Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Game or a portion of these character.
Train Ride - Day 2
POV of Slate Roberts: District 2
"Slate wake up. I know it's early, but if you want breakfast before we reach the station you need to wake up now." Beatrice says pulling my covers off. "I'll have an avox set you out some cloths. Be in the dining cart in 10 minutes at the latest." I groan. After she leaves I get into the shower. I don't have much time, but I didn't shower last night. When I get out I'm dripping wet. The avox in my room looks at me, and motions me back into the bathroom. She wets her hair and arms, and then places her hand on this weird Capitol machine. In an instant she's dry. Okay I have to admit that's cool.
"Thank you." She nods and walks off. I see the outfit she laid out for me. "Not bad" I think to myself. I quickly get dressed, and head down to the dining car. When I see Onyx I can't believe she's the same girl. She has on a sleek, silver dress that went halfway down her calves. She looked really nice. The Capitol is going to adore her. "Good morning everyone."
"Hurry up and eat. We're arriving at the Capitol station in 15 minutes." Vice says. I sit down and begin eating.
"Slate come look at this!" Onyx yells to me from the window. I get up and rush over to her. WOW! The buildings are shining different shades of pink due to the sun rise. I've never seen anything like this before in my life. I see people watching the train come in, and in the distance I see a building that appears to go around the city. I can see a few other tracks, and assume there are more where they come from. I return to my seat to finish my breakfast. I feel the train stop. I shovel the rest of my food into my mouth and wait. Beatrice guides us to the front of the train, where we entered just before noon yesterday. We all line up at the door. Beatrice is next to Chaos (our oldest mentor), next vice and Jezebel, last Onyx and I. I can hear people outside the door, but as it opens I realize there are a lot more of them then it sounded like.
As cameras flash in my face, blinding me I think to myself "Welcome to the Capitol Slate."
POV of Finn Black: District 4
I wake up to whispers outside my door. "Did you hear Stephan screaming last night?" Ester asked someone.
"Yeah, poor kid. Survives the game to be force to watch in first hand. I remember my first year. It was tough." Ambrosia said. Okay so that's who Ester is talking too.
"On top of that the Black's are family friends. Finnick told me to watch over him if and when they die."
"Wow, that's got to be hard, wasn't his district partner his girlfriend? I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up like Haymitch."
"Oh yeah, his family and girlfriend were killed for his stunt with the force field. I heard about that." Wow, and I thought it got easier once you won. Maybe Angel would be better off if she died in there. What am I thinking? She's strong, she can keep herself together. I decide to go see Stephan. From the sounds of it, he needs a friend. Ester and Ambrosia must have heard me get up and moved on. Why were they outside my door anyway?
I make my way to Stephan's room. It's hard to believe we're on a train since I can barely feel it moving, it must be going fast. When I go to knock I see the door is open a little, so I walk in. That's when I see them; a sleeping Stephan with his arms around my sister. Was she with him all night? Is this why the other 2 mentors were talking about him right outside my room, but left when they knew I was awake? The longer I see them the more rage fills me. Seeing him sleeping next to her so peacefully makes me want to ring his neck, but then I see her face. She seemed so happy. So I reluctantly swallow my rage and walk through the hall to the dining car. Hopefully a full stomach will help settle me.
POV of Skylar Croft: District 5
Kel, Trin and I are greeted by an eager Plyas as we wait for our tributes to wake up. Yesterday we got to know them a little bit and had them watch the reapings. We want them to get an understanding of what they're up against. Since it's nearly noon I'm guessing they had long nights.
"Aren't you excited?" Plyas asks, practically bouncing with joy.
"About what Plyas? This happens every year. And to be quite honest the Capitol people are basically the only people excited for it!" Kelven snaps. I slap my hand against my forehead. Not again.
