A/N: I don't own the Hunger Games! I just write for fun :D

The train seemed to sway slightly, but never enough for discomfort. It was always true to its goal; the Capitol. The world outside was a blur. The train was going so fast, it was impossible to catch a picture of what one was flying by. All that was visible were the smeared colors splashed across the windows. It would have been calm, except for the passengers were not there by choice.

Brennan sat quietly in her cabin. Her head was sitting against the vibrating window as she watched the abstract figures roll by. The last thing she ever wanted was to leave her seemingly perfect life in District 4. To onlookers, it may not have been that way, but to her it was. She was happy there. Now she was being ripped away from everything she knew to go compete in some sick game. The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games were the Capitol's way of showing their power of the Districts. In Brennan's opinion, it was cruel. She wasn't the only one who thought so, but most in District 4 never questioned the Capitol. 4 was one of the wealthier, more favored districts so the people never had an issue with the Capitol.

After the Reaping, Brennan's memory seemed to stop working. Saying goodbye to her family and friends didn't seem to register. It was as if she ever did. But it might have been better that way, for it would only bring tears to recollect the last time she would see those who mattered most. Brennan knew she would die in the Games. She wasn't a career and had never even thought about killing anyone or surviving in the woods for days. It just wasn't her.

A knock on the door interrupted Brennan's brooding. Her head snapped towards the noise and a young man emerged through the door. It was her mentor, Finnick. Technically she was supposed to have a female victor as a mentor, but Mags was too old. Brennan didn't mind though, as far as she was concerned she wasn't going to win.

"Hey," Finnick greeted. Finnick was three years older than Brennan, so she had a hard time seeing him as someone to respect as an elder. But Finnick was really… hot. He had the same tanned skin as most people from 4, dark blond hair and bright green eyes. His body was toned and he flashed Brennan a brilliant smile. She didn't know why though because this was not a good situation.

"Hey," Brennan replied, turning her gaze back to the window.

Finnick took a seat near Brennan's feet. "I know you aren't exactly thrilled," he began. "But when we get to the Capitol, you need to act like it. People won't like you if you act depressed. You need sponsors, Brennan, they can make or break you." Finnick spoke as if he were in his fifties rather than his twenties.

Brennan didn't think that it mattered, but she would do it to appease him.

"District 4 is a favorite," Finnick continued. "So that will help you already."

The news lightened Brennan's mood a little, but it didn't change the fact that she was in the Hunger Games. To be honest, she didn't look fierce. Her hair was bleach blond and straight, but her skin was lighter than most in District 4. Dark brown eyes offset her hair. The only thing that made her warrior like were her long legs, but she lacked an hour glass figure and had a short torso despite her large breasts. It made her look out of proportion considering how thin she was.

"Do you honestly think I have a shot?" Brennan asked, letting a small glimmer of hope seep into her voice.

Finnick studied her for a moment. "If you work hard during training, then yeah. But careers are always a factor."

Brennan's hopeful gaze turned downcast. The careers ruined everything.

Silence took over the cabin until an Avox entered. She set down two plates of steaming food in front of Finnick and Brennan and left. Finnick dug in right away, but Brennan pushed the plate away. Finnick paused and washed down his food with a swig of water. "Eat," he ordered.

"Well, I won't be eating much in the arena. Might as well get ready for starving," Brennan retorted.

"True," Finnick conceded. "But the mutton is really good," he finished with a smile.

Finnick's comment earned a smile and a giggle from Brennan.

"There we go! There's a smile," Finnick said grinning. "When I saw the picture of you with your friends and then saw you here I didn't think it was the same person. You're much prettier when you smile."

Brennan flushed. She really didn't like flirting, but if he was going to mentor her like this, she would have to put up with it. "Thanks," she replied deciding to dig into the mutton. The taste was so different than the fish in District 4, and she loved it. In fact, Brennan ate it so fast she felt sick after.

"I should go get Salling," Finnick said pushing his plate aside.

Salling was the other tribute from 4. He was tall, tan and toned. Not much unlike Finnick. Except Salling had brown eyes like Brennan and brown hair. Brennan was nervous about speaking with him. It seemed pointless to form an alliance with him if they would end up killing each other anyways.

