Pagans POV

I would've expected anything but this today. I swear I'm going to develop long-term nervous tics because of this situation I'm stuck in, if I even get that far in life. It's a well-known fact that career tributes call the Games 'The best Games ever invented' and I just hope that will come and bite them in the ass when they need it to be the best Games ever invented.

After the reaping ended, Jonah and I were brought to the Justice Hall by peacekeepers, forcefully shoving us into two separate rooms. "Wait here, tribute." Is what the one responsible for me said – I wish I would've just spat him in the face. How dare he? Call me tribute like I'm some kind of animal? Something about my facial expression made him scoff and slam the door shut, causing me to jolt unexpectedly. Only fucking assholes here.

The room looked to be some kind of study, or maybe an office. The shelves that reached from top to bottom were filled with all kinds of books, binders and other stuff I didn't dare to get close to. There was a small couch with beverages on the coffee table, clearly meant for me and whoever they're going to bring in now. I'd rather set myself on fire than drink anything the capitol offers me. And then it hit me. I am a tribute. A tribute in the Games. A plaything for the capitol. For a second, I thought I was going to break down crying, but I knew I couldn't. The smartest thing would be to just accept my fate and keel over and die the second I step off the podium in the arena.

Just a few minutes later, the door swung open again, my mother, father and brother storming in. The latter immediately jumped up to hug me, still crying, especially now that he saw me again. "You have two minutes." The peacekeeper said, stepping out of the study. I started hugging my brother back, actually allowing myself to shed a few tears. Even my father was in tears – Something so rare it was even weird to see. Two minutes will not be nearly enough for all the things I have to say.

After also hugging my parents, I took a deep breath, my voice cracking as I spoke: "Okay, please listen to me now. Listen!" I shook my brother to make him stop whining for a second. "I know it's not looking good. I know you think I won't make it, but I will. I will for you." One of my hands went to cup his tear-stained face, while the other wiped my own away from my eyes. "You heard your sister. She will do good, I believe in her.. We all should." My father's tone betrayed the actual content of his words. He knew I wasn't making it out of there, but it's nice to hold onto some hope that's left.

For one final time, I wrapped my arms around my parents, trying my hardest to keep my emotions sealed in myself. I knew showing it would be far worse than to pretend to be tough about this. "Your time's up, tribute." Said a gruff voice as the door opened again. "No! No I don't want to yet, please!" With a swift motion, the peacekeeper grabbed my little brothers arm, dragging him out of the study right after my parents and held me away with his other hand to prevent me from running out. And just like that they were gone. Getting the door shut right before my face will sting for a while.

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Jonahs POV

Pagan. My district partner? Who knows how that will go. I was absolutely defeated when being up on that stage, and frankly also terrified. My thoughts immediately went to all the careers we will have to face, all the people that will be so much better than us. What's most terrifying is that I don't even know if Pagan wants to cooperate with me, create an alliance with me.

The peacekeeper had a hard grip on my arm, dragging me away from her and into a different room where he told me to wait. Almost instantly, I started to cry again. "Jonah! Sweetheart!" I heard my mothers voice call out for me as I took a seat on the couch – I didn't even notice how the door was opened. My father only had this look of defeat on his face while my mother and younger sister clung onto me with everything they had.

I don't know if that was the look of disappointment on his face or something completely different, but that's not important now. "Jonah, listen to me now! I love you with all my heart. Please, please try your best." My mother pressed a kiss onto my forehead. I hope to do good for her. For my family.

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Jasmines POV

Getting manhandled by two peacekeepers because I refused to go off stage with them wasn't something I wanted to experience in my life, ever. It's not like I was completely resisting, I knew that if I refused I'd just get shot in the head, no questions asked. Was I scared of them? Maybe a bit. But nothing could get scarier than those people I'll have to face.

The men murmured something to each other as they dragged me into the Justice Hall. It was truly a pretty building, very modern and definitely not like the rest of District 10.

"Get in here and wait." one of the men said when we entered the building and walked over to a wooden door. Just being here made me realize what kind of life the capitol residents lived, how jealous I was. Every day I had to wake up in the same, uncomfortable bed in the smallest room imaginable and they get marbled floor and expensive furniture? For what? It's not like they kept peace in Panem — This country is more fucked up right now than it was in the Rebellion.

