Author's Note: Sorry these chapters are so short. I like having a POV each chapter, but that means that each chapter will probably be 500-1,000 words each and only a scene or two.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games.

Chapter 2

Gale POV

I stare at the screen for what feels like ages after President Snow's announcement. To any other viewer, this was just normal Quarter Quell protocol. Perhaps parents were sighing with relief, knowing their children would be safe an entire year from reapings. But that only meant people like me, who thought we were safe after we weren't called our sixth reaping, are no longer free of the terror. In fact, we are the targets.

My mother is staring at me, I see her out of the corner of my eye, looking concerned. "Gale, darling, there are thousands of 19-30 year olds in our district. What are the odds you get chosen?"

"As Katniss Everdeen's cousin, I'd say pretty high," I retort back. It's not fair to be cross with my mother about this. Or even Katniss. It's not like they made up the Hunger Games. But with the Capitol and their evil ways of living so far, it's hard not to get angry at the people who are right there, so easily hurt.

"You're going to be okay, right Gale?" It's Posy, my little sister. So blind with my worry, I didn't notice her climb up onto the couch until she was snuggling right up against me. It broke my heart to see her so calm, so sure that I was going to be alright. I sometimes wish I had her innocence, but I had seen too much, watched the Hunger Games for so many years, it's all gone now.

"I don't know, Posy," I say.

"You're going to be okay," Posy assures me. Her certainty just hurt me more.

And then Katniss was running through the door, her eyes wide, her face blotchy from the run she must've had to get here.

"Gale," she whispers, walking straight towards me and wrapping me in a hug. Despite everything, her hug, her touch, made me feel something warm inside of me. I wonder if she felt it too.

"It's okay Katniss," I say, knowing it's what she would want to hear. "I'm okay. I'll be okay."

"No you won't. Not if you go into the arena," Katniss says, "Gale you can't go into the arena. There must be some way…"

"Let's run away," I suggest, suddenly grabbing her tightly at the shoulders and looking into her eyes. "We can go into the woods and…"

"No," Katniss says, shaking her head. "It won't work. Not now. Not at such a critical time.."

"What do you mean 'a critical time'," I ask. "You mean…" I lower my voice so my mom and Posy can't hear, "the revolution?"

Katniss nods. "Haymitch wouldn't like it. He wants us to play along. And I won't leave Haymitch. Or Peeta."

I stiffen at the mention of the bread boy, but I let it slide. Now is not the time for petty jealousy. There was a high possibility I was getting reaped in a fortnite, and I couldn't be focusing on Katniss' relationship with Peeta Mellark. I had to focus on getting out of the arena at all costs.

"C'mon," Katniss says, moving to my side and grabbing my hand, "Let's go to Haymitch. He'll know what to do."

"Won't he be drunk?" I ask her.

"Definitely," she says, "but he'll sober up for this. I know he will."