Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.

Katniss' POV

"That's right, this year will be the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Hunger Games, and that means it's time for our third Quarter Quell!" says Caesar Flickerman.

"What will they do?" Prim asks. "It isn't for months yet."

Prim and I turn to our mother, whose expression is solemn and distant, as if she's remembering something. "It must be the reading of the card." She tells us.

We hear the anthem play, and my throat tightens with revulsion as President Snow takes the stage. He's followed by a young boy dressed in a white suit, holding a simple wooden box. The anthem ends, and President Snow begins to speak, to remind us all of the Dark Days from which the Hunger Games were born. When the laws for the Games were laid out, they dictated that every twenty-five years the anniversary would be marked by a Quarter Quell. It would call for a glorified version of the Games to make fresh the memory of those killed by the districts' rebellion.

These words could not be more pointed, since I suspect several districts are rebelling right now.

President Snow goes on to tell us what happened in the previous Quarter Quells . . .

"On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder that even the youngest among us fought and are not always as innocent as we may make them out to be, our male and female tributes will be reaped from a younger age than twelve, and will be eligible at eight years old. Volunteering is forbidden." says President Snow.

I feel my heart drop into the pit of my stomach.

He'll practically be sending in babies! A poor eight year old child has nothing against an eighteen year old monster. I feel my eyes pool with tears at the thought of it, and I hear my sobs before I even feel them coming.

Prim and my mother look baffled. They know this this is even more unfair than the Hunger Games themselves, and I walk out of my house before they say a word. I know that they'll immediatley try to comfort me about being a mentor.

Haymitch is sitting at his kitchen table opening a new bottle of white liquor.

"Guess you heard what the Quell's gonna be, huh?" He says with a laugh. I scowl and take the bottle from him. Anger begins to fill his eyes, and out of panic, I take a drink.

Haymitch visibly calms down and lets me drink.

"Can I have it back now? You shouldn't be drinking sweetheart. You're only seventeen. You know what, you don't have a choice, hand it over, now." He says. I protectively wrap my arms around the bottle and refuse.

He eyes me for a moment before deciding to just let me keep it.

"Snow can do that? Just send babies into the arena? It's disgusting. Imagine having to mentor an eight year old, Haymitch." I say in disbelief. He shrugs.

"I've mentored twelve year olds that looked eight." He says as he drinks from another bottle that he opened during my little speech. My scowl deepens.

"Yeah? Well, I can't do that. These kids will be eight looking five from lack of food and illnesses. It may be even worse than Prim going into the arena." I say with a shudder. Haymitch's bottle is already half empty, so I begin to take a few more gulps.

"You'll have to get over it sweetheart. Now stop drinking, it just doesn't suit you." He says halfheartedly trying to take the bottle from me, but anger rises in me and I stand up and drink the rest of the bottle right in front of him before throwing it at his feet.

I then turn around and make my way out of his home, only to be met with the terrible effects of alcohol. I barely make it inside my home before passing out.

I wake up with a pounding headache, and run to my bathroom before vomiting up the white liquor I'd drank the night before.

When I'm done, I sit back and wipe my mouth. I jump when I feel someone pat my back and turn around to find Peeta there.

"I came to make sure you were all right, but your sister told me that you'd drank yourself unconscious." He explains. I can't believe I didn't see him on my way here, but then again, my main focus was to not vomit all over my bedroom floor.

"I guess I'm okay. Just have a bad headache from all the alcohol. I need a shower." I say. He chuckles.

"Haymitch told me. I stayed here during the night to make sure you'd be okay, but I guess the alcohol knocked you out pretty good." Peeta says with a smile and I scowl, but it immediatley leaves my face and turns into a smile too.

"Thanks. But Peeta, what are we going to do? You and I both know that I won't be able to mentor an eight year old. I don't know how Haymitch does it." I tell him.

He doesn't reply, but instead helps me stand up. I brush my teeth and we go into my bedroom. We sit down on my bed and he sighs as he reaches for my hand. Our fingers interlock and we both stare at them for a while.

"I honestly don't know. That's why I came over. After the initial shock of it, I came to see how you'd handled it." Peeta says with a chuckle. "I stayed to make sure you wouldn't have any nightmares about it, but you were fine." He adds and I sigh.

