Prologue

Katniss POV

I was scared when they called my name. Terrified when they showed the recaps. Fire when they met me.

The girl from District 4 ran up to me.

"You look nice." She said. She was 13, I think. I think her name was Lana. There were four tributes around my age that year. Lana, Rue from District 11(also 12) myself, and, Cameron from District 7.

"Thanks. You too." I said.

"My stylist is horrible. This dress is about to fall off."

"Oh. Here." I said, safety-pinning her dress with the extra pins Cinna gave me, in case I needed it.

Lana gasped. "Thanks so much!" She jumped into her chariot. I was about to get on mine when I felt someone grab my arm. I didn't even look at who it was. Just turned, still looking down and pressed his pressure point in his elbow.

"Please unhand me." I looked up and saw the male tribute from District 4.

"Are you trying to kill my tribute?"he asked.

"No, actually. I'm giving her beauty tips. Her dress was really slipping. Your stylists are idiots."

He chuckled. "Tell me about it. Wanna sugarcube?" He asked, offering me one.

I took it before throwing it at him. He looked genuinely surprised.

"Look, pal. Save the poisoning for the arena." He laughed again.

"I've already been through the arena. Recognize me? Finnick Odair? I won last year?"

"You're… you're a mentor? But you're too young!"

"No younger than you, sweetheart."

"You're not much older, either." I muttered.

"tou ché. Unfortunately, I don't think there's an age limit, as long as you've been through the games. Maybe for the next Quarter Quell, they'll have ten - through - twelve year olds." Finnick said bitterly.

"They're getting pretty darn close. Just this year, there's three twelve year olds and a thirteen year old." I pointed out.

"You're kidding me."

I shook my head. "Nope. There's Lana, she's thirteen, Rue from eleven, Cameron from 7, and me." Finnick gaped at me.

"You're twelve? Man, I thought for sure you were fourteen." I shook my head.

"Well, Happy Hunger Games!" He said in a mock - Capitol accent.

"And may the odds be ever in your favor."