Pre-Train Ride

If your character didn't get a pov in this chapter, it's your own fault. I only used characters who were submitted with a backstory.

Kayli, D1

Almost immediately after I enter the waiting room, my brother comes in with tears in his eyes. I know him to well to think they are tears of joy.

"Kayli, what the hell are we gonna do.." he practically squeezes the life out of me. "I know you don't want to be a part of these games! I should've made someone volunteer!" He was hysterical now... this wasn't helping my morale any.

"Aaron, don't worry.. I'll find a way. I always do. Besides, I have common sense on my side. Careers don't know anything outside of combat." He knows I'm right, and he appears to calm down a bit. "Where's Dad at?"

"He didn't think he could talk to you without losing it. He'd probably attack the escort or something. He wanted me to tell you that no matter what you have to do in the arena, he's proud of you. He couldn't have asked for a better daughter." This nearly brings tears to my eyes...

" I love you Aaron. I'll come home again, I promise." It's clear that he believes me, and he disappears through the large doors of the waiting room.

Now I just have to believe myself.

Amelia, D2

My father comes through the doors for a final pep talk before I'm shipped off to the capitol.

"I'm proud of you Amelia. I knew you would be more than willing to honor your district." He knows damn well that I'm not here of my own free will.

"Remember everything that I taught you. Never trust anyone. Stay armed at all times. Kill quickly and cleanly. Be the one to break up the career alliance, the element of surprise will put you in a much better position than if someone else were to do so. Show no emotion, not even the hate you have towards the capitol. But most importantly, don't make the some mistake your brother did. Am I clear?"

"Yes, father. I will do whatever it takes to win."

"I know you will, make me proud. Remember what you are."

Without another word, he exits the room. Regardless of wether or not I win the hunger games, this will be the last time I see him.

Rory, D3

I think I'm going to be sick. I'm a smart person, I'll probably be able to out think the other competitors. But that would be my only chance. My father hasn't come in to see me yet.. either he's to busy fighting back reporters, or he doesn't think I have a chance. Things aren't looking good for me.

Alden, D4

Just like I expected, Niall is the first one to come in. And he's furious.

"Alden, what the hell! How could you do this to me? I have trained my entire life for this moment, and you stole it from me! I thought we were friends!"

"Niall, you're like a brother to me. I'm doing this to save you."

"SAVE me? I never needed saving! You underestimate my power."

"Niall, I know what you're capable of. You could easily win the games. But there's always a chance that something could go wrong, someone could know something that you don't. And I don't think I could keep my sanity if I watched you die. Therefore, I will die so you don't have to." He is at a loss for words.

"You are already dead to me." He storms out the door past his parents, who have been waiting outside the whole time. His mom looks me in the eyes, and utters a single word before joining him.

"Thankyou."

Calypso, D5

Many of my friends have shown up to say goodbye, as if they didn't plan on me coming back. I'm no career I'll admit, but I shouldn't be underestimated. I was definitely going to be one of the last tributes standing, if not the victor. My final visitor of the day is my little sister, Mari.

"Cali! Why did it have to be you? You've never done anything wrong! I can't believe this.." I really don't know what to tell her, my situation looks pretty grim. "Promise me? Promise me you'll do whatever it takes!" She screams.

"I promise Mari, I promise. Please try to calm down." The peacekeepers hear her screaming, and come in to remove her from the building. "Bye Mari."

"NO! This isn't goodbye, I WILL see you again!" The doors close, and those may be the last words I hear from my sister. I look down at the leather bracelet she gave me forever ago.

I'll do my best Mari.

Willow, D7

Guess that's what I get for taking tessarae. I should've just taught my family how to hunt for there own food. You know that old saying? "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, feed him for life." Maple and Devin come in to say goodbye. It's obvious that Maple's been crying, and it looks like Devin wants to. He has to stay strong for Maple though. I need to make sure they can get along without me..

"Devin, can you support them? I mean without my help?"

"I think so, I remember you teaching me how to bow hunt a few years back. It's a little rusty, but I think I can pull it off. It doesn't matter though, you know so much about self-reliance... I think you can win this if you set your mind to it. Don't write yourself out from the beginning."

Maple tugs on my sweatshirt, "Willow? You will try to win, won't you?"

"I will certainly try, Maple. I'll do everything I can. Devin, tell Maya I said goodbye."

"I will. Good luck in the arena." They disappear through the doors, and I immediately begin to think up a strategy.

Revo, D7

I wasn't expecting any visitors to be honest, but sure enough my brother Donegan crashes through the doors. He locks the doors behind him, and I can tell he's in a sticky situation.

"Donegan, what the hell? There are so many peacekee-"

"Save it, they already know I'm here, and I don't have much time. I'm sorry it has to end like this."

"What are you talking about? I could easily win this thing! You've said it yourself, I'm the greatest sword fighter that ever lived!"

"And you are, but that's not the problem. These games won't let you walk away a hero.. In order to win, you have to betray, lie, manipulate, amongst other things. You know why you can't do that, it goes against everything our family believes in."

