This chapter is a little short, I know. But I plan on making the next one longer.

I own nothing

I clench my fists.

Khione is here.

I grit my teeth.

She wants to take my brother away.

I look over at my brother in the section marked off for the twelve year olds. He is short for his age, his head barely reaching the shoulders of his peers. He looks over at me. "Don't be afraid," I mouth. "You'll be safe. I promise." He nods, looking paler than usual.

My heart aches. I would give anything to keep Avens safe, to protect him from unseen danger. He is so naïve. I envy that. He still believes in good intentions and things that last forever, something I gave up on long ago.

Khione taps the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, we will now begin the reaping." I see Mother and Father taking their seats as mentors. Khione gives a brief history of all past rebellions, pausing briefly for the "honorable" President Snow, before crossing over to the bowl with the boys' names in it. She draws out a slip. "Avens Mellark."

Though this is as expected, I am at a loss for words. A single tear rolls down my cheek but I wipe it away furiously. I must not seem weak, for Avens.

She crosses the stage to the other bowl. "Raven Huntrose."

No! NO! How am I supposed to protect him when I'm not even with him? I scramble forward, not caring if what I'm about to do is forbidden. The only thing I can focus on is protecting my little brother. "I volunteer as tribute!"

Khione is about to deny my desperate request, when one of the large brutes flanking her leans forward and whispers something in her ear, undoubtedly how much better it will be to have both of us dead. She curtly nods. "I will allow it."

I take my place next my Avens and grasp his hand like a lifeline. I don't let go when we are shuffled off towards the Justice building. I don't let go when we tell our parents goodbye and say hello to our mentors, Peeta and Katniss, with strict orders not to call then Mother and Father. I don't let go when we enter the train. I'm too afraid that if I let go, I will lose him somehow.

We go to a small room to watch the other reapings. I take notes of the tributes in a spare notebook I find on the small table it look something like this:

District one- girl is exceptionally pretty. Boy is average .

District two- Girl is pretty with a dangerous look to her. Boy also looks dangerous but also seems familiar.

District Three- Both boy and girl are fairly average.

District four- Finn and an athletic looking girl

District five- Girl looks sly and cunning. Boy looks average.

District six- Girl looks frail. Boy looks a little thin.

District seven- Riement and the boy I recognize3 from one of my many trips to visit her.

District eight- Both boy and girl are on the skinny side.

District nine- Girl looks average but the boy is young and skinny. He reminds me of Avens a little

District ten- Both boy and girl are average

District eleven- Tall dark-skinned girl. Boy is large but not exceptionally.

District twelve- Avens and I

"Gale," Mother says. "Glimmer, Cato, Foxface, FInnick, Johanna, and Rue! All of them." I almost forgot she was there.

The District one and two girls must belong to Glimmer and Cato. The boy from two must be Gale's son, that's why he looked familiar. I've seen Gale and they could be twins, you know, without the huge age difference. District five must be foxface's and District eleven Rue's sister or something because she was much too young to have children. Plus there's Finn and Riemet, the children of Finnick and Annie and Johanna. Mother knew them all. It's part of Khione's revenge. This will really kill Mother.

I leave the room without talking to her. I don't feel up to it. Besides, it's not allowed. Mentor's must only speak to their tributes in council concerning the games. I give Avens one more reassuring hug before entering my room.

My room at home was very large, especially when you compare it to those of my peers. But this room makes it look like a small closet. Not only is it large, it is luxurious. The bedspread is silk and the drawers are full of clothing.

I take off my dress and hang it in a closet so it doesn't get ruined before crawling into bed. I ignore the dozens of nightclothes surely awaiting me. I don't need the capitol. As I drift off to sleep, I realize just how big of a lie that is.

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oh, and for all you Clato shippers, check out my other story, Forever and Always.