I'm so sorry for not updating. But this is an extra-long chapter to make up for that. I would really love more reviews, PLEASE! Let me know what you think about the story and how I could improve. I thought I better add some Gale into the story but I'm not going to portray him as he is in love with Katniss I think in more of a brother way will make the story flow more. Thank you to those who have been leaving me reviews it means so much.

Katniss POV

It been a few week since the whole 'break in and steal Adam from Justice Building' and I have been surprised more than once but Cato. I use to refer him as the brute or killing machine but after our little conversation in the hob well it's just Cato now. I didn't see what people talk about, the things he does and have did. I didn't see anything of the Cato from the arena. I just saw a man trying to live, trying to survive in our horrible world. This does not mean that we are friends or ever aquatints. It does not mean that I fear him or understand how he is, how he works. It certainly does not change my view on the people living in two but this has changed my thought and what I think that this man could be. I use to think the Cato was a cold hearted person with not care for anyone but now I think that what people see is much different to what is there. Maybe he could be a man with a heart, only if people push and look past the rest of what is there.

The sound of nothing in the community home is painfully loud. Today is the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games and I can tell that all the older kids are scared for their life with the younger ones not knowing what's going on but are getting nerves because everyone else is. It's an understatement to say I'm anything but nerves I don't feel like eating what little food is in front of me and my hand is shaking so much if I did eat the food would go everywhere. Tom notices and reaches for my hand,

'You will be fine Katniss'

'Yeah, yeah I know. Just concerned for the kids' I indicate turning my head to look at all the kids.

'Hey, just remember I had lots of slips like you and all these kids and I didn't get picked' Toms last year at the reaping was the 73rd Hunger Games so this year he is safe but still has to watch. 'And if one of these kids does have to go then we remember the good times not the sad parts.' I know he's right and trying to smile but I've got a bad feeling in my bones about today.

With everyone dressed in their best clothes standing in the square, I enter were the girls from 16, and 17 years old. All though the square had been cleaned and tried to be presentable for the live broadcast to Capital the coal dust still sticks to my shoes. Effie Trinket arrives on the stage in a ridiculous pink outfit and as on schedule she starts her speech and watch a video about the dark days.

'Ladies first!' she walks over in her ridiculous high shoes and reaches into the bowl.

'Katniss Everdeen'

What. Wait. No. I should have seen this coming. I can't leave. I have to win. I have to kill kids.

These are the thoughts that suddenly enters my mind. I walk up to the stage and try to show no emotion but I know that once I'm alone I'm not going to be able to be strong anymore. No body claps, instead the people of twelve touch their three middle finger of their left hand to their lips and holds it up to me. It is an old and rarely used gesture that can symbolises thankyou and also goodbye to someone you care for.

Next the male tribute is selected and it's one of the boys from the community home. Jackson. I have a very close bond with Jackson. When I first entered the community house, he was the child to enter the home before me. So with us both being new I took him along so we could both live and survive in there. The fact that I consider him as my brother and also that he is only 14 makes this situation much harder than it already was going to be.

We shake hands and then are lead into the justice building to wait for any visitors the want to say good byes to us. The first people that come through the doors are a few of the kids in the home. I give them all hugs and we share a few of the nice moments we have had together. I know it's probably going to be hard for them as it will be for me. Next to enter is Tom. I race into his arms.

"You can do this. You are a survivor Katniss, you can survive the hunger games'

I just nod against his chest, not able to say anything.

"Nearly all the kids have gone in groups to see Jackson. I know he's like a little brother to you Katniss and I know it's going to be extra hard because of that but you need to try to mentally prepare yourself for the worst. Ok'

"Ok' I know Tom has a point but I already know that I'm going to try my hardest to protect Jackson.

"Make them remember you' is the last thing that Tom says before the peace keepers rip him away.

I'm left to wait in this room before boarding the capital train to take me to what is likely to be my death. One tear slide down my face. I allow myself to have this and only this one time of weakness.

It feels like I've been waiting for ages for the peacekeepers to open the door but the clock shows it's only been a few minutes. I see the door handle slow turn and the door open. I stand up ready to be taken but the last person I thought to see comes through the door instead. Gale.

He stands there mighty tall, his muscles are more define through his shirt and I must say the stubble on his face makes his jawline stand out.

"Gale' I greet him

"Katniss' not using my nickname he gave me. After all last time he called me that I shouted at him.

Gale and I are best friends, well use to be. He was everything to me besides from my dear Prim. But things changed that and I know times were hard for the both of us because the effect of my sister's death caused us both great pain. The story goes, one morning the weather was terrible and our hunting hadn't caught enough for our families for weeks. We were all losing energy and our bones were showing. Gale and I couldn't do much to help and I know the only way for us to keep going is to get some money. But the problem was we didn't have anything to sell but I did have my body to sell. I knew I could go to Cray, an old peacekeeper that looked for girls and had them for a night and give them little of money for it. I thought that the only option I had was to go to him.

I know how to make a good deal and would try get him to pay me more than he has to other girls. On my way to his house before I knocked I hear a gun ring out. Then I was running to the square. And what I saw was Prim there on her knees holding her stomach. She had been shot. I was so full of anger that I race up to the peace keeper who shot her and attacked him. I earned a punishment of 25 lashes. When the punishment was being carried out I did not feel a thing as I was numb of pain form losing Prim. I still get angry at myself that I didn't hold her as she took her last breath. I didn't tell her loved her before her heart stopped. I wasn't there for her. And still today I want to hit myself, I want to take another punishment because I wasn't there for my baby sister. After my back had healed after a long period of time, I tried to find out why she was shot. And that's where Gale and I'd friendship broke apart. That night after I left the house late at night the Hawthorne family came to mine as the weather was bad and they had a few holes in their roof. Prim and mother had not known that I had left the house and Prim suddenly begin to panic. Gale intently knew where I was going and took after me. Then Prim followed him out the door.

On the way Prim fell and hurt her ankle. Gale just said to stay where she was and he would come back and help her. The thing is he should have taken her home because after he left the peacekeeper came and dragged her to the square. She was supposed to be punished but not shot for being out after dark. But for some reason this peacekeeper decided to shot her. Ever since I've partly blamed Gale of her death, I known she was like a little sited to him but in truth I can sort of deal with it better if inflamed him. I know it's not right but I still do.

"I know you must hate me but I want you to know that I still care for you. We may have not spoken and you probably don't want me as a friend anymore but I want you to know that I need you to try your hardest to win. You can hunt and survive. And if you don't, if anything does happen, I won't be able to deal with losing you too.''

I don't know how to reply to that. But what I do know is that him standing there I relies that I have missed him but I have not forgiven him. Instead I hug him tightly and he returns it. As the peacekeeper opens the door I pull away and nod goodbye to him. Once he is out of the room. I start to think of how it's going to be in the arena.