5 Months Later

In about two hours, the Quarter Quell will officially begin. Me, Alona, Johanna, Balsam, and Nyla will line up on t he right side of the ropes. Striker, Rasp, Axel, and Blight will be on the other side. Then, they will pick two us to go into the Hunger Games and, if it were me, probably die.

Johanna had us practicing two days a week, doing things like climbing, fire-starting, and running or even knife throwing. She refused to touch the bow and arrows there, but Alona has fun with that. Nyla too.

"Fern?"

I turn away from my dusty vanity. I barely use it, but today, when I got up, I just sat and looked into the mirror. What would I look in a week? Would I be dead? Would I be alive? What? The Games can hold anything, and it's terrifying to think. But, at the same time, I'm ready for these Games. I won't let the same thing that happened with Lexi happen again. I wouldn't go crazy like that, either. "Yes, Pine?"

She pulls on a strand of her blonde hair, looking nervous. She'd gotten it cut to her shoulders and the look suited her more. "Would you like anything to eat or drink? Tea? I put in some birch bark, just like you like it."

I smile softly. "No thanks. I'll be downstairs in a bit. Can you pick out a piece of cloth for me, actually? Any color from Mother's sewing basket."

She grins, happy to do something. "Of course." She disappears out the door and closes it. I walk over to my dresser and pick out a cream dress with an orange belt that matches my hair. Cream flats match it and I tie a color-coordinated ribbon in my hair. I don't put on any makeup besides some eye shadow. I'd never used it before I became a Victor, but now I used on special occasions just for fun.

"Will blue work?" Pine asks when I get downstairs, holding up a square of aqua fabric.

"Yes. This is nice. Thanks," I say, smiling. I take the photo I'm holding, the one of my mom, my sisters, and I from nine years ago and set in the blue cloth. After I close it, and put inside of the coin purse I'm holding, I pull my sister in for a hug. "Alright, now, Pine, I need to you to stay calm no matter what happens."

I see the fear enter her eyes. "Okay."

"Pine," I say kindly. "If I get picked, then you have to stay calm. I'll be alright."

She hugs me tightly instead of saying anything else.

1 Hour Later

Me and Axel walk in silence to the Justice Building, watching the birds fly around in the sky, signing, white puffy clouds bright with a glowing sun up in the sky. When we get close to the Square where people are gathering he stops and I look back. What's he doing?

"Fern," he says gently. "I need to talk to you about something."

My stomach tightens. He doesn't like me anymore. Why'd he wait until the Reaping to tell me? "What is it?" I asked, my voice dripping with sadness.

He takes my hand which makes it worse. If he's going to break up with me, why didn't he do it two weeks ago? "Fern, if I Striker get's picked, I'm volunteering."

"What?" I gasp. "Why?" My mind reels, realizing how he has a fifty percent chance of being picked. More than Rasp and Blight now, and Striker doesn't even have to worry.

"He's elderly, Fern," he says, his silvery eyes shining. "But, I want to know that I care about you and that's not why I'm doing this."

My throat tightens, and I nod, fighting off tears. What if he and I get picked? We both definitely can't win, not like Katniss and Peeta did. What if he gets picked and I have to watch him die on television. "You know I care about you too."

He smiles, and nudges my shoulder. "Since when are you someone to let the Capitol beat you down?"

I swallow my tears, and shake my head. He's right. Contrary to the fear I'm feeling, I smile at him. "Neither of us are."

"Exactly, Red," he nods with a happy grin. Then he kissed me quickly before we walked towards to the Justice Building.

I let my hand slip from his and joined in with Balsam, Alona, Johanna, and Nyla. Nyla was hugging herself, Balsam was looking around, and Alona was humming. Johanna was standing with her arms folded, staring defiantly at the stage.

I didn't even realize the Reapings had begun until Ilis finishes her speech at the microphone, a particularly warm breeze sweeping around, swirling the grass below our feet into patterns.

She teeters on her wedges before reaching the girls' Reaping Ball, shimmering in the bright sunlight, five pieces of paper sitting inside. She doesn't bother to hide her excited smile and I roll my eyes. Of course she doesn't care about us. I don't feel fear, though, more than anything else. My own Games are ingrained in me. I take a deep breath, trying to get the taste of sand out of my mouth as Ilis picks a piece out.

Fern Redwood.

I brace myself for her to call my name, to read that paper with my name on it and send me off to the Games again.

"Johanna Mason."

I turn to my right and watch as Johanna barely stiffens. If you were watching on television, you'd see a brave girl walk up tot he stage without looking around, keeping her eyes forward as she steps onto the wooden stage, the boards creaking, and stands, looking out at nothing.

But I see my best friend, and my Mentor. My sister who's not related to me as closely as Pine is. I see the slight shake in her step and notice what she stare's at in the distance. It's not nothing. It's an evergreen forest where no lumber-mills are running today. It's our home, and she's good-bye and see you soon at the same time.

My cheeks aren't wet with tears, but my eyes follow her's. I'm so proud in that moment of her. Alona leans against Balsam and cries but I find myself wanting to wave a tree branch above my head to say something and make a statement like District 12 had.

"Blight Alastor."

I glanced over to Blight and feel guilty at my relief that it wasn't Axel or Striker.

He doesn't shake as he stands, but offers a small smile to Johanna. She returns with her eyes. There's something else too. A firm resolve in their faces.

They know something I don't.

Before I can wonder over it too much, Ilis claps. "The Tributes of District 7 for the 75th Hunger Games!" The crowd of citizens behind the Justice Building's Square claps along with her. The Peacekeepers move and start escorting Johanna and Blight but it's not inside the Justice Building. It's towards the trains.

"What's going on?" Nyla asks me. I shrug. I'm just relieved over not being picked, and heartbroken about Johanna and Blight.

I watch the Peacekeepers in their bright white clothing lead Johanna and Blight over to the train. Blight looks over his shoulder; waves to someone. Then, the Peacekeepers walk over to lead us to the Train.

I knew we'd end up going, most of the Victor's go when the Games are going on, but I thought I'd leave tomorrow. Not now. I try to look behind me at Mother and Pine, but their hidden behind a wall of people.

Instead, I catch up to Axel and hold his hand again, trying to calm myself down like I told Pine.

"Splinter will be okay," Axel says to me.

I shake my head. "I think so too." What does she know that I don't?

I might be in the Capitol but I'm going to find out. Somehow, I just guess that it has to do with Katniss Everdeen.

Sad chapter. I hope I can have jokes in the next one!

But, now the Games are starting. I hope you liked this chapter.

The family picture Fern had was her token in case she was picked, if you're wondering.

So, yep. Thanks for reading! Review!

To all of you reading this, just remember how much God loves you, okay? Even if you're going through a tough time, ask Christ to help you. He's there. He loves you.

~Loveableheart