Chapter 2

Brooklyn

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. While I'd always known I could be chosen for the games, I'd promised myself my chances were so low that I was almost certainly safe.

And River, his name was up there too. He would be in danger too. We would be in the arena together. I knew I was strong and smart and had a fighting chance but because I did, I was sentencing my beloved, gentle brother to die. Only one of us, maybe, would survive.

And my mother. What would happen to her? With both children gone, no one would be able to help her, to hide her craziness. She would be taken away for sure.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, I almost didn't notice the peacekeepers who grabbed my arms and marched me onto the stage. I tripped going up the stairs, my boot catching on the uneven metal. I hear River's gasps, his promises we would be fine. But nothing he could say would convince me. We were not going to be fine. We wouldn't be coming home. I swallowed, my throat dry, and turned to look at him. He wasn't struggling, just hanging limply. He reached his hand towards mine but was yanked away as we were dragged to the center of the platform. Tjara looked sympathetic, Elleston looked bored. I could faintly hear the crowd's gasps and murmurs and knew they felt for our plight.

"Would anyone like to volunteer as tribute for Brooklyn Cassidy?" Elleston asked. I took a deep breath. No one said anything. This was supposed to be a career district. Why was no one volunteering? I looked out of the crowd. Most people looked sad, but none willing to take our places.

"River Cassidy?" No one.

"Then I present to you, District Four's tributes for the Twenty-seventh annual Hunger Games!"

I realized then I should be struggling. I was a fighter, not a coward. These people were forcing a brother and sister to kill each other. As uniformed men grabbed my arms, I closed my fist and punched as hard as I could. My hand connected with something squishy. A second later, a groan burst forth from someone and my left arm was released. Seeing a booted foot in the corner of my vision, I stomped down as hard as I could, earning a howl of pain. I wasn't sure what I was trying to accomplish but it felt good to struggle, to show the world Brooklyn Cassidy wouldn't be going down without a fight.

River

I've never felt prouder of my sister than when she punched the daylights out of that peacekeeper. She'd always been a fighter, never one for following the rules so naturally, she wouldn't let them take her. It was a short-lived victory. After a few more good hits, a large man hit Brook with a stun gun, knocking her out instantly.

As we were dragged from the stage, my eyes met my mother's. I was momentarily shocked to see her there, but got over it. Although I couldn't hear what she was saying, I could read lips pretty well.

Protect her. Over and over.

I nodded before a peacekeeper yanked me down the stairs, causing me to trip and flail like a fish in a net. I heard snickers from someone behind me as my hand came in contact with the sharp metal edge of the stairs, splitting my palm open. The smell of salty blood flooded my nose. Gritting my teeth, I got to my feet and obediently followed the officers into the back of the truck, ignoring the sharp pang in my hand.

As the doors closed behind me, I caught a glimpse of someone… my mother, rushing towards the truck, a look of desperation on her face. She was fighting tooth and claw against the peacekeepers trying to restrain her, screaming, "My babies! You can't take them away!" I heard the crack of a gun and watched her eyes go dark, her body limp, as a bubble of red blossomed against the pale skin of her forehead. Then the doors shut, leaving me in darkness.

Chapter 2.5

The Tributes

D1F: Glory (17, Career)

D1M: Shade (18, Career)

D2F: Olivia (15, Career)

D2M: Rex (18, Career)

D3F: Annella (15, allied with Sori)

D3M: Nolen (14, Career)

D4F: Brooklyn (18, Career)

D4M: River (17, allied with Emmelie and Carter)

D5F: Sori (14, allied with Annella)

D5M: Attorius (15, loner)

D6F: Emmelie (13, allied with River and Carter)

D6M: Carter (17, allied with Emmelie and River)

D7F: Tori (17, loner)

D7M: Maxon (16, allied with Anagi)

D8F: Catarina (13, allied with Enna, Rahnil, and Wren)

D8M: Anagi (14, allied with Maxon)

D9F: Amber (12, loner)

D9M: Salvatore (14, loner)

D10F: Enna (14, allied with Rahnil, Wren, and Catarina)

D10M: Rahnil (16, allied with Enna, Wren, and Catarina)

D11F: Tess (12, loner)

D11M: Wren (18, allied with Rahnil, Catarina, and Enna)

D12F: Indigo (16, allied with Ember)

D12M: Ember (17, allied with Indigo)

FYI: I'm too lazy to come up with last names for all of them. Sorry. But River and Brook's last name is Cassidy, even though that has nothing to do with fishing.