The reaping just started by the time I just get there. Kids are all dressed up in small school uniforms and I'm the only one wearing regular clothes. The asshole soldiers behind me push me to the sixteen year old line. It's there I meet Double D, wearing his fancy black hat and wearing his father's suit. I push through the line and meet him in the front. He greets me with a shaky smile.

"Salutations, Eddy." Says Double D.

"Hey, Sockhead." I respond.

"Happy Hunger Games." He says.

"Yeah. You too." I say.

It's not long before I see Ed rams his way toward us. He's still his happy-go-lucky self from back in eighth grade. He's wearing his old green jacket, a dirty pair of pants and his old red shirt. I'm glad I'm not the only one now wearing street wear.

"Happy Thirsty Games!" yells Ed.

"Ed, keep quiet. You don't want to be picked first." Says Ed.

"I'll never get picked. You know me. Ed, the Super-Macho-remar-"

I jam his stomach with my elbow. I point up to the stage, making Ed see that the Mayor has started up the stage.

"Happy Hunger Games, children of District Peach." Says the Mayor

" Twenty seven years ago, this district and the other rebelled against the Kingdom. We failed. And now as punishment, twenty four kids are being chosen to fight for survival and be prepared to fight to the death." He finishes.

" Now, let's get this started." He says.

There are two jars full of names. One for boys, one for girls. I'll pull one from the girls first."

I can tell he's worried for us, for I can hear the fear in his voice. I don't really care, though. I'd laugh if I find out it's Sarah. He pulls a piece of paper from the jar. He pulls the paper apart and reads the name.

"Nazz van Bartonschmeer."

I can't say anything. I can't even talk. The most perfect woman in The Peach is going up against these monsters. Damn, I can't believe this. I see her coming up the stairs towards the mayor's office, her face covered in fear.

"Alright, anybody want to volunteer for this lovely lady?" says the mayor.

There's silence. I know anybody would want to go up for her, but in these times, people are scared to even go here. So nobody volunteers for her.

"Here we go," says the mayor. "Time for the boys."

He grabs the paper and reads the name.

"Kevin Masters."

Kevin starts to walk towards the building. I can't let this ass win. That's my girl! So I step up.

"Wait!" I yell. "I volunteer!"

"No way, dork. I'm not letting you get all the glory." He says.

"Jackass, I've already volunteered. Now move." I demand.

The soldiers break up the argument before it gets too hard. They push me up to the stage, and my eyes meet with hers. Her long beautiful eyes shine in the light, and her straight blonde hair blows with the wind. She's scared. I can see it in her eyes.

"Well, then. Out tributes, Eddy Skipper Mcgee and Nazz Van Bartonschmeer, will represent us in the twenty-seventh annual Hunger Games. May God bless you with his devine holiness."

"Whatever." I say. "Just bring us to the train. I don't want to look at these guys more than the next person."

The mayor gives me a small scowl. He hates me more than he does these games. Ever since I tagged his house and I shot at him with a BB gun, he's hated me like how fire hates water.

"Fine then. Let's go."

We start our way to the train, when Nazz pulls me aside.

"Why did you volunteer for Kevin?" she asks me.

"Instinct, I guess." I reply.

"Yeah, but you could die in these." She says.

"So? I'd rather die in the arena than die in here."

She gives me a sad look and goes first through the door to the train carts. We head to the cart specifically desighnated for District Peach. The place looks barren, like the rest of Peach. I head towards a window sill and open it. I pull my cigarettes from my pocket and I light one. The smooth smoke calms my nerves as I look out towards the city. It's going to be a long ride towards the Kingdom.