task one

    With just a couple more twists the bolt had been screwed securely back in place, earning a smile of satisfaction from me as I pulled my head out of the hood, and faced the gentlemen before me.

    "She's as good as new. " It was all I had to say, and the three of them gave me a pat on the back each, before thanking me and climbing into their hummer single file. One took his post at the drivers side, the other his shotgun, and quite literally carrying a shotgun. The last man clung to the side of the vehicle, clutching a large handle built for just such an act. I waved the Peacekeepers off, wiping my greasy hands all over the white t-shirt I'd previously been wearing, and now held between my palms. I turned away to find the little rat whom I called a dog attempting to wag his tail as a sign of affection, but only succeeded in shaking his entire little frame. I laughed, tossing my t-shirt over my left shoulder and squating to retreive my animal.

    "Hey boy, hey. C'mon, quit!" I protested by pulling away as saliva made contact with my cheek. The little rat's tongue had escaped its mouth to prove to me, as if I didn't already know, that he loved me with everything he was. I rescued him off the streets, well, the wilds actually. Little boy here had been roaming the wilds, slipping into our district at night to raid the chicken pens, not that he was big enough to carry anything but an egg away in his jaws. One night while on patrol, I discovered his tiny black body -- near invisble in the shadows of the earth at midnight -- caught on the fence, his leg pretty badly torn up. Succumbing to my inner humanitarian, I took the boy home and helped to heal his foot, and fed him. He now follows me everywhere.

    "Well little buddy, I suppose we ought to get a move on. Time waits for no man, not even one as handsome and clever as you." I ruffled the stringy hair atop his pint sized head, and he returned the gesture with the tiniest howl you could ever imagine. My laughter mingled with the soft breeze blowing over the ears of wheat spread over miles around us; sweat rippled off my brow at intervals, my breath and Buck's panting became the only sounds as my feet left tread patterns in the soft earth of our wake. Today was important, and I couldn't believe I'd wasted so much time on the Peacekeeper's hummer. Surely if I were late to the Reaping, they'd understand. With that thought in mind, I took off into a sprint down the rows and rows of sand coloured wheat, which matched the colour of my hair almost perfectly. If I'd been covered in it, I'd blend right in and no one would suspect a thing. Ah, such a silly thought. I shook my head while I ran, keeping Buck tucked neatly on my elbow and pressed against my ribcage, so as to keep him from falling with the power of gravity.

      I came to a sliding stop in front of my own home door, failing to open it because my mother had already done so. She must have seen me coming.

   "What are you doing with that thing?" She gestured to Buck, who sat sprawled over my arm, peeking out at her with that bright pink tongue of his which contrasted against his pitch black fur and matching eyes. The eyes though, shone because of their reflective qualities. I read somewhere that dogs, as well as a variety of other animals, have a reflective layer of tissue at the back of the eye, which helps animals that come out at night to see better. This is called the tapetum lucidum, which is latin for Bright Carpet.

     Mother eyed Buck the way she would Dad every time he came home drunk; with complete and utter disgust. She extended one of her long, slender arms and clumped four of her fingers with the index completing her line of apendage. "He stays out." She muttered, before swirling in her pale pink dress, disappearing back into the house.

    I sighed, but complied. She was my mother, I couldn't just blatantly disobey her orders. I set Buck down with a stern warning to keep his distance from the house, and watched the tiny pup scamper off behind an arsenal of wooden buckets and crates. Smiling to myself, I stepped through the threshhold of our cozy two bedroom shack. I use the term shack, when in reality, our living conditions could -- should -- be much worse. If it weren't for the fact that, on top of working without pay in the Livestock courts, I also worked as a handyman to anyone, including Peackeepers, who needed it, we'd probably be on the streets with nothing but a drunken father and scrawny dog the size of a toothpick.

     Once my sturdy boots hit the hard wooden floors, I kicked them off to the side and hurried to my small, four-walled bedroom at the back of the house. Mum and Dad occupied the room on the exact opposite end of the house. It was the bigger room of the two, but that didn't bother me. I had my stack of books beside the cot, made complete with a straw-stuffed mattress and a cotton pillow, and that was really all I needed. Of course there had to be a window, underneath which was our supply of wood, so that Buck could climb it like stairs and sneak in to hang out with me. However, today, I didn't have time for such things. Buck got in the window as he always had, but I hardly paid mind to him as I searched through some of my trunks shoved neatly under the bed for something nice to wear. Finding one of Dad's old shirts, which he'd given to me when I'd grown into it some three years ago, I decided it was nice enough and pulled it on. Glancing into the cracked mirror hanging from my wall, I combed through my hair with my hands before splashing myself in the face with the water in the basin on my nightstand. Mountains of books created a maze out of my floor, one which only I knew how to navigate through. A few years back I established a trade system with anyone that I could; books for manual labour, things the elderly, sick, or lazy (Peacekeepers) couldn't accomplish themselves. I would complete such tasks in exchange for as many books as they allowed me to have, no matter the subject. It was all knowledge anyway, knowledge which I craved.

    "Tobias! Tobias, your friends have come!" Mother's grating voice echoed form just beyond the wooden frame of my door. She didn't dare open it, I could be naked or worse -- reading. No one could interrupt me when I read, it was the one common courtesy I begged for. The only thing I wanted, ever. I motioned to Buck to stay put, or go outside. He wagged his tiny tail and panted his little tongue while I went to the door, and left him behind.

    In the doorway to the outside stood Nash and Maximus, two of my closest friends. Nash wore his usual white shirt and tan pants, while Max wore something a little more fitting for the mayor's son. He had on an orange pastel dress coat, white dress shirt that had ruffles up the middle and matching orange pants. The only thing that was his (or that he would wear, ever) were his shoes; the regular, plain, brown western boots. Nash gave me that look after I finished examining Max, which said he knew what I was thinking and agreed; Max's dad was a snob, and should leave Max to dress himself. But dear Mr. Hallaway cared a little too much for appearances. They were everything to him, the very definition of life in fact. I find I like to think about and try to understand every person that's ever come into my life and their views, but Mr. Hallaway proved a difficult one to get inside his head. Nonetheless, I still try.

    "You guys look great," I complimented, slapping each of them on the shoulder as we walked out.

    "Liar." Max stated once the door had been shut behind us, and our trek to the Square began. Every district had one, such was necessary for getting all the district boys and girls together for the reaping.

     "So, you still have that little ra- I mean dog?" Nash purposely said the 'R' word, than corrected himself, all for the sake of a few giggles from Maximus.