"Well this year someone in your district was excited. That Electra girl is the first volunteer from 5 in ages." Great comeback Plyas. "Besides 1, 2 and 4 are typically excited and this year there were plenty of volunteers from underdog districts." She pauses. "That reminds me. I heard from a friend that the girl from 12, Tess, is none other than Katniss Mellark's niece. That's why she volunteered for the little Mellark girl." Well now that is interesting. I can't wait to see if she is anything like her Aunt. I like Katniss; she hates the Capitol like the rest of us. And on top of that her and Peeta are the first ever pair to survive the Hunger Games. Now that is impressive. It bothers me though. So many lovers have gone into the games, but they're the only ones that ever came out. It makes you wonder why.
"Just because a few stupid kids want to sign their own death certificate doesn't mean I should be excited!" Kel snaps again. These 2 never get along. They remind me of 12 a bit, except Kel isn't a drunk and Effie may possibly be less annoying. Just then our tributes walk in. Electra glares at Kel. Trin and I burst out laughing. Saved by the tributes.
"Now, now children, play nice. We're on this train for about a week, and there is no reason to frighten the 2 of them before they enter the Capitol." Plyas glares at me for my remark. "Sorry Plyas, but for someone that is lucky to have hammy-downs and boiled vegetables the Capitol and all it's crazy colors, foods and bubbly people can be quite scary." She nods understanding what I meant. "Now Electra, sit down here with me and Trinity, she's going to be your primary mentor. Carter, you sit with Kelven. He's you're primary. I will be assisting both of them, trying to keep you both alive as long as possible." Electra walks over and sits next to Trin, and Carter to Kel.
"Eat up. Later we talk strategy." Trin says to Electra.
"That goes for you too boy." Kel chimes in. I smile. We're a nice team, but I'm tired of watching the deaths and knowing I could have helped them. I need one of them to win. I want to retire.
POV of Rose Styles: District 7
I awaken to the smell of food wafting through the air. I jump out of bed, through my door and down the hallway. As I get closer my mouth begins to water. I think back to last night and how I nearly made myself sick from eating. Today I plan on taking it a little slower. As I burst through the door separating the dining car from the seating area I am overwhelmed with the delicious smells and appearances of all the Capitol delicacies. I look to the clock to see I slept through breakfast. Damn it! That's the one meal I haven't had yet.
I see Elm already sitting at the table eating some sort of meat. That's strange, no sign of our mentors or the most annoying man I Panem, Fiovlious our escort. "Hey Elm, what you eating?" He looks up at me and finishes chewing.
"Pepper encrusted pork loin with a tart cherry and burgundy sauce." He replies smiling. "I've never had anything like it." Okay that sounds amazing. I grab a plate and make my way down the line of tables. By the time I reach the end I have some of that pork Elm had, a whole hickory smoked fish, what looks like a tiny bird stuffed with some bread vegetable mixture, 2 ears of spicy grilled corn, some sort of creamy garlic greens and a whole roasted potato with cheese and bacon. Elm looked up at me again and laughed, almost chocking on his food. I took a bite of the pork first. It was better than I thought it would be. The pepper made it spicy, and the cherries made it sour. I smiled at Elm
"This is really good." I said covering my mouth. He nodded. Next I tried the fish. My eyes opened wide. "Elm this fish tastes the was a hickory tree smells."
"Really?"
"Here try it." I said handing him my fork. He put it in his mouth and smiled.
"Reminds me of home." Then a sad look took over his face. "Rose, do you think either of us will ever see home again?" I didn't know how to answer him. In order for me to keep my promise to my family he has to die, but I don't want to kill him. Hopefully someone else does.
"One of us will." I smile. My words seem to comfort him. He gets up and grabs 2 of the smoked fish. I giggle. Out of the corner of my eye I see movement. I look up and see Johanna standing in the doorway.
"I see you like the fish." She smiled. "It's my favorite. Reminds me of the woods back home." Elm and I both nod. She walks over, grabs a plate of fish, corn and some other things I haven't tried yet, and sit down across from us. "Now listen. Only one of you can go back home. But for now work together. If you do you'll be one step closer to making it back."
