It's that day.

It's reaping day.

One year ago, I was going through this cycle, but a lot more confused. Nerves fly around my whole system as they prick my finger to extract the blood. It's pressed down on the sheet of paper and scanned, and the lady nods. I walk away and to the section labeled with a big 14.

I can't believe I'm actually going to go into the Games today. I mean, I don't really have a choice.

Brandt shoves past me to get to the 17's. I feel like that was intentional.

Then again, maybe it wasn't. I really don't care.

I sway from side to side nervously and bite my nails. I can't stand this… The reapings need to start soon.

Our Capitol escort is some crazy woman named Esperanza. She's tall and slender with lavender skin and a long purple dress that swirls at her six-inch black heels.

Ew. I hate the Capitol.

She smiles and taps the microphone with a gloved hand. "District 2! Welcome, welcome, welcome to this so-very-special event!"

Nobody says a word. The vast majority of the District is sending cold glares her way. She can feel the tension in the air: who can't!? So she just smiles and says, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be… Ever in your favor!"

I shudder, remembering last year when the quote was made.

"And, the next event of our reaping ceremonies… A specially-made video from your very own Capitol!"

I glare coldly. This is the dumbest part, besides the part where people actually die.

The video played is the same one from last year. The sad part is that I recognize one of the faces on the screen as being from our District. The boys next to me watch, softer expressions on their faces, but I keep mine stone-cold. I do not enjoy one single part of this thing. But I'm going to go through all of it…

Because I'm insane, I've decided. And I want to avenge Elijah, and this is the best way I know how.

The video fades out and a couple people clap. I accidentally catch the eye of Priscilla and immediately regret it. That chocolate brown makes me melt. Plus, this is her first reaping. She's only 12. And the memories of what happened to Ashley last year… They must be as fresh in her brain as my memories of Elijah. And Elijah is still pretty fresh in my mind… Trust me. Priscilla is scared… She looks so little… Oh, I can't stand it.

I look at the ground as I hear Esperanza's heels walk slowly and dramatically across the stage.

"Our female representative of District 2… Our female tribute is…" she speaks slowly. I'm not sure if she's just so stupid she can't talk any faster, or she's just so cruel as to keeping a whole District of kids waiting to see which two of them will be sent off to their deaths.

Well, one. Because I'm automatically going to be the other… Somehow….

Anyways, she puts her hand into the glass bowl containing the girls' names of every single little girl in the District. That includes Priscilla.

She sticks her hand into the bottom and swirls it around.

The only sound in the whole District is the paper swishing around in the bowl.

You can cut the tension like a string.

Esperanza suddenly selects a piece of paper and takes it out of the bowl. She walks back over to the microphone slowly and the only noise is the echoing of her heels touching the stage.

She unfolds the paper, stares at the words and reads.

"Priscilla Westfall!"

There is no sound in the crowd except for the gasps of a couple of the adults.

My heart breaks. Shatters.

But that doesn't take away the fact that Elijah needs avenged.

And I still intend to do it. Poor little Priscilla doesn't stand a chance, either.

Priscilla waddles stiffly to the stage and steps up next to Esperanza.

She looks so tiny.

I can't think like this.

I glare back up at that Capitol woman and automatically don't care who's to her right.

She walks over to the boys' bowl and puts her hand inside.

I remember last year when the name read was Elijah Crowly. It sure won't be this year.

She takes a name and walks back to the microphone.

Slowly, she unfolds the name and reads: "Talon Davenport!"

Talon, a small 12-year-old boy, makes his way to the stage.

This is my moment.

"NO!" I shout forcefully. Every single eye in the District goes to me. Including my sister's.

"HE'S NOT GOING INTO THE GAMES! I AM!"

I push through the people, running past Talon and to the stage with a single shout.

"I VOLUNTEER AS TRIBUTE!"