I can see the morning light's struggle to make its way through the swaying curtains. I feel the ground underneath me shake. From my soft cocoon of blankets, I moan at the sound of a sharp rapping at my door. Dacia is here to wake me. I do not want to get up, why doesn't she just go away? Why can't I just sleep in forever? But the at my door knocking is relentless, and eventually Dacia just bursts into my train car/room. "Up! Dearie," she pulls off the many layers of blankets. She finds me at the bottom of the pile, angry and growling to myself. "Dearie, you have to get up. Clove!" she chirps and then shakes me. "Clove! Clove, you have to get up!"

I dart upwards, ending up face to face with Dacia and scowl. I can see her trembling. "W-we h-h-have arrived at the C-Capitol," she tells me, her voice no more than a whisper. I don't have to say a thing, she trots out of the room on her own.

We're here. We are finally at the Capitol. I take a moment to contemplate this. I will stay at the Capitol for one week. Then I will spend who knows how long in the Arena. After that. After everyone else is dead. I swallow. After Cato is dead, I will go back home. I will be showered with riches, admiration and my grandmother will have no choice but to love me.

I run to the bathroom, hop into the shower and indulge myself in some soap, shampoo and conditioner labeled "Hibiscus". Whatever hibiscus is, it smells wonderful. When I am dressed in a thin robe, I press a button on the wall. It fans my hair so it sweeps about my head like linen drying in the wind.

After rummaging through several drawers, I hit the jackpot. A whole year's supply of make-up. I put on some mascara and pull out some black eyeliner and trace it under my lashes, making my eyes pop. I apply a nude shade of pink to my lips. I might as well look good, even in the face of the enemy. Once I am through with the make-up, I look the best I've looked in a long time. How could the Capitol abuse the gift of looking your best by decorating themselves as absolute freaks? I may never understand this.

Once I've pulled my hair into high ponytail and deck it with a bow, I decide I am ready to show my face to my future admirers and sponsors. I practically fly through the cars that separate me from the dining room. I haven't felt this good since before my father was killed on duty as a Peacekeeper. I haven't felt this good since the last time someone bothered to nurture me, love me, and treat me like what I am. A person. An imperfect yet beautiful person. I haven't felt this good since Cato saved me from his other friends.

I dash into the dining car and scarf down some sort of purple apple. I wash it down with orange juice and have my meal finished in three minutes flat. I then turn and look out the window. Next to me, Cato stares arrogantly at the Capitol citizens. They love his act and absolutely lose it when I arrive. I hear my name screamed in a million different ways. I smirk at the silly beings. Cato and I could actually pull this off.

Obviously, I have underestimated the decibels of the cheering. When the train has screeched to a stop and I step onto solid ground again, the cheers grow all the louder. I have become accustomed to the slight sway of the train and I rock a bit on the spot. Brutus comes out and puts a firm hand on my small shoulder. He raises a single hand and the whole crowd falls silent.

That is the sort of power and control I want when I win this thing. The power of silence at the wave of my hand. I hope to attain this by killing, because murder does not seem worthwhile otherwise. The ultimate sacrifice for the ultimate reward. It is only fair, is it not?

Brutus' voice booms over the occasional chatter, "The captain is experiencing some technical difficulties. I will be back out in a few. I am just going to help out a bit. Thank you for your patience and 'May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor.'"

The Capitol citizens go crazy at the direct quote. It's something of a slogan here, I personally find it rather disgusting, how they could celebrate something as brutal as this. But I guess that is sort of hypocritical of me, considering that I volunteered for this.

As Brutus leaves, Cato comes out and the crowd's uproar is deafening. Cato grins. We stand for a minute, just listening to the enthusiastic cheers. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, my resolve to seem confident slowly shredding to pieces. Cato looks at me, noticing how nervous I am. I look back at him. "What now?" I whisper to him, too quiet for the citizens to hear.

"What now?" Cato echoes in disbelief.

I nod.

"Now…" he begins.

I close my eyes, biting my lip. I hear his voice over all the others.

"Now we give them a show."

With that, Cato cups my face in his hands and kisses me.

AN: Yay! Now that the third chapter is posted, I can be at ease. Sorry this took so long to post, I had writer's block. Ugh. But now it's up for all to see! I hope you guys like it! Review please! And maybe even favorite or follow! Thank you so much! I will try to post the next chapter more quickly.

~Flare