When I regained conscious, my Mom was hovering over me. I sat up slowly and took in my surroundings. The room was small, but the furniture was elegant and covered by black and gray leather. There was also beautiful paintings and one was a portrait of Lily Panrim, our District's mayor. I was laying on a sofa that felt like a cloud and much more comfortable than my own bed.

"This is Mayor Panrim's parlor." I said.

Mom drew back a strand of my hair. "Yes, sweetheart it is."

"Then it wasn't a nightmare."

Mom's eyes were welling with tears and her face was bright red, a sign of tears that she had cried before.

"No, Sionnach, it was not a dream." Mom said quietly.

I could not be brave, not even if I tried. I leaned forward and hugged Mom nice and tight; for a moment I was a small child in need of comfort.

"Sssh. Hush, my dear. You're going to win and you'll be home before you know it."

"Do you really think I could do it?" I asked.

I could feel Mom stroking my hair, something that she often did to calm me. It never failed and I felt myself relax in her arms.

"I remember the day you were born. For a moment, you were not breathing, and the midwife did whatever she could to revive you. I was so scared that I was going to lose you, but you fought for your life. Now, you'll simply you have to do it again. Like before, you'll come out strong. Fight, Sionnach. Fight for survival."

I gave a strong nod and wiped away the rest of my tears with my sleeve. It was only then that I realized that Dad was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Dad?"

"Oh, he's outside. He's not feeling well."

I released Mom and sat up straight. "You'll tell him that I love him, right?"

Mom took my face in her hands. "Of course I will."

We were both startled when a Peacekeeper came into the room and nodded his head. It was time to go. I turned back to Mom and saw she was no longer, but she was smiling.

"You'll win." Mom kissed my cheek. "You'll win."

In the blink of an eye, Mom left and I was taken away by the Peacekeeper. Me, the other tribute, and Mr. Odeflame boarded a train that would take us to The Capitol. It was my first time on a train, but I was not excited. It didn't feel like a train. I felt like I was being taken to my own funeral.

"It means "fox," doesn't it?"

I had been looking out the window when I heard Mr. Odeflame speak. He was seated next to me and the other tribute, who was named Rusty, was asleep in the seat across from us.

"Your name means "fox," right?" Mr. Odeflame asked again.

I nodded. "Yes, it does."

"Then you must be clever and quick."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I like to think I am."

"Then use that, Sionnach. Use it."

"How is that going to keep me alive?"

"Because it's a game. Not all games are about strength. Some are simply about strategy."

I understood what Mr. Odeflame was saying and he was right. Or was my Mom right? Do I fight to survive? Do I simply use my wit? As the days went by, I pondered this question, still not sure what to do.

When we arrived at the Capitol, me and Rusty were taken to The Remake Center. It was then I was able to get a glimpse of my competition. Some seemed frightened, but others looked hungry for blood. As two stylists took me from the Peacekeepers, we walked past a set of showers. I tried to keep my head down, trying not to invade the privacy of the other tributes.

I don't know what came over me, but as we passed the last shower, I looked up. Standing under the shower head, was a male tribute. Water ran down his dark skin, and I caught a glimpse of what a man would not normally show to anyone but his lover. Finally, the tribute realized that I was looking at him, and I quickly lowered my head again; feeling a warm sensation come to my cheekbones.