The lights flash around me as I walk, shoes padding against the stones of the pavement. Out here they try to keep costs down, and that means the pavement is maintained, tiled and kept in ok condition, but not perfect. Still, I haven't tripped recently, meaning it's a consistent hazard. That plus (as I soon encounter) small bodies, one of which slams into me with an excited squeal, and I look down.

"Hey, Dynamo." The mass of blonde curls bounces excitedly, her parents must be pleased with their foresight in naming, and I kneel down to get to eye level. I'm not tall by any stretch of the imagination, but Dy is short, even for her fourteen years. She's smiling, and I resist the urge to reciprocate for a second before breaking down. "Hey Millie! How are you, it feels like ages since I've seen you and I was like had the reaping come early, but no I knew you were just busy! Anyways, where have you been?"

I wait a second, for dramatic effect, before letting go. "Work, Dy. You know how it goes, I've gotten out of school and have to go into the labour force. It's not as bad as you'd think, it pays well and I get to skip school. Win-win."

Dy pouts, and I fear I've made a mistake. "Of course I'd prefer to be with you for Maths, but I'm sleeping." She pouts harder, and I definitely have made a mistake. "But I'm awake all night. Trust me, you get just as much sleep as I do, Dy." She brightens up at this, and I resist the urge to pat her on the head. She's overly endearing when she's like this, there's no calming her down. Plus, given the age gap I probably do have to take some kind of responsibility. Probably.

So instead I take a step back, and let her bounce. "Dy, shouldn't you be home?" "Well yes, but then I saw a bird, and I didn't really want to go home and the bird was reallly pretty, and then I thought I needed to see Linnet but she's busy and I just needed to clear my head so I started walking! Why are you out, I thought you'd be sleeping!"

I shake my head, offering the exciteable girl a smile. "No. I've slept, Dy. I'm out to get some milk." Her eyes widen a little at this, and I remember too late that going out just to get milk isn't something Dy does. Her maid probably does it, maybe the only district family with the money to employ one.. "Because Corin and Ma would both murder me if it wasn't there in the morning." She giggles, and begins to rush off to whatever her next assignment is, probably home. "Bye Millie!" Her words echo in the air, even as she bounces around a corner and out of sight, and I sigh with relief. Dynamo's lovely, but can be a little overwhelming in large doses.

Grabbing the milk is a largely unchallenging affair. A matter of walking to the nicer part of town, walking into the little shop in the shadow of the train station and hotel perched like a hat atop it, and paying the shopkeep to grab milk from behind the table. All done in twenty minutes, and then it's an uninterrupted walk back home. I pass the reaping stage again and give an involuntary shiver, but stride past anyways, trying to ignore the eyes of Peacekeepers with nothing better to do than gawp at girls.

Mama's home when I get back, sitting at the table and eating her dinner. I'm jealous despite myself, under better circumstances I'd be sitting with her, instead I'm watching her eat. My stomach grumbles, but I ignore it. No good can come from focussing on the desire of a stomach scorned like which fury hell hath none. Instead I sit opposite her, smiling. There's still a little time before work.

"Mama. How was work today?" She rolls her eyes, smiling. "Good, good. Now, how was it," I wait for a second before she nods and points down at the food, "when it was hot?" "Good, mama, you know it was. You've made it enough times."

She smiles, a bright, open, smile. Invites me to smile back, it does, which I do. "Of course I have, but I want to know your thoughts. I think this is perfectly fine! Well done, especially given Cor tells me you were asleep until late." My eyes roll in their sockets, glancing at the giggling boy by the door. "I wasn't asleep for that long!" Mama offers a knowing smile, before continuing. "You fine for the reaping tomorrow?" "Yes, Mama. I'll be fine. There's probably a hundred thousand entries, and I'm only twenty of them. It'd take a miracle."

Her hand flits up, to her head, shoulders, heart. An old gesture, but one she uses a lot. "Don't use that word. I know you think it's the mutterings of a woman who makes things up, but better safe than sorry. Now, you should be fine. Your dress is on the side, and obviously you're going to need to stay awake. Work won't let you out early?"

I shake my head. "Absolutely not. Mama, they need their customers. Tradeoff for the short shifts, I have to keep going right up until the end. Sorry."

She shakes her head, black hair cascading. "Don't worry, love. I'll leave your dress up so you can grab a couple of hours. And you'll take Corin?"

