Katniss Everdeen the year 2174), consisting of the Capitol and 12 subservient districts. During the yearly "Reaping" of tributes for the gladiator-like Hunger Games, Katniss's younger sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female tribute during a public lottery. Katniss volunteers to take her place. Talking in terms of "winning the reaping", the district's Hunger Games manager Effie Trinket asks for a round of applause for Katniss, but everyone remains silent. Many in the crowd press their three fingers against their mouths and hold it out to her. Katniss describes this as an ancient sign for saying "admiration," "goodbye to someone you
Katniss Everdeen family alive. The next day, she had the courage to venture out into the woods, where she later teamed up with Gale to hunt for food for their families. After Katniss and Peeta have been selected and said goodbyes to their families, they are whisked away by Haymitch Abernathy (the only living District 12 Victor, extreme drunkard, and mentor to all former District 12 tributes) and Effie to the high-speed train that awaits them. During the train ride, Katniss tries to separate from Peeta, knowing she has to kill him in the arena. When they arrive in the Capitol, Katniss