-Warning! This chapter contains stronger language and some girl power- Thanks so much to Galinda3397andAMTfor being the first to review the first chapter! As promised here's chapter 2. Enjoy! No as much action this time round L sorry! Also guys please let me know if Silvana is moaning about Claus too much. I'll tell her to tone it down a little.

Chapter 2

"Silvana Mellark?"

I can't move. I physically can't move. I take a step to the left, hoping I could lose myself in the crowd, but now I know why the capitol wears all that eye makeup… Her eyes are like that of a hawk.

"I see you, dear! Come on, sweetie!"

My heart's brewing a thunder storm and my stomach's doing back flips but I hold my head high as I face my fate. Even if my fate is death. As I walk up to the stage, I hear a cry

"I volunteer!"

I squeeze my eyes shut and thank the lord that I was saved, before I realise who volunteered. Detinos. And he was smirking, he was mocking me. Dick.

"One small problem hun, you're of the opposite sex so are unable to volunteer." 'Effie' chirrups and giggles.

"I know. I just wanted to see how she reacted. See if she was scared to die."

I hear gasps and mutters. No one mocks the tributes or the system. It's like telling someone suicidal to die in a hole. It's not fair, it's not right. Even 'Effie' seems taken aback.

"Well- if that's all. Umm..."

"Yes that's all"

He's such a bastard. He got my hopes up, and then crushed them. Like what happened to Claus.

"You know what?" Everyone is staring at me, shocked by my prowess.

"Fuck you, Detinos. You think you're so amazing, but you're just a mother fucking bastard who hurts people just to fill strong. Pathetic!" there's silence for a second. Then a group of guys start snigger and applaud me. Soon the whole square has erupted into laughter and applause. Out of the corner of my eye I see my mother trying hard to keep a straight face and my dad applauding me. Haymitch slaps her on the back and chuckles

"She's definitely one of yours, Katniss!"

Detinos has flushed scarlet, ashamed and defeated.

"On with the boys!" 'Effie' shouts trying to make herself heard over the crowds a threatening tone in her voice. When she finally manages to regain control, 'Effie' makes her way over to the second bowl.

"Lot Hawthorne!" No one volunteers or makes a stupid remark. Not even Detinos. I feel tears well up in my eyes. My best friend. In the games with me. In the hunger games with me. Kill me now.

Goodbyes were tough. Not because my Dad cried waterfalls. But because Katniss didn't cry or even look worried or concerned for her daughter. She just stared at me indifferently as if she was told her daughter was going camping. No words of advice, no words of comfort. Nothing. She just sat there staring into space. Just like my grandmother did. After the death of her husband. And to be honest, it scared me. A lot. I was glad to leave. To escape from her silver eyes, like an empty promise.

"Someone better explain to me what the hell is going on" I say as I walk in to the carriage where Haymitch – my mentor - is sitting.

"Good afternoon to you too, Miss Mellark"

I sigh.

"Look, I need some help. Why did they call my name? I thought I was just playing my mother; I was ready to volunteer for Clara. The girl playing Prim?"

"Well… It looks like you're Clara's under study but sadly there's no one to stand in for you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're playing Prim. But there's no Katniss to volunteer for you. In other words, you're in the games because the visitors decided you'd be better at role playing dead or as a victor."

"Shit… So this- this is real?" I whisper.

"Come on darling, you figured that out ages ago. You just couldn't get it out."

I collapsed, exhausted by the situation.

"Then why didn't they call out Katniss Everdeen? It would have made more sense…"

"They felt it would cause confusion. This isn't just a little play anymore, this is real."

I sniffed, holding back tears. I felt betrayed. My district felt betrayed. But I would not be defeated. I am an Everdeen. I may have the merchant's eyes, but I have the seams hair. I was born for survival. I could do this.

"So… What's the best way to win this thing?"

He doesn't say anything. But then he looks up, his blue eyes glazed over. He's holding an empty bottle of what I presume is wine. It's then I realise that he's drunk.

"You gotta be kidding me."

"The best way to win this thing? Stay alive!"

I groan, clearly I was getting nowhere. Then inspiration hits.

"Look, you tell me how to win, I'll sweet talk ol' Effie into giving you another bottle. Deal?"

He contemplates for a moment then holds out his hand. I shake it and he grins.

"By now, your mother would have a knife through the table. You're smarter than you look, kid."

"Just tell me how to win."

"You need sponsors for starters. They're the ones that give money so I can send you fancy gear and medicine."

"Ok so… How do I get sponsors?"

"You'll need a persona. I was gonna say sweet little girl, but then I remembered that little speech of yours…"

I blush slightly.

"I lost my temper"

"Fair enough"

He tilts my head towards the light.

"You're pretty and you've got a nice figure. Maybe the sexy badass?"

I don't even attempt to suppress my laughter.

"Maybe not…"

Just then Lot walks in. He sees me and Haymitch talking and sits next to me. Automatically, I rest my head on his shoulder as he strokes my hair. As he watches us, Haymitch snaps his fingers.

"I got it how about the star crossed lovers of district 12?"

I look at Lot. Lot looks at me, nodding. I bitch slap Haymitch.

"No way!"

"Me dating Silvana? It'd be like me dating my little sister!"

"It's not very original either."

"Ok, ok. Point taken."

Lot carries on stroking my head while Haymitch makes suggestion after suggestion.

"Enemies?"

"No."

"Prey?"

"No."

"No one?"

"No."

Eventually he gives up and wanders off to find more wine.

"He missed of the most obvious choice" Lot sighs.

"What's that?"

"Siblings"

I smile and sigh happily as Lot strokes my hair.