USA FEMALE: EMILY GOLD

I'm annoyed. I guess it's not the normal feeling to have while waiting for the reaping to begin, but it's the one I have. I'm not scared, like others, of being voted in. I have no chance of winning these games, and the people have to know that. An older girl will get voted in, I'm sure. I don't know if my country will win, but it's not time to worry yet. Nor am I angry, because who am I going to be angry at? The capital? I guess it makes sense, but what will my anger do? It won't change them.

I can suppress my anger and fear, because even though I claim otherwise, I have both emotions. I don't bother to suppress the annoyance, I could, but I need to feel something, in the middle of all these people feeling everything.

I'm annoyed at the heat that stifles me despite my shorts and t-shirt. I'm not wearing a dress, unlike basically all of the other girls. I don't even own a dress. I'm annoyed at the whispered chatter that meets my ears, as though people are afraid to talk normally, this is the USA for goodness sake. We aren't supposed to be quiet. We're supposed to fill the air with shouts to each other, talk as loudly as we want to, about whatever we want to. We aren't supposed to worry about other countries, content with a confidence we're safe. We're supposed to be brave, and free.

We are the United States of America, when did we become so afraid?

I'm especially annoyed at the woman who stands on the stage, and the cameras that circle the square, that we have worked so hard to impress. The woman is dressed garishly, with bleached curls that pile atop her head, and bright pink make-up that is piled around here eyes, lips and cheekbones that are so high there is no way they are real. She wraps a perfectly manicured hand around the microphone, and speaks in a high, scratchy voice.

"Good morning America!" I roll my eyes and cross my arms in front of me, jutting out my hip, and generally making my annoyance known. The girl next to me, who had spent half the morning crying looks unnerved by me.

"My name is Selena Lisette, I'll be the escort for your tributes and, I'm sure you all know what these are," She taps two envelops with bright pink fingers. "Today, the results of your voting will be announced! The boys and girl whom you have chosen will represent your country in a fight to the death. But their death will not just be theirs, but their whole country as well. I hope you have chosen well. Ladies first." She flips over the first envelope, and runs her nail under the tab, careful not to tear the envelope. She gently slides out the slip of paper inside, and clears her throat.

"And the United States female tribute is... Shay Terroba."

Shay Terroba. I think in horror. We can't send Shay Terroba into the games. She's a genius, that much is true, but she's also completely clueless anywhere outside of a science lab. I watch as she mounts the stage, her yellow dress wrapping around her skinny legs, legs that don't have a chance in beating out another tribute in a chase. She stands awkwardly next to Selena, her face not quite masking the terror that she feels.

"Any volunteers?" The high scratchy voice sings out. She pauses for just a moment, before shifting the boys envelope to the top, and opening her mouth to speak. I can't control my voice as it calls out for her to wait.

"I want to volunteer." Drops from my lips beyond my control. My feet begin to move, my hands shoving people out of the way, I take my place on stage, and Shay takes hers in the crowd. Standing in front of the people, having just signed them up for almost certain demise, I can feel the glares. I don't necessarily blame them. I just traded a genius, the girl who helped find the cure for cancer at the age of sixteen, for a fourteen year old nobody. I bet half of them don't even know my name,but they don't understand. Shay would have died. That much I'm sure of, I don't know if I can win, but I am a better fighter than she is.

"What's your name, dear?" The voice asks. My mouth feels too dry to speak. I lick my lips, and force the words out.

"Emily Gold."

"Emily Gold! The female tribute of the USA!" She shouts into the microphone, nearly bursting my eardrums.

She begins to open the envelope to introduce the male tribute, but I'm in too much shock to pay attention. I cannot believe I would have done something like this. I'm not someone who acts on the spur of a moment, or, at least, I wasn't.

