Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.

Chapter One

A shaft of sunlight tickled my skin and I opened my eyes to a beautiful morning. I beamed and stretched in my bed, before looking over at the sleeping form of my beloved sister, Reyna. Another wonderful day in District 3 - then a thought hit my mind. Of course. How could I have forgotten? Today was the dreaded Reaping. Where two would be condemned to die in the arena. Immediately, any trace of my smile was gone, replaced by a numbing feeling in my limbs. I looked at Reyna again, my brow creased in worry. What if she gets reaped?

My thoughts were interrupted when my mother softly opened the door to our - me and my sister's - bedroom. Her face was full of concern and worry as she slowly came and sat down on the edge of the bed. Her words were so soft that I had to strain to hear her.

"Skylar, you know today's the Reaping."

I nodded. "Yeah." Then I swallowed. "How-how many times has my name been entered into the Reaping ball this year?"

My mother sighed. "The usual. 13 times. Only once for your sister."

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least Reyna's name was only entered once, since this was Reyna's first Reaping. As much as I hated to admit it, she would have no chance in the arena - none at all - if she was reaped.

I smiled weakly. "Thanks, Mom."

She reached out and grasped my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. "It'll be okay, Skylar. You only have two more years. And Reyna - her chance is so slim - only a slip amongst thousands. She won't be reaped."

I exhaled slowly. Though her words somewhat calmed me down, I was still uneasy. Then her voice cut through the brief silence.

"Come on, Skylar. Wake your sister up. It's time to get ready. You have to be in the Square at 10."

I nodded and shook Reyna by her shoulders. She groaned and opened her eyes.

"Can't I sleep a while longer?"

I shook my head firmly. "Today's the-" My voice cracked. "The Reaping."

Reyna sat up instantly. "Okay." Her voice was small.

- a few hours later -

"God, I'm scared." Reyna whispered, not wanting me to go.

I squeezed her hand. "We'll be okay. I'll see you later." I quickly stepped into the group of 16 year olds as the escort, Delia Feather, stepped onto the stage, her wild outfit and neon orange hair giving me the spins.

"Well, welcome, welcome! Today I will be choosing two lucky, lucky tributes to participate in the 77th Hunger Games and-" Her voice dropped to a hush. "Win." Her nose wrinkled. Apparently she didn't believe that any of us would be victors this year. Well, she was right. And how dare she think it was lucky to send two tributes to die? My fists started to clench as she trilled on.

Then it was the moment. She walked to the girls' Reaping ball and beamed widely at us. "So who'll it be this year?" She drew a slip of paper and carefully unfolded it. "District 3's female tribute - Skylar Dawn!"

No. It can't be.

My mind was reeling.

This isn't real.

I could barely feel the Peacekeepers shoving me up the stage. I didn't even hear the male tribute being chosen. All I could hear was Delia calling my name.

Mine.

I was going into the arena to fight 23 other tributes to the death.