Authors Note: What's up my peoples? So Gamble will return to the districts and get settled in. He reunites with Natalie and Vegas. Anyway, here you go.

Gamble POV

Trees. That's all I've seen in the ride back to the district. I'm so bored. The train is pretty empty. Lydia and Ferrario stayed in the Capital while Regal is sleeping, again. I don't remember the first train ride being so long. So I decide to look around. I stroll into the dining room but it's empty. I'm not really hungry or thirsty, but yet I crave something. Weird.

"Hello Gamble."

The voice sends shivers down my spine as I turn towards my assailant.

"What? Miss me? I'm not gonna die that easily."

I take a step back, knocking over some pastries as I stare at my sister, alive and sneering.

She laughs as she taunts," Speechless? You are so pathetic."

No! This isn't happening.

"Now, it's your turn."

I hesitate before asking," Turn? For what?"

She screams," To die!"

I duck to avoid the flying knife, turn, and grab a fork that is lying on the countertop. I spin, already preparing to strike my opponent.

"Gamble!"

Royce is grabbing my wrist while injecting me with some more morphine.

He stares me in the eye," It's not real! Snap out of it!"

I begin to relax, not knowing if it's from the morphine or by myself, but I look around. Fruits and breads are all over the room. A chandelier is broken. A table is turned over.

Regal breaths heavily," It's not real."

"What happened?"

He pauses, taking a moment to find the right words. "For some reason, the doctors gave you more morphine during your recovery than necessary. And I mean way more. That's why I keep injecting you with it. Because if I don't," He points around the room," this happens."

"Wait, have I done this before?" I ask.

"Yes. Right before the victory viewing."

I prepare to ask another question, but I'm cut off by an announcement that we'll be arriving in ten minutes.

"Listen, we'll talk about this later. Just clean yourself up. You have icing on your left arm."

"Thanks," I say. So I head towards my room, but I can't help but think. Aren't they professionals? They shouldn't have injected me with that much. Now it's like I'm... addicted. No! I'm an addict! No, calm down. You're not an addict. Just simply... craving it. Yeah that's better.

So I change close and meet up with Regal. He checks me over before saying," You look good. Just remember, smile and wave. Be thankful and proud."

I snort in disgust," Did you just say proud?"

He glares at me, making me want to take back what I just said," Yes, I did say proud. It's district 1! They want you to be proud!"

"Okay, okay. Chill."

He literally burns a hole through my brain. "Did you just tell me to chill?"

Luckily, I don't have time to answer as we pull into the station. I wasn't expecting much, but was I surprised. When I walked out there were banners, confetti, and even an announcer.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our newest victor! Gamble Braxton!"

The crowd roars. I even spot some people that I thought hated me, cheering my name. Weird.

"Gamble!"

I turn quickly, but not fast enough as I'm tackled to the ground by my Natalie, with Vegas right behind her.

"I'm so happy that you made it back. You scared me so much. You have some nerve. Opening that bag made me freak out."

Natalie keeps on talking incoherently but I don't care. It's good to be back.

Vegas picks her up, while saying," Let's get off the stage, shall we?"

Agreed. So after shaking hands with some people, I finally find a quiet spot with Vegas and Natalie. The crowd is too obsessed with the packages the Capital gives when there's a victor. Most of the poorer districts get food, but here, we get nice stuff. I'm talking golden watches, remote controlled cars, and platinum silverware.

But I'm to busy talking with my favorite people.

"Gamble? Hello? You there?"

I shake my head," Sorry, what?"

Natalie rolls her eyes," I asked if you've heard about your family."

I wonder what happened," No, I haven't. What's up"

She looks at Vegas, unsure what to say," Well, your brother disappeared and your father left to go find him."

"What! They just left?"

Vegas looks me in the eye," Well, what'd you expect? They're assholes."

Natalie rolls her eyes,"Actually, your father left you a letter."

Vegas snorts in amusement," Yeah, he's probably trying to seek in one more insult before he runs away and hides in a cave."

"I highly doubt he is hidden in a cave. He probably just ft like it's a good time to leave."

I look at Vegas who in turn looks at Natalie. She stares at us before saying," What? Just trying to lighten the mood."

"Hey guys!"

We all turn towards a smiling Regal. He strolls up to us," Just wanted to let you know, we have to go get your house."

Vegas hops to his feet," Really? A house for me? Your too kind."

Regal replies sarcastically,"Yeah, a house for you. Tell me, have you been training?"

Vegas shifts uncomfortably,"About that, what do you mean about training?"

Regal grins,"Figures. You are so lazy. I have to be on top of you all the time." Then he looks at me,"Come on, we have to go check out who your neighbors will be."

They always make such a big deal about the victory house. There are camera crews and photographers, all just to see me open the front door. My house is squashed between Lucius, the 108th winner and Purge, the 99th winner. It's not a great combination. Lucius is arrogant and loud while Purge is... struggling. He's been having a rough time since his games. He killed eight people including his district partner. His arena was awful. It was a on old city with all kinds of traps. He has to be chained to his bed every night. Luckily, Regal is right across the street. I walk through the door and can't help but be disappointed. It's not as cool as I thought it'd be. Not much bigger than my old house, it feels empty.

