Train Ride

Kayli, D1

Something about my district partner is unsettling... I mean, I know the careers are naturally blood-thirsty killers, but he was something else. His meaning of life is to win this thing, and I'm sure he would enjoy every second of it. We've been sitting in silence for a while now, and now it's all kind of starting to get to me. Conflicting thoughts begin to run through my mind, I've been chosen for the hunger games, I probably won't survive. I've trained for this my whole life, I may have a chance. I don't want to kill anyone, but I will if they confront me first. Will the careers see right through me, or accept me into their alliance? So much left to question, but only time will tell I suppose. The door at the other end of the room opens, and a woman that looks to be in her late twenties comes into the room. She introduces herself as Scar, victor of the 13th hunger games.

"Alright you two, tell me what you know."

Ryak replies with a simple "I fight to the death", Then looks over at me.

"Oh, well I'm good with a bow and arrow. I could use throwing knives in a pinch."

She ponders this for a moment. "If you two plan on making it past the career split, you're going to have to know self-reliance at it's best. I mean hunting, skinning, purifying water, maintaining body temperature, all that good stuff. What do you know about that?"

"I could easily hunt with a bow. As far as surviving against the elements, that'll all by determined by what I can hang on to when we split."

"Ryak, do you have any hunting experience?"

"None."

"Alright then, you're going to spend the first day or two learning how to hunt. I assume you both know how to purify water?"

"Ofcourse." He really isn't one for conversation..

"Alright then. You said you fight to the death. What with?"

"I'm unstoppable with a flail. But I'll settle for an axe or something if I have to."

"You're a career, you shouldn't have any trouble getting to your flail. Don't be stupid though, if one of the stronger tributes runs off with it just let it go."

"Fine."

"Kayli, what's your weakness?" My thoughts flash to my family. I really got mad when someone brought up my mom.. No way I'm going to let my district partner know that.

"Climbing, I have trouble climbing."

"That's okay, there should be a station that teaches you to climb several different types of terrain." She walks over to the corner of the room where the television is at, and turns it on. She hits another button, and the reapings of the other districts are displayed on the screen. Ryak laughs as the volunteer girl from two throws the original competitor over the side of the stage. I have to ally with that monster? The boy from two sneaks past some fighting would-be tributes onto the stage. Scar fastforwards to the district four selection. The girl doesn't seem like anything special, but i'm sure we won't write her off without seeing what she's capable of first. The boy volunteers, he'll probably have something to offer to the group.

"These are the other career tributes. Aside from them, there are a few other tributes I think you'll be interested in." She fastforwards all the way to district 10, where the boy making his way through the crowd is at least a foot taller than everyone else.

"I don't know if he has any fighting experience, but he looks like he could be dangerous with an axe or maul." She let's the tape run to district 11, and what I see surprises me. The boy is attacking the peacekeepers. And it looked like he was winning! But for whatever reason, he stops fighting and ascends the stairs onto the stage. She shuts off the television and turns around to us.

"I really think you should consider these two. They look like forces to be reckoned with. You two discuss your game plan, I'm going to go see where Thukral is hiding the wine.." She leaves through the door she came from.

Ryak wastes no time, "I want the boy from eleven."

I consider this, but my mind brings up the inevitable. "What are we going to do when it's time to disband? Or what if he turns on us before that even?"

"Six against one doesn't really put the odds in his favor. And when the time comes, I'll probably be the one to disband the careers. In a perfect world, the girl from two would be the one I get rid of. The other three will probably be preoccupied with eleven, leaving me with an excellent chance to escape." I offer no counter argument, and he makes his mind up. "I'll see about allying with him on the first day of training."

I notice he didn't mention me in his little scenario. What I need to know is, according to him am I already dead? or just not a big enough threat to be bothered with?

Lance, D2

The girl sitting across from me scares me. It's a rare occasion someone scares me. She was cold, unforgiving, merciless. She was probably the only tribute more dangerous than myself. That's to be expected though, District two is notorious for this kind of thing. A man who I suspect to be our mentor joins us. I recognize him as Thukral, who won the 21st hunger games. He won by strangling his district partner during an earthquake. Glorious!

"Strengths? Weaknesses? Concerns?" He seems very uninterested in us. Perhaps he doesn't see us for the war machines that we are?

"I'm district two's greatest sword fighter. Captain Deise says so himself." Captain Deise was the head peacekeeper in our district. His praise is nothing short of legendary. Suddenly he's not uninterested anymore.

"He actually said that?"

"He did." I reply. He turns over to Amelia and waits for a reply.

