By the time I reached the train, I had already decided that seeing your loved ones for the last time is the worst feeling in the world. I want to vomit, to scream, but instead I do something far more insane: I laugh.

I can't stop laughing from the moment I walk away from all those flashing cameras. What is going on? This isn't funny. This could never be funny.

The look Grandis gave me still isn't enough to stop me. I can practically hear his thoughts they're shining through his eyes so clearly. I'm going into the Arena with a girl who has completely lost it.

The realization at the truth in this begins to dawn on me, and finally I stop.

"What in the hell was that?" demands Grandis, his voice incredulous, "do you think this is funny? What is wrong with you?!"

I swallow loudly, anger flaring up. I lash out before I can stop myself.

"At least I wasn't crying. I'd rather go into the Arena with a crazy person than a wimp." My words crack out like a whip, and I can see his jaw tighten in restrained rage. I had hit him right where it hurts: he lost his best friend to the Games last year. He hasn't been the same since—depression had wrapped its arms around him and refused to let go.

Regardless, I had always viewed tears as a weakness, especially in front of stranger. In front of Saffra was one thing, she knew everything about me. But those people with the cameras? They don't know you. They know what their first impression of you is, and that can kill you or save you in these Games.

I informed him of this in a perfectly matter-of-fact manner, refusing to allow the pang of guilt to stop me. He needs to learn, and he needs to learn fast. I'm all business now, and he's likely the only ally I'm going to have.

"She's right," said a male voice, its source striding into view a moment later. He's a tall, dark haired, silver eyed man who looks wildly familiar, though my mind doesn't conjure up a name to accompany the face.

"She's also crazy," hissed Grandis, and the man's head snapped up to look at him.

"Laughing is a fairly normal human reaction when the body, or the mind, can't handle serious bad news."

I know this unnamed man is correct, but his words hit me the wrong way. "I can handle it."

Grandis rolled his eyes, and the man doesn't even react.

"I'm Jaxen Lockhearst. I'm here to help mentor one of you. Your escort will take the other."

"But…you're not a Victor. We don't have a Victor," I said, the words sounding stupid and slow as they leave my mouth.

"Yes, thank you for pointing that out," he responded, clearly frustrated. "But the Capitol decided one escort couldn't do the job alone, so I was the lucky District 12 resident who got that job. I live in the Capitol now." His tone hardens at the end, and it doesn't take a genius to realize that he's a bitter man.

Just then, the woman from the stage waltzed in, a perfect stereotype of the Capitol people. Her hair, or wig, is lime green, and her skin is strange silver color. Her eyelashes go up to her eyebrows, which are sharp silver lines. I want to spit at the ridiculous extravagance of the Capitol while we sit in the Districts, starving away.

But I could very well end up with her as my mentor, and so I can't step on any toes. I made my sister a promise. I intend to keep it.

"In case you've forgotten, I am Tule Lapworth." Her shrill voice, combined with the utter irony of her last name (she is, after all, just another Capitol lapdog) made my blood boil, but the memory of the look on Saffra's face keeps me silent.

"I'll take the girl," blurts out Jaxen suddenly, and it takes me a moment to realize what he's talking about. He's just claimed me as his tribute to mentor.

"WHAT?!" yells Grandis, standing up and knocking his chair over in the process.

"Excuse me, but I do have a bit more experience than this District trash, thank you very much!" snaps the lapdog, and every jaw in the room drops.

"Let me get this straight," says Jaxen, a hint of laughter in his voice, "you just called me District trash, but you want a boy who's from the same District to appreciate your so called experience?"

"Not that your experience has done any of our past tributes any good," mutters Grandis, clearly correct. In the past 21 years, not a single District 12 tribute has even made it to the final 8. My chances at survival are extremely slim, even without the Capitol woman as my mentor. Doesn't mean I won't try, for Saffra's sake. And for my brothers and friends.

"I didn't mean that." Tule's voice is snappy, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I'll be in my room. I'll see you when we've reached our destination."

Jaxen bursts out laughing the moment she's left the room, though I'm sure she's not out of earshot, which makes me wonder why he even waited.

"I'll talk to you," says Jaxen, looking pointedly in my direction, "in a few hours. The two of you should eat while you can." He leaves, and I'm left staring at Grandis, who's looking at me with utter disbelief.

It dawns on me that he thinks I'm the reason he's going to die, but that's not something I'm willing to take the blame for. I didn't ask for Jaxen as my mentor—he chose me. Not my fault.

Right?

The odds are not in my favor to go home. But they're even less in his favor. So I make a very, very stupid, irrational, possibly even slightly insane decision.

"I'll tell you everything he tells me about the Games." I say it quickly, as if I'm afraid I'll try to take it back. I shouldn't be helping anyone in these Games; that will only make them more of a threat to me. But I just can't leave my District partner out to dry. Especially after what he's gone through in the past year.

We both deserve a fighting chance.

"I don't believe you." I let out an impatient sigh at his declaration. He should be grateful to me, not disbelieving.

Though if I were in his shoes, I'd likely feel the same way.

"You have my word." My voice is steady and strong, and he knows enough about me to realize that I have never gone back on my word to date.

He nods once and walks off, leaving me sitting there wondering if I just broke my promise to my sister.

A review would be greatly appreciated! : )