I don't hear the name of who's been voted in, don't hear the crowds approval, or shouts, I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even know if he was chosen or a volunteer when I looked over to see Apollo Oak standing next to me. He's a year younger than me, and I only know him because he's an amazing athlete. For real, you should see his legs. He's about my height, with blond hair, and tanned skinned. I don't know him personally, but he doesn't seem unlikeable. He's definetely a potential ally. I can't concentrate on him for long however, and standing in the bright sunlight as sweat trickles down my back, all I can think is:

Shoot, what have I done?

UK MALE: CONNOR WILLIAMS

Entry Book : https://www.wattpad.com/story/45723515-connor-williams-and-daniel-o%27brien-entries

UK FEMALE: SKYE FINLEY

The journey south for our reaping had been better than I had expected. Almost everyone who had joined us on our train had been quiet. I guessed the others were just scared. We all were. Most of them had probably been terrified that they would be chosen. Others, like me, weren't afraid of entering the games. We were afraid of what would happen if our chosen tributes didn't win. I didn't trust anyone to save our country, and I didn't want to live to see my beautiful highlands destroyed.

As we had neared our destination the green fields and mountains that had once seemed like they could go on forever were replaced by tall buildings and factories and in that moment I had just wanted to go home. I didn't like how industrial my views had become. It was making me feel closed in.

"We should get changed before we arrive." Arran said as he placed his hand on my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I turned away from the dim views of the city and gave him a nod before standing up and taking the small bag from the space above our seats. I pulled Arran's clothes from the bag and passed them over to him so he could go get changed.

He immediately began changing earning himself a few glances from some of the girls sitting nearby. I rolled my eyes at his lack of modesty.

"Aren't you going to get changed?" he asked as he buttoned up his shirt.

"I'm waiting for you to finish so you can cover me," I said holding up the blanket we had brought from home.

He finished buttoning up his shirt and grabbed the blanket from my hands to shield me from the others on the train while I pulled on the blue dress I had picked out for the reaping. It was the nicest thing I owned. I wanted to look my best for the reaping.

"How are you feeling?" Arran asked as I pulled the blanket away.

"Great," I said giving him a reassuring smile.

"Don't lie to me Skye," he said shaking his head. "I know there's something wrong. Are you having second thoughts? "

"No." I leaned back in my seat an looked out of the window once again. "I'm just a little nervous."

"If you want to back out tell me." He said taking my hand. "You can go home and I'll go in."

"I'm not backing out. I know I can do this..." I said my voice trailing off and my eyes not leaving the window.

The train was slowing down as it neared the station. I looked down at my watch, it was almost noon. Almost time for the reaping to begin. The reality of the situation had grown stronger the closer we got to the station. It was really happening.

As soon as the train stopped we were rushed out of the train and onto the platform. Around us there were many trains from all over the UK that I presumed had brought children like us down for the reaping.

We were taken from the station and taken out to a large square of land that had been sectioned off. There were hundreds of people crowded into the sections. All of them looking around nervously.

I felt Arran take my hand as we lined up outside the sectioned off area.

"Name?" Asked a tall intimidating looking man wearing all white.

"Skye Finley," I answered.

He grabbed my hand and I felt a sharp prick as he took a small sample of my blood.

I walked past the man and he asked for Arran's name.

"Arran Finley," I heard Arran say to the man and his blood was taken just like mine had been.

Arran joined me but we were soon taken apart and put into different sections.

It wasn't the first time Arran and I had been split up but it was the first time our separation scared me. If I failed there was a chance I wouldn't ever see him again.

Almost as soon as I had pushed myself to the front of my section the weirdest women I had ever seen in my life walked out onto a stage.

She looked like she had dyed her skin the ugliest shade of bright pink imaginable. I wondered why anyone would want to alter their skin colour, especially when it made them look so ridiculous. I didn't think anything could look more stupid than the woman's skin but looking up at her hair she managed to surprise me. It was green. Somehow she had managed to make herself looked even more ridiculous.

Was this some kind of cruel punishment? What had that woman done to deserve to look like such a clown?

Her clothes completed her look. A rainbow of colours all smushed in together in a frilly nightmare of a dress. It was like a unicorn had vomited and then the vomit had come to life on the stage in front of me.