So, they locked me in this room. It looked nice, like everything that came from the capitol, but I didn't feel nearly as comfortable as I thought I would. Everything was so weirdly bright and new and frankly, the sight hurt my eyes. I didn't know if I should laugh or cry in this situation.

After a few minutes spent alone, the door swung open with my Parents on the other side. What a relief. A peacekeeper, seemingly annoyed shut the door and, almost like that sound was my cue, I started to sob. Violently. I thought I was strong enough, I had to be!

My mother took me into her arms, cradling my head against her chest. I don't know if my parents also cried or not, honestly I couldn't even hear or sense a thing that was happening around me. My teard kept flowing without a second thought — I didn't even know I was capable of crying so much. I was exhausted, I was quite literally broken to pieces by that reaping.
The only thing I remember is how my parents were dragged away by the peacekeepers after only about two minutes. Perhaps they get a sick pleasure out of seeing an innocent girl cry.

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Cains POV

I wouldn't call myself a rebel nor an anarchist, but being reaped definitely makes me consider becoming one or the other.

All this stress on reaping day, all this hurt and pain of the district people for nothing. At the end, only one person will come forward as the winner — Not necessarily the best, but the lucky one.

Hearing my name getting called made me realize that my chance of being the one to survive was zero. I doubt myself often, but this makes me give up on life. I don't even know if I wanna try and get a good rating or try in the training center. I'm just some kid from District 10, I have nothing ahead of me.

Sitting in this small, but modest room, that peacekeepers basically shoved me into, made that feeling of impending doom even stronger. It didn't even go away when my family was brought in. My brother was perhaps the one who apologized the most — Because he was too old to volunteer. I didn't hold it against him, I don't think I ever could, but something inside of me was still bothered. My mother begged me to at least try while in tears, and I just can't deny her. Who could deny their crying mother anyway? I needed to win this, doesn't matter if I want to kill or not.

...
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...

Pagans POV

"You know, kids: Either you play the Game, or the Game plays you!" Barona quipped, holding her finger up like she was scolding us. After the meeting we had with our families, Jonah and I were brought to a limousine-esque vehicle with Barona greeting us. A chauffeur would drive us to District 9's train station, where we'd take one of those fancy capitol bullet trains to exactly where it came from.

I was sitting by the window, so was Jonah, with Barona sitting in between us. The whole tulle of her dress made it almost impossible to sit comfortably next to her.

Her stupid comment made me scoff and roll my eyes — I don't even know why I was paying attention to her and not the landscape outside. The train station was very remote, mostly because no one ever had to really use it.

"Don't give me that attitude now, sweetie. You'll see, I'll be good help to the both of you." All I could do was furrow my eyebrows, like she just said something really offensive, and sigh while turning my attention out the window. For the past ten minutes I've just been hearing quiet sobs come fron Jonahs side — I guess he wasn't as thrilled with Baronas tips either. "Jonah, honey, do you need a tissue?" She asked him, waving one of those expensive looking Handkerchiefs in front of his face. He said the quietest 'No' I've heard, and of course Barona had to press again.

"He said no." The woman just kissed her teeth in return and dropped her hand into her lap. "By the gods, you two don't seem excited at all," Excited? What was there to be excited about? "we're headed to one of the most luxurious and fastest trains ever, that will take us straight to the capitol! At least you'll be able to enjoy a meal before the whole stress begins."

Even though the ride only took about half an hour, it felt like an eternity being stuck between Baronas ridiculous up-do and the cold window of the car. Being so close to her was more than weird to me and even Jonah glanced at her a few times, looking rather shocked at the amount of makeup she was wearing. At last, we came to a halt at our districts train station, but it wasn't like we saw much of it, only almost all of District 10 awaiting us, wishing us luck. I would lie if I said I didn't like being in the middle of attention for once, but it was truly overwhelming to see so many of them rely on us. Us kids.

The door was opened for us tributes and at first I hesitated to step out — It was also kind of embarrassing to be watched by everyone. In the corner of my eye I already saw cameras filming the car and how both Jonah and Barona stepped out.

"Come on, tribute." was what I heard from one of the peacekeepers, stepping closer to the car door. When I made a face at him, he repeated himself a bit more aggressive, and nodded towards the high-speed train that was waiting for us.

The most uncomfortable thing about walking down this path between all these people were the cameras that were immediately shoved in my face. Close behind that were the looks I got from all the other teenagers who didn't get reaped. There was seriously no need to stare like they did, and there's also definitely no need to snicker and giggle at us.

