"Aspen, there's something you've got to see." The voice rings out through my communicuff. I recognize it as the leader of District thirteen, Coin. 

"What is it?" I ask. There's no answer. 

I'm assuming it's something bad, so I make my way to command. That's probably where this important news will take place, and when I arrive I find I'm right. 

Coin and some other officers are standing in front of a television screen that's playing the reapings. 

I tense. I'd forgotten that the hunger games was happening so soon. Those poor children, having to kill each other to stay alive.

Coin sees me and presses pause on her remote. I notice they're showing the reapings for six, where a girl named Raven has just been called. 

I think about the family I left back in seven. I figure Oakley would be taking care of our young daughter, Amethyst. Though by now she must be at least fourteen.

"There's something you have to see, Officer Greenwood." She presses play on the remote and I watch the screen as she skips forward to seven. 

I tense. Did one of Amethyst's friends get called? 

I see a capitol lady is ridiculous dress read a name out of the girls bowl. And the name seems to split my heart in half. 

"Amethyst Greenwood." I stare, unblinking, as my daughter makes her way up to the stage. 

She got called. My daughter got called. She's going to die in the games. 

I turn towards Coin, feeling the determination rushing through my veins. 

"Can we stop it? Take her from the capitol before the games start?" My voice doesn't sound like my own. It sounds like an overprotective dad. I cringe.

Coin shakes her head, but somehow manages to look sorry for me. 

"No, Officer Greenwood. We can't invade the capitol," She pauses and looks at me. I'm staring off into the distance, wondering if the last time I saw Amethyst, all those years ago, was really my last. 

"The only thing we can do is hope she wins, Officer. Your daughter seems strong. She can win this." I look at Coin as if she's talking gibberish. She's not going to win. Not that I don't have faith in my wonderful Amethyst, but those careers are strong and they win every year. 

I start towards the door. Maybe I'll hole up in my compartment for a while. I need to get ready to tell Asha. She's going to be devastated.

"Officer." Coin's tone sounds strict. I stop, knowing she doesn't want me to leave yet. And I can't disobey the president. 

I turn around. 

"Yes?" She smiles at me, ever so slightly. 

"If it really comes to it, there is one thing we can do." I'm listening now. I'd welcome anything that might help my daughter come home alive. 

"The gamemakers are easily persuaded. We have a few medicines that might help them comply to whatever we need." I'm surprised. Coin would do that for my daughter? 

But I don't think about it. I just want Amethyst alive and safe. 

I nod. 

"Whatever it takes."