Chapter 3

The train lurches forward and we're on our way like cattle being taken to a slaughterhouse. James finally settles in with me, Woof our only current Victor and Eris it's an odd group to say the least, we sit in the main compartment which serves as a sitting room and lounge I'm wowed by the luxury of it, blue with plush carpets and velvet couches and chairs, a sleek paper flat television set hangs over the mantle the surface is a mirror like chrome when not turned on. The polished wooden tables hold a vast array of pastries and sweets along with bottles of wine, colorful juices an opulent silver urn labeled hot water by a small folded card placed on the top.

I stand shakily and cross to the table making myself a cup of tea. I make the tea and sweeten it heavily finishing with milk and I sit down near James. Woof and Eris look at us, and Woof mentions talking strategy.

" allies, me and James should be allies until the number of tributes dwindle too low and then we split and take our own chances" I say promising myself I wouldn't be the one to kill him.

James nods " I don't think I could take Audrie out if it came to just us" he says

Our group splits up and a Capitol attendant leads me to my quarters on the train. When the door is closed I retreat into the bathroom and reach a hand to touch the necklace softly I feel the diamonds with my fingertips a hum seems to run through it. I smile lightly looking in the large bathroom mirror I begin to dismantle my hairstyle finding a brush I pull out the bun and brush down my shoulder length wavy hair. I nap until supper time and then go out to the dining car.

James is sitting at the table with Woof and Eris. He pulls out the chair next to him for me to sit. The table is set with fresh loaves of bread, salad, roasted fish, potatoes which are a staple in district eight, vegetables in a butter sauce, and so much more I can't name it all. The dinner is quiet, as the white china and crystal glasses clink I'm offered wine but I decide on a glass of bubbly water with a slice of lemon something I've never had before.

The meal blurs by, James and I eating ravenously but with our best table manners. Dessert is a plate of chocolate cake which I've only ever had on my birthday the year before my father died. This cake however is different from the dry and slightly bitter loaf type thing served at birthdays in our district.

I lick frosting from my fingers after two pieces and James looks at me with a smile.

"Did you even taste it?" He jokes with his deep laugh and hands me a napkin.

Eris stands from the table.

"I do believe it is time to watch the reaping recaps, your first opportunity to see the competition" she says leading us all back into the lounge to sit before the television.

The tributes were shown in ascending order, by district number. One had Gleam and Rarity both volunteers Rarity's pale freckled face scoreless coldly at the cameras her deep red hair blowing behind her she looked like she'd already won. Her district partner Gleam was of medium height and a stocky build with light brown hair.

The look on the district two female's face was scary, she was gorgeous and blonde, her body rippling with muscles her crystal blue eyes stony and unfeeling. I stare at her

" she looks like she could rip us all in half with her bare hands" James notes, I nod.

"That's the one to run from, as fast as we can in the other direction" I whisper

Woof laughs, " I suspect if you make it to the end she'll be the person one of you will have to face" he says

We barely notice the boy from two and the tributes from three look like they'll be easily picked off, then they show the tributes for four. Polaris and Calypso him lean and pretty with pale eyes and high cheek bones, and her short with dark hair and eyes looking like a vengeful sea siren.

Seven brings two friendly and smiling tributes, then there's us standing expressionless by the stage my face looking shocked as James' name is called but regains a brave composure. James looks as if he's the crowd's favorite

Eris smiles and claps her hands lightly, "you two look like royalty Audrie I never noticed how beautiful you look in green oh lovely" she squeals excitedly

Woof smiles " not bad, the two of you make a regal display I'll be sure your stylists know" he says

I bid everyone goodnight and exit the room, deciding to go outside for air following through the sleeping car to the dining car and out a door leading to a small deck at the back of the train.

The cool air hits me and I feel refreshed, I'm thinking about home. What I wouldn't give right now to cast off all the Capitol's luxury and return to the bed I shared with my mother in our noisy cramped corner of District Eight.

I hear someone behind me and turn swiftly to find James standing behind me.

" don't jump!" He squeaks loudly in his best Capitol accent obviously mimicking Eris.

"Why miss Audrie you look positively regal standing by that railing" he continues the impression and we both laugh.

He comes over and drapes an arm around my shoulders.

I stare off " I'm just thinking I guess, it's all over for one of us in a few days, it could be over the first day for us both, and even if we get past the first day I could die and you could, did your father come to the Justice Building?" I ask

The color from his face drains and he nods.

" he said he was..." James trails off

"Sorry for everything" he finishes.

I look over at him he's only three inches taller than me and it's a very slight look up to his sparkling hazel eyes.

" I couldn't speak, couldn't forgive him" James sighs

"I could die soon, he'd never get an absolution, he usually drinks more on reaping day but today he didn't have a sip"

I look at James putting my arm around him too

" let's go inside before they think we've got a suicide pact" I say

James laughs, and hugs me when we've reached my bedroom door.

" goodnight princess" he says teasing

I playfully punch him in the ribs and then go inside my room, I strip off my dress making sure I put it over a chair, planning on bringing it with me when we got to the Capitol maybe Woof would make sure it got to my mother If I died.

I slip into a cotton short sleeve shirt and crawl into bed falling asleep almost instantly