Chapter 10

Vote. Poll. Now. Top two choices are tied at 4. Vote.

Iona draped herself across the couch provided on the train. She broke into tears, collapsing on herself. She knew she didn't have a chance of winning. And if she did, she would have to live her life without Finn. And that life wasn't the life she wanted.

"Hey, it's okay." Finn whispered, sitting down next to her.

"Finn, I'm scared." Iona whispered, her head falling into her hands.

"You, the famous Iona?" A person behind them scoffed. "Badass, brave, violent Iona? Afraid of the Hunger Games? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're the one who'll win."

"Who are you?!" Iona snapped, her sad appearance bursting into flames.

"Me? I'm your mentor. I'm Hayden, winner of the 39th Hunger Games, named youngest tribute ever to win, and basically sold by the Capitol to make children." He smiled sarcastically.

"So you were 12 when you won?" Finn asked.

"How the hell do you know me?!" Iona snarled.

"I did my research, plus, I live ten feet away from you." Hayden shrugged. He grabbed an apple from a tray full of fruit.

"Food!" Finn's eyes widened. "I haven't had an apple since I stole that one from some guy when I was seven!"

"Take as many as you want." Hayden snorted. "The Capitol doesn't care. They just want us all dead."

"Wow, aren't you the optimist." Iona grumbled sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she grabbed a pear from the tray.

"Excuse me, aren't you the one who beat up that three year old for stealing a piece of bread you bought?" Hayden said amusingly.

"I saved up for that! It cost me seven squirrels, and I only hunt with a knife!" Iona protested.

"It doesn't make it right!" Hayden hissed.

"Aren't you two just the best of friends?" Finn said mockingly, amused. "I've gotta get a snack to eat while watching the fight."

"No one cares for your opinion, you soulless ginger!" Hayden hissed. Iona screeched, and tackled Hayden, Hayden having no time to react. She grasped his neck, pressing down with her knees on Hayden's arms, but Hayden was not able to kick her, for she was too small.

"Iona!" Finn yelled. "What are you doing?!"

"You can hurt me, tease me, or even kill me, but you do not, you DO NOT INSULT FINN!" Iona screeched, reaching for a knife on the table and aiming it at Hayden. His muscles froze up, and he stayed there, paralyzed.

"Iona!" Finn yelped, jumping towards her and pushing her off of Hayden. "Iona, what the hell are you doing?!"

Iona stood paralyzed, breathing heavily. "What have I done?"

"Good, this is good." Hayden said quickly. "You're relentless. This is good in the Arena. I even think you're ready to fight in the Cornucopia."

"Huh?"

"I was testing you. I know you love Finn, you'd do anything for him. So I insulted him to test your skills." Hayden smiled. "I'd say we have a winner here."