PearyPants44's A/N: Hey all! As promised, here's Thursday's update! Remember to review! I think I have anon reviews set on, so go ahead and do it that way if you'd like! Oh, and strange thing to say, but go ahead and flame me. Lol. I really want to see EVERYONE'S opinion, so go right ahead! If you don't want me to respond to a review (because I'm trying my hardest to) just say so and I won't. Oh, and sorry, but this is the last chapter I actually have written 0_o. I'm halfway through 4. Been working on it for a while. But I'll get 4 and 5 done this weekend so they can be posted Tuesday and Thursday next week!

In other news, 15 days til THG comes out... SDOUHOSDFISJD. Who's going to the midnight premiere? What's that? I am? Hehehe be jealous ;) But seriously, who else is going?

Without further ado, chapter 3!

- Connor

Closer to Death…

Trying my hardest to forget whatever it is Mayor Watts and my mother are hiding from me, I check out the Capitol train car around me. After living in one of the most expensive houses in the district all my life, you would think a simple train wouldn't dazzle me. But this train isn't filled with rows of dirty seats where you are to sit until you reach your destination. It's more like a large apartment.

The door to the train slides closed behind me as I step off the welcome mat and onto the gray carpet. Looking straight forward, I see that the entire far wall is made of glass, allowing me to see right outside. The rest of the walls are decorated with pale green wallpaper and a few small windows.

I decide immediately that this room is the largest on the train, the dining and living room. It's separated into two parts. To my left is a massive dining table with a glass surface and dark wooden legs. In the center of it rests an exotic plant you could never hope to find in the factory-infested District 3. An extravagant chandelier hangs above the table, shimmering brightly even thought it's not turned on. The rest of the dining area is filled with large potted plants and wine racks. A door behind the table must lead to the kitchen since there's a delicious smell pouring out of it.

The other half of the car is the living room. In the corner is a large TV that sits on a wooden TV stand. There's a glass cabinet in the stand with boxes of tapes inside, probably records of the past thirty-four Games. Around the TV are two black leather couches, big enough to fit several people each. A coffee table stacked with magazines is positioned in front of the couches along with a few end tables, each housing a small lamp. Both halves of the room have a hallway branching off of them, leading to the bedrooms I assume.

Apparently, I'm the first one on the train. There's no sign of Adena Jaye, Raymon Cedric, or even Inina Chiara anywhere. There must be a few workers somewhere. I mean, someone has to be cooking that amazing-smelling food.

However, I choose to believe that I'm alone. This has all happened so fast that I'm left overwhelmed. I think I need to lie down or something. Just this morning I was living a perfectly fine life, waking up in my cozy room to a homemade breakfast. I was a child who had nothing to worry about because my mother did everything for me. Now, only a few hours later, I'm forced to grow up, something I should have done long ago. My mother can't be here for me now. In the Hunger Games, it's my actions that will determine my survival. Just like I had to be at the reaping, I'm now a completely independent young adult.

Accepting that fact is hard. From now on, life won't be as easy as it has been. In a few days, I'll be fighting for my food, not having it given to me. Will I be able to manage? I'm sure most of the other tributes are from the lower-class. They're used to not eating much, to having to fight for survival. They'll have the upper hand. I'm just a weak kid who's always had things handed to him.

Looking around, I'm glad to see there are no camera people on the train. No one is watching. I don't have to pretend to be brave or strong. I can be myself. It's not long before I burst into tears, standing in the same spot as when I entered the train. My glasses, already stained from my crying in the justice building, are getting even more foggy, now to the point where I can barely see.

I glance around nervously, fighting back a few of the tears just for a second. The others should be boarding any second. I don't want them seeing me like this! Out of the two hallways, I pick the one on the living room side of the car and hurry down it. I arrive at two wooden doors facing each other. I run my hand over the knob of the one that has the label "Male". This room is for me.

