Pagans POV

Something to do with maintenance had delayed our trip by at least two or three hours. I thought these trains were supposed to be unbreakable? Or at least not prone to breaking. By the time someone came by and fixed the problem, it was night, a cold one at that.

At first I couldn't even figure out how to close the window in my cabin, because who needs these fancy mechanisms to close a goddamn window? Seriously, why does the capitol like their things to be unnecessarily complicated.

Laying in this bed, which was a thousand times more comfortable than the thing I sleep on back home, felt surreal and weird given the circumstances. I was finally given the luxury I wanted and I couldn't even enjoy it. Our dinner had ended just before we had to stop for a repair of whatever was wrong with the train, and it had given me alot of reasons to doubt myself again.

Triti and Barona asked a lot of personal questions about us and our hobbies or our work to try and figure out a possible score Jonah and I would get. Both Jonah and I realized how much of an advantage we have, as opposed to the tributes from District 3, for example. If the given environment humors us more than them, like a forest or a field of some kind, then we have a much higher chance of survival.

I thought about all the things my parents taught me: Building traps for little animals, like rodents or squirrels that we usually needed to keep away from our crops and, most importantly, how to make tools. At least I know how to make a sickle or a spear or an axe, maybe and, to be honest, I know no environment that would be beneficial to the coal miners, District 12, or the fabric people from District 8. That thought did ease my mind a bit, especially when Triti reinforced this by telling about her experiences with tributes from those Districts.

Part of me feels bad for those who didn't grow up the way I did, for those who don't even know how to make a fire or how to climb a tree. I shouldn't feel bad, though. In the end, everyone here is an obstacle I have to overcome - It's more convenient when someone else gets to them before I have to.

...

I couldn't sleep. The sound of the train left me restless. I had put on the pjamas that I found in the closet, alongside the dress I wore to dinner, and they fit quite well. The unfamiliar, and probably expensive, fabric of it made my skin crawl as it clung to my body.

Perhaps it wasn't even the train that kept me up, but everything else. The unfamiliar smell of the train, the unfamiliar feeling of having left home, the unfamiliar feeling of fear.. That kind of fear I haven't experienced before.

Usually, I'd have my childhood stuffed animal to cuddle with, but I didn't get the luxury of comfort as a tribute. After minutes of turning around in the bed, sitting up to drink something and laying back down again, I decided to take a stroll around the wagons to keep my mind busy. I put on the slippers that were provided, which were pretty comfortable, and tried to open the door as quietly as possible.

No idea where Triti and Barona were residing, but any loud noise I made could surely be heard throughout the whole goddamn train.

Once in the corridor, I took another look outside and watched the trees and fields go by. I had no clue in which District we were right now, but I did notice how the grass and flowers and stuff looked pretty much dead and not taken care of. Whatever District it was for sure didn't have anything to do with grain or livestock or whatever.

My breath fogged up the window, that's how cold it was outside. How weird, it's summer?

What ripped me out of my thoughts were sudden footsteps coming from Jonahs cabin, which made me snap my head around. He slid the door open and jolted back when he saw me, visibly scared: "Oh my god!" he whisper-yelled, "you scared the shit out of me?"

"I scared you?" I asked him whispering, irritation clear in my expression. "Dude, you jumpscared me." Jonah took a deep breath and completely opened the door, revealing that he was actually not in pjamas for some reason. His hair was a complete mess from the pillow, his cheeks were red as always and he looked absolutely drained from the day.

I bet I don't look any better right now.

"You uhm..." I raised an eyebrow when eyeing him up- and down, "..couldn't sleep either?" Jonah looked down at himself, shaking his head no. "You know how it is." For a few moments me just stood there, awkwardly waiting for the other to speak, until he stepped aside a bit and signaled me to come in. "Do you wanna talk about... it?"

જ⁀➴

Jasmines POV

Man, I'm dead. I'm so dead. With a mentor like that I was destined to fail. I don't think I've ever met someone who had this little regard for everyone around him. Maybe that's the reason he's 30 and hasn't reproduced yet.

I was blankly staring at the wall on the opposite side of my bed, with the lights out and no desire to sleep yet. Tomorrow is a new day. Maybe I should've just kept my mouth shut. At the end of the day, Felix was right - To survive, I had to be likable. I'd like to think of myself as likeable enough to get some useful things, but I did witness tributes in previous games getting stuff like lingerie. The amount of sexualisation of us young girls competing is seriously disgusting and I don't want to be a victim of that.

I couldn't imagine the feeling of expecting something like water or food and all you get is underwear? A let-down is what this country is. If I could spit on the flag right now, I would.

Unfortunately, I am not what Cain is: A man, sure, but most importantly I'm not strong enough. Mentally and physically. That dinner was an eye-opener for me. I don't know what I'm able to do? Kill animals, but with what weapon? Cook, but with what fire? Fight, but with what strategy? I'm neither very smart, nor very skilled when it comes to survival.

Cain seems kind of unbothered with the situation, or is at least able to keep his cool, unlike me - Which could very well be a problem for me. I'm confrontational and apparently it's easy for me to make enemies. What if I immediately turn other tributes against me? Accidentally, of course.

I need to make sure to at least have an ally or two, that will at least have my back. Eventually, we'd have to turn against each other too, but I don't think I'll even get to that point.

A sudden thud made me snap out of it again. It was like the train drove over something. I took careful steps to my cabins window, but whoever was operating this thing was unbothered and didn't stop.

The view outside was rather depressing: Almost no green anywhere, only some wild animals and something that looked like a goddamn wolf were alive out there. Everything else was literally dead or non-existant. No trees, no flowers, no bushes, no nothing. I pity the people who live in this District.

Come to think of it, I wonder if any other tribute thinks about our District and says: "I pity the tributes from District 10." Sadly, we're not really known for our victors. Perhaps it's better that way. Maybe everyone underestimates us and we have an advantage by.. being better than they thought? Yeah, no.

I took a few steps back and sat back down on the bed, leaning against the wall behind it. I thought about my mother and my father and how they must feel right now. Tears swelled up again and dared to prickle down my cheeks - I won't ever get to see them again.

Never ever again.

Something in the universe must really hate me to put me through this kind of agony.

