"Right," I began, but I didn't know how to finish the sentence. Riley raised an eyebrow unimpressed, yawning.

"What?" she said.

"I just...don't know what the hell to do with you. How can I give you advice on how to have the worst interview ever?" I moaned. Riley smirked.

"Want some pointers? I know exactly what I'm going to do. I have plans to fall on Venus Swift's lap "accidently" then sneeze on my dress. Oh, and I'll burst into tears at some point," Riley said.

"Well, what are we supposed to do all day then? I'm meant to be helping you with your interview," I demanded to know. Riley grinned, grabbing my hand.

"Come on. I have an idea."

We rode in the lift to the seventh floor, heading for Riley's bedroom. She began rooting through a draw, pulling out two training swords from underneath a bunch of clothes.

"How the hell did you get them in here?" I asked, as she handed me one of the swords. Riley tapped the side of her nose smartly.

"You know me. I'm sneaky as can be. Hey, ho, it rhymes."

"So it does. I commend your creativity," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. Riley chuckled, and swung her sword skilfully.

"What do you say, Ari? Will you battle with me, fine warrior?" she said, putting on a masculine voice and a serious face. I raised my sword, before bowing to my opponent.

"I shall take the offer gladly," I grinned. Riley returned the smile, but then quickly lunged forward, swinging her sword in a smooth arc and knocking the weapon from my hand. Unarmed, I rolled away from her next attack, picking up my dropped weapon as I stumbled clumsily to my feet. But Riley was ready. She jumped onto her bed, using it as a springboard to launch herself at me. She landed like a cat on her feet, swiping at my legs and knocking me flat on my back. Pain shot through my spine and I felt dazed, but I wasn't about to give in to Riley. I made a stab at her, but she was too quick, slipping away like water through fingers, and softly pressing her sword to my stomach. I reclined, shuffling away from her while she smiled smugly.

"Aww. Poor Arrian," she cooed "Don't you want to play anymore?"

All of a sudden, she dived forward, slipping through my legs and leaping onto my back, the sword now pressed against my throat. With a nervous chuckle, I allowed my sword to clatter to the floor.

"Alright. You win, Riley."

"That's it?"

"Give me a break, Riley. I'm getting old."

"You're what? Twenty odd? You're just unfit."

"That's what years of luxury cakes and slobbing around does to you. Come on, let me have a rest. Just for a while."

Reluctantly and full of energy, Riley hopped down from my back, but kept hold of her sword. She rested the tip of the blade under my chin, tilting it upwards.

"You're not a victor, are you Arrian?" she said softly. I smiled and shook my head.

"No, Riley. I'm not. And I never will be. Antonia's a victor. I believe you can be a victor. But not I. Not truly. I don't have the right mind set."

"A moment of madness. That's what your victory was, wasn't it, Arrian?"

"Definitely," I said sure mindedly "If I close my eyes, I can remember that moment. Clear as day." There was no dirt on the windows of that memory. That memory of the first person I killed. The image of their head rolling on the soft grass. I felt sick, dizzy. I stumbled slightly, only to be caught by Riley.

"Hey, hey. Calm down. Are you OK?"

"I'm so tired, Riley. So tired of it all," I replied dreamily, my vision a haze of splattered blood against Riley's red hair. She stood on her tip-toes, her palm pressing against my head.

"You're warm. Are you ill? Did you sleep last night?"

I didn't reply. She knew I hadn't slept properly since our arrival, "Right!" she declared maternally "I'm putting you to bed. Even mentors need their rest, Mr Arrian Rider. Come on."

She took me firmly by the arm and marched me to my room. I was aware of her throwing back the duvet and sitting me down on the bed. Wearily, I took off my boots and removed my shirt, slipping under the duvet with my eyes closed.

"That wasn't too hard, was it?" Riley said.

"I won't sleep," I replied "I can't. I don't. Not here in the Capitol."

"What if I stayed? Could you sleep with someone else around?" she asked me. She'd fetched a cold flannel as I spoke and she pressed it to my burning forehead.

"Maybe," I said, barely whispering the word. I heard the scraping of a chair being pulled up, and Riley plonking herself into it.

"Do you sleep alone, Arrian?" Riley asked.

"What?"

"I said do you sleep alone? Or do you have a companion?" she asked, an air of maturity in her voice. I believed she understood the concept of relationships better than most of her age, and I knew what she was implying.