I was embarrassed for the unicorn vomit woman yet looking at her face she seemed to be happy.

"Hello." The woman smiled as she spoke. "My name is Camilla Lillis, and I am your escort."

She sounded excited. Like being our escort was a huge honour.

"In a few moments I will draw the names of two lucky tributes. One from each of these bowls." She waved her hand at two huge glass bowls filled with tiny slips of paper. "Your country was asked to vote for one boy and one girl each to save you all from destruction. Inside these bowls are those votes. The more times you were voted the higher the chance is that your name will be picked."

The girls surrounding me fidgeted nervously. Afraid of being chosen. They shouldn't have worried though. I knew none of them would be going into the games.

"Once I have chosen a tribute there will be a chance given to those who would like to volunteer, but you must be quick as the first person to volunteer will be able to take the place of whoever is reaped."

Once she had finished speaking she stood back and looked up at the large screen behind her where a video had started playing. It showed flashes of unfamiliar places and there was someone speaking about a war and the games.

The video finished playing and Camilla stepped forward once more.

"Time to announce our lucky tributes." She said almost bouncing in her excitement. "Ladies first."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Had she chosen the boys Arran would have probably volunteered. I knew he didn't want me to go into the games and would have volunteered to stop me, but the only thing worse than watching me in the games to him would be joining me, because only one of us would be able to come home so I was glad she was announcing the names of the girls first.

Camilla reached into the large bowl on her right and pulled out a name from the top.

"Anwen Maddox," She read out and I heard a girl nearby begin to cry.

It was my last chance to back out, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't let Arran go into the arena.

"I volunteer!" I shouted, pushing myself into an aisle between the sections and raising my hand so I could be seen easily in the large crowd.

"Oh how exciting," Camilla exclaimed clapping her hands together happily. "A volunteer already,"

I climbed up onto the stage beside Camilla. She looked even worse closer up. The green of her hair seemed to glitter. How could anyone who looked so bad be so happy?

"What is your name dear?" She asked.

"Skye Finley." I announced with a huge smile, "I love your dress so much." I gushed. "You will have to show me where you got that when we get to Panem."

"Is that why you volunteered?" She asked me.

"Of course. I just have to have one of those." I said then smiled sweetly at the cameras.

"I'm sure we can find you something similar," She said patting my hair. "But this one was custom made. It's the only one in existence."

Thank the lord for that miracle. I was glad I would never have to see such a hideous piece of clothing again in my life. I didn't say that though instead I gave her a disappointed look, like I had really wanted a unicorn vomit dress.

She patted my head once more and moved over to the boys bowl to pick our next tribute.

"Connor Wiliams," She read off the name.

A tall boy with blonde hair emerged from the seventeen year old section and walked up to the stage.

Camilla then asked for any volunteers but no one stepped forward. Arran had kept his word. He didn't volunteer.

Connor took his place on the stage beside me. I had noticed he was tall when he stepped from his section but I hadn't realised just how tall he really was. He was more than a foot bigger than I was.

"We now have both of our very lucky tributes for the UK," Camilla announced. "Happy Hunger games everyone."

CHINA MALE: HAI WANG

The muted sounds of the city and the bright sunlight shining down on on Hai seemed no more real than the animated cartoons he sometimes saw the TV. As he walked to the town square with his family, Hai found himself walking in a daze, still not quite comprehending the Reaping that was about to happen.

He could hear the whispers of dozens of others around him, all speculating on whom would be chosen to represent China in the coming Games. He swallowed a little as he realized he could very well be chosen. The tributes were chosen by the people, he and his family had cast their votes only last week, and he was certain that his name would be cast in the running more than a few time, as his height and lean build made him look like a good choice for tribute compared to some of his more sickly looking peers.

Before he could spend to much time thinking about it, he and his family arrived at the already crowded town square where the Reaping would take place. Hai was then directed to an area sectioned off from the rest of the crowd, and he stood there awkwardly, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Kids ranging from what looked like 13 to 18 milled around him, expressions ranging from fear to excitement on their faces.