I started to wonder which way of dying would hurt the least. Maybe by getting hit with a blunt object? Drowning? Blowing up? Certainly not getting sliced open my anything. Maybe poisoning myself? Maybe an arrow to the head or a knife to the chest? It feels like I'm already accustomed the the feeling of the latter. I let myself fall into my pillow face-first to sob my eyes out.

જ⁀➴

Cains POV

In front of me was an untouched glass of whiskey that Felix had poured for me when he asked me for a private chat. He said, I had to at least try alchohol before I die and that I'd get plenty after I win. I don't know what to think of that.

"You're not even gonna take one little sip, kid?" Felix' deep voice rang through my ears, before his typical laugh that sounded like he thought I was stupid. Reluctantly, I reached for the glass while looking him in the eyes and took an actual sip - One which I immediately spat back into the glass. My face contorted in disgust, I set the glass back down again and reached for water or literally anything else. Felix laughed again, louder and heavier than before.

"Priceless reaction!" He exclaimed, toasted his own glass with the one I just put down and drank almost the whole thing in one go. While he thought it was so funny, I desperately chugged my glass of water and made a mental note to never drink whiskey again.

"Now, you feelin' a bit more relaxed?"
"Not really."
"Doesn't matter anyway."

I looked at him a bit confused. I was perplexed with the whole situation, not only with what Felix was saying. "Okay, I think you know who the two of you is going to make it further, right?" Oh, it was about that again. Not understanding where this is going and still trying to get rid of that weird taste in my mouth, I only nodded in response.

Although, this might be the perfect opportunity to ask some questions without getting interrupted by yelling. "I'm giving you this advice only once and I mean this Cain." Felix sat up in his armchair and leaned closer to me, "use it wisely. I'm sure you don't like me much, but the least you can do is listen."

He seemed serious. I nodded again: "How do you kill someone without making much noise?" And, surprisingly, he seemed to be taken aback from my question. My mentor looked at me like I was a lunatic, even though I asked something completely reasonable.

"Woah, woah, woah! Slow down there, boy." Felix chuckled and sat his glass down on the coffee table in front of us. "Jumpin' right in, huh? I see." While talking, he pulled out a cigarette and a lighter and, in his unbothered fashion, lit the damn thing. "You know, I'm not known for killing quietly," he took a drag and breathed it out, right in my direction, "but I reckon it was drowning that made almost no sound. Other than me parenthetically hitting the water, of course."

That sentence made me sit up aswell. "You were almost drowned?" Felix took a moment to nod, then took another drag of his cigarette. "Fucking traumatizing, let me tell you that." It made me wonder if he was this harsh to us because he knows coddling won't help. The expression on his face told me all I needed to know about how he remembers his Games.

"But, we're not here to talk about that," he grunted, "I wanna make sure you know the ground rules of this, Cain." The sound of the mechanical door to the wagon interrupted Felix and judging by his face, it could only be one person who just entered. "I want to hear, too." Jasmine said in a low voice, making our mentor smile. "Sweetheart! Did you calm down? Are uou ready to have a conversation like an adult?"

I turned my head around and smiled at her to try and make her feel more comfortable and welcome to the conversation, but she remained stoic.

"You're our mentor. You're here to give advice. I think it'd be stupid not to listen and then have Henri kill me with all the things I didn't know about." Oh. "No offense." She added and took a seat next to me, all while eyeing the glass of whiskey in front of me.

"None.. taken?" I get the feeling that she doesn't like me, but for our best chances, she has to get around it. Jasmines's the only person I can rely on, with the bond of being from the same District uniting us.

"Glad you sobered up, my dear." Felix raised his glass and took a sip before putting his cigarette out on the floor. That made us both frown. "Can't say the same thing about you, huh?"

"Everything's better with a little beverage." I wonder if I'd end up the same way as him if I won. Having to mentor so many tributes and then seeing them all die has to be the reason for the alcoholism, right? To be honest, this far I'm pretty underwhelmed with the tribute experience. I thought maybe our mentor was competent, since Dolabella isn't, but him rather arguing with Jasmine instead of reassuring her or something gave me the feeling that he doesn't really care that much about us.

In his mind, we're both dead as dead can get.

I know that I won't struggle much, but Jasmine has one major disadvantage: She's a woman. And, as hard as that is to admit, she'll have less of a chance than any male tribute. Will I protect her? Perhaps.

"Rule number one! Don't trust anyone. Not your district partner, not some friend you made at the training center, not the gamemakers, not your stylist.. No one! Did you hear me?"

Does that include your mentor, too? All that seemed a bit harsh and taking a glance at the girl next to me told me she thought the same. "Are you sure?" Jasmine asked carefully and Felix nodded. "As sure as I can get, dear. No one there is looking out for you, besides Dolabella and me, maybe.. But that's it!" He seemed to be very adamant on this, but I couldn't really figure out where all this distrust cane from. Certainly, something or someone had to give him a reason to think like this.

"Rule number two. Don't ever eat berries or plants you can't identify."
"We're from District 10, I think we kind of know every pl-"
"No you don't!"

Felix raised his voice, making both Jamsine and me lean back a bit. "Whateved you think you know.. you don't. It's those goddamn gamemakers." My brother once told me that the arena the Games are taking place in is something like a simulation. He told me, that they don't actually take the tributes to a forest, or an ocean.. it's all fabricated so it can be altered to their liking.

"It's not real is it? The arena?" Jasmine turned her head to me, visibly confused. Before she could get a word in, Felix slammed his hand on the table: "Bullseye."

"Wait. What do you mean it's not real?"
"They fake it, Jasmine. They fake it! Everything in that arena is in their control and they will use it against you to get a good show out of it."

He shrugged, letting his hands run through his short hair, almost like he wad in disbelief. I do remember a Game where they launched literal fireballs at the tributes to make them run back to the cornucopia.

"There's a force field that encapsules the entire arena. Don't get too close, though! They'll chase you back to the middle in no time." While Felix apparently thought this was  funny, Jamsine for sure didn't. You could see her brain working overtime to wrap her mind around the fact that it's all not real. I yawned.

"And.. rule number three: Don't be afraid." Suddenly, Felix' tone changed to a very serious one. He meant this one the most, that much was clear. Before he continued, he took one good look at us two and sighed.

"Don't be afraid to kill, to take revenge and to hurt. That's how you'll survive. Especially against those careers."

