Chapter 7: Tubes

The next little while passed far too quickly, and was filled with Training-solely survival skills-avoiding other Tributes other than Chi, food, and trying to stay distracted. I kept my close relationship with Tatiana. The closer The Games came, the more I depended on her to help me through everything. We did not go up on the roof again, and she never mentioned it again. She never even mentioned Haymitch, and I was scared to ask about him. I wondered if something had happened, like if they had been found out, or I had become more targeted due to my association with them-or them for their associations with me-but again, I asked no questions.

I did keep up with my dreaming, because it was the only thing keeping me halfway sane throughout the whole process. I clung desperately to the dreams I had, although I knew that was all they would ever be. I still held onto that hope, since I was going to die anyway. I saw no harm in that.

I grew closer to Chi. As it turned out, he actually had a sense of humor and social skills, despite his protestations that he did not possess either. He was an inaccurate judge of his own character, which I found incredibly appealing. I guessed you could even have called us friends. He walked me to and from meals, Training, and sometimes, after dinner, I would let him come in my room where we could talk a little longer before Daphne came looking for him to go back to his own bedroom. We usually talked of things not of great importance, like the other Tributes, mostly things they would do, never strategically or anything useful, since we both knew we were hopeless Of course, we preferred to not dwell on that. We talked a very little bit about our families. Chi spoke of his parents and being an only child. I got the impression he had been very spoiled and that he genuinely missed his parents. I told him a little about my own family, obviously avoiding speaking of my father or mother's addictions. Or Lycus's pregnant girlfriend. I just talked about how much I loved my mother and missed her, and a little about how I was afraid she would be forgotten after The Games.

"You think your brother won't take care of her?" Chi asked one night.

"Not like I do."

"Better than nothing though, isn't it?"

I looked up, meeting his eyes. "Not necessarily. Lycus doesn't have all that much patience with her, anyway."

He looked at me doubtfully, so I went on, "The girl I volunteered for offered to take care of my mother, but I don't know. I mean, I don't know her all that well. I don't know how serious she was when she said it."

"She owes you." Then he asked, "Why did you volunteer for her, Persephone?"

I should have known he was going to ask me that question. It was obvious enough. "I just felt like I needed to protect her," I said, since I could not tell him the truth. Not with The Capitol listening.

"Did you even know her?"

I shook my head.

"Then why-"

I shook my head again. "I don't know, Chi."

I guessed I sounded tired enough so that he let it rest at that, thankfully. "Okay. Fine."

I could tell that he did not believe me, but there was nothing more that could be safely said on the matter.

"Do you let him come to your room every night now?" Tatiana asked.

We were in my bedroom. Chi had left about fifteen minutes earlier, and Tatiana stopped by just as I had been about to get into bed. It was not unexpected, of course. She usually stopped by to tell me goodnight. I had gone ahead and changed clothes because we had not been back up to the roof since the night of Haymitch's warning.

"Pretty much," I said in answer to her question. "Don't worry though. I don't tell him any secrets or anything like that."

"Okay."

Her tone was off, and I realized I was not watching myself. Secrets were a dangerous topic of conversation when the world was potentially listening. If anyone heard us it would never be broadcast though. Only those in charge would hear.

"About liking him," I lied.

"Oh."

"We just talk about nothing important."

"Okay. Well…just wanted to make sure that everything is okay," she said.

I smiled. Somehow. "Of course."

Yes, I was down to die and everything was fine.

Things stayed mostly the same as they had been since the roof-top excursions ended until the day of our interviews. Daphne and Tatiana were both supposed to coach me before my interview, then Aurora got to me to get me ready. It was like Aurora was in charge of the physical preparations, Daphne was in charge of polishing me, and of my charm, and Tatiana was my saving grace, as well as being there to remind me of my last mission in life: play by their rules to protect my family, which was what I fully intended to do.

Tatiana waited until after Daphne and Aurora were through with me. I had to admit that the morning-the whole experience of it-had been far from unpleasant. If I could only forget the ultimate reason behind the interviews…

Aurora had proven that she was a fine stylist as long as creativity was not involved, when she just had to make me look pretty. My dress was thick silk, which seemed to be some sort of manmade material that I was sure had a name. It was Cranberry Red and had wide straps and fell to my ankles with a small slit up the left side that ended at my knee. I was only 14, and she just could not be too daring with my outfits. Even my shoes were only flats, although they were beautiful, made of the same material as my dress, matching perfectly.

