Snow expecting children to guide children never failed to amaze you. The responsibility of an innocent, pure life on your hands was something indescribable. Despite everything Snow has done, this was definitely up there. Every year new tribute were assigned it reminded you that you could not break the cycle. Additionally, Haymitch could not cope with the fact that each was a twisted version of a birthday gift.

This year, the tributes for the 56th Hunger Games were two fourteen-year-olds. It was very apparent they both had a crush on the other. That hurt most. Hurt because they would never be able to act on it.

The moon shone through the massive, floor-to-ceiling windows. It was bright, almost artificial-looking. Haymitch sat on the colorless couch with both tributes across from him. He was explaining strategies with an exhausted fling of his hands.

“Fight—only if you have to. It’s better to just stay off the Careers’ radars,” Haymitch muttered, eyes sunken, voice thin.