This is for someone who is really special in my life. Her birthday is today August 12 and as a present she will get a chapter for every candle which is 21 chapters spread over the many stories I've written for her. I'll upload it now because it's officially her birthday in wis. You can cheeck ouy my playlist on my youtube account titled behind your eyes to listen and read at the same time.

Disclaimer: I don't own Hunger Games!

Chapter 1 Prayer of the Refugee

"Get up!" she heard above her. She opened her eyes, trying to clear the flashing stars in front of her them. Her lungs burned from the air being knocked out of her body so violently. Her eyes burned with rage and with a grunt she locked her arms around her opponent and swung hard using her body weight to flip the other girl like a rag doll. Her raven hair danced from the motion but she hardly broke a sweat as the other girl hit the ground hard.

"Well done Clove," her trainer exclaimed. Clove now had her opponent in a headlock ready to snap her neck if needed to. The other girl laid perfectly still praying that Clove was in a good mood. Clove might not be the biggest nor the strongest from her district but she surely knew her strengths and heavily relied on calculating her opponent's weakness. "However, you're lucky that she let her guard down…you won't always get a second chance in the games." Clove scoffed and rolled her eyes at the lecture.

"You're lucky that today is the Reaping because it would be hard to explain why you suddenly 'disappeared' and not even the Peacemakers would be able to keep the Capital from punishing me," Clove whispered in the other girl's ear before releasing her steel like grip. She gave an evil smile as she saw pure fear in the other girl's eyes. The power of being in control of someone's life was so exhilarating that Clove relished the feeling as much as she could.

How pathetic.

"See Clove all you needed was some encouragement," the trainer continued to lecture but Clove was already tuning her out, lost in thought as to who would be chosen today as a tribute. Her dark eyes set on her sister which made her stomach twist in knots knowing she still needed more training. Her sister gave a smirk but tried her best not to look too weak in front of the other children. The district's personality were as tough as their weapons; silent, strong and extremely deadly. The only person that has ever managed to see Clove's soft side was her sister and that was already too risky. Most of the time the people keep to themselves never showing any friendship just logical conversation in needs of something favors that are done so they can also be returned in due time. No one ever did a favor without some type of reward in mind. They gathered for the Reaping, some showing enthusiasm, lethal smiles and even blank stares but none dared to show fear because that meant weakness and being a disgrace to their district. Some of the boys were in a circle as if they were forming a game plan and their leader was none other than Cato. Strong, tall and young he was the district's prideful killer.

Clove looked around observing how many of them thought this was truly exciting mimicking the Capital's feelings over the games. The district's escort was cheerfully showing the video and acting very excited for the Hunger games arriving so soon. Clove also showed interest, not because she liked to but because she had to. Living in district 2 she had to show some loyalty to the Capital or her father would surly disown her. Dark feelings washed over her as she thought about her father when out of nowhere she heard someone call her name. She looked for the source wondering who would want to gain her attention while the Reaping was happening when she saw the crowd all turning towards her. That's when the empty feeling sunk in.

I have been chosen as a tribute.

She gave a sneer and walked to the podium even though her throat felt dry and her limbs were numb. Clove did not like being the center of all this attention. The kids set a path for her some looking at her with envy while others congratulated her as she walked pass them. This was all a show that they mastered and to fool the other districts yet when in reality they are just as scared to compete. Their reputation as being loyal to the capital was made by other district because of them being better off than most of them where there is starvation and death in every corner. But they rather die being thought of as monster before they are ever thought of as incompetent. Her eyes met with her sister's forest green eyes but then she looked down for a second and a flash of fear crept in her sister's eyes. Clove's dark eyes scanned at the adults to find her father's face which was filled with pride that his daughter was chosen for the Hunger Games. Now was the chance to show off all her training and bring honor to her family whether she lives or dies. This was a show for the capital anyway so might as well give them something they are going to remember. Her mother looked shocked but gave Clove a reassuring smile that everything would be alright if she just played her cards right. The raven haired girl stood straight her arms crossed almost looking bored yet confident. She tried to look cold and scary for the other district's tributes.

Clove stood across from Cato knowing that he also was chosen as a tribute and that gave her some sense of relief. They had trained before and she had mentally recorded all his strengths and weaknesses, he was a worthy ally and also a deadly foe. His strengths were physical combat and a sword but he was too confident of himself and would underestimate other tributes including herself. This was going to be an interesting Hunger Game. They shook hands staring into each other's eyes knowing their alliance would be on a thin line till when they would be forced to kill one another. Cato gives a charming smile that made some of the girls giggle but only accomplished in making Clove scoff. She was going to enjoy cutting up that face if he tried anything funny.

She was showed into the room waiting to see who would be the first to visit her before she heads out to the capital. At the sight of her sister old memories where they used to play together, having innocent play time before they were sent to the academy to train.

"How are you doing Clove?" Ambrosia said holding Clove tightly.

"It was bound to happen… but better me than you." Clove said. They laughed together till Ambrosia's green eyes teared up.

"You have to come home Clove."

