NOTHING COULD HAVE MADE SAGE GO TO SLEEP THAT NIGHT. Not only was his mind buzzing with a rerun of his interview, but he couldn't stop himself from imagining what everyone saw when they watched it. Did people see him as a tribute that was happy to be there? Or did they see straight through him and see him for what he really was? A kid from twelve who hated being there and was about to throw up at the mere thought of entering the arena. What about Katniss and Prim? What did they think? Sage tossed and turned the whole night wondering if Prim had gotten used to him not being there. This was a hell of a learning experience for her, she was learning about the games in school, and now her brother was in them. He hoped Katniss had listened to him, he hoped that Ella kept her word and went hunting with Katniss. He hoped Katniss would keep her promise too— to never enter her name more than she needed...

Once Sage knew there was no chance of getting sleep, he staggered from his bed and to his bathroom and flipped the shower on before stepping into it. It was probably the last chance he'd ever have to have one, and if he was about to enter the arena, he wanted to take advantage what he could. As the water ran over him, he kept trying to convince himself that this wasn't his last shower— he would win and he would go home. But it was a pathetic attempt. He knew the odds weren't for him— so what, he managed to get a few sponsors hopefully. He could have all the sponsors in the world and still die during the first day.

Once the water began to run cold, Sage stepped out and dried off. He pulled the clothes he had put on after his first shower that night before he went back to his bed and sat down on the edge. The trees along his wall filled the room with a dull light and a quiet sound of crickets and a slight breeze. But he new it wasn't real— he wished it was. He wished he could be in his own lumpy bed in Twelve and have to listen to his fathers snoring across the house.

Sage knew he wasn't got to fall asleep, and sitting there surrounded by the sounds of fake nature— it was almost taunting him. So he stood up and left his room, stepping out into the dark hallway. He made his way down towards the living area that was lit by a lamp that was on, and Sage could hear reruns of the interviews. When he got to the room, he saw that Deedee was seated cross legged on the couch, facing the television. She had her pajamas on and her hair was wet, clearly she had the same idea as Sage. And her hair was in two braids, one over each shoulder. For a second, Sage could have sworn she was Katniss.

"Couldn't sleep?" he questioned, lowering himself into an armchair.

She shook her head, "No." she let out a heavy sigh, "You've moved up." she told him, nodding towards the television. Along the bottom it read FINAL TWELVE before small photos began to roll across just above it while the reruns continued. Jules was the projected winner, followed by Opal from Two, and then the boy from Four, and then Marena. Then after Marena came Boyde, and then Sage.

      Sage's eyebrows shot up. He had moved up to the final twelve? And beyond that, was in the final six? Looking at that alone, it meant he had sponsors. It meant people were placing money on him making it.

"I'm still just above Carver from Eleven." Deedee stated, "But we both moved up two spots after the interviews." she said, making her voice go up a little bit to make herself sound more optimistic.

Sage felt like he had a rock in his stomach that was making him want to sink further into the chair.

"You have a chance, you know," Deedee stated, "I've seen you in the Hob with what you catch in the woods."

Sage didn't say anything at first, "You have a shot too. Stick with the strategy that Haymitch suggested to us."

Run away. Hide. Wait.

Deedee scoffed, "Not even Haymitch gave much thought into his advice for me." she sighed heavily, "I don't blame him." she said quickly looking back at Sage. "If I'm not going to win, I would want you to."

"Stop," Sage sighed heavily, "stop talking like that. Like you're already dead."

"I might as well be." she replied, quickly looking down at the hem of her sleeve while she ran it between her fingers.

      Sage and Deedee didn't say much of anything else to one another. There wasn't much to say. There was no point in getting emotional with one another now. Come morning, they'd both be in the arena. If there was a chance one of them or even both of them would be dead by noon. But the both of them must have fallen asleep finally in the living room, because Sage was woken up by Effie shaking his shoulder gently. He wasn't sure how well he had slept, he was exhausted at first— and was falling back asleep as Effie went to wake Deedee. It wasn't until she shook him again that he woke up.

