POV District 2 Arale Ulstrad

"Ok everybody up, let's go let's go!"

I had to admit, I had been very eager this morning...but I didn't need my older brother Luipos mocking me for the rest of my life because of it. "Come on," our older sister Fiter said. "Give her a break, this is her first reaping! On me and Tyles' first reaping, we were so excited that father couldn't get us to stop screaming." I looked over my shoulder to see our father roll his eyes. "And as I recall, about five years ago, there was a certain boy that was running around, rushing everyone out of bed, all excited for his first reaping day."

"OH, was it you Tyles, cause I don't remember that at all," Luipos retorted.

"Ok, my hair is not that short," Tyles defended.

"And anyways, from where I remember, your hair was longer than hers back then," I spoke up.

My three older siblings started to get in an argument. "Hey," our father barked, getting us all to quiet down. "Let's face it, every single one of us has been excited on our first reaping. Even you aunt twenty-five years ago. And your grandfather. And guess what? Now three people have died because of that reaping and now this is hell."

Our mother's older sister and our father's father were both reaped in the seventy-fifth Hunger Games, the third Quarter Quell. They lost. My father was fine, but my mother wasn't. And after fifteen years, her heart gave out from the pain. And now we're all kind of wondering how long it will be until our father's will too. Fiter and Tyles were only ten when she died. Luipos was seven, and I was two. Our father takes care of us, but they've had to be our support since. It's not like it matters. Our father still trains us. That's all that matters. Maybe if either Luipos or I gets reaped, and we win, we can win his heart over again.

"Now, Arale, you know how this works? You and Luipos go over there, they prick your finger, and then you go over to where the rest of the girls your age are," Fiter said. The three of us will find a space in the crowd, and you can come find us afterwards, ok?"

"Unless we get reaped," Luipos replied.

"You wish," Tyles replied before nudging us off. I followed her instructions, getting in line with the other kids. I didn't flinch when the lady pricked my fingers, and as soon as she let me go I hustled to the front of where the girls were and slipped in. We were one of the last ones there, and it wasn't long before the anthem played and District 2's escort, Essq Smyder came out. She was dressed head to toe in a bright turquoise, her dress pulled to tight around her body. The video they played every year, with President Lotus talking about the Dark Days, came on and off, and finally what I was waiting for.

"First off, we will get the name of the girl tribute to represent District 2 in the fourth Quarter Quell." She practically hobbles over to the ball set in front of the girls, filled with all ours names. She fished around quickly, probably wanting to get out of her dress as soon as possible, and hustling herself back to the microphone. She fumbles trying to open the name, and she had to read it a couple times with her mouth open before she finally read the name aloud. "Arale Ulstrad."

I paused for a moment. Did she really say that? I wasn't as excited anymore. I never trained. I wasn't ready. As I walked up to the stage, I was begging for Fiter or Tyles to call out that they volunteer. But they couldn't. If it was two years ago, then they could. But that doesn't mean they would either. I was stuck. The only person that would possibly ever vote for me was standing on the guys' side. And before I knew it, Essq's clicking heels were back at my side with the boy tribute's name. "Luipos Ulstrad."

My heartbeat froze in my chest. I was lucky that my clever brother was waltzing up to the stage with a smug grin on his face, that all eyes were on him, because I was in complete panic. I was also lucky that I was frozen in fear. "Oh wow, is this your little sister, Luipos?" Essq ask. Luipos just nodded, grabbing my hand and shaking it. He seemed as smooth and calm as ever, but his eyes were intensely locked on mine. I nodded slightly, as if he was telling me to keep calm. I was a career. Careers always win. I would be safe, especially with my big brother. But it didn't help when I turned to see my two sisters in silent tears right before the doors to the Justice Building slammed behind me.

POV District 2 Luipos Ulstrad

Hunched over on the velvet couch in one of the waiting rooms, tapping my foot on the ground. I had waited a long time, and no one was coming to my rescue. I had a guaranteed shot to win the Hunger Games, at least in my head, until now. Now I had to go against my own little sister. "Hey Luipos," I looked up to see Fiter, with Tyles and my father right behind. "How you holding up?"

"I'm just fine," I answered. "How's Arale?" I had easily assumed that's where they had been. She nodded, each of them sitting on either side of me.

"She's a bit nervous," Tyles continued. "But mostly just because she didn't want to train," She added quickly. After sitting in silence for a few moments, she continued, "So what do you make of the Quarter Quell this year?"

"Well, it's definitely very interesting. They usually have had something that directly impacts the tributes, this year, not so much. So they've got some sort of secret waiting for us, and I can't wait to find out what that is," I explained.

"Yeah," Fiter commented. "Probably the radioactivity and nuclear stuff. Probably did something to the life there that'll add some sort of challenge."

"Rather disappoint really," My father growled.

We stayed silent, and when Fiter opened her mouth to say something, someone else spoke instead, "It's time to go." They had spent most of the time with Arale, and now we were out. Fiter and Tyles got up and left, but my father stayed behind. "Come on, let's go."

"I'll be out in a minute," My father told him.

He paused for a moment. "60 seconds," He said before shutting the door.

My father stood up and waltzed over to the door. "I want you to let Arale win."

"What?"

"The rest of the careers are gonna be harsh, they aren't gonna want an untrained twelve-year-old girl tagging along with them wherever they go. They probably won't even take her for numbers. But I don't care. You are either going to take her, or you are going to find yourself an alliance that will. You are going to use every breath to try and get her to the end, and if it comes to the last two of you, I want you to find her somewhere safe, and I want you to then go find some way to take the bullet for her. Ok?" He said, his hand on the doorknob.

"Ok."

"Promise me, Luipos. It may not seem like it, but I love all you guys. But I am not letting Arale die in that hell hole that have been glorified, even for some of the victims. You are not letting her die." His eyes were boring into me.

"I promise."