Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters. It is property of Suzanne Collins.

Well, I know most of you were expecting something different for the reaping. I did add a twist and even more twists are in this chapter. I am trying to stay true to cannon while still implementing some of my own ideas. I promise the next chapter will be longer.

Enjoy!

Chapter 12:

The Request

"Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor."

What odds are you talking about, you deranged capitol peacock? I fight the urge to scream as I pace within the small room they threw me into. Upon immediately entering the building, Peeta and I were separated and escorted down opposite hallways. I wasn't even given a chance to speak to him before they whisked us away into these waiting rooms. Tributes were given a chance to say goodbye to their loved ones before boarding the train. However, it was taking them forever to bring Mother and Prim to me.

All this time waiting was driving me insane. It didn't help Effie's last words kept replaying in my head. May the odds be ever in your favor. What odds? Does she mean the odds that made her pick my sister and my brave act to save her at my own expense? Or could she mean the odds that made her pick Gale and give Peeta the chance to volunteer to take his place? No, she had to mean the odds of how the capitol knew they could torture the Everdeen sisters no matter what we did. Whatever odds Effie was talking about, they were definitely not in my favor.

A loud knock at the door rouses me from my inner thoughts, a gruff voice announcing I have a visitor. I have enough time to brace myself before someone I did not expect came walking in. Gasping, my eyes widen at the sight of someone I swore hated me. "Mrs. Mellark? What are you doing here?" What was going on?

The woman known as Mrs. Mellark stalks up to me, a furious expression on her face. I resist the urge to back away from her as she approaches me. She is starting to frighten me as I force myself to stand my ground. Her steps stop once she reaches me, her angry blue eyes glaring into my grey ones. "Mrs. Mellark?" I ask carefully, not wanting to antagonize the viper of a woman. Without any warning, her hand draws back and a resounding smack echoes the room as she slaps me.

Clutching my cheek, I fight the tears that pool from the pain of her hit. What the hell? Did she just hit me? The throbbing pain from my cheek answers that. The other question is why. What the heck did I do to deserve to be slapped by the Bakery Witch? Well besides somehow getting her son to volunteer as tribute for Gale. Not even I knew the answer to that one. His actions were as big as a surprise to me as to everyone else.

"You little harlot!" Mrs. Mellark screeches, glaring hatefully at me. "Why you vile little Seam urchin. How could you make him do this? Hasn't your family caused enough trouble for us!" Her spiteful words hurt despite the insults I've heard from her a thousand times. It was no great secret that Mrs. Mellark hated my family, especially my mother. For what reason, I could not comprehend.

Wincing, I try my best to keep my voice calm despite the constant throb of pain from the slap. I was definitely going to be feeling that tomorrow. "I don't know what you are talking about, Mrs. Mellark." I lick my lips, fighting the urge to yell at her. "I didn't force Peeta to do anything. The reason for his actions is a mystery to me. I was unaware he was planning to volunteer. I haven't talked to him in months." Ok, that was kinda a lie. I might have not talked to him but according to Katniss, he has tried to talk to me.

"I don't care, you brat." She grabs my bare arm, her talons digging into my skin. I cry out in pain, not understanding why she is being so violent with me. "Now you listen to me, slut. You will swear to me that my son will come home to us. I don't care how many you have to kill to save him. You WILL make sure my son wins these games, even at the expense of your own life."

I swallow, fear gripping me as her words sink in. "Mrs. Mellark, I can't –"

"Swear it, Everdeen."

Her grip on my arm tightens, talons piercing my skin. I cry out from the renewed pain, tears threatening to spill as I force my lips to form words. "Please, Mrs. Mellark. Don't make me-"

A threatening smile crosses her lips as she leans forward to whisper in my ear. "Either swear to me Everdeen or I will make sure your little sister will not make it to the next sunrise. We wouldn't want that now, would we?" Her menacing tone frightens me to the bone, causes shivers to run up and down my spine. No. I will not let her hurt Prim.

Tears spill as I whisper my reply. "I swear to you on my life, Mrs. Mellark, Peeta will come home alive." I turn my head, shutting my eyes at my words. What did I just do? I just gave away my only chance to come home alive because Mrs. Mellark knew my one weakness. I would never go back on my word, no matter what. It was a trait I had inherited from my father much to my sister's dismay. Add in threats to my sister's life and I was a goner. Mrs. Mellark had me and she knew it.

She releases me, backing away with a triumphant sneer. "Thank you, my dear. And good luck to you." Without another word, she turns and leaves, slamming the door behind her.

My legs collapse from under me, no longer able to support my weight. What just happened? Did I just swear to Mrs. Mellark that I would do everything in my power to save Peeta? Tears streak my cheeks as I realize that I would probably have done that anyway even if she didn't make me swear. Despite Peeta's rejection of my affections, I cared too much about him to let him die. It didn't help that I wanted him to be with Katniss most desperately. I was even willing to give up my own life to make sure he came home to her.

It took several minutes to compose myself, not wishing for Prim to see me this weak. I was her strong older sister, never one to give in or back down. Heck, I got into more trouble than most of the boys from the Seam combined. Katniss would joke that trouble followed me everywhere I went. At this moment, I couldn't agree with her more. I seemed to have a knack at getting myself into situations that would bring me nothing but trouble.

I sigh, wiping away the last of the tears from my cheeks. Come on, Nightlock. Don't let the Bakery Witch get to you, I silently chant to myself. I couldn't let that viper of a woman know that she got to me. If she wanted me to save Peeta, then I would do it. Only, I will do it my way. I will show her the strength and confidence that comes with being an Everdeen girl. She will regret threatening Prim and the way she has treated us for all these years. I swear it.

A light knock alerts my attention to the door, making me hope it is my little sister finally come to say goodbye. As the door opens, I can't help but gasp at my second surprise visitor for the day. Was this surprise Nightlock day or something? I stare at the Peacekeeper, wondering why he of all people would visit me. I thought for sure he hated my guts. Maybe I was wrong.

The Peacekeeper known as Pierce glares hatefully in my direction, not willing to approach me. I raise an eyebrow in question, knowing that I was right. He really did hate me. However, that still doesn't explain why he is here. I try to find my voice, the shock of the situation disappearing. "Can I help you, Peacekeeper?" I ask quietly, knowing that he could snap at me at any moment. I could swear his hateful glare for me deepened. Was that even possible?

"No, girlie." He pauses, confusion flickering in his eyes before disappearing. "I just wanted to wish you luck." His gruff voice spoke volumes of how hard it was for him to say these words.

You have got to be kidding me. This Peacekeeper that surely hates me is offering me luck in the games? Has all of hell frozen over or a mutt taken this idiot's place? Knowing that both of those chances are extremely unlikely, I fidget under his glare. How does someone respond to such a shocking statement? I swallow, feeling the dryness in my throat at my nervousness. Should I say thank you?

"Well?" His question makes me jump, a small yelp escaping me. He smirks at my vulnerability, almost like he was happy to see make a fool of myself.

I groan quietly, not liking the gloating look in his eyes. If this day couldn't get any worse. Swallowing my pride, I tersely reply. "Thank you Peacekeeper." If he expected a long winded speech about gratitude from me, he has another thing coming. I refuse to appear weak in front of this pompous jerk.

He nods his head in acknowledge, almost amused at my words. A subtle smile tugs at his lips before disappearing. Is he making fun of me? Without another word, he turns and exits the room leaving me in shock. What the heck is that about?