When Niles finally drifted off to sleep, he didn't know that just two hours later he would be awakened and preparations for the games would begin.
Thalia and Ananias walked with him to where he would be outfitted and any last minute problems would be fixed. He asked to see Daphne, but Ananias told him that it wasn't allowed.
From the first time Niles saw what he was wearing, he knew that the arena was going to be cold. He was outfitted with wool socks under leather boots, as well as a darkly colored long sleeve shirt and pants.
Winter met up with him after this. "How is Daphne?" were Niles' first words to her. "Is she okay? Did she get enough sleep?" Winter only smiled. "She's fine. Come on, Niles, we have to get you on the hovercraft soon."
As they walked, Winter still talked to him, trying to squeeze in as many words of wisdom as she could before Niles was out there, open to death. "You haven't told her yet, have you?" she asked.
"No, I haven't. Every time I try to…the words don't come out like I want them to."
"Niles, please, tell her during the games. You won't be sorry, I promise you. The public and sponsors alike go crazy for this sort of thing. Not only that, she has a right to know."
"Alright, I will."
"Good. And Niles, stay calm. In the time I've gotten to know you, I've come to the conclusion that you tend to panic under enough pressure."
"Yes, that does tend to happen."
"Make sure it doesn't. You've got a great head, try to keep it clear."
"Right." Both stepped on to the elevator.
"And about the cornucopia…I don't really know what to tell you. Use your judgment. You can't really get supplies without paying a visit to it, but be careful. Watch your back. Watch Daphne's back, too. It's the one time you'll have all of the tributes in one place, all trying to get supplies at one time."
"Right. Got it."
The elevator doors opened and there laid the hovercraft to take Niles what he expected to be his death.
Peacekeepers arrived beside Niles and Winter.
Winter shook his hand and touched his shoulder. "The best of luck, Niles. I'm going to do the best I can to help you guys out."
"Thank you."
The Peacekeepers walked so close to him that it was uncomfortable, and Niles wanted to tell him that they needn't be here, that he wouldn't run, that he was here by choice.
On the hovercraft, he was seated with all of the other tributes, twelve on one side, twelve on the other. Niles was relieved to see Daphne, but noted that worry was carved into her face. They made eye contact for a brief moment, and Niles mouthed, It's okay. Daphne only nodded.
A woman came around to put tracker chips inside all of the tributes. Some winced, some kept their faces stone cold. Daphne shut her eyes tight and bit the top of her lip as it happened, and Niles looked up at the ceiling.
When that was over the lights were dimmed, and the hovercraft began to fly.
No one moved. No one spoke.
Thought the ride was smooth, everyone knew when it had stopped. More Peacekeepers came and escorted Niles to the room where he would be lifted into the games.
Thalia was there. She only smiled at Niles for a moment. "Here we are, Niles. Are you ready?"
"Perhaps."
She sighed. "You'll be fine. I know you will. You're so nice, Niles. So nice. And, oh, that way you love Daphne…she's so lucky. I'm so lucky. I've gotten to dress you up and decide how you'll look…and now, I get to see you right before you head into the games."
Thalia put his coat around his shoulders. The material was lightweight, and had thin layer of insulation in it. "Heat-reflecting material," she said. "Very warm. And, the outside of it won't make noise when you move your arms."
Niles tried moving his arms back and forth and found this to be true.
"You should probably get in the tube now. Goodbye, sweet Niles." Thalia hugged him tightly, and he stepped into the tube. Not long after, the door closed and the pedestal began to rise.
The farther up Niles traveled, the colder he felt himself getting, until he found himself face to face with the arena.
The ground was covered in snow, and the sky above was cloudy. Trees surrounded them, and just in front of where they stood was the cornucopia.
He began to search for Daphne as the countdown commenced.
Fifty-two, fifty-one, fifty, forty-nine…
She was way on the other end of the line of pedestals, far away from Niles.
This would be difficult. He'd have to find some way to get to her through all of those tributes…
Thirty-six, thirty-five, thirty-four, thirty-two…
He had thirty seconds to devise a plan. Could he run behind the pedestals? I've got no other choice. I have to get to Daphne without running it to any other people, he thought.
Twenty-four, twenty-three, twenty-two, twenty-one…
This was it. Niles got ready and waited.
Five, four, three, two, one…