Brennan was fidgeting when Finnick arrived with Salling. Salling was two years older than Brennan and he shot her a glare. Finnick noticed this and shoved him down into a seat. "You two are going to have to train together. There is only one of me and two of you. So learn to get along," he snapped before he left the room.

Feeling uncomfortable, Brennan scooted away from him. Salling sighed. "Sorry," he muttered.

"It's okay," she replied.

"So you're Brennan?"

Brennan nodded. "Yep."

Salling nodded as well. "Do you know how long until we get to the Capitol?"

"I think another day. 4 is pretty far from the Capitol."

Silence. It was so common now that it didn't bother Brennan or Salling. They were grateful for their chance to reflect on what would happen when they arrived in the Capitol. They might get an hour of so of sleep, then they would be taken to their prep teams to be dressed up for the Opening Ceremonies. Then training, then interviews, and then the Games.

"Are you scared?" Brennan asked after three hours of quiet.

Salling's brown eyes were full of fear when he replied. "Yes."

"Me too," Brennan said quietly. It felt better saying it out loud. To Salling, the question seemed incredibly stupid at first. Who wouldn't be scared? Even Careers could get nervous. When he replied, it didn't seem stupid. It was a reasonable question. They had something in common now; fear.

"Can you even fight?" Salling asked.

"Well… not really." Brennan said. "But let's not talk about that."

Salling frowned. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"

"Do you have siblings?"

Salling nodded. "I have a little sister, Vesper. She actually looks like you. What about you?"

"Four older brothers," Brennan said.

"Four?"

"Yeah," Brennan laughed. "Ricky, Garret, Dallin, and Safford. They're all really stupid, but I love them. I can't really call Safford stupid anymore, though. He's married and has two daughters. Presley and Maire. They're the best nieces ever, but they look like their mom. Black hair, blue eyes."

Salling smiled.

"I actually have a picture of all of us," Brennan said digging through her small bag. She pulled out a picture of her and her family. They were at the beach and the sun was bright in the sky. All were in bathing suits and smiling widely. Brennan was in the middle and had Ricky and Safford on her left and Garret and Dallin on her right. Her nieces were clinging onto her legs, but grinning at the camera.

"I'm guessing your parents took the picture," Salling commented.

"Yeah, my mom did. My dad hates pictures," Brennan said. "Do you have a picture of your family?"

Salling nodded. District 4 wasn't one of the poorer districts so they had these luxuries. He pulled out a picture of him and Vesper. It scared Brennan how much Vesper really did look like her. Same color hair, same color eyes and skin. Their only difference was their height and body shapes; their faces and coloring were almost identical.

Salling and Brennan talked until Salling fell asleep on the bed in the cabin. It seemed unfair to Brennan that Salling was so nice and funny. If she was going to win, she was going to have to see him die. She might have to kill him herself. Brennan pushed the thought from her mind, and fell into a troubled sleep.

The next day was monotonous. The passengers were still a few hours away from the Capitol, but it seemed so much longer.

When they did arrive in the Capitol, the train slowed down so that the images outside were no longer abstract, but clear pictures. Skyscrapers were scattered throughout the city and roads were weaved intricately through them. Cars headlights' were blurs flying down the roads and pedestrians were placed randomly on the sidewalks. All of their outrageous clothes and looks were visible from the train. The city was so full of life, it was hard to comprehend. Both tributes were used to the quiet village life by the sea, not a huge noisy city.

"Wow…" Salling breathed.

"Seriously," Brennan agreed.

Finnick walked into their cabin when the train slowed to a stop. "Okay, brush your hair," he said pointing at Brennan. "And you need to get the food off of your mouth," he said to Salling.

They both obliged their mentor and followed orders. No doubt cameras would be waiting for them as soon as they stepped off the train.

Brennan's heart was flying as they made their way towards the front of the train. All the tributes would be on the cover of every magazine in the Capitol. It made her nervous about her appearance, so she kept running her fingers through her hair.

Finnick glanced back at Brennan and laughed once. "Don't worry, once the Opening Ceremonies start, no one will see these pictures," he tried to offer some comfort. "Just smile and you'll be fine."