POV of Katniss Mellark: District 12
I walk to Tess' room to get her for lunch. I knock on the door.
"Come in." She yells from inside the room. I walk in and see her sitting on the bed. She looked up at me. "Aunty I know you, Uncle Peeta and Uncle Haymitch are going to do your best to bring me home…."
"We are going to bring you how Tess. You're family. I'm not going to let you die."
"But just in case can you tell my little brother or sister that I love them, and that I'll always be watching over them." She sniffles. I go over to her and hug her as tight as I can.
"Tess you don't have to be brave right now. I'm not just your mentor, I'm your aunt. It's okay to cry." She begins to bawl as I pull her close to my chest. She reminds me of Prim the day I volunteered to take her place. She long blonde hair in 2 french braids, just like mom had put Prim's up. But when she looks up at me she reminds me of the Hawthornes. I rocked her back in forth until her breathing slowed and her crying stopped. "You ready for lunch? I know your Uncles miss you. Haymitch even promised not to get drunk until after you go to sleep." She laughed. "I'm not kidding. He's worried about you. I think this might be the first year he's not drunk in the control center. He has a family again and he doesn't want to see that disappear." She smiled. "Now let's pick out something pretty to wear."
"Do you think Ricky will think it's cute?" She asks me while blushing.
"You're gorgeous; of course he'll notice you." We look into the dresser and find a cute sun dress. I hold it up and she nods. She runs into the bathroom and gets cleaned up and changed. I wait on her bed for her.
"Katniss are you in there?" Peeta asks.
"Yeah come in." He opens the door and looks around the room. "She's getting dressed."
"Oh okay. Me and Haymitch were getting worried. Besides he's having a hard time taking it easy. But he's trying." We both laugh. We hear the bathroom door start to open and look over at it. As she walks out of the bathroom I'm amazed. Other than at reapings I've never really seen her in anything feminine. She's like me when I was her age. "Nope." Peeta says getting up and trying to push her back into the bathroom.
"But Uncle Peeta, Aunt Katniss picked it out for me." He stopped pushing her and turned to me.
"She did, did she?" He looked at me. I smiled.
"What? She looks cute." He tackles me and tickles me. "Stop it! Stop it!" I kick and scream. Next thing I know he's on the ground laughing. My loving niece protected me.
"Hey, what's going on in here?" Haymitch yells. We all look at him. "I'm trying to stay sober and you're playing around."He said with a smile. "Now Tess what are you doing rolling around on the floor with a guy in a dress?"
"Yeah Peeta. What are you trying to pull?" I asked laughing.
"Yeah Uncle Peeta." Tess chimes in.
"What me? You attacked me." He said looking at Tess.
"Sure Peeta. Pick on out poor niece." Haymitch says picking Tess up and carrying her to the door. "Now let's go get some lunch. Ricky is already there." Tess blushes and takes off running.
POV of Eric Walden: District 9
After my conversation with Resin I realized that because I'm younger some people will pity me and try to help me, and other will target me. So I need to make sure I get lots of sponsors. I have to get a high training score and I need to do well in the interview.
So first thing this morning I went to the weight room where I once again ran into Resin. "Hey little man. I see you're taking my advice." I nod. "First things first get on that treadmill. Do the hardest one you can and just go." I do as he says. I train until my legs felt like they were going to fall off. Resin comes over and presses a button. "You did 3 miles on a relatively easy setting. But for your first time, it's not bad. Now go eat again, something with a lot of carbs. Meet me back here when you're done." I nod.
He is really kicking my ass, but I know I need it. I have never even thought of preparing myself for the possibility of getting reaped. I always thought I'd be safe. I have no idea what has a lot of carbs so I ask the avox boy to get me something. He comes back with a giant plate of pasta with butter and garlic and shrimp. I go to ask him what it's called so I can order it again and then I remember her cannot talk.