That word was filled with so much hatred and I completely understood why. Careers get everything handed to them, they train for this, they volunteer for this, which is absolutely crazy in my mind. Their whole lives revolve around the Games, it's actually insane. Sure, some do much more with their given tools than others, but every single one of them is out for blood and we should be, too.

"I agree." I turned to Rosalie: "We can't show them that we're weak. Promise me to at least fight back." She didn't respond at first. I don't know if she was thinking about it or thought of me as plain stupid, but after a few moments she looked down at her hands. "That's easier said than done."

જ⁀➴

Jonahs POV

"No I'm being serious!" I laughed, watching Pagan pick away at the fabric of my blanket, "I've seen you hit them with pebbles, right in the head!" She was smiling, something I haven't seen since the last time I saw her in school. This whole entire time she didn't smile once and I was just happy I was able to make her.

"Those boys are mean, you know they deserved it." After I had invited her into my room, we both sat down on my bed and started re-evaluating our skills and stradegies. Pagan said, it would be best for me to not only impress the gamemakers, but also every other tribute with either my strength or how fast I am at climbing. It felt good to get some recognition for the things I do good and not constant pessimism.

"I'm just saying.. you know, I think either knife throwing or archery would be just your thing." She looked up at me and nodded in a half-assed manner. "I've never even held a bow in my hand before. Pretty sure I'd suck at it, even with good aim." Pagan leaned back against the wall behind her, looking around my room. I didn't think she was right, though.

"Dude, you're as good as a sniper.. I'm sure the training center will be enough to learn how to shoot a stupid arrow." Her laughter filled the room as I spoke, which confused me at first. She wasn't taking me serious now, was she?

"Do you even know what a sniper is?"
"Sure I do! Someone.. who shoots a gun very precisely?"

I bumped my shoulder against hers, now also chuckling a bit. I'm not too entirely sure if I was right about the whole thing, but cheering her up was most important to me anyway. Our lighthearted conversation did ease my worries I bit more and at least now I know she won't turn on me just like that.

"How many times was your name in there?"
"Hm?" I looked up, back into her eyes again. "In the bowl?" Obviously in the bowl.

Signing up for tesserae always felt humiliating, especially when you have to do that multiple times. I also signed up for the rest of my family, which added up to lots of pieces of paper with my name on them.

"I think around 32 times. What about you?"
"Honestly, I stopped counting after 20."
"Fair."

The topic of tesserae was pretty much a taboo topic in our District. Don't know if that's custom to all of them, but I don't think there's one person in all of District 9 who openly discusses their capitol aid. It just reminded us of how poor we actually were and how dependent we were on the 'generosity' of our president.

"You have a little brother, right? That was the kid who gave you-" I pointed at her necklace that she was wearing around her neck. Pagan looked down at the little star charm and closed her hand around it, nodding.

"Yeah. It's for good luck, you know. There's usually no day I take it off." Remembering her brother also made me think about my little sister. She was a few years older than Pagans brother and it could've very well been her as a tribute this year. If I ever get to see her again, I'll give her the biggest hug. I miss her.

"Do you also have something? Like.. something important to you. What did Barona call it? Tribute token?" I shook my head no. Pagan put her hand on my shoulder in an attempt to comfort me, which I was really thankful for. Just like in school, she showed herself to be caring.

"Just know that, if I had something with me, I'd give it to you." And it warmed my heart. To at least know I had one friend in here warmed my heart. A little 'Thank You' slipped out, but nothing more. I didn't know what to say.

"Pagan?"
"Jonah?"
"Can you promise me something?"

She took her hand off of me when she noticed the urge in my tone.

"Yeah?"
"Don't betray me. Okay? Please, I mean it."

I think it was pretty clear what my biggest fear was. Having each others back was crucial at this point and I just had to make sure we were both on the sams page. Pagan raised her eyebrow again: "Why would I betray you?" She asked like she really didn't know. "I've seen it happen, you know? District partners immediately turning on each other as soon as the countdown hit zero."

Her gaze made me slightly uncomfortable after a while, mostly because it felt like she could see into my soul. After Selin processed what I said, she shook her head.

"I wouldn't. I don't even think I could."
"Are you scared?
"I think a bit less now. Because you're on my side and I trust you."

Just at dinner Triti had told us not to trust anyone and especially not to say it out loud. She warned us about cameras being hidden everywhere.. maybe not in the train, but as soon as we arrive at the capitol, we'd need to keep our mouths shut.

My "I'm glad." made Pagan smile again. I saw how she was pondering about something - There's a lot of questions we both don't have an answer to. Triti said, most things had changed after her Games and that we'll just have to find out on our own how we'll manage. Regardless of how nice she is, she isn't a great mentor.

"What score do you think you'll get?" Good question. I bet I can bullshit my way through sparring and sword fighting by playing aggressive, not smart, I can climb and do heavy lifting.. but what about the miscellaneous stuff? I can't paint, I can't build a water filter, I can't even make a fire. What good is that gonna do me?

"Maybe a good 7 or 8. Perhaps you can teach me how to make a fire."
"You don't know how to make a fire?" She asked in disbelief, lightly punching my shoulder. "No, don't laugh, that's serious, Jonah!" I couldn't help myself but chuckle.

Somehow, I thought something like a fire would result in your immediate death. The smoke can be seen anywhere and easily tracked back to you, which is definitely going to be fatal if the whole career pack finds you.

"I think you'll score a solid 8." Pagan shook her head no, disagreeing with me. "There's only so much I can do. We'll just have to see what it's gonna be like, I guess."

The train made some unusual noises again, making Pagan and I look at each other a bit worried. If this whole trip is going to be delayed by a few hours again, I'll go crazy. It's the suspense of arriving in the capitol tomorrow that's keeping me up right now.

"You gonna kill someone?" I asked, careful to not overstep any boundaries.
"Not until I have to. And you?"
"We'll see."

Pagan yawned and rubbed her eyes after sitting in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the peaceful company of each other. "It's okay if you want to go to sleep, you know?" I told her, now slowly standing up from my bed, with her following suit.

"Don't make me kill you in there, okay?"
"Okay."
"Good night, Jonah."

She was out the door before I could answer.

જ⁀➴

Jasmines POV

When morning came around, I had finally digested yesterdays events and woke up with a much clearer head. And after a long, warm shower, I even felt more like myself again.