My hair was soft, wavy, long, and perfectly frizz-free as she always had it, and the makeup she used on me did make me look like a doll. I guessed infantile was the persona for which we were aiming. As innocent as possible. A little girl who knows nothing of The Capitol and its secrets, whose family could he allowed to go on unharmed for her feeble sacrifice.

Daphne had further worked that angle by making sure I came across as shy, quiet and delicate-somebody who should be allowed to live if only because she was so much NOT a threat to anyone. I felt as though we had done all we could, at least, so I sat in my bedroom waiting for Tatiana to speak to me before I was escorted, along with Chi, to the stage, where our interviews were to be conducted. At the knock on my door, I stood and answered.

"How are you doing?" she asked. "Nervous?"

"Actually, not so much."

It seemed odd to me that Tributes should be nervous for the interviews. Sure, they are conducted in front of thousands of people, but we knew we were being thrown into an Arena to fight to the death, so why should we have been nervous about mere interviews?

I shook my head. "This, I can handle."

She smiled. "I think you'll do great."

It was my element. If anything, I could be polite and charming. Besides, I enjoyed looking polished and glamorous so much…I knew that I could pull it off. "So do I."

An hour or so later, Chi and I were waiting together in line behind Districts 1-5 for our interviews to begin. The mood was intense, and there was little talking. I watched The Careers' interviews closely. Not only was I genuinely curious, but I also wondered if it was possible I could find out anything vital I could use against any of them, particularly District 2. Or maybe I could at least see them as actual people, which I knew could or could not have helped.

District 1-The girl's name was Glimmer, the boy Marvel-were just normal to me. Glimmer exuded confidence, although I had seen firsthand that she was not talented with a bow. I guessed her confidence came from the knowledge that she would be a member of The Career pack. Their alliance had already been formed, I could tell, from the way they had all behaved during Training.

Marvel, on the other hand, was excellent with throwing spears. I knew I had to watch out for him. I had not had any direct contact with him, but he was in the alliance.

District 2 held my attention raptly. The girl, Clove, was a knife-thrower and was pretty tough. I was afraid to even glance her way in Training.

Then the boy from 2. His name was Cato and he was the one with whom Chi and I had been in an altercation. He exuded confidence, but was still somehow standoffishly charming. I felt like I really had to watch out for him. He would likely have loved to kill me, if he considered me enough of a threat to care. I had been lying low for the rest of the time, so maybe he had forgotten me. I hoped.

District 3 I watched with just a touch of interest. They seemed way more Chi's type-very intelligent but physically harmless, unless they found a way to survive long enough to find a way to make intelligence trump strength, which rarely happened.

District 4 I also watched with interest. More Careers. The boy was kind of small, but maybe I was still distracted from thinking about the female. She was not huge, but I knew I had seen her in Training, in The Career group.

The only thing I noticed from District 5 was that the redhead girl seemed a bit shifty, but she was not a concern. Not after just having seen The Careers interview.

The boy from 5 went. Then an escort approached me and led me backstage, because I was next. Once his 3 minutes were up, the tv personality, Caesar Flickerman-the bizarre looking man-was introducing me as Persephone, the Female Tribute from District 6.

I walked onstage, only temporarily blinded by the stage lighting. I quickly gathered myself, smiled, and stared at what I imagined was an auditorium full of Capitol citizens and sponsors, since I could not see beyond the stage.

Caesar put his hand on my shoulder and guided me toward my seat. He seated me, then took his own seat, welcoming me verbally the entire time. I kept my smile in place, reminding myself to be poised and to exude charm.

"Welcome, Persephone," Caesar said with finality, signaling that the interview was beginning.

I smiled and thanked him.

"You look lovely."

"Thank you," I said.

He then asked me if I was feeling prepared.

"I feel like the training has been incredibly beneficial. I've learned a lot, and I feel like the trainers have helped us all to improve to the best of our abilities." It was the truth. It was just unfortunate that the best of my own abilities would be so clearly, incredibly lacking. I knew then that Caesar had to have known that I stood no chance, but he was still really putting forth the effort to present me as a viable Tribute. For the sponsors. That was generous of him, but it was the same as with Daphne and the eggs. He was simply doing his job.

"That's very true," Caesar said. "How do you feel about your time here in The Capitol?"