   "Yes, as a matter of fact I do." I stated, ignoring his sarcasm while I whistled for my dog. I heard his bark, coming from inside, he must've been making his way to the window.

    "So I was thinking, after today you guys wanna go celebrate not being reaped?" Nash suddenly inquired, just as Buck made his leap from windowsil to wood pile.

    "Don't jinx yourself," Max chastised hurriedly. "Now one of us will definitely be reaped. I hope it's you, moron." Nash took offense to that, and tackled Max. I just laughed and kept walking, Buck trailing at my heels.

    "Guys, you'll mess up Max's suit and then you'll have to answer to his dad." I warned, taking my time with the walk from here to the Square. Max quickly straightened his posture and walked with pride, smoothing over his fancy suit. Meanwhile, Nash ruffled his own hair and shifted his clothes so that they looked very disheveled.

    "I, on the other hand, don't care about my appearance." He smirked, flipping imaginary locks of hair over his shoulder and posing for us. We laughed, but only Max responded. "Obviously." He complained. Nash shoved him, he shoved Nash, and thus began their near-endless cycle of shoving and punching. Those two I swear were closer than brothers. I, on the other hand, seemed more like their chaperone than their best friend. It was all good and well though, because no matter what appearances may seem, our bond ran deeper than blood.

    At the gates to the Square we met with the others in our party of friends, Caira and Talon. Talon came from the poorer side of our district, the one where nearly everyone was on the streets and no one got food or had a job. Luckily Max convinced his dad to find Talon a job not three days after we met him, so ever since, he's felt in our debt. Caira came from our area, but she was not as, well, sophisticated, as we were. She had rags for clothes, but a roof over her head nonetheless. She always fixed her hair nice, but she rarely had enough food to survive on. For the reaping she had nothing nice, so she wore ripped jeans and a ratty t-shirt. Despite all this, she was a wonderful, selfless person. I admired her greatly.

   We approched the gate and the long line of children flocking in. I took this opportunity to sneak Buck into the inside pocket of my coat, so he was hidden from the onlookers.

   "Hey," I smiled when our friends approached us. Talon and Caira happened to be cousins, but didn't know it at the time they met. Talon once had a crush on Caira, but quickly lost all feelings for her once he discovered their relation by blood.

    "Hey." Talon pulled his hand from out of his pocket to give a short wave, quickly replacing it and standing in line behind us to get our fingers pricked. Oh yay. I thought, imagining the sting that the needle brought every year. But I quickly dismissed the thought, knowing it would be over as quickly as it began, and I'd heal in less than an hour.

    "So, you guys worried? New game, new odds. How many times is your name in, Talon?" Max inquired, attempting to shield his flashy clothing by standing close to Nash and me. Inside my coat Buck struggled, but I quickly calmed him by reaching in and scratching his head.

   Talon shrugged, eyeing the needle-pricking lady and gulping. He was more afraid of it than me, he was afraid of a lot more things than me.

    "A lot. I take out as much tessarae as I can." He explained quietly, hands dancing around in his pockets; nerves I guess.

   "How about yours, Caira?" Max was just trying to make conversation, but I could see it was causing Talon to be nervous. More nervous than he should be.

   "Oh, lost count. I only took out tessarae once, so....calculating my age...and family members..." She contemplated, index finger tapping her chin while her eyes studied the sky as she calculated.

    "21." I muttered before she could even gather her thoughts. She looked at me and smiled, punching my shoulder.

    "See, great having a genius for a friend. Don't you go anywhere today, okay? We still need you." Her body language and voice had been calm, and playful. But the thing is, I think she actually meant what she said; "Don't you go anywhere today, okay? We still need you." She was telling me she didn't want me to be reaped. She was afraid to lose me. Perhaps there was something there, between us, a connection she didn't have with the others. I quickly dismissed that way of thinking, with the facts: she cared about all of us, equally. She didn't want any of us dead.

    Max stepped up as the first to prick his finger, afterwards holding up his index to wave the little red oozing liquid at us before traipsing off into the eighteen-year-old pool beyond the chainlink.

   Next Nash got his blood drawn, and dismissed to go stand amongst the others. Before I could step up to take my turn Caira stepped out of line behind Talon and skipped ahead of me, receiving her prick and then turning to me before escaping to the lot.

    "I mean it," she said. "Don't go anywhere." Our eyes held for a split second before she was gone, that look in her eyes but a ghost relfecting in mine. The woman behind the desk asked for my finger, and I gladly let her have it. I barely even felt the stab, and before I knew it I was dismissed. Luckily, without anyone noticing the tiny bulge in my jacket. It just didn't feel right to come to something so important without my dog, for whatever reason, I couldn't do this without him. He was like my good luck charm, or whatever. I found my way into the eighteen-year-old pool next to Max and Nash. I could barely see the empty row separating the girls and the boys, and just beyond that, their eighteen-year-old pool. But I didn't find Caira there, for she was somewhere beyond that, with the sixteen-year-olds. I watched the gate and saw Talon slip in and find his place among the boys sixteen pool. He looked pale and sick, but brave were his eyes. I turned mine to the stage, and ignored Max and Nash's bickering to my left. To my right stood a boy I hadn't met before, in front of me there was an acquaintance of mine from school. We were at the very end of the group, so behind there was only the fence, behind which many of the parents stood to watch, along with a few Peacekeepers. Hopefully Buck would fall asleep in my coat, and no one would notice him and get me into trouble. My ears felt like they were ringing; they always did at reapings, I guess as a nervous tick or something. But today was different; this would be my very last reaping, I probably wouldn't be picked, the odds don't exactly play in my favour but still, the odds against me can't be that bad. Twelve percent of boys in my district make it all the way to their nineteenth birthdays without ever being reaped, while that percentage isn't great, it's what I have to cling to.

     Up on stage the escort emerged from the shadows of the Justice Building, the audience in complete silence, the only sound coming from her three-inch heels which clicked against the wooden stage. Upon her face a thin smirk played, distorting her otherwise beautiful features. If you could look past all the layers of makeup, the black whispy smoke covering her eyelids, the lashes which came out further than her nose, and the blood red lipstick, she could be pretty. District Ten pretty, which is saying something.

     "Welcome all, to the annual Hunger Games. Here in the districts today we have the Reaping! Isn't that exciting?" No one replied; no one clapped; everyone stared. "Well," Catryna carried on anyway. "I won't bore you with any lengthy speeches, so, just watch the video." She awkardly smiled at us, embarrassed that her act did not inspire us. She fumbled with a controller, and finally brought the large screen to life, and the video played.