The squeal of a microphone echoed throughout the square a few minutes later, and he raised his shoulder to his ear in a half-hearted attempt to mute the noise. Around him, the nervous chatter stopped, as all eyes turned to look at the figure atop the makeshift stage in the center of the square.

Hai felt his mouth drop open slightly at the garish outfit the woman was wearing. Light lavender colored hair was piled into a complicated hairstyle above her head, making her already fair skin seem white. The lavender in her hair was similar to the purple in her dress, which was adorned with dozens of frills. As she teetered towards the microphone Hai saw that her heels were ridiculously tall, and he wondered how she managed to walk farther than a foot in them. Then she started speaking, and all thoughts of her appearance flew from Hai's head at the words.

"Welcome to the 80th Hunger Games! President Snow has created a twist for these games. To remind us of our lifestyle before the birth of Wattpadem, 12 countries must offer one young man and woman to participate in this year's Olympic Hunger Games." She paused for dramatic effect before continuing. "The catch, is that in the end, not only will one tribute be left standing, but only one country will be left standing as well. That's right ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this year's Hunger Games will ensure the safety of his or her country, while the rest will be destroyed." There was a gleeful smile on her face as she delivered her words, and Hai felt sickened at the sight of it. How could she smile like that when she knew that 11 countries were going to be annihilated within weeks?

Then she clapped her hands together like a child, her blue painted lips stretching into an even wider smile as she announced "Now it's time to find out who China's tributes are going to be!"

She walked over to where two large glass bowls sat on a podium, like two trophies waiting to be handed out. Hai realized he was holding his breath, and he exhaled slowly, forcing himself to relax. He watched as the woman reached into one of bowls and sifted playfully through the small scraps of paper inside. Then she stopped, and pulled out one of the slips.

She looked down at the name written there before shouting "Hai Wang!"

The feeling of being removed from reality came back, and Hai stood there for a moment, unmoving. Then one of the boys next to him shoved him forward and he stumbled up to the stage to stand next to the lavender haired woman. He'd known he had a high chance of being picked, but it hadn't occurred to him that he actually would be.

Hai spent the rest of the Reaping in a slight daze, going on autopilot until he he was told to shake the other tribute's hand. As he did, he saw the look of fierce determination on her face, and the reality of his situation crashed down around him.

He had been chosen to compete against 23 others, in fight that would not only determine his fate, but his country's. He had no choice but to win

CHINA FEMALE : MAI LI

CHINA FEMALE - MAI LI

_________________________________

Mai Li P.O.V. - China Female

I slip into the hut, mist surrounding the land.

"Deadly Flower." A dark voice says.

"You called, so I delivered." I reply, keeping my head down.

Swiftly, I pull a hunting bag from my shoulder and watch as the contents spill out. A generals knife, a medallion, a scrap of a military uniform. The man, who the voice belonged to, pulls them close.

"So it's true. You can kill anyone." He looks up at me.

He is what most people call handsome. The man has tan skin, and muscles bulge under his shirt.

"You doubted me?" I say lightly, my eyes narrowing under my mask.

"Apparently so. Grab her!" He says.

3 men rush towards me. One is holding a sword, another is holding a dagger, while the last carries a spear. The man with the sword is the first to approach. He swings it at me, but I easily duck and hit him in the back of the knee, and watch with satisfaction as he collapses on the ground.

"Lights out." I say, step over him, and break his neck.

The one with the spear comes next, and tries to stop running, but it's too late. I pull out a Sai and grab his hair. I take my sai and draw a light line across his neck, teasing him. I feel him relax, and then a dig the Sai in his neck. His body goes limp.

The last one, with the spear, uses more in defense. He spins it, protecting himself from any weapon I may throw. Catch him off guard...

"Come here baby." I say, staring at him with big eyes.

Come here!