"Of course." This is his first year, after all, and he needs someone to show him the ropes. I smile, straightening up. "Of course, Mama. I'll take him there and back. His friends can get him around fine, yeah?"

Mama sighs, nodding, before wrapping me in a hug. It's almost time for work, after all, and I need to get going. I head upstairs, grabbing jeans and pulling them on. My work attire, after all, will be waiting. But I don't want to wear the shorts, they're not in best condition as is, and someone will cause issues should I be dressed 'improperly.

I pop by Corin's room on the way out, giving him a quick smile and a finger gun. "Well, Cor. First year. You'll be fine, don't worry. Day's off, and you only have one slip. Trust me, it'll be someone else. You're safe."

I receive an uneasy nod and an uncharacteristic hug, Corin mumbling into my stomach. "'m scared, Millie. Don' wanna get chosen. What if it is me?" I pat him awkwardly on the head, frowning. "Calm down, Cor. You have one slip. Some boys will have sixty. You'll be fine, k?"

He sounds unconvinced as he grunts, and I kneel down. "Cor, stop it. Get to my age, then you can worry. Until then, calm down. K?"

He still sounds unconvinced, but I stand. "I'll see you in the morning. Bye, Corin."

"Bye."

My walk to the casino is mostly as usual, there's little out of the ordinary until I enter the changing rooms, and hear what sounds like a confrontation. Over what, I can't tell.

Satin's voice is erupting from around the corner, more nervous than usual. "Yes, sir, she should be coming soon. Please, though, she didn't mean it."

Turning the corner, I can't react before I'm bundled against a wall, a man with the unmistakeable aroma of alcohol wafting around him pressing an arm to my chest. "What the hell were you doing, girl? Sol's spent half her bloody salary on whatever you gave. What the hell did you do to her?"

He's yelling, and I'm beginning to panic, when a smooth voice rolls over, and he lets go with a glare. "August. Stop. She clearly didn't do anything. Sol's fucked up, that's all. Still."

A blonde woman eyes me with something between disappointment and concern, and she lets me sit down before sitting next to me. "Hello. I'm Elise, my companion over there is August. We're here because last night, one of our... friends did something very stupid. So, Miss..."

I nod. "Miss Stahl. Millie Stahl." "Millie, then. Millie, I'll be straight. I need your help, because Sol's not in the right state right now, she's broken in to her stash. The stress got to her. And."

I break in. "Why do you need my help?"

Elise nods. "I was getting to that. She, pardon my language, fucked up. Paid once, paid twice for the drink you gave her. That's fine, she has enough. But she paid you a hell of a lot more than twice what it cost because drunks tend to do that, and that's not ok. So.."

"No. I know what you want." I shake my head, bristling slightly. "I'm not doing it. I get that she made a mess, and you'll be able to sort it probably, but I won't risk my job for her. I'm sorry, and if it was more secure then I'd be willing to help. But, as is, no. Sorry."

"Millie, are you..." "Yes. The answer's no." The woman nods, gritting her teeth and speaking through them. "Fair enough. Thank you for that, Millie. Good luck tonight."

I nod, and turn to Satin with a glare. "Satin. What the hell was that?" She raises hands in a gesture of surrender. "Sorry, sorry. I tried to tell them it wasn't your fault. I promise. But then they were all like we need to talk to her, and they looked not very happy, so I was like yeah sure she'll be here soon."

A withering glare, and the blonde visibly shrinks, eyes away from me as I dress in uniform. "Sorry Millie, but he was scary..."

I give her an eventual nod, opening the door and letting her go through before stepping through myself into a world of shining lights and tables and people watching machines spin over and over..

A pretty blonde, the same one I'd seen on the arm of a Capitol man last night, is twined around a woman of ill repute, the whole table laughing at her stories as she pulls in winnings from another hand. I don't focus on the stories, the words 'knives' and 'fun work' are enough. Instead, I take her drink order, bringing the mocktail over after a minute as she offers a wink and a tip. "Thanks, kid. Run along now, mk?"

I do head off, and a moment later an older woman waves me over. She's a regular, nice as her card is slipped into a machine and she watches red or green lights flick up. Red is a much more frequent visitor than green, and I almost feel bad. "Dear, get me a nice glass of wine please. White. Thank you."

Heading up to the bar, the bartender gives a glare. It's not Glitz, of course it isn't. He'll probably be taking a day off, with his family and hoping against hope their daughter is or isn't chosen. I won't pretend to know what he's thinking, even with what was said yesterday. But, for the moment, I put the man out of my mind. Focus on the scowling bartender, who hands me the glass of wine I'd been sent to get with a dismissive look in those blue eyes.