"Will you get this for me from now on?" He nods. "Thank you." He walks off. I eat every bit of food on my plate even though it makes me feel like I am going to pop. I wonder what Resin is going to have me do now. I walk back to the weight room and find him still there.
"You have enough to eat?" I nod. I don't know why I can't just say yes, other than the fact that Resin scares me. "Now we're going to move onto your arms. See that machine over there?" He points to a large machine. I nod. "Go use it. It's not that hard. You just put your arms against those pads and push your arms together." I walk over to it and begin with the lightest weight. After a few minutes I raise it and continue like that until Resin tells me to stop. He bounces me from machine to machine until dinner. By then I feel half dead. "Now after you both eat get some rest. We arrive in the Capitol around lunch tomorrow."
POV of Tess Hawthorne: District 12
I run to the door of the dining car. I stop take a deep breathe and walk in. "Hey Ricky" He looks up at me.
"Hi Tess." He says calmly. I'm really nervous. "You look nice."
"Thanks." I grab a plate and try not to get too much food. It's hard because it all looks so great. I grab a bowl of lamb stew because I know it's my Aunt's favorite. "So how do you like the food?"
"It's good." Wow this feels awkward. "I saw what you did for your cousin. Well obviously. But I thought it was pretty brave." I smile and he smiles back.
"You look nice too you know." I say nervously.
"Thanks." He pauses. "Tess look, I've liked you for a long time, but the odds of us ending up like your Aunt and Uncle is a million to one. I want to go home and I know you do too, and that means one of us has to die. If we let our feelings become more than they are…" He takes a deep breath. "I know I won't be able to kill you if I need to. I can't risk that." His voice is shaky. My vision begins to blur. I know he's right, but it still hurts. I know I have my Aunt and Uncle but for some reason I still feel alone. I wanted to connect to someone that understood my fears and pain. I'm scared and I don't want to be alone in that arena. "Tess I'm sorry." He reached his hand out to me. I moved my arm. I don't want him to touch me. I wish I had never left my room. I run through the door leading to the sleep car. I rush past my Aunt and Uncle's room and into mine. I slam the door as hard as can and leap into my bed. I love my cousin Rue, but right now I wish I hadn't volunteered. I wish I was home.
POV of Peeta Mellark: District 12
Katniss, Haymitch and I walk into the dining car expecting to see our lovely niece flirting with our other tribute. But when we enter we only see the boy, a bowl a lamb stew that is half empty and a plate of food on the opposite side of the table. Ricky had his head in his hands and was cursing something under his breath. Haymitch being non-other than Haymitch approached him.
"Where is Tess?" He calmly asked the upset boy. When he didn't receive an answer he lost control. He pounded his fist on the table, startling the poor kid, knocking the plate off the table and spilling the rest of the lamb stew. "I asked you a question. Now I'm only going to ask you one more time. Where is my niece?" He shouted in the Ricky's face.
"I don't know." He said quietly. Katniss was starting to get upset and so was I. But with Haymitch filling the room with tension and Katniss' temper this poor boy could do without me jumping on him too.
"What do you mean you don't know? She got all dressed up to come see you! When I told her you were here already she ran as fast as she could!" Ricky's head shoots up and I can see he's been crying. I walk over to Haymitch and place my hand on his shoulder. He gets the hint and walks straight to the bar. I don't blame him. I want a drink too. I look to Katniss and nod. She runs off to find Tess.
"What happened?" I ask calmly.
"We talked for a while, it was kind of awkward and I knew why. I like her I really do. But I know that we wouldn't end up like you and Katniss. To be honest I never really understood why you 2 made it out alive. So I told her we couldn't start anything. I know if I fall in love with her I won't be able to kill her, but I really want to go home." I understood his pain. I felt the same way when Katniss and I were thrown into the game, but it enraged me that Tess was hurting.
"I get it, but you should really talk to her. Nothing the 3 of us can say will make her feel better. It's up to you." I pat him on the back and go to find Katniss. This is going to be a long night and an even longer train ride.