Almost immediately, he strides over to me, and drops his spear. Good. He places a hand around my neck, and as he leans in for a kiss, and I knew him in the stomach. He doubled over, and I use that as an excuse to flip myself over his back.

"Love you baby." I say, kissing him on his lips.

Then, I take my sais and jam one of them in the back of his neck, and the other one in the center of his spine.

His limp body falls to the ground.

"Really want to challenge me now?" I turn, facing the last man left.

"No- I- I- was just testing to see-" He begins.

"Save it!" I yell, and throw a Sai directly above his head, then walk to him, "Don't ever challenge me again. Unless you wish to die."

I walk away, leaving him cowering in the corner.

Upon leaving the hut, I see that fog has risen, making it perfect for a stealthy attack.

No one will see me here...

I drop my hunting bag on he ground, a pull out a mirror. Slowly, I lift my mask up, revealing my real face, what some could call beautiful. I have pale skin, brown eyes, and red lips. My black hair is pinned back into a tight bun, so it doesn't get in my face while fighting. Untying my hair, I let it fall to my back, and start getting ready.

I hide behind a tree, and take off my bloodstained clothes; a black dress that goes down to my ankles, and put on my real clothes: black jeans, a black tank top, and heeled black boots. I clip in hanging earrings that look like the ninja stars I always use, and hide my sais in my boot.

Then, I pull out my eyeshadow and eyeliner. I pick out a silver color, and lightly apply it, and finish by outlining my eyes in black eyeliner.

Perfect.

I snap my hand mirror shut, and stroll out of the woods, into town.

Oh crap.

"Excuse me sir, is today-" I begin, walking up to a street vendor selling jewelry.

"Good luck, my dear. My 12 year old daughter is entering today... Lori... Here, take this for luck." The man says.

He hands me a white lily, in full bloom.

"Thank you..." I allow my voice to trail off.

I tuck the flower into a belt loop in my jeans.

So today is the Reaping... Wonderful. Maybe I'll volunteer, maybe I won't. If I volunteer, I may have just signed to my death... But I will get to kill, without my mask, for once.

I feel a tug on my shoulder. Turning around, I see a boy rip my hurting bag off my shoulder- The hunting bag with my mask!

"Hey! Give that back!" I scream, chasing after him.

The boy keeps running, and runs into an ally. Perfect. In my pocket, I have 3 throwing stars, just enough to kill. The boy just trapped himself.

"I- I'm sorry, my family needs money and-" He begins.

I tear the bag out of his hands, but while I do, the mask falls out. The notorious mask, the black one, with silver markings. His eyes grow wide, and he looks up at me. And he screams.

"It's her! The assassin! The Deadly Flower! Help! I found her! He-"

I cut him off, press my arm against his throat. I pull a star out of my pocket, and draw a faint line on his neck, like I did with the other man earlier.

The I hear the footsteps.

He gave me away! He must be punished.

I swipe the star against his neck, and he falls to the ground.

"There!" Someone yells.

Immediately, Peackeepers swarm the area, and 4 grab me.

"Found her." One says into his walkie- talkie.

Another puts his gun up to my head.

"5, 4, 3-" One counts down, preparing to shoot.

"Wait! I have another idea." The Head Peacekeeper yells.

He pulls me close, "You're volunteering into the Games. Or be shot."

•••

"Hello, China! It's so wonderful to be here!" The escort, Gemma Jewels, screams into the mic.

"Time to pick our Female!"

I'm not going to volunteer. I want to go into the Games on my own terms, not because I'm being threatened.

"Our female is... Lori Shang!" Gemma shouts.

Lori. The merchants daughter! She walks out of her section, crying. I look around, and catch the merchants eye. He stares at me, almost pleading that I'll volunteer.

Once again, I look at her year streaked face. No weakness...

Right?

"I VOLUNTEER!" I scream, and run up to the stage, hugging Lori. Before she leaves the stage, I put the white flower in her hair.