Our conclusion from yesterday was no different from what I had thought: Cain and I protect each other as much as we can and let fate decide what will happen with us if only the two of us were left in the Game. It was clear to me what I had to do now - My best chances were the camp out somewhere or mostly just hide. Let's just hope the environment they set us in doesn't have anything to do with water, since neither of us can swim.

That's right. The only lake near us is on the other side of the wired and electric fence.

After my shower, I tried to tame my bangs and curly hair as best as I could, slipped on my reaping dress and made my way back into the first wagon.

"Ah! There you are! Good morning." Dolabella chirped as happy as a songbird, inviting me to joing her and Cain at the breakfast table. Like always, I was astonished by all the kinds of jams and weird bread they had. "How did you sleep, dear?" Our escort asked me, before biting into her croissant. "I slept fine."

I asked Cain to pass me the orange juice, but instead of just giving me the keg, he filled up my glass himself. I guess he was trying to make me like him? Maybe he thinks I don't yet, for some reason - The reason being my behavior, but that was yesterday. I squeezed out a thanks and took a sip of it, just before the door slid open again and Felix stumbled in, clearly still half-sleeping.

"I was just about to go get you!" Dolabella smiled and giggled, pulling out the chair next to her for him. "How did my favorite tributes sleep, huh?" Man, his morning voice was even deeper than normal. A small 'just fine' came from Cain and I nodded, to agree with him. "Guess they're not really morning people." With that, he sat down and immediately took a few slices of cheese just to eat them.. like that. Cain looked uo from his scrambled eggs, confused, but didn't dare to say a word.

...

"Guys.. you might want to look outside.." Dolabella sounded more excited that we arrived in the capitol than she should be. Well, I guess this is her home.

Cain immediately took up on her offer and stood up from the table, approaching a window. "Holy shit dude." That's right, holy shit. The way to the capitol was through a large tunnel and when exiting that, you saw all the beautiful architecture and the big lake in front of the city. It was breathtaking, quite frankly.

"Jasmine come on, you gotta see this!" Cain really sounded like an excited little boy who just got what he wanted for his birthday. He waved me over to him, but I just shook my head. There was no need to take in all that luxury of the people who enjoy watching kids die.

While my district partner was now residing at the window until we arrived at the train station, I actually had a nice conversation with Dolabella about the places she likes most in the capitol and where she'd take me to, if she could.

...

You were able to hear their cheering from a mile away. It was nice and creepy at the same time. Just as we pulled into the train station, hundreds of capitol residents - all in ridiculous outifts - swarmed the train, cheering us on and clapping.

Cain seemed to be enjoying it the most, even waving to them like he was a celebrity during a fan meeting. "What did I tell you about being likable, Jasmine?" Felix was right.

When the doors of the train finally opened, the sun shone directly in my face and all the bright colors of the outfits the capitol residents were wearing literally hurt in my eyes.

I must've looked like a deer in the headlights, because while Cain was doing it like a natural, going down the stairs and waving at people, Dolabella had to take me by the hand. There were things like flowers thrown at us, one even handed me a rose, so I put on the best fake smile I had and started waving.

"They'll take you to your stylist now..." Dolabella whispered in my ear, following the peacekeepers.

જ⁀➴

Pagans POV

I gazed at myself in the mirror while brushing out my hair with the most luxurious hair brush I've ever seen. It had these golden flowers painted on them with pretty little details, all in color. The longer I looked into the mirror, the more estranged I felt.

It didn't even feel like I was looking at myself even though I was right there. Now that it was the next morning, I should feel a lot better and should be able to think clearer, but that was unfortunately not the case. My mind was still hung up on last nights conversation with Jonah and how I thought we could be friends throughout this whole thing, because he opened up to me yesterday and seemed trustworthy.

Is he, though? I'd like to think the best of him.

He treated me so nicely, even though I was quite rude to him before, and it just felt nice not to be so worried, even if it was for just a few minutes.

I figured it was time for breakfast when I heard footsteps go through our wagon, so I put my reaping outfit back on, since I didn't really have any other choice, and opened the door, almost walking into Jonah who did the same. "Shit-" I immediately backed off when I accidentally stepped on his foot, "sorry, dude."

Jonah just shrugged it off, making way for me to step out my cabin. "Good morning to you, too." He snickered, seemingly in a much better mood than yesterday.

Together, we made our way back to the dining wagon, when Jonah suddenly stopped in his tracks and squished his face against the window: "Hey! Look, we're getting closer to it!" With 'it' he meant the capitol. And he was right, we were basically knocking on it's door.

You could see all the really tall buildings from afar, just like the big stone border around it. There's only one way to the capitol: through a tunnel with a train. They really like to keep us poor people out.

I was pretty impressed by the architecture, at least by what I was able to see from here. In school, we were required to learn about the first Rebellion and how Panem, specifically the capitol, was rebuild, so some of these tall buildings did actually look familiar to me. It's weird to now see them in real life.

Now that it's all so real and close, I started to panic. A weird feeling settled in my stomach, the kind that makes you think you'll throw up any minute.

Jonah must've noticed the worried look on my face and leaned down forward to be on my eye level: "Hey, don't worry about it.." he began and sounded really sincere, "I'll be there.. for you, you know." It took a moment for me to process what he said and I nodded.

Jonah was always the kind of person to ignore his own worries to help others. I've noticed it plenty back in school. "Thanks." Was all I was able to get out without literally having to gag - that's how scared I was.

In the dining wagon, Triti and Barona were already waiting on us. The latter was, of course, dressed in a rather weird outfit and her hair color completely changed, from blue to pink. Her dress was long and flowy, very pretty though and her makeup was trying to resemble a butterfly, at least that's what I thought.

Triti, although living in luxury in the victor's village, again looked normal. It was a weird contrast. "Oh! There you are kids! Good morning, good morning!"

Barona stood up and walked over to grab us by the hands and lead us to the dining table. It was all decorated and shiny, just like yesterday. Both Jonah and I said 'good morning' and just sat down, looking over to all the options we had.

Usually, back home, we were lucky to even have breakfast. "I hope you two slept well," Triti said, pouring herself some coffee, "you have a long day ahead of yourself." She specifically looked at me while saying that and I don't know why.

Confused, I just took some weird pastry that I've never heard of before and poured me a glass of water. Jonah next to me was already silently eating, staring into nothing. He's probably just as stressed as I am.

