Chapter one
Decoy, Paramore

"Blaine Anderson!" was called through the speakers. The young man of 17 opened his eyes, looked up, and slowly stepped through the crowd of other boys that surrounded him. He ignored all the eyes that were on him, digging into his back, making him feel even more sick than he had when he had woken. His feet were lead and his legs were jello, not wanting to move at all.

Each stair he stepped onto was a mountain that he had to climb. As he stepped onto the wooden stage, he was grabbed by Bundy, who pulled him center stage, her heels clicking. She held him, and the other young man to her.

"I give you District 5's tributes. Logan Wright and Blaine Anderson."

In more of a forced effort than real compliments, left over, standing men all clapped. Very quickly, Blaine and Logan were rushed from the stage and surrounded by guards so that they wouldn't run. Both boys were silent as they were forced onto a train.

Blaine sat in a silent daze. He'd never see his family again. He'd never see his friends. He was going to die. He wouldn't even get to see his family before the train departed. Slowly tears came to his eyes, as the thought sunk in, like a knife. Like the one that was bound to be shoved through his chest.

"Strange," the other boy said, breaking the silence. His usually icy green eyes were soft and gentle, like how Blaine liked to remember them. Blaine turned to look at the blonde boy, his eyebrows furrowed in a question. "I mean, the last time I saw you, you were trying to kill me. Maybe you'll finally get your chance."

Blaine rolled his hazel eyes and looked out the window. There was a jerk and Blaine caught himself. Logan stumbled and fell against Blaine. Once the train picked up speed and was slightly smoother in the movement, Logan stood with embarrassed red cheeks.

"Blaine, you use to confide in me once, tell me what's wrong."

"What's wrong?!" Blaine yelled, standing. He wasn't sure what was controlling his outburst, but it felt good to get all of this anger out. "One, I'm never going to see my family again!" He listed them off on his fingers. "Two, my brother is another tribute! I'll have to kill him! I can't do that!" Blaine took a deep breath.

"There's something else," Logan said softly as he sat down in a plush chair that he sunk into.

"You," Blaine muttered, sitting back down. His hands ran through his dark, curly hair that Logan loved so much. "I can't kill you Logan, even after what you did to me."

"I told you I was so-"

"And I believe you."

"How?"

"I love you." Blaine looked up to see Logan's shock filled eyes.

"But-"

"You two have to meet with your trainer. Isn't this exciting?" Bundy asked, her blond curls bouncing as she led the way.

The two boys stood and followed her and enter the dining cart, where a young girl, not much older than them, sat. She stood, her blue eyes cold with a hate against the whole world.

"My name's Lafferty, your trainer, and mentor. I wish you both the best of luck,"she said, her lips pursed. Her red hair was pulled back.

She had been the only female victor ever, both Blaine and Logan knew this. The only way that women were allowed to participate in the Games was if they volunteered. She had volunteered for her best friend, who had been chosen. And somehow she had come out on top. Looking over her, Blaine felt a little comfort. Her frame was small and she didn't look very strong at all. There had to be some hope that he could survive this, right? He knew it was a long shot, but still...

"I'd suggest getting something to eat, and then getting some rest," Lafferty said, before sitting back down. "And I'd advise not going into any of the other compartments, then where your rooms and the bathroom are."

"Why?" Logan asked.

"Last year, we had two less tributes, yes?" Lafferty asked. Logan nodded. Blaine squinted, trying to remember. He didn't like to remember the Games. But he did remember there only being ten tributes, last year, instead of the usual twelve. "Two of them got in a fight and both of them died before they ever reached the arena. Sad, really. They both looked like the most likely to live, but life is life."

Logan gave Blaine a weary look. Blaine tried to give a small smile, but he knew it wouldn't help the butterflies that were attacking their stomachs. Logan slowly sat, and loaded his plate with food that Blaine wasn't really sure what to make of. It all looked much more spectacular than the bread and water he usually made a meal at the moment, he couldn't think about food. He was afraid that if he ate, the butterflies would grow into monsters and eat him from the inside out, or so that's what he had teased his little brother with.