"Maybe we won't have to mentor an eight year old though. Maybe we'll get tributes who are older." Peeta says.

"Hopefully. I don't want to look weak in front of the other Victors' when I burst into tears at the sound of our tributes' canons." I say. Peeta laughs.

"You'll be fine. Just don't get too attatched. I'm sure that's what all the other Victors' do. They don't really become friends until after they win the Games. If they do." He says. I sigh. We both know it's going to be hard. Especially being our first times as mentors.

Reaping day comes around faster than ever, and I'm not prepared.

My heart hammers in my chest as Haymitch, Peeta and I take our seats on the stage of the Justice Building. I sit in the middle with Haymitch to my left and Peeta to my right. I'm holding his hand tightly, not because there are cameras, but because I need an anchor. Just in case I need support.

I tune out the boring beginning because I'm just too nervous, and the drawing comes way to quickly. Effie is visibly less happy because Peeta and I are nervous. And in turn, Effie is unsure of herself.

"Ladies first!" She announces halfheartedly.

Anxiety bubbles in me as she walks over to the podium and takes her time choosing a slip of paper. When she finally decides on one, she slowly walks back to the podium. Effie hesitates though, and looks back at me.

I nod to let her know that I'm okay, and she nods in return before carefully opening the slip of paper.

"Josie Zaid." She calls out. I see people looking around and my eyes immediatley land on the younger group of children, but to my slight relief, I watch as a girl from the middle of the clump of girls bravely steps up. She stands taller as she reaches the small path that leads directly to the steps.

I watch as she smiles and carefully makes her way up to the stage.

"Well hello dear. How old are you?" Effie asks her when the girl takes her place next to Effie. The girl appears small, maybe due to the size of heels Effie is wearing.

"Hi, I'm fourteen." She says in a sweet voice. Peeta squeezes my hand.

"Wonderful. And now for our male tribute." She announces. Her voice sounds calmer.

Effie is more confident as she strides over to the glass bowl holding the boys' names. She selects a slip of paper at the bottom of the bowl before she comes back to the podium. She opens the slip of paper carefully and reads the name.

"Ren Crestley" She says in a clear voice. I again find myself looking at the youngest group of boys, but a boy from the back of the clump of boys emerges. I can tell that he's from the Seam.

He slowly makes his way to the stage, and he appears dazed. It takes him a bit to get to the stage. The dread on his face is unmistakable. My heart aches for him although he doesn't appear to be much younger than Peeta and I.

As soon as he reaches the top of the steps, Effie rushes to him and practically drags him to the opposite side of where Josie is.

"Hello, and how old are you darling?" Effie asks as soon as they are all in position.

He hesitates, but Effie taps him lightly on the back so he will hurry.

"Eighteen." He says in a whisper. My eyes widen. He's older than Peeta and I. Effie presses her lips together.

"Wonderful. Now shake hands you two." She says, and her voice sounds as it's become less cheerful as she steps back to allow them to shake hands. Josie immediatley stretches out her hand to him, but Ren seems to hesitate. He eyes her for a moment before finally shaking her hand.

Josie immediatley let's go of his hand as soon as their hands shake twice and turns towards the audience and Effie takes the cue and looks over at the mayor as he steps forward and reads the Treaty of Treason. When he's done, the anthem plays and we all go inside the Justice Building.

Peeta and I watch as they are taken to their seperate rooms to say good-bye to their loved ones. We take a seat outside of their rooms and wait for hour to be over.

As visitors come in and out, I notice Josie has slightly more visitors than Ren and I sigh. Peeta's hand tightens around mine and I squeeze his to let him know I'm okay.

When the hour's up, we are all taken into a car to get to the train.

Peeta, Haymitch, and I are taken in a seperate car than Effie and the tributes. We get there first and await for their arrival with Effie and take our seats in the compartment we first enter.

It doesn't take long before we hear the doors open and Josie walks in, Ren and Effie trailing behind. She takes them over to us and they take their seats across from us.

Effie places her hand on my shoulder and I smile at her. She smiles back before leaving to her own devices.

Haymitch has promised to be sober for Peeta and I's first batch of tributes.

"Hello, it's very nice to meet all of you." Josie says breaking the silence. I nod and Haymitch mumbles a hello. Peeta shakes her and Ren's hand with his free one.

