Chapter 11   The countdown begins, like a bomb waiting to explode. I look around at my competition, all of us standing on our plates in a semicircle, equidistant from the massive golden horn spilling over with goodies. I notice the Careers, distributed throughout the lineup, adjusting their stance. They’re ready to charge the second […]

Chapter 9   I awake to the now-familiar sound of Effie knocking on my door. “Rise and shine!” she chimes as always in her high-pitched, overly-cheery capitol cadence. “It’s another big, big, big day!” I dress quickly and head down to breakfast early, hoping to get in a quick word with Haymitch before Katniss arrives. […]

Chapter 8   After leaving the gymnasium I take the elevator back up to the twelve floor. I realize it’s the first time I’ve made this trip by myself, since the past two nights Katniss was with me. It feels weird standing there in complete silence, watching the city zoom past me as I shoot […]

Chapter 7   Katniss is asleep, somewhere high up in a tree. Almost peaceful. The morning is just arriving, the tweeting of the birds promising a new day. Suddenly, a raging ball of fire launches itself at her out of nowhere. Dodging it, she jumps out of the tree desperately and collapses on the ground […]

Chapter 6           Effie escorts Katniss and me into the crystal elevator in the Training Center and presses the button for the 12th floor. This is where we’ll live, train, and be evaluated until the Games begin. Each district gets their own floor; ours, fittingly, is the 12th. I guess that’s one of the […]

Chapter 5           A few minutes later, we’ve pulled into the train station, and when the doors open we’re immediately swarmed by Capitol citizens and reporters alike. A group of guards escorts us to the Remake Center, where our stylist team will begin preparing us for that night’s Tribute Parade.         As I step […]

Chapter 4 Katniss and I just stand there for a while, taking in the sight of Haymitch in a pool of his own vomit, mouths agape. Every time he tries to get up, he slips back down into his own filth. He’s absolutely pathetic, and unfortunately for us, he’s all we’ve got. Katniss and I […]

Chapter 3   The anthem plays, as it does every year, and as soon as it’s over a group of peacekeepers escort us into the Justice Building, leading me into one room and Katniss into another. I’m left alone for a few minutes. As I wait, I nervously run my hand back and forth across […]