Only one person comes to see me before I begin my train ride to the Capitol. I know that people barely know me but still, it makes me wonder. Who would possibly want to sponser the sly girl that never talks? Mother comes in sobbing as if all hope has been lost. She embraces me and hugs me tight. It is not comfortable, but I don't care. I hug her back. "Malaya," she says in a barely-audible whisper. "Malaya you can't go!" she collapses sobbing. I kneel beside her."I will win," I promise, "I will come home to you." And I mean it. I will try harder at this than I have ever tried at anything. I must come home. I must be the one that lives. My words seem to comfort her. Normally my mother tries to be so strong. It is strange for me to see her like this. Mother seems to realize this as well. She stops crying and looks at me. "Don't linger at the Blood Bath, don't form an alliance, you can do this on your own. I believe in you," she says in a surprisingly firm and steady voice. "You can do this." It is surprising to hear the advice from her. She's a wonderful parent but she does not help me much. She thinks I can handle things on my own, and in most cases she has been correct.

A Peacekeeper comes in and leads her away. As she exits, I catch her lips forming a small smile. I get a lot from that smile. It says "You can do this" and "I believe in you." She may have said all of this before, but it seems more real in the smile.

Shortly after my mother, I am lead from the room as well. The Peacekeeper leads me to Vendella and Argon. His eyes are red, as if he has been crying yet Argon still refuses to show emotion. "Follow me," Vendella chirps. We comply and are soon boarding the nicest place I have ever been. The train has a light carpeted floor, tan-colored walls, tables made of the nicest wood District 7 has to offer, leather couches, beautiful crystal chandeliers, and even a TV in the corner. Our mentors, Alala Spark, and Rhodes Clip approach us. The examine us, trying to see if District 5 may actually have a victor this year. My mentor, Alala, shrugs and comments "Not bad. I suppose it could be worse." Rhodes looks somewhat pleased with Argon. Just when he looks like he is about to speak, Vendella interrupts. "Well?" she exclaims, "We need to go watch the Reapings! We need to see the other tributes as well!" She rushes us all into a room with a television that covers almost half of the wall. Everyone finds a seat on the leather couches and the Reapings begin.

Most districts produce the same types of tributes that they do every year. Glamorous from one, tough from two, pathetic from three, and so on. Soon, I am watching myself being reaped. I look nervous, but steady, and somewhat sly as I make my way towards the stage. The Reapings continue with the average, boring tributes.

Then we saw the District 8 tributes.

Vera Ebony

My sister and I have been reaped

I gasp and everyone turns to stare at me but I don't care. My sister is alive, but soon she will be killed for the pleasure of the Capitol. It can't get worse than this. Joining Vera is a thin, tall boy. He looks like he could make it through day one, but a career could easily end his life.

I excuse myself and briskly walk to the next car. I splash some water on my face and adjust my hair to hide my red, puffy eyes. I take a deep breath and return to the others. I have missed the District 9s girl being reaped. I examine her standing next to the district escort. She is one of the shorter tributes with thin, red hair….big brown eyes….fair skin…..she…it can't be."What 's the girl's name?" I ask in a shaky voice. Vendella answers. "Oh, it's Maureen -something –or –other. She's pretty little. I think you could take her, don't you?" I hear a loud sobbing noise. Then I realize it is me.

Oh, things can get worse, in fact, they just did.

All three of us have been reaped.

Impossible.

This is it. This will be the death of me. Knowing that my sisters are alive and that at least two of us will die within a few weeks….It is too much. It will kill me. And Mother. Just knowing that she is seeing this is horrible. Us being reaped is awful for me but it must be so much worse for Mother. Now I truly know that nothing good will ever come of these games. Especially for our family. If I live, I will go home to Mother, knowing I did not protect my sisters. If they go home, Mother will be alone and they will have to live with that same guilt.

Oh how Fate must be laughing at me now. I didn't think things could get worse when my sisters and father left. Then, I thought it couldn't get worse when I was reaped. Then both of my long lost sisters were reaped. And now we have to fight to the death and watch each other die.

I don't think I want to win these games.

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