Papa, where are we going now? District Eleven.

Agriculture, right? Very good.

When are we leaving the station? In a few minutes Emma. Please let me do my work. Look out the window.

Oh, Papa. Look. Those men are hitting that man laying on the floor. Look.

Emma, those are just the peacekeepers. Like me.

But the man wasn't hurting anybody. Why are they doing that?

I'm sure they have a good reason. Now please let me do my work.

Chapter Three

The Short Train Ride

Our train ride will be short. Our district borders the Capitol. There are not any sleeping cars just passenger cars. We're served a light snack by a pair of avoxes. The prisoners that have had their tongues cut out and forced to act as Capitol slaves. I ask for something light, a fruit salad and a glass of wine. I then look to Fuchsia and she says "That's okay. You're of age. But go easy." Simon orders half the menu and shovels it down as fast as he can. Much to Fuchsia's dismay.

Entering the car now are our mentors. Brutus and Kon. When I look up I don't see Kon but Lannie. Why the change? Lannie's win was very unremarkable and she has no experience. Brutus is a very large man that I've met before through my father. He's dressed in a very sharp suit and he says hello to Simon and tries to shake his hand. Simon has so much food in his mouth he can't answer back. He then turns to me "Hello Emma. Your parents must be so proud of you." "They are. Especially my father." He says"Last time I saw him he said you were going to be reaped. I said volunteer? And he said, no reaped. I wonder why he was so certain?" "I'm not sure but remember a broken clock is correct twice a day." He laughs and brings Lannie forward "Lannie this is Simon and Emma." Simon just nods and waves "Hello again Emma." Lannie and I have met each other before.

Lannie is one of the most beautiful woman I've ever met. If she didn't dress like a slut she could be a supermodel. Her skirt is so high you can almost see her underwear, If she's wearing any. Her heels are very high and her top is cut very low. From the look Fuchsia is giving her we might see her in a new outfit soon. But she has a great body. A body most girls would kill for. Getting a little self conscious I look at my chest and hips and wonder. I quickly get the thought out of my mind. I have a body of a young woman and I wouldn't trade it in.

Lannie orders some food and Brutus sits across from me. "How is you father doing? I hear he's up for a promotion" "Fine. He's very hopeful." I had not heard that he was up for a promotion but I didn't want to give away anything. "Why did they change from Kon to Lannie?" "I don't know. It was a last minute change right after the reaping." Brutus and Kon have been mentors for a few years and have produced victors. Lannie on the other hand just parties and lives off her winnings.

Lannie's win was unusual. I can see why she made it to the final eight. She was with the career alliance and she made her other District Two tribute her protector by using her looks and body. As the alliance fell apart she survived by staying away from everyone else and they just killed each other. The one who looked like he would win was this little kid from Three. He was all brains. He managed to find all the ingredients for gun powder and built a crude gun out of a hollow piece of wood. One by one he picked off the others until she was the only other one left. We saw him load the gun, aim it and then, BOOM, it exploded in his face. Dead instantly. Canon goes off, slut wins.

"Have you started formulating a strategy yet?" "Well I..." and then I pause. "That's okay. You don't have to tell me. Wow, you're so lucky to be in the games. I wish I was able to do it again." He leans in "Listen Emma. You'll do fine. I've watched you grow up. How well you do in school sports and most importantly, how you've been trained by you father. To be honest with you I would trade Simon for you any day." "Thank you Brutus. I might be asking you for advice this week." "I'll be glad to help. Now let me see If I can get that boy away from the table to wave to the crowds as we enter the Capitol."

Brutus comes up behind Simon and smacks the back of his head to get him up. I look at Lannie and wonder. How can she help me? She is just some party girl. Oh geez, I wish El was here. We could formulate a strategy together. The train slows down and the lights go on and off. We're moving through the large switch yard just prior to the last tunnel before entering the Capitol. The switch yard is massive. Hundreds of trains flow though these tunnels daily. There are only two ways to enter the Capitol, train and hovercraft. Hovercrafts are reserved for military and government use only, trains for all others. We enter the tunnel and stop. Through the window I can see peacekeepers searching the outside of the train. They are also searching the interior. Fuchsia shows them all our entry passes. "Welcome tributes to the Capitol. Enjoy your stay." Enjoy your stay! What an idiotic thing to say. One of us, definitely and possibly both of us won't enjoy the stay. The peacekeeper looks at Brutus and says "You're Brutus, aren't you. Can I get your autograph for my son. He's a big fan. He dressed up as you last Harvest Day" Brutus obliges him and they move on. I don't know whose worse, the person who enjoys killing or his worshiper.

We start up again and when we leave the tunnel Simon races to the window. He starts waving wildly to the crowd. The girls in the crowd are hysterical. They're screaming wildly and even a few faint. He's an instant celebrity. They're holding signs with his name on them. I think they've started a fan club already. "Come on Emma. Wave to the crowd. They want to see you too" says Lannie. I grab a bunch of grapes to pick on and make my way to the window and give them what my mother suggested, my patented smile and wave. The crowd responds. Lannie leans in "Keep it up. Those are all potential sponsors." She is right. The games are always fought on two fronts. In the arena and outside with sponsors. Maybe that is why she's her. To woo sponsors, especially the old men.