He's right. I'll die before I shame my family that way.

"So you understand what has to happen?" There's a hint of finality in his voice.

"Yes. Goodbye, Don. It's been great."

"Don't worry Rev. It won't be long before You see me again. Mom will be with me when you do." Before I can process what he means, he's burst back through the doors and into the sight of several armed peacekeepers. Behind the doors I hear a hateful scream, and the sound of several rifles going off.

Death before dishonor. I have to die in the arena.

Imogen Plecova, D8

"Sis, why'd you do it? I'm blind anyways, I don't have a life ahead of me. You could have been something!" I was hoping she would be a little more grateful for me saving her life.. but I didn't blame her. She's always been impulsive.

"Hayley, you know that's not true. You could still become an amazing healer, or solve district-wide problems. You've got a brilliant mind and you know it. I wouldn't have volunteered otherwise." There's some truth to that, she's a borderline genius.

I'm a gymnast, and I can jump through trees with little difficulty. Fighting definitely wasn't my thing though. I don't think I could kill another person. With a little bit of luck, I could outlast the other tributes while they kill each other off.

There's not much to be said, so I give my sister one last hug and she is helped out of the room by a peacekeeper.

At least she's safe...

Analeigh, D 10

It took a bit for reality to set in. I've been chosen for the hunger games... At least I was able to keep my sister from volunteering for me. Even if I was blind, I still had a better chance than she did. She wouldn't be able to kill anyone, and she doesn't have a very strategic mind. She acts first, thinks later. That's the kind of thing that causes a bloodbath death in the hunger games. You'd think that, being a blind girl, I'd be one of the first to go anyway. My hearing sense has elevated beyond that of a normal humans though, So I could hear another contestant coming a mile away. Especially if it was the noisy career pack. Wait, It sounds like I have company.

"Annie, I'm so sorry..." It's my brother Peter.

"Don't worry Pete, there's nothing you could have done. What does my district partner look like?"

"This guy's huge, he's at least a foot taller than I am." Wow! No wonder the escort got all excited over him. "Ann, if you don't come back, I just want you to know that I couldn't have asked for a better sister. I'll remember you when the day comes to give the capitol what they deserve." I know he means it.

"Don't do anything stupid in the meantime." I reply jokingly. He picks me up into a tight hug, and heads back out through the doors.

I hope there actually is a time when the capitol falls, and people can live life without fear. I'm just sorry I won't be a part of it.

Lily, D 11

I'm not expecting any visitors today. My mom's probably crying her eyes out, and dad's would probably be with her. That's okay, it would've been an awkward goodbye anyway. Suddenly, memories of my brother start filling my mind... Exactly one year ago he said his final goodbyes to me in this exact same room. I wouldn't follow in his footsteps; I will win this thing. For him.

Crow, D11

I hope I don't have to see any more peacekeepers... I really don't like those capitol people. They get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labor. I hope his nose hurts.

Lucia comes in and sits next to me, not really knowing what to say. She knew I wasn't big on words. Hell, she knew everything about me. We've been best friends for the past few years after I met her during my work. Had it been up to me, I'd have just nudged her out of my way on kept working. But once she got a few words out of me, she just wouldn't shut up. She either didn't recognize or completely ignored my hints of anti-socialness. She's the kindest most enthusiastic person I've ever met. Come to think of it, I'm just glad she wasn't in my position. She'd probably try to make conversation with someone hunting her.

My thoughts are interrupted when a peacekeeper opens up the doors. He's only here to tell Lucia her time's up, but If looks could kill...

"Bye Crow. I hope I get to see you again." She gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, and heads out the doors. Never thought I would say something like this... but I'm sure going to miss her.

Serena, D 12

Amy comes in to say goodbye to me. I was expecting an emotional conversation, but not with this kind of emotion...

"Serena! What the hell is wrong with you? Why'd you volunteer? This was your last year, you could have made it! How could you be so stupid?" What had her so worked up? I have as good of a chance as anyone. Probably a better chance.

"That girl never would have made it Amy! She's still a kid! I've been training like a career my whole life, so I'll win the games like a career as well."

"Even so, one career versus six doesn't sound very promising to me..." She responds. Always a downer.

"It won't matter, I'm not sticking around for the bloodbath. Shouldn't you boosting my confidence instead of bringing it down?"

"I want you to win, I really do. But what if you don't? What if something goes wrong?"

"Then I'll be in a better place. Life in the districts of Panem isn't really worth living. "Wether I win the games or not, life would be better after the games. If I lost, I wouldn't have to see this place ever again. If I won, I would be seeing district twelve through diamond eyes. I had to atleast try though. For Amy and her family, it wouldn't be fair for them if they got left behind in poverty.

"Trust me, I'll give this my all. I will be coming home."

For those of you asking me to post chapters sooner, I'm sorry. Procrastination isn't an easy adversary to overcome. By the way, Sponsors like people who can pick up on song references. Just a hint ;D