Turning the doorknob, I push the door open all the way, hoping to throw myself on the bed and continue sobbing. It's too bad I'm not alone. I find myself joining a man in black dress pants and an equally black button-up shirt. He whirls around from whatever he was doing, revealing his solid black tie and a red pin on his chest that reads "Avox".

"I-I'm… sorry," I stutter, wiping my nose on my shirt sleeve. "I thought I was alone."

The man, who looks to be in his late twenties or early thirties, shakes his head quickly, silently telling me that I wasn't interrupting anything. He stands up straight, fixing his shirt and looking at me as if he's waiting further instructions. Being an Avox must be a technical term for one of the employees.

Releasing a long sigh, I fall down onto the nearby bed and bury my head in my hands, not quite crying, but trying to avoid eye contact with the man until he leaves the room. After a few minutes, he's still in the same spot, apparently not leaving until I give him something to do. Looking up, I mutter, "Could you, um, get me some wires or something?"

The man barely even nods before darting out of the room. I hear his footsteps rapidly retreating down the hall, searching for the wires I've requested. I don't know how he's going to manage to find any. Why would they have spare wires lying around the train?

But sure enough, he returns in a flash wielding a spool of wire and clippers. He holds his hands out to me and I take the objects setting them on the mattress beside me. "Thank you," I say. Not long after that the Avox takes the stiff position again, awaiting more orders. Sadly, I have none. What am I supposed to say?

"So," I decide to start. It can't hurt to make conversation, right? "Your job must be pretty cool. I mean, you get to serve tributes on this fancy train all the time. Does it pay well?" I get no verbal response. Instead, the man shakes his head slowly. I get the feeling he doesn't really get paid for his job. "How'd you land a job like this anyway?" I continue. He looks uncomfortable, shuffling his feet without responding.

"Man, and I thought I was antisocial," I mutter. "Don't you talk?" The man's eyes drop and he bites his lip. After shaking his head, he opens his mouth. My own jaw drops when I see the horrifying sight.

"Y-you… You have no… tongue?" I ask, completely disgusted. Looking into the man's mouth, there's not even a hint of his tongue. No stub or anything. Just the gooey bottom of his mouth. I don't get it. Was he born like that?

I begin to feel bad that I've been trying to get him to talk. He obviously can't, so I quickly say, "I'm so sorry. Have you always been like this?"

The Avox shakes his head violently. I question him further and he makes a cutting motion with his fingers. I gasp and ask, "It was cut out?" He nods. "That's… that's awful! Who did this to you? The peacekeepers?" He shakes his head. "President Pyrros?" Another shake, but less sure. "The Capitol?" He nods. "Well… why'd they do it?"

The man pauses for a moment, tapping his foot and scratching his chin. After getting an idea, he sneaks over to the end table next to the bed and swipes the clock off of it. I shrug and say, "You stole a clock? That kind of punishment seems a little harsh." He sighs and puts the clock down. He takes his hands and acts like he's eating food. As another guess, I say, "You stole food?" He nods.

This whole idea seems absolutely insane to me. He steals some food and gets his tongue cut off? That's ridiculous! I bet he didn't even have a proper trial or anything like that. I always knew the Capitol was barbaric like this. They seem so prim and proper with their perfect manners and outfits, but on the inside, they're all monsters. They get sick joy out of watching children kill themselves and cutting people's tongues out!

"Wow, that's terrible," I say, unsure of what else I should do. I'm about to suggest that he sit down, but he probably has work to do. Instead, I say, "Well, it was nice meeting you. I guess you can go now." He starts for the door, but something makes me jump up and grab his arm. It's a stupid question, but I carry through with it and ask, "What's your name?"

The Avox frowns, looking around the room, probably for something he could use to spell out his name. But somewhere back in the main car, I hear a man's voice boom, "Horatio! Why aren't you fulfilling your duties?" The man looks at me and I understand.

"Horatio…" I whisper to myself as he nods. "I hope to see you again, Horatio." That statement was also dumb. From his awkward expression, I don't think he's supposed to be associating with the tributes. Plus, I could be dead in a week. There's no chance of us meeting again. As Horatio hurries out, I slam the door closed behind him, lock it, and fall back on my bed.

