Welcome to Gaia! ::

The moment I heard my name called, my blood turned to ice. I could only process one thought, and that thought was, "I'm going to die," It took a few moments for me to snap back into reality, and when I did, I noticed the crowd around me had parted and every eye was on me. Knowing this was being broadcasted, I swallowed my fear and strode up to the stage. I kept my eyes locked forward, refusing to show any sort of emotion in my eyes, not fear, not worry, not sadness, just indifference. When I finally took my eyes off of the sky, I looked at my family. Dante was in shock, his body was frozen and I could tell he was scared for me. Alighya was crying and clutched onto my mothers skirt. My father's face was blank, he was more than likely wondering why his daughter had been called up there, and he was probably wishing that someone would volunteer, but I know it's in vain. No one that I know would volunteer just to die. My mother is obviously trying to keep herself together. I can't help but bitterly think, "Isn't this what you wanted? For your daughter to fight to the death?" I was determined not to cry, it would just cause everyone in my family to cry as well. When they announce the boy tributes name, I am praying it won't be Dante, and it turns out to be some boy I've probably never spoken to in my entire life. I swallow down my fear once more as I silently wring my hands behind my back.

The first thing I notice about him is that not only is he older than me, but he is a few inches taller as well. I can tell by the expression on his face that he seems like he wants to come back alive, not in a coffin.
The longer I stand there, the more desperately I want to leave and go inside. I want to be out of the spotlight, I don't want to have people watching my every move. I attempt to take a deep breath, trying not to make it obvious that I'm scared witless. I try my best to not think about anything, not dying in the arena, and not about anything that has to do with the Games. I try to remember happier times when I didn't have to worry about reaping. I let a flicker of a smile cross my face, but as quickly as it turns up, it's gone.

I had been watching my sister cry when I realized that next year she would be eligible for the Hunger Games next year, and Dante would be too old. I knew Alighya wouldn't last a day in the Games, and she would have to take tesserae to support the family. If District 3 won, she wouldn't have too, and it would lessen her chances of getting called in. I had to win, I could run, I was sort of strong, and I had good aim. The longer I thought about it, the more I convinced myself I could possibly win. If I died in the Games, Ezekiel would have too. I was brought back from my deep thoughts when I heard Ezekiel speak to me. I turned to him and attempted to smile, "Yeah, I hope so," I said quietly. I could tell he was nervous, but he tried to look strong regardless. I began to wonder that maybe, if I pretended to look weak, the others would simply leave me alone. Either that or I would become easy kill.

"So that's why he wants to win," I thought as he mentioned his brother, I simply nod, "I agree. Let's get this over with," I said as I felt my palms begin to sweat yet again. I take a deep breath and try to calm myslef. I can tell by the look on his face that he's probably freaking out, but trying to not let it show. I first wipe off my sweaty hands and shake. "I pray I'll live to see another day when I get into the arena. Good luck to you too," I said, attemtping to smile so he understands I'm joking. But I have a feeling in my stomach that I won't live past the first day in the arena.
After we've shaken hands, the escort ushers us into the Justice Building, then we are both taken to private rooms. I finally let out a shaky breath that I feel like I've been holding for a long time. When I realize we're about to see our families, I barely refrain from moaning. I don't want to see my parents, the only people I want to see are Dante and Alighya. It takes almost ten minutes before I hear the door opening. Alighya instantly runs over to me and hugs me. She's an absolute mess, I can barely understand what she's saying behind her sobs. "It's okay Alighya. Now look at me, if I don't come back, you may have to take tesserae. Don't worry, if you get called in, someone will volunteer for you because you're so young. But I think you may actually want to be prepared. I'm not saying you'll have to train, but if you go in there, I don't want you to die," I said to her in the most calming voice I can manage. Alighya nods and she hugs me one more time and I can barely hear her whisper, "Please come back Sara, please. I love you, don't die," The moment I hear her whisper that, I barely refrain from bawling. When she backs away, I stand up and Dante hugs me. "Sis, I'll do whatever I can to keep Alighya safe. I promise," He said once he stopped hugging me. Then, I turn to face my parents, my father reaches out towards me, but I shrug him away and face my mother. She opens her mouth to say something, but I stop her. "Don't give me any bull. I know you wanted one of your children to win the Games, but how does it feel now, when you realize I could actually die," I said cruely. I can barely hear her say that she never wanted me to compete. "Well you didn't do a good job of preventing that. You let me take tesserae, not caring that I could actually die. Don't you dare do that with Alighya, you make sure she stays safe," I said, staring my mother right in the eyes. I have enough time to hug both Dante and Alighya again before they're taken away. As the door shuts, I hear Dante say to me, "You have to win sis, for me and Alighya,"

Once my family left, I sit back down on the plush red seat, staring at my hands. For the first moment, the thought hits me that this is really happening, I'm going into the Games. I know I should be bawling like a baby, but I'm not, and I don't understand why. I guess at this point, I know there is nothing I can possibly do to stop this from happening. I sigh and close my eyes as I feel one tear slid down my cheek. I quickly wipe it away, scared that more will follow. But after I realize that I'm not crying anymore, I turn and glance out the window behind me. It strikes me that I may never see District 3 again, unless I manage to survive in the Games. I know it's somewhat hopless, but I can't help but feel a small flicker of hope that I could possibly live through this. I'm left staring out the window for a few moments before the peacekeepers arrive and take us away to the train.