Chapter 1

I could say I'm not totally desperate, because in District 4 I've attended a school that prepares the future Tributes for the Hunger Games. They teached me how to use some weapons, how to fight and kill someone with bare hands.
All students (myself included) already knew how to make knots and traps because of their parent's job; furthermore, they were already able to climb, swim and fish; obviously we could also cook the fishes, and so we were already favourite for most of the ability required for the Hunger Games. In fact, people call Tributes from District 1, 2 and 4 Favorites. I know that if I'd stayed there longer, maybe I could have learnt other important things, but I moved when I was twelve, so… yes, I'm a little desperate. But at least I'm not hopeless. I guess.
Well, if nothing else I'm an expert of electronic stuff and machines. Once a Tribute from District 3 had dig out the mines in the Cornucopia's area and activated them again. Maybe I could do something like this; I might find some electronic stuff in the arena…
I sound pathetic, I know. But I don't have a choice but to hope. Otherwise, kill myself right now would be the same thing. I have to try to stay alive.
Now that I risk my life, I feel like I've something to do before saying goodbye to this world. I've to find Chloe, and tell her I'm sorry for not have been by her side when… that happened.

At least that. Please, God, let me do it before my pathetic death.

I decide to get up, since it's useless staying in a bed without sleeping. The other Tribute, Warren, is resting in the room next to mine's.

I start a tour on the train's coaches, and now I find myself here, in the coach number 4. I shouldn't be here, but since there's no one watching me, I do what I want. I guess it's almost 03:00 a.m. by looking at the dark sky, where I can barely see the Moon and the stars. In fact, it's pitch dark and I can't see much, but at least I distingue the tables and chairs in this coach, so I can walk without hitting them and falling down.

Suddenly, someone grabs my neck.

My eyes wide opens in surprise, and I instinctevely hit my aggressor's stomach with my elbow. He or she seems to be in pain, but I can't free myself anyway, since that person is really stronger than me.

"You better stay calm, kiddo, I could kill you with just one move."

It's a female voice. I freeze. I have heard that voice before, I'm sure of it. But… who is that girl…? I can't tell it straight away.

"You don't want this. If you kill me right now, you'll be in serious trouble. It's against the rules hurting other Tributes before the Games…" I'm choking, but I've to do my best to save my life, so I try to convince her not to kill me with my only weapon: my smartness.

Instantly, my aggressor's arm stops choking me, and I fall down, breathing desperately. I hope she won't kick me while I'm on the floor.

"It seems like you are the one in trouble, now. Who the fuck you think you are, uh?" she grabs my hair and pulls up my head; she's so close I can see her light blue eyes, but it's too dark to notice any other characteristic of her face.

I won't die like a worm, so I grit my teeth and reply with determination "I'm Max Caulfield, District 3, and you don't wanna mess with me."

After saying that words she suddenly leaves my hair alone and steps back, like she was scared. Have I been so persuasive?

"What the fuck…? Max…? Maximus decimo? Is it you?!"

I immediately look up at my aggressor. I can't see her well, but when she crouches next to me, I can finally recognize the girl.

She is Chloe.

For a moment, I feel relieved and happy, so happy that I jump in her arms to hug her "Chloe!" I whisper, remembering we mustn't be heard by Capitol City's staff or we would get in trouble.

"I can't fucking believe that. After five years without a message, you just show up in the fucking train for the Hunger Games! UNBELIEVABLE!" I press my hands on her mouth since she's almost screaming, and I've to keep her quiet if we wanna talk a bit more.
I remember that I haven't watched the Reap of the other Tributes yet. So I couldn't know if Chloe was chosen or… pushed to volunteer.
In fact, in the Favourite Districts, when teens become eighteen, they usually offer to go to the Hunger Games. Actually, sometimes there is more than one volunteer. That's because they could gain fame and money and escape that kind of life to become a rich star, that doesn't need to work anymore; instead, they would win goods as a prize for their District. I'm asking if Chloe did something like this, since she became eighteen this year…

But now I'm too excited for asking her about her Reap, so I don't say nothing about it. Instead, it's spontaneous to me to caress her cheek.

