Pandora Lee POV

My pencil moves slowly across the page. I'm sketching a picture of the sheep in the field grazing. Their fluffy white coats had been sheered away and shipped to District 8 as it always is. I suppose the sheep are a good representation of most of the districts, they had all that was valuable taken away from them, much like the Capital takes our children at this time of year.

Yep, today is reaping day. I thought I could get a bit of sketching in before the ceremony. Grandma has already helped me dress so I can't be late. I'm not sure about my brother and sister though. Skene always struggles to find something presentable in his closet, and Parry always seems to take forever perfecting her hair.

Suddenly, something bumps me from behind! I quickly turn around to find a loose sheep, stranded and alone. I glimpse around, desperately searching for a shepherd, but there wasn't one in sight.

Even though I live in the livestock district, I don't work with the animals. I am a preforming ballet dancer for the rich folk. Not once in my life have I cared for an animal.

I pet the sheep calmly, trying to think of what I possibly could do for the poor thing. Should I feed it? I don't think I have anything edible for it, and I need to get going to the reaping soon!

"I guess I'll keep you until I find your owner," I tell the sheep, "I'm Pandora, I guess I'll call you... Daisy. Come on, I'll have to find somewhere to put you!"

I begin walking to the square, the sheep trailing behind me. It may look a bit odd since it's reaping day and nobody is working, and everybody knows I cannot be a shepherd.

"Hey," called out a man, "Are you willing to sell me that sheep?"

"For how much?" I ask him in reply."

"In it's condition, I'll give you about a hundred."

I have no use for Daisy, besides, there isn't much I can do with her. I have no pasture at home and nowhere to keep her. So I let the man take her and receive my payment.

I begin to again make my way to the square, when I turn away to look for Daisy one last time. The man seems to be taking her by the neck, making his way into the shop. Then I realize something, I have sold my sheep to the butcher!

I run after him into the store, but I am too late by the time I am there. He already has her lying on a table, awaiting her fate. This is a feeling I dread, the feeling of loss. Even if it is just a simple sheep, I had bonded with it in a short time. I cared for it, much like I cared for my mother.

I can't let tears form, I need to get to the reaping.

I stand there, the depressing feeling of death looms in the area. As the death of Daisy, these children are killed for the wealth of their own killer. Murder brings rewards.

I find them calling out the girls name. A crippled 12 year old, so young, so sweet, so helpless. Like Daisy, she was about to get hopelessly murdered. The little girl stood no chance, just like Daisy, and my own mother and those tracker jackers. I hate to see helpless people die.

So, somehow, I find myself raising my hand to volunteer.

Tauron Golian POV

Griffin thinks I would die in the arena, boy is he sadly mistaken. He's just a little kid, he doesn't know what I am capable of. I'm not going to die like some pig in the butchers! If I did get stuck in the arena, I swear, I'd last.

I can't imagine Griffin's life without his big bro protecting him, that's why I would have to win the games, and they would let me prove myself as a fighter. I don't exactly fear them, but I'm not sure if I would enjoy them either.

I see a pretty beat up kid a few places behind me. He wouldn't stand a chance, it was partially my fault I admit. Some guys have to learn not to mess with me, including those stupid peacekeepers. I'm not going to lie, I've gotten in trouble a few times. Nothing too serious though, or I wouldn't be standing here today.

I hate how I have to dress up for the reaping, I don't look very intimidating in this outfit. The last thing I want is, if I'm reaped, for the Capital to think I'm just some pretty loser. I am pretty though, not a loser. I am anything BUT a loser.

Some chic volunteered for a little crippled kid. Aw, ain't that just adorable. Going to get yourself murdered for some kid you don't even know. Smart idea isn't it?

"What's your name sweetheart?" asks the freaky looking guy from the Capital.

"My name is Pandora Lee," she says.

I begin to hear sobbing amongst the crowd. Family I guess. They had no idea their daughter o sister could be stupid enough to willingly go into the games while, judging by her appearance, she stood no chance.

"Now," says the man, "Time to find out who Pandora's partner will be!"

He slowly reaches his grimy little hand into the globe and swiftly pulls out the tiny slip of paper.

"Mr. Golian," he says, "Tauron Golian."

Absentmindedly, I raise my chest high and make my way to the stage. The man helps me up the stairs, where I find myself face to face with Pandora. I hold out my hand.

"Hey," I say.

"Nice to meet you," she says emotionless, reaching for my hand.

We shake hands, we are the tributes from District 10.