    Max leaned over during the middle portion, where President Snow had been talking about the rebels defeat. "God, this is so boring. Why don't they get to the death sentences already?" He whispered, at which Nash elbowed him in the ribs and they both laughed. I grinned, and returned to staring at the screen like everyone else. Max's words played around in my mind for awhile, he was sort of right, they played the same exact video year after year. You'd think to keep us interested they might change it a little bit, but they didn't. For whatever reasons they continued with traditions everyone thought for naught. Hmm. Perhaps one day I'd send the president a letter.

    After the end, Catryna wiped her eyes with a pale pink handkerchief and returned to the mic. "Isn't that touching?" She inquired of us rhetorically, voice breaking a little bit. "Well, anyway. We must go on, even after that inspiring film." It also occurred to me that every year Catryna Valin reacted the same exact way, to the same exact video. My mind ran scenarios while she blabbed on, coming up with several reasons for this. One, she could be a Capitol drone programmed to react with extreme patriotism towards such a thing, two, she could be so brainwashed by their way of life and the way of thinking they have that she truly does feel so strongly about the film, and three, she could be faking it so as not to lose her job. Some escorts have been fired for the silliest of reasons, not crying over a video made by the Capitol and the president might be one of them.

   "Ladies first!" Catryna's voice brought me back from my thoughts, and set my focus back to her. She clicked her way elegantly to the glass bowl containing every girl's name in the district. I held my breath, whispering pleas to some superior being to keep Caira's name away from Valin's fingers. Catryna Valin plucked a card and strode back to the mic, keeping us all on edge. She parted her bloody lips, a smile curving them upward, and spoke clearly, and straight-forwardly.

    "Amy Dunman!" I heard, and sighed with relief. Someone began to cry before another girl raised her hand high into the air, and screamed: "I volunteer!" I furrowed my brow, recalling the number of tributes who volunteered from our district. It almost never happened, this Amy person must have meant something to someone else, so much so that this other girl was willing to trade her life for hers. They embraced, I barely saw over the heads of the seventeen-year-old boys, and then this volunteer with long blonde hair walked to the stage. Catryna greeted her warmly, obviously proud that we finally had a volunteer. She didn't care much for the fact that this girl was slim, and weak looking, she just felt the thrill of the moment. Catryna could barely look too far into the future, she only focused on the present and the past.

    "Well, well well, dear. So glad to have you joining us this year! And what is your name?"

   The girl hesitated to speak, leaning close to the mic with little tears in her eyes. "Mira Mathews." She murmured.

    "And who was that young girl you volunteered for?" Catryna questioned, her arm around Mira's shoulder delicately. Mira nearly burst into tears, but kept her head up and her sobs under control. Good job, be strong. I whispered in my mind.

     "She was my best friend." Mira replied. Catryna nodded slowly, and the audience let out sympathetic sounds, all feeling for her. Nash elbowed Max, and whispered something along the lines of "would you volunteer if I got picked?"

   "No." Max replied cooly.

   "What?" Nash gasped. "But your dad's the mayor, he's go tons of dough. He could afford to send you gifts and find you sponsors."

    "Yeah. He probably could. But you're not worth it." Nash punched Max and Max laughed, earning a glare of warning from one of the Peacekeepers who'd been eyeing us since we entered. We weren't exactly the most cooperative group in the lot, Max and Nash were definitely the rowdiest. 

    "And now, the boys." Catryna left Mira standing by the female's bowl, and took long strides to get to the boys. My mind I had to force calm, as well as my nerves. I breathed in slowly, while Caira's words echoed my mind: Don't you go anywhere. I couldn't go anywhere. Without me, Mum would be stuck taking care of Dad while he came home every night from the bar. Without me, Mum would need to get a third job to support her and Dad. With Dad being blind drunk twenty-four seven, there was little to no chance of him finding a job. My family would be screwed if I left. Of course Mum could always kick Dad out, but he was a strong man, he'd probably beat her into letting him stay. She could always buy enough food for herself, hide the rest of the money and eat whenever he's gone. But with every scenario I worked out in my head there seemed an equal countermeasure. Dad would force her to get a third job, and to feed him. If she didn't, he'd probably beat it out of her. He never laid a hand on her before, but that's mostly because I'd been there to protect her, he's just smart enough to know he can't stand a chance against me. What am I thinking? I suddenly realise. I won't be going anywhere. Just stay calm, Tobias. I held my head up and watched Catryna returning to Mira.

    She bent forward to the microphone, and spoke a name which would alter the life of one unfortunate soul. That soul, I realised, was me.

     "Tobias..." Nash murmured my name after she had, and Max placed a hand on my shoulder, giving me strong looks of encouragement. I eyed them both sadly, gulping down my fears, and beginning to march forward. As I passed him, Talon stopped me. He mouthed something I didn't understand at first, but then realised he offered to volunteer for me. I shook my head rapidly, glaring at him and pinching my lips together as a warning. Don't you dare, I said with my eyes. He nodded, and removed his hand from my shoulder. Hoisting Buck into a better position still hidden inside my coat, I looked back to the stage and continued the walk. Catryna greeted me with a big grin, beckoning me forward.

     "Hello! Tobias, we are honoured. You look like such a strong boy." She caressed my bicep, admiring its strength and appearance. I tore my arm from her grasp, but luckily no one really noticed. She dropped her arms to her sides and announced us as this year's tributes for District Ten, but I hardly noticed, my eyes only locking with Caira's. She brushed her dirty blonde hair out of her face, scowling at me because I had broken our deal. She begged me not to go anywhere, yet, here I was, on stage up close with our escort. It all didn't seem real, until we were lead away from the crowd -- from our district family -- and into the dim Justice Building. Here Catryna handed us over to a couple of Peacekeepers, who separated Mira and me, taking us to our visiting rooms. I'd never been in here before, I'd never had a family member or friend go off to the games. At least not one close enough to warrant a visit to.

    Inside a red carpet covered the floor, one with gold futuristic designs all across it of dragons and machines, and knights and fields of cattle. The whole thing told a story really; the knights fought the dragon to protect their herd. An ally of theirs was a gold lion, one who breathed electricity onto the dragon. The wallpaper also continued the tale. The walls were red as well, with gold figures on it, the same as the carpet. The knights chased the dragon all the way to the very top of Mt. Inyan Kara, the biggest mountain in District Ten. There the dragon stays, with the lion at the foot of the mountain to keep it from ever leaving. The dragon is a prisoner now, only awaiting the day when the knights grow tired of living in fear of it, and come to take its life. I guess I'm that dragon now, chased away from the cattle fields that were my home, locked away in the Capitol, awaiting the day of my death.

