

"Sierra..."

"I know, and I'm sorry," I told him.

"Hey, if you do die, I'll make sure I'm not too desperate to date Marisol," He told me, a smile on his face. "Anyways, do you want a token?"

"What could you possibly have?" I asked.

"What about a shoelace?"

I laughed at that. "I think I'll do without one."

"Well, good luck!"

Nite Minous's POV

"Mom?" I asked as she walked in the door.

"Nite! Oh, I'm so sorry for this!" She wept.

"It's fine," I told her. "This must just be Zeus's final test!" She looked at me with sad eyes.

"No matter what your father says, I want you to know," she began. "I want you to do you. Like what you want to, believe what you want to, die if you have to. But never give up hope."

She gave me a squeeze, and my last thought as she left was You're not real.