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  DOVE PUSHED PASSED THE Peacekeepers, shoving them out of the way as she ran with tear-filled eyes towards her brother and sister. With wide arms, she scooped them into her chest and hugged them as tightly as she could. Both their small arms wrapped around her torso and waist, their young bodies shaking with sobs. "I'll fix this, I'll fix this..." She repeated over and over like a prayer to both herself and her siblings. But how could she? Deep down, she knew there was nothing she could do. Once your name was called, that was it.

Loud shouts and panicked voices echoed in the hall, voices all the siblings recognized as their parents. The doors open once again and they stormed in. Dove loosened her grip on Ivy and Heath so she could turn and look at them. Their eyes were red and puffy, clearly showing they had been crying, but they had wiped their tears before entering, most likely to bring their children some comfort. Ivy and Heath ran to their arms, still sobbing. "Dove..." Her father's deep voice was shaking. "What can we do?" 

She stared at him, mouth agape. Her head shook slightly. "I...I don't know. I don't think we can do anything."

"There has to be something!" Her mother exploded. It was shocking. Her mother was a quiet and kind woman, but Dove guessed she had finally reached their breaking point. After these games, she would either have two children...or one.

Dove's mind drew nothing but blanks. She had no clever idea, no foundation for a plan. She just stood there watching as her parents embraced Ivy and Heath, shaking their heads as they too clearly tried to come up with some solution. It wasn't long before the Peacekeepers came to take their parents away. "My babies..." Their mother whispered. "Be good." 

Ivy and Heath sniffled and nodded. Their father had no more words, he was simply too heartbroken. When they were gone, the Peacekeepers escorted Dove and her siblings to the train. She could see Sorrel waiting for them as they approached. She bowed to Ivy and Heath with a deep frown. "It's lovely to finally meet the two of you. Dove speaks very highly of you both."

Together, they both said a quiet 'thank you' but neither could look Sorrel in the eye. Dove place a hand on either of their shoulders and squeezed. "Come on, let's get you on the train. I'm sure you two are hungry." 

"We get to eat?" Heath looked back at her, shocked at the idea. 

Dove smiled sadly and nodded. But this news seemed to perk them both up a bit and they followed Sorrel onto the train. They all entered the dining car and Dove could see Dee sitting in a corner alone, drink in hand. Never had she seen the man drink alcohol before. And he didn't even greet them as they walked in. "Dee..." Sorrel grabbed his attention. "Come meet the tributes." She sat them down at a table covered in all kinds of Capitol confections.

He looked up, unable to meet anyone but Sorrel's eyes. "I..." His words stopped there. He broke down into tears, scrambling to get up and away from them all. 

Ivy looked at Dove. "Did we do something?" Her tiny, innocent voice caused her sister's heart to clench. 

"No," Dove shook her head. "You did nothing, sweetie. Eat. Sorrel and I have some things to discuss. Be good," She echoed her mother's words as she grabbed Sorrel's wrist and pulled her to follow Dee. "I'm gonna kill him." She hissed.

"Stay calm, Dove. You know he had nothing to do with this," Sorrel reminded her. 

Dove snapped. "Do I? Dee is from the Capitol. For all I know, Snow got him to rig it!"

"He didn't..." A soft voice caught their attention. Dee was leaning in a doorway, eyes puffy and cheeks red. "I never thought...this has never happened...I-" He broke down once again. 

Dove sighed as Sorrel moved to comfort him. "How did this happen, Dee? Both of them? It's mathematically impossible."

Dee sniffled some more and shook his head. "Improbable." He corrected meekly. 

"What?" Dove tilted her head.

"Nothing is impossible in the draw. All their names have a chance to be picked. I just happened to pick both the younger siblings of District ten's most recent victor," He shook as he said this. "And I am so sorry!" He wailed. 

Dove couldn't stand his tears. She turned away, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Just...pull yourself together. You still have a job to do." She walked away as quickly as possible, unable to stand his crying any longer. She headed back to the dining car to see Ivy and Heath stuffing their faces with the colourful Capitol food. She remembered when this was her and Reed, eating until they were sick to their stomachs, which didn't take long due to the unusual richness of the food. 

Heath caught sight of her and grinned, cheeks stuffed and teeth filled with crumbs. His words were inaudible as he waved her over. Ivy smacked his arm and swallowed what food she had in her mouth so she could speak. "Manners, Heath!" She scolded him before turning to her sister. "Come! Eat with us!" 

Dove shook her head softly as she headed over to them. "I ate earlier," She sat at their table. "This is all for you." Somehow, she managed to keep her voice steady.

"But it's so much!" Ivy protested, pushing a bowl of lamb and dried plum stew in her direction. 

As much as Dove adored the stuff, the smell of it made her want to vomit. Politely, she pushed the bowl back to Ivy. "Really, I'm fine. Eat, love."

Ivy stared at her skeptically for a moment before taking the bowl back, which Heath quickly snatched up. It seemed that she was done eating. "I know what's going to happen," She whispered.

Dove raised a confused brow and leaned closer. "What do you mean, Ivy?" 