His little brother? Shane. When Blaine was about seven, his parents had divorced and then Blaine's father and brother had somehow moved into a different district. And this year, Shane had been chosen as a tribute. All Blaine really could think was that he would make sure that he protected his little brother with everything he had. Shane would live, no matter what, but then...

Blaine's eyes rested on Logan. Even if Logan had abused him, he couldn't let Logan go. He loved Logan dearly. His green eyes, and his blonde hair. Blaine had loved seeing him beneath the aspen trees in the summer, when Logan didn't have to wear their school uniform.

"Can I be shown to my room?" Blaine finally asked.

"Right this way, Anderson," Bundy said as she turned. Blaine followed her to a sliding door, where he could see a bed and and a small table, with a change of clothes draped over the blood red bedspread.

"Thank you," Blaine muttered, opening the cart's door. He stopped and turned back to look as Budny as she skipped merrily back up the hall. "Why?"

Bundy looked back with confused brown eyes. "Why what, Mr. Anderson?"

"Why do you find this exciting?"

"I like the interviews."

"And the death. Do you enjoy watching men die? Will you be excited for another punch when a bullet goes through my head, killing me on the spot?" Blaine's voice wasn't exactly bitter, but it was differently cold.

Bundy slowly shook her head, with a slight horror expression. "No," she said softly. "I close my eyes and turn away."

Blaine looked at the green carpet and nodded, before entering his room. He closed the door with a swish and click, then sat on his bed. He looked around and then, stood, anger surging through him. He pulled off the blood red bedspread and tossed it in a furry to the floor. He didn't want to be reminded about his own blood that would be spilled.

He began pacing, his hands in his curls. He couldn't hold back his tears, and being alone, he let them run freely down his face.

"Blaine?" a small voice asked. Blaine looked up and froze at the sight of Logan. "Can I help you?"

"No," Blaine answered.

He then began pacing again. Logan rushed over, and took Blaine's shoulders. He looked down at Blaine, Logan being almost half a foot taller than Blaine. Blaine's eyes met Logan's; Logan's were also red from crying.

"It will be alright."

"How can you say that?" Blaine asked. "My life is automatically forfeited because of my brother. I won't have him die and then yo-" Blaine broke off as Logan kissed him. When Logan pulled away, Blaine stared. Logan slowly kissed Blaine again, and Blaine wasn't about to let Logan go. This is what Blaine needed, not only comfort, but to know that someone outside of his family loved him.

Eyes watched the two boys from the open compartment door, and a small smile grew on his lips. This was the advantage that he needed. He'd either split the two fags up, of he would use one to get the other to die, then kill the leftover boy. It wouldn't be that difficult, really. They weren't very strong looking, maybe swift, but he was a gang banger. At least he had been. This would be too easy for him.

"David," a light voice said. The man turned to face Bundy. "Back to bed. I won't have

another accident like last night."

"Yes, ma'am," he nodded. "I was just scouting out the competition."

"You'll have plenty of time for that when training starts."

"Yes, ma'am."

Blaine woke to sunlight and slowly sat up, one of Logan's arms around his waist, just as it use to be. He looked over the room. On the floor was the bedspread that Blaine had thrown off, and the extra clothes lay untouched in a pile beside the bedspread.

"Logan, where are we?" Blaine asked, closing his eyes tightly.

"On a train to the Capitol," Logan muttered with a yawn. "Why?"

"I was hoping it had been a dream."

"But then we would have never had this chance." Logan wore a small smile as he sat up.

He pushed a curl from Blaine's forehead, and kissed the pale white skin, that had just been
uncovered. "I love you."

Blaine gave a real smile for once, and rested against Logan's chest, hugging him. "I love you too." They sat like this for a while, the sun warming the room, and them. Soon Blaine pulled away. "Before anything gets any gloomier, let's go eat."