I try hard to forget about my encounter with the Avox and fiddle with the spool of wires. I don't really have a purpose for doing it. I guess the action just reminds me of home. I twirl the wires around my hand, tie certain parts into knots, rip them apart and connect them, anything I can do to keep my mind busy until the train suddenly jerks forward and I fall back onto my bed. I guess everyone else is on board and we're leaving for the Capitol. I look out one of my windows and watch as District 3 fades into the distance. In this moment, I'm ridding myself of my nasty peers who mock me. However, I'm also furthering myself from a mother who cares. It pains me to know I'm riding the train that will take my closer to the Capitol. Closer to the Hunger Games. Quite possibly, closer to death.

A part of me wants to scream until my lungs can't take it anymore. I should probably be complaining about how unfair this is, but I know that wouldn't be right. This is fair. Unfair is that thousands of families have to live in poverty while I have everything I need. Unfair is the fact that Horatio had his tongue cut out for stealing food. In a strange way, it's fair that I'm the tribute this year instead of some poor boy who's already had a terrible life.

Silently, I lean back on the pillows of my bed and continue to play around with the wires. It's now that I finally check out the contents of my room for the night. The bed I lay on is similar in size to the one I have back home, but this one is much comfier and has gray sheets with matching pillowcases. The floor and walls are bland shades of blue, white, and gray. A desk sits next to my bed with a lamp and rolling chair. A closet is next to the door that I assume leads to the bathroom. Two dressers are pushed against one wall by the door to the rest of the train. Several windows cover two of the four walls, allowing me to see the trees whirring by. The sun is beginning to set, turning the sky a red-orange color.

Without warning, someone begins banging on my door while wiggling the locked doorknob. I jump back, but calm myself when I realize it's only my mentor, Raymon Cedric.

"Beetee!" he says sternly, but also with care. He sounds like my father used to when he needed me to do something immediately. "Dinner's ready! Come on out!"

The mention of food makes my stomach growl, but I refuse to leave my position on my bed. Subconsciously, I've already been planning how to fight through these Games. My body is used to always having enough to eat, and chances are there's not going to be a five-course meal laid out for us in the arena. I need to adjust to eating less. I promptly decide against eating tonight and make no noise to Raymon who is urging me to come out.

However, that's not my only reason for hiding in my room. I hate admitting it, but I'm scared. I suppose anyone would be given my circumstances. I've just been sentenced to death. How could I possibly be in the mood to eat? I also don't want to show my face to the others. I don't want them knowing how afraid I am. Normally, I'm a brave, calm person, so I assume the fear will pass as I get used to my situation. I just have to have some time to myself.

"Beetee Elysio!" Raymon shouts louder, a hint of agitation in his voice. "You have to eat something! Come out here right now!"

"Can't hear you," I say. "I'm asleep."

"Bee-" Raymon cuts himself short with a sigh. "Fine! Don't eat. I'm just trying to give you your best chance. But you will come out to watch the reapings. I'm not letting you die that easily." I don't answer as I hear Raymon walk away.

For the next half an hour, I sit on my bed and mess around with my wires, calming myself down and trying to forget everything about home. It will only distract me. But trying to forget my mother only makes me think of her more, so I decide to think on completely different things. What the arena could possibly be, if I want any alliances, regular Games stuff.

The growling in my stomach increases and I finally decide that I'm going to need to put something in my stomach. Gradually, I pull myself off my bed and set the wires on my pillow. Slowly, I walk to the door and unlock it. Mentally, I'm preparing myself. I have to keep myself under control around the others. I'm Beetee Elysio, one of the bravest people in District 3. I can push through anything. That's what I have to portray to them.

Apparently, I've come out at just the right time. Raymon is standing and walking in my direction, but he stops when he sees me. "I was just about to tell you the reapings were starting," he mutters.

