Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.


Chapter 3:

When the anthem ends, we are both taken into custody. We didn't get handcuffed, just a group of peacekeepers whisked us away through the front door of the Justice building.

Once inside they made us go into different rooms. I go inside and I'm completely alone. The room is one of the riches places I've ever been in, with deep carpets and a velvet couch and some chairs. I want to sit down, but adrenaline is coursing through my veins. Who is going to come see me off? Will anyone? Well maybe my family, but even so they might now want to see me. I just stand there looking at the door and twiddling my thumbs around. I want to cry, but it will make me seem weak. I don't even want to cry for myself, I want to cry for Katniss and Prim. Katniss is the only one who actually takes care of Prim. Crying is not an option. I push the thought out of my mind. If my family comes I will make sure they take care of Prim, I know Katniss will never let Prim take any tesserae so Prim should be safe from the games.

My thoughts stop when my father and two brothers walk in. My mom didn't come, I think she can't stand the look at me. "Wheres mom?" I ask. I surge of pain starts to dwell in my chest and I finally know my real mom. "She wants to see you alone, she's going to come right after us." my Dad says looking at me worriedly.

Gene doesn't even look at me, Bret does what he does best and try's to make a bad situation seem good. He cracks jokes about the arena and all the silly things they will make me wear. I smile slightly, but stop. I know he means well, but I hits me that I will never see any of them again. My dad shoots a warning glance in Bret's direction and he stops almost immediately, Bret knows our dad would never his us but this is no time for jokes. After a long silence my dad gestures for Bret and Gene to leave. They both hug me and I hear Gene whisper quietly in my ear, "Make sure you come back." I don't have any time to respond when they quickly leave out the door. My and my dad just stare at each other. I need to tell him to take care of Prim while Katniss is away and I need to tell him that I won't be coming back. He beats me to it.

"Now, Peeta I know what you're thinking and there is no way to change your mind so let's get to the point. I know you love that Katniss girl, anyone who truly knows you can see that, but all I'm asking is that you really try in that arena. Try to come back." he says it all do quickly and I'm too stunned to really think so all I say is, "Make sure Prim is okay while Katniss is away." I watch him carefully and he gives a slight nod. A peacekeeper comes to take him away and he gives me a hug and then he is gone. That will be the last time I see my father.

My next visitor surprises me, it's not my mother. It's Prim. She looks worried and her eyes are puffy from crying. "Hey Prim." I say as cheerfully as I can. "Hi Peeta." she says as confidently as she can. We just stand there in silence and I avert her gaze. Why did she come here? What does she want? "Peeta, I know you like my sister, may even love her so I need to tell you this may be your last chance to ever tell her. So if I were you I wouldn't waste this chance. Take care of her please?" she says. I give her a reassuring smile and say, "I will, I always will." she smiles slightly and then dashes for the door. I can't believe Prim knew I loved Katniss. I'm I really that predictable? I shake my head and wait for my mother to arrive.

It seems like only minutes when my mother is walking trough the door. She wears no smile, no surge of pain or sadness her face is neutral. I almost hate her for that, he son is going to fight to the death and she doesn't feel anything? She sits down on the velvet couch and gestures for me to sit down on the chair. And so I do, I eye her carefully unsure of her next move. She takes a deep breath and says her words almost happily, "District 12 may finally have a victor this year." I lose myself. Could she mean me? Does she see something in me and is finally feeling sad for me? No, I'm wrong. Her next words shock me but disappear when I remember it's true. "She's a fighter that one! She really is!" she almost screams in victory. She means Katniss. Of course she meant Katniss, it's true and I know I won't win anyway. I don't have any special skills, basically I'm already dead. She eyes me carefully and then a peacekeeper comes to take her away. She kisses my cheek and leaves. I start to cry. I don't care anymore, I'm going to die anyway so what does it matter if I seem weak.

I can't stop crying, not even on the car ride from the Justice building to the train station. The train station is crawling with video cameras and reporters. I stop crying, but I can't his the redness in my face or my puffy eyes. I see Katniss and my heart melts. I need to tell her I love her. I need to take Prim's advice, but I can't just go up to her and say "Hey Katniss, I don't think you even know my existence but I love you. Okay bye." She catches me staring and I quickly look away. She thinks I'm weak, she thinks this is part of my plan for the games. To seem weak, but in reality I'm not. Well if she thinks that then she is wrong. It worked for Johanna Mason or district 7 a few years back, but not for me.

We stand for a few minutes in the doorway of the train while the cameras take our images and then were allowed to enter the train. Once inside the doors shut firmly behind us and the train begins to move forward instantly.

I've never been on a train before and I know Katniss hasn't either because when it moved me both did a little gasp. Traveling to other districts is forbidden except for official duties like transporting coal.

The tribute train is even more amazing than the Justice Building. We are each given our own rooms that have a bedroom, dressing area and a private bathroom with both hot and cold water.

The drawers are filled with clothes that most of us would never be able to afford. Effie told us to change into whatever we wanted. I quickly strip from my clothes and hop into the shower. I turn the hot water on and just relax and let the days worries pass me. I quickly wash my hair and body. Then I change into a white shirt, black pants and black shoes. Exactly what I was wearing when I had woken up this morning.

Effie comes to collect me for supper. I'm the first on there. I turn to ask Effie where Katniss is, but she is already gone. I sit down and make sure there is an empty chose beside me so that Katniss has to sit next to me. Haymitch comes wandering in looking terrible. "Look who's here." I say with a grin. He glares and me and gives me a grunt, "Shut up kid. I'm going to take a nap." And then he is sauntering down the hall way wobbling and each new step he takes.

I'm a short while Katniss and Effie show up. Katniss looks at me and then the chair. And quickly she sits down.

"Where's Hatmitch?" Effies says in her bright voice." I quickly give her a smile and say, "He said he was going to take a nap." She looks at me and then she smiles, but it's a relived smile.

Supper comes in course. A carrot soup, green salad, lamb chops and mashed potatoes, cheese and fruit, a chocolate cake. The entire meal Effie reminds us to save room because there is more. I can't help myself though and neither can Katniss. We our both stuffing our faces, we have never had food like this.

"At least, least you two have decent manners. The pair last year ate everything with their hands. Like savages! It completely ruined my appetite." Effie's says grimly.

This comment makes me mad. The two from last year were kids who had never had enough to eat in their lives. My mother taught me to eat properly and I'm sure Katniss' family did too. I can tell Katniss hates this remark because she spends the rest of the time eating with her hands and when she is done she wipes them on the table cloth. This makes Effie wear a look of disgust and I can't help but try to repress my smile.

When the meal is over I feel horrible. I can tell Katniss isn't feeling so hot herself. We aren't used to this rich of a food, but I'm determined to keep it down.

We go into another compartment to watch the recap of the reapings. One by one, we see the other reapings. Someone names get called, the volunteers stepping forward or not. I look at the face of the people we will have to fight. A few stick in my head. A monstrous boy who lunges forward to volunteer from Distric 2. And this year there is a 12 year old from District 11. Lastly they show District 12. All my emotions from that day come flooding back and I have to look away. Luckily nobody notices. I hear the anthem and then the program ends.

Effie wears a look of disgust and starts to babble on about how Haymitch needs to learn manners. I can't help but laugh and say, "He's drunk. He's drunk every year."

Katniss also chimes in, "Everyday." we both can't help but smile.

Effie purses her lips and goes into a full speech about how odd we find it that our mentor is our only lifeline in the games and were laughing. Just then Hamitch appears. He staggers over to us and mumbles something. He vomits right after and falls into it.

"Laugh away!" Effies says. She hops over the pool of vomit and flees the room.