"Lucky! Wake up! You've slept in for ages! On tour day!" That's my little brother, Robin Ebony. Well, one of the six. I'm the only girl. Robin Ebony, at thirteen, is three years younger than me, and the third out of seven siblings. He suffers from one chronic illness after another. Lucky is my nickname. I don't particularly like it. I prefer to be called my actual name, Lark-Rose, or even better, just Lark. I open my eyes and sit up, grinning at my brother. I suppose that's one thing that's lucky about me, I have a loving family. More than I can say for others in District 12. He knows I don't like being called Lucky, that's why he does it. It's become less of an irritation and more of a joke.

"Robin Ebony! How very rude of you to awaken me!" I give Robin Ebony a hug, ruffle his fluffy, light brown hair, and he goes downstairs whilst I dress. I pull on a dress that was once sky blue, and run after him. My family is one of the better off ones in our district, as we're carpenters, part of the merchant class. My other brothers are Judas Ash, Martin Mauve, Swift Crimson (noticing a theme?), and Cedar Gold, as well as baby Rowan Jade. Judas Ash is fourteen, Martin Mauve is eleven, Swift Crimson is ten, Cedar Gold is eight and Rowan Jade is eighteen months old. At sixteen, I'm the oldest. It's tour day, post 74th Hunger Games. This year, my name will be in fifty times. When I was twelve, I had six siblings, so I entered my name ten times. Even then, I knew that was a lot, but I'm willing to do it for my family. Another thing that I do for my family is hunt, just to keep us going. I admire Katniss Everdeen greatly – her skill with a bow and arrow is phenomenal! I noticed the way that she and Gale Hawthorn went out hunting, and I started to copy them. I don't sell my meat though – my family needs to eat. And I don't use a bow and arrow, I use knives. Throwing knives. Judas Ash has started coming with me lately. He actually worked up the courage to go to Katniss – we don't know where Gale lives – and ask her to teach him how to set some snares! She did show him, so we use those in the woods. We get a good deal of rabbits. Sometimes, if we're really desperate, I'll climb into the trees and search for birds' nests, and take the eggs. I'm very light, so I can climb well. Exceedingly well, in fact. I think that, when I was twelve, I was just as good as Rue. I really liked her in the Hunger Games, and I was distraught when she died. I try not to think of her as a character, but I still do. She is – was – one of my favourite tributes. I find it sickening, the way I start to think of them like that. Obviously, though, I've gained a little weight since I was twelve, although not enough to be extremely strong. I'm able to weave a fairly solid, if a bit leaky, roof from slender branches, so that would count for something. It can support the weight of an underfed adult. In the games, it could save my life.

My mother has made us some dark brown bread, smeared very lightly with goat's cheese! Goat's cheese! A true delicacy! What did she have to sell for it? I decide not to ask and eat as fast as I can. I want to be at the train station before the train arrives for the tour, and I need to get there early so that I can maybe see Katniss and Peeta. Before I rush outside, I thank my mother and pull on some boots, as well as a thick coat. It's winter, and extremely cold. My fingers are blue by the time I make it halfway. I blow on them ferociously and rub my hands together. I should have brought matches. Maybe there will be some sticks at the station. I'm nearly at the station when I notice the hovercraft. It lands about a hundred metres away from me, right outside the justice building. This is an unusual event, even on tour day! I can see the Capitol seal on it. Someone important must be on board! Whoever it is will have made the laborious journey for a reason. I run over, very much intrigued. The mayor's there too! I can see the occupants walking out. I can see two peacekeepers, followed by an elderly man, dressed in thick, luxurious layers of clothing. I start running closer, and realise that it is President Snow. I stop running and just walk. I have no idea what to do. Should I change direction? Should I keep my course? I'm about twenty metres away by now, and still walking. I change direction slightly, to avoid the President. I'm shocked at his presence. I wonder whatever could have brought him here! He says something to one of his peacekeepers, who looks around. And his gaze lands on me.

"Hey, you over there. Come over here."

Now I'm nervous. I obey the peacekeeper, walking up to him and therefore President Snow. When I get there, I bow.

"What's your name?" The peacekeeper barks.

"Lark Rose Baird, sir."

I notice an unreadable expression flicker across Snow's face. It is gone within a moment.

"Lead the way to Victors' Village."

Once again, I obey.

"This way!" I say, beginning to steadily walk to the Victors' Village. The President follows me briskly, in between the towering peacekeepers. Eventually, we fall into step. This is so awkward, I think. Eventually, he says something.

"Do you know Miss Everdeen or Mr Mellark at all, Miss Baird?"

"A little bit, Sir."

"What do you think of them both?"

"I don't see either of them much, but I think Peeta is very strong, and Katniss's skill with a bow is very admirable, based on the games."

We carry on walking for a bit. As we come round a corner, we can see the mines.

"Do either of your parents work there?"

"No, Sir. My father is a carpenter, and my mother cares for my siblings."

"How many of them are there?"

"I have six younger brothers."

He looks surprised. "And do you look after them as well?"

"Yes, Sir. I help my father with some of his work. So does my oldest brother."

As we finally arrive at the Victors' Village, he says, "Please show me to Miss Everdeen's residence. You can wait outside."

Then he walks through the door, and the peacekeepers slam it in my face.