Chapter 1:
Katniss's POV:
The day of the reaping. The day I hate the most. I HATE reaping day. Watch all those innocent kids dragged away by the Capitol to be part of their silly little game. But this is different. It's the Quarter Quell, so there's some kind of catch. Some weird rule change for the games every fifteen years, and no one knows what it is. Not even Haymitch. Last Quarter Quell there was double the tributes, so I don't know what to expect. I worry for Prim and for Gale, but for some reason I mourn for Peeta, even though he's perfectly safe. Maybe I'm taking that whole star-crossed lovers thing to far, but whatever. Oh, here comes Effie. Moment of truth time.
"Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour! And now for the reaping! Of course, as you all know, it is the Quarter Quell this year and the some rules must change," says Effie. "And let's see what that rule is."
She takes her time unfolding the paper, just to hold everyone in suspense.
"Oh..." She looks guiltily at me. I look toward Haymitch and he shrugs his shoulders. "The rule change this year..." Her voice got choked up, like she was afraid about she was going to say. "The tributes this year... will be reaped from the existing pool of victors."
Effie mouthed 'I'm so sorry' then turned away. I looked around. Everyone was either looking at me, Peeta or Haymitch. Crying, and I know from who. Prim. She was crying. And then it hits me. I'm going back into the games. I have too, I'm the only living female in the district that is a victor of the Hunger Games. I look over at Peeta and Haymitch, Peeta looks heartbroken and Haymitch looks in shock. Peacekeepers bring out the two reaping bowls, but they look pretty pathetic. In one bowl, there is two slips of paper, and in the other only one. Effie comes back out and her makeup is slightly less perfect.
"Of course, ladies first. And the District 12 tribute for this years Quarter Quell is... Katniss Everdeen."
I don't know what to do other than hold my head high and walk straight onto the stage.
"And know for the men. It looks like the male tribute from 12 this year will be... Haymitch Abernathy."
"I volunteer."
I know it, that voice that's so familiar. No, I think to myself, but of course he has to do it.
"I volunteer as tribute."
Peeta.