A/N: Four more Reapings to go. Sorry this chapter seems to be so small. I'm trying to make them different so you won't get bored but at the same time trying to keep them in character.

Guess what! I have something you all might like coming up. It'll start once we get to the Capitol and all the goodies hiding inside there.

Disclaimer: Still not Suzanne Collins and I don't own the Hunger Games- Blah, blah, blah. You know the rest.

~District Eight Reapings~

Zane Galvin's P.O.V.

My nose crinkles as the smell of food wafts over to me.

I may be still half asleep, but my nose is always the first one to tell that it's almost time for the reapings.

Fizzle, Crack, Sizzle, Fizzle, Crack, Crack!

The noises from the kitchen continue and the smell gets clearer.

When I've finally woken up enough to lift my face off my pillow, a knock at the door is audible. Too audible.

"Zane! Gabe's here. Are you up yet?" My mother's voice breaks in and I'm instantly onto my feet.

A suit lies across my stiff, deformed bed. I don't bother touching it. The reapings are just a way of the Capitol saying: "Dress nicely, for your children won't want to look raggedy if they're chosen for their death sentence!"

"Yeah, mom!" I yell back. I rub my eyes with my thumbs in unison and walk towards the closet. Then I retrieve something comfortable, yet nice looking, to wear.

In the end I'm walking into the kitchen wearing a pair of dark jeans and a neat shirt I've had for a while.

Gabe stands by the worn out table eating a couple sausages probably provided by the butcher. I have no idea how my mom could get meat that good looking from the guy who despises her more than anything.

She probably had to sell half of our cloth to get it. Crap.

I have to inspect some of the half stale bread lying on the counter. "Mom, you didn't have to do this again. I'm seventeen. I'm not a kid anymore."

"Don't say that, this meat is the best I've tasted in years." Gabe holds a finger up to me scolding me. Thank god not the usual one. Mother would have scolded him, if he did that in her house.

"I've been doing it since you were little and…" Her voice trails off as she hugs me around the waist. Where have the years gone? I'm like a head taller. "… And where's you suit I put out for you?"

I have nothing to say to that.

Gabe digs me out of the hole as he always does. "Uh… Ms. Galvin. We should probably get going. Don't want to be late for the reapings." Gabe grabs a couple sausages and heads for the door.

"He's right. I'll see you later. We'll turn the breakfast into lunch, since I didn't get to eat." I hug her again and start following Gabe.

"Zane." She smiles and grabs me by the arm. "Good luck in there."

I only nod.

"Blaze, man. Come on. We're late. Let's move it!" Gabe pulls me out the door and we're on our way to the Town Square.

We've made it just in time before the mayor has started the Treaty of Treason.

Gabe and I are quickly able to sneak into the seventeen year old group without being noticed.

I can see my mother walking into another roped section for all the adults and younger kids who won't be participating. She seems calm, but I can see the look in her eyes. She's worried. But why? I only had a couple slips. It's only six.

When I start paying attention again, I realize that the mayor's just finished and Gillary Jenson has made his way to the podium. He's the only male escort. With his ugly pea green skin color and tinted blue hair, he's known as a freak-show to the people.

A hand grabs mine tightly. Shelly.

The only girl I know who could love a boy like me for twelve years.

Her grip tightens as he call the girl tribute. "Sarah Armenta!" Jenson waves the slip in the air as if it's some type of prize.

A scream almost covers over Gillary's voice completely. Just another mother. Another damsel in distress.

"Zane Galvin." My heart stops when Gillary mentions my name.

I feel a pat on the back. It's Gabe for sure because he then says, "Good luck man."

Shelly tightens up more, so when I start walking forward, her hand stops me. I have to glare back at her and shake it off to brake free.

Tears in Shelly's eyes fall to the stone-filled ground. Gabe crosses his arms as if he's mad. I can hear a moan of sadness come from my mother. People watch me make my way through the crowd. Most showing their grief.

Am I the only who has got a grip on things lately? Thoughts can't help but ponder thoroughly through my mind.

My hearts beating so sped up and loudly, that I'm at the point where I'm worried people will hear it from a distance. But I'm able to keep a straight look on my face easily.

"Let's give it up for our District Eight tributes!" Gillary yells out.

Few claps come out. The people I know cry or ignore the subject; while unknown strangers only watch their feet shift back and forth.

It's like they all know what's coming.

~District Eight Reapings~

Sarah Armenta's P.O.V.

The boy across from me shakes my hand, his face emotionless.

Zane- I think his name is.

Peacekeepers shoo us off into the Justice Building decorated just for the occasion.

"Eighty-three years and this place still isn't run down?" I ask almost mockingly to the peacekeeper beside me.

I only get a shove in the shoulder as a response.

The boy and I are separated into different rooms from across the hall.

Snowy white furniture is placed around a burgundy colored coffee table.

A platter of ripe fruit and bread sit on the table next to clear vases holding small roses.

I take a seat on the nearest sofa and wait for the doors to open and someone to come in.

But besides the peacekeepers, I'm all alone.

Remy suddenly bursts through the doors almost out of breath. "Who else has come by?"

I shake my head. "No one yet. You're the first."

He nods slowly. "How many slips did you even have in the bowl?" Remy takes the seat next to me.

"Only two or three slips extra." I say quietly. "You think I can make it out right?"

Remy looks at the ground first then nods again.

"Remy? Why were you in such a rush to get here?" My words are almost shaky so I cover it up by sitting straight up.

He grabs my hand looking into my eyes.

Is he? No he can't.

Something drops into the palm of my hand. "Sarah. Please, don't loose it. It means everything to me."

Remy lifts his hand up revealing his hemp braided bracelet. He's never taken it off his left wrist so I'm amazed to see it against a new skin tone.

"I'll do anything to get it home. I promise Rem." I say hardly able to smile at him.

And yet, somehow I know I will bring the bracelet home to him. I just have that feeling.

I watch my best friend leave and wander out the door. While family members walk the other way into the cold room.

"Hey Damian."

He smiles knowing that I'm still in the mood for talking. "Hey Sarah."

Damian takes the seat next to me then wraps his arms around my body, enforcing me into a hug.

I hug him quickly then arch by back so that I can reach a strawberry off the table.

My first bites are sweet but tangy only to melt into a soft and delicate taste I've only had a couple times from father's produce store.

Mother gives me a hug while I chew and sits down in the seat across from me. You can see the tears that have slid down her face along with the redness and shine in her eyes.

Father only stands quietly by the window.

"I'm going to come back." As I say these words, everyone turns to look at me. All three are confused slightly.

Damian taps my shoulder. "Can you promise me to get your hands on a sword?"

How many promises would I be making today?

A simple nod is all I reply with.

"Honey." My eyes meet my mom. "We'll miss you lots." She pulls the same brown hair I have behind her ear so I can see her face.

"I'll miss you guys too." I keep my eyes locked on my father though. I wait for him to do something. I've never expected something from him, but it's heart-wrenching for him to not even notice his own daughter heading for the games.

Damian pats my back then gets up. "Run fast little one."

He helps mother off the couch that's almost soaked in tears and leaves me with my father.

What would I do without him?

"Dad."

He doesn't look at me.

"Father-" I say trying to get his attention.

He simply walks off with only one thing to say to me. "Good luck in the games Sarah."

And I'm all alone.