"It's nice to meet you too." Peeta says. Josie smiles and Ren stays silent.

"So . . . what happens now?" Ren asks softly.

I look over to Haymitch, but he just shrugs.

I take this time to look at them both.

Josie isn't very tall, but she has an air of confidence. Her hair looks a shade of brown that isn't common in our District, not to mention she has dark blue eyes. It confuses me as to where she's from. Nonetheless, the mix of very light brown hair and dark blue eyes on her pale skin makes her look beutiful.

Ren is about Peeta's height and looks strong enough to be able to manage on his own. He has black hair and gray eyes like my own, as well as my olive skin. I'm sure many girls from his age group in school find him attractive.

"Why don't we go eat? We can discuss more things tomorrow, we don't want to make you guys too nervous. I know how nerve-wracking our first day here was." Peeta tells them, and we all stand and make our way to the dining room.

My hand stays glued to Peeta's until I am forced to let go because we serve ouselves and have to hold our eating utensils.

"So where are you guys from?" Peeta asks them. Josie's face brightens, she likes to talk.

"My family owns the small jewelry store near the sweet shop. I've seen you around there before, Peeta. Same with you Katniss." She says with a smile on her face. I force myself to smile back and look at Ren.

"I'm from the Seam. And I haven't seen you guys anywhere but on our television screen and the town square." He replies bluntly. Haymitch chuckles. Ren seems to be a man of few words.

The rest of the lunch is silent, but I notice Josie wants to talk badly and I find myself smiling at her often throughout our meal.

We all make our way to the screen room so we can watch the recap of the reapings. I sit next to Peeta and Effie while Haymitch sits with Josie and Ren.

To my relief, only about one-third of the tributes are actually under the usual age limit. It still doesn't sit well with me though, these poor innocent children had four years at most before their name should've been in a reaping bowl.

Everyone retreats to their own rooms after the announcers commentary. One of them says that they're excited to see what mentors Peeta and I will be to our tributes. It made me nervous. Our tribute are already in the spotlight because of Peeta and I.

When I'm done with my shower, I hear a knock at my door, and let Peeta answer it. And we see Josie standing there. Peeta invites her in and she sits on our bed.

"Is something wrong, Josie?" I ask her, but she shakes her head and blushes slightly.

"I um. . . just wanted to know if you think Ren and I have potential to win the Games. I know it sounds silly and it might be too early to tell, but it's been on my mind the second after Ren's name was called." She says shyly. I smile at her, hoping it would calm her.

"You both seem great. Peeta and I's stylists will surely be able to make you shine as they did for us last year. It'll give you more sponsors. I'm sure at least a couple are considering you both already." I tell her encouragingly. She sighs.

"Ren maybe. As far as the audience knows, I'm a boring little girl." She says and I watch as tears begin to pool in her eyes. I press my lips together. This can't start now. But before Peeta or I can even try to calm her, she runs out of our room and we hear a door slam in the distance.

I want to follow her, but I need to change first.

Peeta takes the hint and goes to shower as I pick out some sweatpants and a loose yellow shirt. I brush my hair and then make my way to Josie's room. I knock softly, and she answers quickly.

"I'm sorry for the way I acted." She immediatley says as I close her door. I laugh a little. She's apologizing?

"You're fine. Come, sit. I know how hard this is. You're so young and the pressure is already tough." I tell her as we sit on her bed.

"I just don't stand a chance. Most of the tributes are thankfully older, but then again, that just means more real competitors for me." She says softly.

"You'll learn many new things in training. Don't count yourself out just yet, and I'm sure the Capitol audience will love you." I tell her. She smiles at me and touches my shirt.

"Yellow is my favorite color." Josie says proudly and I smile.

"Mine's green, and Peeta's is orange." I tell her and she grins.

"You two really are perfect for each other. You remind me of my mother and father very much." She tells me. My heart aches at her comparison. "My mother is from the Seam and my father is a merchant." She adds.

That explains her hair. It's not common for Seam and Merchant to marry.

"I think you should talk to Ren. He seems to be taking this a lot harder than I am. I shouldn't be too selfish with your attention. Please go see him." She tells me. I nod and she hugs me good-bye.

I already don't want to let her go into the Games.