Around the table sat each of the tributes, sitting by districts. From district one sat a rather small boy, with strawberry blonde wavy hair. His eyes were a slight caramel color, and he had a bandage on his hand. He was quiet and kept his eyes to his plate. He was about 17. Next to him, also from district one, sat a boy, who had a stronger build. Stronger than everyone there, and it made Blaine shiver. His hair was short and almost black, and his eyes dark and very bitter. It chilled Blaine just to catch those eyes. He had to be at least three hundred pounds, but it wasn't all fat. By the tattoo on his arm, he was part of a gang, and one of the tops gangs at that.

From district two sat two blonde haired, blue eyed boys, who were about 18 or 19. Blaine had to blink several times to make sure he wasn't going insane. They were twins. He wasn't sure if one of them had volunteered, but there they both were. There to die together, or to be separated while trying not to die. 19, at the most.

District three had a black boy, that didn't have any hair. About 18, medium build. And next to him sat an Asian, with dark hair, that stuck up in all directions. He was about a small-medium build, and, by the book that he held under the table, was smarter than most of them. 16 to 17.

District four was made of two boys, as all the others. One was about 18, and had brown hair that was pulled out of his face in the front. He wore the most expensive clothes that were allowed to the districts. His eyes were a deep blue, that Blaine felt would drown him. He was small, but not as small as the boy from district one. He was definitely not one to use strength and he didn't seem any smarter than a normal person. And then the boy that sat next to him made Blaine stare.

Shane. His little brother, who was about 16, sat at the table with all these others. He had slightly darker curls than Blaine, and he was no doubt taller than Blaine, but not by much. He had soft eyes, that were full of fear, despite his calm look.

And then came Blaine's own district, five. Both Logan and he were 18, but they were also, for lack of better words... fairy princesses. Blaine wasn't one to get his hands dirty, and Logan wasn't as strong as he looked.

Then lastly was district six. The first boy had dark waves for hair, and dark eyes. Logan couldn't help but stare at him. Logan had seen him before, but he wasn't sure where. The boy was about 17, and smallish build. Blaine saw this as an advantage. This boy would be too weak to do much, due to the pale green color that covered his face. He looked sick, and slightly underfed. Next to him was another dark haired boy. His eyes flickered around nervously and his hands clutched tightly to one of the necklaces he wore.

Over all, the competition didn't seem too fierce. The only tributes that Blaine truly feared where the gang member of district one, Shane, Logan, and the brown haired boy from district four. Blaine didn't quite know why, but number four just seemed to have this air about him, that he was dangerous. He may look weak on the outside, but that he had a deep, hidden secret that would soon be shown in the Games.

"Go around the table, and announce your names," Bundy said with a smile that Blaine knew was real. She liked this, he knew it. "District one?"

"Reed," the strawberry blonde boy squeaked.

"Karofsky," the gang banger said in a tough voice.

"Two?" Bundy called.

"Ethan."

"Evan," the twins said.

Great, their names are similar, Blaine thought. Well, at least he wouldn't get attached, right?

"Three?"

"David," the black boy answered.

"Wes," the Asian said, barely looking up from his book.

"Four?"

"Kurt," came the brown haired boy's answer.

Blaine, who had been staring at his plate, looked up. Kurt? For some reason, Blaine liked that name. It seemed to fit the porcelain creature. The name was delicate, but strong at the same time.

"Shane." Shane's voice seemed to crack slightly and Blaine glanced over him. Shane was scared. Beyond scared. Shane was trembling. By just looking at him, Shane seemed more pathetic than Reed.

"Five?"

Blaine was silent for a moment. His brain was struggling on how to pronounce the first number- no- letter of his name. The letter that looked like a tree trunk with two sideways bridges attached to it.

"Blaine," he finally choked out when Logan elbowed him. Those eyes caught his, Karofsky's and Blaine could already see his death in them. Blaine broke from his trance as a hand took his under the table.

"Logan," Logan stated, giving Blaine's hand a light squeeze.