    I walked the length of the room and let Buck out of my stuffy jacket, waiting for my visitors. I knew my mother would come, my father didn't even bother coming to the reaping so he wouldn't be here, not that I'd want him to be. Max would come, along with Nash and Talon. At the moment I was unsure whether or not Caira would come. She may be too upset, but then again, she may fear never seeing me again and will come anyway. She'd probably cry, like most girls do. Although come to think of it, I'd never seen Caira cry, and hardly ever had she been sad. She's tough, I'll give her that.

    After fifteen minutes of waiting, studying the walls and the furniture for more stories about the dragon and the knights, and watching Buck chase his tail and sniff out the room, I began to wonder why no one had come yet. Curious, I peeked my head through the door where two Peacekeepers stood guard.

    "Excuse me, has anyone come to see me yet?" I inquired. They both looked at me, and then shook their heads. "No one." They said in unison. I frowned, and closed the door again. Now why would no one come? Max and Nash at the very least have to say goodbye. It's uncharacteristic of them not to. And Mother, she may at least want a little advice on how to keep living without me. I understand Caira and Talon's absences, but the others? I am so confused.

   Distraught at the lack of visitors, I seated myself on one of the chairs and waited to be taken away. Buck leapt onto my lap, where he curled up and fell asleep. I felt so emotional I could barely think straight, it burned like an iron spoke stuck inside my chest, why would no one come? The lack of care sent me into shock. I couldn't move. Until the door opened, and Catryna summoned me out.

    I obeyed, still hurt, and followed her after replacing my dog in the pocket he'd occupied for the duration of the reaping. I hadn't really thought things through, whether I should leave Buck or if taking him was really such a good idea. Would he survive in the arena with me? Could he? These questions didn't phase me as I carried my last remaining best friend with me to the train station. Mira looked almost as distraught as I was coming out of her visitor room, perhaps she received no visitors either. If that were the case than there would be something keeping our loved ones from coming. That would almost be more comforting than the alternative. 

      We were both taken out the back way of the Justice Building, which connected right away with the Train Station, at which was parked the silver streamlined vehicle in which we would be whisked away to the Capitol. A sudden sense of homesickness struck me before we'd even gone; I'd miss this horrible place, terribly.

    Catryna waved to several bystanders come to watch the train leave. They were mainly small children and young widows, I saw none of my friends. With the sinking feeling that they never truly were my companions, as I had thought, I turned away to follow Catryna and Mira onto the train. So far neither noticed my plus one. The steps leading up felt sturdy as I placed one foot after the other onto them, and hoisted myself inside the passenger car using the steel bars at either side of the doorframe. Inside, my eyes went wide and a nervous smile crept onto my lips as I felt unsure about what I saw. All of my friends, along with my mother and father, were sat at various places in the car.

    To my right Mira shrieked someone's name, and bolted into the car. "Mathew!" She crashed into a boy who resembled her slightly, the two of them hugging fiercely. I wondered if he was the only family she had. Behind them, sitting at the back row, I saw the girl who was reaped first -- the one Mira volunteered for. She skipped to her and they all sat together, talking excitedly.

   I walked down the centre of the aisle, eyeing each of my friends carefully, taking a seat next to Max and my mother. "Hi, guys. Um, what a surprise." I greeted them anxiously, twisting my hands together as a means of letting out my nervousness.

    "Oh my boy." Mother wrapped her arms around my neck, successfully strangling every last bit of air from my lungs, and I was careful not to let her crush Buck. The second before I passed out, she released me and I was free to breathe again. "Oh my boy." She murmured repetitively, and it seemed that was the only set of words she could get out. I tried to smile, to comfort her and rid her of those tears that threatened to spill. To my right Max nudged me. I faced him.

     "Hey. Sorry man, I would've volunteered but bone head over here held my mouth shut." He gestured harshly to Nash, sitting right next to him by the window. Nash shrugged, and shook his head slowly.

    "I couldn't let you go off. Sorry Tobias, you're both like my brothers. I need one of you here." He admitted, folding his hands into his lap and staring at them. Max rolled his eyes, commenting on Nash's softness.

    "Right, thanks. But right now the only thing that concerns me is what you're all doing here, on the train. Why are you coming with me?" I pointed out, taking on the look of contemplation. Talon, who sat in the row before us, climbed up in his place to be facing us.

    "Some Peacekeepers escorted us here when we came to visit you. They said this year, courtesy of the Head Gamemaker, we all get to come stay with you at the Capitol for a little while." He explained. The others agreed with his statement, and I nodded slowly. This was weird, I hoped this Head Gamemaker didn't have any other plans for my family and friends. I hoped they'd all be able to come back home again, and they'd be of no further use to the Capitol. It was a nice gesture, but I'd rather they all be left alone.

   "Where's Caira?" I suddenly asked as the train began to move. Max guiltily shrunk down in his place, while Nash took on a look of sadness.

   "What?" I pressed, glaring at the both of them. "Tell me." I demanded.

   Finally, Max spoke up. "She's in the next car. She doesn't want to see you." He murmured.

  "Honestly," said Nash. "I don't think she would've come if the Peacekeepers and us hadn't insisted."

    Just like that I tore myself from the seat, patting my mother's leg in a loving gesture before leaving her behind to see about Caira.

    "No, dude." Nash got up too, attempting to stop me. "She wants to be left alone, she doesn't want to see you right now. Just leave her be man." I froze, but after careful consideration, decided I would go to her anyway.

    "No!" Nash sighed as I pressed the button and the door slid open for me, revealing a small hallway to the next car. I stepped through and the door closed behind me, leaving me in silence. It was cold in the hallway, almost like the cold breeze of autumn. Buck then decided to poke his little head out and lick my chin, curiously eyeing the place. I scratched him gently and stuffed him back inside my coat. I hurried through to the door at the other end, pressing the button for it to open and stepping into the next car, decorated almost exactly like the last one. Chandeliers hung from the ceilings, tables with vases of roses sat to the very end, rows of chairs big enough for three people to the end closest to me. The door slid shut behind me and I moved forward, immediately relaxing with the warmth of this car.

    Caira sat the only person in here, by a window in the middle of the rows. I slowly walked to her, letting Buck out of my coat to wander, and hesitating to see if she'd send me away. She kept quiet, and very still until I sat beside her, and she shifted so I couldn't look her in the eye.

