Gemma LeBrilliant, 18, District 1 Female

Once I have composed myself, Jett and I walk to the train with Karalinya, Pashmina, and Onyx, much to the chagrin of Jett.

We're met with a beautiful black forest cheesecake, my favourite. Since no other reapings have taken place yet, we can't see our competition, but we're going to kill them anyway, so why does it matter?

As we eat the delicious cake, Pashmina switches on the television anyway, and it shows a Capitol fashion show. At home we have very stylish clothes, but these are more than that, these are true works of art. How do they make that chiffon move in that way? How do they make that satin stand up so much? And that design? Genius! Onyx and Jett are scowling at the screen, so we change it to something different, our reapings. I remember the grand decorations, the beautiful people, and Karalinya's grand escort skills. Jett and I look like scarlet heroes, rushing up to the stage.

I remember the silk of my gown flashing, the colour of blood seen by all. Now, twenty three people will be in pools of blood soon, and one off them will be Jett or me. I don't know whether I want to win or die for my brother. I guess I'll just play it by ear. Even when one of us dies, we'll still be brother and sister, best friends forever. I hope.

Eridan Medea, 17, District 2 Male

When I'm Victor, I'll treat Feferi to luxuries like this rare shrimp delicacy that Natalie and I are having right now. And when Sollux is penniless on the streets, we'll be generous and give him our scraps.

We've watched the only reaping so far, District 1, and Jett and Gemma look like totally easy kills. Their blood will spill, matching their expensive clothes. Natalie's nodding smugly as well, but they're my kills, all mine. Delightful.

Ryker tries to make conversation with us, but I don't pay him any attention, practising for public events when I'm victor and Natalie's six feet under. Natalie's doing the same. Silly little Natalie thinking she has a shot at victory. I'll kill her myself, but not too soon, it might ruin my image as Golden Victor.

I hope the stylists have something good for me to wear, I don't want to look stupid. I live in District 2, the best district, so it probably will be great.

I will probably have sponsor gifts raining down constantly, but I won't need any of them, and many girls will love me after I win, but I only want precious Feferi. I wonder what everyone will call us? The Power Couple, Gold and Silver, Undying Love, Feferidan, Eriferi. I particularly like Feferidan, but I'll let the fans decide. We're going to be their royalty, of course.

Zeus Technik, 15, District 3 Male

I'm on a beautiful train, calm music is playing, lovely food is being served, and I'm with my crush, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared out of my mind.

The tributes from 1 and 2 look like cutthroats, and while others think Eridan will win, I personally think Gemma has a good chance. I don't know about her brother though.

I shouldn't be thinking like this. I'm not watching the Hunger Games any more, I'm in them, and I'm going to die pretty soon if I'm not careful.

"Alliance?", asks Decimal from across the table, "I think one of us could win if we teamed up."

"Okay, what are your strengths and weaknesses?"

"I'm very good with circuits and electrical traps," says Decimal, "I can probably get food and water without help, but I can't climb trees, run fast, or swim, and I'm also awful at public speaking, so I probably won't get many sponsors. I don't know if I could kill either."

"Cool, I can get us sponsors," I reply. "and I can run fast. But should we go to the Cornucopia?"

"How about we run away?", says Decimal, "Just to be safe."

"I'll run and get the stuff close by," I reply, "then we can run together."

"Sounds like a plan."

Serena Willis, 17, District 4 Female

Dylan and Arcangela are getting on famously, so I'm left with Trident to talk to. He's actually very interesting, full of stories from the Capitol. Trident likes storytelling, he's known for it in the Capitol. He was an imaginative boy who volunteered, and his creativity got him sponsors, which helped him win.

We watched the reapings for 1, 2 and 3, and all of them look like they could win, except maybe District 3. Jett, Gemma, Natalie and Eridan will make great allies.

"I remember the first time I tried this fish in the Capitol," said Trident, "It was my first Capitol meal, and I never thought fish could be served with purple sauce, so I thought it had gone off!"

Dylan and Arcangela laugh, and I do too. Trident continues with an eager smile on his face.

"Turns out, it HAD gone off, and the chefs didn't see it! Lucky I didn't eat much of it!"

"I hope our food isn't like that," says Dylan, "or I'll be really mad!"

We laugh and talk, and it's almost like being with our friends back at home. Arcangela is surprisingly laid back for an escort, and Trident is generally fun to be around. It's just upsetting that at least one of us will be gone in a few weeks.

Taylor Blackett, 17, District 7 Male

Luleelah's just sitting there with a dumb smile. Alaska, one of our mentors, looks slightly amused. The escort on the screen is chattering away. And Nelly is glowering at me.

"Why did you punch my mother?", she growled.

"Huh?"

"WHY. DID. YOU. PUNCH. MY. MOTHER?"

"That was your mother?", I reply.

"That was my mother!", she growled, "and don't mess with her, or any other Peacekeeper!"

"Okay, okay." Black Shade will never stop messing with Peacekeepers. If her mum wasn't one, I bet she would as well.

We turn around to the screen to see possibly the ugliest escort so far, with two tributes. You wouldn't think District 11 would produce these tributes, but there's something about them that screams victory.

Nelly bites her lip, and I scratch my head, trying to come up with something to break the silence, but no one does, as we've reached the Capitol. Many people are cheering for all of us, and I find it weird that I've gone from wanted criminal to Panem-famous in a matter of hours. And everyone else will be dead in a matter of days.

Thorn Debrasker, 13, District 10 Female

"Why did you volunteer?", I find myself asking Ryder.

"It was my brother."

"I figured," I said, "There aren't really many Lapierres back home. But why? Most people don't even volunteer for siblings, why did you?"

"Well, for one thing," he replied, "I'm trained, more or less. Second, Mark is very weak, and I don't think I could stand seeing my brother die."

"Oh."

"Try the custard eclairs," says Dilly, "they're delicious."

Our escort's right, they are the best thing I've ever tasted. Ryder seems to think so too, and we grab another one each in unison.

"I baked them myself," Dilly commented.

"What?" gasped Ryder, "How were you allowed to even get these here?"

"How do you think?", chuckled Dilly, "I snuck them in!"

Ryder and I, evidently lovers of good food, have now discovered we have the greatest escort of all time.

Hi! I hope you liked this mini-chapter about train rides! They're so short because they're meant to be sort of extensions to the reaping chapters. Next up, getting styled and chariot rides! Don't forget to vote on my new poll on my profile, it might make the difference between your favourite dying in the bloodbath and making it into the top 8! As always, thanks for following Moon Skies!