AN: Hiiii everybody! Thanks so much for reading this, I really appreciate it. What do you think about the characters so far? Are they interesting to read? I'd love so much if you took the time to write a review, it doesn't take long to give your opinion :)

Without further ado, here's the third chapter of the story, and the last one about the reapings. The next one will take place in a particular train... you'll see that in a few days time, probably on Sunday-Monday-Tuesday.

Chapter 3: Empty

Here I am, on the top of the stage. I never thought I would have to do this, not now that I only had to participate in two reapings and be free after that. It seems this is not the case.

My eyes search frantically for Mark, but I just don't seem capable of finding him at the moment. I'm still in a huge shock. And I'm positive he is already in the Justice Building, waiting for his 3 minutes goodbye.

The next minute passes in a blur, and I barely notice Peacekeepers guiding me off the stage. When we get to the hall of the Justice Building, some photographer take a few pictures of us, the tributes. I never thought about when or where do they get the pictures that are projected in the arena sky the night after a tribute dies, or the ones they show while the broadcast their training scores for all the nation to see. I guess I have an answer now.

I follow Peacekeepers through the maze of hallways that is this building, passing by marble floors and beautiful stone statues. We stop in front of a wooden door, and I'm told to enter. I have some minutes for myself before visitors start coming in.

As soon as I'm alone, tears come to my eyes, but I won't let them fall. I need to be strong from now on, so right now looks like a great time to begin. Well, I should have looked strong and determined since they called my name, but I was quite disheartened – to say the least – the moment that stupid capitolite said the male tribute's name. And why would I? Because it was my best friend's name, Dorian Miller.

I haven't though about him really, and I still don't know if it's a bad thing or a good thing that I'm going to the Games with him, because in that exact second, Mark opens the door and I rush to hug him. He hugs me back so fiercely I can't breathe – not that I care – and we share a long and desperate kiss, his lips hungry against mine. When we break apart I look into his eyes, and I get lost in their dark brown depths. We don't say a thing for a long time, not needing to either. We are usually comfortable just with each others presence, communicating with glances, smiles or caresses instead of words. Besides, I'm pretty sure that if I try to say something I will burst into tears.

However, I have to tell him something while he is here, before they take him away from me. So I do. "Mark... I need you to know that if I die there, just remember me for who I was before this thing, okay?"

He doesn't answer, just shakes his head as if trying to get rid of the situation. "Mark, listen to me" I say a bit more harsher than necessary. "This is happening, there's no going back. But I need you to face this, you can't let my father starve, are you hearing me? I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my life, but I need you to accept that I might not be coming back. Please, promise me that you will look after him and Dorian's siblings, please Mark."

He struggles to answer, but I know that his words are honest. He would never lie to me. "I... I promise, Kelly. I just can't imagine how could I live without you, stupid girl. I promise to take care of them. But you need to come back to me, I need you." In that moment, someone knocks the door, and I speak as quickly as I can. "Remember it's all an act, I'm not the one you will see on your TV. I love you Mark."

And we kiss until the Peacekeeper guarding the door enters to take him away. And then he's gone, forever if I don't win this thing.

Not a second passes and the door is being opened again, this time by the tall figure of my father. He closes the door quietly, and walks slowly towards me, looking at me like he won't be able to get another glance. He touches my dark brown braided hair, and smiling he says: "You're as beautiful as your mother was when we first met." My mother died in an accident in the factory where she worked when I was 5, so I remember some things about her, but not much. I hug my father tenderly, clinging to him and inhaling his smell. He smells like recently cooked bread, like home, like safety. A safety I don't have any more.

"Dad... I will miss you so much." It's so hard to contain the tears by now. "I don't want to die."

"Hush Kelly, you will have time to worry about that when your time comes. Right now you need to think straight and clear about how you'll get to survive while you're out there." His voice cracks, not being able to continue talking, and he just touches my face. "I love you, little girl."

"I love you too Daddy." I now think about Dorian, who may as well be in my exact situation in another room inside this building. I start to open my mouth, but my father seems to know what I was going to say.

"Don't worry about Dorian's family. I will go later to their house to see how they are coping with this. Those little children need another person apart from their broken parents right now." And before I can interrupt, he adds: "And I will also check up on Mark. You just concentrate on coming back."

He hugs me quickly, and we manage to whisper a few "I love you"s before the Peacekeeper enters and finishes our goodbye. As soon as they get out, the room gets empty, just how my heart feels like at the moment. I brush away the few tears that where streaming down my face. I don't think I'll have more visitors, so we'll head off to the train when Dorian is finished. Dad will probably talk to him now that he has the chance, but I'm grateful his family doesn't show up. As much as I love playing with Layla and Robin, I couldn't help but cry, and I really need to look strong and determined from now on.

A few more minutes pass without me being disturbed. I guess peace is something that I'm going to be wishing for in a week's time, so I'm grateful for this moments alone. I need to come back to District 9, my whole life is here – Mark, my father, Dorian... oh right, not Dorian any more. That's why it's going to be so hard to achieve victory. Not that I think that killing innocent children and that stuff is easy, but Dorian and I will suffer so much if one of us has to kill the other. I'm really hoping that moment is not going to come.

But when they get me out of the room and guide us towards the train, I see his now sad bronze-like eyes, his sarcastic grin, his messy hairstyle. And I'm really glad that if I have to die, it will be with him by my side.

AN: That's all for today, I really hope you enjoyed reading the chapter! Please forgive any grammatical/spelling mistake D: AND let me know what you think in the form of a review, pretty pleeeeaaaaase :)