"Pagan!" I heard someone call out as I was following Barona, Jonah trotting beside me. It was my brother. He was holding something like a necklace, probably mine that my mother didn't allow me to wear on reaping day. He squeezed his little body between others to get to the front, reaching out for me. "Take it! For good luck." He told me as I stepped closer, pushing past the peacekeepers that guarded us. Just before I could reach out to him, I was harshly grabbed by my upper arms and dragged back almost immediately.

Upon the sudden motion I yelped, trying to get my arms out of the grip of one of the peacekeepers. "Let go! Let go of me!" I tried to wring my body around, violently tugging back and forth, as if that would do something. My doing caused the other people in the crowd to gasp and whisper, taking a few steps back from me. As if this wasn't enough I had to look at my brothers frightened face — I just knew he felt guilty for this.

"Stop!" And for a moment we did. I stopped fighting back and the peacekeepers let a bit loose of me, turning around to Barona approaching us. "I mean.. Let her go, the tributes are allowed to carry a tribute token with them, are they not?" I didn't turn my head around to face her, but I could hear her nervousness in her laugh and how she stumbled over her words. Shocking to hear a capitol escort be scared of some peacekeepers.

With a frown, I looked up at one of the men and tugged my arm away from his grip. Surprisingly, he actually did let go, just like the other one, and while I couldn't see their expressions through their helmets, I hoped they were a bit embarrassed now. My brother took a step closer to me and hugged me again, though not for long. He pressed my necklace into my hand I had around him, one that has a little star for a charm, and hushed back to, what I assume, my parents. At least they left us alone for a moment.

It was way too quiet for my liking, like everyone was just focused on us, just like the cameras. Speaking of which, one glided directly at me with the capitols high-tech thingy, seemingly waiting for something to happen. Whoever had the job to control these things certainly had their fun with it.

"Right... Pagan, darling, let's go." Baronas voice snapped me out of my thoughts. It must've looked so stupid how I just stood there and looked at the camera like it's my first time seeing one. Barona grabbed me by the sleeve of my dress and started walking like nothing happened. My eyes fell on Jonah and how he looked at me — Surprisingly, he looked like he understood me, like he knew how I was feeling.

After a few minutes we waved our goodbyes to the district residents, like we were expecting some kind of applause or literally anything.

I bet those brats from district 1 and 2 got their support from everyone.

As soon as the doors of the high-speed train closed, Jonah started to burst out in tears. Honestly, I don't remember much from the second I stepped out of that limousine until the train started moving. It didn't even feel like we were moving, that's how fast this thing was going.

"No, no, Jonah! No need to cry! Although.. now is probably the best time to let it all out. No cameras in here!" Barona remarked, bumping her shoulder with mine and giving me a wink. As if I would dare to cry now. Jonah might be comfortable enough to show his soft side, but I definitely wasn't. "Come on now kids! I'll go get Triti!"

Triti Lancaster. She was the latest winner of the Games from our district — Winner of the 68th annual Hunger Games, if I remember correctly. I am just a few years too young to remember her victor tour, but I do know from all the things that others say, that she's a nice and gentle soul.

I followed Baronas fast footsteps into the first wagon of the train, probably the dining one from what it looks like. There was a whole table filled with everything you could ever dream to eat — Pastries, Cake, various other snacks I can't identify and drinks, also alcohol.

It seemed like that buffet would turn into the dining table for us when needed, but before Jonah and I could even get a better look at the food, Barona sat us down in two armchairs. They were pretty comfortable, I must say, and they looked and felt very expensive. "Alright you two, hold on for a second okay! I'll be right out." Barona ended up handing Jonah her tissue, since he couldn't stop bawling his eyes out, and he started to wipe his tears like a kid. As soon as our escort left the wagon and we both tributes were left alone, I grabbed Jonah by his arm to get some thoughts out.

"Okay, listen up now, I won't repeat myself," my tone fell a bit harsher than I wanted and startled Jonah more than necessary, but he did finally swallow down his tears and looked at me, "pull yourself together, dude! If you want to or not, it's best if we work together in this and that means I have to rely on you, okay?"

Jonah looked at me like I just said the most outrageous thing. A few stray tears ran down his face when he blinked at me — He wasn't scared, was he now? When he didn't reply for a few moments, I slowly let go of his arm and sunk back into the chair, a bit defeated.