"We have some news we want to share-" Barona looked a bit worried now, too, and pulled out a device from wherever. I really have no idea what that is and how it works, but I also want one of those high-tech things.

"Well?" Jonah started, "what is it?"
"We have recieved a message from the capitol.."

Well, that can't be fucking good.

We're not even there yet and there's already some sort of trouble? Can't they do anything right? "There's been a slight rule change in Districts 11 and 12, kids," Triti continued, taking the tablet from Baronas hands,

"due to multiple acts of rebellion and delinquency, both District 11 and District 12 will send two male tributes."

She read off of the screen. Two? Male? Tributes? "No.. No, this can't be? Are you serious?" I asked in shocked, trying to take the thing out of her hand, which Triti blocked. This is bullshit!

We girls don't have a fair chance against the men anyways and now we'll be outnumbered, too? Jonah looked just as taken aback as me, also kind of offended. "They can't do that, can they? That's not fair!" And he was right.

The Games were obviously never fair, but this is really getting ridiculous! "Why does that upset you so much?" Our escort asked, genuinely confused. I just looked at her like she asked me the most outrageous thing in the world, which she kind if did in this situation.

"Girls already have a disadvantage and now you want me to go into a male-dominant arena?! Are you out of your mind?" I yelled back at her in response.

"Calm down, sweetie. Please." I leaned back in my chair, hiding my face in my hands. I was more sad than angry at this point.

I wanted to cry, to scream, to jump out the train and run away from this hell hole. But I can't.

There was a painful silence and when I looked back up, Barona actually looked very apologetic. I don't know if she actually grasped what was happening or if she just felt bad because I obviously felt bad.

"How about you just.. try to eat and I'll talk to you later?" Triti asked and I nodded. I don't know why I did, because why would I wanna trust her with my worries? She's still a stranger to me and she doesn't need to know all that if I'll obviously be dead in a few days.

The rest of the breakfast was quiet, only the TV was making some noise. Barona had put on the whole Pre-Hunger-Games show on, where Caesar Flickerman, the host and interviewer of the Games, and his stupid little commentator friend were talking about statistics and previous years and their victors.

It was weird to watch and weird to hear, especially when they started talking about each tribute of this year and my name popped up.

After breakfast, Triti sent both Barona and Jonah away, sitting me down on the couch that I didn't even notice before.

"Look, honey," she started and looked me in the eyes, "I know this is all scary for you, but you need to listen to me. Okay?" And I nodded again. I thought, if I tried to talk I'd just start crying.

"I can sense that you're a strong girl and I know you can do it." She's just saying that to be nice. "And I'm not only saying that to be nice." Great.

I just sighed and sunk further into the cushions - I really just wanted to disappear. Now I was stuck here listening to the pep talk of my mentor who only won her games by pure luck. I don't know what's there that she can teach me.

"Pagan.." I turned my head to her when I heard my name, "if there's anything I can still do, let me know." She was talking just like my mother when I had a fight with my friends or something else happened that upset me and I don't know how to feel about it.

"You know, I felt just like you back when I was younger. Helpless and all, right?" Triti put her hand on my shoulder. "But you're much too clever to let that hinder you."

"It's not like I won't try." I told her, aware of the warmth her hand was giving me. Yesterday I thought, even if it was just for a short while, that maybe everything will be fine after all.

"There are far many scenarios where tributes die of natural causes or from accidents, you know?" It's like read my mind about how I really don't want to kill anyone. "Let them all betray each other, you'll see that the end will come far more quicker than you think."

Maybe Triti was right. There's been Games that literally only took 5 days or less.

"Don't make anyone your ally or enemy. Stay low and try to smile a lot."
"Why smile a lot?"
"Sponsors."

I nodded. I understood. I knew what I had to do. Just before I could say something, the door slid open and in came Jonah, with Barona behind him. "Look, Pagan! Look!" He excitedly pointed at the window, which promted me to stand up and step closer.

Because all of the stress I didn't even realize we were pulling into the capitols train station. To both our shock, there was a herd of people already there, dressed all like Barona, basically.

I looked at Jonah, he looked at me and then back the capitol people. When one noticed our train, they all started pointing, cheering and clapping, so loud that we all heard it clearly. What the fuck?

"Wave, kids!" Barona whispered behind us and made a hand motion for us to do what she said. Jonah did, but I still hesitated for a moment. Eventually I started waving too and when the train got to a stop, the people literally swarmed the entrance, immediately trying to get a glimpse of us.

"What do we do now?" Jonah said in a low voice to me and all I could do was look at him with confusion. He himself looked a bit shell shocked, which was understandable. Not only was the capitol itself astonishing, but its people too.

Triti turned us both around before the doors opened: "Now is the time to make them like you! Let them see you shine!"

The first thing that greeted me was the sun, which reflected on most of the capitol peoples clothes for some reason. Jonah and I were leaded away by two peacekeepers with Barona and Triti behind us, but to be honest, I don't remember much of it. My brain just seems to shut down whenever there's too big of a crowd and too much noise.

...

"Ouch!" I sharply inhaled when one of the 'stylists' ripped a wax strip off my leg.

After the hell that was getting transported from the train station to wherever this is, I was now laying flat on a hospital-like bed, in a goddamn hospital gown, in a cold, sterril place that looks like a hospital.

And it wasn't just me, no. It was also every other tributes fate. The only thing that was 'dividing' us was a hospital curtain. When I raise my head a bit, I can literally see another female tribute. We were obviously all here to be dolled up and made pretty for TV. That's all this was.

Every inch of my body was getting a treatment. First, they plucked my eyebrows, did my nails, my hair and now they were waxing every single hair off that they didn't want. I had two stylists working on me: One, the woman, has ridiculous long, purple hair and weird, golden tattoos all over her body and the other one, a man and a bald one at that, looked like a fucking lion for some reason.

These body modifications have really gotten out of hand here.

"You're doing so well, pretty!" The woman said while ripping another wax strip off my legs. All you ever heard here was wincing and whining from the other tributes.

When she took a little break and consulted with the man on what to do next with me, I leaned up a bit and tried to get another look at the girl that was getting her treatment across from me. She had brown, curly hair and seemed about the same height as me. All I keep hearing from her was cussing and berating of her stylists - I get that she's fed up, because I am too.