"Sage, it's time to get up. They'll be bringing in a small breakfast while you change." she spoke, Sage woke up more simply because her voice wasn't as excited or high pitched as it was every other morning when she woke him up. "Today's the day."

Those words woke him up right away. He sat up in the chair and stretched a bit, glancing at Deedee who seemed to be just as awake as he was.

"Your prep teams brought your basic clothes to get into, and they'll meet with you just before you enter the arena." Effie explained simply, "Why don't you two go change, breakfast will be ready when you're done."

Sage rose from his seat to do as he was told. He glanced at Effie finally, and saw that she was sporting a black dress with golden trimmings, her jewelry was gold too, and her hair was as well. She had a few clips in that were black jewels— this was the first time that she seemed to wear anything that resembled District Twelve. And as she walked away, he couldn't help but pair it with her gentle tone when she woke them up— was she not looking forward to the games starting? Did she feel bad for him and Deedee?

"Effie?" Sage spoke as Deedee walked by him.

She stopped and turned towards him, "Yes?"

"Are you alright?"

Effie seemed a bit taken aback by his question. Her lips quickly formed a smile, "Oh, yes...today is just...not my favorite day." she explained simply, "I enjoy the days where the fashion is the biggest talking point."

Sage offered her a small smile, he knew what she meant. And for once, Sage even felt bad for Effie. Haymitch had lost tributes, but he had also been in the games. Effie had never been in the games. But still, although it was her second year, she lost tributes too.

"Okay, just checking." he said simply, not pushing the subject any further.

Sage went back to his room, where a small stack of clothes was waiting for him. A dark gray t-shirt, and a pair of black cargo pants that had plenty of pocket space. Then on the floor, were a pair of heavy duty boots. After he was dressed, he took a look around the room— it had become somewhat of a home to him. Then he made his way out to the dining area where sure enough there was a small breakfast set up. He and Deedee both only ate a small amount— his nerves made him feel full after just one sip of orange juice. What they ate was only to please Effie who was exceptionally quiet compared to other meals.

"Well, good luck you two." Effie smiled to both of them as they were preparing to leave with the peacekeepers who were to escort them to the ship. "It has been an honor to be a part of this team with each of you." she smiled as she hugged Deedee and then Sage.

      From there, the two of them were escorted to the ship. The engines already roaring and it reminded him of the ship that had almost seen Katniss. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion— this morning just didn't seem real. But he knew it was, because as soon as he was buckled into a seat— a peacekeeper went down the two lines of tributes with a tool in their hands and held it against their forearms. When they got to Sage, he wasn't sure what he was expecting— the cold metal was held there for a moment and then with one push of a button— he felt a needle go into his arm. But it felt thicker than others he had felt over the years. As soon as the peacekeeper moved on to Deedee, Sage ran his hand over where it had been. He could feel something just beneath his skin— his tracker. As it settled into its place in his arm, it burned. He could feel it up and down his whole arm.

      The flight went by with no excitement besides the girl from eleven nearly vomiting as they took off. Other than that it was completely silent. Then, when they landed— they were each escorted to their next location— each step got to be more and more difficult for Sage to take. He had always wondered what happened just before the games began, he had never heard of it. It was an intimidating room, it was cool with air conditioning, which was probably a good thing— if it had been hot, he probably would have passed out. It was in that room that he saw Marcel, waiting for him.

Sage never thought he would be relieved to see him.

"Ready?" Marcel questioned as he rose from his seat on a bench. In his hands he held a black piece of clothing.

"I don't really have an option but to be ready, do I?" Sage questioned as Marcel walked towards him. Sage didn't move from his place just inside the room at first, his eyes scanned a clear tube that sat on the far end that went straight up through the ceiling.

Marcel cleared his throat a bit, "I think you're going to have a mix of different weather in there," Marcel told him as he unfolded the clothes he had. It was a black hoodie with a golden zipper and a golden number twelve on the back. "this is water proof. But if it was going to be cold, they would have had us prepare a long sleeve shirt. Not a t-shirt." he said as he held it out for Sage to slip on.

