So this is the revised edition of chapter two. Nothing changed, really. Just left out a few "mushy" parts. Enjoy!


Chapter 2: One of them

**Kory**

"Name,"

"Kory Cather,"

"Age,"

"Sixteen years,"

Captain Farlowe stood to face me. "Mister Cather, you do realize that if you agree to these terms, then you will not be able to live with your family anymore."

"I thought it was until I'm of age."

"No. The change is immediate. However, you are still susceptible to being a tribute for the Games."

I nodded. "I understand, Sir." Captain Farlowe stared at me, almost in pity. "Son, you don't have to do this." He stated quietly. I glanced in a mirror on one of the walls, and was hardly surprised by what I saw. My jaw was set in a hard, determined fashion, and my eyes burned with the same determined ferocity.

"Actually, Sir, I do." I had to keep her out of trouble. I needed to keep her safe, for her family's sake. I owed them a debt. "May I please sign, Captain?"

Captain Farlowe sighed dejectedly. "All right then, Mister Cather." He handed me the tablet and stylus and watched, carefully, as I signed my name. "You won't turn in for duty tomorrow, due to the Reaping ceremony."

"Yes Sir. Anything else I should know?"

"Yes. I need you and several others to make sure everyone goes to the reaping tomorrow morning. I understand you are of the Mormon faith, correct?"

How much do they know about me? I thought. "That is correct, Sir."

"Tomorrow morning, you will need to escort those attending the services to the Forum. Do you understand?"

"Yes Sir. May I go now?"

"You may. I shall see you in the morning."

"Yes Sir. Thank you Sir.

I was walking home, thinking about what I had just done. Zach Walt walked up beside me, whistling happily. "Hey Zach," I said. Zach grinned at me. "Hey Kory. How are you this wonderful morning?" I laughed. "Okay, I guess. And you?"

Zach grinned. "Well, Jess said yes." I grinned back. "Awesome! I just wish Nikki and me"- I stopped. Zach glanced at me. "What?" he asked. "Oh, yeah. Right. How's that going for you?"

"I can't find any time that she's not surrounded by her friends!" I complained. "It's hard talking to her period, but with everyone else around to hear it? Forget it, Zach. It'll never happen."

Zach shook his head. "Kory, she really likes you. She feels the same way."

"How do you know?"

"She told me."

I raised my eyebrows. Zach rolled his eyes. "Okay, so she told Jess who told me that Nikki liked you."

"Nikki's gonna kill me," I blurted out. "I mean, figuratively and literally. Probably." Zach glanced at me. "What are you talking about?" I groaned inwardly. "Nothing really. At least, nothing worth talking about."

"Everything is worth talking about, Kory. It just depends on who you're talking to."

"Zach, I…I feel like I made a huge mistake today. My head thinks I did the right thing, but my heart…my heart says otherwise."

"Listen to your heart, Kory. It's what I always do, anyway." Zach shrugged. "If it's not too personal, what exactly did you do?"

"I...Zach, I joined the Peacekeepers."

Zach groaned. "You are so dead, Kory," I sighed. "I know. But it was for a good reason. I have to keep her safe."

"You have to keep her safe? You do know that she

"What if she gets put in the Games, Kory? How are you supposed to keep her safe then?" Zach sighed. "I'm sorry. That was…uncalled for." I shook my head. "No, it's fine Zach. I can still be a tribute, or volunteer."

Zach was silent. "So you would die, and leave her heartbroken? Kory, that's not-"

"Zach, at least I'd be able to keep her alive in there! Do you think that Nikki could last in there? Do you remember what happened to her brother, Michael, last year?"

"Cool it," Zach muttered. "I didn't mean-"

"Zach, I can't let Nikki-"

"Can't let me what?"

I turned around. "Nikki! Uh…hi…..um…"

"Can't let me do what, Kory?" She pressed. "Nothing," I lied. "It's nothing."

Nikki frowned. "Uh huh. Well, whatever it was, I guess it can wait. I'll see you at Church tomorrow, right?"

"Uh, yeah. Yeah, I'll be there tomorrow." Just not as me. "See you later."

"See ya!" She called, walking away. "Bye Zach!" She grinned, and sprinted home.

Zach stared sympathetically. "Tough luck, Kory; See you at the Reaping."

"Yeah," I sighed. "See you,"


So, of course, I'm slowly (very very very slowly) rewriting this. :P It'll take me forever. But hey- I have a district, finally! District 7! Nikki's gonna be more "violent", meaning she'll actually be more than a lovesick teen. She's super deadly! :D Kory better watch out...