"I've enjoyed it," I said. "Everyone has been very kind and accommodating. I had no idea what to expect, but we've been taken excellent care of, and I've had the time of my life." I made sure to smile at the invisible audience as I said it. Since it was the last of my life.

"I'm glad to hear it," Caesar said. He took my hand. "Thank you, and I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you."

He stood me up and raised my hand in the air, in his. He asked for another round of applause for me, which was given. Then I was ushered backstage and met by Daphne and Tatiana. I went straight to Tatiana.

"You did very well," she said, putting her arm around me and guiding me to a screen so we could watch the rest of the interviews, since Chi was next.

"Was I charming enough?" I asked.

"You were perfect. You couldn't have done any better." She patted my back. "I especially liked that last part."

I knew she meant the comment about having the time of my life. "I thought you might like that."

We finished watching the interviews together. Chi did okay. He did not mess up, but he also did not seem to try very hard to make much of an impression. He was handsome, so I was sure at least some of the sponsors would take note of him. If it mattered.

Chi did not join us to watch the second half, and I got bored since most of the remaining Tributes seemed no better off than me-until District 11, because the male tribute was large and skilled. And of course, I had to watch District 12.

My jealousy had not subsided at all. I was still fiercely envious of the female. Katniss was her name. She seemed nervous and awkward throughout her interview. At least until she stood to show off her dress. Flames, like in the Tribute Parade. Her stylist was a genius. Then she sat back down and Caesar asked her about her sister. She had volunteered for her. Honestly I was jealous of Katniss because of Haymitch, not because of her dress or her skills. I was a little jealous, however, because Caesar asked Katniss about her volunteering for her sister, garnering admiration and sympathy for her actions-as well as sponsors. He could not have done the same for me, apparently.

Tatiana must have read my mind. "It wouldn't have worked for you, Persephone. It would have just served as a reminder about your family."

She was right. I nodded.

"I'll do everything I can for you."

I turned to look at her. She was looking at me so earnestly that I completely believed her. It was almost like she was trying to tell me something she could not state outright.

"I know," I said.

Katniss walked offstage, and we watched as the male Tribute from 12 took the stage. He was charming. He and Caesar had an amicable exchange which seemed almost charming and very genuine. His name was Peeta.

Then Caesar asked him if he had a girlfriend. And he said he had a crush on Katniss.

Oh, it was much more dramatic than that. But I hardly noticed anything past that, because somehow, in my mind, I equated it with Katniss being with Peeta, not Haymitch. And that made me happy.

Tatiana walked me back to my bedroom. "Can I come in for a minute?"

"Of course."

I sat on my bed. She paced a little, back-and-forth between my bed and bathroom, then she stopped. "Are you okay?"

"Sure," I said. "I mean…I guess I'm just trying to not think too much about it."

"How is that working out for you?"

"Not so well, I guess," I said, smiling a little. I shrugged.

"Can I help?"

"You've already done so much for me, Tatiana. I can't think of anything else you could possibly do for me that you haven't."

"Nothing?"

I stared up at her. Racking my brain, but I did not have to think too far. "I guess there is one thing."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Could you…apologize for my behavior that day in Training?"

She knew what I meant and why I was asking. "Of course I will."

"And you can tell everything else, too, when you apologize. As you see fit."

"Okay."

I nodded. "That would be perfect. Thank you."

Then she held open her arms and I went to her. I wrapped my arms around her and pressed my face against her shoulder. She ran her hand lightly over my back, then she pulled away, putting her hands on my shoulders.

"Try to get some sleep," she said.

"Sure."

"I'll see you in the morning." She walked to the door and let herself out. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

After she left, I waited. I did not get undressed right away because…there, I thought. The knock on my door. I stood, crossed the room and answered it. Chi was there, also still dressed in his interview attire. "Can I come in?"

I stepped aside so he could enter. Then I shut the door behind him. "Have a seat," I invited.

He sat on my bed, then looked down at his lap. I could not quite place his expression-worry, stress, shame-no idea. I sat down too.

"What's going on?" I asked. "Are you scared?"

"I guess you could call it that."

"I wish I could tell you to not worry, but that wouldn't help either, would it?"

He looked up at me. Our eyes locked, and he shook his head. Then, he smiled slightly. "I guess not."

"Okay, then I won't say it."

"What will you say, Persephone?"

That was an excellent question, for which I had no answer. I could not think of a single thing to say to him. I could not even offer a word of encouragement to him because even that much was beyond me. So instead, I said, "Your suit looks nice."