Brennan slapped the biggest grin she could muster on her face before the train doors flew open. Cameras flashed causing Salling and Brennan to squint a little more. Brennan felt a little more comfortable after a few seconds, so she waved at the cameras before Peacekeepers came and escorted the tributes towards the Training Center.

Once they were inside, they were shown to their rooms and got ready for bed. It was midnight and tomorrow was the Opening Ceremonies, Brennan and Salling needed rest desperately.

Before she turned out her lights, Brennan received a knock on the door. She didn't even have a chance to say 'come in' before Finnick walked through. "I won't be able to see you until ten minutes before the Ceremony tomorrow, so I thought we could talk now."

"About what?" Brennan asked. She knew what was going to happen to her. The Hunger Games were required viewing, so she had watched them since she was four. She even remembered Finnick's Games.

"Well, I don't know you at all," he said grinning.

Brennan sighed. Getting attached was not a good idea. In a week's time, she could be dead. "Finnick…" Brennan sighed.

"This mentality will kill you. Now, what's your favorite color?" he asked.

"Um…" Brennan felt uncomfortable now. "Green?" The answer came out as a question.

"So you're saying you like my eyes?" Finnick asked with a wide smile.

Brennan rolled her eyes. "Yes, Finnick. Because I like green, your eyes are dreamy," she replied. Her voice was sugarcoated with sarcasm. She did admit in a teeny corner of her mind that indeed they were. But every woman and girl in Panem thought it.

"I knew it. So are annoyed by my presence?"

"Yes."

"I knew that too!"

Brennan couldn't help it anymore, she smiled and giggled.

"Finally," Finnick breathed. "Well, mission accomplished. See you tomorrow before the Ceremonies!"

Finnick seemed to be in a better mood since the train. It confused Brennan, but she was so exhausted she fell right to sleep.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, let the 71st Hunger games begin!' Caeser Flickerman's voice bellowed through the speakers.

One of the tributes seemed to forget that a gong was sounded exactly a minute after the announcement and was blown sky high by a land mine. The tribute was Salling. Brennan tried to stay calm after seeing the horrific image in front of her, but a small yelp managed to escape her lips.

The gong sounded and all the tributes dashed towards the Cornucopia. All except Brennan, who remained still just staring at where Salling had stood. Something snapped within her, and she let out a blood curdling scream. A Career noticed the weakness, and stabbed her right through her heart.

Brennan woke up screeching and thrashing. Normally if she had a nightmare, one of her brothers would come and comfort her. But she quickly realized they were back home and she was in the Capitol. She started to sob.

Brennan's nightmare was the worst she had ever had, and it was so clear. Every sordid image was etched into her mind forever. It had unnerved her to the point that she was shaking in fear. Even the sound of the sword piercing her flesh was unbelievably clear. It was the little, horrific details that stuck with her. To try and comfort herself, she began rocking back and forth and pretending it was her mother doing the action.

The tears stopped along with the shaking, but Brennan knew sleep would elude her for the night. So she got out of bed and wandered the halls of the Training Center. Everything was sleek and had a shimmer to it. It all looked so… expensive. The entire building seemed to be some big flashy show of wealth. But so did everything in the Capitol.

Brennan wandered up several stories of the building until she was on the roof. The sun had yet to make an appearance, but the city was awake. Cars were still on the roads, as well as pedestrians. All of those on the sidewalk were dragging themselves home after a long night of partying. Brennan could tell from her vantage point that they were all drunk.

Brennan stood. Her whole life had led her to this point, and it seemed cruel and unfair. Happy. That was the one word that could describe her life until now. Anger, sadness and confusion were such unfamiliar emotions, she didn't think she could handle them all at once.

Cautiously, Brennan stood on the ledge separating her from the sky. All she had to do to end her suffering was jump. It startled her to think so seriously about ending her life, but she was going to die anyways. Better sooner than later, she thought.

The act was such a short one, but it took so long to decide. She knew there was no way making it out of that arena alive. She didn't know how to handle a weapon or the first thing about survival. It seemed silly to just go into the arena knowing her fate. She could end it now. The pain. The suffering. It could go away with one step…

Brennan thought of life back home. Her brothers, her nieces and her parents. All the memories were happy ones, and she smiled as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'll miss you," she whispered.

Brennan stepped into the air.