You guys make an author so happy! The next two days after I posted the first chapter, I must have gotten at least ten alerts. I was so speechless.

I was going to upload yesterday, but my computer wouldn't let me sign in. Yeah, I hate it when that happens. More later; here is the next chapter.

The train whisks us away faster than we could blink. David immediately goes to his room, so I do, too. My room is even bigger than the one that I share with my sister. I change clothes with a pair I find in my dresser, which is next to my bed. The new clothes are gray and feel good against my rough skin.

I switch to battle plans. If they have a trident or even a spear, I can stand a chance. I shouldn't make any allies because what if they get hurt and I can't help them? Or if they turn against me? It's better not to, because treason means nothing in the arena.

I realize I am hungry, so I leave my room and try to find a meal area so I can eat. I ask one of the Capitol people and they point me in the right direction. With a thank you, I slip into the dinner cart.

David is already there, cheeks tear-stained. I didn't know what he was crying for. Crying to others is a sign of weakness, so they'll prey on him first.

I sit awkwardly in the booth in front of him and start pulling food towards me.

"Hey, fishmeat," I say. "How are you holding up?"

David looks like he's been slapped. His face turns angry and he hides his face over his plate.

"I didn't think you were one of those people," he mumbles.

"One of whom?"

He glances up. "One of those people who throw fish at me and calls me fishmeat or sharkbait or God knows what else."

Admittedly I had, but not at him. "I never did that!" I lie.

He regards me. "Then don't call me fishmeat like you don't care about me."

"I do care about you!" I say surprised

"Really? If I would die, would you cry for me?"

"Like I would one of my siblings."

He nods slowly like he agrees with me. I ask him, "Would you cry for me?"

David smiles shyly. "Maybe a little. I really don't think you're that bad a person. Try the crab stew. It's good."

I knew I couldn't get any higher praise than that. I ruffle his red hair, and we both laugh.

Sadie walks in in a cloud of perfume. I cough, eyes watering.

"Hello children, talking about an alliance?" she questions cheerfully. I think her demeanor is very annoying. Couldn't she be a bit more somber? She is helping us to die.

Now that I think of it, I question back, "Who is going to mentor us?"

"I am!" Yep, we're going to die. Thanks sooo much, Sadie.

Sadie's smile freezes at our downcast expressions. "Now, now, I won't fail you! We're approaching the Capitol and you need to look your best."

"We need to fight our best, too," I point out.

"That won't matter until you get in the arena," she replies. "In order to get sponsors, you need to look and act your best. The others won't stand a chance."

What are they going to do, pretty us to death? It's such a joke. I look at David. His face is carefully blank, but his eyes are smiling. He gets it.

"So teach us to look our best," he says sarcastically. That's my little fishling.

"Not until we get into the Capitol," Sadie says like she has a big secret. "Speaking of which, look outside."

We both press up against the window. Brightly colored people watch as our train goes by, pointing and talking. I start to wave to some who are waving to us.

"Those are your sponsors out there," Sadie says behind us. "Impress them."

Several hours later, I am dressed in what I think is the most ridiculous outfit ever. You ever read one of those stories about mermaids? I'm one of them now. I am literally wearing a coconut bra and have a really tight-fitting skirt all the way down my legs. I can't walk; I waddle to get around. My long brown hair is cascading over my shoulder in soft curls with flower pins stuck in. My face is overly made with blue eyeshadow and red lipstick. Overall, I feel naked. My stylist Blitz assures me I look beautiful. I'll have to take her word on that.

On the other hand, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. According to this beholder, I look stupid.

David looks better that me. His stylist decided to make him look like a suave fisherman with a red shirt, tan vest, and beach shorts. His hair is slicked back away from his face with hair gel.

He blushes and looks away from me when he sees my costume. I don't blame him one bit: I would look away from me if I saw this.

We leave the Remake Center in our chariots. Despite my stupid costume, I feel ecstatic. We can do this. I don't feel like pond scum.

I watch the chariots before us. District 1 has a chariot that is bright red. The tributes look like shiny rubies. District 2 looks sharp and deadly. District 3 is a bunch of gears.

Someone announces District 4 and David and I start waving again to the people of the Capitol. Some laughter makes its way over the noise, but I shut it out and keep smiling and waving robotically.

Eventually we end up in City Circle, where the most famous people are. We stop in front of the president's mansion. President Spring, I remember. She gazes at us coldy then starts her welcome speech. I sure did not feel welcome. I watch the screen near her head. While she is talking, the cameras cut to each pair of tributes. When they stop on us, the camera looks us, but mostly me, up and down before switching to District 5. I feel uncomfortable again, but fortunately, President Spring is done with her speech.

The chariots pull into the Training Center and I breathe a sigh of relief. One trial down, a handful of others to go.

I decided not to do the part where she says goodbye to her family just because. I feel bad about not writing as much about them, though.

Writing back to reviews:

rusty1141- You're right; I read back and it did go fast. My plan is to write the rest and then go back and edit everything. It looks like crap now, but it will get better. That's a promise.

IronFeyFreak- Okay, what the heck is a Mary Sue? I have been on Fanfiction for about a year, but I still don't understand that. Could you explain it to me?

Once again, please review! An author thrives on reviews!