A.N. This chapter is for the only reviewer I have. You know who you are. (I don't. You're anonymous.)

Hex and I had just arrived at the hotel. Diamond, our escort, has been trying to provoke us into a conversation. She was the escort for District one these last few years. District one is full of careers; they probably had no problem with talking to the escort. She thought that the capitol children would be even more chatty, or at least more emotional. But I'm not the typical capitol teen. And I don't think Hex is either.

Hex has surprised me. I'm skeptical. He seems very down to earth, the way he is free of an accent. And he's a rebel, against the rebels, proposing an alliance to the first girl on the kill list. And he doesn't talk much. He gets straight to the point. Then again, I'm like that, too. Poor Diamond must be very confused.

These games aren't a quell, but they may as well be. They're entirely predictable in the fact that they're going to be different. That's all we really sure. Maybe 13 will take mercy on the capitol teens, knowing we're not as capable. Or maybe the games will be an act of vengeance against us. Either way, the capitol is getting entertainment. The capitol isn't dead. The capitol spirit will never die. Most people of the capitol aren't into politics anyways. They're just under…new management. And the capitol is thirsty for blood.

I don't want to get too close to Hex. There's always the possibility he'll die. Or worse. I'll have to kill him. But I'll do it. Maybe I'll just pull an Everdeen and take out some berries. But 13 wouldn't care if I did that. They actually DON'T have to have a victor. I'm starting to realize that my life is over. I'll forever be Snow's granddaughter. If I die… Well, I'll just be part of the lesson 13 is teaching the world. I don't want to be a pawn in their game.

Glass doorways lined with the new soldiers appeared as the train stopped. The new soldiers certainly had a new look to them. Their outfits were designed by a victor Beetee. They look like the uniforms worn by the tributes in the last quarter quell.

We were shuffled into a glass elevator. It went so high so fast I could see anything. Then the doors dinged and I stepped outside.

It took Diamond's breath away. She was obviously faking the awe, though. She's from the capitol. We all are this year. Nothing will impress us.

"So, this is where we will be staying for a short time. Magnificent, huh?" She asked in one of the most outrageous accents I've heard.
"It's cool." Hex shrugged, just as unphased by all the silver appliances and holographs as I was.
Diamond frowned. "Sarcasm will get you nowhere, Hexagon."

I couldn't hold back my surprised smile.
"Hexagon?" I asked.
"Shut up," He said with well hidden embarrassment. "I didn't name myself, you know."
I rolled my eyes, amused.

Diamond continued to rant.

"You know, you should be so much more appreciative of this space. It's probably the best you've ever had…in the last few weeks. Ms. Everdeen has done her best to make sure that this year's tributes are in their most definite state of tranquility."
I held back a glare. Hex seemed to be doing the same.
"Why?" I shot. "Oh yeah, I remember. She's trying to juxtapose our bodies that way the arena will seem more deadly. A lot deadlier if you factor in that we're from the capitol."
"The deadly arena which will kill us, by the way." Hex reminded her.

She stuck her nose up. "Such rude children! Such bitter, rude children. Haven't your parents taught you better?"
"I never had parents." Hex and I snapped at the same time.

I never had parents, but I thought Hex did. Or at least that's what I could tell from the train ride.

"They might as well be dead. I never saw them." He explained, reading my mind. "The poor, pitiful districts aren't the only ones with tortured pasts."

Diamond turned her silver lips down in a frown once again. She ignored our grim statements.

"Obviously there are no victors to mentor you this year." She said. "However; it has been decided that trainers from the Capitol shall teach you. Now, I think you are in better hands this year than all the other years. These trainers have never been in the games, but they know them. They have studied the games, learned how they work. They learned what you need to learn. They might as well be victors for every single game in the history of games!" She cried, delighted.
"The history of games that the capitol started? The terrible history that should have ended last year, but didn't because even the districts admit they want a little entertainment, a little revenge?" He almost growled.

I'm pretty sure Diamond had given up on us just then. She probably wasn't expecting two sad teenagers, none the less Capitol teenagers. And especially not Block One Capitol Teenagers.

But we weren't your average rich kids.

Diamond had retreated to her bedroom to write in a journal, no doubt complaining about us. Hex and I had been sitting on one of the beautiful, clean, white couches. Not saying anything. We both liked it that way; good and silent. I glanced over at him. His dark eyes were glazed over, lost in his own thoughts. I was too nervous to get trapped into a dazed trance. I desperately wanted to bounce around, squeal a little bit. But that's something the old, happy Ericka would do. She would be bawling at this situation. But I'm not the old Ericka anymore. For some reason I felt as though that name didn't suit me anymore…

Almost ten minutes later the door slid open. A man stepped in. He was tall and muscular, with no hair on his head.

Diamond had bounded out of her room at the same time the door opened. She had quickly embraced the man and kissed him on both cheeks.

His eyes widened surprise and he awkwardly shoved her away. She ignored that.

"Hello, Mr. Creed!" She cheered.
He raised his eyebrows calmly. "Who are you?"
She looked taken aback. "I'm Diamond Trail. The escort for block one."
"I'm here for the children."
She scowled. "Well, the only two children are those, obviously." She pointed at us. "And as you can see they're just sulking away."
He brushed her off and walked towards us. He sat between us on the couch, sitting strait and strong and silent. Hex looked like he could care less and I mimicked his expression. He waited until Diamond left the room again.

"Gods, is she always like that?" He asked in his gruff, deep voice.
"Oh yes, always." Hex smirked. "We've known each other a long time."
"Ever since she announced our names as tributes in the death games." I added helpfully.

The man, Mr. Creed, threw his head back a little in exasperation.
"I'm here for a reason." He said. "To make sure you survive these death games."
"Frustrated so fast?" Hex snorted. "You're really gonna hate us."

I don't know why but I felt a little happier when he said 'us'. Like I'm like him.

Mr. Creed chose to ignore our bitterness, which has been happening a lot today, and carry on with his speech.

"You will make it out alive." He said. "I promise."

Hex looked over at me and raised his eyebrows, signaling me to say something.

"Nice strategy." I noted. "You're not talking to one of us in particular. Because you know that even with when you're as successful as you can be, there's still going to be only one of us alive. And that's only if the other 22 from the other blocks die first."
Mr. Creed bit his lip. "My job is to make sure you both have a better chance of living than anyone else. That's my strategy. You don't have to listen to me. But that's your choice."

I nodded approvingly. Fair point, Mr. Creed. Fair point.