Treech Kobayashi should have had a good childhood.

He was born into a growing family. His parents had two children, a son and a daughter, by the time he was born. Over the years, they eventually had three more. The Kobayashis were part of a travelling circus. It originated in District Seven, where Treech was born, but travelled to other districts. From the time he was a little boy, Treech had been able to see all of Panem. Until the war.

The districts rebelled against the Capitol when Treech was four. After that, they had to settle in District Seven, hoping to one day return to their wanderings. But that didn't happen. The Kobayashi family and their neighbors had to remain in Seven. Treech didn't mind. He liked it in the forest. He was able to disappear for hours on end, and no one was too concerned about him.

But Treech missed the circus. Performing was the only time he felt that he could be a different person. When he was on stage, he finally felt alive. Without the circus, he was nothing. They continued to perform occasionally for the citizens of District Seven, but it was only often enough to keep the performers afloat.

At least he had his family. Treech absolutely adored his siblings. His oldest siblings taught him everything they knew about life at the circus, and he did the same for his youngest. They took care of each other, even though money was tight with so many mouths to feed. Treech couldn't keep track of how many times he skipped meals so the younger children could have more to eat. Times were hard, but they only continued to get harder.

When Treech was eleven, about three years after the end of the war, disaster struck the circus. The disease started out normal, with a high fever and a hacking cough. Kiyomi, Treech's youngest sister was the first to fall ill. Shortly after that, everyone was sick. Except for Treech, his older sister Fern, and his youngest brother Forrest. Once the sores appeared on the affected individual's skin, it was nearly too late.

There was a treatment for the disease, but it was expensive. Being the only person in his family capable of making decisions, Treech chose to purchase the medicine. It was difficult, he had to use all of the Kobayashi family's savings to purchase it. But that was alright. Anything to keep his family alive.

There was one singular flaw in the plan. Treech didn't live near a hospital. He would have to travel for an entire day to get to an apothecary. And he couldn't leave his family behind for that long. Thankfully, Treech's only friend, Reed, stepped up to help. Reed would take the money to the hospital to retrieve the medicine and bring it back for Treech's family. It was a solid plan.

Except Reed didn't follow through. Days went by and he never returned. Reed had stolen the money and disappeared. Treech should have known better than to trust him, but Reed had been his best friend. After that, Treech had no medicine and no money. On top of this, Treech woke up on the fourth day with a fever. He was sick too. His family didn't make it. In less than one week, Treech went from having an entire support system to no one. Other than Fern and Forrest, but the latter was only a baby.

Somehow Treech survived. He didn't know how. He thought his time was up when the sores showed up, but eventually, they scabbed over and healed. All that remained were five small, round scars on the inside of his forearm.

Things were different after the Kobayashis died. Fern took care of her brothers, but she was only thirteen. She didn't have the survival skills to take care of them. But she did her best, and that was enough.

When Treech was thirteen, Fern was reaped for the fifth annual Hunger Games. She was only fifteen years old. Fern didn't come home. The Kobayashis didn't have a television in their home, but some local government officials brought one so Treech could watch. He wished they hadn't. It was over before it even began.

Fern had grabbed an axe. She had fought hard. One of the aerialists for the circus, she had always been agile and graceful. She was fast, but couldn't hold up in a fight against the boy from District Two.

Treech watched in horror as Fern was hit over the head with a heavy club. She fell to the ground and didn't get up again.

After that, Treech was alone. He did his best to raise Forrest, but he was still a child. Treech wondered what would happen to his youngest brother if Treech were to be reaped. Would one of the neighbors take the toddler in? Or would he be left to fend for himself? Treech didn't want to know the answer to that.

Treech tried to take care of Forrest. He tried to take care of himself. But it was difficult. Treech couldn't trust anyone after what happened with Reed. He couldn't even trust himself to provide a good life for his brother. He didn't go to school anymore. He had no friends. He worked odd jobs for people around the district, just to make enough money to live. The entire time, he was independent. Treech vowed he would never rely on someone else ever again.

That was, until the tenth annual Hunger Games.

...

Treech scrubbed his skin until it was free of dirt and grime. He changed into his reaping outfit, gray pants with a white shirt and jacket. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was comfortable and practical. Treech finished getting ready and made lunch for himself and Forrest, who was now eight years old.

"It's your last reaping," said Forrest. "Are you nervous?"

"No," said Treech.

The brothers didn't speak for the rest of their meal. Treech had always been quiet, but after Fern died, something in him had changed drastically. Being the sole provider for his family made him closed off and distrusting of people around him, even his own brother. It wasn't Forrest's fault. He was a sweet kid, but Treech couldn't get close to people. Letting love into his life was not an option.

"I'll be back after the reaping," said Treech when he finished eating. "It'll only be a few hours."

"What if you get picked?" asked Forrest.

"I won't," said Treech. "But you can take care of yourself."

Forrest frowned and Treech knew the young boy disagreed.

"Please come back," he said.

Treech squeezed Forrest's shoulder. "No promises, kid."

Treech grabbed his hat from the hook by the door and left. He didn't look back.

Treech hated Reaping Day. Not because of the ceremony itself, but because of the sheer amount of people gathered in the square. He was used to crowds, from his days with the circus, but he had always been in front of them. Never a member.

Treech checked in and joined the other eighteen-year-olds. He stood towards the back of the group, as far away from the others as possible. He didn't know many of them, just a few from walking around in town. He didn't know any of their names. He also didn't care to know them.

The mayor began with all of the mandatory introductions. Treech rolled his eyes. He thought the speeches were pointless and wished they could just get the ceremony over with so he could go home. It was hot and sticky outside, the sun beating down on the occupants of the square. Though it was sweltering, Treech was thankful for the layers of clothing protecting his skin.

After the mayor finished her speech, it was time to begin the reaping. There was a palpable tension in the air. It seemed like the entire square was holding its breath, waiting anxiously as they weighed the possibility that their name may be called.

The mayor reached into the girls' bowl and drew out a name. She unfolded it and drew in a breath, speaking into the microphone.

"Lamina Mason," she called.

Treech frowned ever so slightly. He knew Lamina. She had been one of the tightrope walkers at the circus, a quite talented one. At least while Midori was still alive, she had been best friends with Midori, one of Treech's younger sisters.

Lamina slowly climbed the stairs to the stage. She was trembling, silent tears tracing down her cheeks. Treech felt a pang of sadness. He and Lmaina were by no means friends, but he couldn't help but be reminded of Fern's reaping five years ago.

Treech couldn't dwell on those strange feelings for long. It was time to select the boy's name. One more name, and Treech could go home. He wouldn't have to worry about the Hunger Games for another four years, when Forrest would become eligible. One more name, then Treech would be free.

But of course, this was not the case. "Treech Kobayashi," read the mayor.

...

an: hey lovelies! sorry if this chapter was bad, i really had no idea how to write the preparing and the main focus was supposed to be on the first part anyway. as you can tell, this fic is going to be very angsty :) as my moots tell me, that is apparently my favorite thing to write. the truth is, i actually do enjoy writing happy stuff, just not for this fic. anyway, i changed my posting schedule, it's now in my bio. i'll updating this fic on sundays and the occasional Saturday. have a lovely day! -willow <3