"Well, it's not the President's mansion, but it's your home."

I don't even turn towards Regal. I just keep walking through. But he keeps talking. "They'll send over a maid to help move you in, but besides that, it's all yours."

Tentatively, I ask," Does it always feel so... empty?"

"Eh, you'll get use to it. Trust me, after you start mentoring and going to the Capital all the time, you'll enjoy the privacy."

I turn towards Regal,"Wait, I only have to go to the Capital once a year, right?"

He pauses for a few seconds before replying," About that, each victor has... services to conduct. It won't happen for some time, but you'll understand when it comes."

Natalie and Vegas come over to my house for dinner. Mostly because I can't cook shit, but I needed the company. Their parents didn't mind. Also, Regal stopped by for a few minutes to let me know what's coming up. First off, I need a talent. Oh, great. Second, he gave me some of that morphine stuff. Apparently, I'm supposed to take it before doing anything that could cause stress or pain. Plus, I have to talk to my shrink once a week. That doctor Dravio dude. He just talks and talks. I'm supposed to open up to him. Fuck that. The next thing, and it won't be for a while, but I have the victory tour. Then of course, the next Hunger Games where I'm mentoring. Normally, the tributes teacher mentors, like Regal did to me. Unless there is a new victor. Then that person mentors. But, right before he leaves, he hands me my father's letter. It's sat on the countertop all afternoon. I still don't want to read it. Vegas is probably right, it's just going to be hurtful.

Natalie calls from the kitchen," Guys, the chicken is ready."

Vegas and I turn off the t.v. where they were talking about me. Awkward. So we head into the kitchen, following the scent of food.

However, Vegas wails in agony," We have no parents and you still have vegetables on the table." He turns to me," Hello? You should have a ban anything healthy. It is your house."

"Shut up! I prepared this carefully and your going to like it," snaps Natalie.

"I escape one mother, but run into another," Vegas mumbles under his breath.

I laugh as I say," Guys, calm down."

So we all eat and talk about what's been happening. Vegasjumps out of his seat," Oh hey, do you know who you'll be mentoring?"

I stop to think. No I don't. The training center always chooses the volunteers during the Hunger Games. So I reply," No, I don't. Who?"

"Well for the guys, Price."

Natalie exclaims," Gross, him? Mr. Perfect himself."

Oh, great. Price. He was Royce's best friend. They were always such jerks. I wonder how he's doing now that Royce disappeared. I wonder where Royce went. Then my thought drift towards the letter. No! I'm not reading it.

"Yeah. But for the girls it's Crystal.

I focus on the conversation at hand. Vegas replies," No way! The short girl? She isn't winning."

Natalie points her fork at her brother,"Why? Because she's short or because she's a girl."

"Just saying, she's only like 5'2."

"Yeah, but if her knife hits your heart, then it doesn't matter.

Vegas rolls his eyes, "Whatevs."

So we finish dinner and clean up. Vegas and Natalie start to leave. But Natalie stops and says," Gamble, can I talk to you," then she darts her eyes at Vegas," alone."

Vegas throws his hands up defensively,"Hey, I totally get the message. See you later."

Once he leaves, Natalie turns towards me," So... get any better at kissing."

I look her in the eye," I wouldn't know. Haven't tried."

But before I could prepare myself, her lips meet mine. I just stay there for a few seconds, allowing her to pull away.

She smiles before saying," Good, you haven't improved"

I give her a quizzical look," Isn't that a bad thing?"

"No, or else that means that you've been kissing someone. Can't have my boyfriend kissing other girls."

Oh, I love that word. She smiles before kissing me again but on the cheek. She turns towards the door," See you tomorrow."

All I can sputter is a,"Yeah."

So I close the door behind her, but my eyes fall onto the letter. Do I? Or don't I?

I've always been week to temptation. But, remembering Regal's words, I inject myself with some more morphine before opening the letter.

Gamble,

I am truly sorry about the way I've treated you. The truth is, you weren't found in a trash bin. In fact, you were the result of your mother and her real lover. Your mother never really wanted to marry me, but that's just how arranged marriages work. It's my fault. I was resentful of you because I knew that you were the real child that she wanted. Your real father , Timothy Elias was killed for adultery. Your mother was never the same after that. She only spent time with you. So, I have left the district to chase after your brother. He fled in anger towards either district five or six. I have gone to look for him, hoping that we can come back and resolve this. But I will not return until I find him.

Cobalt Braxton

Authors Note: Well? How'd you like the letter. I was trying to make Cobalt(a.k.a. father) sound more tired. Plus, Gamble gets to learn the truth. I'm still not sure, but the next chapter might be the victory tour. So, once again, I would love some reviews. :)