"Throwing knives, bow and arrow, hand to hand combat."

"Is that so? Hand to hand combat? You look a litte weak to be an up-close kind of person." Ooh, that really pisses her off.

"I could easily kill you with my barehands." He waves off the threat like it's no big deal.

"Whatever you say sweetheart." Obviously, this guy has a death wish. She stands up and I pretend to look out the window.

"You can call me STEELheart." Out of the corner of my eye, I can't help but notice her hand is dangerously close to one of the kitchen knives that are resting on the table.

"You had better pick your next words carefully." I'm not sure if he fails to see the seriousness of the situation, or if he's testing her on purpose maybe?

"Why, are you going to come kill me with your barehands now?" He replies mockingly.

I hear a thud over by where Thukral was standing. There's a knife sticking through the wall, just above the middle of his forhead. He just laughs.. I'm really starting to question this guy's sanity. He pulls the knife out of the wall, and joins us at the table.

"Well, you weren't kidding about the throwing knives. Settle down, we need to talk business now." She's still in no mood to talk to the mentor.

"I'm going to get some lunch, don't bother waiting for me to come back." And with that, storms out into the next train car. With a smirk on his face he looks back to me, almost expectantly.

"Well?" This is the perfect opportunity, my district partner not being here.

"Tell me everything you know."

Rowan, D3

So this is what being on a train feels like? This is stupid. I'm hungry, i'm tired, and I'm annoyed with my district partner. He's a pain in the ass to talk to. What's worse is that he mistakes me for one of the normal kind of tributes that are scared shitless. I'm far from normal.

Rory however, is just a typical District 3 tribute. Terrified, and he had no special skills to work with. He would probably die in the bloodbath. If not by my hands, then the careers for sure. Speaking of which, I want in with the careers. I know it's a long shot, but they are the only contestants that can rival my need for the blood of my enemies. The door on the other side of the room opens, and in walks our escort.

"Where's our mentor? When is lunch? How come the train's going so slow? Can " The escort smiles down at me and answers in an almost cheery voice. It makes me want to puke.

"Well young lady, you and your partner don't get a mentor, seeing as District three has no previous victors. You'll just have to find your own way. Lunch is in the car behind us-" I don't waste another moment listening to this nutcase, I'm starving. Aside from the chefs in the kitchen, there's one other person in here. I didn't see her pass through our car to get here, so she must be from the district one or two car. Perfect.

"Hey, are you one of the careers?" She looks up at me, then continues eating without answering me. "I want to join your group." This gets her attention, but not in a way I'm hoping for. As soon as she finishes laughing, she decides I'm worthy of her acknowledgement.

"You can't be serious! What district are you from?"
"District three."

"And what makes you want to join us?"

"You're the only other tributes that are as bloodthirsty as I am." Now she's giving me the attention that I'm looking for.

"Oh? Have you killed anyone before?"

"No, but I've attempted to several times." This is the truth, I don't take kindly to people who annoy me.

"How about your district partner, how do I know this isn't some plot to gain our trust?" I could tell she would never trust anyone, it wasn't like a career to do so.

"My district partner's a pussy, he's the son of three's mayor. I'm not even sure if he's held a weapon before. He'll be dead in the bloodbath."

"Well, how about this: You kill your partner in the bloodbath, and I'll vouch to let you into our alliance."

"Consider it done, I don't like that smartass anyways."

As I go to get my food, I can't believe my luck. I'm practically a career already.

Athena, D4

"So, let me get this straight. You volunteered for this Niall guy because you're.. in love with him?" My district partner's either really brave, or really stupid. And he seems like a smart guy.

"That's right. He's got potential, but his overconfidence would be the death of him. I decided I wouldn't be able to live without him. Besides, I owe my life to his parents. I've lived with them since I was seven years old." I can't help but feel sorry for this boy. I don't know if I would've done the same thing in his position.

"So.. do you think you could win?"

"No, I don't plan on surviving. Niall would never forgive me if I won. If I die though, maybe he'll see how much I cared. Maybe he'll be able to forgive me." I don't know why, but I don't want to see him lose. I know he has to lose in order for me to win, but... I don't know, I guess this just doesn't seem real yet.

"Hey, come on. I'm sure he's forgiven you already, but won't admit it because of his excessive pride. I think you should try to win. If not for yourself, then for him and his family." Usually I'm the kind of person to only worry about herself, and leave behind everyone else. But this guy's story kind of struck a nerve with me. I hope that asshole Niall can see what Alden gave up for him.