    "Caira?" I muttered.

   "What?" She sounded as if she'd been crying, her nose plugged and her eyes swollen. I tried to see her face relflected in the window, but it was too clean. I sighed.

   "Caira, I didn't volunteer, it's not like I wanted to come here." I explained, hoping she'd stop being so stubborn and just say goodbbye.

    Instead of the reaction I'd hoped for, she sucked her tongue against the top row of her teeth, creating a smacking sound much like a scoff. "Yeah, but that doesn't change the fact that you're here." She said.

    I thought about this, considering her behaviour and trying to piece it together. How exactly did she feel about this? Clearly she was upset, but why? Why wasn't her reaction like Max's, or Nash, or even Talon. At least they held it together, why couldn't she? Because she was emotional? Because of her gender? It didn't make much sense to me.

     "Well, there's nothing we can do. So, just, enjoy the Capitol, alright?"

   "No." She snapped, head whipping around to face me. She had indeed been crying, red circles lined both eyes and her nose. Trails had been created where her skin had been moistened more than the rest of her, and fresh tears settled in her tear ducts.

    "I won't enjoy it. Not when I know it's the last thing we'll ever do. We won't be out chasing cattle, or bull riding, or corralling the sheep. We'll be sitting in some expensive m-mansion at the Capitol, the place we both despise the most, eating rich food and wearing rich clothes while the rest of our district starves!" I froze, unable to say anything. At least, anything that would make a compelling argument. She was right. If I had to choose the activity for our last day together, it wouldn't be this.

    She held our gaze awhile longer before she continued to speak. "If you're able to enjoy any of this..." her tone nearly made it sound like a question; if I could enjoy any of this, what would that say about my character?

    I swallowed hard. "I can't." I replied. "Yes, I'd rather be with you guys corralling sheep, or herding cattle, or bull riding when we're not supposed to. Yes, I'd rather eat trashy food with you and wear dirty clothes and not care about my appearance. But, Cai," I touched her shoulder. She wiped her tears. "We can't do any of that stuff. As much as I want to, we're here, and there's nothing we can do but dream about being somewhere else. I'm sorry to see you so torn up about this, but don't ruin what could be a good time doing something new because you'd rather be doing something old. Enjoy this new experience, or at least enjoy my company because it might be the last time you ever can." She dropped her head and I grabbed her chin, pulling her face up to look into my eyes, and wiping a tear away with my thumb.

   "Pretend I'm not going away to die. Pretend we're just visiting my rich uncle or something." We both laughed. I smiled, she smiled. "Can you do that for me? Please?" She nodded, letting one little laugh escape her throat.

    "Yes, I can do that. For you." Our eyes held again, there was that same feeling -- that stomach-churning, ear-ringing feeling I got before. What was that in her eyes? Love? Contentment? Affection? Whatever it was, it made my stomach go somewhere in my body other than where it was supposed to be.

   We both scooted out of the seats into the aisle, and walked back to the car with the others, my little black dog on our heels. Just as he caught up with Caira, she turned around and laughed. "You brought your dog?" She asked.

   "Yeah." I chuckled, watching her scoop him up from the floor and cuddle him in her palms.

   "Is that allowed?" She inquired. I shrugged, and we continued out to meet the others. They greeted us with shouts and words of affection, telling us we must try the food here. I hid Buck in my coat again, and we both smiled, exchanging knowing looks, and joining the rest of our friends for the snack which avoxes offered to us. Soon we'd be at the Capitol, we were informed, and have our own floor to stay in while our families were here. The sick feeling inside my gut didn't go away for the the rest of the trip, it only grew when I looked out the window, or at Caira. Any moment now our lives would change drastically, any moment now we'd be torn away from each other, and I didn't know if I could handle that.

     About a couple hours later our train pulled into the Capitol. So grand it was to see, we all stood around the windows, our mouths gaping open as if our eyes could not take in all the beauty themselves. Caira stood close to me, but it didn't look like she noticed. However, for whatever reason, I noticed. Her scent wafted to my nose, she smelled like honey, she smelled like home. Her hair tickled my chin until I had to step back, at which point I returned my focus to the view of the large city ahead. Suddenly darkness took over our vision, and everyone was looking around for the source. We'd entered a tunnel, with few lights lining the walls. All was dark, and very quiet save for the rhythmic tone the gaps in the tunnel wall made as air circulated around the train. The train didn't touch the rails, rather, it hovered above and flew over 3000 kilometers per hour. The science of it was really fascinating, and it was something I read about in one of my books. Engineers in District Three as well as Five replaced the conventional steel wheels of the old days with hovercraft lift pads, and the conventional railway bed was replaced with a paved road-like surface, known as the "track" or "guideway". Basically, the hovertrains use magnets to levitate the train, and coast along it's guideways. Although the reading had been much more detailed and interesting.

   At last the train peeked out the end of the tunnel, and once more the Capitol could be seen, but closer than before. It was like nothing I'd ever seen; unlike any of the other districts. In school we were given extensive research booklets on the Capitol, pictures were included. But to see it with your own eyes, it was unimaginable. Until now, as the reflective qualities of every building in our immediate vicinity met my eyes. Everything seemed to have a speck of gold colouring in it somewhere, it didn't matter where, it was just there. A gold trim on a mansion, gold bricks which made up a school, or the gold roof of an observatory on the water -- it all seemed so rich, and luxurious. I could only imagine what it would be like to live here your whole life.

    "We're here!" Catryna came bursting through the door furthest to our left, just as the train began to slow and descend the couple metres it had been hovering at. "The Capitol welcomes you, with all it's elegance." She gestured to the window, where the platform of the station held many thousands of bright, smiling people here to welcome us.

    "Wow," someone from behind us spoke up. "Quite the welcoming committee." It was our other friend from school, Becka. I couldn't imagine what she'd be doing here, we all didn't know her that well, but nonetheless I was glad to see her.

    "Yeah, no kidding." I added. Max and Nash immediately took in the attention, smiling and even waving back. The ladies outdoors giggled when Max winked at them, and doubled over when Nash tried to imitate him, and failed I might add.

     Catryna then ushered us all out into the streets, where the crowds were shrieking our names and waving -- some even tossed roses at us. I had to hold one hand suspiciously inside my jacket, to keep my secret companion from popping his curious head out. I attempted conceiling my true intent by folding the other arm over, as if I was simply crossing my arms. "How do they know our names?" I questioned suspiciously, as more men and women began cheering for us.

