Chapter 3... This is in Maryl's POV

I rubbed my eyes and stared out of the window. I watched the sun rise from the horizon; its gentle color touching the surface of the clouds, bathing the whole sky in a soft delicate orange.

I saw a few birds fly off into the distance; they're mockingjays. They resulted from the breeding of the jabberjays, and the mockingbirds. The government doesn't like mockingjays; they say that it is a sign of their mistake but the districts like them because their mere existence ridicules the Capitol. I like them for a different reason though; they showed us that 2 completely different things; the mockingbird; a bird from the wild and the jabberjay; a mutt that was originally created to aid the Capitol could get along, survive together and create something wonderful.

It's still dawn. Everyone was still asleep; they all look so peaceful and safe but I know that won't be true in a few more hours. Anyone can be picked- even me but it's a one in a thousand chance so we say it's impossible but that doesn't change the fact that there is a chance. Funny how we would lie to ourselves with simple words but it's our escape; our comfort from the possibility of certain death. Is lying so wrong then?

The Hunger Games; they say its a way to keep the districts in line and a way to prevent another rebellion from happening. Funny how I never put much thought into it's purpose until now. They say that it's cruel and unusual and I couldn't agree more but I don't blame the Capitol though. It's probably just a sport to them, they don't know about the pain that they can cause. No I don't hate them but I do pity their ignorance.

I got out of the room and headed towards the kitchen. Maybe I can help prepare breakfast; I have nothing else to do anyways.

"Oh Maryl, good morning! You're up early." greeted Mrs. Porter.

Mrs. Porter is the head caretaker of this orphanage and she is also the wife of the orphanage's owner, Mr. Collin Porter. They're a nice couple, they were childless so they're really welcoming when it comes to kids. They say that we're like their sons and daughters. I couldn't say the same for the other workers in here though.

"Do you need any help ma'am?" I asked.

"Sure, I need a little assistance in chopping some vegetables."

I grabbed a medium sized knife and I got to work. After we prepared breakfast I ate my meal with Rye and Diyella. We kept it casual, as if nothing is going to happened later on; Rye kept making jokes about 'my arch nemesis' and the other adults in the orphanage, Diyella was contently laughing and agreeing with Rye and I'm changing the topic to something about my parents. I wonder if they're getting tired of hearing about my lullaby?

I placed my bowl into the sink then I saw Mrs. Porter holding out a bag of cookies.

"For good luck..." she says.

"Thanks Mrs. Porter." I smiled at her.

"I know it's your first time. Don't be nervous okay. It's unlikely for you to get reaped." She says.

"I'll keep that in mind ma'am. Can I go to Prim's. I want to share some cookies; it's her first time too."

"Alright, just be back before 10:30." she replies.

"Okay, thanks a lot ma'am."

I grabbed my coat and headed towards the door. It was a 15 minute walk to her place but I kept myself occupied by munching on a couple of cookies. Prim is my sole friend outside the orphanage. She lived with her mother and big sister. The Everdeens are all really nice. I can't imagine District 12 without them.

I knocked on the door and was greeted by Mrs. Everdeen.

"Good morning Maryl, Here to see Prim?" She asks.

"Good morning to you to ma'am. Yes, I brought her and Katniss some cookies."

"Why thank you. Please come in. Prim is just tending to her goat."

I sat down in their drawing room. I've known Prim since kindergarten but I never talked to her until her father died. It was really sad; I know what it's like to not have a dad so one day Prim just walked up to me and opened up. I comforted her and we became fast friends.

"Maryl." she greeted.

"Hello Prim." I walked to her and we did our secret handshake. Her eyes then drifted towards the bag I placed on the table.

"Oh cookies!" she exclaims.

"I brought them for you and Katniss. Where is your sister anyways?" I asked.

"Out hunting with Gale." she replies.

"Oh. Well, be sure to leave some for her."

"If she's lucky." She smirked.

We played with Buttercup and I helped her and her mom organize some of their medicines. This is another cool thing about visiting the Everdeens; I learn so much about natural remedies. They can be quite useful; especially if you reside in one of the poorest districts. Commercial medicine is just too expensive at times. I got back to the orphanage at around 10.

I looked at myself in the mirror. I was wearing a simple baby pink dress with a skirt that falls to just above my knees. It's something I got from Christmas last year; it's my favorite dress but I rarely use it though.

"You look really beautiful..." says a familiar voice.

I turned around and saw that it was Rye. He was dressed in black slacks and an old yellow dress shirt and his dark brown hair was combed back.

"You look great too." I replied.

"Thanks, so are you ready to go?" he asked.

"Just give me a second to fix my hair."

"Yeah, it's soaked, like that doormat in front of the bathroom." he smirked.

"Whatever..." I rolled my eyes.

"Girls, takes them forever to get ready. I'll be waiting downstairs then." he said before he left.

I dried my hair with a towel and fixed it in a half-ponytail. I inspected myself in the mirror once again. I don't look that bad. I then walked out of the room to meet up with Rye.

"Ready?" he asks.

"Yeah..."