Raymon retakes his seat on the couch that also houses Adena Jaye. Her hazel eyes stare straight forward, studying the TV screen and not paying me any attention. Her hands are shaking, so I'm guessing she's still in shock. I can't blame her. It's not every day you get shipped away from your home to fight it out with twenty-three other teenagers.

I grab a roll from a basket on the dining table and sit down on the other couch which is empty. I have to pay close attention to the reapings. I need to start learning about my competition. These kids could cause my life or death and I'm going to prepare myself for that.

Unfortunately, I'm not the only one on the couch for long. Inina Chiara comes barreling down the hallway and leaps over the couch, plopping down beside me. She smoothes out her sickly green dress and primps her matching hair as she chimes, "Have I missed anything?"

"Not yet," Raymon assures her as District 1's seal is displayed. The action starts right away as the girl is reaped. I miss her name as Inina sneezes obnoxiously in my ear, but no one volunteers for her. I wonder why because normally District 1's tributes are both Careers. Either way, she looks a little shaken, but recovers herself quickly as the crowd roars in approval. A young boy is reaped, but he is quickly replaced by eighteen-year-old Solon Valdus. Even through a television screen, Solon manages to scare the crap out of me. His blonde hair is short for the most part, but the bangs are slightly longer and spiked up. His blue eyes seem to stare straight into my mind, seeking out my biggest fears and bringing them up. How he does it is beyond me, but I know if I'm ever faced with him in the arena, I probably won't be able to move let alone fight. His tan skin is packed with muscles so large it looks as if he could snap me like a twig. All in all, he's a competitor.

"Oh," Inina says cheerily. "He's- ACHOO! He's a- ACHOO! I mean- ACHOO!" She never finishes what she was trying to say, but I don't think it was anything important.

The seal for District 2 appears and I try to pay more attention despite Inina sprinkling me with snot. I inch myself away from her as the female volunteer's name is announced as Aponi Cathal. She's intimidating, but not nearly as much as Solon. Her dark hair is curled in a way that makes her look stunning and deadly at the same time. Her district partner, Ares Gruff, doesn't disappoint. He's sixteen, only one year younger than Aponi, and is also a volunteer. The duo smiles winningly at the crowd, enforcing a wave of applause. They smirk at each other and I can tell the Careers are going to be tough this year.

Now it's time for our own district. I try not to watch as Adena is reaped. The scream coming from the boy in the crowd is heard and I feel as if a crack has opened up in my heart. It's only a reminder of how sick these Games really are. Adena obviously had people who cared about her and now she may never see them again. My name is called and the discomfort on Mayor Watts' face is easily spotted. I look braver than I felt as I march onto the stage. I'm hoping they won't show the ending of the reaping, but I'm let down. The crowd begins to chant my haunting nickname and my face shows how much it gets to me. I munch on my bread to keep me busy as the scene changes to a bright District 4.

The boy's name is missed thanks to another sneezing episode from Inina, but he isn't a volunteer. His partner, Mariana Foley, is the same age as Solon from 1. Her sea-green eyes frighten me as she stares into the camera. She's a Career, and the thought of the quality of the pack this year makes me shudder. I can only hope to evade them for as long as possible while in the arena.

I'm glad to finally be rid of the Career districts and District 5's reaping begins. However, I miss most of it as I'm sucked into a conversation with Inina about how marvelous the Games this year will be. I constantly try to shut the sneezing Capitolite up, but she cannot be silenced. I end up missing most of the remaining reapings thanks to her. However, I do manage to pick up a few things. The kids from 5 are nothing to worry about, the ones from 7 are a brother and sister team - the girl was reaped and the brother volunteered to protect her - and the boy from 8 looks strangely tough.

One district I do get to listen in on is 10. Volos Karni, the boy, is sixteen and his partner, Sinopa Fox, is fourteen. They were both reaped, but look incredibly strong. They show no fear and display their chemistry as they high-five onstage. It's known that the two will ally together which makes me nervous. They may be younger than a lot of the tributes, but I think about how they've grown up with animals all their life. They know what it's like to be one with nature. Most likely, they've had to do some hard work in their life. They're bound to be competitors.