    Catryna had to lean in close to me in order to be heard, and she whispered: "They all watched the Reapings on television, afterwards the announcer read the names of your companions, as they would be joining you here." Her breath tickled my ear, and I nodded, becoming aware of her heavy breathing and the way she looked at me. The thought was dismissed as I was reeled in again to the chaotic atmosphere, and my friends hurried me along.

    We were escorted to a sleek and slender vehicle parked just on the other side of the station, where we all piled in and the driver took us to the Training Centre, where we'd be staying. He and Catryna chatted vividly for a bit, before she turned to us and began going on about how much we'd "simply love the luxury and detailed art put into the construction of such a place." She seemed more excited to have us than we were to be there.

    For the duration of the ride everyone carried on in their own conversations; Dad constantly complained about the lack of whisky, while Mum tried her best to keep him quiet. Max and Nash studied the passing scenery, constantly competing to see who could find the dubbed 'coolest' thing in the Capitol, Becka sometimes joining in, but mainly sat quietly. Mira and her two friends, Amy and Mathew, sat in the row of seats behind ours, and carried on a quiet conversation filled with sad things. Caira I noticed sat in silence on my right, clasping and reclasping her hands to the rhythm of the arguments around her. She seemed very anxious, but attempted to hide that from us. Impulsively I brought my hand out to place it on top of hers, merely as a comforting gesture, but some might take it as something more. Caira glanced at our hands, and then brought her grey eyes up to me. She smiled, and locked our fingers together.

     Soon we pulled up to the tall building, its walls made purely out of glass, which reflected the sun into our eyes. We all climbed out of the car, glad to be away from Catryna's chattering, only to be greeted with more of it as she began the tour. The first floor, she called the lobby. In it was the registration desk where the tributes must have their fingers pricked and blood drawn, so they could be kept track of. Chairs lined the north wall, the desk lay to the east, and to the west were the toilets and drinking fountain. Also at the north wall and slightly to the east were the stairs and shaker, which we would ride to the tenth floor.  We approached the front desk and the woman greeted us with a warm smile, inviting the two of us to come up -- myself and Mira of course -- to receive our prick.

    "Who wants to go first?" She questioned once she had us both. Struggling to keep Buck hidden, I offered out a hand to let Mira go first. She graciously accepted the offer, but with a small hint of irritability. I turned away, pretending I didn't want to see the needle enter her skin, and summoned Talon over with my eyes. He stepped up, and I whispered so no one else would hear, parting my jacket just enough for him to see what I had.

    "I need you to hold him." I said. Talon, at first shocked, nodded vigorously and pretended to punch my chest. He was making it appear that he was preparing me for the needle prick, assuring me that it was alright. Good on him. We very quickly made the switch, and Buck landed inside Talon's jacket where he was once again safely hidden. Never had I been more grateful for such a small dog than I had been at that moment. The brunette receptionist summoned me up seconds later, and I strode with confidence up to her.

    Once that business was out of the way, Catryna lead us all to the elevator where we entered it, and she pressed the button for ten. Ten was to signify our district number. The other districts were numbered the same, with district one claiming the first floor, distirct two the second, three the third and so on. Catryna showed us to our rooms -- I was surprised we each got our very own -- and then left us to get comfortable. I retrieved my dog from Talon again, and sighed upon entering my room. I let him down to roam the premises, promptly throwing my body onto the king sized bed. Although the close of my journey would be my imminent demise, the path leading to it I determined would be the best path I'd ever tred. 

                                                              *  *  *  *  *

     The next morning I was up and dressed as soon as the sun was. It wasn't that I wanted to be, it was just a habit I'd formulated being a shepherd. You get up when the sun does, and care for the animals until the sun went back down. Of course there was a little time in between to do other odd jobs, but such was my life. I rolled out of bed and quickly took a towel from the selection, hanging it on the rail just outside the shower room. Buck slept on a pillow on one half of the bed, looking like a ball of hair spread out over it. I laughed, proceeding to the shower. It felt so wonderful to have a hot shower, we never had those in my district. You'd be lucky to get a bath once a month, if that. As I ran the shower for over an hour I decided that, if I'd grown up with showers available, I'd take one as often as I could. They were really nice, and I felt exceedingly comfortable afterwards, being so clean. I wanted to ask my friends how they enjoyed theirs, but second guessed myself as it became clear that that would be an awkward question. How they showered was their business, I didn't really want to know that much anyways.

    After I showered and dried off to my liking, I found the remote Catryna showed me how to use last night when we arrived. The spherical object controlled many things, but the thing that excited me the most was the large selection of clothing items at my disposal. I could just type something into it and the electronic dresser -- which was somehow connected to an endless supply of clothes -- would bring it up for me. I decided on a red flannel shirt and some plain jeans, which were the usual items worn around our district.

    Outside, I heard laughter coming from the next room. I exited mine, leaving Buck with some food I ordered using the remote, to a hallway lined with doors, all leading to the places where my friends and family slept. At the end was the lounge, where a TV was set up as well as appropriate furniture to relax upon while you watched. Behind the white couch was the kitchen, just up a couple steps and you'd be surrounded by black and white tiles, pots and pans hanging from the ceiling, and cupboards full to the brim with food. All that plus the food inside the refridgerator was enough to feed our entire district for months. I couldn't comprehend how anyone could have so much and never give any of it away. There were people back at my home, at lots of people's homes, who would kill for just one meal the people here had the luxury of ordering up at any time. It hit me, then, that people do kill for those extra food rations, that soon I'd be killing for it. I shuddered, and walked into the lounge where Becka and my mum sat together on the couch, eyes fixed on the television.

    "Morning sleepy head." Becka said, flipping through the channels. Mum looked up, but the lump buried deep within her throat prohibited her speech. Instead we exchanged careful glances, and she returned to watching whatever Becka flipped through. I assumed dad was still sleeping, as usual. Max and Nash were in the kitchen, making a complete mess and laughing about it.

   "So, do I dare ask what's for breakfast?" I chuckled, pulling myself onto one of the red stools at the counter.

     The guys laughed hysterically, before one of them could explain.

   "Well, Nash said he was going to make something called pasta, but he read the instructions wrong. I tried to fix it, but he screwed up so bad." Max explained.

    "And then," Nash continued. "dumbo here tried to make a dish called romanoe, it's come Capitol-exclusive deal with patties and sauce and a whole bunch of seasonings and stuff, but he was being a dumbass and wouldn't let me help! So, I did what any self-respecting District Ten citizen would do, and I sabotaged his dish." Nash crossed his arms and Max held up a fist to him.

