Priscilla, Brian and I boarded the train. It zoomed quickly on the track, so fast that I could barely even feel it moving. A man suddenly walked in and I recognized him at once. He had been the victor six years ago. Caleb Moring. He would be our mentor.
"So, you're the kids this year," he said, sitting down in front of us. "I take it you're related."
"We're brother and sister," I mumbled.
Caleb nodded, trying to look like he didn't care but I could tell that he was surprised that a brother and sister were going up against each other. That had never happened in the games... until now. I suddenly began to regret volunteering for Aniese, but then stopped myself. That would mean that Aniese would have to go up against Brian, and I knew she wouldn't be able to do that. She and Brian had been dating for a while, and if I hadn't volunteered she would be in the arena with Brian. That would be worse than me and Brian going up against each other.
"Do any of you know how to fight?" Caleb asked.
"I don't really know how to fight," I began. "But I know how to use a bow."
Caleb nodded, then looked at Brian.
"What about you?" he asked.
"I sort of know how to use a knife," Brian said.
"Well, it's better than nothing," Caleb said, sitting back.
Once we had reached our destination, the Capitol, we walked out of the train and into a studio, and I immediately knew what came next. The stylists would work on me. I was stripped down and laid down. Some stylists came in, combed out my hair, shaved me, and plucked my eyebrows. After that I was left alone for a few moments. Then a man walked in. He looked me over and then nodded slightly.
"What?" I asked.
"I'm sorry about what happened," he said. "At the reaping."
"Thanks," I said, knowing he was talking about Brian and me.
We were silent for a moment.
"My name is Liam, by the way," the stylist said.
"I'm Penny," I said.
We were silent again for a moment.
"So, what am I going to be dressed up in?" I asked.
Liam smiled.
"I think you'll like it," he said.
The Panem Anthem started playing. Me and Brian stood in our chariots, waiting. Liam pressed a button on each of our costumes and I smiled as it came to life.
"Alright, remember now," Liam said. "Smile, maybe wave a little. But look alive out there, alright?"
We both nodded our heads and looked forward. The kids from District 1's chariot rolled forward, then 2, 3, 4, and then ours. We went out into the open and the crowd cheered at our costumes. I smiled and waved, as did Brian.
Our costumes were magnificent. Electricity was surrounding me, and I could hear the buzzing and zaps from it. My outfit surrounding the electricity was all black. My hair was curled and bouncy, and for a moment everything stood still as the people stared at me and cheered.
As soon as the Panem Anthem stopped and our chariots had stopped as well, we all stared up at President Snow, who began his speech that he said every year.
After the speech our chariots were rolled into a room where Liam, Caleb, and Priscilla were. Liam walked over to me and Brian and turned off our electricity, then helped us down.
"You did wonderful," Liam said. "You looked great."
I smiled. I didn't know what to say.
"We better be heading up to District 5's floor," Caleb said to me and Brian. He led us away from Liam and to an elevator. We went up five levels to our floor, and then Priscilla showed us to our rooms. Brent was across the hall from me, but I didn't want to see him. Every time I looked at him my heart sunk, knowing that he might be dead in the next few days. Knowing that I might be dead in the next few days.
I crawled into my bed and shut my eyes. The sheets were soft and comfortable, and I fell asleep quickly.