"My God, Chloe. How are you? How is Joyce doing?"

She looks at me sadly and a bit disappointed.

"I know you are angry, but-"

"Five years, Max. Five fucking years without a word from my best friend." she interrupted me becoming unfriendly. I bite my lip, feeling guilty. She has all the reasons of the world to be angry with me.

"I can't understand how you have been these years, but believe me, it hasn't been easy for me either, and I've never stopped thinking about you." I try to keep her attention saying something, but I know I can't fix this with just few words. "Maybe… I could do something for you in the arena." I try.

"Sorry, but I think you have done enough for me." she turns her back as if she was about to go.

So I stand up and try to stop her.

"Do you think I'd be able to kill you, Chloe Price?" I ask her "Even if I'm a shitty friend, you can trust me, Chloe. I really want to fix my mistakes with you. Because even if time has passed, I still love you and consider you my best friend. Believe me, Chloe. Please."

I swear I've done my best. I don't know if it will work. I cross my finger, and when she returns to look at my face, I can sigh in relief.

"I haven't forgiven you for what you have done to me. But yes… I believe you. Because I know how sensitive you are. I know you, after all, Max."

I step ahead to hug her again, but she keeps distance. "Hey, just because we won't kill each other, it doesn't mean you can keep confidence with me. You actually hurt me, you know?"

"I know… and I'm sorry for that. You can't feel how I am." I low my sight down to the floor.

"But since we're going to be chased and maybe killed by some crazy bitch, I'll ignore what you have done. For now." she declares, and I'm so happy that I could jump.

"I'll make it up to you, Chloe, I swear." I whisper.

"You better do it." she replies, then, in the darkness, she sits on a chair, and it seems like she's pouring some liquid in a glass.

From the smell, I understand it's a liquor.

"So, Caulfield… District 3, uh?" she says while drinking. "God, I could never afford something like that in my District." she says looking at the glass.

"I couldn't either." I tell her "Nobody in District 3 could. Except for the winners of the Hunger Games, I guess."

"So I suppose 3 is poorer than 4, right?" she asked looking at me. Her face is barely illuminated by the little light of the moon.

"Yes… we work in the industries. We product electronic things for Capitol City. We never see the sun, since we are blocked in that places." I sound nostalgic, because I remember how exactly was the life in District 4. "Fortunately my parents don't work in a fabric, but in offices. And it sucks as well."

"And what do you do, Caulfield, at your District?" she ask me interested.

"I go to school. And you, Price?" I reply with a sharped tone, bothered by being called by my surname like I was a stranger.

"I work. I always work, but thanks to David, my step-dush, I've never stopped attending the Hunger Games School. It has been really hard, but worth it." she explains what kind of life she's living like she doesn't care about it.

"Don't you go to the usual school anymore?" I remember that apart from the H.G. School, there was another institute to give students some culture and make them learn how to do their job with the ocean creatures.

"Urgh, it's a long story…" she pours other liquid in her glass and drinks it quickly, in just one sip. "You better not listen such a hella disgraceful story."

"Mmh". I mumbled. I was curious, after all. So I asked her about the Reap. "Did you volunteer as a Tribute, didn't you?"

She leaves the glass on the table, and stares at me for some seconds.

I can't stand not seeing her face clearly.

"Who knows?" she smirk.

But I won't surrender; instead, I shrug my shoulders and talk as if I don't care. "Oh, well, if you don't want to talk about it, I'll see your Reap tomorrow on the TV."

She laughs "One point for you, Max. Okay, I'll tell you." Her eyes are bright, and her hands are grabbing at the table while saying it.

"You're right. I volunteered as Tribute for the 99th edition of the Hunger Games."