I make my way out of her room and cross the hall to Ren's room and knock. He takes more time than Josie to open his door. When he finally does, he looks surprised to see me and looks past me as if expecting something else.

"Peeta's showering." I tell him. He lets me in and I sit on his bed as I did when I was with Josie.

"Josie tells me that you're having trouble getting used to the idea of being reaped." I ask and he huffs.

"Well I'll be dead in two weeks tops, so why shouldn't I be worrying about that?" He says a little harsh and I immediatley reach over to my right, but remember that Peeta isn't with me. Ren notices and his face softens.

"I'm sorry." He says and looks down. He's pacing his room, and it makes me worry for him more. "I just don't want to be in an arena with little children. I don't want to have to kill a nine year old." He says in exasperation as he pounds the wall with his fist. He honestly frightens me a little.

"And I'm sure everyone will be falling at Josie's feet. She's like the female version of Finnick Odair. Just wait for her interview. I'm many grades above her, yet I've heard much about her from many people. She's perfect. But don't think I'm romantically attracted to her. She's fourteen." He practically warns me.

I think of Josie. She is very pretty and seems to have a sweet personality.

"She'll outshine me. On the chariot ride, in training, and the interviews. Not to mention the arena." He says shaking his head.

"You look strong and healthy. You definitely stand a chance." I tell him, but he smirks.

"Only because you and Peeta are my mentors. That's why more people will pay attention to Josie and I. Another score for her. She's smart, pretty, and social. She may looks small, but I promise she's a fighter. She once beat up someone from my grade for teasing her about her mother." He informs me. Huh. Who'd have thought Josie would ever beat anyone up. His door bursts open.

A red faced Josie is standing outside of his door.

"Faren had no right to make fun of my mother being born in the Seam! And you stand more of a chance than I do. I'm not pretty at all! And I'm not social, I'm annoying!" She bursts.

She's has a hot temper for such a small person.

"Don't talk about me just because I wanted to make sure you were okay! You eyed me as if I were trying to kill you when we shook hands. I stand absolutely no chance against someone like you!" She says, her voice gains a higher pitch when she's angry.

"Please calm down-" I begin, but Ren cuts me off.

"No! Stop trying to make me feel better! My death is inevitable in that arena, and little Miss Sunshine's victory is in arms reach. Just leave!" He yells, I'm so startled at his own outburst that I grab Josie's hand and close his door behind us as I drag her out.

"Let her help you!" Josie yells before I fully close his door. She's breathing heavily and her cheeks are bright red.

"Get some rest Josie. Don't bother him for the rest of tonight. I'm sure he'll be better tomorrow." I tell her but she shakes her head.

"Good night, Katniss." She says before I walk out of her room.

Hopefully I can send them both to the Games before they kill each other. I run into Peeta as I walk to my room, distracted in my thoughts.

"What happened? I heard Josie all the way from our room." He says and I sigh. I grab his hand and pull him back to our room before I begin.

"I talked to Josie and it went well. But then she suggested I talk to Ren because she thought he hadn't taken it well, and she was right. I guess that she was listening through the door to our conversation because half way through, she burst into his room angry that he was complimenting her." I tell him. And to my surprise, he chuckles. I give him a look.

"That sounds like someone else I know." Is all Peeta says. I'm confused at first, but then I remember that I had sort of acted the same way when he was telling Haymitch and Effie that I was a good shot with a bow and arrows.

After I realize it, I give a dramatic gasp and slap his arm playfully. He's surprised at first, but he thinks that I'm being serious so he wraps his arms around me and I try to wiggle out of them.

"I'm just messing with you. But you know it's true. No need for violence." He whispers to me because I'm trying to break free, to no avail. I finally give up as he begins to squeeze tighter.

"Okay, fine. Now let me go, I'm tired. I just want this day to be over. And I want to see what Cinna and Portia will do for their costumes at the opening ceremonies." I say. He listens and lets go. I immediately lie down. This day has been too much. I hope that Josie and Ren won't try to kill each other in the arena.

Peeta wraps his arms around me and we get comfortable before I finally fall asleep.

I hope that Josie and Ren don't have a hard time to going to sleep. . .

I'm excited for this story! I hope you guys like the tributes/story. Please follow, favorite, and/or review.

Xoxo, Daisy