Osmo Overton’s POV:

‘’ Osmo would you ever put that book down and get ready for the Reaping! We cannot be late!’’ Begs my mother irritably.

‘’ One second mother, I’m almost done this chapter.’’ I plead.

‘’ Now Osmo. There’s only an hour until it starts! This is madness.’’ She continues.

‘’ What’s the point anyway?’’ I question.

‘’ It’s the law. All children eligible for Reaping must attend.’’ Explains my mother in the voice of our Mayor and then we both grin.

‘’ You know what I meant. It’s my fourth year being eligible for the Games, I worked out the calculations last night, my chances of being picked are one in three thousand seven hundred and ninety two point sixty six recurring.’’ I explain.

‘’ What?’’ Asks my mother, then laughs slightly.

‘’ My chances of being picked are as miniscule as the sympathy the Capitol have towards us.’’ I repeat, rephrasing my words and using the Capitol’s mercilessness to symbolise what I am talking about.

‘’ You’re a little genius Osmo. You know that right?’’ Smiles my mother proudly, kissing me on the forehead. ‘’ Go get ready!’’

She takes the book from my hand and reads the cover silently to herself, then cocks an eyebrow in incomprehension.

‘’ It’s a paperback manuscript depicting the rebellion and it then goes on to describe the tragic economic consequences that the rebellion had on the people of Panem, especially the subordinate Districts like Eleven or Twelve.’’ I explain and she pats me on the head.

‘’ Where did we get you from at all?’’ She questions with a slight smile.

I dash upstairs and quickly wash myself in a bucket of lukewarm water my mother has left out for me. I then dry myself off and step into the clothes she has lain out for me on the bed I share with my two younger brothers – neither old enough to be eligible for Reaping.

I then fix my brown hair in the mirror to a style that I am happy with and descend back into the tiny living room where my mother and two brother’s are waiting for me.

‘’ You look lovely Osmo.’’ She smiles.

Before I can respond, there is a gently rap on the front door – a seven beat knock that indicates that Echo has arrived with some food.

‘’ Morning.’’ I smile as she enters in her hunting gear with a backpack slung over her shoulders.

‘’ Sorry I’m late. There were loads more Peacekeepers around the boundary today for the Reaping. I had to go the long way around.’’ She explains.

‘’ You should be careful Echo, it’s not that we don’t appreciate your deeds for us, but you have to make sure you’re not caught out there or the Capitol will take you away.’’ Chides my mother.

‘’ Yeah, yeah. Sorry Mrs Overton.’’ She says half apologetically.

‘’ For the last time Echo, call me June! You’ve known me long enough to be still addressing me by Mrs.’’ Scolds my mother playfully.

‘’ Yes mam.’’ Replies Echo, standing at attention and raising her right hand to her forehead.

‘’ Now then deary, what have you got for us?’’ Smiles my mother.

‘’ I was really lucky today. Caught about ten rabbits and a few squirrels too. The forest was crawling with them!’’ Explains Echo. ‘’ Here, have two of each.’’

‘’ Thanks Echo. You’re a star.’’ Smiles my mother gratefully, taking the meat from her and bringing it to the kitchen.

‘’ Thanks Echo.’’ I smile and kiss her gently on the cheek.

She blushes and exits the house. ‘’ See you later!’’ She calls as she walks down the short drive and makes her way towards her house.

Echo Spark’s POV:

I try to hide the smile on my blushing red face as I exit Osmo’s house and head in the direction of mine with the bag of rabbits and squirrels thrown over my back – however I know he saw it.

The short journey home takes almost three times as long as it normally would because of the time taken to make detours to avoid running into Peacekeepers who would have me killed if I was caught with the meat in my bag as it would mean I was hunting outside the District – something illegal throughout all of Panem.

When I finally reach my front door and step inside, my mother practically attacks me.

‘’ Echo Sparks! What the hell do you think you are doing?’’ She roars angrily.

‘’ What? I-‘’ I begin however she cuts me off.

‘’ You promised me you wouldn’t go out today! Hunting, on Reaping day! Do you want to be executed publically!?’’ She screams.

‘’ Mum I-‘’ I try say but she doesn’t allow me to continue.

‘’ Echo! You are grounded for a month! Do you know how worried we were?’’ She yells.

I glance from her over to my father who is grinning slightly at me.

‘’ He certainly looks worried.’’ I say and my father laughs aloud.

‘’ I knew you’d come home.’’ He smiles.

My mother’s face flares a similar shade of red that mine had been moments before – although for a very different reason.

‘’ Don’t encourage her!’’ Yells my mother. ‘’ She could have been caught!’’

‘’ But I wasn’t.’’ I explain and before she can roar at me, my father interjects.

‘’ She’s right Regina, she wasn’t. Now Echo, what did you catch today?’’

My mother silences as I open my bag and pull out the goodies I caught in the forest with my bow and arrows – her mouth drips saliva as she envisions the meals she can prepare from this meat.

‘’ OK Echo, I must admit. You do pleasantly surprise me every time you open that bag of yours.’’ Smiles my mother and takes the meat into the kitchen.

As my mother steps into the kitchen, there is a sudden knock on the door that causes all of us to freeze.

‘’ Quickly Echo! Upstairs and get changed. You never know who this could be.’’ Instructs my father.

As I sprint up the stairs, my father approaches the door. I run into my room and begin to scrub myself in the large bucket of water my mother has prepared for me – we haven’t got any of the luxurious bath tubs or sinks that they have in District’s One and Two.

I wash silently and listen to the conversation going on downstairs.