   "You wanna take this to the top floor? That's the training area, you wanna settle this like men?" He challenged.

    "Whoa, whoa. Ladies, please." I waved my hands back and forth, halting their arguments. "Lets just see what the avoxes can make, and we'll forget this ever happened. Okay?" They both shrugged, and glanced at each other briefly before turning to me again.

    "Ladies?" Max questioned. "Really?" He threw down a towel and he and Nash walked out, leaving the avoxes to clean up their disaster. I smiled at them, and got off my stool to see what Mum and Becka were up to. They still sat, flipping through channels, so I sat with them and watched. Mother ran her fingers through my hair, separating it unevenly, quietly studying my face. We both had so much to say on our last day together, but neither of us could find the means to express our feelings. She didn't want her only son to go, but knew I had to. I couldn't bear to leave her with that man, but knew I had no choice. It was a lose-lose situation, we couldn't fight this. So we sat, quietly, patiently. We didn't say a word, we didn't give each other looks, we just stared ahead and took comfort in the other's presence.

     Later, around 6pm, avoxes flooded our apartment along with Catryna and someone new I hadn't seen before. He introduced himself as Markis, but I could barely focus on more than his flaming tattoos riding up his neck from underneath his shirt collar, and his brightly coloured hair. Why any man would voluntarily apply makeup to his eyes and lips, I could never understand. I supposed if I had been raised the way he had, I would enjoy similar attrocities. The thought caused me to shiver.

     Markis and Catryna invited us all to a feast, in honour of us, hosted by this Gamemaker everyone had so graciously been speaking of. I didn't yet know who he was, but an uncertain feeling crept into the bottom of my stomach as I imagined exaclty what he'd be like. Probably worse than Catryna and Markis, perhaps even more devious than the president. One thing stood out loud and clear: No matter what, I was never going to fully trust this man with my life.

       We rode the elevator back down to the lobby, where we exited the building and got into our car, pulled up front by the curb. Our driver and Catryna exchanged pleasantries before take off, then we were smoothly sailing down the streets to another gigantic bit of architecture. Catryna and Markis couldn't stop fanning over the vast expanse of the building, and the particular brand of furnishings it wielded. Once we stepped through the doors, I knew we were in for a treat. We saw several more of the reaped tributes -- whom I only recognised because I had watched their reapings last night -- entering elevators or admiring certain aspects of the building. Their families were present with them, as I suspected. Mira Mathews and her party of two met us in the lounge, and we all rode the elevator up to the fifteenth floor. There we met several avoxes coming and going through the hall, which garnished an unnumberable set of rooms lining the interior. Catryna forced her way into traffic, followed by Markis whom she constantly talked with, and the rest of us unsure, peasant-like beings. Once inside a specific room near the end of the hall, Catryna assigned several avoxes to each one of us, each of them having a set of clothing presumably for us to change into. We were allowed into the dressing rooms which this room seemed to be made of, and given what we were to wear to this luxurious feast. We were told by Catryna and her companion, Markis, that the other tributes would be attending this meal as well. How on earth we were going to fit twenty-four tributes plus their family and friends into one place to share one meal I had no clue, but I was sure these highly intelligent, well-educated people knew what they were doing, and had a plan. For now, I would just focus on the present; dressing myself for the gala.

   In just a couple minutes I was completely transformed; the avoxes washed and combed through my thick hair, somehow managing to get it to lay back with their gel products, and they'd given me the nicest suit to wear -- not too colourful, as were their own costumes, but not too shabby if I do say so. Mother came out dressed in the most breathtaking black dress you ever saw, complete with clear diamonds which reflected the light and made her sparkle. They'd curled her previously untameable hair, and fashioned it in such a way that she looked young, healthy and beautiful again. I'd only ever seen pictures of my mother when she was young, but she was naturally a beautiful woman. Now it was like witnessing that for myself again.

    Out of another dressing room emerged Maximus, hair in his usual messy, carefree style. He must've fought the avoxes on that. His suit proved flashier than my own, and definitely more colourful. He wore a neon pink coat and tie, his pants the same colour only fading to a deep purple at the feet. His shirt remained white, but ruffles lined his mid-section to the top of his collar. His shoes had reflective qualities much like mother's, but they were covered in sequins instead of diamonds.

    "What do you think?" He swished his tailcoat directly up his back, sliding across the floor slightly on his soft shoes.

    I was about to respond, when Nash came from his dressing room and quickly replied: "I think it makes you look like a rainbow. No wonder you can't get it with the ladies." I busted up laughing, but catching sight of my mother's scowl of doom, I quickly subsided.

     "Thanks," Max said sarcastically. "Actually, the reason I don't have a girlfriend is because my dad won't let me date anyone but the best. Of course in his book that means the prettiest girl in our district who also has a father with deep pockets he can cozy up to."

    "I've an easy fix." Nash quickly interjected. "Get a secret girlfriend." Max scoffed and rolled his eyes.

    "As if," I spoke. "His dad literally has eyes everywhere. He'll know in a heartbeat." Nash nodded in agreement. "True, true..." he mused, just as Becka came out of her room. She looked absolutely ravishing in her deep green dress, contrasted only against her chocolate coloured hair. Her eyes shimmered, her cheeks flushed with that pink stuff girls put on. She wore makeup but not too much (like Catryna) only enough to enhance her natural beauty.

    "What do you think, Maximus?" She muttered seductively, flaunting all of her natural curves as Max stared wide-eyed and open mouthed. He quickly shut his trap, realising he might've been spilling drool on himself, and gazed at her up and down. "I think....stunning, is the word I'd use." He murmured. For a second I saw a look between them -- it was almost unmistakably lust, or love or something.

    "I think 'hot' is the word I'd use." And in a split second the look was gone, also wiped from my memory as Nash broke their gaze.

    "Thanks." Becka ruffled his hair playfully and Catryna walked in to drag us away.

    "Um, where's Caira? I noticed she was missing since breakfast." I asked of our escort once we had a bit of distance between us and the rest of my group. 

   "Oh," she muttered, glancing back to everyone else, as if to make sure we weren't in any danger of eavesdroppers. "She was permitted to sleep a litter later than the rest of you -- bit of insomnia, and emotional complications -- but she'll be at the dinner don't worry." Catryna smiled, and I felt her hand caress my back. Was it for assurance or was it a gesture meaning something else? I hardly had time to contemplate as we entered quite possibly the largest room I'd ever laid eyes on. Rows of tables seemed to go on without end, waiters in avox uniforms carrying on this way and that, people flocking the tables or standing around, all of them talking over each other. It was like, the biggest event I'd ever been to, and possibly ever would go to. The sight awed me, left me speechless.