"I get it." That was the first time I really heard his voice today. "You think I'm good for nothing, huh?" I frowned at Jonahs words and turned my head to him. His cheeks were tinted bright red, like almost always, but perhaps it was also from embarrassment. "What I don't get is, why you're so calm. Why you think you're so above crying and all.. showing emotion." I didn't know he could talk back? I made me taking offense visible, straightening up my posture. "That's not what I meant at all! And you don't even know me enough to say something like th-"

The mechanical door of the wagon sliding open interrupted me, as well as Baronas voice calling for us: "Kiiids! Here she is, yours truly!" she swooned and made way for Triti like she was some kind of celebrity.

In a way, she was, and she was definitely a hero of our district. She looked more normal than I expected. For some reason I assumed that every victor lives like a capitol resident, in luxury and wealth, but
Triti just looked like your average District 9 worker. Sure, what she wore did and was more expensive than everything I'll ever own, but she wasn't dressed up to Baronas level. Her hair was slicked back, her makeup was natural and she had that calming, chill aura that everyone always talked about. You might as well think she doesn't even care about our situation.

Jonah blew his nose one last time and wiped any tears left away before giving our mentor his attention. "I wish we could meet under different circumstances.. I know this is a lot for you." Triti said, her voice soothing in a way. She talked like my mother used to, when I was younger, and has that motherly vibe to herself, one that made me question how she even won her games.

There's no way she'd be violent enough, right? I immediately glanced back at Jonah and how his demeanor changed, how he slightly clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. It must've hit him just as it hit me, right in the face. "Yeah well.. Nothing we can do about it." His voice was as bitter as his expression, fueled by me poking around his mood earlier.

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Cains POV

Interactions between me and anyone involved in this get more and more uncomfortable by the minute. As Jasmine and I were escorted to our districts train station, none of us talked. Dolabella did, for the first few minutes, but then quickly shut up when she noticed none of us were having it.

She just mindlessly looked at a brochure that she found in the limousine;

'KEEP THE PEACE - Enlist today for a secure tomorrow'

it read at the top in bold, capital letters. Under it was a caricature of a row of peacekeepers, marching.

'20 Years of Service. An Eternity of Honor.'

Was the bottom text of it, just above a little stamp of the capitol. This was their propaganda? It was honestly a bit terrifying to know that some really picked up that offer. The capitol was advertising this as an honorable job, to serve your country and to keep 'peace' in the districts — 20 years of slavering for some rich people that make me do this bullshit now? No thank you.

Dolabella giggled and held the brochure up for me to read "Maybe this is something for you after you win! You seem like a strong boy." Followed by the sweetest smile, like she didn't just say the most horrid thing to my face. She was completely disregarding Jasmine next to her and already placed her bets on me winning, basically. I gave her a look, blinked back to the paper in her hand and just turned my head around to look outside.

I don't know how I will even get along with her the few days we stay together. At first I did want to feel bad for her, for being stuck with such a shitty District like ours, but that is long gone now.

The relief I felt after the trains doors closed was immense — I didn't even know I was holding my breath the entire time our whole district watched us get on this thing. I mostly just looked at my feet, Jasmine tried to find her parents in the crowd but was pulled away by peacekeepers before she could reach them.

For some reason I felt like it was unfortunate to get her as my tribute partner. She probably has some strengths to her too, but I definitely can't rely on her, can I? I avoided eye contact with her the whole time and rather played around with a ring I got to keep — The ring I've worn to the past reapings too, like a good luck charm. Sadly, it didn't come with any goddamn luck this year.

"You guys will be amazed by this!" Dolabella hollered and walked us through the first wagon. Assuming this was the dining wagon, there was all sorts of food available for us to try. "I know your... people don't have enough to eat most of the time," she continued and walked over to the buffet to snatch a macaroon "but! Now you get to enjoy this the whole time before the Games start! Isn't that fun?" Dolabella bit into the pastry and nodded, looking at us expectantly as if she wanted us to try one too.

"I want to go to my room." Jasmine straight up blurted out, which made the escorts face drop.
"What? But why? Don't you want to try some of your new luxury?"
"Tell me where are rooms are, now."
"No, no, no, no! You're staying here, pretty! You still have to meet your mentor. I bet you wouldn't want to wait until dinner for those sweet, helpful tips he has.."
"I really don't give a fuck."