‘’ We heard yelling, is everything OK?’’ Questions a deep and husky voice from the sitting room where my father is – a Peacekeeper, definitely.

‘’ Oh we were just bickering that’s all.’’ Explains my father and laughs slightly.

‘’ Something funny?’’ Questions the man.

‘’ It’s just rather embarrassing that you can hear us from outside.’’ Continues my father.

‘’ What were you arguing about, if you don’t mind me asking?’’ Questions the Peacekeeper and judging from the silence, my father cannot think of anything.

‘’ Ehm...’’ He begins, trying to buy time.

‘’ I think I’m pregnant!’’ Utters my mother suddenly, and I gasp aloud. ‘’ If you must know!’’

‘’ Oh, I apologize madam. I will leave you two now, please be sure to be present for the Reaping.’’

‘’ We will.’’ Assures my father. ‘’ Thank you.’’

When the door closes, there is no more talking from downstairs, so I finish up in the bath and dress myself. Afterwards I head back downstairs and find my parents in the kitchen whispering in hushed voices.

‘’ Nice save mum.’’ I congratulate with a broad smile. ‘’ Only problem is they will start questioning you in a few weeks when your stomach is getting no bigger.’’

‘’ That won’t happen.’’ Assures my mother.

‘’ What?’’ I question excitedly. ‘’ You’re pregnant?’’

My parents smile and nod at me. ‘’ Sorry you had to find out this way, we wanted to tell you later in a more special way.’’

‘’ It’s fine! I’m getting a new sibling!’’ I yell enthusiastically.

‘’ Hush now.’’ Chides my mother. ‘’ We don’t need those idiots back in here. Let’s get your hair ready for the Reaping.’’

Mayor Marullen’s POV:

‘’ Greeting citizens of District Three! The time has come to select our tributes who shall represent our wonderful District in the one hundred and twenty fifth annual Hunger Games!’’ I yell happily as the short documentary on Panem ends and the crowd claps slightly. ‘’ I will know invite our lovely escort, Amelia Able up to the podium to draw out the names of our two tributes!’’

As Amelia approaches the podium, I retreat back from where I am and take a seat facing the crowd. Amelia stands up to the podium and clears her throat.

‘’ Hello District Three!’’ She roars excitedly, however she doesn’t get the same response the career Districts most likely got. ‘’ Before I draw these two names, I first want to make sure you all know that even if you don’t get picked this year for the honour of representing your home and your people in the Hunger Games, for most of you there is always next year.’’

The crowd remains silent.

‘’ Now then.’’ She giggles. ‘’ I will draw the name of the female tribute and invite them up onto the stage.’’

She sticks her hand into the large glass bowl that is tinted slightly pink and plucks out a piece of paper from the bowl. She raises it to eye level and reads the name aloud.

‘’ Echo Sparks!’’ She chimes.

I get to my feet and applaud – as do the other town officials and a few Peacekeepers scattered around the square.

‘’ No!’’ Screams a woman’s voice from somewhere in the crowd as a girl in her mid-teens steps out from one of the holding pens and begins making her way to the stage. However a man – presumably her husband – silences her by clasping his hand over her mouth and holding her on the spot to prevent her from running up to the stage.

She has pale white skin and even paler silvery hair that hangs in one large ponytail down her back. Her eyes are as bright and green as emeralds and they twinkle slightly as she approaches the stage.

The girl slowly ascends the steps to the stage and Amelia smiles broadly and welcomingly at her.

‘’ What age are you honey?’’ She questions softly.

‘’ Fifteen.’’ She replies, almost in a daze.

‘’ And if you could summarise yourself using just one word, what would it be?’’ Questions Amelia.

‘’ Daring.’’ She states simply and takes her seat in one of the two empty chairs in front of me on the stage.

‘’ Excellent!’’ Chimes Amelia. ‘’ Now, for the boys!’’

She sticks her hand in the large glass bowl tinted slightly blue and pulls out a piece of paper. As she did before, she holds the piece of paper up to her eyes and then clears her throat.

‘’ Alfie-‘’ Begins Amelia, but before she can finish, a boy from the crowd cuts her off.

‘’ No! I volunteer!’’

‘’ Wonderful.’’ Says Amelia quietly to herself, although the microphone amplifies her voice around the square.

A small boy steps out from the sixteen year old section and makes his way towards the stage. As he does, the girl gasps in her seat in front of me and mutters a name under her breath.

‘’ Hello there young man! What’s your name and how old are you?’’ Questions Amelia as the boy makes his way up onto the stage.

‘’ I’m Osmo Overton and I am sixteen.’’ He answers.

‘’ No Osmo.’’ Begins the girl quietly, but he glares at her and shakes his head and she silences.

‘’ I was going to ask you why you volunteered before the name was even called, but judging by that little head shake, you’re here for Echo, aren’t you?’’ Questions Amelia.

Osmo nods his head curtly.

‘’ Have we got a little romance going on here?’’ Questions Amelia excitedly – something myself and everyone else I’m sure is dying to know.

‘’ No. We’re just friends.’’ He replies.

‘’ OK then, if you could sum yourself up in one word, what would it be?’’ Asks Amelia.

‘’ Able.’’ He says.

‘’ How fitting.’’ She laughs and gestures for him to take a seat with Echo behind her.

When the tributes have taken their seats, she addresses the crowd again.

‘’ OK then, we have both our wonderful tributes who shall represent us in the Fifth Quarter Quell, Echo Sparks aged fifteen and Osmo Overton aged sixteen. Happy Hunger Games everyone!’’