Chapter one

Patricia


I stepped out of my bed to find that Piper wasn't in hers. She probably went swimming like she always does when she's nervous. We lived in District Four, and I went to get her as we had to get ready for the Reaping.

I found her and we went to get dressed. We always wore the same clothes on Reaping day, as we were twins.

We walked to the square, and we stood as the woman from the Capitol said, "Ladies first!"

She walked over to the crystal ball and read off the name.

"Piper Williamson!"

I was in shock as Piper started to go up. I mouthed "no" and went up instead.

Why, I don't know. I'd have a better chance than her, I guess. I couldn't let her get hurt.

So I walked up there with the woman and didn't even say I volunteered. We looked the same and had the same DNA; no one would know that I came up in her place.

Then the boys were called. "Eddie Miller!"

Why did that name strike something in me? I had never heard it before. But it did. He looked familiar, I guess I ahd seen him in school or something. He was strong and muscular-of course he was, it was district 4. We were all "careers" as the other districts called us. We were among the most likely to win. But I wouldn't win. It was supposed to be an honor to be chosen. But I didn't see it that way. I knew I wouldn't make it back.

Piper came to visit me while I waited to go to the Capitol.

"Patty, why'd you do that?"

"I couldn't let you get hurt. Besides, no one will know."

"Until the interviews. But by then they can't do anything about it."

"Except make my life in that arena a living hell. Plus, it's a slim chance that I'll make it that far."

"Tricia, promise you'll try to win."

"I don't know, Pipes."

"No, promise it! You have to win for me."

"Ok, I promise, I'll try to win."

Our time was up. I was off to the Capitol.


Amber


I walked to the square, dressed in a white dress with a pink ribbon, my own design. All the other kids were excited, jumping around and arguing about whose name would be pulled or who could win out of a group of friends or who wants to be in more. Not me. Living in District 1, I was forced to go through training like the rest, but I feared the Games. I found it sickening. Kids, my own age, being forced to murder each other for entertainment. Here, it was your dream to be chosen. If you were to die, you would be respected and celebrated for your effort in the games, never mourned. If you were to win and return home, you were celebrated more than you were if you died, for killing children. Me, I didn't want to be one of them. Another one of the girls hated by the other people in the other districts because I killed their kids. I didn't want to die. I had plans for my future. I wanted to be a fashion designer, perhaps work in the Capitol. If I was going to have anything to do with the Games, I wanted to be a stylist. I mean, it would be saddening, getting attached to these kids and making them look pretty only to send them off to their death. But, I guess, it's better than being in them, in a way, because I'd be doing what I loved.

"Well, ladies first!" The woman said, placing her blue-tinted hand into the crystal ball containing my fate. Then I heard it. The two words that destroyed my life. "Amber Millington!"

I made my way to the stage, hoping for a volunteer. But none came forward. I knew why, though. Daddy was mayor. No one would ruin the opportunity for the mayor to see his daughter in the Games. Then I heard the second name, the one that sealed my fate. "Mick Campbell!"

He was tall and muscular, and would've been cute except for the fact that in a mere week he'd be trying to kill me. I had seen him in training, and he was good. Any chance I had of surviving was demolished at the sight of him walking up to the stage. In that moment my hopes, all my dreams for the future, they flew away as I realized my fate. I was going to die.


TBC!