Dolabella gasped at Jasmines choice of words and, for the first time, showed any other emotion other than happiness. She furrowed, clenched her jaw and started to take fast steps towards the other end of the wagon.
"I'm going to get Felix, if you like it or not! You better sit down young lady, no backtalking!" And with that, she disappeared behind the steel door, off to whichever wagon Felix was in.

Felix Stam, our districts hero. He won the 55th annual Hunger Games at age 16 by hijacking five career tributes at once and blowing them up with an explosive. My brother, being old enough to remember his games, always adored him. Felix was a simple man, a shepherds son who didn't know shit about any weapon, yet he still tried and succeeded. That's what my brother always tried to teach me, to not give up and just try, even if I don't know what I'm doing.

"Sooo, uhm.." I started to stutter after Jasmine and I sat down on a couch, that was facing an actual TV, while we waited for Dolabella to return. "How are we gonna handle this now?" And again, I didn't look at her, but I did feel her eyes on me, drilling a hole through my brain.

"How we're going to handle this? We're already dead! There's no need for a stupid plan." Jasmine was fuming and I knew it, I heard it. But that twing of hurt and sadness seeped through her voice and moments later I heard her sob. With a sigh, I raised my head to look at her: "I know. We're doomed and all, I understand. But that doesn't mean we can't at least try."

Her feet made a tapping noise against the ground, she shook her head and just stared at the turned-off TV, probably sorting her thoughts. It was like I could see her mind working; all the worries I had, she had too and all the bad scenarios I already planned out, she did too. Our minds were synced for a short moment, before she looked at me again. "Why would I try for these bastards? I don't want to give them their stupid show!"

"Remember that your family's watching too. They don't want to see you give up and fail the second that coundown reaches zero."

The tapping of her feet stopped, just like her thinking. I don't know if this was an 'aha' moment or if she was just in disbelief, but Jasmine didn't respond anymore. I feared that she was going to shut off like that when it was getting serious too, that she's going to fail us. Sure, I didn't want to be attached to her by the hip in the Arena, but I sure as hell didn't want her to die right away. We're the only things we have from home. For better or worse, she is now what I have left and I didn't want her to give up.

"Ohh, gloomy mood, huh?" I heard a mans voice in the entrance of the mechanical door sliding open, Felix appearing behind it. He took some careful footsteps into the dining wagon, Dolabella following him like a lost dog. "Our pick of the litter this year.." Felix turned to the woman and she only laughed, nodding and agreeing with him. There's no way she doesn't have a thing for him. "Cain and Jasmine! Don't they look promising?"

"For the most part." That was directed at me, probably. And that was horrible. I swear, if he also tries to get me to join the peacekeepers, I'll lose my shit. From what my brother told me, I thought Felix was going to be an understanding guy and not this cocky and arrogant. "So, how are we feeling kids? You like this experience so far?"

"That's it." Jasmine stood up and stomped to the door the two adults just walked through, not even acknowledging or looking at our new mentor. She just simply walked through to the next wagon and that was admirable. She had enough of this and I did too, though, I believe it's best to have a good connection to your mentor and I don't believe in just storming off, away from my problems and responsibilities.
"My bet is on you, kiddo." Felix' finger pointed at me.

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Jasmines POV

I can't believe they're trying to sell this as some awesome experience everyone has to do at least once in their lives. I can't believe that Cain even wanted to make a plan. I just thought he would be rational and see no way out of here, considering he was always one of the smartest boys in our grade.

"We can at least try!" I mocked him after storming off, now aimlessly walking through the wagons hallway. Of course I was mad and agitated, who wouldn't be? I don't even understand how that can come as a shock to Dolabella or Felix. Stupid goddamn Felix.

He thinks he's hot shit because he won his games, even though he's nothing short of a murderer. I understand the mentality of wanting to win to keep yourself alive, but being proud of it is another level of being disgusting. They were just kids, too. They all had families, a home, partners, everything! And the victor takes that away. The one that got lucky enough, because no circumstances in the Arena will ever be in your favor. It's all a lie.

So what if those careers have been training for their whole lives? Anything can happen, nothing to benefit them. I walked through what was apparently some kind of kitchen, then further until the hallway became narrow. This wagon had two doors leading to.. bedrooms. Granted, they were quite small, but filled with luxury items and an own bathroom. Guessing that it didn't matter what room I took, I opened the door to the first one and locked myself in it for the rest of the afternoon. God knows what I would do if anyone came to bother me.

