Part 1: The Tributes

Chapter 1

"Flora Reinhold!"

Everything stopped cold… me… she picked me. I stood there for a minute, unable to comprehend what just happened. People began to turn and look at me, the expressions on their faces ranged from sadness to relief. I felt like I couldn't move. "Hurry along, Miss Flora, we still have to pick the boys!" Puzzlette shouted into the microphone.

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat made it hard to breathe; I had just been chosen to represent District 3, my little sleepy town of St. Mystere, in the Hunger Games. I clenched and unclenched my fists. I took short, unbalanced steps, I was going to die, no questions, I was already dead. A few Scotland Yard officers, from London and District 1 came to assist me; I was taking a hell of a lot longer to move than I should have.

They surrounded me and led me through the break in the crowd. I looked around at my people, and they looked back at me. They knew that there was no chance of me making it out alive, I am a scrawny, puny, seventeen year old girl who appears to be at least twelve; I am Flora Reinhold, from District 3.

"Congratulations! Miss Flora, you have the honor of representing District 3 in the 46th annul Hunger Games!" The overly peppy Puzzlette hollered through the speakers. "Come on now dear!" She ushered me to come up the steps and onto the stage. The little posse around me had broken up and I moved up the steps, slowly and carefully, tripping would not be a good way to start the games.

"Now," Puzzlette began, she pulled me up into the blazing stage lights and I stood there paralyzed, holding my breath "It is time for the boys turn," She walked over to the second big glass bowl on the stage, filled with thousands of boy's names. "Let's see here," she stuck her hand inside and pulled out a small sheet of paper. She peeled it open carefully and sauntered back to the microphone. "Percy Davis!" Of course.

Percy Davis wasn't even a real person. He was robot created by Bruno, my caretaker so less real people would get chosen for the Hunger Games every year. Bruno is on London's most wanted list, but all he is trying to do is help people.

"Come on now!" Puzzlette exclaimed cheerfully as Percy made his way awkwardly up the stage. His hands were in his pockets and his face of expressionless, he wasn't afraid, "Take a look everyone; these are your tributes from District 3!" People clapped, but all I could do was wait until I was alone to cry.

…

I sat alone in a small overly decorated room. Large cabinets were filled with antiques; every seat was made of velvet, of every color imaginable. Though, it was dark and sad. The drapes were closed; so very little light entered the room. That was probably a good idea, so no one could see me cry.

"You have three minutes," an officer, who was short and plump pushed Bruno inside my sad little room and shut the door.

"Oh Flora," he walked up to me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. We stood there for a few moments without a word to each other.

"You know I won't make it, don't you," I pulled away; "You know I will die in the arena."

"Flora, please, I know you can win, if you really want to, I believe in you Flower," he said to me.

"I don't believe in myself," tears slid down my face.

"You can do it, you are smart Flora, do you remember when you helped me build all those robots? You were there, you have the skills." He paused, "I have a token for you to have with you," Bruno reached in his pocket and pulled out a cog.

"Your cogs," He placed it in my hand.

"We are District 3, the district of technology," He kissed my forehead when the officer came in. "I believe in you Flora!" He shouted just before they shut the doors on him. I breathed in and gripped the cog; it was a gift from him to me.

"Again, three more minutes," the same officer shoved Ingrid inside the room.

"Ingrid," I whispered.

"Come over here honey," she grabbed both of my hands, "I know you are strong, and I know you can beat everyone of those tributes, I believe in you sweetie."

"I just hope I can believe too,"

"Flora, please, don't talk like that," she scolded me, "We all think you can win, just like that fancy Professor, he won without killing a single person, he has a brilliant mind, just like you." She paused and squeezed my hands that were still in her palms, "I truly believe you can win Flora, you have the mind and mindset that it takes to win. You can do this." She hugged me tight and I closed my eyes, afraid of death, embarrassment, and worst of all, good-byes.

"I love you Ingrid," I whispered to her.

"I love you too, Flora," She gripped me one more time before walking out of the door, leaving me, standing there alone.

Hey everyone! I know some of you are disappointed that this isn't the sequel to Astray Memory, but I have to find time to think of a plot! Anyway, this is sort of a Hunger Games/Professor Layton Fan Fiction. Flora has just been chosen as the girl tribute from District 3 (Technology) for the 46th annual Hunger Games. Sorry it is so short, but I needed an introduction, I promise on my grave that it will get more descriptive and detailed the farther I write.

I own nothing! (Level-5 owns Professor Layton, Suzanne Collins owns Hunger Games).