Our mentor has just come through the door. Good timing too, that conversation had reached a definite stand still. She doesn't even look that old.. she might be our age.

"Hello, I'm Margaret and I'll be your mentor this year. You can call me Mags though, that's how everyone else knows me." Don't think I remember watching her games. I'd better listen to her though, she clearly knows what she's doing.

"What are your names?" She asks.

"I'm Athena, this is Alden." It doesn't look like Alden is in the mood to talk, so I answer for him. "We just know your basic district four stuff. Fishing, swimming, tridents, the like."

"That's alright, we can work with that. Have either of you trained in the career academy?"

"I have." Alden says through gritted teeth.

"Good, so I assume you're going to team with the careers?"
"I'd rather not, but it doesn't look like I have much choice. Especially if they ask me about it up front." It's true, careers tend to go after those who refuse their offers.

"Athena, you would be wise to do the same. Even if you never trained in the academy, trident throwing should be enough to earn their approval." I didn't like the idea at all. I can't stand working with one other person, let alone five careers. I'll have to find a way around this.

Calypso, D5

It just sank in, how much I was leaving behind. My family, friends, home, peace of mind.. all of this stayed behind in District five. I wish I had been able to say goodbye to everyone, chances are I would never see any of them again. No, it doesn't matter anyway. I'll just fight to the death so I can say hello to them when I get back.

It doesn't look like kody is coping as well as I am. His face is completely white, you'd have thought he was already dead. There hasn't been a single word between the two of us. That's probably for the best though. I'd prefer not to befriend someone who's most likely to die a terrible, nameless death in the first few minutes.

For now I need to focus on my strengths and weaknesses. I wouldn't stand a chance in an up-close combat situation. I'm good at climbing, I could probably sleep in the trees if they were strong enough. If I needed someone dead though, it wouldn't be through the use of my own hands. If I could ally with someone who wouldn't turn on me, but would be willing to kill others, I would jump at the chance. Otherwise I would just have to let them all kill eachother off one by one. I hope there's not any water this year. I'm not a very strong swimmer.. I'll see if they have a swimming station during training. I'll take any experience I can get.

Our mentor would be Austin Fischer, since he was the only victor five has so far. The vast majority of the victors are from the career districts. This is no coincidence, they are trained in combat, better fed, and taught since birth that it's okay to kill others. It makes me sick, but I know that it isn't their fault. I place all the blame on the capitol. They're the ones who reduced the districts to what they are.

Austin hasn't bothered showing up yet. He probably see's us as dead already, or maybe he's drinking his troubles away. I guess that's okay though, I'd rather develope a plan of my own than put my life into someone elses hands. I'm still not happy that he hasn't bothered seeking us out though, and I'm going to let him know it when I see him for the first time.

Saffiron, D6

I'll bet fate is having a good laugh right now. I guess it's my fault for tempting it though. I'll get a chance to test my survival skills after all. I should probably come up with a plan right away but I just can't concentrate right now. I'll ask our mentor about the other districts when she gets here, she's probably got a tape or something. Getting the careers to notice me seems like my best option right now, the tributes from all of the other districts are usually nothing special. Atleast half of the tributes usually die in the bloodbath, and none of them are careers under normal circumstances. If this was the case I'd probably be better off going it alone, because it's usually around halfway that the careers turn on eachother like a pack of rabid wolves. And I would probably be the first target in an event like that, since I'm not actually from a career district and "Not worthy" of winning.

"Saffiron, where are we going?" I completely forgot about Titus, he hasn't said a word since we left six. The poor guy still has no idea what he's been thrown into.

"We're going to the capitol, to compete in the hunger games."

"Oh, I've heard of those! I don't remember what they're about though." How come I had to be the one to break it to him, that he was going to be dead next week?

"Well, we have to fight to the death with twenty two other people our age for the capitol's amusment." He pauses to think about this for a moment.

"That doesn't sound like a very fun game." He looks out his window, and he doesn't speak again. I can't help but feel sorry for him.

The door swings open, and our mentor comes in with a bottle and a glass of what looks like wine. "Name's Kylie, what are yours?"

"Saffiron."
"And I'm Titus."

"You two probably don't know anything about fighting?" A moment of silence follows. I think about correcting her for a second, but think better of it. There have been some succesful people in the past who hid their skills and performed poorly in the tests on purpose, so as to avoid the attention of the careers.

"That's okay, I had assumed as much. Some of the longest lasting tributes never actually do any killing. I want you two to perfect your swimming, climbing, knot tying, camoflauge, and agility stations. If you're not going to do any killing, you have to be able to hide and escape when you need to. Titus, are you with me?" He's been looking off into space.