Coincidentally, she also leaned up a bit and looked quite shocked when realizing I was already looking at her. Abruptly, I slammed my head back down, which made my stylists look at my like I was a lunatic.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked, making them even more confused. "Yes? What is it, dear?"
"From which District is.. she from?" The man looked in the direction I pointed and took a good look at the girl before turning back to me again. "I think District 10. Why?"

જ⁀➴

Cains POV

They cut my hair. They cut my fucking hair. And while they did that, they even commented on how I am a 'beautiful blonde'.

I understand that it was only a couple of centimeters and a hair cut was way overdue, but still. This whole place is just weird. It's cold and strange and I just overall don't like to be separated from Jasmine.

While my stylists are still working on my hair, I noticed some other female and male tributes in the same situation as me.

Before they dragged the curtain open to block my sight, I saw what I believe to be the tribute from District 2. He was tall, blonde, has piercing blue eyes and was just a really buff guy. There's definitely reason to be scared of him. Sadly, I didn't quite catch his name yet, although I think I'll know it shortly.

I think he saw me looking at him, but I don't really know. The tribute who was getting treated across from me was the female from District 7. Her stylists tried to convince her to switch her glasses for contacts, but she strictly told them no because it's her 'tribute token'.

All I really saw was her dirty blonde hair, which reached quite far past her shoulders. I sighed. There was so much to think about right now and the career next to me was definitely making me nervous. I wonder how Jasmine feels right now?

Then, there was this kid from District 9 next to me. He and his female counterpart were brought in a bit later than most of us, but they definitely weren't the last.

The first thing you'll notice about him were his constant red cheeks and how freakishly tall he is. Best thing yet, he also immediately made eye contact with me and even smiled. I think that was the nicest thing anyone has done since my reaping.

"You'll be taken to your stylist, Groucho, now." My female 'stylist' said.

જ⁀➴

Jasmines POV

What is this place even supposed to be?

I don't know, but they basically ripped every fucking hair off my body ans left me feeling like a naked mole.

They said my real stylist, Ariadne, is going to be right with me and left me in a separate room that was just as cold and hospital-like. I sat up as soon as they left and looked around the room, while trying not to touch too much. They just left me in this hospital gown and still no underwear or something, even though they went very fucking private with those wax strips.

"Ah, there you are." The heavy door opened and in stepped a tall, blonde woman in a light grey suit. "I'm Ariadne Fling, the designer of your amazing tribute parade outfit!" I looked at her perplexed.

She thought this was funny? Or amusing? Oh no fucking way, not again.

"What?" I just asked, shaking my head a bit. "And you must be Jasmine! What a pleasure to meet you! You're even more pretty than on TV." To say I was confused would be an understatement.

Ariadne came a bit closer to me, really taking a good glance up- and down and then turning on her heel again. "How about I give you something to throw on and you'll follow me to my office?"

After I finally had some clothes on, I was sitting on the dark blue couch of her dark blue themed office. It was warm and definitely cozier than anywhere else we were brought in since the reaping. The office had this big ass window with a view over all of the capitol, which was just amazing to see.

I didn't think I'd be able to get some positive things out of this experience.

Ariadne made me some tea and sat it on the small table in front of me. The rest of the office looked more like something meant for modeling, as she had these really big mirrors too that I keep looking at myself in. After the luxury beauty treatment we all got I felt way more refreshed.

"How are you handling things?" My stylist sat next to me, nipping at her own cup of herbal tea - the smell easily calmed me down again. "Uhm," how is one meant to answer that? "I'm doing okay, I guess.."

"Well, just so you know, I'm actually really glad I got your District!" What a weird thing to hear her say. I wonder if she actually means it, because who would be this happy to get District 10? We're boring and we die, that's all.

"I had this vision for you the minute I saw you on TV, dear?" I raised an eyebrow. Something tells me I won't like this parade outfit at all.

And I was right. Of course I was! What the fuck is this?

Ariadne put me right in a corset that had some kind of cow print on it, but was rather off-white than anything. She also excitedly put some horns into my hair, which she didn't do much with.

While her assistant was busy with my, subtle, makeup, she was trying to make the belt work. It has this tull attached to it, so it kind of functioned like a skirt, even though everything in my front was exposed.

It was made out of pretty material that shimmered in the right light, but that still didn't make it better. I had to wear stockings that, thank fuck, covered most of my legs, except for the most part of my inner thigh - meaning, one wrong move and I swear everything could be revealed when I didn't even want to.

I was made to look like a sheep or something, true to my District. All I felt was uncomfortable. The corset was too tight, the horns were itchy, and I was barely wearing anything. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't appreciate one single thing about this outfit. If this is what Ariadne put me into, what did Cains stylist do to him?

"Do you like it?" The woman asked while clapping in her hands in excitement. It was clear that she was very proud of her work. "I feel exposed." But her smile didn't swindle one bit.

It was like Ariadne didn't even hear what I had to say. "I love it on you, Jasmine! I'm sure you'll get so many sponsors!" What if I don't want to? If it means I have to me paraded around half naked, then I don't want these fucking sponsors.

Ariadne noticed my disgusted expression and sighed: "The carriage ride won't take that long anyway." Carriage ride? What is this place?

"I am not your enemy, Jasmine." She said, actually sounding like she meant it. I think she picked up on what I was thinking the whole time. Yeah, I don't think my stylist is my biggest issue or enemy by all means, but they still contribute to my miserable state. Especially in this goddamn outfit.

જ⁀➴

Jonahs POV

Pagan and I were brought to a big hall filled with other tributes and their horse carriages after we got dressed by our stylists. Johio Breen, my stylist, and Othello DiRosa, Pagans stylist, both worked together to make our costumes as matching as possible.

My district partner was standing in front of me rather uncomfortably, looking around in worry and in obvious fear.

She looked good tho, Othello really made our Districts job shine: Pagan was put into a beautiful corset made out of wood which was lined with a fabric that had the color of wheat. Speaking of it, wheat was embroidered into it and was also sticking out at the top and bottom, with tull around it, too. The lining itself had a pretty pattern of sunflowers and other things and the chest area was made to stick out, for some weird reason. Pagans makeup was kept simple, with some golden-shimmery accents around her eyes and her hair was french braided the best they could with her short hair. So, with the tull around the rim at the bottom the corset functioned like a dress, which obviously left Pagan feeling exposed, since the only other thing she was wearing were golden high-heels.

