Chapter 2

Silence hung solidly in the air whilst Annie stood, unsure of what had happened. Surely it wasn't her name being called out.

But it was.

The way that Gracella empashsed the S in Cresta in her Capitol accent somehow made it stick in her mind that it was her name being called. She hesitated for a few seconds, waiting for someone to volenteer. She wasn't a career. She had no desire to kill people. She shut her eyes tightly thinking of what must be going through people's minds at that point.

She opened them suddenly as the peace keepers pushed her forward towards her doom. She caught a glance at some of the girls who would have been more likely to volenteer. The smug look on their faces told her they weren't going to do it anytime soon, and that maybe, just maybe, it had been their plan to get her in the games.

Amy always told her stories from the market about the girls of the district, saying how they hated her because of how well she got along with Finnick. They had been friends for as long as she remembered. She found it difficult to believe that they could have been that jealous right up to that point.

She finally made it to the stage, where she then stood straight next to Gracella Farwell, her officalCapitol escort.

It was supposed to be an honor, standing on the stage. That was why people were clapping. But Annie's tongue felt like it had suddenly dried up in the harsh sun. It didn't feel like an honor.

"Anyone wish to volenteer for this young lady?" the question was followed by sorrowful silence, before Gracella turned toward the boys side.

"Alright then."

She put her delicate hand into the bowl, searching it as if to find the perfect tribute. The perfect person to kill.

She slipped a piece of paper between her fingers and slid the paper out with a swift motion.

She unhooked the paper before reading the contents.

"Garb Livingstone."

A round of applause once again erupted from the audience.

Annie knew him. Not overly well, but enough to know that she didn't want to watch him die.

She could tell he was thinking the same thing she was by his body language. The way he swung his body away and moved slightly, not hastily. She held her hand out to him, insisting that he took it, and when he did, she knew for sure that wasn't how it was supposed to be. They stood there the rest of the ceremony, holding hands as if it was the difference between life and death. And it surely would be. Eventually.

Gracella sighed deeply.

"Doesn't this sight just warm your heart?" she asked to the large group of children formed in front of her.

"Aren't they just lovely?" she looked away from the crowd and towards the mentors. "Don't you think, Finnick?"

Annie looked over as he nodded. She trusted Finnick, she really did, but she wasn't sure whether he would be able to keep her alive in the arena. And the look in his eyes told her he was thinking the exact same thing.

"Definitely two to look out for." he answered, putting on a grin.

Annie kept her face to the front, not wanting to make eye contact with him.

"Now, Mayor, if you please."

The Mayor of District 4 came forth and read out the Treaty of Treason, before ending the reaping ceremony with the Panem anthem.

As the anthem played, Annie looked out among the crowd. Not many people she knew looked back. She didn't know many people as she wasn't considered 'normal'. She wasn't considered a 'warrior'. Being reaped was one of her worst nightmares, whereas it would be a dream for any other.

The only face she recognized and really liked was her sister. She forced a smile up at Annie, nodding as if it would ensure her safety.

In a way, this made Annie feel a little better, like there was one person on her side. One person who thought that she might be able to get through it all.

Garb and Annie were ushered into the Justice Building, where they were to make their final goodbyes to friends and family.

As Garb let go of her hand, she had a sudden moments thought.

'Out of the two of us,' she thought, 'he would be the one to survive this.'

As she entered the room, it took her a moment to intake her surroundings. The first thing she did was sit down in a velvet armchair. Running her fingers over the soft material of the arm, she suddenly felt as if she had been abandoned. As if she had been tossed out by her parents, only to be taken in by the Capitol, where her death was ensured.

All the other furniture was also expensive and unique looking. Red and white and black were the colours that filled the room. And what a wonderful mix it was.

In her home, which was now going to be referred to as her old home, she only had wooden furniture, and maybe the occasional cushion. It consisted of only 3 rooms. The bedroom, where the whole family slept: her mother, father, sister and herself, the bathroom and the conjoined kitchen and living room. It wasn't much to get by with, though it was considered enough. The outside of the hut was made of wood, sturdy wood in case the tides of the oceans became too high and flooded the place.

Although where she was was exquisite, she would much rather the stars outside her window as she slept.

Suddenly the door burst open, revealing her sister. She seemed to have been crying. A lot.

Her mother and father followed, shedding no tears.

"You have two minutes." the peacekeeper then shut the door behind him.

Amy cried even more as she embraced Annie. Annie tried hard not to do the same. Her parents wouldn't approve what-so-ever. As said earlier, it was an honor.

"It's okay, Amy."

"No it isn't. I might not see you again." she wailed and begun to cry harder.

Her parents took a seat opposite her, stroking the furniture and it's soft texture.

Suddenly, her father's head snapped up.

"You are lucky to have Finnick as your mentor. He seems to know what he's doing." he said and turned to his wife. "Don't you think?"

"Yes," she answered. "It's a good things he's charismatic and a looker."

They let out a small laugh.

"Try not to disappoint us." her mother stated as she went in for a hug.

Amy moved out of her way, saying nothing.

Her father gave her a small kiss on the forehead followed by a tight hug.

Her sister was still sobbing once it was her turn to say goodbye.

"I promise I'll come back," Annie whispered into her hair. "I promise."

Before she knew it, her family was taken away. Once and forever.

She could hear Amy's screams as the peacekeepers dragged her away. She didn't want to go. She knew just as much as Annie, she could never make it. She probably won't make it out of the bloodbath alive.

Annie waited to see if anyone else would visit, but as she had suspected, no one else made the effort.

She had no sweetheart, no real best friends, and the only family friend she had was Finnick, and he was her mentor.

She stood and left the room, preparing to travel to the all famous Capitol.