I look around, speechless. My name 23 times in thousands. My chances, compared to so many others, with their names in hundreds of times, were still diminutive.

I look at the girl beside me; her face flushed a light brown.

I make my way through the crowds slowly, waiting for someone to rect. No one does, but I do see the man I saw earlier looking at me sadly. I turn away.

I find myself at the concrete stairs, and come on to the stage beside Kevana and Thresh.

For a moment, I see something I can't describe in his eyes. Is it fear? Worry? Sympathy? It leaves just as soon as it comes, and I'm left with no thoughts.

I force myself not to look at papa. I can't see him, can't bear it, and refuse to look into his handsome, worn-down face.

It dawns on me that mama doesn't know. She's at home, waiting for me to come back.

I force back tears.

"Well, then!" Kevana beams. "The newest tributes! Shake hands, you two."

She steps back, and I turn to Thresh. That look comes back again, and he extends his hand. He's a muscular giant, really, and my hand is almost crushed inside his grip.

Kevana brings us into our Justice Building, and District 11 seems gone.

Kevana shows us to our rooms and tells us our families will be in to say goodbye.

When I'm alone, I immediately take a pillow and bury my face into it.

"Papa, Mama, Samuel, Hannah, Easter," I recite. "Benny and Leon and the man I don't know." All people who have cared for me. "And God." I add.

I am going to die. I'm going to die soon.

My family comes in, all of them, and I suppose the man I met had told my mother. How else could she have come so quickly?

"Rue, listen to me," mama puts her hands on my cheeks. "I love you. I'm there for you. I'll try to send you things to keep you alive. I love you very very much." And she cries, burying her face into my dress sleeve. "I—l-love you. I'll be with you until the end."

I start to cry too.

Papa leans in and just nods rapidly. "Me too—I can't tell you how much—"

"Sssh," I hush him kindly. "Don't cry, papa, I know."

I leave their arms and go over to my younger siblings.

"Don't die, Rue!" Hannah begs me, her brown eyes filled with worry.

Esther holds on my leg.

I bend down to come eye-to-eye with them. Leo and Benny wipe their eyes.

"Listen to me," I say. "I love you all. I don't have much time to say it."

I look into four pairs of brown eyes, all so sad.

"I hope you can all learn to love each other more each day. I love you all so much, and I will try my hardest to win. I need you to—"

"Times up!" an Enforcer says, leaning my crying family away.

"I love you!" I scream, trying to go after them. Two Enforcers hold me back.

I calm down and they leave, locking the door.

I start to cry into my pillow. I didn't even get to give them one last hug.

Now I'll never see them face to face again, ever.

The door opens and an unexpected visitor greets me.

It's Thresh.

"Hey," he says. His voice is low and firm, like a stern father's. "I'm Thresh. Are you alright?"

"I think so," I wipe my eyes. "I'm sure I'll be alright."

"Hey, it's fine," Thresh smiles. "The games just mean we're one step closer to ending it."

"Ending what?" I ask. I decide I like Thresh. He's actually pretty nice.

"The games," Thresh says, slightly impatiently. "The Games will end someday. I'm sure of it. And when they do, I'm going to be there."

"So you're determined to win?" I guess.

"I'm determined to make a difference." He nods.

I smile.

"We're leaving soon, shortstop," Thresh stands. "Then we can meet our mentor."

"Oh," I say. "I've never actually met him. Have you?"

He shakes his head. "No one does unless the go to the games. And no one from District 11 comes back alive."

I suck in a breath. Was that true?

He pats my shoulder. "See you soon."

He leaves, just like that, and I find myself shaking with fear.

I really am going to die. Aren't I?

Kevana comes in moments later, telling me it's time to go.

I follow her out, holding back any tears I have left.

No. I couldn't say goodbye to district 11. Not now. It's home, it's my home, it's my home!

I want to scream it to the world, tell them now.

We arrive to the train and I chose a seat by the window. Mama would have told me to not look back, but I do. I see my family in the crowds.

Blowing them a kiss, they smile back at me and I turn away.

I can't look at them…but I want to…I can't remember…but I need to…

I turn back once more as the train speeds away like lightning, and I watch as District 11 is made to be the size of an ant.

Goodbye mama! Goodbye papa! I begin to cry.

Goodbye Hannah, Esther, Leon, and Benny!

Goodbye home.