"There is a special girl."

"Her name?"

"Pandora," I said quietly, her name lingering on my lips like the sweet taste of honey. Though my eyes were still closed, I imagined I could see Riley smile.

"Pandora...if I return from the Games, you must introduce her to me," Riley said. I didn't have the energy to tell her that it wouldn't be possible. She continued "Though I always thought there was something between you and Antonia. I've seen the way she looks at you. Like you're an angel."

"I am to put up with her," I muttered. Riley sniggered.

"Oh come on, Arrian! She's not that bad."

"Says the one who complains constantly about her," I said, turning over in the bed so my back faced Riley. Moments later, I felt her little stubby fingers poking in my neck.

"Don't go all moody on me, Ari. It's not a bad thing. You have all the girls after you. I've never had a boyfriend. Or any friends for that matter," she said, matter of factly. However, she didn't sound as though she was digging for sympathy. She was just a truthful girl. I turned back to face her.

"I'm your friend," I said, reaching out and squeezing her hand gently. She chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't go all sentimental on me, Ari. Though I do want to hear more about Pandora. What's she like?"

I closed my eyes and I could see her. I pictured the first time I saw her three years before. I was sat in a meeting with the leader of District 13. Raven and her husband, Eddie, were in attendance, as well as Raven's fellow victor, Drew Harper. I remember Pandora slipping quietly into the room, a tray of tea in hand. She looked so radiant that day, her handmade orange sundress a blessing against the grey of the room. She stood out, her hair falling in soft waves.

"She's perfect," I told Riley. "She has these...huge blue eyes, so light they're almost like glass. So full of innocence and beauty. Her face is heart shaped, framed with blonde hair. Pink lips and..." I trailed off. I missed her face. I missed her beauty. I missed her secret language, her awkward communication and shy nature.

"Arrian?" Riley said softly. I didn't reply. Just turned my face into the pillow. "She sounds beautiful, Ari," Riley said softly. My face emerged from the pillow again.

"Do you wish for love, Riley? How about Milo?"

Riley snorted with laughter "No way! I like being alone. And Milo is too old for me! He's more of a big brother figure, I suppose." She paused. I realised her breathing had got heavier. I forced my eyes open to look at her. She stood and crossed to the window, gazing out.

"I miss my family," she said, shifting the blinds slightly. A trickle of light entered the room, enlightening her youthful face "I used to cherish the nights at home. Especially winter, when it snowed. Flora, Maia and I would trudge home in the afternoons, school cut short by the snow storms. My eldest brother, Jordan, was nearly always there to greet us, as his work was often cut short during winter. As you know, in winter it becomes more difficult to labour outside, and he often found himself with a lot of free time in the winter. He'd run errands in the town in exchange for some meat and perhaps an unwanted loaf of bread from the bakery. He would prepare a soup whilst I tucked the little ones in their bed. Flora, Maia and the youngest, Max, shared the bed that once belonged to our parents, and Jordan and I made do with the single bed. They'd eat their soup beneath their duvet, and I'd teach them to read from underneath the sheets. When they settled, I often told them stories. Stories of rebellious young girls and feisty boys of Max's age. I'd tell them of the changes our generation can make. How we can destroy the Capitol if we try hard enough."

"I don't doubt it," I said, smiling. Riley smiled back.

"I'd go to bed weary in the evenings. Jordan would light a candle to fend away the dark, and I'd watch the flames dance before my eyes until sleep took me. If I woke with a nightmare, the room dark and the flames long gone, Jordan would be there to soothe me back to sleep. Run a hand over my head and call me his brave little soldier..." Riley trailed off, her eyes stuck in some sort of memory. She snapped out of it a moment later, reality crashing down on her shoulders. She bit her lip, laughing without humour.

"I'd give anything to have that one more time," she said, reaching out aimlessly at something that wasn't there. My heart reached out to her, and my arms followed, beckoning her. She ran to me and hugged me tight, her tiny body trembling. When she let go, I felt her crawl under the duvet next to me. A tear fell on my shoulder as she leant to whisper something to me.

"You're my brother, Arrian. Not by blood, but by love," she said with a sniff. I clasped her hand in mine, and we fell asleep, shoulder to shoulder and with Riley's heart in a broken mess.