I stayed awake all night. I couldn't fall asleep. Eventually, I just sat against my bedroom door, listening to the hushed whispers of my family and friends.

"She is clearly not ready."

"Without Percy, she won't be able to concentrate."

"Are you sure he was unloading Trackerjackets?"

"Did you really see Peacekeepers entering a room that read Captive 17?"

"Yes and No."

I just sat there. The male voice I couldn't place and who I assumed was Finnick soon joined.

Before I knew it, the sun peeked into the window, and I knew I had to start getting ready. I didn't bother brushing my hair, and just threw it up. I grabbed my reaping outfit from last year-A pastel purple sundress-and put it on.

I slipped into my hunting boots, and walked into the living room. Everyone was already standing there, waiting for me. I nodded to let then know I was fine, then we went outside. Freyna started fussing about my hair, and ended up braiding a tiger lily into my hair. It was the tiger lily Percy gave me while we were studying under our parents. I still remember that day...

It was cool, and we had went back to New York for what Athena had call 'Mid-Millenia Break.' Halfway through, after Percy visited his great-great-great-great so on grandkids and convinced them he was a ghost, we went to Virginia.

I was devastated when I found that my old neighborhood had been taken down, but Percy found a way. Amist the rubble, he found a fully bloomed tiger lily and gave it to me. Boy, when Aphrodite found out, she convinced Demeter to enchant it so it would never wilt.

I was snapped back to reality when Freyna yanked at a knot. I yelped, then giggled.

When we made it into the square, I followed Katniss behind the stage.

"Once Effnia introduces us," she began. "Go ahead and follow me onstage, then sit in the chair next to me. Got it?"

"Yes!" I exclaimed, pulling a pretty convincing smile.

"Good."

We heard the beginning, the video. Then Effnia introduced the victors.

"Our Victors, Katniss Everdeen of the 74th and 75th games, and Annabeth Chase of the 100th Games!"

I forced myself on stage, but I broke. Just because Percy was kidnapped he wasn't a Victor? The whole world began to sway before my eyes as Effnia walked over to the girls jar.

"The lucky female tribute for District 12 is..." She reached in. "Abi Hendrix!"

The girl from the woods-and mines-walked out of the 14 square, tears streaming down her face. She walked clumsily toward the stage, then tried wiping her eyes.

"Okay, over to the boys!" Effnia exclaimed, walking to the other side of the stage.

I held my breath as she reached into the bowl, but I already knew the outcome.

"Gavin Resida."

Then, before Gavin even walked out of the 17 square, a weak voice called out-

"I volunteer as tribute!"