"Yeah. Thanks."

"Too bad our Parade outfits were so horrendous."

"I don't think it makes that much of a difference, Persephone. It's not like we're getting sponsors. We won't even live long enough to need them."

He was not so far-off in thought from where I was, but then I was not sure what he was doing in my bedroom with me if he was not even after a word of encouragement. He was not even open to the idea.

"I did want to tell you that you look absolutely beautiful tonight, Persephone," he said.

That was why he was there. What he was after. I tried to shrug it off, downplay it. Forget charming. "At least I look good on my last night alive, huh?"

That did not seem to do the trick.

"You always look nice, Persephone."

I lightly let out my breath, figuring it did no good to keep warding him off. "Do you know the meaning behind my name?" It was the only thing I could think of to distract him, even though I was going to have to talk more about my mother in doing so.

"No idea," he said.

"Would you like to hear the story?"

"There's a story behind your name?"

"Yes."

"I would definitely like to hear it. You've got a beautiful name."

I shook my head. "It's not a nice story."

"Why? Were you named for someone who died, or something?"

"No. I mean, not really. It's not my story, Chi. Not a family story or anything."

"Who does the story belong to?" he asked.

"It's an old story. It's supposedly a myth, but I don't know. Like, it was a people's religion at one time. What they really believed in. They had gods and goddesses that they worshiped. A few thousand years later, they became myths."

"Like The Bible?" Chi asked.

"Mmmhmm." Although I doubted the illegitimacy of The Bible. Of any religion, even though those societies had ended.

"Persephone?" He was looking at me doubtfully.

I cleared my throat and continued, "Persephone lived with her mother, who loved her more than anything. They lived together happily…Persephone's mother was the one who controlled the harvest. So she made crops grow and such.

Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, the god of the Underworld, and her mother, Demeter, worked out a deal with Hades to allow Persephone to return in the Spring, as the harvest is growing in, but had to spend part of the year in the Underworld with Hades. Essentially, Demeter was happy when she had her daughter with her, in Spring. She made the harvest then. When Persephone had to return to The Underworld, Demeter ended the harvest. Then it was winter. That was where seasons came from, according to the story," I said.

He stared at me. "Wow."

"I know. Why would a mother name her child after a figure like that?"

"Maybe she just thought it was a pretty name," Chi said.

Not a chance, I thought. My mother had known exactly what she was doing when she had named me. Any parent of any child in any District faced the same dilemma which caused her to pick my name. "Maybe," I said with a shrug.

"How do you know that story, anyway?"

"My mom told it to me."

Just to be safe, I could not tell him the whole truth, of how my mother had her book collection and how she had read to us when we were small...how I had read real history books and religious texts, of which The Capitol would not approve. Why it had to be a secret.

He frowned. "How did she know?"

I shrugged again. "I don't know. I think she heard it when she was a little kid or something." Surely that statement could not incriminate anyone. My grandparents were long passed-away.

"Oh. Well, what kind of myth was it?"

"Greek," I said.

"What are they?"

"They lived several thousand years ago. They started Democracy, became decadent, and their society failed," I said.

"Oh."

"Which is almost the same thing that happened to The United States," I said. "Not so much the decadence, but that happened too. Basically all Democracies fail. 200 years is the longest any of them had lasted."

"How long has Panem been a country?" he asked.

I suddenly felt incredibly uncomfortable. I was terrified that I had made a mistake in telling Chi about Democracies. That I had taken things too far. Chi's inquiry about The Capitol reminded me of my fear. I was terrified for my family. For my mother. I had already guaranteed my swift demise. I was sure if Cato or Marvel did not get me, The Gamemakers would find a way to do so.

"No idea." I tried to shrug it off. Maybe nobody had taken note. The odds of that being true, obviously, were not in my favor.

"Are you okay?" Chi asked.

I forced a smile. "Of course. Aren't you?"

He laughed a little. "Couldn't be better." He looked away. "I'm sorry. That was a dumb question."

"It's fine. We've got to laugh about something, don't we?"

"Yes. I guess so."

My panic over my confession quickly subsided as Chi moved close to me. I knew that I had other problems with which to contend.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He frowned. "I thought, I mean…since you told me that story…"

"No."

"This is the only chance we'll ever get, Persephone," he said.

"Some things we don't need."

"Everybody needs it."

