A/N: Hey guys! I just wanted to thank you all for all your wonderful comments before this chapter. You guys really do motivate me to keep writing.

I just noticed that I haven't given credit where it is due, my friend Christine (lawlipopscile on tumblr) has been helping me write this story, I write the main plot and then she revises…so… check her out.

I don't mean to make any of you cry, but I cried writing this so be warned.

"NO!"

Kurt only just recognized the voice when Blaine darted out of the crowd, grabbing onto his sister's hand as she made her way to the stage. Camille latched herself to her brother, crying openly on his chest. He hugged her close, whispering into her hair to stay where she was, and slowly untangled her arms. Camille tried to embrace him again but Blaine was walking quickly up the stage stairs. Up close, Kurt could clearly see the anger in Blaine's eyes through his tears.

"How could you!" he yelled, pointing to his father then glared at the rest of the adults. "How could any of you? How could you send her into the games like that! She has no chance! NONE!" Blaine's voice cracked during the last word.

Blaine looked back at his father. Kurt could almost feel the animosity radiating out of his friend. "And you! You sorry excuse for a father! Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell her? Doesn't she deserve to know that she was being led to slaughter? What kind of father does that? Oh I know, a father who does this…" Blaine hitched up his shirt to reveal a large black and yellow bruise forming on his stomach.

"You see this! You did this, you bastard! And don't you think for one second that I don't know you do the same to her! She is your daughter and I am your son! You have no right to abuse us this way! I know you are ashamed to have us as children but at least have the decency to tell us that you are sending her to her death! I can't believe you!" Blaine suddenly stopped, the only sound he made were short breathless pants. His eyes grew wide as if he just realized the big picture. "You… You voted for her too…didn't you? You fucking bastard! You condemned your own daughter to death! How do you feel about that, huh? How do you feel that all of Panem knows that you would willingly kill your own daughter?"

Blaine's father, a splitting image of an older version of his son, lowered his head and walked away through the crowd, his mother trailing meekly behind. The crowd parted to let them through, but they all gave them looks that said, "How can you hate your own children?"

"Yeah, just away! You coward!" Blaine screamed hoarsely at his father's back. Kurt was not sure if his father heard him or not but he made no motion that he did.

Blaine breathed heavily for a few seconds and locked eyes with his tearful sister. He spun around to face the governor. "Sir please!" he begged desperately. "There must be some rule that allows family members to take each other's place! Please, sir, you can't honestly allow her to go! They'll kill her in a second! Please… My sister is all that I have, sir. I have to protect her."

"Blaine, my boy, the rule is that only a person of the same sex can take the place of a tribute, regardless of connection. We must have one boy and one girl from each district," The Governor said sympathetically, placing a hand on Blaine's shoulder. He gave him a sorrowful frown. "There is nothing I can do."

Blaine shoved his hand off his shoulder, unable to stand the touch of someone who has announced that his dear sister would be sent to death. "Well, change the rule! Make an exception!" Blaine said, screaming at the cameras that were broadcasting this event to all of Panem, and, hopefully Blaine thought, the President and the Gamemakers. "I'll take any handicap, I won't go to training! I won't show the Gamemakers my talent! I'll do anything. Let me take my sisters place! Please!"

There was silence everywhere. The crowd was shocked and the Governor had nothing to say. Blaine looked helplessly at Kurt. He had never seen Blaine like this. His friend was always such a happy boy with a smile on his face and his eyes gleaming. To see him a sobbing, desperate mess did not match Blaine at all and Kurt hated it. He hated to see Blaine so distraught and he wished he could see a smile on his face, if only for one last time.

"I'll take a handicap too if it allows Blaine to take his sisters place," Kurt said, stepping up to join Blaine. He knew that this would worsen his chances of returning to his father, but the idea of saving one innocent life was enough. He chanced a look over to see his dad in the center of the crowd, and Kurt was surprised to see a look of pride on his father's face.

"Let the boy take his sisters place!" Burt yelled from the crowd. Everyone turned to look in surprise. "This is a tribute who has volunteered! They have even offered to opt out of things that could help them in the games! Let him go!"

It was Burt's sudden outburst that leads the rest of the adults to join him. There were a few shouts here and there for Blaine to take Camille's spot. Soon enough the whole town was in support of Blaine replacing his sister. It was then when a projector lowered down to cast an image of the president on the walls of the courthouse.

President Figgins, an Indian man with a heavy accent, had grown old. He become president at the age of fifty during the first few years of the Hunger Games. He coughed into his handkerchief and looked into the camera.

"Blaine Anderson and Kurt Hummel, you have both shown great bravery for offering to take a handicap so that young Camile Anderson may stay safe. You have captivated the hearts of your district, and the rest of Panem. The Gamemakers have decided to allow Mr. Anderson to take Camille's place in this year's Hunger Games."

Kurt heard Blaine let out a sigh of relief beside him. He heard the stairs squeak and saw Camile running onto the platform and into her brother's arms.

"As you know your district has three tributes who have won the Hunger Games in the past. Normally, all three would become your mentors in this year's Games, but because you have both offered to take a handicap, we decided to only allow one to mentor you. You have both lost the chance of years' worth of experience in order to save young Miss Anderson. I wish you both the best of luck." With those last words the image disappeared and the district was left in silence.

The Governor turned both Kurt and Blaine to face the crowd. He allowed them all to look at the two boys who might die in the next couple of weeks then said:

"Citizens of District 7 I give you our tributes!"

There were no cheers, not even tears, but slowly one by one the citizens of their district raised their hands in farewell. Kurt and Blaine returned the gesture, and were suddenly rushed off the stage.

At the train station they were allowed to have one last goodbye. Kurt and his father had already had theirs, but Kurt needed to talk to his father one last time.

"Dad!" he said as he spotted his father struggling in the crowd of people.

"Son! I'm so proud of you, you know that right?" he said placing a hand on his sons shoulder one last time. Kurt smiled. "I want you to tell Blaine not to worry, after you leave I'm going to take Camille to live in our house. I won't allow her father to hurt her anymore."

"Dad…"

"There's nothing to say Kurt. I will take care of her and we will both watch you give the others hell. Just remember: you're a smart kid with a good head on your shoulders. Not many others kids are the same. Good luck, son. I love you"

They didn't hug that time, and Kurt watched as his father turned and disappear into the crowd. With a heavy sigh, Kurt spun around and headed toward the train that would lead him away from his hometown into a new and crazy world. He could see Blaine holding his sister tightly and whispering in her ear. The train whistle blew and Kurt could see the Peacemakers ripping Blaine away from his sister and forcing him into the train. Kurt could see the tears running down her face and he could hear Blaine yell, "I love you, Camille! Don't forget that!"

The same Peacemaker that tore apart Blaine and Camille appeared behind Kurt. "Faggot," he said gruffly and shoved him into the train. He stumbled right into his fellow tribute. Blaine caught him with his strong arms and helped him regain his balance. Kurt turned to take one last look out of the sliding doors, hoping to catch one last glimpse of his father, before they closed shut and they lurched forward toward the Capital