Probably not happy I'm not a One, or something. Regardless, I take back the glass to the old lady, smiling broadly at her, and she pays. No tip, albeit at the rate she's losing even in the few seconds I can expect she can't pay more.

As with yesterday, work is more of the same. The lights are spinning, drawing my eyes before I flick them back to a client. A smile, a laugh, a tap of wrists, and I'm off to get another glass.

Work couldn't end sooner, and I make sure this time that I leave precisely on the dot. Satin's not there when I walk in this time, thank the heavens. Probably trying to up her numbers, because that's all too common over here. Instead, walking out of the room with a smile passed to the guard (Same one as yesterday), I'm accosted by Tulip, blonde putting her hands on my shoulders.

"Hi Millie! Now, Satin and I are holding a get together back home tomorrow, for the reaping day celebrations, and..." She stops, gears visibly turning in her head. "Oh yes... you're still in. And you couldn't come. Sorry." Tulip does actually look a bit ashamed, and I resist the urge to smile at this. She settles for leaning in, planting a kiss on each cheek as she smiles. "Well, good luck. May the odds be ever in your favour! You booked for tomorrow?"

"No, thank the Capitol. Their generosity, after all, is the reason we get to take the day off." Tulip giggles in spite of my dry tone, face creasing as she laughs. Taking reaping day off may be wasteful. Mama certainly thinks so. Lots of customers in, and while everyone else gets their state holiday, they need service. Still, going to work. Well, it'd be difficult. "Best leave that to those with less worries!" She nods her agreement, smiling and putting a hand on my shoulder. "We'll all be hoping. Two more years, yeah?"

"Three." It's slightly flattering, her guess. Still. "Two after this one. I'll be fine. See you the day after, then." I turn away from her next words, pulling clothes back on before stopping by the office on my way out. I smile at the old woman manning the window, make an effort to while she looks at me with beady eyes. "Money?" I hand it over. Four talents a day, uniform rent. One more, for the privilege of storing my clothes, another for washing. Six a day, twenty seven working days, and that's my entire tip income for the day gone, plus some of my salary. The rest is shoved into a small bag, smile momentarily dipping from my face.

All else done, I leave the building, Tulip's footsteps echoing behind me. I don't look back, and once out of the shadow of the towers she takes a sharp right, steps fading.

Getting home, the door handle is still warm from my touch as I get into bed, resolving to take the most of my time here to nap. I haven't fallen asleep, though, by the time Corin shakes my shoulder. "Millie, wake up! Time to go."

I pull my dress on, once he's out of the room. The fabric's cool, smooth against my skin, and it's a pretty purple. Grabbing Corin's hand I ignore breakfast on the table, ushering the boy out the door. The walk to the square's a few minutes, after all. "Come on, Cor. Time to go. Reaping's waiting."

We're separated at the gate, though the Peacekeeper gives us time for a quick hug. A prick on my finger, a nod from the Peacekeeper, and I'm waved through the barrier. I walk to my Cable at a speed slightly faster than is safe and walk down the line, setting myself in between Robin Gallows (chewing her lip) and Caraway Spiker (glancing around like she'd have a chance to run). Our escort, the particularly horrifically named Theodosia Dovecote, bounces up to the stage at precisely Five to One. "Hello, hello! What a joy it is to see all your little faces, all so bright! Well isn't this exciting! Now, I know, I know, you have to wait a bit. Mayor has to speak, after all, and the introduction. But I'm sure this year, Five will be a perfect example to the rest of Panem, won't you?"

A muttered yes is all she gets. We all know why she's speaking, after the two sobbing community home kids last year Five was the butt of jokes for the entirety of the games. Hardly fair, but considering that it seems the Capitol thinks we all enjoy this. Well, it makes some sense they'd disagree with our views.

The speech is read out by the mayor, his spiel on how wrong people are to condemn the Capitol and how merciful they are, and then before the reaping begins, the mayor, flanked by Victors, begins to list out their names. "Ampere Smith!" Dead. "Skye Martinez!" Alive, and old. 67, a good age to get to. She waves, and the mayor moves on. "Indra Bine!" The big man glaring at Skye nods, jaw set . "Elise T..." The woman I saw yesterday, woman I didn't recognize, waves, walking over to the Mayor, the man swiftly correcting himself. "Elise Heidi Thorsdottir." Strange name. "August Colier." The man next to Elise raises his hand in a wave, before lounging back. "And last, but certainly not least. Soleil Lichtmann!" There she is. Some 'Pride of Five', drunk slumped in her chair, nodding and not even offering a wave.