"Oh, sorry. I was paying attention though. Climbing and swimming, hiding and escaping."

"Look, I realize it's hard to believe you're here, in this situation I mean. But I need you to try and concentrate as best you can, alright?"
"Okay."

"Is there anything you two would like to know right away?" Now's my chance.

"I was hoping I could take a look at the other tributes." She hands me a tape to put into the television before disappearing back through the door she came through. I put in the tape, and start to pinpoint threats and potential allies.

Willow, D7

Neither of us show any sign of fear. I'm just not the kind of person that gets scared, but I don't know about the boy sitting across from me. He looks pretty deep in thought. I wonder if he knows anything about the gunfire that went off just before we left? It was probably some idiot that got tired of holding back their hate for the capitol. It might have been someone he knew, family members tend to act in extreme behaviors when their loved one gets thrown into a gladitorial slaughter fest.

But no, he's not even fazed by the thought. If anything, he's only pissed off. Suddenly an alliance seems like a good idea. I'll probably run off on my own anyways, but it wouldn't hurt to have someone determined watching my back in the bloodbath.

"Allies?"

"Sure." he replies instantly. Really? That was easier than I thought it would be. I hope this wasn't a mistake.

"Do you have any talents?" He seems to snap out of his trance at this.

"Have you heard of samurais?" he asks.

"Well, I've heard of them.."

"Long story short, they were warriors from a far off land. My dad taught me how to sword fight using their style before he went rogue. It's more of a calm, focused style as opposed to the berserk kind you see the careers use."

"Sword fighting, huh? Are you good?"

"I don't know, I've never met another person outside of my family who sword fights. I'd like to think I can hold my own though." I have plenty of talents to offer as far as survival is concerned. I can't let him know that though, what if he suddenly sees me as a threat?

"I'm pretty useless when it comes to combat. I don't have any real talents, but I'm kind of good at climbing I guess." Understatement of the century. I could scale a cliffside in a matter of minutes.

"I don't think you should worry about talents, most of the others don't have any. But you do have bravery on your side it seems. The other contestants are probably still washing the piss out of their pants."

Zach, D8

Aw man, I think I pissed my pants.. what the hell was I thinking, volunteering for an all out deathmatch? I've got more strength than most people my age, I'll admit. But what chance did I stand against a bear in human form? Shit, the gamemakers would probably put me up against bears in mutt form if I lasted long enough. I look up from my feet and see that my district partner, Imogen, has been staring at me.

"Your hair looks funny." She says, probably just to break the awkward silence. Seriously? How can she focus on anything but the impending doom? but instead of voicing my opinion, I just laugh. I forgot what it was like to be innocent.

"Ha, yeah. I guess it does." I was probably the only person left who had dreadlocks.

I wonder what's really going on in her mind right now. Maybe she's just trying to distract herself. Or make conversation, I don't know. I know she's leaving behind family members, I saw her looking back at them through the train window right before we left. I was leaving family as well, my grandpa and little sister, probably forever.. but it was different for her. She didn't know she was dead yet.

Imogen

I can win. People can't kill me if I'm not around, so I won't be. And when they send in the mutts to take care of the stragglers I'll be safe and sound up in the tree tops. That's not to say that I'm not scared though, I'm kind of terrified. It won't be impossible for me, but my chances won't be very good if there aren't many trees in the arena. I hope there are trees.

I would be willing to ally with anyone who wasn't a career, those guys scare me.. but who wants to ally with some little twelve year old? Zach sure didn't seem like the kind of person who would want to do that. I don't think he would want to ally with anyone, come to think of it. He's so quiet, I think he'll probably run off on his own as soon as the games start. He might have the same strategy as me. That would be a problem though. In order for my plan to work I have to be the only hidden person during the finale.

I wonder what all the other tributes have planned?

Kyle, D10

Analeigh doesn't know it, but she's been staring straight at me for a while now. Wow, she is beautiful. I think it's unfitting that she's blind. I also think it's unfitting that she's so shy, she hasn't said anything yet. It was making me feel awkward. Maybe a little praise could get her to come out of her shell.

"That was brave of you, not letting her volunteer." She doesn't respond. That's alright, luckily I know how hard it is to ignore a question. "Who was she to you?" She takes a deep breath then responds.

"She was my sister." Her voice certainly isn't unfitting though, it goes right along with her loooks. It's a shame she's not very talkative. "Can you tell them I said goodbye, and that I love them when you get back?" To be honest, I didn't think I was coming back. "When the escort said we could have a victor this year, I know for fact she wasn't talking about me." I'm kind of at a loss for words now.

