"Now, Anna, all of us here in the Capital have been wondering… What does it take to win?"

Caesar Flickerman looked at the face that wasn't his. A painted facade stared at him from the mirror. His head ducked down as he retched into the sink.

The girl looked at him, a wild animal. Her hand shook as she sat in the small chair. Behind makeup, her cheekbones spoke of hunger and starvation.

His shivering hand turned on the faucet. He reached over, grabbing a paper towel to wipe his face with.

"He's dead… He's dead…" The girl covered her face with her hands, hiding from the world.

The boy… Caesar had watched the blade fall on his neck. What was it that he said? "Well, there goes Braden, District 4. I thought he would go farther than this, but it looks like he's one of the first ones out." Out. Like it was a game, like there would be a second try. Caesar covered his mouth, trying not to scream.

"Now, do you need a moment?" he said, trying to console what was unthinkable. He reached his hand around her, disguising fear as kindness.

He stopped, resting. Now the fear came out from its hiding place behind the brightly colored wig and perfect makeup. Twenty three kids, all dead because of him. He had helped, made it entertaining, fun even. Caesar could feel twenty three bloody wounds, twenty three grieving families gnawing at his heart.

The girl swatted him away, fearful for her life. She screamed into her hands, shaking like a leaf in the wind.

The avox bathroom attendant came over, trying to help him. He pushed the man back, angry at himself. "Get out! Get out!" Caesar screamed. This was his fault, he had helped bring this on this child.

The girl breathed heavily, with muffled sobs wracking her body. Caesar looked on, unsure of what to do.

Caesar's breath quickened. His head seemed too light for his body, and he collapsed to the floor.

Capital attendants came out, grabbing the girl by the arms. A needle was jabbed into her, and her struggles slowed. Her eyes glazed over.

The world spun around him. Dark spots speckled the edges of his vision. He felt like he was falling, and passed out.