"Hey don't cry," Clove said gently. A tear slipped from Ambrosia's face. "I mean it sis do not cry."

Ambrosia wiped the tear quickly cursing at her moment of vulnerability.

"Father is bragging about how his oldest daughter has been chosen for the games."

"Forget about Father, what about our mom?"

"She'll come once I leave," Ambrosia said giving her sister one last hug. It was longer this time and Clove could hear her heart beating like a rabbits. However she felt when Ambrosia slipped something in her own pocket.

She still needs training in stealth.

"Hey, how are you doing princess?"

"Fine," Clove answered. She did love her mother but she couldn't break her character of being cold and distant. She was scared she wouldn't be able to put up her wall once she broads the train and that could not happen. Her mom embraced her hard not hiding her fear for her daughter's life. Clove was fighting hard not to show her true feelings but it was getting more and more difficult.

"You win this game princess and make us all proud."

"Where's father?"

"I don't know."

Clove scoffed knowing exactly where he was probably making bets with the Peacemakers.

"Does he not know this is the last time he will see me?!" Clove said irritated.

"I know honey but he's so happy."

Then let him play the fucking game and see how happy he'll be.

"Of course he is, now how exactly will he get rid of Ambrosia?"

"That is quite enough from you Clove."

The peacemakers came in and escorted her to the train. Cato was slouched on a chair enjoying the sweets they are rarely given. He still had his grin and winks at Clove which seems to irk her even more.

"Why don't you sit next to me sweet cheeks?"

Automatically she reached for the kitchen knife ready to shove it up his ass when the mentors came in.

"Drop it Clove," Enobaria chuckled. With a flick of her wrist the knife was lodge near Cato's head making him turn bright red from anger. Brutus stood next to his fellow mentor with one eyebrow raised but shrugged at the action. Most people from district 2 would die to be in their presence but Cato and Clove acted like they had not done anything extraordinary to which the mentors preferred.

"Let's have a one on one talk with our tributes," Brutus said his voice low and deep. Clove rolled her eyes and followed Enobaria in another cart.

"To begin, you pull that stunt again and I will not be able to protect you from the Capital. Second he is your ally so you do not want to make an enemy so soon." Her mentor said, "And third what is in your pocket?"

"I don't know what you're talking about?" Clove asked. She still hadn't seen what her sister had slipped in her pocket but she had an idea.

"Clove I'm your mentor do not hide anything from me."

In a flash her mentor grabbed Clove's wrist while her other hand went straight to the Clove's pocket. The dark eyed girl moved to the side preventing Enobaria from going to her pocket. Clove twisted under her mentor's arm forcing her to let Clove go. She felt arms shove her into the wall. Clove gave out a frustrated sigh feeling her pocket was now empty. Her mentor let her go to inspect the object.

"You do know that having this could have dire consequences if the capital ever found it?"Clove said nothing wondering what her mentor was going to do to her. She felt like giving a sarcastic retort but knew that her mentor was her only lifeline to the games. "Where did you get this?"

"It was a present from my family," Clove said seeing what it was. If she got to keep this token then it is beyond priceless and silently thanked her sister for giving it to her.

Enobaria smiled showing off her golden fangs and Clove couldn't help but feel like prey now.

"Do not let anyone see this, understood." She was handed her token that she knew very well she could not have it during the actual games. Clove just nodded looking outside her cart to see that Cato looked rather bored and didn't seem focused on whatever Brutus was telling him. "We need people more like you, having brains is what separates a soldier from his weapons, which it seems Cato lacks."

"I never really planned on becoming a peacemaker anyways," Clove muttered. It was suppose to be confidential to Panem but district 2 also helped the Capitol supply Peacemakers apart from their masonries.

They arrived at the Capital rather shortly which was good because Cato and Clove were not patient people. They saw the Reapings happening in the other districts which they both were very attentive. Cato seemed to be calling shots on which tributes were good enough for him to personally kill while Clove was taking notes on their size, which district they were from and how they looked when they presented themselves. Most of them had the luxury to look scared out of their wits which the raven haired girl secretly envied. To show emotions was something that was not available in her district.

She was just about to leave when she saw the small doe looking girl chosen in 12 knowing she had no chance when she heard a strong sound voice.

"I volunteer as tribute."

That was her first time she ever laid eyes on the girl who was going to change her life forever.

Katniss Everdeen.

The mere way this girl presented herself showed she had no proper education, was of lower class and was not afraid to show her dislike of the games and yet there she was volunteering instead of the scrawny blonde hair girl. This person caught Clove's eye in a way no one else ever did.

"Alright just when I thought it was gonna be an easy win, this girl looks like she has some fight in her!" Cato snickered.

Once all tributes were chosen Clove had time to rest and let what had happened sink in. Her Reaping. The look on her father's face. Her family visiting her. Her mentors. And then…Katniss. The dark eyed girl closed her eyes but all she could picture was Katniss and the fire burning in those eyes. Like a moth to a flame she could not stop thinking about her. Just when she thought she wasn't capable of feeling anything something stirred inside her.

Review? Really Hope more people will review. Song is from Rise Against.