They had brought him somewhere, an unfamiliar place. The walls were dark and there were no windows. Niall was scared, his heart pounding out of his chest.

The boy was being watched, security cameras lined the four corners of the bland room. He sat on the couch made of black leather, it gave under his weight leaving him in an uncomfortable spot.

A quirky high pitched voice boomed from a hidden speaker.

" Male tribute of district 6, please step into the second door to your right, thank you."

He got up reluctantly, pushing against the door revealing a brightly lit room. Fine tapestries lined the walls, glorious hardwood floors and extravagant furniture. He was amazed, he had never seen such elegance in his life, he'd always struggle to buy food and he'd never have any left over to indulge in such riches. All he'd ever owned was broken and tattered, covered in soot and whatnot. Niall never really cared to be clean, it wouldn't do him any good in his situation.

" Ah yes, Niall Horan please come over here so I can ask you a few questions." This woman had a snooty upbeat voice that just annoyed the hell out of him.

" So you're the tribute for district 6.." She eyed him up and down. He had a very slim frame she noticed.

Niall felt self concious, he didn't like the way his body was; it definitely wouldn't help him in the arena.

They would break his brittle bones and eat him alive. Once you're in there; it's survival of the fittest.

"Alright, well it's just a few questions and then we'll give you 30 minutes to say goodbye to your loved ones. Im sure you know the protocol right?"

He nodded.

"Do you have any illnesses that we should know about?"

"Um.. only thing I know of is my asthma, but it isn't bad really." he said his voice shaky

She started writing something on her clipboard.

" Who are your parents?"

...

" I don't have any, they died during the revolt of the 86th reaping. I've been alone ever since." His cheeks were red hot and his mouth was dry. Niall never talked about his parents, it was something that was known by everyone. Nobody pitied him, not even the woman standing right before him, she rolled her forest green eyes as she continued writing on her clipboard.

She had shown no remorse, this woman didn't care if his parents were dead; or if he lived or died. She was selfish like everyone in the capitol.

" You can go now." She waved him off

"w..where?"

"Down the corridor, you'll be allowed to summon one person to say your goodbyes and whatever." she said half ignoring him. "It's not like you're going to win anyway, with those emotions you have no chance against anyone else. Im sure a 12 year old girl could kill you before you laid a hand on her.

Niall looked into the woman's somber eyes; he was full of anger. It was true what she had said, he couldn't kill a 12 year old girl. Not because he was weak, it's because he wouldn't be able to bring himself to do it.

The boy walked away in silence, down the corridor into another unfamiliar room. The same darkness that the first one had.

"Male tribute from district 6, who do you wish to bid farewell?" A guard said as he entered the room.

"Liam... Liam Payne please?"

The guard spoke into a microphone, the entirety of the district could hear what he would say.

Only minutes had passed and Liam barged into the room, out of breath.

"Ni...Niall!" he barely managed to say.

"Liam I'm so sorry." He choked out

"why are you..sorry?" He gave Niall a hurt look, he was confused.

"Because I know I won't win this thing, I can't. I wouldn't even hurt a fly Liam.." His voice now gruff, he couldn't even look him in the eyes.

"Don't say that babe.. you'll win this thing. We'll be together at the end of the games. I can promise you that..." He pulled niall into an embrace. " Remember that scene in your favorite book, the one where the beggar had ventured into a battle with a tyrant to save his love's life?"

Niall nodded in Liam's arms.

"And how the princess, was afraid that he had died or something. Though he came back, he was a bit bruised but he came back."

He looked up at Liam, his coffee brown eyes glimmered with hope.

Niall huffed. " I promise i'll try, you aren't going to lose me Li. I'd never let that happen."

"Give me your hand." Liam whispered into the boy's ear and the two boys hands intertwined. " Now hold it to your heart."

"After all this is over, we'll be out of this wreck of a district. We won't have to spend our lives in poverty anymore."

Niall hated how Liam was so cheerful about this situation, he could die any moment there. He had no special talents or anything that could guarantee him a victory. The only thing he knew about surviving is to run whenever you're in danger.

"yeah.." he agreed.

"Wrap it up boys, your time is almost over. Tick Tock" the guard said.

Niall kissed Liam for what would seem as the last time, as he was ripped from his arms.

"I love you!" Liam screamed as he was pulled away from his lover.

Niall fell to his knees and broke out into a sob.

Who was he kidding? He couldn't win this, he was going to let Liam down. He had absolutely no chance, unless magically the people of Panem sponsored him while he was in the arena. He'd probably slip on the platform during the countdown and blow himself to smithereens. He had seen it happen, it wasn't an uncommon thing to slip on the platforms.

A familiar voice in a low tone spoke

"..Niall?"