"Well come on up then!" Corra said nervously, trying to divert the attention from the blunder she had just made on national TV.

The Peacekeeper whom I had shoved wasted no time throwing me onto the podium. I immediately gained my footing and ran to my sister. She clutched my midriff as if it were a lifeline. I let her dry her eyes with my raggy shirt, as I looked at Corra to carry on.

"Kudos!" she congratulated. She leaned down close to me and whispered, "What's your name again?"

"Jacob Ryder."

"Congrats, Jacob Ryder!" she exclaimed, as if I said nothing. "Can we get a round of applause for this year's tributes?"

Not one person clapped. Maybe there still was hope for my District. After an awkward 8 seconds of silence, precisely one person out of the thousands clapped once, sarcastically. That was enough for Corra.

"Great!" She clapped rapidly. "And who could forget that this is the 75th Hunger Games? A Quarter Quell! Extra fun!" I grinded my teeth.

I just noticed a third reaping bowl. It must be for the Quells I suppose. Sure enough, Corra bounded over to it. Again, she dreadfully took her time. I prayed that it wasn't an awful thing. Like when there were twice as many tributes. I started breaking out in a sweat.

Finally, Corra opened the letter and read the words that were written in curly-que handwriting.

"As a reminder to the Districts that not only twenty-four children will become killers, but all of you will," Corra looked at everyone with interest. "Each day, every one in the District must vote for the next tribute to die, and then the method of death. For instance, at the start of Day Six, you must all place a vote on the next death to occur. Then you will all decide what will kill him or her. Say…. Bee Muttations?"

I sighed. At least they weren't forcing us to strangle each other to death, like in the 46th. We may still have weapons.

As the Anthem began playing, Mikayla let go of me. It took everything out of me to not cry. I couldn't even sing. But once my Peacekeeper buddy prodded me with his gun, I started again.

With the final lyrics, I took one last look at my District. I remember the 74th. District 12 had all given Katniss Everdeen a gesture special to their District. I read about how District 12 used it at funerals. But it was something kind. They had honored her with a simple gesture. With hollow hope, I waited for District 3 to do something similar. Just a simple salute. That's all I needed.

Nothing.

Filled with disappointment, we were escorted to the nearby Justice building by the Peacekeepers.

As soon as I enter, my sister is torn away from me. I try to fight back again, but to no prevail. They dragged her away in tears, while I fell limp, letting them take me away too.

The room I was in was amazing. It was beautiful, filled with expensive and interesting decor. I tried to imagine what it would be like to live in a home filled with velvet, granite, and other disgusting and wasteful materials.

I would hate it.

I waited for what seemed like too long for someone to come in to say goodbye. I wasn't expecting much, considering I wasn't very popular, especially in school. Perhaps, because I was poor? It didn't matter anymore. I was going to die. At least not too many people would miss me. Matilda? Yes. Adryana? Yes. But I doubt anyone else cared. So I plopped down on the overly-comfortable couch and waited.

The first person to come in was Matilda. The woman's eyes were red, she'd been crying. We normally didn't talk much, but I knew she loved me. I loved her too. For a moment, neither of us knew what to say. She put her hand on my shoulder, and I saw a single tear roll down her cheek.

"I remember the day you were born," she said. "I heard from my neighbor that my best friend was giving birth. I couldn't believe it. We'd waited much later than her due date. I was there in a heart beat, and luckily, I wasn't too late. I was next to your father the whole time. When I held you…" She squeezed my shoulder a bit harder. "All I could think was... This is all I want. A child. But… I could never find the right man." Why was she telling me all this?

"The only good thing that came out of your parents' deaths was that I got you two," she said as she wiped her eyes. "You and your sister were the best things that ever happened to me."

I had no idea what to say. Matilda never talked to me like this.

"I just wish you could both come back."

After that, I barley heard her words. They were white noise. Nonetheless, I appreciated everything. But because she said that, I finally accepted it. Only one of us was coming out. I loved this woman, but I tried to block out my emotions.

After a while, she held out her hand. My little toy was there. The gizmo was still a pyramid from when I had tossed it aside this morning.

"I know that it's one of the few things you have," she said. "Take it into the Arena. A token."

Just then the Peacekeepers came in. Matilda burst into tears as she hugged me once more. The men grabbed her arms and led her outside.

I choked up as I tilted my head back on the couch, overflowing with pillows. As I waited for something to happen, I unconsciously fiddled with my token. It became circular with a hole in the center. I found a piece of string in my raggy pants, and I slid it on. The make-shift necklace dangled from my neck in an odd circular motion. I closed my eyes.

As soon as I got comfortable, Adry came in. She quietly sat down. For a while, she remained silent. Finally, she looked up.

"I'm so sorry."

I didn't know how to respond. We weren't exactly in the warehouse, chatting casually.

"It's fine-" I started.

"No it's not!" she cut off roughly. "I practically gave your sister a death sentence!"

"It's not your fault…" I said quietly.

"It doesn't matter," she said. "She's going in. And you volunteered. But here's a thought though," She looked at me intensely. "What about the people who care about you? Huh? What about Matilda? What about me? I-I don't have anyone else. My mother doesn't even want me. My father is dead. You're my best friend. And what would volunteering do to help Mikayla?" She wasn't mocking me, it was an honest question.

"I'm going to protect her," I replied confidently.

"Well only one tribute comes out," she said in a small voice. But with horror, she realized what my plan was. "No. No. You can't!" She stood up.

"So you just want me to throw my sister out?" I looked at her with an astounded face. "Leave her? Let the Careers take a whack and slaughter her? And if it's any consolation," I clenched my fists. "Neither of us will probably be coming out. Just look at me." I held out my skinny arms for emphasis.

Adry gave up. She looked me straight in the eyes. The deep pools of blue were filled with tears. But this wasn't the Adry I knew. Only one droplet escaped. She wiped it on her sleeve.

"If you tell anyone I cried," she looked serious. "I'll kick your ass."

Finally, we smiled. Even under the circumstances, we were able to force out a laugh.

"If you think…" she choked out. "It's the right thing to do… Then do it."

I forced a smile. "I'll find a way."

We sat down for I don't know how long. We discussed my plans.

"You've seen every Hunger Games, right?" she said.

"Every one."

"Take into account all of the victors, especially ours. Use their strategies. Avoid Careers."

"Use the Arena to my advantage."

"Get allies."

"Run from the Cornucopia."

"Find a source of water."

"Play weak."

And we went on like that until it was time to go.

The Peacekeepers came in, to show that my hour was up. Adry cave me one last sheepish smile and got up. She leaned in close to me and whispered in my ear.

"Good luck."

Then she did something I never would have expected.

She kissed me.

For a good three seconds. As soon as she let go, I felt numb.

The insane girl bounded out of the room laughing.

"Hey!" she shouted to me.

I looked up.

"If you die in there, I'm gonna kill you." She smiled a genuine smile as the Peacekeepers guided her away.

And I just sat on that disgusting velvet couch, touching my lips gently, Adry's smile still frozen in my mind.

I laughed. Now I had a reason to come back. Is that what she had planned?

But a thought crossed my mind.

When the time came, would I kill myself for my sister?

(Thanks for reading! I would especially like to thank Cloudie Daze for her support. Peace out!)