"And six?" Bundy's voice was bouncy.

"Julian."

Logan's eyes went to Julian's face. Julian's eyes met Logan's gaze and looked away with a blushing face. Logan knew that voice. Knew that face. Knew that name.

"Dwight," the last replied.

"Good," Bundy smiled. "Now that you know each other, you may eat and then you'll have some time with your trainers until we arrive in the capitol. Fair enough? Good? Eat up."

Lafferty sat silently, staring at Blaine and Logan, like she had been for the last five minutes or so.

"You two are in love," she finally said, sitting back in her chair. Both Blaine and Logan traded shocked looks. "Don't deny it."

"How did you know?" Blaine asked, Logan seeming unable to speak.

"I could see it in your eyes," Lafferty answered.

"Really?" Logan questioned, finding his voice.

"No. I saw you two walking down the hall, holding hands."

"Thanks for wasting useful time," Blaine grumbled.

"What if someone else saw you?" Lafferty asked, ignoring Blaine's last comment.

"I'm not afraid of that," Blaine said strongly.

"We're gay, so what?" Logan added.

"If someone saw you two were in love, they could use it against you!" Lafferty pointed out like it was obvious. "They could use one of you as leverage to get the other one of you killed!"

Logan looked down, confused. Blaine kept a straight face, though.

"Didn't you fall in love?" Blaine challenged in a gentle tone.

Lafferty's face went blank. "That was different," she finally said.

"No it wasn't."

"What I did was a play to get sponsors and to get home alive."

"You loved him," Logan stated. "No one could act out what you did."

"Look, it wasn't some fairy tale, alright?!" Lafferty snapped. "Are you forgetting that I killed him in the end?"

"Only because he let you," Blaine pointed out. "And you know that, don't you?"

Lafferty was quiet for a moment before talking. "That doesn't matter at the moment. What matters is getting you two sponsors. If you want them, you go straight."

"Literally?" Logan asked.

"I've tried," Blaine said. Logan gave him a curious look. "Later." Logan nodded.

"No. You never mention each other. At all. Being openly gay won't get people to like you,"

Lafferty clarified. "Do we understand each other?"

The tributes nodded.

"Now, as for the interviews... you two both went to singing, dancing Dalton Academy, right?"

Again, the tributes nodded.

"Then you'll sing a duet on stage."

"What?" both boys asked.

"Ok, look. I don't have a lot of things to work with, with you two. You're both Barbies, alright? Harsh, yes, but true." Lafferty was speaking very fast as the first buildings came into view through the window that the boys had their backs to. "You'll be winning over the crowd. The more sponsors, the better off you'll be."

"I have one question," Logan said. Lafferty waited patiently. "Can you tell me about Julian?"

"You'll probably recognize him from his role in Hell's Night."

"The movie about the murderer in the private school that sets everything on fire?" Blaine asked.

Lafferty nodded.

"Was he the one that went unconscious?" Logan questioned.

Lafferty nodded.

"All tributes to the platform," came Bundy's voice over the intercom. The train began to slow.

"We'll talk about inside the arena after dinner, tonight. Now, go." Lafferty waved her hand and the two of tributes left the car and slowly got off the train.

Blaine stopped and looked around. Pass the station sat buildings that touched the sky, or so it seemed like it. There were cars; he'd never seen a car. There were voices, laughter, car engines. It was so different from the small shacks that Blaine called home.

"Do you think we'll be able to ride in a car?" Logan whispered, excitement sneaking its way into his voice. "How fast do you think they go?"

"I-I don't know," Blaine answered softly.

"Tributes, this way, if you would," Bundy called, leading the way to what Blaine believed was called a bus. All of them followed.

"This is pretty cool," Logan said. "Admit it."

"It would be cool, if I wasn't about to be killed."

Logan's smile fell. He looked down and Blaine shook his head.

"I-I didn't mean to remind you. I'm sorry," Blaine whispered. "Yes, it's very cool."