Chapter 1

Most people could agree that this time the objective President Paylor was looking in The Hunger Games was not sponsors. She hoped the tributes would wear attire representing whatever type of oppression their parents inflicted in Panem. That way people would feel the satisfaction of watching them die and there would be no need for further retribution. That was needed a divided Panem. Obviously, Michelle, dressed like a peacekeeper, infuriated everybody the most. If victory depended on the sponsors she would have no chance. However, in order to give people like her a chance, the Revenge Games were not designed so victory would depend on the sponsors. That was probably one of the biggest differences of this game compared to the capital's Hunger Games.

Haymitch Abernathy was Michelle's mentor. Now, he realized his mistake when he supported these Hunger Games. This girl did not deserve to die and was probably more innocent than anyone could imagine. That is why he decided to actually help her win. Looking at how much she hesitated on killing, he reached one conclusion:

"For someone like you there is only one choice. What most tributes know about you is that your father is John Boswell. Maybe you can make them think you have hidden in order to prepare for combat. Remind everybody who you are and advise them they can last longer if they leave you for the end, and after that go hide. It might seem simple, meaning not likely to succeed, but it's your only chance." said Haymitch.

Michelle stared at her mentor for a while and did not say anything. She was afraid to mention she had never threatened anybody and would not have the guts to do it. At the same time she thought it would be time to tell Haymitch the truth about herself.

"Mr. Abernathy, I am not sure I want to live that much. I mean, at least some tributes have families that care about them. If I survive, people will either hate

me because of my father or because they wanted a more popular victor to win! What's the point?" Michelle moaned

Haymitch considered this. After all he also had avoided life when he lost his family by being drunk. She felt the same way he did before.

"Don't be stupid. I don't see any victor other than that Robinson guy who can be thought as popular. Everybody hates the people at that camp from what you tell me. Plus, who cares? You will get back your mansion that was taken away. Also, thanks to you every family in the camp with a law enforcement official as a relative will be freed." scoffed Haymitch.

Haymitch would have a hard time trying to stop drinking after this. He had helped push a good person into the injustice that had ruined his life. He had not learned anything. Making this girl who is unlikely to last one day in a fight is as bad as doing it as anyone in District 12. Still, before going mad about what he did, he still had this idea which might help the girl. Maybe he shouldn't give her motivation to live if she is so likely to lose. At the same time the motivation might help her win. That was one of many issues he would have to decide. Still he felt sure about the plan he had told Michelle about.

"I'm going to let you tell them the main ideas. So what are you going to tell the tributes before the blood bath starts? Remember you need to sound threating and reassured!" Haymitch yelled.

"Tributes of the 76th Hunger Games, I want to let you know I am no ordinary girl! I happen to be the daughter of someone you all know of. John Boswell! If you think he was big, wait until you meet me! Now having said that, I don't want to hurt-"

"TERRIBLE! You say that you would love to hurt them." Haymitch roared

"I would love to hurt you but feel ashamed in fighting a loser. I will wait until one person is left and fight that unfortunate sissy. If anyone touches me before that moment death will be much more painful for him or her than it could have been. Is it clear?" Michelle hissed

Haymitch was fairly surprised it was so easy to get her to say the right words. He probably would have not been able to be so clear. It was now time to consider what could be a second option if this plan failed. She would need to know how to run fast if she ended up in pursuit. Maybe he would add in some other basic fighting skills to this plan. Of course, nothing close to lethal, since that would be far from whatever Michelle could ever have the guts to do. Meanwhile, he had one more thing to add to the first plan.

"Perhaps people will believe you more if you do something impressive in front of them. Maybe you should learn karate and chop a tree!" Haymitch said with excitement

"What if the tree hits someone? Michelle said, trembling.

"Michelle, the least you can do is not being so protective of people who want to kill you." Haymitch said sarcastically

"You should give them the benefit of the doubt." Michelle said

"Michelle, use common sense. You are one of a kind. These people would be willing to crush you alive into tiny pieces in order to win the game." Haymitch said

"I don't want to kill!" Michelle sobbed

"Do we really have to go through this? Haymitch moaned.

"Also, my nephew is going to be the other law enforcement tribute! You want me to kill him too?" Michelle sobbed

"You've never seen that nephew. Plus, he's the son of one of the brothers who abused you daily. Why should you think he's any better? Just forget about excessive morality for one day and hopefully you will make up for the harm when the game is over. I am sure someone like you will accomplish a lot. The Hunger Games is just a minor set back." Haymitch excitedly pointed out

"I like the part of making up for it once the game is over." Michelle admitted.