...
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Jonahs POV

I was not in the mood for a serious conversation just yet, as was Pagan, so we excused ourselves and tried to find our rooms or cabins, whatever they are. Triti tried to talk some sense into us and phares like 'Don't give up now!' and 'It's going to be okay!' were used the most. Pagan was having none of it and didn't even try to engage in any type of way, she just rolled her eyes and asked to go. I followed suit, walking next to her to our rooms.

Before she shut the door behind herself, she murmured a small 'I'm sorry', but didn't face me. I guess she just felt bad, I can say the same — Poor girl, probably terrified of what will happen next, but she doesn't let it show. Although, I probably shouldn't underestimate her, or else that will come and bite me back later. Pagan isn't my enemy, of course not, but considering I didn't know her well and it's a last-man-standing type of situation, I need to put myself first. I don't care if we become allies, I don't care if we become friends — Nothing is more important to me than returning to my family.

My cabin was quite small, with only a bed, a full-body mirror and a closet. At least I had my own bathroom, with a nice shower and some expensive products, for me. In the Districts, mosy of us can't even affort hot water, or a shower at all. We have to heat water up on the stove to be able to wash ourselves, and our clothes.. and anything else really.

It was nice to relax for the day, to peel off my sweaty Reaping Day clothes and to just wash off the grime. But, I couldn't exactly wash off the immense worry I was feeling. I knew what would happen next; we'd arrive at the Capitol, be gazed at like animals, after that it was the training center, the interviews and then it was doomsday.

Maybe it was a bit helpful to have an idea of the structure, mostly because I also could never continue watching the Games after the interviews. I just couldn't bear watching kids kill each other off and I really didn't understand how capitol residents thought this bullshit was peak entertainment.

I was looking at my closet after getting out of the shower, eyeing the stuff that was put there for me. Fresh pair of pants, socks, shirts and all kinds of stuff. Somehow, these people have gotten my size right, which should probably be concerning in some way or another. Unfortunately, I didn't have the luck of getting a TV in my cabin, though seeing the landscapes of Districts I've never dreamt to see was just as good.

It started to rain not too long ago, the sun also slowly started to set as it became later in the evening. Sitting on my bed in new clothing and watching trees and little towns swoosh by gave me a weird feeling of safety, like all of this wasn't even that bad.

A knocking came from my door, a faint one I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't hyper aware of my surroundings ever since stepping foot in this train. I took a deep breath before answering the door, already planning to be greeted by Barona in those awfully bright colors she always wears, but instead a woman stood in front of me, gesturing to come with her. An Avox.

I always believed them to be a rumor, but I guess I was wrong. Avoxes function as slaves to capitol residents — They say they were once part of the Rebellion and when they got caught, President Snow ordered for their tongues to be cut out and for them to be reeducated.

"Dinner?" I asked her, and she nodded, turning away and walking towards the wagons door. When I turned my head, I saw how Pagan peaked out her cabin with a male Avox doing the same thing to her.

"Creepy, huh?" She asked me once we were walking beside each other again, back to the first wagon. Creepy really fits it. To think that I could end up the same if I just said one wrong thing was creepy. I must say, it felt nice to be treated like some kind of celebrity, and maybe it was also nice to 'have' my 'own Avox'.

I heard that capitol residents once had all kinds of maids and butlers before the first rebellion and then resorted to cannibalism once the horrors of the civil war reached their doorsteps. Those poor maids just got eaten, because there was nothing else left. That's probably why they all resent us district people so much, even though that's not a justification of what they're doing to us children now.

Back in the dining wagon, the big table was now set for dinner. It was weird seeing this much food of all kinds knowing that most of it will go to waste. It was more anger inducing than weird, really. We're out here starving to death in the districts and the capitol lives like there's unlimited amout of everything. Pagan and I stood in the middle of the wagon, not knowing what to do with ourselves.

By the looks of it, she also took the time to put fresh clothes on - A pretty expensive looking dress with puffed sleeves and some shiny stuff for aesthetic reasons. She didn't look happy at all, more disturbed and scared. Who could really blame her? In that moment I felt an urge to step up to protect her, like a big brother almost. She didn't resemble my younger sister at all, although they had the same way of snapping back at others.

