Winnow finally dragged herself out of bed. After her nightmare, she wasn't willing to go back to sleep, so she lay awake for the next three hours. It was now 4.30.

She opened the door to the bathroom, this time determined to figure out all the uses of all the knobs in the shower.

She undressed and turned on the taps, letting the warm water gently beat down on her tired skin.

Winnow began exploring the buttons on the shower. She pressed buttons, giving the water different tints and scents. She stood under the warm water, enjoying her first day in comfort. Her first proper shower.

It wasn't until her fingers were wrinkled that she turned off the shower and threw on a pale orange dress.

It was now almost 5:15 and Winnow doubted anyone would be up for another few hours, so she quietly left her room and entered the dining car. 

She watched as the mountains strolled past the windows.

"From one hell into another," she whispered to herself as the train thundered into darkness. They were almost at the Capitol.

"I see I'm not the only one having trouble sleeping."

Winnow spun around to see Sirco walking into the car, rubbing his eyes, neck length black hair sticking out at all angles.

"Would you like a hairbrush?" Winnow asked, a smirk spreading across her face.

"Oh, haha," Sirco scoffed.

He threw himself into a chair opposite Winnow and watched as mountains turned into forest.

"How long do you think it will be until we get to the Capitol?" He asked.

"A couple of hours?" 

Sirco sighed.

"I hate this."

"What's there to like?" Winnow scoffed.

"I hate how we're just being pampered and treated like celebrities when most of us will be dead within a fortnight."

Winnow remained silent. It was strange, knowing she only had a few weeks left to live. That she would never see her home or family again. That she would spend the last week she had left fighting for her life against 23 other terrified teenagers and ruthless killing machines.

"I miss my family. My mum, my dad, Till and Briony especially. They've been through too much, watched too many family members die." Sirco let out another sigh. "Our last name makes sense. All we ever seem to do is grieve the loss of another child."

Winnow would've laughed at the joke, where it not so sad.

"I'm glad it's me that's going into the games and not my brother. He's always been better at helping the family."

"Are you going to try and win?" Sirco asked shyly.

"No. Why should I try when I already know I'm never going to have a chance." Winnow almost glared at the landscape. "I'm just going to put some effort into it. I'm not just going to give up."

Sirco sighed. "Yeah, same."

The two continued to talk about family, friends and the games until Daphnie entered the car, hurrying them to prepare for their arrival in the Capitol.

The train began to slow as they entered the train station. Winnow could barely make out any of the details of the no doubt elaborately decorated building through the sea of people clamouring to get a glimpse of the tributes.

"Ready?" Sirco asked as the train stopped.

The doors hissed open.

"Nope."

* * *

Would ya look at that another early update! I am so good at this...

As I said in my other book, I am going away for the school holidays to New Zealand and I'm not going to be able to work on my stories while I'm away.

Anywho hope y'all liked the new chapter my dudes!!!

-Bronte