11 and 12 are nothing special. The girl from 11 is extremely shy and both from twelve look about ready to pass out. That ends my viewing of the reapings. I sigh, mentally rejoicing. It's harder than you'd think, trying to pick out information about your potential murderers.

"Well!" Inina sings. "I've had- ACHOO! I've had enough excitement for one day. If anyone- ACHOO! needs me, I'll be in my room." She skips down the hallway opposite to mine.

Raymon is looking at me now and I soon discover that Adena is as well. Raymon takes a breath and says, "We'd better start talking strategy. I'm going to send you two into these Games prepared. District 3 will have a winner this year." As he says that last part, I get a strange feeling that he's directing his voice towards me.

My head starts to hurt as I realize he wants to talk about how I should kill the others. I don't think I'm ready for that, not yet. After all, this is all so new. Never in my life did I think I'd have to kill people for my own survival. Abruptly, I say, "No. I'm going to bed."

I stand and walk over to the dining table, grabbing another roll. Before I can escape to my bedroom, Raymon leaps off the couch and grabs my arm. "Beetee, you can't keep hiding in your room."

His eyes are deadly serious as he glares at me, daring me to do anything to make him let go. So I do. Maybe it's my rebellious side getting the better of me, but I'm tired of Raymon telling me what to do. I want to go to bed, so go to bed I shall. I knee him in the gut and he steps back, releasing my arm. He shows signs of pain, but he doesn't look angry. Well, I assume he doesn't. I retreat down the hallway and into my room before I can really stop and look at him.

Locking the door behind me, I shove the rest of my roll into my mouth and throw myself onto the bed and under the covers. I don't even bother to change out of my reaping clothes. Today has just been too much for me and I'm ready for a good night's sleep. After fiddling with my wires for a few seconds, I put them on the nightstand, turn off the lamp, and allow myself to fall asleep.

Waking up, I realize I'm not in my comfortable bed on the train anymore. I'm lying on a field of grass using a backpack as a pillow. My clothes have been replaced with a black beater and shorts which I'm thankful for since the climate here is so hot. That brings me to wonder; where is "here"?

I sit up in the grass and feel around with my hands until I find something. A stone. A green gem with brown and yellow specks, one that matches my eyes. I quickly remember that this isn't a normal stone, it's my ring. My token. Without thinking twice, I slip it on and bring myself to my feet.

The ground below makes no noise as I walk. The scenery is beautiful, something I could never get in District 3. I appear to be in a clearing. Lush trees spring towards the clear sky all around. The sun is beaming down on me, making my sweat stream down my face quickly. Birds fly overhead and I think I see a rabbit hop through a patch of flowers to my left.

I wish this was my home, a place so filled with beauty and harmony, no dismal factories or run-down living quarters. I wish the cobblestone streets were replaced with this luscious grass. I wish the smoke filled skies were replaced with the mass of blue above me.

This can't get any better. The masterpiece I walk in couldn't be more perfect. And yet, that's what it becomes. Now I have someone to share it with.

The boy is running towards me, something I don't question. He wears a satisfactory smile, probably excited that he's found someone else who is witnessing this amazing display of nature. His familiar blonde hair is spiked perfectly above his forehead and his eyes are similar to the hue of the sky. He holds something in his hands, something I can't quite make out.

Before I know it, I'm running too. We get closer to each other and I begin to make out some more details. He's in an outfit identical to mine. He has a necklace with a single black stone on it that bounces against his chest as he runs. His face is smudged with dirt and cuts.

That's when I see it clearly, the object in his hands. I stop dead in my tracks as his grin shifts into a smirk. He winks as he charges right at me, holding the object out in front of him.

I can't run away, my feet aren't responding. My jaw drops and my lip begins to quiver as I realize he's got a sword. I have no time to do anything as Solon Valdus digs his blade into my stomach.