"Well, uh.. I don't think you should give up before we've even started."

"Why not? I'm blind, I don't stand a chance in any sort of fight." An idea forms in the back of my head.

"Well, what if I did the fighting for you?"

"Why, so you can kill me yourself when the time comes?" Definitely NOT the reaction I was hoping for.

"No, I wouldn't kill you. Empathy wouldn't let me."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I know what it feels like to be blind." This catches her off gaurd.

"How?"

"When I was little I was involved in an accident the left me blind in my right eye. Anyways, I think you deserve to go back home. I'll help you get there." In the back of my head, I know that only one person can win. She deserves to more than I do though. And besides, I still had one good eye, which means I would see all of the horrors that the arena has to offer. I think being blind makes her the lucky one to be honest, she wouldn't re-see the traumatizing deaths of the runner-up tributes if she won. She wouldn't see the the broken souls, or the hope fade from the eyes of those who knew they were goners. She would be the only person that could go in the same way they came out. So, I'm gonna help her win.

It might just be wishful thinking, but I think I see the beginnings of a smile on her face.

Lily, D11

I don't know if I should fear or admire this guy. I have wanted to do that forever! I actually considered allying with him. But no, I'm going to do this by myself. You can't trust anyone in the arena. It could turn the most kind-hearted person into a mindless killer. And I wasn't going to be a victim. I'm sure he'll be one of the last to go though, I think I speak for most of the other tributes when I say the last thing I would do is approach him with a melee weapon.

As much of a fighter that I am, I feel really unprepared for all of this. What could possibly prepare you for being in an enclosed space, with no food or water, and twenty three other people that wanted you dead? Certainly not the small amount of training we receive beforehand. Speaking of which, I'm going to keep my eye on all of the other tributes during training. See which ones are threats, and which ones to avoid, as well as the ones I shouldn't even worry about. I'm actually a threat myself, I can and have beat people twice my age in fights thanks to my martial arts experience. I'm debating wether or not I should showcase that during scoring though.. the other tributes, namely the careers, tend to go after people who pose threats rather than avoid them. I'll probably just stick to archery or some of the non-combat stations.

I've been thinking.. and on second thought, an ally might not seem like a bad idea. It would have to be someone who didn't realize the dangers of forming an alliance.. someone who wouldn't even think to stab me in the back. Perhaps if I was lucky, someone slower than me.

I'll have to keep my eyes open.

Serena, D12

It turns out that my district partner and I actually have a lot in common. We've both been faced with the challenge of raising our siblings without the help of our own parents, and we both have some advanced experience with mixed martial arts. We haven't actually said anything about an alliance yet, but I think it's kind of implied.

Being from district twelve, we're one of the few districts that don't have a mentor. I know for fact that three and nine don't have mentors either, so they'll be at a disadvantage as well. It's not like we don't know what we're doing though, we could both easily fight another average tribute. It was the bigger tributes that scared me. I took a look at the other tributes when they were displayed on the television, and the boys from ten and eleven are both freaks of nature. Eleven has anger issues. The girl from two doesn't look like much fun to be around either, but that's to be expected. Careers are always overly arrogant jerks. I hope I'm around to see them when they die. I also hope Dmitri dies before it becomes an issue for me. I don't like the idea of killing someone else in the first place, let alone someone that trusted me.

As far as allies are concerned, I think I like the girl from six. If I didn't know any better, I'd have thought she was from one of the career districts. I'll have to see how she does during training, if she's good with weapons I'll have to take heavy consideration in an alliance. And the two from eight.. they both volunteered. I don't know what's up, maybe they're hiding something, or just taking the place of someone they cared about. I'll have to keep a close eye on them as well.

The train just makes it over the mountains, and the sight amazes me. What was just seconds ago a barren wasteland has turned into a lively and colorful city, with buildings that look like they touch the sky. As the train pulls into the station, the vehicle is surrounded by capitol citizens all eager to see the tributes up close. They look.. weird, that's the only way to describe it. Blue hair, green skin, expensive clothing. I knew it, everyone here is a complete lunatic. Except for over there, I think I see a small group of people with t-shirts and banners that have the number twelve on them. They might not be so bad.

After I wake Dmitri up from his sleep, I stretch my legs and get ready to face the long day ahead.

Look, I'm sorry I've kept you waiting. But the only time I have that I can do this is time that I should probably spend sleeping instead. And if you see any spelling errors or something else that looks derpish, don't be afraid to point it out. I'd like for this to look as nice as possible.