Here's the actual Chapter 2. I'm sorry it repeated, that was a mistake. I'm still new to all of this publishing business. Thanks for all of the positive feedback and such.

A cold chill seemed to run down Ed's spine as another white suited guard led him and Lilly away from the stage and towards a tall, looming marble building with a red banner stretching across its pillars that read "The Justice Building". Edward wasn't sure what awaited him inside of the structure, but he could feel a definite air of ominous despair to it. Edward sighed inwardly. He had a strange feeling that wherever he was going was going to be a hellhole. Ed had experienced hellholes enough in his short, miserable life, but that didn't make them anymore pleasant. Plus, when Al found him, he wasn't going to be happy. Quite the contrary. And when Winry found out...Edward shuddered a little bit, earning a jab in between the ribs from the guard. He couldn't even think about what she would say.

To the right of Ed, Lilly kept shooting timid yet interested glances in the strange golden-eyed youth's direction. She was certain that she had never seen that strange boy at school or in the District before, and she had a remarkable memory. Blonde hair was only common in the slightly wealthier storekeepers of District 12, and golden eyes were unheard of, unless of course you were from the Capital. But it was impossible for this boy to be from the Capital, as he was going to be in the Games! Lilly's puzzlement and curiosity helped take the edge of the cold lump of terror she felt in her throat at the horrible premise of the Games that were to come.

Ed was totally oblivious to Lilly's wondering; he was barely even aware she was there. All he could think of was his hunger and incredible exhaustion. Now that the memory of the dramatic experience of the Reaping had faded a little, he could really focus of how much his stomach was rumbling. He hadn't eaten for at least twelve hours, and had been walking for longer than that. Maybe there would be food deeper inside of the building.

As they entered the large, creaky oak doors of the building, yet another white suited guard led Lilly away from Edward's side. They disappeared down a long, narrow hallway. The guard who was still with Ed ushered him into a small room with railings on the side and a panel with three buttons, all with numbers. The guard pushed a button labeled "2". Ed heard a strange, hissing noise behind his back and turned just in time to see two chrome doors appear from nowhere and slide together, giving the room a cell-like feel. Edward stared at the doors in wonder. Where had they come from? Was it some kind of magic? No, of course not. There had to be science used, perhaps even alchemy. Suddenly, the room lurched. Edward almost lost his balance. He steadied himself with one hand and became aware of a curious feeling. It almost felt like the box was going up.

"What's going on? I mean, where are we going?" The words slipped out before Edward could stop them. Not that it really mattered, as the guard didn't reply. He just stood there, crossing his arms and scowling at the wall. Ed decided maybe it was better not to ask questions. The lurching stopped and a bingsounded throughout the box. The doors slid open, revealing a hallway totally different from the one Edward had seen before he entered the box. His eyes widened.

"This way." The guard took a sharp left. Edward hesitated a moment. He had learned to be wary and to think before he acted. Well, he didn't really listen to the latter much. The guard could be tricking him. Then again, he might learn what the Hunger Games were. Finally, he decided just to follow the guard. Whatever waited for him, he could take.

Or at least, that's what he hoped.

"In here." Edward was seriously starting to think that the guard couldn't say anymore than three words at a time when he added, "Your family will see you off in here."

Edward allowed him to gently shove him through a doorway into a dusty room with a high ceiling. The guard closed the door behind his back with a muffled creak. Edward strode across the room and plopped down onto a faded velvet couch. His actions sent a cloud of dust into the air. Eesh, did no one ever clean this room?

Now that he was alone, Edward could really think. He rested his chin in one fist and closed his eyes. There were a few clues as to what the Hunger Games were. For one thing, everyone acted scared of it. Another was that it seemed as though only children could participate. Plus the man had said Edward wouldn't last long. That probably meant he was going someplace dangerous, where he could be seriously injured or possible even killed. The last thing was that the child's family didn't seem to be able to come with. They all had to add up somehow.

Children.

Death.

No family.

Edward got up and began to pace. Okay, the man at the Reaping had said something about twelve Districts. It looked like he was in District twelve. Edward was almost certain that every District had the Reaping. Two children, a boy and a girl, leaving their families to go to something they might die in.

Edward slowly raised his head from his hunched position. An idea was forming in his head, but it was too terrible to be true.

Unless...

No.

No way.

It just simply wasn't possible.

Could people be sending kids off to...fight each other? To the death?

That was absurd.

And yet...

Edward had a sinking feeling that it was true.

He fell back onto the couch in a daze and buried his face in his hands. He wasn't even sure what he was feeling. Shock, horror, disgust...maybe even a touch of fear. Although he was a State Alchemist, Edward couldn't kill. He...he had a sense of mercy. Sometimes it got him in trouble. How could he fight children?

"Brother! Are you all right?" Edward started at the sound of Al's slightly echo-y voice.

"Hey Al," he said without looking up. A hand came out of nowhere and smacked him across the face, knocking his hands aside.

"Hey! What the hell did you do that for?" Edward cried, rubbing his cheek.

"You idiot! What were you think, volunteering like that? I mean, how are we supposed to find a Philosopher's Stone if you're gone playing some game?" Al sounded really pissed. Edward sighed, his shoulders slumping.
"Brother?"

"What?" Edward's voice was muffled.

"Where are you going anyways?" Edward sighed again.
"I don't know for sure, but I have a theory." Edward explained the whole thing, including every horrible detail.

"You can't be serious," Al said when he was done. He sounded horrified. Edward mutely shook his head.

"B-but...How could they do something like that?" Ed shrugged.

"I'm still trying to figure that part out," he said softly. Al sat down next to him.

"How will you survive? Because you have to win. It's the only way we can get our bodies back," Al said. Edward didn't reply.

"Brother, you are going to win!" Al didn't sound sure of himself. Ed just sat there.

"Aren't you?" Suddenly, Edward stood up and grinned mirthlessly.

"'Course I am. I need to, for us. Besides, I have alchemy on my side," he said, mustering as much enthusiasm as he could. Al sighed in relief.

"Good. I thought for a moment there that you had given up," he said. Ed stared out a window. His golden eyes showed years of pain and hopelessness, of a mind much too mature already. He had seen too much, too much sorrow for his years.

"I don't give up." The two brother sat in silence until the guard opened the door again.

"Brother, please try! Remember, we don't know for sure that that's what the G-," The guard took him by the arm before he could finish his sentence. Edward shook his head. Al knew as well as he that he was right.

But there was no turning back anymore. The only choice was to keep moving forward.

Well, review, review, REVIEW! :D Thanks for reading. Next chapter is the train! I'll update as soon as possible.