"My name is Mai Li and I am 17. Also known as the Deadly Flower. And Peacekeepers, I did not volunteer because you told me to. I volunteered to save the life of an innocent little girl, something that I never was." I say, then step back.

"Well then!" Gemma continues, "Our Male! Congratulations to Hai Wang!"

Hai walks up, and gives me a small smile.

"My name is Hai Wang, 17." He says into the microphone.

"Wonderful! Your tributes, Mai Li and Hai Wang, both 17! We may have a Victor this year, she looks like a champion!" Gemma yells happily, and then we are marched off the stage.

RUSSIA MALE: EVGENI VAZOV

'Evgeni Vazov' shouted out eventually after several tries at pronouncing my name correctly and still messing it up slightly even after getting some help.

I had been voted by my people to enter a fight to the death to save the whole of Russia from being destroyed by Panem. I wasn't surprised. I was one of the strongest people in the age group to enter. I had been expecting to be called.

I proudly marched forward a grin on my face. I was going to win this thing and bring pride to my people. I was going to slaughter all of the pathetic little children the weak countries had sent out to defend them. There was nothing and no one who could beat me. Those other idiots did not stand a chance.

I couldn't wait to bathe in the blood of my kills. I could almost feel the blood dripping down my arms and I grinned in the delight.

It wouldn't be long. I was one step closer to reaching my dream.

I looked over at the tall, tanned beauty standing beside me. Her dark golden untidy hair blew in the wind behind her. She nervously bit her bottom lip as she looked up at me and I gave her a wink.

Maybe I could have some fun with that one before I cut her pretty little throat. She shivered under my gaze and I smiled more. Oh she really was going to be fun to play with in the arena.

"Evegeni Vazov," I introduced myself properly to the girl giving her my hand to shake.

She slowly reached out and took my hand.

"Serafima Yenin," She said in a whisper.

"It is good to meet you," I said letting go of her hand. "I look forward to seeing you in the games," I leaned forward and whispered into her. "I'm sure we will have lots of fun together."

I felt her shiver more in her fear and I leaned in to kiss her cheek enjoying how uncomfortable I was making the girl feel.

The crowd cheered at our small kiss and we were whisked away from the stage and into the building behind it.

"They are going to love you in Panem," Our escort squealed grabbing hold of each of our arms. "I have a feeling I know exactly who is going to win.

I let out a laught at the idiotic woman's words. She was right though, they would love me and I was definitely going to win. Nothing could stop me. I would fight each and every one of these tributes, I would kill everyone in that arena and I was going to love every second of it.

IRELAND MALE: DANIEL O'BRIEN

https://www.wattpad.com/story/45723515-connor-williams-and-daniel-o%27brien-entries

FRANCE FEMALE: CAROLINE VIVENS

https://www.wattpad.com/story/46207033-author-games-entries/parts

INDIA MALE: AZRAEL THANATOS (DEFAULT)

They only reaped me because I'm Batman.

INDIA FEMALE: NEHA BHAVSAR

"Neha? Neha? You have to get ready today!" My mom's voice awakens me from my sleep. Shaking my head, I blink open my eyes and groan, "I'm sleepy..." But I know I have to get up. Today, it's the reaping. Today, someone will be picked to go into a death-fest. I never thought being smart could put you in danger, that it could be anything but an advantage, but now people may vote for me to be put in the arena of death.

Shaking off my dark thoughts- I probably won't be picked, probably-- I roll out of bed and trudge towards my closet, taking out a sleek black dress. I have to look pretty in case I do get picked. I slip the dress on, smoothing the wrinkles, and yank a brush through my hair. Stumbling out the room, I get to the living room, where my Mama and Papa are waiting for me, dressed up. Papa squeezes my shoulders and Mama plants a light kiss on my head. Usually, I'd be embarrassed, but now I'm nervous and it's good to have reassurance.

