Lily

-

"Mommy, why do the stars shine so bright?" My brother asked curiously as he pointed at the sky with his chubby little arms.

"It's the way things work, sweetheart. It's just what they do. I never understood either." She answered softly as she patted his head and kissed my forehead.

"What do we do, mommy?" I asked.

"We're born to help the world, hon. But there will be a time in which we will die, just like any others." She answered while smiling sadly at me. My face revealed my confusion. I was young. Just a child. I barely understood, but somehow I knew. My days were numbered and every moment was valuable and this moment I'd live to remember.

"Can you stop us from dying?" I whispered softly as my eyes welled with tears at the thought of death.

"I can't, sweetheart. But if you're chosen, you'll fight for yourself and most importantly, for us. We'll always love you. That's something I want you to remember."

-

I brushed away my tears and rubbed my eyes. I had been too young to understand what she meant, I understand now. My time had come, and I just had to try my best for Lavina and Peter. I had to make them believe I was coming back, safe and sound. There was no point in denying the truth, I was already dead, but I had to fight, for my family. I had to fight. I promised I would see my nephew's face, and I intended to keep that promise.

"Five minutes." A peacekeeper says as he opens the door, gun in hand. I shiver as his cruel eyes meet mine and he gives me a cold sneer.

"Hope." Ian says after he walks in. His eyes study me, carefully watching my face.

"What?" I ask. I don't understand...

"You need hope. We all have fears, Lil. We can't let them win. You're brave, strong, and selfless. You can win." He says.

I search for any sign of amusement on his face. I'm surprised when his eyes fill with tears and he hugs me tightly.

"I will win." I assure him. "Plus, I've got a wedding to attend." I add to diffuse the tension. Ian laughed and choked. I don't think he knew I knew about his crush on my sister. Even after she got pregnant he still had a crush on her.

I wish I could love someone like that someday, but I'm afraid of rejection, humiliation. I've always been afraid to express my feelings. I'm not sure if I have enough courage.

"Shh, shh." I try to soothe him as he starts to cry harder. It must be tough, Sam and I are his best friends, and now we're both gone.

"Promise me you'll look after them." I whisper as I brush away my tears.

"Promise me you'll win." He replies. He stops crying and looks at me hard.

"I promise." We say at the same time. Then we press our thumbs and foreheads together, as we did when we were children.

"Times up." A peacekeeper barks as he barges into the room and drags Ian by the neck while he struggles to break free. I gasp loudly while I try to help him, and the peacekeeper pulls his gun on me.

"You're a tribute, not a rebel. Act like one and you're dead. Consider this a miracle and an act of mercy." His cold tone makes me shiver in fright as my eyes show panic and fear. I step back in total horror and watch Ian get dragged out by the neck.

"Tell them I love them!" I yell in desperation. Ian's eyes meet mine, hazel and blue, and he nods. As long as they know, I think I can die happily now.

"Get in. She's in there." I hear the same cruel voice say a few minutes later.

"Lil." A voice says. I open my eyes, which I'd squeezed shut to keep from crying. My sister! I jumped from the chair I sat in right into her arms and hug her tightly while we both start to cry.

"I should've been me. Not you." Lavina whispered, broken.

"You have to live. For him." I say. She knows what I mean. Even if she hasn't told me, she knows what I mean.

"Where are you going?" Peter asks, materializing behind Lavina with puppy eyes.

"I'm going away, Pete. I'll be back in three weeks..." I answer carefully. My heart shatters to pieces as I lie to my little brother.

"What will you do?" He asks.

"I'll meet new people, and we'll play games. I have been chosen to represent District Four." I answer, measuring my words ever so carefully.

"Yay! My sister was chosen!" He yells in excitement. If he knew the truth, what he was really saying, it would shatter him.

I swallow back the tears and manage to smile and nod. Lavina, however, is crying endlessly. She tries to cover her face with her hair every time she glances at Peter.

"Why is Lavina crying?" He asks as his eyes turn confused. Oh. Shit. I start gaping like a fish and trying to think of a coherent answer.

"Cause she is worried I won't be okay. But I promise I will be." I answer, directing the reply at Lavina. I sigh in relief as Peter's eyes widen in understanding.

"Lily is a big girl, and my sister will be the best!" Peter shouts while raising his fist to touch mine.

"I really hope so, Pete." I whisper to myself.

Time passes quickly. Lavina and Peter are taken away, then I'm dragged to a car that takes me to the train station. I hear both cheers and protests from the people of District 4 as I board the train. My eyes flicker towards the sea as I breath in its scent. A feeling of comfort overtakes me as I wave and give a small fake smile to the crowds. If I'm going to win, I'll have to put my emotions aside. I'm getting a feeling of hope. Hope. Yes, Ian, for once in your life, you've given me lifesaving advice.

I encounter Sam in the dining room on the train, staring out the window at the forest outside of District 4. It's hard to leave home.

He's not my enemy. It wasn't his choice, and I swear on my live that I won't kill him. I know who the real enemy is, and he's in the Capitol, surrounded by riches and planning our deaths.

"So, children, it's time we get to know each other." The silence is broken by Sydney as she enters the room and nearly makes me jump. Colin and Mags enter the room behind her, Colin's eyes showing their disgust and embarrassment.

"Where's Ella?" Sam asks. "I thought she was a mentor too." He adds, sounding confused.

"Hello, Samuel. I'm afraid she couldn't come. Baby Clara is only barely five months old and she need to look after her." Colin answers, sounding worried.

"Congratulations on your child." I mutter. Colin glances at me, his eyes widening as he takes in my appearance.

"Thank you, little girl." He answers. Mags stifles a laugh. He's barely 5 years older than Sam and I and he speaks to us as if we're 5-year-olds. "You seem familiar."

"I can't imagine why. I don't make a habit of associating with you guys." I answer. I stay away from people that associate themselves with the Capitol. That could've taken my life, I was just looking out for myself.

Sydney gasps and mutters, "Sharp mouth." under her breath.

"No, I suppose not. Forgive me. Anyways, I'll be Samuel's mentor, while Mags is your mentor, Lily. Understood? No fighting, no escaping, no making out..." Colin says.

I choke on my drink and blush furiously in embarrassment. Sam turns pink and avoids my eyes. Don't get me wrong, I don't like Sam, not in that way.

"Trust me, hon. It's a normal feeling. I was your age once. I know the feeling." Colin says in response with a smirk.

"You sure know how it feels, considering the amount of Capitol women that used to appear at your doorstep." I snap. Sydney shakes her head in disappointment while Colin bursts out laughing. Sam gives me a thumbs up while shaking with laughter.

"You've got some attitude, missy." Colin answers after he stops laughing.

"Anyway, we'll discuss the strategies now." Mags interrupts while glaring at Colin. "From now on, water and fire will be your new best friend, understood? Shelter is important and is a fundamental source of your survival."

After a few minutes of Mags' explanatory lecture, I head to my bedroom and stand near the window in it, watching, for the last time, the beautiful sea of District 4. I can still hear my brother's laughter as we ran and played tag along the shore, and his screams as his life came to an end. I can hear my family, and their pleads for me to make it home. I can hear my sister begging for my life and crying endlessly in her sleep.

"I'll come back to you." I whisper, lying on my bed, as I let darkness overcome me and lose consciousness.