"I don't." I stood up, crossing my arms, and I walked to the opposite side of the room. It seemed like a good idea to put as much distance between us as possible.

"Then why have you been so nice to me lately?" he asked.

"I'm nice to everybody, Chi. Haven't you noticed? Except to District 12 that day."

I just hoped if Haymitch happened to ever see this that he would not think badly of me. For Chi's advance or my reminder of my behavior toward Katniss.

"Fine," he said, sounding wounded. "But will we at least be allies?"

I knew I could not trust him, and he had just proven that again, but it did not matter. Like either of us would last long enough to even form an alliance. "Yes," I said, since I figured there was no harm in a useless promise neither of us could keep.

"Okay." He stood, heading for the door. "At least there's that."

"Sure."

He was about to let himself out. I made my way to the door. "Chi."

He stopped, leaning on the frame. "Yeah?"

"I'm sorry. Honestly, don't take it personally. I mean, it's not you."

He laughed. "Then who is it?"

"I can't tell you, Chi. I'm sorry."

"Okay. Don't worry. I just thought we could die a little happier. Goodnight, Persephone."

I gave him a halfhearted smile and closed the door behind him, leaning against the door once he was gone, and wondering what I had done. I was pretty certain, as I got into bed that night, that all the dreams in the world could not trump the sleepless nightmarish thoughts to follow…

"Eat some eggs," Tatiana said.

We were all sitting around the table the next morning. Aurora and Chi's stylists would be with us until the very moment we were launched into The Arena. I would have to say goodbye to Tatiana when we were put on the Hovercrafts to deliver us to the location of The Arena. Knowing that I had hours to live, along with knowing I had only a few more moments with Tatiana, killed my appetite.

Chi was worse off than me. I got the feeling that Chi had not gotten as close to Balthazar as I had to Tatiana, and I was not sure if I should feel bad for him, or envious. Those kinds of connections are hard to sever, but I could not imagine having had to go through Training and the whole spectacle without Tatiana.

As I pondered that, glancing over at Chi, he looked up at me finally. He had dark circles under his eyes and I guessed he had slept about as much as I had. He looked back down at his plate, defeat etched into every fibre of his being, and I wanted to reach out to him.

"Persephone," Tatiana said.

I looked at her. She did not want me to talk to Chi. I wondered if she knew what had happened between Chi and I the night before. She looked down at her own plate, which she was making no effort to clear, either.

"Try to eat."

I took a couple of bites. The eggs had no taste. I could not help but think about last meals. When a person is about to be executed and is allowed to choose anything he or she wishes for his or her last meal. I could not eat. How could anyone?

She finally gave up on getting me to eat. She did not even try the argument that I would need a full stomach in The Arena because it would take me some time to find food there.

I knew I would not last long enough to get hungry.

Tatiana stood beside me. She still had to say her parting words to me before she loaded me onto the Hovercraft. She put her hands on my shoulders, and looked at me with such intensity, like she could see through me.

"How bad is it?" I whispered. I knew there was no use in pretending I had not made a huge mistake the night before, in what I had told Chi. Democracy and failed societies…

She just shook her head, and I felt the tears fill my eyes.

"Don't cry."

"It doesn't even matter now, does it?"

She briefly touched my cheek. "I promise, Persephone. I'll do whatever I can."

I nodded, somehow holding the tears back. Momentarily, the urge to cry was gone. I could not help wondering how long that would last. "Thank you," I whispered.

She pulled me against her, stroking my back. It was brief, but I could tell by the way she held onto me-momentarily-that she did not want to let go. I felt how she loved me. She wanted to protect me, and she had done everything in her power to do so, but we had to play The Games by their rules.

She let me go, patting my cheek. "I told him."

"Yes?"

"He said good luck," she said.

I had to smile at that. "Please tell him that I said thank you."

"I will."

I nodded. Then I turned and headed into the Hovercraft.

We built the Hovercrafts in District 6. I was not at all impressed by the speed and seamlessness of travel, consequently. I had never enjoyed travel, anyway.

On the Hovercraft, we were all injected by one of the medics with our trackers. The trackers were what The Gamemakers used to track our locations in The Arena, so that they knew where we all were, at all times, and so they could play with us, really.

We were not told of the actual location of The Arena, although I never understood why not. Once we were there, what did it matter? Only one of us was coming back. But when we exited the Craft, it was parked underground at the Launch Center. Peacekeepers escorted us back to our holding cells, where we waited with our stylists until we entered the tubes which launched us into the actual Arena.

