So, here's the next chapter. It will be the longest yet.. or maybe not, I haven't decided it! Either way, we will see more of Delilah here, as well as...

Well, you'll see! Here goes!


Lilac POV:

She did it.

Delilah won.

I can't believe the luck 12 has had lately. 4 victors in about 10 years.

Damien and I are celebrating, but Rue is concentrating on the screen, like something is wrong.

"Guys, come look at this."

Rue is watching the Cornucopia. If things were going OK, Delilah would burst out of there triumphantly.

But she isn't.

Nothing is happening.

OK, another science lesson! If snow stays in a position overnight for too long, it'll freeze in place. So that means that Delilah is stuck.

Obviously, the Gamemakers have figured this out too, because, when the hovercraft lands, a force with pick-axes comes running out.

"Miss Laurel-Ember, we would really appreciate it if you backed up to the tail, so to speak, of the Cornucopia. This way, we can break the wall of snow without injuring you."

"OK!" comes the cheery voice from inside. The squad immediately starts slamming at the wall. 5 minutes later, it breaks.

Delilah looks none the worse for wear. Obviously, she's been taking good care of herself. Healthy, slimmed down, happy...

She walks over to the hovercraft and boards it. The hovercraft takes off.

Rue and I are ushered to a room with a table and three chairs. Damien takes the third seat.

"OK, girls, here's the plan for the next few days. Delilah may/may not need a recovery period. Regardless, we will not have her victor's presentation until at least tomorrow night. So, tomorrow, Rue will have her debut interview, so to speak, at 7 PM, and at 8 PM, Delilah will have her victor's presentation, if she's up to it.

"Then, the next day, Rue, you will go and pay a visit to 11. You will re-meet your family get to know everyone again, etc. Then, you will head to 12. With luck, your arrival in 12 will coincide with Delilah's, assuming she does her victor's presentation tonight.

"OK?

"Got it!" Rue and I say in unison.

Then, she yawns. I forgot how late it is! It's nearly dinnertime! Damien snaps his fingers, and Avoxes appear with dinner.

Macaroni and cheese! Yes!

Rue's portions are slightly less controlled now, but she's still being watched. I, however, am allowed to have as much as I want, which is good, because I love mac and cheese!

After dinner, Rue and I are about to go up, but Damien says, "Wait!'

We sit down.

"So, tomorrow, we need to get you guys completely ready for the interviews, and that might take a while. Rue, you need 10 hours of sleep tonight. So, can you guys do some of this prep tonight?"

I glance at Rue. She nods her head, so I nod mine.

"Perfect, girls. So, come with me."

As we walk, I whisper to Rue, "You do know that the 'getting ready' is probably going to be what they usually do when the tributes are in the remake center?"

"Yeah."

"So, why'd you agree?"

"Well, I learned from coming back to life that you have to be thankful for what you have."

I nod.

"OK. Lets do this together," she says, and reaches out her hand.

"Together," I reply.

When we get to the elevator, which took a really long time, for some reason, Rue and I gulp. But, this time, the elevator only goes sideways. When the doors open, I immediately recognize the place.

We're in the training center.

Rue notices my stiffness, and rubs my back. She knows where we are, too. I keep forgetting that she was also here, so many years ago.

"So, why don't you girls go to your rooms, and your prep teams will be there in a minute. Lilac, you will have your old prep team, as they are not working with Delilah, and Rue, you will also have your old prep team."

I go into my room, and my prep team comes in. Lysander is really tall and muscular. Hestia is calm and pretty. And Aelia is always bouncing off the walls.

After about an hour, they've waxed my legs. Damien comes in and tells them to let me go to bed. They leave, with calls of, "See you tomorrow!"

"We need to be up at 7, Lilac, so Rue needs to be asleep by , OK?"

"Got it. What time is it now?"

"8, so the two of you have an hour."

He leaves, and almost immediately, Rue comes in.

"Do you want to have a snack?" she asks sweetly.

"Sure. What do you want to get?"

"How about bread?"

"Naah. Oh, I know! Taffy!"

"What's that?"

"Here. I'll show you."

I go to the speaker on the wall. "Can I have 2 bags of saltwater taffy, please?"

The two bags come sliding down the slide. I give Rue one, and take one myself. Then, I pick out a piece. It's become a near delicacy to me to have taffy. I adore it.

I pick out a piece. Green with a pink center. "Yes! Watermelon! My favorite!"

Immediately, I pop it into my mouth.

Rue tentatively takes out a piece. "It's white with a yellow swirl. What is it?"

"Pina colada."

Rue takes a small bite, then a larger one, then a huge bite! "Wow, it is good!"

"Here, try this one," I say as I grab a yellow one out. "Banana."

"I like it!" she exclaims.

We go back and forth for a while picking out pieces and sharing them. I've never had any time like that with anyone.

"Lilac?" she asks timidly.

"Yes?"

"Do you like me?"

She couldn't have asked a harder question.

"Of course, Rue. You're like a sister to me."

"Technically, I'm supposed to be your sister."

We giggle.

"But, in all seriousness, we're going to have to get to know eachother."

"I know."

"Nine o'clock, girls!" Damien yells.

"Oh, I have to go. Goodnight, Lilac."

"Goodnight, Rue."

She goes out my door and closes it. I watch her go.

Strange. We've known each other for less than 24 hours, and I already feel as if we are actually related.


Sorry about this. I honestly thought the chapter was done! But, anyway, here is the completed version.

I don't kow if any of you have read my more-frequently-updated SYOT, the 100th Hunger Games. I'd love if you did, though.

Also, please bear with me. I have no idea how to work the next chapter, but I'll get it. Thanks for being so patient!

-goldie031