A/N: Hey, I actually updated! No, but in all seriousness I'm sorry I haven't given this story the proper attention it deserves. I know I keep saying it, but as soon as we get into the actual Games, I'll probably be a lot better with updating. Thank you for sticking around and reading. Hope you enjoy. x


I went through the door to find Samuel sitting on a couch, eyes scrunched closed and fists tense. His eyes flicked open when he heard me come in, and he relaxed.

"Want to sit down?" he asked calmly, like he hadn't just exploded on Hogan two minutes earlier.

I nodded and plopped down beside him.

He sighed. "I'm sorry I blew up like that. I've always had a bad temper. And over the stupidest things…"

"It wasn't stupid. You were right. We're both facing almost certain death, and he is one of only two people who can prevent it."

He shrugged and nodded once. "I guess."

We sat in silence for a minute before he asked, "Are you scared?"

I scoffed. "Of being thrown into a closed arena with 23 of the most intelligent teenagers in Panem who all want to kill me? No way," I answered sarcastically.

Samuel chuckled. "My thoughts exactly. Anything goes this year. It's not just about being strong anymore. But you still have to be a killer. It's…it's frightening to the core."

I stared at the floor in front of me. "What if we get thrown into an arena full of Tinkers? Full of people who are brilliant but insane?"

Samuel shrugged again. "Well, there are a few choices I guess. You join them, get killed by them, or figure out how to beat them."

I sighed. "I hope it doesn't come to that."

Samuel nodded silently.

We sat for a few more moments before he spoke again. "Do you think you can win?" he asked.

I looked over at him, but he was staring at the ground. He looked nervous, like he wasn't sure he wanted to hear my answer. Was he really that unconfident?

I shrugged. "I think this year is anyone's game. I guess I have just as good a chance as anyone…1 in 24."

He gave a small smile. "Yeah, I know that. But do you really believe that? Do you really believe that you can win?"

I thought for a moment. Honestly, I wasn't sure. So I decided to flip the question.

"Do you?"

He didn't respond right away. Eventually he gave a small but playful smirk. "I've got a 1 in 24 chance."

I laughed and after a second Samuel did, too. His laugh was more of a repetitive high-pitched giggle that matched his voice but not his looks, and that made me laugh harder.

Suddenly we were both cut off when we heard the door open and Liddy walked in. She seemed very jumpy, but I think she was always jumpy. She looked over at us, and her gaze switched back-and-forth between us.

"You two…you two should probably get some rest," she said quietly.

Samuel nodded quietly. "Yeah," he said, more to himself than to Liddy or me. He stood up and approached Liddy. "I'm sorry I lost my temper at dinner," he told her. She stared at him silently but gave a tiny smile. Samuel nodded at her, then at me, and said, "Goodnight."

I sat on the couch for another moment before doing the same. "Goodnight, Liddy," I said on my way out. She smiled at me but didn't say anything.

I was worried I might run into Hogan on the way to my room but luckily I managed to avoid him.

By the time I arrived in my room, I was too mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted to do anything but throw off my clothes and fall into the soft bed. And before I knew it, the comfy bed pulled me into unconsciousness.

I awoke the next morning and for a split second I was taken aback by my unfamiliar surroundings. Then I remembered where I was

Oh that's right, Lila, you're off to the Capitol to fight to the death.

I groggily got out of bed and was tempted to search the many drawers scattered around the room for a new set of clothes, but decided to stick with what I had worn the previous day.

As I was putting on my shirt, I paused to look at the necklace Robert had given me. I immediately regretted the decision, because tears formed in my eyes and I choked down a sob.

No crying today, Lila. You can't be weak right now. If you want to see him again…

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on my door. "Move it, genius. If you wanna eat before we get there, you gotta get out here now. You're short-tempered District partner has eaten half the table already."

I rolled my eyes at the sound of Hogan's voice. "Alright, I'll be out in a minute." I almost added something about how he should call Samuel by his name and not "short-tempered District partner," but I held my tongue.

As I finished getting dressed and ran my fingers through my hair to get out any big knots, I joined the boys at the table.

"Where's Liddy?" I asked, grabbing one of the only familiar foods on the table, a piece of toast with some sort of red jelly smeared all over the top.

Hogan shrugged, smiling. "Oh, she'll be out before we get there. She gets a bit nervous, you know," he said. His tone made it sound like she was a child, but again, I bit my tongue and hoped Samuel would do the same.

After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Vesta made her appearance. "Ah! There are my two smarty-pants! We should be arriving very soon! It's truly beautiful, what with everyone preparing for the most important event of the year!"

Samuel scowled slightly, muttering something to himself, but Vesta ignored him.

"Plus, it's a Quarter Quell! Everything will be very special this year, you're quite lucky to have been chosen this year out of any."

"Yeah, so lucky to have been chosen to go fight to the death," Samuel grumbled. Hogan opened his mouth to argue, but Vesta clapped her hands sharply.

"That's enough. No arguing from you two today. Now, when we get there, you'll be brought straight to-"

I tuned Vesta out as I scanned the rest of the table, deciding if I wanted to eat anything else. I grabbed a glass of something brown and sweet smelling, and thoroughly enjoyed gulping it down.

I was on my second glass of the stuff when Liddy quietly slipped into the room. I honestly wouldn't have noticed if Samuel hadn't greeted her. "Good morning, Liddy."

She smiled slightly and sat down at the opposite end of the table from the rest of us. She grabbed a plate of eggs, but didn't eat a single bite.

"…and after the training, you'll get your scores, which I've heard will be partially determined by the IQ test you took to get here, then you'll be interviewed-"

"We're here!" Hogan's voice boomed out of nowhere as he got up and stared out the window.

Samuel hesitated, but eventually curiosity got the better of him and he joined Hogan to gaze at the Capitol.

I tried to resist getting up and going over, I really did. But this would be the only time I'd ever get to travel into the Capitol. I decided to take advantage of it and went over to join the boys.

I couldn't believe my eyes- it was truly beautiful. Everything was bring and glistening. Tall buildings shone against a clear blue sky, fountains sprung up for a huge, clear lake, sunshine dancing on the ripples, lush green grass surrounding everything. I didn't know where to direct my attention, so my eyes darted everywhere, my mouth hanging open in a way that I'm sure made me look utterly ridiculous.

I snapped out of my daze as I felt the train begin to slow down.

"We're here!" Vesta shrieked. "Big smiles, bright eyes, it's time to introduce you to the Capitol!"