"I see, you're already here children! Sit down." It was Triti who just appeared out of nowhere behind us, like a ghost. Her sudden presence startled me, seriously, how does that woman move around without making a single sound? Pagan looked at me for a brief moment before she decided to take up on our mentors offer and slowly sit down at one end of the table. With the door sliding open, Barona stepped in, the typical clicking of her heels giving away her presence. She certainly would've never won any game with how loud she actually is.

"There you guys are! Well, at least you didn't start without me," she clapped her hands, "come on Jonah, sit down! And try to actually enjoy your dinner!" Barona grabbed me by my sleeve and dragged me to the spot next to my tribute partner, who was eyeing me up and down.

"So," Triti began, pouring us both some water as we had began eating, "kids, there's a few things you need to keep in mind." I was just looking down at my plate and picked at the strange vegetables I never had eaten before. Even though District 9 is responsible for grain and all, not everything does grow on our ground. I can't really figure out why that is, but our crops don't grow as much as they did in the last five years. "What even is there to tell us? Aren't we dead already in your eyes?" I heard the sound of Pagans knife aggressively trying to get through her cut of steak when she spoke.

"Don't say that now, honey! You're not dead to us!" Barona really couldn't take a hint. She was chirpy like always, still trying to convince us that we're going to be fine. "Triti, be honest with me for a second," Pagan put down her cutlery and looked up, her eyes full of disdain, "how many years has it been since someone from our district has won after you? How many tributes did you see die already?" Triti couldn't answer. Perhaps it was for the best that she didn't. But her shocked face did make me feel bad for her. "Pagan.." I began, but was promptly cut off: "No! No, Jonah! She needs to answer. If she wants to be motivational and give us tips, she should at least be honest with us!" Her head turned in my direction.

She was like an open book right now and you could read all the worries and fear in her face. I felt even worse. "Now, now! We're not being disrespectful here, Pagan!" Baronas expression also changed, for the first time so far actually. "It's not Tritis fault is it? Why can't you just... believe in yourselves for once? Is it so hard to imagine to win?"

It was clear that after all these years, Barona actually had developed a friendship with our mentor. But, as much as I wanted her to be right, Pagans point was still standing.

"Barona, please," I started now, "let's be real. Only one of us can survive here. I don't know how having a strategy would help us. In the end, it would only be us two. Who determines the winner then?" Pagan went back to eating, swirling her fork around her mashed potatoes. Both of the women in front of us clearly didn't know what to say anymore. I don't know what suddenly came over me, but it felt like I just had to take Pagans side.

After a moment of silence, Triti broke it again: "I know it's hard for you, children. But, you'd wanna try, right? Your families would be watching and they would be heartbroken if they saw you not trying." I guess she was talking out of experience? Although, her saying that made Pagan stop and apparently re-think her decision.

"But them seeing us killing other kids is better?" She asked, looking back at the woman. This time, she didn't spit her words out with hate. "For most of them, it's better to see their children fight for themselves. They don't grieve what's not theirs." Barona chimed in, calmer than before.

I guess she finally understood the seriousness of our situation, or maybe she saw something in us. "Makes sense." I said, taking a sip of my water. If I was in the position of my family now, I don't think I would have pity for the other children being killed either. It's all about survival, our whole lives - I've seen so many come and go out of my life that it's not even weird anymore. And, that's probably exactly what the capitol wants, to make us suffer so much that we'd kill for our life.

"Don't you want to try either, Pagan? I promise you, it'll come naturally once you step foot into the training center." Pagans fork hit the plate again, making a sound I wasn't that used to. I haven't really thought about the training center or the parade or the interviews yet. Now that someone had actually mentioned it, I started to get worried. Those career kids will literally rip us apart and I will, without a doubt, not get that high of a score from the gamemakers.

"What.. actually happens in the training center?" Upon hearing Pagans question, Barona glanced at Triti, smiling a bit. "Haven't you watched any previous Games before?" And she shook her head. Who can blame her? It wasn't my favorite event of the year either. "In a span of three days, you have to complete all the stations that the center has. Whether that be archery, knife throwing, climbing, sparring.." Triti took a deep breath, "and in the end, you choose one of them to present a skill to the gamemakers."

I either can't remember or I never knew in the first place what Tritis score was, but I'm guessing it wasn't as high. She is a gentle soul with a calm demeanor, I wouldn't think she had much aggression in her to show anything useful. The careers usually go with sword fighting, knife throwing and all that dangerous shit. I can't picture myself alone in that room at all, with men and women looking at me like I'm an exotic animal.