We head out the door, taking the elevator out of our apartment and stepping into our car. After a few minutes, the car slows to a stop in front of an auditorium. Stepping out of the car, I walk into the building, enjoying the blast of cool air against my face. My pleasure's interrupted, though, when a man taps me on the shoulder and points me toward the far end of the building, and my parents in the other direction. Sighing, I follow his direction and find myself looking at a large congregation of teens. Squeezing into the crowd, I wait for the reaping to start.

A few minutes pass, and suddenly silence falls over the crowd of usually rambunctious teens. Standing on my tiptoes, I can see a woman standing in front of the crowd. She says, "Welcome! As you know, the reaping works like this. Each citizen will put in the name of a boy and girl from 12-18 years old, and the children with the most votes is put into the Games. Now," she pauses and unveils a giant screen behind her, "This screen will reveal the name of the children participating for the honor of India. Rest assured, the votes were counted fairly." The woman puts a hand in her pocket and takes out a remote, and everybody stills. A pin could have - never mind, a feather could have dropped and we would all have heard it.

The woman smiles, and clicks the button.

My breath catches. Is it me? I can't see the screen, everybody in front of me has went on their tiptoes. The woman calls, "And today, the boy reaped is... Azrael Thanatos!" She claps, but everybody else turns their head towards a older boy. He looks hipster, maybe 18 or 17, and the look on his face is surprise. Before I can dwell on him any longer, though, the woman announces, "The lucky girl is... Neha Bhavsar!"

EGYPT FEMALE: CASSANDRA

https://www.wattpad.com/story/44117569-author-games-entries

BRAZIL MALE: NAVEEN AHMED (DEFAULT)

They only reaped me because I'm fancy *flips cane*.

ITALY FEMALE: VITALIA SHAE SCIPIO

https://www.wattpad.com/story/45996528-author-games-Olympics

SWEDEN MALE: FELIX KJELBERG (DEFAULT)

They only reaped me because I invaded Norway.

JAPAN FEMALE: AIME SATOMI

"Why do you need my blood?" Aime said, her voice inflecting concern with its quiet tone. She had waited in line for at least an hour, unknowing of why she was there to begin with.

"Just give me your hand." The lady in the white said to her. She reached for Aime's palm, but Aime retracted it faster.

"Tell me why." She demanded with sudden anger. The girls behind her, all her age, yelled out various comments degrading Aime's curiosity. Impatience soared the area as Aime held up the line.

"Give me your hand." The lady repeated with more force than before, and when Aime didn't move, another woman in the same uniform came over to them. She held some kind of whip, and Aime eyed it carefully.

"Is there a problem?" The newer woman asked, and suddenly Aime had the attention of everyone around her. All of the teens had their eyes on the lanky girl, and she felt exposed.

"No," Aime said with power, "No problem." She kept her gaze on the woman with the whip. She intensified her face while she reached her arm forward. She ignored the prickling pain and continued to stare at the woman. For a few moments, she felt the authority slip away from the woman's face, but the whip told her otherwise.

"Next!" The woman called, and Aime stepped past the table, still keeping track of the whip. She had moved on, and the scenario seemed over as she migrated towards the large stage a few meters away. Chatter filled the air, and she, herself, sat in silence while the rest of her country's teenagers were herded like sheep.

"You're in trouble."

Aime's head shot up from her place on the floor, and looked up to see another girl. She was younger, and had silkier and longer hair than Aime did. Yuki smiled down at her and sat by her, ignoring the judgmental looks from the other Japanese teens.

"What do you mean?" Aime asked carelessly.

"If what they're saying is true, you're in trouble."

"What are they saying?" Aime was still lacking any concern, but she persisted with questions because she knew Yuki would wait until she did.

"They call them the Hunger Games." Yuki said shyly, her voice deepening and also growing softer. She sounded scared. Aime looked at her younger friend and took note of her frightened stature.

"What? Nobody gave them food?" Aime tried to joke, but it didn't work.

"24 go in, and only one comes out alive." Yuki continued, filling her tone with conspiracy. Aime had heard that before, from her teacher at school the day before.

"Whatever, this is probably just another government announcement."