I walked calmly along with the Peacekeeper who was escorting me to my cell, where Aurora was waiting. She had never been my favorite person, of course, so Aurora's presence was not comforting to me.

"Here," she said dismissively, handing me my jacket.

It was made of a slightly thick, yet swishy material, which looked familiar. Water-repellant, perhaps, maybe a windbreaker. She seemed impatient by my assessment of the jacket, but I knew from previous Games that sometimes the outfits could tip Tributes off as to what to expect of The Arena. Even those few seconds could make a difference-just knowing.

She put the jacket on me, quickly zipping it and adjusting my hair. She had pulled my hair back on either side of my head, then tied each side off with multiple hair ties.

Then the countdown began. 30 seconds and I was to get in the Tube to be launched. I felt oddly calm. Not calm, really…but still. Resigned. I walked over and got into the Tube, it closed around me. Aurora stood and watched me for a few seconds. Then the door opened.

My tube was sealed, so I could not tell what was said in the exchange, but a Peacekeeper came in and said something to Aurora. She looked perplexed, but allowed herself to be escorted from the room.

I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong. Nothing unusual was happening. I knew better, though, because Aurora looked so confused, and because I knew that I had not succeeded in playing by the rules. I knew that I had to pay. I had only hoped that they would at least wait to take it out on me when I was in The Arena, but then I would not have seen it with my own eyes, although I knew it was destined to happen. Only I would just imagine it, having had it haunting me since I reached The Capitol. I had thought that nothing could have topped some of the terrible things I had imagined, but I was proven wrong.

The Peacekeeper left with Aurora, then another one came in. With her. And my heart stopped. She locked her wide-eyes with mine, and a flash of recognition was in them. She smiled, reaching toward me, and started to approach the tube, her arms outstretched. I noticed how she looked even more emaciated and insane. Lycus had not been caring for her. Diana had failed also.

I pressed my hands against the Tube, although I knew I could not touch her. I should have known instantly why they had brought her there. I would have, had I not been so completely unprepared and shocked…so I should have started screaming as her blood splattered on my Tube, blurring my line of vision as the Peacekeeper lowered his gun after having blown my mother's brains out.

I was still screaming as my Tube ascended. I silenced myself as I found myself in an open field. The Cornucopia-a fixture in every Games, housing weapons and supplies and instigating the bloodbath that claimed numerous lives each year-was in the field. Our pedestals were in a semicircle around The Cornucopia. There was a field of grain on one side and woods rising behind The Cornucopia on the other sides.

Blood. I still felt like I was seeing blood. I had to keep wiping at my eyes because I felt like my mother's blood was on me, although the Tube had protected me from that. I was still wet. My face. I glanced down. Not red. They were tears. Haymitch was probably watching, thinking about how I was still-ever-the coddled crybaby. If he could even spare me a thought.

Then the gong sounded and we all started running. Some ran for the woods, some for The Cornucopia. I ran for Chi, whom I had spotted. For some reason I felt like the only thing I could do was find Chi. Maybe I could reach him in time and we could run off in the woods and-

He spotted me. He took two steps toward me before Cato sliced him all the way across his body, and that time, I was close enough, with no Tube to protect me, I really was drenched by blood. The blood of my District Partner.

More screaming. Horrible, shrill sounds coming from me. They came from deep within me, where I had seen my father die, my mother murdered before my eyes, my only friend in The Arena slaughtered…

How much did I hate The Capitol?

Somehow, Chi managed to get his hands on a machete. Maybe when he started toward me he had actually been about to kill me, but it did not matter. I would never know. I only knew I had to avenge someone. Somebody. I picked up the machete and started to raise it-knowledge from my brief combat training-but Cato easily knocked me to the ground. He headed deeper into The Cornucopia.

"Take care of that one, will you?" he asked.

At first I was unsure of to whom he was speaking, but I did not have to look far. Marvel was standing over me with a spear. He would not even have to throw it. He was feet from me.

I started scooting away, hoping I could get my feet underneath myself and maybe escape. Survival instincts are that strong. You will never give up in the face of death. Your mind stops working logically and you keep fighting.

I saw I was going to be unable to run, so I started to try to raise my machete, but he stepped on my hand, immobilizing my arm.

I noticed, as the spear entered my stomach and he ripped it upward, toward my heart, that he had brown eyes.