"I mean," She sighed. "I know how this all works. I watched your games, all of it. I know I have to kill people or people will kill me." 

A twelve-year-old should not know such things, Dove thought bitterly. "It's going to be hard, I won't lie. But you and you're brother, you two are strong. Don't underestimate yourselves," She reached out and took one of Ivy's tiny hands, squeezing it tightly. "Sorrel and I will do everything we can to help." 

"That we will," Sorrel's voice caught Dove off guard. Dee stood, no, coward behind her as they entered the dining car. "But unless you both prove yourselves to be worthy, sponsors will be hard to get, especially with so many Careers this year."

Ivy crossed her arms in annoyance. "What they're doing is illegal. Why doesn't the Capitol do anything?" 

Dove squeezed her hand once more. Ivy knew the answer -- the Capitol did know and they simply ignored it. Sorrel continued to talk. "When we arrive at the Capitol, you will be sent to your prep teams and stylists, then Dove and I will meet you at the chariots." 

"You're not coming with us?" Heath looked at Dove nervously.

Sadly, Dove shook her head. "No. But Dee here will. He's your escort." She could see the recognition in her siblings' faces as they looked at Dee, they had seen him every year at the Reaping. 

Stepping from behind Sorrel, Dee bowed deeply. "I will make the Capitol love you, mark my words." 

Dove's stomach tightened. She knew he was trying to make up for Reaping. "Thank you, Dee." She smiled softly at him. And as Dee began to explain the inner workings of the interview with Ceasar and the chariot ride, Dove found herself blocking him out. She watched her little brother and sister cling to his every word. Her siblings. She felt the oncoming wave of nausea and excused herself. Rushing to a washroom, she clumsily knelt to the floor and threw her face into the toilet bowl before the food she had managed to keep down since the Reaping finally made its way up.

She didn't know how long she sat on the smooth tile floor. She had long stopped vomiting but she couldn't bring herself to return to the dining car, to see Ivy and Heath sitting there with Sorrel and Dee, preparing themselves for the games. She wished that Andor was here because he would know exactly what to say to snap her out of this daze. But he isn't and so she continued to sit until there was a soft knock on the door. "Dove? We're almost there." It was Sorrel. The handle wiggled and the door cracked open. Dove thought she had locked it. 

"The Capitol?" She croaked, cringing at her stinging throat. 

Sorrel nodded. "Clean up. Dee wants us presentable, heads held high and all." 

Groaning, Dove stood slowly, not accepting help from Sorrel. She leaned over the sink, letting the water run until it was ice-cold, then splashing it in her face and mouth, simultaneously waking and cleaning her. "Are they okay?" She asked as she turned off the faucet. 

"They remind me of you," Sorrel said, a hint of admiration in her voice. "You'd never know they're twelve."

Anger flooded through Dove. "Well, they are!" She snapped. "They're kids, Sorrel. Don't make them something their not in your mind." Her voice softened when she saw the look of shock on Sorrel's face. 

Sorrel bowed her head. "I'm sorry." 

"No, it's okay," Dove shook her head. "I...I don't think I'm handling this well," She chuckled darkly. 

Sorrel frowned, taking a small step towards her and reaching out her hand. Dove allowed her to place it on her shoulder. "You're doing better than I ever could. If my brother had been Reaped...I wouldn't be nearly as composed?"

This caused a laugh to escape from Dove's lips. "Composed? I just barricaded myself in the washroom for who knows how long!"

Sorrel smiled softly. "But how long were you out there by Ivy and Heath's sides? Longer than anyone expected of you. It's perfectly normal to be in shambles." 

Dove was in shambles, but she learned to hide it well. Her emotions used to be clear as day when her mentor was around, but clearly, her two years of practise have paid off. "Come on," She slid past Sorrel, wanting a change of subject. "We shouldn't keep Dee waiting." 

"Yes," Sorrel chuckled lightly, following behind Dove as they made their way out of the washroom and back into the corridor of the train. They reentered the dining car. Ivy and Heath were now tucked in a corner together, staring out the window at the passing District one and Dee sadly pressed small cakes into his mouth on the opposite end. Sorrel made her way over to him while Dove headed to her siblings. 

"You guys okay?" She asked them, though she already knew the answer. By the looks on their faces, she could tell that the reality of the situation had finally dawned on them -- they were heading to their deaths. 

Ivy shook her head softly and Heath just stared blankly. Dove sighed, sitting across from them. The train went momentarily dark as they entered a tunnel. The tall white and silver buildings of the Capitol would be their view soon. 

They watched the buildings in silent awe as the brightness of day returned and the train was back out in the open. Yes, the Capitol was beautiful, but its beauty was a facade, just like its residents. The train began to slow as it neared the station and like every year, the platform was filled with people waving and shouting, wanting to catch a glimpse of the tributes. Dove was slightly shocked at just how many there were, but her siblings would practically be celebrities in the eyes of the Captiol, given they were related to her. And that was how she would keep them alive.

AUTHORS NOTE
kinda sad, but also kinda sweet, right? I'm so excited to continue yall have no idea how painful this is gonna get hehehe