We walked together side by side. It was still early so we didn't rush and we didn't talk either. My heart would beat faster with each step. I looked around; taking in each and every detail of the district as I can. The chance may be one to a thousand but there's still a chance and I need to appreciate District 12 before it's too late.

Out into the distance I could see the justice building, the stage assembled and the crowd that is slowly gathering in front of it.

I then realized that no one else from the Porter House came with us. Aren't we all required to attend the reapings?

"Hey Rye?"

"Yeah?"

"Where are the others? Aren't they coming.

"They are but they said that we should go ahead. Said something about being early here will prepare you for the reapings." he replied.

"Oh."

We continued to walk in silence until we reached the place. We lined up for the registration. They just took a drop of blood and checked our attendance so it was rather quick. I went to the area of my age group and I could read the fear in their eyes. I myself was scared to but I held my tears; it is improper to cry in public.

I felt my heart race and my palms began to sweat. I took in a deep breath then I hummed my special lullaby. The world stopped; I couldn't hear the crowd nor could I feel the wind against my face. I was stuck in my own little world; the place where I can be with my parents. There was nothing but darkness, a humming, my parents' touch and the scent of liquor. There is no reapings, there are no games.

"Hi Maryl." a voice broke me out of my trance. I opened my eyes and I saw Prim. The anxiety is written on her face and her eyes were red and I could see traces of dried tears that ran down her cheeks.

"Prim are you alright?" I asked.

"J-just a little nervous..." she stutters.

"We have one in a thousand chance Prim..." I reassured her.

"But that's still a chance." she stated. She's right, we can never really say that we're safe. A few years ago a 12 year old was reaped. I don't think that's fair; we're young, we shouldn't be out fighting in an arena.

We placed our attention to the stage. It was all prop up; there were 3 chairs on stage; two are occupied and the last one is empty. One is for Mayor Undersee, the other one is for Effie Trinket; our district's escort and the empty one is for Haymitch Abernathy; the sole living victor of District 12.

Effie stood up from her seat and walked towards the microphone. A big smile was painted across her face but I couldn't help but notice the sadness in her eyes. Then it made me think; What is beneath that smile? Is she truly happy or is this also a day that she dreads? What makes her happy? What makes her cry? Who does she think about at night?

Her loud microphoned Capitol voice broke me away from my thoughts. "Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games!"

"Her voice scares me a little..." Prim whispered.

"Really? I kind of like her voice." I admitted. I like the Capitol accent; I think it's classy but one will get mocked in the districts if they have that.

"As you all know our District has one living victor so let us welcome District 12's very own Haymitch Abernathy!"

We all watch Haymitch drag himself across the red carpet. With each step he started to look sicker and sicker. I wonder how many bottles of alcohol he had today because right now all of that is being spilled onto the Capitol's expensive red carpet.

Effie scowled at him but I don't think he noticed because he continued the rest of the way as if nothing had happened. He walked up towards the stage and did the unexpected; he hugged Effie onstage. I couldn't tell if he's trying to grope her or not but I am pretty sure she's annoyed with him. She tried to break free and push him away. He fell unconscious on the ground.

I could hear snickering; even Prim was resisting the urge to laugh."Well that was..."

"Fascinating!" I finished her statement. What a way to break the tension you two! District 12 is proud!

She then continued as if nothing had happened. "The time has come to select one courageous young man and woman to have the honor of representing District 12 in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Now, before we begin, our friends from the Capitol have prepared a special presentation for us." She directed our attention to the huge screen.

The 'special presentation' was this video about the rebellion 74 years ago and how the Hunger Games came to be. It was suppose to be a way to keep the districts in line. I don't think it's needed though; the mere thought of District 13 and the strict law that they implement is enough to keep us all in line. It lasted about 3 minutes then the screen went black.

"I just love that!" she exclaims but I doubt she really did.

"Ladies first!" She exclaims before walking towards one of the bowls. She took out a single slip of paper and walk back towards the microphone. She opened the folds and smoothed it out and read the name.

What a heard was the very thing that I have been dreading. I felt my heart stop and I couldn't move my feet. The name that was called was none other than my own. Everyone was giving me sad worried glances. They can volunteer but they dared not to and I don't blame them. I know well that someone has to partake in their games; someone has to die.

In that very moment I felt all of my dreams shatter; all of those dreams and fantasies are all for nothing. A void was formed in my heart; it was getting bigger, it was eating through my very soul. It was crushing my heart and it was suffocating me. I then found myself lost in the darkness of the real world.

The thought of death awakens one to reality...

Okay, tell me what you guys think of this chapter. I had a hard time thinking of Effie's dialogue so I took the one from the movie (Disclaimer: I do not own that part) or at least in the way I remembered it and I added the scene with Haymitch. I wonder why they removed that from the movie? I was gravely disappointed when they removed it. -_-

Also, I would like to inform you guys that I read the 3 books online, I forgot a few minor details and I lost the link so I'm going to be having a rather difficult time trying to figure out the process and preparations for the games. Please bear with me, it's not going to be as book accurate in terms of how the gaming preparations are done but I will do more research on the matter.

Anyways, thank you for all of the reviews guys. I appreciate them ^_^