I am Cecelia Selkirk, and this is my story….I grew up in 8 the youngest of four children, all boys except me. I learned to become one of the boys in order to survive. I was never much into make-up or dresses or pink and glitter of the sort. I always was roughing it, scraping my knees, getting into punching matches with Havoc and Bruiser. When I turned sixteen I was reaped into the 56th annual hunger games. My father who was a recovering alcoholic started abusing shortly after..leaving my brothers to protect my mother from his violent wrath. No one volunteered for me, no one even objected. I left them that day, horrified and disturbed by the thought of death being so near. I won my games by luck and primal instinct. I never wanted to kill them..but they pushed me there..and things got ugly. There was a girl I had made a pact with, Lilybird, she was only 14, young enough to be my sister..I promised that we would get out of the games together, an empty promise that I knew I could never keep..she was like a sister to me. She was from 6. One night we got separated..I called her name over and over but never did she answer. We had a secret hiding place that we stayed hidden from the careers..a small fortress of rock and lumber. When she didn’t return I was even more worried..I went looking for her and that’s when the canon went off. She had been murdered in the most horrific way by the career pack. Enraged I hunted them..each and everyone until I remained the last one standing, nearly hypothermic, covered in dirt and blood, the capitol had their winner of the 56th hunger games. Now I am 35 years old with three children of my own, two girls and a boy. My husband left me years ago for a younger, more sane woman..I never liked the bastard much anyways. The best thing he did was give me my kids, who became my life and soul. My eldest, Opal is strong so much alike myself she looks out for the younger two always making sure they are on time to school and eat their breakfast..she’s their second mom. My son Damask nearly died when he was three, the collapsing of the school nearly took his life. After that incident I decided to home school my children. My youngest, and most fearless, Lilybird, I named her after the dear sweet girl who had touched my heart all those years ago..I see my friend in my daughter. Kind and pure. I will do anything for my children..anything and everything to protect them. During the 75th hunger games I was reaped again along with the rest of the victors..I left my children in the care of my estranged aunt..I hated to leave them..yet again at the mercy of the capitol, i was subjected to be their monkey and dance when they wanted. I thought I died that night…leaving my children nothing..on the brink of death I was taken to the capitol where I was altered, into someone I don’t even recognize anymore..someone terrified and feral. they had messed with my mind..so much that I almost drowned my son in the bath tub..and burned Opal’s arm..