District 9. Tension filled the air, pressing down on the crowd. Children stood in nervous clusters, their eyes darting between the Peacekeepers and the stage for the reaping.

Mayor Dunne adjusted the microphone. "Welcome, citizens of District 9, to the 74th Hunger Games reaping." The Capitol representative, a gaudy woman with bright orange hair, stepped forward.

"Ladies first."

She reached into the glass bowls filled with slips of paper, each bearing a potential tribute's name.