"And now, Gentlemen first! Oh, this is just so exciting!"

A gloved hand reaches into the bowl, rifling around as if that'll change anything.

Not Corin, not Corin.

Her fingers are moving, this close to the stage I can see the ripples in the envelopes. I can see each shift, each movement, each flick that sends an envelope tumbling out her grasp.

But what if it was that one, or that one?

Not Corin, not Corin.

I'm praying, I think. Hoping. Finally, Theodosia draws her hand out, before diving it back in, like the seagulls that swarm the roads after lunches.

It's withdrawn with a single slip pinched between white fingers, and I'm shivering despite the beating of the sun. I feel a hand on my shoulder, don't know who.

Not Corin, not Corin.

"Lysander Clarion!"

Not Corin. A boy makes his way out of the crowds, chin up. A Ranger probably, given he's not crying.

"And now for the girls."

She doesn't play around this time, just dives in.

"Millie Stahl!"

Shit.

A desperate, piping cry comes up from near the back. High, with a tinge of something that could be any of a dozen different emotions.

"I volunteer. I, I volunteer as tribute!"

A slight figure runs up, and I'm about to ask the girl what the hell she's doing, even as Lysander grabs the little girl by the shoulder in shock, to reveal too short hair. A boy, then.

The next Finnick Odair. It was worse last year. Standing at work, watching the recaps. Child after Child, eleven in all, volunteering to become the next Finnick, only for none of them to make it out in favour of a boy who definitely hadn't volunteered.

It was a mess, most people (even the Capitol reaction shots) were shocked. Couldn't blame them, especially when all six of the trained kids went down in a crying heap.

I almost hope it'll be like that again this year. At least then I'll have a better chance against whatever the Capitol wants to send in.

There's no time for more speaking, the boy who ran up has seized the microphone from Theodosia and she's falling back. A titter rises from the crowd, the sight of Peacekeepers loosening batons quieting it.

"I'm Robin Tallow, and I've taken the honour of representing District Five in this years Games! Together with my district partner,"

He quiets, nudging me. "What's your name, Miss?"

I choke back a laugh at this. "Millie Stahl."

"Together with my District Partner Millie Stahl, we'll bring honour to Five and reward!"

To their credit, nobody claps Robin. Nobody wants to look, but they make themselves. Lysander, still frozen, finally frees himself from the terror, running back to his Cable as Theodosia liberates the microphone.

"Well wasn't that just beautiful. I'm tearing up. Go along, now, children, go to the Justice Building." The woman actually brings a handkerchief to her eye, whether or not to actually mop up anything I can't tell. Without further ado, though, I'm whisked away. Into a cavernous room, bright and airy with enough silver in to buy my row of houses at a minimum.

Mama is inside before I can utter her name, arms around me before she steps back, hands on my shoulders. "Millie, Millie, Millie. No. No. How was it you."

Inside, I want to ask the same question, but my jaw is set as I respond. "It's always someone. Just happened to be my bad luck this year, yes? I know, I know. Mama, you can't let this take you down." It won't, she's the strongest woman I know, but I have to say it. "You need to stay strong for Cor."

She nods, lips tight, before her arms wrap around me. It takes a minute to get out the words, before. "You try, you hear me. You try." "I will, Mama. I promise." This, I speak without much conviction. My tone is unconvinced, Mama can hear that, she has to hear that. Still, she looks at me, tears forming. "You promise? Well then, that should be..."

Enough. She wants to stay enough. "Where's Corin?" "With your friend. Dynamo, is it? She took him home. Said she was perfectly fine with doing it. She's a nice girl."

This surprises me. Dy's a friend, but we haven't spoken often in near on two Reapings. Still, she's bouncy enough she's probably forgotten that. "She is. Say thanks, from me. Yeah? No, scrap that, I'll tell her myself when I get back."

This spooks a laugh from Mama, and she offers an understanding nod after a minutes wait. "Of course you will. Now, I'd best be off, before."

A white head pokes around the door. "Sorry ma'am. Three minutes are over. I can try, but."

"No need." Mama smiles, giving me a hug. "Millie. I, I."

"I know." She leaves, not before giving me one last smile.

I'll miss her.