I am standing beside Liliana.

I'm holding her hand, because I cannot stop shaking. Locketta Harmes, the District Four escort, is speaking on stage, but I am not paying her any attention. I can see Finnick Odair sitting beside an older woman close to the stage.

For some reason, his presence calms me.

"Let's find out who the lovely girl tribute is, shall we?" Locketta concludes whatever speech she had been saying excitedly, clapping her hands.

I don't want to find out.

Her hand reaches into the bowl that contains every twelve to eighteen year-old girl in District Four.

Five slips of paper contains Annie Cresta on them.

Please don't let it be me, I beg desperately, but it appears that the odds are not in my favor today.

Because, several heartbeats later, she pulls her hand back out and reads the name on the slip. "Annie Cresta!"

I'm frozen to the spot, and my body will not listen to me.

"No!" Liliana gasps out beside me. Her grip tightens on my hand, making the truth even more real.

There are no volunteers for me.

This is it, I think. There is no chance of me winning. I have not been training all my life, which is something that Careers do. I've been struggling to help my family live. Tying knots will most definitely not help me in the arena.

"Annie Cresta?" Locketta Harmes repeats.

My eyes meets Finnick Odair's, and he slowly gives me a nod. Urging me on. Telling me that there is nothing to worry about.

Of course, he's lying, but I am comforted by his sea-green eyes. I order myself to move, and I slowly begin walking towards the stage. Starting now, I am also walking towards my death.

After a few painful moments, I am onstage. I see the rest of my District staring up at me, and I swallow nervously.

Locketta Harmes moves on to the boys' bowl. She takes out a second slip of paper, and lets out a little "Ooh!" as she unfolds it.

I wonder what's gotten into her, and she answers my silent question by announcing the name on the paper. "Davis Odair!"

Did she just say Odair? Odair, as in Finnick Odair's brother? Well, that's wonderful. There's no way Finnick Odair will let me live now, especially when he's going to be helping his brother get out of the arena.

My mouth opens in surprise when I see the younger boy making his way onto the stage. He doesn't look scared at all. In fact, he looks confident. He looks like a smaller version of Finnick.

I find Finnick again, and this time, I notice that his face is pale.

"This year's games will certainly be promising," Locketta comments with her eyes shining brightly. "Tributes, shake hands!"

Davis Odair takes my hand, and he gives me one single shake.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you...the tributes of District Four!"

That is when I see Ellie pushing her way to the stage. Normal, non-chosen citizens are not allowed to go near the stage for any reason. I frown. Even if Ellie wants to say something to me, she can tell me in the few minutes of goodbyes before tributes are taken to the Capitol.

"Annie!" Ellie yells my name.

A few Peacekeepers immediately move forward, trying to push her back. She ignores them.

I can only watch. There's nothing I can do to help her.

"Finnick Odair!" Ellie manages to gasp out. "Please, I'm begging you! Get Annie out, alive!"

Chaos follows. I don't know what's going on, because Locketta begins leading us into the Justice Building. I don't have time to see what Finnick's reaction to Ellie's plea is, either. All I can hear are the noises behind me, and then there is a gunshot, followed with a piercing scream.

My blood runs cold. It's my mother's voice.

"Ellie!"

I then understand what has happened.

My sister is dead.

And just then, the door shuts behind me, and the voices fade into the background.

I am taken into a room, where I can say goodbye to my closest family and friends. The only visitor who shows up for me is Liliana. My mother must have been too emotionally damaged to come and see me. A small part of me is disappointed, because I have been wishing that she can comfort me. "Oh, Annie!" Liliana sobs, and then she pulls me into a hug. "I-I'm so sorry!"

"What for?" I ask, my voice breaking.

"You're being sent to the arena, and I'm still here," she says.

"You have to take care of my mother," I tell her. "Please! She didn't cope well with Dany's death, or my father's. Now Ellie's gone. Knowing her...she won't react well. Make sure she eats." I don't dare add that I am now a tribute.

Liliana takes my hand and squeezes it. "I promise," she says softly. "I'll do what I can to help your mother."

Would Finnick's reply to Ellie have been "I promise," too, if it wasn't Davis Odair who was selected as the boy tribute?

"Thank you," I say solemnly.

I'm sorry, Ellie, I think glumly. Dying wishes are supposed to be answered. But this may be one time when it isn't.

I burst into tears, and Liliana cries with me. She is hugging me again when her time is up. "I'll see you again when this is all over?" She asks me hopefully.

If only, Liliana, if only.

Disclaimer: I am not from the Capitol, so of course I don't own the Hunger Games.

(This used to be chapter 2, but I added another chapter between them. If you missed that one, I suggest that you go back and read the current chapter 2. :D I've also changed the boy tribute.. adds more drama. ;) )

What do you think of this chapter? Tell me in a review?