The train ride this year was the most stressful one yet. For one thing, the kids are young- 13 and 14- and I know the boy. Tom, little Tommy Packard. How could this have happened? It had to have been rigged, but what have I done? Did I not do something?

I spent the whole night trying to figure it out. Nathaniel strategized with them. Tom stared at me though, like he had come to the same conclusion I did: somehow, this is my fault. I didn't speak until breakfast the next morning.

"Sorry about yesterday, you two. It's just- this year- it's come as a bit of a shock."

"Yea, it has for me, too. I thought my sister would volunteer. But she didn't," said the girl. I think her name is Susan. Her eyes were pools of warm brown, big and sorrowful, yet have a twinkle in them. I know her… Then it clicked.

"I gave food to your family, didn't I?"

"Yea, for several years now. My mom said to trust you cause you took out a tessere for us before you won, and you still send us food. Thanks for that, by the way."

"No problem." The Pascoes were right. I have touched more lives than I thought. "Tom…"

"It's okay Mabel. I don't blame you. My odds were better than most, but my name was still in there." I nodded.

"I still think it may have been rigged."

"Maybe." He shrugged. "Who knows? If you ask questions, it could cause more trouble right?"

"Yea… how do you-"

"Know that it'd cause trouble? I overheard you talking to my parents when you said you couldn't send food around anymore and needed help to do it secretly."

"Oh? You were supposed to be inside sleeping."

"Come on!"

"Well, you were!" I paused. "You could use that to your advantage."

"What do you mean?"

"Eavesdropping; if you can hide yourself and stay quiet, you could learn something useful. May save your neck."

"I guess so."

"Do you guys have any skills you're good at?"

"I can climb trees and run fast."

"I can eavesdrop well, apparently." I playfully punched his arm. "Hey, now, you could injure me." We laughed. "I'm a fast runner too."

"Good. The first, say 3 minutes, are some of the most important minutes you'll ever get. You grab a few things- that are near you- and you get away from the Cornucopia. Try to get a weapon or a backpack, not much more. You're both young, so you'll be seen as easy targets. The Careers will target you first if you stick around too long. In training, learn as many skills as you can, but pick 2 or 3 to work really hard at. If you do well, maybe someone will sponsor you, but it's a hard bet since you're young. Your age may be held against you."

"You won though. You were only 14."

"I was lucky. They remembered my brother, and they really liked him. Besides, there were at least 5 different times I should have died. I was lucky to only lose my arm." They stared at me wide-eyed. I sighed. "Yea. That's not something I share often. But I did, and I'm lucky that's all I lost. Now, we should be coming up to the lake soon…" They got up and went over to the window. I watched them stare in awe at the Capitol. Then we plunged into darkness, and came out in a crowd of Capitol citizens. "Wave guys." They did, though they weren't confident in themselves about it. I chuckled softly. Then I noticed Nathaniel in the doorway. He was smiling.

Soon after the kids were taken away to be prepped and Nathaniel and I went up to our floor to talk. We hadn't seen the new escort since the Reaping.

"What were you smiling for? On the train, I mean."

"I'd never seen you like that before. You were like their older sister that they came to for advice. They both trust you, you know."

"I know. I've kept them from starving, and now I have to keep them alive in a different way."

"This year, I think you'll get one home. Really, I think 10 will have another victor." I smiled. Then we were interrupted by the escort.

"Oh good, you're both here." He seemed really nervous… and young. Maybe 23? If that…

"Want do you need?"

"I just need to- to introduce myself properly."

"This is your first year, isn't it?" He nodded. "Where's Gallia? Why weren't we told she'd been replaced?"

"Um - er - I – uh – am not privy to that information."

"Alright. Then who are you? Oh, come on, I don't bite. Honest."

"I'm Aurelio Moon."

"That's a unique name. I like it," I said. He relaxed some.

"Why don't we sit and talk?" said Nathaniel. We did. We talked until it was time for the parade. Aurelio kind of grew on me. He isn't like Gallia was; he's not so flamboyant, or as happy-peppy about the games as most Capitol citizens are. It was a refreshing change.

We headed down and waited for the tributes to come out. The costumes usually were the best part, as most would be highly amusing. This year that held true, though 10 got off easy. The stylists this year obviously tried to take advantage of their youth. Susan's hair was in two braids, and she had cut-off denim shorts. Her shirt was red plaid and tied to show her stomach with the sleeves cut off. She had a straw hat and a small heart under her left eye. She was adorable.

Tom was dressed similarly, only long pants and green plaid. He was holding a long blade of grass. They both had brown boots.

"You guys look so cute!"

"Thanks!" Susan seemed pretty happy.

"Tom, why do you have grass?"

"I'm supposed to chew on it," he grumbled. "Like anyone back home actually does that."

"Oh, chin up. This is your first impression on the Capitol. Amuse them for a few minutes."

"My death is going to amuse them, whether they like my or not."

"Tom-" started Nathaniel.

"Save it," he snapped.

"Watch it Tom. At least try to make it easy for us to get you home. I really don't want to have to comfort your parents this year." He was quiet. Then they climbed into their chariot. "Please smile. Please." He nodded. Then the doors opened and the procession began.

"Stay with us till the doors?"

"Sure." And I did. I watched them go down the street until the doors closed behind 12. I walked back. I didn't get far.

"Hey you," someone said, grabbing my wrist. I rolled my eyes.

"Not now."

"Oh, come on. You've got a minute."

"Fine. One minute. What do you want?"

"To know what's up with you."

"What do mean?"

"I've never seen you that way with your kids before."

"Oh, that. Look Finnick, this really isn't the place to talk about it." He raised an eyebrow. "Really." He nodded. I knew he understood, and probably better than anyone else here. I walked back to Nathaniel. We waited for them to return.

After the kids were back, I hung back a little. Finnick did as well. We ended up having an elevator to ourselves.

"So what's with the kids?"

"The boy-his name's Tom- he… well, he's the younger brother of the girl I volunteered for." He nodded.

"I understand."

"I think he's here because of something I did. And I hate that I even have to suspect that." I sighed. "I wish the games were gone for good," I said softly. Finnick looked at me in an odd way, and then the doors opened.

"Come down tomorrow, and we'll talk more."

"Alright. Night, Finnick."

"Night." The doors closed and the elevator continued up. Finnick was acting a bit odd. I wonder what is up with him now. I suppose I will find out tomorrow.