When I wake up the other side of the bed is cold, Devan's side of the shared full size bed. Turning and seeing that he has indeed must have gotten up in the night. I do not blame him though. The games have always messed with him. And has only gotten worse. 

I prop myself up and glance though the privacy blanket at the bed next to mom. There is enough light from the early sun light to see Devan sleeping peacefully from a distance. From here you can't tell that he has night terrors most nights. In which causes him to lash out and fuss. He seemed curled himself up in the night around his pillow sometime after he kicked his blanket off. Smiling, I quietly get up and cover him gently. Looking down, seeing him sleeping peacefully though his tear stained face. He holding onto mom's hand for comfort.

Mom seems younger, stress free for a brief moment while she sleeps. Grabbing what I need from my space. I look back and see Toby, an husky mix who has seemed to talking a liking to Devan. He  lays down between Devan and the door. He don't like me much.  "Silly dog." murmuring as I head down stairs. I know that dog helps Devan but it could be nicer. I grab a napkin and wrap up some dried apple pieces and a piece of cheese' before quietly slipping out.

Our house is located in the outskirts of the Seam. Its the poorer part of the town of district 12. The streets are usually full of people heading to work in the many parts of the mines. But the reaping will be in a few days and the President will be announcing on what we are up against today. So everyone has today off. This year will be a quarter game and that's terrifying.

I pass a few creeks over flowing with water we must have gotten a lot of rain from the storm last night.  Devan is scared of them and probably the reason why he was so restless and went over with mom. I casually jog though the slight over grown path in the direction of the meadow. The fence that surrounds the districts  meant to keep out wild animals and to deter people from going out and leaving. Though  most people are to scared to actually go. "The fence meant to keep us safe is more like caged rats," I murmur. I glance around to make sure no one over heard before I slide under the fence. Its meant to be on but its in rough shape and only works in spots. But rather or not the electric works it does it job.

When I was younger I used to scare my parents with what I used to blurt out. On how the people who ran the country were terrible and about district 12 and the capital. Eventually I learned to keep my mouth shut.  I go about my daily routine with only polite small talk with people who I do not really know well. Make a little more talk with people in the hob, which is the black market. Mom and Devan never been here, nor will I allow it to happen. I don't need to risk there lives. I don't speak of tricky topics even at home. The topics are just to overwhelming.

I grab the bow and the arrows from the hollow out log. I used to come here often with my father. My mother never liked him bring me out to the forest. He always felt it was to dangerous for me. Spending time out here was good as my father taught me some before being electrocuted. He got to close to the fence. I'm not sure why but I know he wanted better for us and Mom. There was no body for us to even bury. I take a deep breath and look back in the direction of the fence. He could still be alive for all we know, looking deeper into the woods. My father had three bows and one I could never find with some arrows gone. I was twelve. Devan still calls out for him. The fence and storms scare him.

Trespassing in the woods is illegal. And hunting is punishable by death. But Mio and I agree that its better to get a bullet than starve. It is just quicker.  More people would risk it but the lack of weapons other than a knife prevents it. My bows are rare and very expensive to come by, if one had the chance to get them if they were spared an public execution for starting a rebellion.

But most Peacekeepers turn a blind eye though. They are hungry for the meat to. They are also some of our best costumers as well.

Mio is the only one I can truly be myself. She is the only one who can bring a genuine smile from me. A thicket of berry bushes protects our meet up spot that over looks a ledge.

"Hey, Collins. Its about time." I smile. The only time I can freely smile.

She holds up piece of bread. I quickly take it in my hands and smell. It is real bakery bread, not the kind we make with the rations. My mouth fills with saliva as the fragrance fills the air.  She brings out her knife.

"Mio, How much did it cast? It must have been a lot."  I at her.

"Just a squirrel. Think the old man was feeling sentimental. But we both know it is due of the games." Mio spoken quietly. "Even wished me well." 

"Well, most people get that way with what today is. Devan left some cheese and apple pieces." I bring them out.

Her expressions brightens at the treats. "Thanks Devan." Suddenly falls into a capital accent as she mimics Effie Trinket, the unnatural woman who comes once a year to read off the names of the reaping.

"Any idea on what's going to happen at this quarter games." I get up and pluck some blackberries from the bushes around us.

"No, I have no idea." She places the bread and the other food down on the napkin and get up and helps. We are silent while we pick. The Capital does this to get inside our heads. To try to control us even more than what they already do. There is an extra feeling of fear in the air. Even the Peacekeepers feel it.

"Collins." I snap out of my thoughts just in time to catch a berry in my mouth as my teeth break the skin as we both laugh. We both try to keep it lighthearted, its better than being scared.

I look over at Mio, we could be related with the same dark hair and pale skin. But we are not. But than again a lot of people who work is dealing with the mines look alike. That why my mother and Devan look out of place. She was from the merchant class, the group who catered to the ones who can afford it. Her family rain the apothecary shop. We cant afford doctors so they are the best we have. My father got to know my mother by the medical herds he sold to the shop. The same stuff that I bring back to mom now. I can see it in her eyes that she sometimes sees dad but it just be me. It hard on her.

I try to remember her before dads death. How she  was happy and Devan didn't have any nightmares. But I can't.

