EVERY DAY WAS getting darker. It was minutes counting down until the Reaping by now. Taura, Porter, Alec, and Senner were escorted by Peacekeepers all the way to the Square where the stage had been set up. Cleome was waiting for them at the very top, nervous herself about how this year's Games were going to play out.

      Once mounting the stage, Taura was situated beside yet behind Cleome, just by some steps, the men were on the other side of her.

      She looked into the audience. All of them were safe this year, especially her family. As long as they were safe, she was okay. She could spot them in the crowds up front where family was reserved. Her mother and two brothers stood alongside Alec's family, where he had his own wife, as well as her sister, his in-law.

Senner was the shortest amongst the men, but the strongest. He held a mustache and several different scars across his body from the Games and his job in District 10. He was never one to shy away from his normal life prior to his Game, as he continued to work after claiming his victory. Alec was taller, and leaner. He stood with a cast-cladded leg on his right due to an accident he was involved in recently. He was still determined to help save Porter from entering the Games if it was the last thing he and Senner did.

      "Welcome, welcome," District 10's escort spoke into the mic, her voice as bubbly as ever. It pained her to have to smile this time around, as it happened every year, but this was all the more sentimental and personal to her. "As we celebrate the 75th anniversary and 3rd Quarter Quell of the Hunger Games. As always, ladies first."

       Cleome carefully stepped over to Taura and the glass bowl of slips. There was a hint of guilt behind her eyes as she sent a glance her way, then moved on to pick the singular slip out of the bowl. Her heels clicked back to her spot behind the microphone.

        She peeled the sides apart from each other and turned it for her to be able to read.

       "The female Tribute from District 10," Cleome said into the mic, her eyes glued to the piece of paper in her hand. She hesitated for a moment, despite knowing this was inevitable. "Taura Ardennes."

      There it was. The gut wrenching feeling from the moment finally happening. Knowing it was going to happen was one thing—experiencing it was another. She stepped forward, nonetheless, and her eyes waved over the audience of District 10.

      She wondered if they were as in pain as she was, too. At least it was her rather than them. At least it was her rather than another little girl who would have to face the unfair reality of the Hunger Games existing in her innocent life. At least it was her.

"And now for the men," Cleome continued, as she carefully made her way over to the glass bowl of slips. She reached inside and her fingers danced around the pieces of paper. She was almost hesitant to choose one, reminding herself that this would determine who would be getting sent out alongside Taura.

Cleome picked one, eventually, and made her way over to the microphone stand again. "The male Tribute from District 10," she said, and she unfolded the piece of paper to reveal the name. She read aloud, "Senner Henson."

"I volunteer as Tribute," both Porter and Alec spoke simultaneously. Taura looked to her left and watched Porter, then looked to Alec. He needed to do something—anything.

"I'm sorry," Porter murmured as he took advantage first, seemingly kicking at Alec's leg cast. Senner instantly gripped the back of Porter's collar to stop him, though Porter's arm wove behind him to push him away.

Alec erupted with a shout of pain, and he stumbled to his knees. He reached down to his leg, but Porter grasped onto Alec's shirt and ankle, urging him off the stage. It seemed to have worked, as Alec, who at this point wanted to get away to prevent his injuries from becoming worse, rolled off of the platform and landed in front of the first row of the citizens, just a few feet away from his family.

As Porter stood again, Senner grabbed onto the back of the boys neck, as if he was getting ready to tell him something after what he'd just done.

"Let go of me," Porter whispered, leaning away from his hold. "Please."

He released his grip on him.

"I volunteer as Tribute," Porter said again, and this time, with just him. He couldn't bare to even look away from an area of the crowd he told himself to watch, as the sounds of Alec's groans from below were haunting him already.

A horrified look washed over Cleome's face as she looked to the boys, then to Taura, but only for a second, as she faced forward again. "Very well," she said into the microphone. "The Tributes from District 10—Taura Ardennes, and Porter Edam."

     MOST OF THE train ride to the Capitol was silent. Cleome was off in the restroom, making an excuse regularly to re-powder herself up but everyone knew it was because she was as equally upset at the matter as the others were and just needed her space. Taura and Porter put in a personal request to have Senner travel alongside as their Mentor, as the two were relatively new Victors compared to those who had won their Games years ago.

     Taura entered one of the rooms that Porter had been occupying alone. She pulled a remote out of the box she was holding and chucked it at his lap, then made her way over to an open coffee table that rested in between two parallel couches.