Johio put me into a sleeveless leather top and a matching leathery, pleaded skirt, like the romans wore a long fucking time ago.

With it's brownish color and golden details, it did go with Pagans costume quite well. He even made a crown that was braided from wheat and other flowers. When I first looked at myself in the mirror, I thought I looked like a fucking idiot - that was until I saw some of the other Districts.

A pair that was very obviously District 4, fishing, only wore literal underwear, matching in red, and a fishing net was thrown around them. That's it?

The female tribute looked more than uncomfortable and, frankly, quite aggressive, which I get. She was pretty much a head or two taller than Pagan and almost even reached my height - Her male counterpart even almost surpassed me.

"Are you scared?" I asked the girl in front of me when I looked back at her. "Are you not?" Pagan asked back, rubbing her arms like she was cold.

I was leaning against our carriage while we were waiting on Barona and Triti to arrive with our stylists with some last minute touch ups. The four horses, that were meant to drag us along the long path that was waiting un us beyond this big ass wooden gateway, were getting restless.

"I am." She nodded in understatement and put her hand on my shoulder in a way to soothe me, at least that's what I thought. Instead, she forced me to lean down so she could whisper in my ear: "Did you see the tributes from District 1 and 2?" I shook my head.

"Turn around." Pagan subtly nodded in the direction of the four career tributes, who were separately talking to their mentors. From the way I catched them looking at each other, I knew that they already had some agreement to team up. "At least the girls don't look all too strong.."

"Kids! You look amazing!" I heard Barona quip when she approached our carriage. For some reason, I felt relieved to see her and Triti. It gave me a weird feeling of familiarity.

"I don't know about that.." Pagan sniffled next to me and looked down on herself. "Awh come on now! You look so pretty! That's just what they like to see, honey.. this has nothing to do with you as a person."

Barona said to her, taking her hand. And I hate to say it, but she was right - this doesn't reflect on us as people at all and perhaps that's what I forgot about myself. While our escort helped Pagan up into the carriage so that Othello could touch up her makeup again, Triti had a word with me.

"And? How are you feeling, Jonah? I don't think I've asked you that yet."

"I've been better." Tritis smile had something soothing about it, like she knew that everything would be alright. "Can you do me a favor?" Her tone became more serious when she asked me that. Triti leaned in to talk a bit more quietly: "Take care of her, okay? Protect her."

"I didn't think about doing anything else." I answered, now getting into the carriage myself. Our mentor had this proud look on her face and, to be honest, I was also proud of myself. Of course I would protect Pagan, with everything I have I will. I already made that decision a long time ago.

"Oh my god-" Pagan, after a few moments of silence, started to laugh out loud while pointing to a tribute pair, "holy shit! Look at them!" Whem I saw them, I was actually astonished. They seemed to be from District 5, which their costumes definitely gave away. the girl was dressed in a blue top that was held together by black string in the front and they put her in.. a very unusal kind of skirt.

While there was no real fabric covering her, except for her underwear, the skirt was made out of five really big suspension clamps, attached to the belt with wires. So, they took actual parts of an electrical pole and put it on them. Because the guy wasn't any better: They put him into a white button-up shirt, suspenders with a complimentary blue fly. But with no skirt to put the clamps on, they just put it all over him. His shirt, his shorts, his shoes? Isn't that goddamn dangerous?

જ⁀➴

Cains POV

I was standing next to Jasmine in our chariot in this ridiculously uncomfortable outfit I had to wear. Groucho Creed, my stylist, made sure he was in sync with Jasmines while designing it, like almost every other tribute pair.

I guess that's the theme of this year: to make us look like absolute clowns.

But, to be honest, no costume ever really looks good.. not last year, not the year before and not in the years that are about to come. They had these horns put on me, to stay true to livestock of course, and in these weird pants that weren't even pants.

They had this big cut out in the middle of my thighs, just like Jasmines did, so you were able to see the cowprint underwear I was forced to wear. And, I was basically topless - Groucho just gave me a suit jacket, obviously in off-white to match the theme, which I couldn't even button all the way up. The 'pants' that I was wearing were fucking skin-tight too, so I'm really exposed to like all of the capitol in this opening ceremony.

Although Jasmine and I have it bad, I've seen worse costumes: The kids from District 6 were dressed all the way in dark green suits, but they had these conveyer belts somehow integrated into their outfit, which looked completely ridiculous.

Oh, and the people from District 3 were dressed in literal computer hardware with wires hanging from everywhere. How does one not trip over that? Yeah, most of us didn't have much to cover ourselves with, which also seemed to be part of the theme for this year.

While Jasmine was secretly trying to get rid of her horns, that were also put in her hair, I suddenly made eye contact with the District 9 male - The one I already had eye contact with back in the beauty department.

He kept looking at me and I just looked back at him, unsure of if I should look away or maybe not. I blinked a few times and smiled a bit, in a friendly way, of course.

His District partner, a young girl who actually didn't get the worst outfit by her stylist, was telling him something while looking at me. Where they talking about us? About Jasmine? About me?

"Hey.. kiddos." Felix' voice startled me when he suddenly appeared on my side if the carriage.

"Get ready, they'll start any minute now." Jasmine left her, almost unbreakable horns, alone for now and crossed her arms, which our mentor clearly didn't like. "Remember: Make sure you look presentable, smile and wave. Especially you, Jasmine!" Before I could say thank you, he had to step away from us as the horses dragged our carriage to the right place - In front of a big gateway, where music suddenly started really loudly.

The sound of trumpets and drums filled the arena and you could just feel the attention on you, even though the spectators couldn't even see us yet. The sound of cheering and clapping was so overwhelming, that I actually did start to get sweaty hands. This Hunger-Games-Theme-Song felt like triumph and honor, if a song can even feel like something. I looked at Jasmine and she looked back at me - We understood what he had to do.

જ⁀➴

Pagans POV

The music filled my ears and basically clouded all my thoughts, just like the sheer amount of people were actually watching us.

The doors were opened and in shone a bit of light before the first chariot left and drove on. Of course, it started with District 1, luxury, who were definitely dressed like it, too. A beautiful golden dress was chosen for the girl and something romans wore, back when they all still spoke latin, was picked out for the boy, everything bedazzled with gemstones.