        Once it was on, Sage turned towards Marcel only to be met with an out of character hug from him. Sage stood there, unsure of what to do at first. He and Marcel hadn't exactly been close, but they hadn't hated one another either. But Sage still didn't think they were on hugging-terms.

"You have a shot, Sage." Marcel told him, "Honestly, you do. Just focus on going home." he said, taking a step backwards.

Sage nodded.

"Five minutes until launch," a woman's voice announced. And with those four words the panic began to settle in.

      Just like the day of the reaping when Katniss was almost seen. He felt heavy, his throat felt tight, and his mouth was a desert. Five more minutes until Sage could be one of the first ones to die in the arena.

"Just focus on home, Sage," Marcel repeated to him, placing a hand on both of his shoulders. His mouth opened again, but he was cut off by the door opening again. This time, it wasn't a peacekeeper stepping inside to tell Marcel to leave. But it was instead someone Sage never expected to see this close— President Snow.

Marcel turned slightly, and his eyes widened and his mouth fell open a bit. "President Snow," he said breathlessly. Clearly just as surprised as Sage was.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to wish Mr. Everdeen good luck." he said, folding his hands in front of him. "Personally and privately."

       You know that feeling that you get when you're backed into a corner and have nowhere to turn? Like you just want to run, that was what Sage wanted. He wanted to run or melt away and disappear. As Marcel gave him one last look as if to tell him he had a shot at winning, and walked out of the room— leaving Sage with the president, that was how Sage felt. He wanted to run after Marcel, even though they had never been close— Sage knew him. He was on Sage's team. Snow wasn't on anyone's team, Sage didn't know Snow.

"This is all quite unfortunate, don't you think?" Snow began as soon as the door shut behind Marcel. "Do you think your little sister is faring well hunting on her own?" Snow asked, "Or is your father taking your place and hunting with her?"

Sage felt his stomach drop the floor. The panic he had been feeling was now complete and utter fear. "W-what?" the word escaped his mouth in a stammer before he could form a real sentence in his head.

Snow took a step closer to Sage, "The only reason that you're here right now Mr. Everdeen," he started, "is because of the morning of the reaping. The security on the ships could catch a face miles away." he stated simply with a sigh, his eyes watching Sage carefully. Sage stared back at him, an odd twinkle in his eye watched Sages every move. "The ship that arrived in Twelve for the reaping saw you two, you weren't fast enough, Mr. Everdeen." he explained, "And the only reason you're here right now, Mr. Everdeen, is because your sweet sister isn't old enough."

Sage stared at the president, he could feel his eyebrows furrowing together. But he tried to hide his reaction, even though it had been too late.

"You should know, that if you don't win this year, your sister will be right here next year." he added as he stood before Sage finally. "Consequences are consequences. We all must have them." he added, "And we all must face them." he was so close that Sage could smell the white rose that was tucked in his pocket, "I expect that if you do win however, you will be doing everything you can to keep her in line. There won't be a reason for any of that hunting after this."

Sage's fingers rolled into fists, and he felt his entire body tense up. "The reaping this year was rigged?" was all he could say. Not his threat for next year if he lost, raising the stakes for Sage— but the fact that he hadn't even been chosen because that was the name Effie picked. He was chosen because he was the name that Snow wanted Effie to pick.

A smirk spread across his face, "Next years will be too if you aren't careful, Mr. Everdeen."

     Sage had to bite his tongue so he didn't say anything at first. He wasn't supposed to be there. The only reason he was, was because he hadn't hidden Katniss fast enough. The only reason she wasn't here was because she wasn't quite old enough for the reaping...

"If I win," Sage paused, "my sisters will never be chosen?"

"I believe that will be able to be arranged." Snow replied, "if you win. If not, then may the odds be ever in their favor."

"Ten seconds until launch,"

"Good luck, Mr. Everdeen."

       Sage stared at the man for a second longer before he turned and stepped up into the tube. Now with more motivation than he had before. He had to win now.

There was no question about it. But as Sage became enclosed into the tube, he couldn't help but feel his heart begin to race as he began to doubt himself.

You have to win, Sage thought to himself.

"Five, four, three, two, one."

*edited*