Julius Flickerman's P.O.V.

"Hello! Welcome back to the interviews, ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome District Ten's tributes to the stage! James Oxford and Kiel Raxer!"

The crowd screams and claps joyfully as the boys enter the stage.

"I'll start with Kiel."

Kiel sniffles and nods. His eyes are all red, as if he's been crying for awhile.

"Why are you upset, Kiel?"

"Because, I don't want to be here. I don't want to die tomorrow," I says, before he starts to cry again.

"Ummm. Would you like me to talk to James instead?"

Kiel nods, wiping his eyes.

"James, what is your favorite thing to do, back in District Ten?"

He smiles, "I like to drive cattle. That's how I'm so good with a whip, it's because of all the work I do with a lasso."

"Sounds fun."

"It was," he admits, sounding a bit sad.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"I just miss being there so much. Even though it's only been a few days, it feels like I've been gone forever."

"I'm sorry. Just think, if you win, you can go back, and have a far better life than you did before. Everyone in your district will be happier," I say, trying to lift his spirits.

"Maybe."

"So, you used a whip in your private session?"

"Yes, and some knives. I must have been pretty good, since I got a decent score."

"You must have. So what kind of arena do you think you'll be in tomorrow?"

"Hopefully not one that has to do with water. I can't swim."

"Who knows. I feel like a lot of tributes die easily in water arenas. The one Games, the arena was all water. All that was there for land was the cornucopia and the pedestals."

"That would be awful!" James exclaims.

I nod in agreement, "It was. A lot of the tributes were young too. The Games was done by day three. Obviously, a Career won."

"All I have to say is, if the arena tomorrow is water, I'm jumping off my pedestal before the gong goes off."

"That would be a shame, and it would really rattle the other tributes."

"Well then, maybe if I do end up jumping off, perhaps a part of me will hit another tribute when I blow up, sending them off their pedestal too. Then I would've made at least one kill."

I laugh, "That would be interesting. I don't think the explosion would leave a big enough piece of you for that to happen!"

James rolls his eyes at his stupid thought.

I turn to the timer on the wall, there was still one minute left.

"Kiel, are you ready for the interview now? Or are you done?"

He shakes his head, "I can't."

"Alright then, this concludes District Ten's interview. Thank you or talking with me, boys."

James smiles as they exit the stage. Kiel sniffles behind him.

"District Eleven is up next, folks, so don't go anywhere!"

District Eleven's Interview

"Please give a round of applause for District Eleven's tributes, Jarus Palmer, and Luke Wiley!"

The audience screams their names as the two tributes make their way on stage.

"Let's start with you, Luke."

"Okay."

"What is the best thing about the Capitol to you?"

"I like everything, so I can't decide," he replies with a smile on his face.

"You have an alliance, correct?"

He nods, "Yes, we work pretty well together, for now."

"Do you have a feeling that will change in the future at all?" I question.

"Maybe, it depends on how things turn out at the Bloodbath. Like how many of us will die."

"Yeah. What was your favorite station at training?"

He thought a moment, "Maybe the knife-throwing station. I really surprised myself with how much better I am with your fancy knives here. My knives back home are bent and rusty."

"Every little detail makes a difference."

"Definitely."

"Is your whole alliance going into the Bloodbath?"

"Not sure yet. I know I am. I'm not facing the rest of the arena without at least some sort of weapon."

"Looks like you guys have some planning to do."

"So true."

"Alright, let's give Jarus his chance to talk," I say, turning to face Jarus.

"So, Jarus, what made you want to volunteer?"

"My friend Iona did. She volunteered for the girl's Games earlier this year. I don't know why she would do such a thing, especially when she has friends back home. I'm here to see if I can find out why she volunteered, and I might as well try to win the Games as well."

"Oh, Iona never mentioned that she had friends back home. She is quite vicious though."

"Yeah, she was always a tough kind if person."

"Well, let's move on to something else to talk about. What weapon do you use?"

"Double swords."

I raise my eyebrows, "Just like Iona."

"Yeah, they looked easy when she used them, so I gave them a try in training, and ended up using them in my private session."

"Well, you must be really good with them, since you got the highest score this year! Ironic that you got an eleven for your score and you are from District Eleven!" I laugh.

Jarus raises an eyebrow at me, clearly not amused.

"Alright, well-"

The buzzer cuts me off, signaling the end of the interview.

"I'll see you soon, I hope! Good luck in the Games tomorrow!" I call to the retreating boys.

I turn back to the camera when Jarus and Luke were gone, "Our final interview of the second round will begin soon! Don't go anywhere, folks!"

District Twelve's Interview

"Please welcome Jason Wolfe and Dean Willow from District Twelve, everyone!"

The two boys walk onto the stage and take a seat beside my own.

"How are you two doing today?" I ask.

Jason yawns, "Tired. I need to get some sleep for tomorrow, so can we make this quick?"

"Alright, I'll start with you."

"Ok," Jason says through another yawn.

"What's your weapon of choice?"

"Spoze," he says groggily.

"What?" I ask again. Even Dean gives his district partner a strange look.

Jason blinks, "Sorry, I said spears."

"Wow. Your really are tired," I say, "Try not to fall asleep on the couch!"

"Actually, it's really comfortable. I probably could fall asleep on here if I wanted to," Jason said, looking at the couch he is sitting on.

"Don't get any ideas!" I point an accusing finger at him.

"Can we just get on with the interview?"

"Very well, just don't go to sleep. You have a good alliance?"

Jason sticks his thumb in the air, "They're great!"

"Alright, I'm going to move on to Dean now."

"Mkay, do what you like," Jason says. He leans back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest.

"So, Dean, I assume you volunteered because of your sister?"

"Yes. I made a promise to Kaya before the Reapings that she wouldn't be picked. I have to do this with her."

"She was lucky in the Games. She had a good alliance, after she and Grace joined up with Sage's alliance, that is."

"Yeah, I'm so relieved that I'll be with her for the final round."

"If you get to the final round," I correct.

"I hope I do. I don't want to let Kaya down."

"Alright, what is your weapon?"

"Blowgun," he replies.

"Interesting. I've only seen a few tributes use blowguns in the past Games. I must say, I'm getting more excited for these Games by the second!"

"Yeah, it'll definitely be intense."

There was a moment of silence as we both think of the possible things that could happen in the next few days. We are suddenly interrupted from our thoughts by a loud snore coming from Jason.

"Shhh, the baby's sleeping!" Dean whispers.

I stifle a laugh at his comment. Others in the crowd failed to hold back their laughs, however.

I turn back to Dean, "Wh-"

BUZZ!!!

Jason's eyelids fly open and he lurches from his seat, shouting, "What was that?!"

Dean and I laugh as Jason realizes it was the timer that woke him from his peaceful slumber.

"Ladies and gents, this concludes the interviews for round two of the Quarter Quell! The tributes will be in the arena by this time tomorrow, so wish them good luck while you still can!"

The people in the crowd shout their good lucks and congratulations to the boys as they leave the stage.