Chapter Three

I squeezed Tousa's hand as district sevens escort droned on and on about the dark days. We were now waiting in our 15 year old section for the escort to just cut to the chase and pull out the names. I hated the waiting it was by far the worst part. Why do they do it, they take so long. I bet it's some sort of game they play: Let's see how many kids we can get to throw up from nerves. Argh I hate this.

I snapped out of my thoughts just in time to see Cordon dip his chubby little fingers into the girl's bowl; he snatched one up and slowly unfolded it. Hurry up for Christ's sake! Tousa gave my hand another reassuring squeeze.

'Tousa Rigsworth' I froze. No! Oh please no. All the girls in the 15 year old section were pointing to both of us unsure as to which one it was. I turned to Tousa and hugged her, her whole body shook against mine. I bit back my tears knowing I had to be strong for her, strong for myself.

'Look Tousa, here's what we are going to do' I said in a calm controlled voice, A ghost of a smile appeared on her face.

'We are going to go up there together, because I'm your chosen family member and show everyone we're not afraid. We don't want people to think we're wimps... so we are going to show we mean business' she laughed at my idea but agreed anyway. We strutted out of the 15 year old section making our up to the stage I put on a determined face while Tousa tried to follow my lead but ended up snivelling.

'Snap out of it' I hissed and she full on laughed at me. Well that was better than the snivelling. I returned her smile as I dragged her up the steps to the stage.

'Oh wow...' Cordon said blinking his eyes rapidly at us making his sparkly blue eyelashes flutter. 'Um have I had too much to drink or are there two of you' He let out a high pitch giggle that sounded more like a squealing pig than a laugh.

'There are two of us' I snapped at him. His eyes took on a little puppy dog look.

'Oh I'm sorry' He stuttered his fish lips resembling something like a pout.

'I'm Tousa and this is my chosen family member, Tatyana Rigsworth' Tousa choked out.

'Well let's have a big applause for our two new tributes' District 7 stayed quiet, but I could see relief over all the girls faces. I spied Crooks in the boy's 16 year old group his face was ghostly white, a grimace crumpling his baby features. Our hands were clammy as we clutched onto each other, both of us not wanting to be the first to let go.

Cordon grabbed hold of the first paper his fingers touched in the boy's bowl. I could hear the whole of District 7 hold their breath.

'Finch Moody' I recognised the boy that slid out of the 17 year old group, I had seen him all round the square. Then it hit me the mayor's sun. What was the chance or him being picked? He definitely had his name in the pot less times than the rest of the 17 year olds had.

His jaw was clenched and his dark eyes hooded, he was handsome with his sandy blond hair and dark chocolate brown eyes.

'So young man, who will you be taking with you into the arena?' Cordon queried. Finch looked down at him his eyes now menacing and bitter. Cordon shuffled back a step.

'Cretan Sneed' His deep voice mumbled and he looked out at the crowd, scanning every face. An 18 year old stepped up onto the stage; he was a complete contrast to Finch. He had black hair that flopped over his eyes which were a light blue. The only similarity was their height as they both reached about six foot and had some muscles under their un-tucked shirts.

'And how ar-'

'Cousins...' Cretan sneered at Cordon. We were told to shake hands then taken off into the Justice Building leaving District 7 and their sympathetic silence behind. That's one thing I won't be missing!