Chapter 4

After the reaping, Kalain and Kamek were immediately marched into the Justice Building. They were brought to separate rooms and given three minutes per visitor to say goodbye. Kalain twisted her earrings, remembering this same room from two years ago…

After giving her the electric cleaning device, Lisha had pulled them off and places them in her sister's hands. "I only get one token," She said. "And God forbid, if you ever have to go to the games, wear these." The earrings were simple; a curved design that twisted two spirals together. "They're special," Lisha had said, smiling. "You keep them unless, God forbid again, Kamek were to be in the games. I was going to wear them, but I have a feeling this will help me more." She finished with a pat on the device. She smiled, then her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell backwards.

"Lisha!" Kalain reacted so fast that she actually caught Lisha before she hit the ground. "Kamek!" She called, gripping her unresponsive sister. "Lisha is—" She cut herself off. Lisha wasn't dead, was she? She couldn't be. Could she?

Kamek burst through the doors, followed by some Peacekeepers. They rushed over.

"I'm okay," Lisha mumbled hoarsely. Kalain jumped at her voice. "I'm just tired…" She whispered

weakly.

"Alright," One Peacekeeper mumbled. "You only have two minutes, so hurry up." Then they left.

"Lisha," Kamek croaked. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine," She assured him. "I'll talk with you in a minute." With that, Kamek left and Lisha stood up, turning to Kalain. "Kalain," She said with a sense of urgency. "You can't forget what I'm about to tell you, okay?"

"Okay," Kalain had answered.

That was where the memory ended. Kalain smacked herself in the head repeatedly. "Argh! Stupid, stupid memory!"

The door opened to a confused Zach.

"Kalain! What's wrong?" He looked flustered and on the brink of tears.

"It's okay Zach." She said calming down a bit. "I just have a stupid brain and a stupid memory and… ugggghhhhhh!" She lost her cool and started ripping at her hair.

"Calm down!" Zach yelled to her. "You don't want the Peacekeepers to come take me away do you?"

"Sorry Zach." She said blushing. "What did you want to say?"

"I just wanted to say that," He paused. "You can win, with Kamek."

Kalain looked shocked, "How?"

"I don't know," He said, "But you'll find a way. And Kalain…"

"What?" she questioned, her eyes full of wonder.

"I, well what I mean to say is I, uh" Zach tried to speak but choked up. "We'll miss you."

Suddenly a Peacekeeper ripped open the door and said gruffly, "You're out of time kid. Next!"

Zach walked away looking distraught, his eyes started welling up with tears and his parents walked him out.

Kalain had to think clearly about what Zach had said. Maybe, just maybe there was a way for someone to get out of the Hunger Games alive without winning. She needed time to think, with Kamek but that would have to wait till they were on their way to the Capitol. As of now however she had to think.

Before she had time to brainstorm anything an old friend walked in. Julia Freedman used to be Kalain's best friend until her parents died. Then, since Kalain was isolated and didn't go to school anymore, they never saw each other, so Kalain was surprised when she walked in and said,

"I'm going to volunteer in your place."

"What? No you can't do that!" Kalain protested.

"And why not?" Julia challenged. "You can't stop me."

"But why?" Kalain asked bewildered.

"Because I know how close you and your brother are and I know that you two won't kill each other, giving you even less of a chance of either of you coming out alive!" She said emphatically. "If I take your place, Kamek could win and you two could be in the victors' village living long and happy lives."

"What about you?" Kalain asked. "You- you'll die."

"I should have died two years ago but you convinced me to not run away with my-" She stuttered. "My brother." Julia finished.

"But you can't do that." Kalain argued. "It won't work!"

"And why not!" Julia said raising her voice.

"Because if you volunteer for me, Kamek will do everything in his power to save you!" Kalain shouted.

Julia's face fell. She knew it was true; Kamek would do anything to save her.

"Then what are you going to do?" Julia asked.

"Don't worry," she said. "I have a plan."

"Alright!" the peacekeeper shouted. "Time's up!"

After Julia walked away Kalain started tearing up.

"A plan." She thought. "Good thing she believed me, since it's not true…"

AN: Sorry it took so long, I would say it won't happen again, but that would be a lie. Life's just totally crazy.

Moonyong98: Um... Yeah, it's hard to get long chapters... I'm glad you still like it!

- Bob Sanders