"That's exactly what it is. Except it's different this time, Aime."

"Well, why am I in trouble?" They both stood as if on cue as a loud trumpet blared and a woman stepped onto the stage. Aime recoiled in disgust at the amount of make-up glued to her face, and the dress seemed cartoon. It was ruffled on one half, but flat and sleek on the other, and the amount of alternated colors made Aime dizzy.

"Welcome to a new day!" She announced, clearly rehearsed, and Yuki tapped Aime's shoulder from behind.

"Just wait." Yuki said, and Aime's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she stared up at the podium.

"Our Gamemakers sure have thought up something special this year, haven't they?" She asked, not realizing the country had no idea what she was saying. She coughed, and then continued, "Every year, the twelve districts of WattPanem offer up one male and one female to fight in what we call the Hunger Games!" She explained with glee. Aime suspected it to be highly exaggerated.

"This year, WattPanem has decided on something different to bring the world together as one. Welcome to a new year, as we celebrate our first Hunger Games: Olympics! Now, I will announce which girl and which boy you have voted to fight for your country." She stepped away from the podium and walked to her left, where a man in another white uniform handed her an envelope.

Aime was utterly confused, and she thought back to the day before. When, at school, their teachers were erratic and handed them a small sheet of paper. She was told to write a name of someone. Someone that could be described as the person she'd trust to fight for the country single-handedly.

Aime had written her own name as a joke.

She had told everyone else to write her name as a joke.

She thought it was all a joke.

She didn't think the announcements were real, and she didn't know that her reckless persuasion would lead to this.

"Aime Satomi! With a record amount of votes, come up here!" The female clown beckoned her hand at the crowd, which dispersed around Aime.

"You told us to vote for you." Yuki muttered from behind Aime, "you can only blame yourself."

Aime believed it, and she didn't even glance at Yuki before she popped her chin up and walked with grace up to the woman she labeled as one of the escort's she had been told about earlier. Heads she recognized followed her as she stepped with faux pride onto the stage. The woman ushered her to the podium, and Aime scratched the back of her head and followed reluctantly. The whole thing felt like a dream, and she still had no idea what was going on.

"Say something to the crowd!" The escort encouraged, then walked to the right to grab another envelope. Aime stepped up to the microphone that was attached to the unusually small podium, and leaned into it.

"I just want to know who's hungry." She said, attempting to lighten the aura of the country's population. Moreover, it was to lighten her own puzzled thoughts. The crowd lightheartedly let out a few chuckles, and the rest of that hour became a blur in Aime's memory.

"Fight for the country...Only one will survive...Dead..."

"Learn to fight...Sponsorships...Arena..."

Aime clawed at her short hair; sitting in an extremely comfortable lounge chair in the building the escort had called "Justice." She wracked her brain, attempting to remember the snippets of her school principal's announcements.

She knew nothing. She could remember nothing. She felt blind, she felt deaf, and she felt utterly unequipped with knowledge. A door swung open and that was the last time Aime would see even a glance of her country for a long time. It snapped shut as her family came scrambling over to her.

"Mom!" Aime cried, only showing weakness for her parent. She was old and incapable of caring for herself. Her father stood solemnly by the door, watching their every move.

"Aime, what has happened? Why would you be voted for something like this?" Her mother asked weakly, pulling Aime in for a hug.

"I thought this was all a joke on our country. I told people to vote for me." The embrace lingered, before her mother pulled back and looked at her daughter disappointingly.

"You're the only one to blame." Her father said from the doorway, saddened, yet stern. Aime looked at him desperately, as he held on to her silent, younger brother's arm. He was staring at her with a pleading look. This was the only time Aime cried.

"Am I going to die, mother?" she asked, and her father went as far as to exit the building with her brother. She heard his childish voice call her name before their father pulled him away.

"No. You will win whatever these games are. You will win. If not to save yourself, then to save our country."

Aime nodded, and gave her mother one last hug as she was forced out of the building.

You will win.