     Porter leaned up slightly as he grabbed the remote to remove it from his lap, and he watched her. "What are you doing?" he puzzled. It had been the first time he'd spoken to her since the Reaping. He knew she was irritated with him for volunteering, even going as far as injuring one of their friends just to die alongside her.

      "We need to study," was all Taura said as she set up a projector on top of the coffee table, switching it on. She carried the box of small chips to settle beside her when she took her seat on a couch, then she gestured for him to take a seat on the couch on the opposite side of the projector. "Senner told me we could watch the Reapings while we're here to see who we're working with, then study everyone's techniques during their Games."

      "Okay," Porter mumbled. He rose from his seat and plopped himself on the couch, pulling a pillow onto his lap and then crossing his arms on top of it.

     Senner entered the room, a warm cup of tea in his grasp as he trudged over to the pair. "I could give you a rundown about who's in this years Games," he suggested, joining them in the compact area. "To make it easier."

Senner had won his Games decades ago, meaning he had known most of the Victors throughout the years since then. Instead of watching through the entire tapes, he could recognize them just by a glance.

He took the remote from Porter to control the projector himself, flipping on District 1's recording. Pixels would build up until a pair of Victors were shown in display. They went from District to District.

      "Cashmere is agile, so try to exploit open spaces. Gloss tends to rely on strength. If you can separate them, it might give you an advantage."

      He clicked the button on the remote, and Porter chimed in, "What about District 2? Enobaria and Brutus are surely a force to be reckoned with."

      Senner nodded knowingly. "Enobaria's an animal and Brutus is a powerhouse. Stick to your strengths, you two, and stay vigilant. Create alliances strategically."

      The holographic display transitioned a few more until District 4, and Senner's demeanor softened. "Finnick and Mags are going in," he murmured. Taura sat up in her seat slowly as she took a closer look. "They should be your allies. I can communicate with their Mentors, and if not, confront them directly about a potential alliance. Forge alliances when necessary, but choose wisely."

       The atmosphere grew tense as Senner advanced to the other districts, informing Taura and Porter on what to focus on, strengths, weaknesses, anything necessary.

       The room dimmed, casting shadows on their faces as Katniss and Peeta's images appeared.

      Taura's breath was caught in her throat. She had forgotten that District 12 lacked Victors, dead and alive. Katniss was the only female Victor left, automatically deeming her the female tribute for this year. What grasped her attention was how Peeta reacted.

      Senner played the recording multiple times, seemingly as equally in shock as Taura was. Even Porter.

      "Peeta volunteered in Haymitch's place?" Porter questioned. "He's risking his life willingly? What, was that for Katniss? Love?"

      "Star-crossed lovers," Taura said as she watched Katniss and her escort's horrified expressions as soon as Peeta stepped up. Over and over. "You have to understand where he's coming from. He did exactly what you did for me."

      "A— And Katniss . . ." Porter continued. "I mean, she must be devastated. They were supposed to be free from the Games."

      Taura rubbed the lower half of her face as she pulled a blanket off of her lap. "We all were," she mumbled, walking away from the projector momentarily to collect herself.

      Her steps were measured as she eventually returned to the projector, the haunting images of Katniss and Peeta playing in a loop on the holographic screen. The realization that their lives were entwined with the Capitol's sinister schemes weighed heavily on her.

       Peeta's selfless act, volunteering for Haymitch, echoed in her mind. The intensity of his sacrifice struck a chord deep within her, leaving Taura grappling with a mixture of awe and sorrow. She ran her fingers through her hair, an attempt to dispel the frustration building within her.

       Porter leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs as he stared forward at the recording. "This changes everything, Taura," he said. "We're not just facing other tributes. These are people we know. Friends. The Capitol is playing a dangerous game."

       Taura met Porter's eyes, finding solace in their shared understanding. And Senner, usually their guiding force, seemed as perplexed as they were. The air was charged with a tense energy as the trio navigated the implications of the unfolding narrative. The projector's glow cast flickering shadows on their faces, mirroring the uncertainty etched in their expressions.

        This wasn't just a fight for survival; it was a battle against the Capitol's twisted machinations. Taura clenched her fists, frustration welling up within her. The Capitol's ability to turn friendships into weapons fueled her determination to defy their expectations.

       As the trio stood in the dimly lit room, the weight of their shared understanding settled like an unspoken pact—a commitment to defy the Capitol's schemes and find a glimmer of humanity amidst the shadows of the Hunger Games Quarter Quell.

       Taura looked to Senner, "Tell us what we have to do."

AUTHOR'S NOTE !
sorry if this was super fast paced. also oops sorry alec !! but ur jus a background character tbh.
so i think the parade should be next. we can actually get to talk with the other victors !! super fun