"I'm not very worried with you guys! I mean.. you both seem smart." Barona said, her long nails clicking away at her knife. "You both just have to find something you're good at! I bet you're good at heavy lifting, Jonah." She winked at me, apparently trying to cheer me up.

Everytime Barona cut into her food, her ridiculous wig moved along with the motion. Everytime she blinked, her stupidly long, fake eyelashes seemed to bother her. Everytime she moved, it seemed like as if the corset she's in would suffocate her. I felt bad for her. And I only noticed now how uncomfortable it must be for her to sit in the dress she's wearing.

"I don't know if I am." My voice sounded so defeated and weak, more than I actually wanted to reveal. Tritis words made me think about myself. I didn't actually have anything to show off and that was a huge problem.

"You are." Pagan said suddenly in a much more gentle and reassuring way. The way she looked at me told me that she actually meant it. "I've seen it myself. You know, you lifting up the unreal amount of harvest on your parents farm.. Without a problem even," she took a second to look at Barona and Triti, "this guy's lying if he says he's not strong."

જ⁀➴

Cains POV

I don't think I was ever able to feel tension in a room until now. We've been sitting at the dinner table for only 15 minutes and for half of those, Jasmine and Felix were fighting with each other.

Dolabella just sat there next to him and took every offense against her that Jasmine spewed out in her anger. "God dammit kid! Why can't you just listen?" Felix slammed his hand on the table, making the woman next to him gasp. "Hey! That is very expensive wood, don't you ever do that again!"

But she wasn't heard. Instead, it was now my district partner who slammed her hand on the table: "Why should I listen? Why? Why?! Give me a good reason and I just might!"

She won't. And Felix knows that. Of course, the minutes we all sat down to eat, he opened the conversation with a 'without me, you two are gonna be dead' and that was surely not the way it should be worded.

I always thought that having a mentor who
was that successful wouldn't result in your immediate death, but I'm starting to question Felix' authority. The way he handles Jasmines emotions is way out of line and I just feel pity for that girl.

"What do you mean why?" Now he just sounded genuinely confused, "I'm trying to teach you something!" Just before Jasmine could fling herself over the table to strangle him, I grabbed her by her arm, harsher than I wanted to. "Please, dude," I pleaded with her, my ears aleady bleeding from all the yelling, "just let him explain what he wants to.." Jasmine looked at me with her big, brown eyes in disdain and then ripped her arm free from my grip before sitting down in her chair.

"See? This is the reason why I think the boy's gonna win." Dolabella sighed at Felix' remark, putting her fork down. "Kids, by all means, I understand. This is hard. But please, don't make it harder on us. Do you think we didn't care about all the other tributes before you?" Suddenly, this all became very emotional for her. Our escort looked at Jasmine with hurt in her eyes, which made Felix roll his. I do however understand that seeing many of your tributes die right in front if you is hard on your psych.

"Alright, no time to cry now. You'll get to do that plenty of times later." Felix laughed gruffly, taking a sip from whatever alcohol he had and scratched his beard. "Listen here, missy," Jasmine ticked her head in his direction, "if you want to get out of there, you'll at least have to prented like you're civilized!" Of course, she took offense in that - So much was obvious from her expression. But, without time to react, Felix continued talking: "A bottle of water, medicine or even a match can be the difference between life and death. And guess what? Those are luxury items! You only get those from sponsors and not through luck."

He was right. I completely forgot about those. Sponsors are mostly a blessing when you're a tribute in the arena. Anything you can get there could be useful, especially if you're unsuccessful during the bloodbath. Looking at Jasmine, I'm sure she wouldn't even need to try that hard to attract some.

"So why don't you shut your trap for just a minute and act like a lady? It could really save your life, I'm not kidding." Felix shrugged and chuckled, as if what he says was self explanatory, which it kind of was. It seemed like Jasmine had calmed down enough for Felix to proceed and for us to have a calm dinner.

The sheer amount of food to choose from was scary, especially thinking about the fact that most of this was provided from our district. The cutlery we used even looked fancy, which I didn't really understand - Back home everything just had to be practical and not pretty.

The rest of our meal, Jasmine kept her head down and mouth shut. I'm pretty sure it was the embarrassment of causing a scene that was gnawing away at her. Her face got lost in her short, very curly hair, like she was trying to hide from me. I'm the last person that'll judge her in this situation.

...