Mio spreads the goat cheese on the bread and I spit the berries and the apples. The food's wonderful. The summer breeze feels nice, it would be better if it was an actual holiday and the reaping. If all the day off would be Mio and I hunting for tonight's dinner. But we have to be back at two to find out our ugly fate.          

"You know we could do it." Mio quietly whispers.

"What?" I say maybe not hearing her right.

"Leave the district. Run off and live in the woods. We could make it work." I heard her right but I don't really know how to respond.

"If we did not have so many people relying on us." Quickly adding.

They are not technically our responsibility but might as well. We had to shoulder the responsibility of a family life that we did ask for. Mio has 4 younger siblings, I have Devan and I refuse to exclude mom. It so tough. But we couldn't make it.

"I'm never having kids." I say.
"I did if I didn't live here." I just nod. I understand though, about wanting kids but not wanting them to go though the reaping or make them feel like they have to take out a tesserae.

"What you want to do today." She gets up and stretches.

"Lets fish. Than I need to gather some new medical herbs. Devan has an infection from a cut and mom out of herbs."

We make out well. And I was able to find all the herbs that mom needed.

Before I head home I take some Blackberries over to Alex who's parents have a thing for them.

~~~~~~

I turn the fish that is cooking over the fire place. I usually do my best to do that part so mom doesn't get burned.

"Owe." I stand up and look back to see Devan jump back. He is crying. The infection in the cut on his side is pretty good. "I don't wanna die." He whimpers.

"You will not die. You will be fine baby. I just need you to hold still." Devan just whimpers in agreement.

But we all know he could die if the new medical herbs don't work. Devan was lucky that the cut wasn't deeper as it next to his heart.

I glace at the time and turn on the tv. Its time.

I place my head on the table and listen to the anthem and the film that tells us why we are here. The same film every year. We all know it by heart.

Unfortunately.

I perk up so see President Snow read off the card.

"This year games will require the 12 districts to offer up two boys and two girls for the honor in representing their district." I stop listening after that. Its like two games in one year. I glace at mom and Devan who are both white as a sheet. It means mom could lose both of us in the same year. Devan just starts shaking uncontrollably. There is a chance I won't 've able to save Devan.

Devan jumps up and sprints upstairs. He is sobbing.

I think back a few years ago. I think he lost a friend. They were so close. I don't know the details but they had a thing going or something.

I glance over at the fish cooking as mom went up to comfort Devan.  

The fish get done I go up stairs to see mom and Devan curled up sleeping. I will just keep it warm for them.  

~~~~~~

"Hey Collins." Mom looks over at me as I sit next to Devan. Devan has been quiet since the Capital informed us on the reaping. I reach over and place my hand on his but he removes his hand. He in shock, we all are and today we find out who goes.   

"Hi, Mom." I have been spending a lot of time in the woods gathering so mom has some money and herbs to get by. Mio and I have mutually agreed to keep and eye on our family if one gets chosen.

Devan is warning one of my old reaping outfits as I find Mom and Devan both ready to go. A tub of water waits for me. I quickly scrub off the dirt an sweet from the woods. Mom as laid out one of dads nice outfits for me.

"You look great." Devan says in a hush tone.

I turn and bring him in a hug. "You look great too." I hug him longer than necessary as I know the next few hours will be horrible for him.  He has already been in the reaping a few years now. So there a chance we both could go and he knows that. But he worried about me. That the unthinkable could happen. I do my best I can to protect Devan but I'm powerless against the reaping. 

We all just drink a cup of goats milk for lunch, as dinner is brewing.

Attendance is mandatory. They hold the reaping in the square. The nicest part of district 12. Usually there is a holiday feel to it but today there is griminess and a feeling of death to the air. The cameras perched around only add to the affect.

People file in silently in and sigh in. Sighing in is a great way for the Capital to keep track of us. We are all roped into area by age. Oldest up front and youngest in the back. While loved ones are gathered around the edge. With ones who go around taking bets on who will get picked. They are usually the ones who are no longer care. 

The space gets more claustrophobic as people continue to arrive. The people who are clumped with me are all just watching the makeshift stage. It has the basics. I stare at the balls who has all the names in it, separated by boys and girls of course.

Just as the clock strikes 2 the mayor gets up and tells the history of Panem and than the treaty that was farmed after the up rising. As punishment kids are imprisoned in an outdoor arena and have to fight to the death. Its sickening. Its there way to rub it in our faces that we could not survive another uprising. 

The mayor reads the names of the victors. Only one is alive and he is usually  drunk most of the time.               

Effie Trinket comes to the microphone and starts. "Happy Games." She continues for a few minutes before saying,  "ladies first."

She goes and picks two out and reads the names out clearly.

"Lindsey Sterling."
"Kendall Rae."

They both walk up to the stage. They are both are in shock. And they are crying.

 "Now for the boys."

Again she picks out two.

"Collins Key."

All the blood goes numb. The worst outcome has happened. I Slowly make it up to the stage. I stand next to Effie. As she unfolds and reads the second name.

"Devan Key."

I fall to my knees in shock as I hear mom in the distance.

--Author Note--

Hey guys. I know it's similar to the actual book. But I am changing it up and probably change it up more as it continues. And I may change the name. And if you have a YouTuber you want me to use than comment below and let me know what district as well.