"That's the Hunger Games spirit!" Haymitch yelled.

Haymitch had gotten the right idea. Someone like her could only be motivated by reminding her of what she could be keeping from the world by dying.

"Well then, think of this as your quest to save Panem once the games are over. The most important day in your training is tomorrow. You will be taken to a practice room with all the different workshops containing the skills you need. Remember all the other tributes will be there, which means you need to appear strong. Otherwise you can't expect them to believe you when you threaten them at the start of the games."

"What if they try to beat me up before I am actually trained? I should just stay out and let myself be-

"So you only care about yourself? I know what you are thinking. Who cares if everyone dies? You will be watching joyfully from death as everybody you abandoned on earth suffers. You are the worst egotistical monster I have ever had the displeasure to meet!" Haymitch roared.

"Okay! Please Haymitch, help me survive! I want to be helpful to the world. Please, Haymitch I want to win. I promise I will dedicate my life to-"Michelle cried out

"Well, let's not look ahead. First you need to survive. I suggest tomorrow you focus on the workshops which you don't need a weapon. I hope there is a wrestling one." said Haymitch

Now it was time to see Max's progress. Max was pure fiery when it came to training, a total opposite to her. He hated pretty much everyone and everything. Yes, in truth he had not been growing up peacefully. When his father went to fight for the capital he killed his wife saying that he did not want her to enjoy life when he was fighting for his life. After his father was killed by the rebels, Max was an orphan. He was taken care of by one of his father's best friends. Problem was, he was a Mafioso thug, which was not a great example for Max. Getting taken care of basically meant being a beggar at the prisoner camp. Nonetheless, when he had time he would teach him to fight. He started teaching him to kill before he was taken. Understanding his life, Haymitch found it unlikely that he would team up successfully with someone like Michelle. Most of the other eleven professions had partners who got along and were likely to team up during the games. Max would need to find them tomorrow at the training center and find a partnering group. Despite being the youngest tribute competing, Haymitch had no doubt he would find at least one partner once he saw Max's skills.

"You must have been the biggest Hunger Game wimp ever! I should be training you! You can lift any weight above 15 pounds. If I'm ready for the Hunger Games, when can I start killing?" roared Max

"Listen up Max. Killing and survival are to very different things. For these games you need survival skills, killing is just the first part. I suggest you use the training center tomorrow in order to learn how to light a bonfire or tie a knot." said Haymitch

"Or how about I use it to blow up everybody once and for all?" roared Max

"Max, be reasonable. The rebels have made sure the killing is saved for the Hunger Games. Plus, this time they will supply guns but definitely not explosives." said Haymitch tiredly

"Who is running these stupid games anyway? Who are they to decide which ways we will kill each other? cried Max

"If you are dying to know, Plutarch will be running the games. He is also Paylor's deputy under the temporary government. The second question I cannot answer. I don't understand why they're doing this." said Haymitch

Whether Haymitch regretted having supported these games or not, he would never admit he had supported the games to Max. That would make Max oblivious to anything Haymitch told him to do. This does not mean he was anyway. Sometimes Haymitch felt that he was glad about having supported the games when he met Max. Then he felt ashamed and dropped that idea. He was afraid that he would have to face Max if one day the truth became public. After all, Katniss had agreed to take part as a judge. Meanwhile, he decided to hope he would not have to admit it.

There was a lot of betting going on for many different tributes. The top candidate who more people had betted that he would win was "Sneaky" Sam. He was in the espionage group because his father had been a spy in District 13 throughout the rebellion. When Sneaky Sam joined the fight to suppress the rebellion, he was famous for the ambushes he had done on famous rebels, including one on Katniss Everdeen herself. Also, he was the second oldest tribute with the age of 18 ½.

There were many close candidates who were not far away from Sneaky Sam and others who did not have one-fourth of his betting supporters. Not far behind was Beatrice Snow, granddaughter of President Snow. She was over 6 feet tall and had been part of a wrestling and artillery club for many years. She was 15 years old but had an aspect of a 20 year old. Not far behind her Julius Adriano. He was also 15 years like her but had a much more threatening aspect. He was famous for his deadlocks and his ability to construct weapons requiring advanced technology. That was thanks to his father who was the head of the capital's technology department. In distant fourth place was Franklin Cosby who the boy in the high command group. People rumored he would be able to boss around the arena with his amazing leadership skills. In last place was a boy called Charles Wells. It was not because he did not have skills. In the opening parade he had yelled to the crowd that he regretted what the capital had done to the districts. Most tributes vowed to kill him as their first united act.