I wait on the train for my loved ones. The first to come is my mom.
"Rue," she says, "You might win."
I just shake my head, very slightly.
"You have a chance! You're very fast, as well as nimble. You also know how to use a slingshot," she says, a bit more loudly.
"And what's a slingshot is gonna do to a strong tribute? Annoy him?" I say.
"You're bound to at least find an ally," she says, exasperated.
I'm about to argue. But then I think she's saying those things for herself, too.
"Okay, mom."
The next to come are my sisters, who apparently were allowed to come together.
For most of the time, we're hugging, but at the end, Lily has something to say.
"Please win," she says quietly.
"I'll try," I reply.
The next person is Leo.
"Rue. I wish I had told you before, but..." he trails off.
After a long silence, I ask, "But what, Leo?"
"I love..." he starts, then after a moment, tries again, "I love... I love you."
"What?" I ask, surprised.
"I love you. And you're going to win!"
"Leo... I don't understand. I-"
I'm cut off by the Peacekeepers, who usher Leo out.
The last person is the only surprising one: Thresh's grandmother.
"Who will be most affected if their child dies? Your family or me?"
"Um... I don't-"
"Your family will lose the bond they share. I will be grieving. Which is more important in the long-run?"
"Why are you-"
"Because I don't want you to risk your life to save Thresh's. Don't ally with him. When I met with him a few minutes ago, he promised he'd try to keep you alive. He knows that, without you, your family would suffer more than I would if he died. Keep that in mind. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Ms. Brentle. I understand."
I think she's about to lecture me, but she embraces me instead.
The Peacekeepers come and lead her out.