I looked ahead into the big arena, seeing where the path would end, which seemed to be a very long ride ahead. As soon as District 1's carriage was in sight for the spectators, a roar of cheering and clapping arose, louder than the music could ever be.

It was reinforced by District 2 following closely behind, dressed in all silver with a theme of stars going on in their outfits.

When District 3 left too, I started to get wobbly knees again. And, I was definitely not the only one: I looked around at the other tributes still there and some looked like they were about to cry. Even Jonah next to me looked like he was about to piss his pants or something.

Shortly after, District 4's chariot left and that's when I actually got a good look at them. I think, I pity that girl the most because of her outfit.

My mind basically skipped over 5 and 6, but when District 7, lumber, left with their carriage, I started to desperately grasp at the wooden rim of ours.

I was really trying my hardest not to hyperventilate and I noticed Jonah doing it too. Then it was District 8's turn, who's male tribute also had to be paraded around half naked. Oh and just guess which District was next.

The second our chariot even made the slightest movement, I thought I was gonna fall off. Taking a deep breath, I just thought about my family and my friends and how badly I wanted this win and those sponsors, but before I could leave a prayer or something, we were already out.

The cheering and yelling and screaming got louder, the capitol residents started throwing flowers and other small things in their upmost gratitude that we're giving them a good show.

Jonah immediately started waving, like all the other tributes in front of us, and I caught myself doing it too. Sometimes, I even dared to wink at whoever in the crowd and multile people actually felt like I was interacting with them.

It felt like our District got the most flowers thrown at, since we're Grain and all. Maybe the two males of District 11 were just as lucky? I dared to turn around for a few seconds and that's when I saw the girl again, from District 10.

She wasn't humoring the crowd all too much, although she was smiling and occasionally acting like she wanted to catch one of the roses. Looking past her, I saw the two male tributes and.. that was just underwhelming? Whem Triti announced the rule change, I actually thought I'd have a disadvantage but looking at them now, I think I have a chance.

One of them was rather scrawny and even wore glasses and the other one was much heavier, if you get what I mean, but overall just looked weak as hell. Now that I realized there was not much to worry about, it felt so much easier to smile and to act enthusiastically about all this.

...

After what felt like an eternity, we finally pulled into the City Circle, which was this area right outside the President's Mansion.

President Snow was already sitting all high and mighty up there and was watching us intently. I could literally feel his eyes bore a hole into me, before he moved onto the next tribute and did the exact same thing. Snow has been President since the dawn of time.. that's what it feels like, at least.

He was President before I was born, when I was born and now probably outlive me and be President even after I died. I looked at Jonah, who immediately turned his head around to me and gave a reassuring look. The chariot ride actually went well and I had the feeling that these people might actually like us.

After every chariot had arrived, President Snow stood up and came closer to the microphone for his speech. He starts by calming everyone down, and they actually do shut up. Oh to have that power.

"Welcome everyone," he calmly starts with, "I am happy to see each and every one of your faces here today. Today, for this very special day.."

Snow took a small pause, looking down at us tributes, "I welcome our tributes of the 74th annual Hunger Games to the capitol.. and as always: May the odds be ever in your favor."

And he backed off again. Everyone along that street started cheering and clapping again and I don't know how to feel. This man is the sole reason why we and a lot of children before us had to die and I couldn't do anything about it. It was just so frustrating.

After that, the national anthem played while all our carriages pulled into a building, presumably the training center.

...

Triti, Barona, Johio and Othello were already waiting, looking very pleased with us. When the horses finally came to a stop, that's when I felt like it was appropriate to breath out.

Jonah sighed heavily after getting of this thing and almost fell down the small step there was to get down easier.

This goddamn corset already made me feel like I couldn't breath, but now that I was out of that situation, I felt like I could rather cry from the weight that has been lifted off my shoulders than anything.

"Oh my god! Kids you did amazing!" Barona immediately turned to me and tried to give me a hug, which I didn't really reciprocate at all. Jonah got praised by both our stylists for holding out so great and apparently making sure I wouldn't fall off the chariot, which I absolutely didn't notice. "She's right.. you both did a good job." Tritis motherly love came to show again, hugging each of us for a few seconds even.

જ⁀➴

Jasmines POV

Dolabella pressed the button for the 10th floor of this big building, the training center, after we both got our praise for holding out well for the opening ceremony. "Each District correlates to the floor you'll be staying at. Easy enough right?" The young woman asked in her squeaky voice, turning around to look at Cain and me to make sure we understood.

We were staying a beautiful, modern penthouse, that quite literally took my breath away once we entered. It had all these unnecessary stairs to get to unnecessary levels of the kitchen or the living room for ome reason, but I'm here for it.

"See, we even got a really good view!" Dolabella approached the big window that was right next to the dark green couch and big TV. Capitol things never fail to impress me.

"Mhm, how about you two get cleaned up for dinner, huh? But make it quick! I'm starving.." Felix said, pointing in the direction of a hallway.

Cain and I found our chambers quickly and, after I finally got out if this annoying and ugly outfit, I immediately hopped under the shower. Looking at this automated pad where you can literally change everything of this shower, I was confused.

There was a setting for ambient sounds, for the temperature of the water, for soap and shampoo and conditioner and oils and.. so many different things I didn't even know existed. What the hell, right? Let's press them all.

...

"So," Ariadne started while biting into her steamed broccoli, "what is your favorite part about the capitol that you've experienced yet?"

After I showered and got ready with new clothes, I again found in the closet, I was now sitting at the dinner table with Cain, Felix, Dolabella and our two stylists. I was quite grateful that they were here, because I'm sure I would've just picked a fight with Felix again.

Ariadnes question was a bit stupid, because we didn't even see anything yet. All I remember was looking at the really tall buildings during the chariot ride and asking myself if that's even possible. You know, to even make them.

"The food." Cain answered blatantly, and I agreed with him. It was the only thing I could enjoy as something 'luxury' since anything they'd give me here wouldn't do anything when I was dead. "Oh come on.. there's gotta be something else!"

Cains stylist chimed in and pointed at him with his fork. "Maybe.. the nature." I answered this time, looking out the window. Here, the people actually had time on their hands to water and take care of the plants.. perhaps that's why they look so perfectly green. Upon my answer, the two stylists looked at each other and laughed, showing me they had no idea how good their life was.

...