As I am standing in the gathering place, my heart pumps extremely fast. This is the day I have been dreading my entire life. I stand, quivering, on the soft green grass. It makes me think of happier times, the times I have heard about only in books, when our world was unified and peaceful. I didn’t notice, but my hands are clasped together so tightly that they are bright red and terribly sweaty. I refuse to lift my head because I know that if I do it will cause me to break down. I wait in silence as an acquaintance of mine’s name is called. I start to shake even more when we near my district, number three.

I come to realization that Harper Hayes is about to announce the tributes from district three. I look up hesitantly and watch her long fingers slowly reach into the large bowl of names. she wraps her fingers around two slips of paper and lets one fall back into the bowl. Your name is only in the bowl once, I reassure myself, you wont be picked. I don’t realize that Harper Hayes has called my name until I can feel everyone’s wandering eyes land on me. I start to panic as if I was on fire, but I can’t move. My throat is so tight as if a snake is wrapped around my neck. I can’t talk, I can’t move. I finally take a deep breath as everyone grows impatient. I find the courage to take the dreadful steps toward the stage. I stand there next to my fellow district three tribute, in front of my friends and family. My knees become weak and I know I won’t be able to stand this much longer. After what feels like forever, we leave the stage. It is hard to breathe, so I sound like a fish out of water; gasping for air to survive. There is no way to escape this now. The tributes have been announced.