   Max, Nash and Becka walked up beside me to join in my stares of disbelief. It was incredible to me how many people could all fit into one room. Then Catryna came to us, specifically me, and began tying something to my upper arm. She explained that it was a scarf with the number of my district on it, so people would know who I was. She tied one to Mira's shoulder as well, and I began noticing others with patches similar, of course with their own district's number sewn in.

    In less than a half an hour the meal began. The gang and I sat around a table nearest the door, but farthest down the stretch longways. In total there were six rows along the length, and four across the width. Every seat was filled, save for one beside me, which was reserved for Caira, who still hadn't showed up. The avoxes came around the tables serving us once everyone had sat down, and the celebration began. The guys were laughing and choking on their food, sometimes making silly faces at the strange taste of most of the Capitol dishes. These were things we'd never hear hide nor hair of back in our district. Becka sat between the boys, trading things on her plate which she didn't like between them. Every once in awhile a loud ripple of laughter would sound from the Career districts, who seated themselves at the very end and the very back row. I supposed this was the time for making alliances, that was something I didn't really think of until now, last minute. But I wasn't like the Careers, if I was really going to form an alliance I could wait until training.

     When Becka yelled something rude to the table behind us, Max and Nash burst into laughter, and Mother tapped my shoulder to turn my attention to the doorway, that's when Caira walked in. When she entered the whole room seemed to fall deathly silent; the sounds in my immediate vicinity became nothing but air pumping against my eardrums; the shouts coming from the Career tables only echoed as background noises. And then it all came crashing down on me the moment I took in her beauty; she wore the most elegant, the most ravishing, stunning, gorgeous, beautiful, perfect dress. It was a soft yellow, much like the sunflowers which bloomed by the fences back home, just outside of our reach. A belt of finely cut jewels spread across her thin waist, the dress flowed to the ground like a soft waterfall feeding a tiny stream. It came out in whisps, blowing back when she walked. The very fabric was something worth drooling over; it was completely made of some sort of silk material, something completely Capitol-oriented. This wasn't some cheap district knock-off, this was the real thing. That's when I looked to her beautifully formed face -- her perfectly placed cheekbones, her silken hair which drifted off her shoulders on the breeze, her simple grey eyes which held the universe and much more inside them -- and realised, she was no cheap district knock-off either. She was real, and she was right here in front of me this whole time. Her beauty struck me in that moment, the full effect of our friendship came into perspective that instant. It was like my world was turned upside down and shaken a few times until I came out thinking straight; she was everything I ever wanted and more. Why is it that I couldn't see that until now?

   "Tobi. Tobi, Tobias." I looked up realising she now sat right beside me to the left, and was calling out my name. She chuckled when I finally looked at her, and turned beat red.

    "Back in the land of thought I guess?" She questioned.

   "Yeah, I guess." I replied. She was smiling and looking at me in such a way that just made my heart beat faster. Then I realised, she had been looking at me that way for a very long time, I just never made the effort to notice.

    "So," she fingered her glass of sparkling cider, biting her lower lip, her tell for being nervous or uncomfortable. "I guess this trip didn't turn out so sour after all." She kind of trailed her eyes away from me, along with her voice. I began to smile and look down, suddenly nervous to speak to her. I had never been that way with her before, why start now?

    "I told you." Was all I could say as my throat swelled up, swallowing my words and any dignity I had left. I suddenly became aware of how hot it was in the room, and adjusted my collar accoringly. Caira leaned over and bumped me with her shoulder, sending a shiver along my arm all the way to my back. I tried to shake this sudden feeling off, but it just wouldn't be shaken. I had to deal.

    "Heh, uh. So, enjoying the meal?" I wondered aloud, unaware of my change in tone. My voice seemed to waver in pitch, becoming very high and then very low again. Caira, outwardly, didn't seem to mind however.

    "Yes, it's actually quite nice. Especially since I get to spend it with you." Our eyes met and briefly I wondered if she didn't feel the same way about me that I did her. All feelings of this were then cast aside as she spoke again. "I mean 'cause you're going away and all, to the games, um. Yeah. I just made things awkward." She rested her forehead against her palm, elbow on the table, and chuckled nervously, turning a slight shade of crimson.

    "No," I assured her, successfuly capturing her attention. "I think you're adorable when you're flustered." I smiled, then deciding after I said it that that was a stupid compliment I shouldn't have let come from my lips. "I mean, well, like...I just, find it....um." I froze, becoming flustered myself, and couldn't go on and speak. Luckily she laughed, and laid a hand on my knee to steady herself before she could voice a reply. "Oh Tobi, now who's flustered?" I turned red and she laughed again.

   We were soon interrupted in our little exchange by a woman who looked vile, and stood higher than everyone on a small stage placed in the centre of the tables.

     "My dear Tributes; friends, family. We are all gathered here to celebrate the lives of these brave people, many of whom will, unfortunately, die." Her voice commanded respect with every word that was uttered from her lips, and immediately I knew who she was: The Head Gamemaker. I don't know why I didn't assume she could be a woman, I didn't think I'd heard of one before. But then again, I never really kept up with such things anway.

    "But not today." She continued, holding captive the attention of her audience. It was clear everyone -- even Catryna -- had deep regards for this woman. "Today we shall live; we shall cherish life; we shall cherish the company of those we love. With good food and music I hope to make these last moments before the games pleasant ones. I want you all to know I am not your enemy." Her eyes graced over us, honouring us with her very presence, she lingered with her eyes taking us in. She looked beautiful, not in the least bit intimidating. She was radiant, she was human, unlike you'd expect from a person of her mark.

    "I want to help you. Every one of you. And as a sign of my good faith, the leftovers from this feast will be divided and bagged accordingly so that each of your family and friends will have food to take back to your district. Now, let's eat, drink, and be merry! For today we feast, tomorrow we work." She held up a wine glass, and everybody began clinking theirs, cheering her on. She drank the entire contents of the glass and then stepped down from the podium, visiting a few of the tables just to say hello. I watched her and the way she moved, the way each step she took was precise, deliberate. She seemed so genuine on the exterior, but I was determined to find something gruesome on her interior. No one can ever hide their true identity forever, it was only a matter of time before I exploited her character and began strategising how I would win this game.