Author's Note: Hey, guys! This is my first fanfiction that I've posted up here. I thought this was a really fun idea to play around with and I wanted to write it. I hope ya'll enjoy

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement intended. I don't own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.

Hiraeth

Chapter 1

"I volunteer." Haymitch's voice rang out clearly.

And that was it.

Relief flooded through every fiber of my being. We saved him, and that was the goal from the beginning, right?

"No!" Peeta exclaimed indignantly, eyeing Haymitch with betrayal frosted over his innocent eyes. Haymitch, on the other hand, looked resolute, sure, like a man who has made peace with the probability of his imminent death.

"You can't do that." Peeta pleaded, grabbing Haymitch's arm. But the older man shook him off with a wry chuckle.

"You can't stop me." And Peeta knew that he was right.

Haymitch stepped up as Effie announced us District 12's tributes for the 75th Hunger Games. Nobody clapped, in fact, the silence was heavy around us. Heavy as the crushing hollowness in Effie's voice that she tried meagerly to contain.

But in all the sadness, fear, and even anger around me, I began to make peace with all of it. I couldn't bring myself to regret any of it now. I had all of my goodbyes perfectly planned out, I knew exactly what to say and how to say it to leave things where they needed to be left with those that I loved.

Love.

What a funny thing. The word echoed around my mind as I stared out at the familiar faces I've known all of my life. I felt as though I was looking at them through a thick sheet of glass and that they were distorted, unfamiliar somehow.

I looked over at Peeta staring at me with darkened eyes. He knew that I'd planned it. I knew he was angry. I just hoped that he would be able to forgive me.

A few peacekeepers came forward grabbing both me and Haymitch's arms. I suddenly found myself struggling as they pulled me away, out of sight, into The Justice Building. I knew then that I wouldn't get a chance to say goodbye.

Mom

Gale

Prim

All of their faces swam before my eyes. I saw them as clearer than ever.

"Wait!" I gasped in a voice that sounded small to my own ears.

But the peacekeepers didn't wait, not that I really expected them to.

"Goodbye!" I tried to call out, voice frail and pained as the doors closed behind us and I knew that I would never see them again.

Author's Note: Thank you guys for reading! Any comments/reviews will be greatly appreciated. I'll try to have another chapter up soon! ;)