Journey to the Capitol

Marianthe Haken, District 3

Marianthe stiffened as she was led by Peacekeepers to the train. She cast a glance around to find Ethan following just behind, his eyes puffy and red. The train was sleek and black with the pattern of golden gears printed onto it. On the front was the District 3 logo in bold. The peacekeepers suddenly stopped and faced the train. One of them spoke but Marianthe didn't hear what was being said. She felt exhausted, only a few hours ago she had been running away from a metal automation, the one that took Gary. She massaged her temples slightly, feeling tears start to well up in her eyes. The Capitol would see her soon, she needed to look strong. The Peacekeepers left systematically, leaving Marianthe and Ethan alone. Heavy footsteps echoed around the train and on the steps appeared Hugh, the escort, smiling happily.

She followed Hugh into the train and couldn't remove the look of amazement from her face. For a few moments Ethan seemed to brighten up, staring at the baby blue walls and the mounted golden frames with pictures of the glorious Capitol. Hugh smiled, poured himself a whiskey, and then nodded to the two of them. "I'll just go get your mentor, I'll be back soon."

Hugh left, leaving the silence heavy in the air. Ethan collapsed onto a leather chair and held his head in his hands, tears streaming out of his eyes. Marianthe looked away and slowly exhaled. Walking over to the counter, she found some tissues; ones laced with some silver string and sat by the side of him. Shaking, he wiped his eyes and breathed in, trying to calm himself. She dabbed the tissues under his eyes while he regained himself. He smiled shakily and gripped the chair.

Hugh appeared in the room with another figure. The figure sat down at the dining table, grabbed a roll and started to eat noisily. Marianthe turned slightly to look at the man, around 20 years of age with tanned skin and cropped blonde hair. He smiled as they locked eyes, "Hungry?"

Ethan and her both sat down at the table and took a roll each. It was only now that she realised how hungry she was, not having ate since early this morning. They both tucked into bowls of soup and Marianthe felt the warmness fill her body. Hugh tutted as they ate, sipping his soup carefully. The figure laughed lightly and turned to Hugh, "If you don't like their manners, come back later. The kids are hungry."

Hugh gave him a stare before getting up and leaving silently. The man rolled his eyes and giving them a quick salute he said, "Names Israel Grace at your service, only victor of District 3, though you probably knew that."

Ethan nodded silently, concentrating on his food. Marianthe thought it might be best to introduce them both, "Marianthe Haken and that's Ethan Dew."

Israel nodded, rolling a bun between his fingers and then put it down carefully. He lined the cutlery up in order and then the plate. Once he was satisfied he looked back up at them. Marianthe thought that he might have OCD, it wouldn't be surprising, and most who came out the Games suffered from at least something. OCD was the best thing you could hope for. His voice went to a whisper, "I know what happened with your friend and the fact that the reaping was rigged. Hugh doesn't so I'd keep it quiet. I'm here to help you; I would like to get one of you home."

Ethan looked up and cocked his head slightly, "So Gary is ok?"

Israel slowly shook his head and Ethan's shoulders sagged. Israel leaned over and gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze. Marianthe looked at Israel and just about remembered his Games. The man won through intelligence, outfoxing his foes at every corner. Maybe with this man on her side, she might have a chance.

Alexandria Swan, District 7

Alexandria enjoyed the view as they approached the Capitol. She relaxed in the furry brown chair as Fane and Argyle talked tactics. She really had no plan for the games, something that really should have worried her. But for now she felt calm, calm as she ever could be. The Capitol was nearing and she let out a gasp. A few seconds later a body was next to her's, peering out at the vast city. Fane's body was right next to hers, separated by only a few centimetres. She inwardly cringed as the two of the looked out. She heard Argyle laugh lightly behind her as they were nearing the station. "Give them a wave, you two" he remarked, lacing his fingers behind his head.

Alexandria did the as he instructed, smiling as she happily waved. She hated these people but still thought she might as well try and get them to like her. Sponsors didn't come from anywhere. Many pointed to her as she went past and the train finally pulled into the station. She exhaled slowly as she pulled herself away. Argyle looked at the both, checking them over. Once he was happy he nodded and the three of them exited the train.

Crowds flocked them as they walked, trying to find their way around. Alexandria felt squished in, her heart rapidly rising as she started to panic. Fane whispered something into Argyle's ear and he glanced back at Alexandria. She shook slightly, not happy with the closeness of the crowd. All around her she felt heavily breathing of the socialites, the eyes of the Capitol watching her, judging her before they truly met. Many would be betting on her death. Just thinking about it made her think back to her brother Caspian. He'd gone through the same thing, the same routine that all tributes went through before they died. And he had died.

Alexandria remembered it clearly, watching her brother as he ran away from the Careers, only to fall into a pit full of sharpened sticks. The make shift spear had pierced through his skin and stuck the heart firmly. Blood started to ooze around the wound as Caspian's final breath passed through him. His eyes remained lifeless, a shell of who he was. The three Careers had looked down with what looked like a mixture of horror and joy. Then they had high fived each other. Alexandria had felt sick to the stomach afterwards. Vaguely she remembered attacking the TV while her mother barely managed to pull her off the broken screen, scared that she would have cut herself on the glass. She'd paid no real attention to the Hunger Games after that. She wished she had.

Someone tapped her shoulder and she shook her head. They were in the administration room of the Remake Centre. Fane looked down at her with a mixture of concern and pity. "You zoned out while we were walking. Argyle was worried" Fane remarked, turning away. Her eyes flicked to Argyle who was talking with the woman at the counter. Finally when he seemed to have finished, he turned back to the two tributes and smiled lightly. Without any further instructions the three of them got into the lift. Alexandria looked at the red and gold wallpaper that matched perfectly with the golden buttons, each one with a shiny number printed in gold-leaf. Each one corresponded with a floor and soon they reached Floor Seven.

Alexandria gasped; the floor they were on was amazing. The walls were pained a light green with a brown carpeted flooring that felt plush under foot. A big curved sofa was made of pure brown leather with different coloured pillows on it, brining brightness to the room. A small coffee table made of mahogany sat near the sofa, cleaned and polished to perfection. A flat screen TV was hung against the wall, dominating the room. Further on Alexandria could spot a huge dining table and four doors leading off it, a room for Fane and her as well as Argyle and their escort Viola.

"Amazing isn't it?" Viola said and Alexandria couldn't help but nod. Fane had already moved from the room into his own private space. Alexandria frowned as Argyle laughed lightly.

"Leave Fane alone for a bit. His parent's didn't know that he was volunteering. Also I think that he just realised what he has done and it may be having regrets. He'll be right as rain in the morning" Argyle said, looking at Alexandria. She nodded uncertainly before collapsing onto the sofa. She sunk into it and sighed. She had to give the Capitol credit, they made some awesome things.

"What's your strategy anyway? I know what Fane wants to do but I do want to help you as well. Just because he's my cousin doesn't mean he gets special treatment" Argyle said, his gaze softening. He pulled a bottle of brown liquid from a drinks tray and threw it to Alexandria. She caught it, opened the top and sniffed it carefully. Finally she put it to her lips and drank at tiny bit. The liquid was cold and fizzed in her mouth, however the taste was refreshing and soon she had gulped down most bottle.

"Fane wants in with the Careers doesn't he?" she asked. Slowly Argyle nodded and looked to Viola who seemed happy with this. "I personally don't know what I want to do. Maybe form an alliance with a few people, get some sponsors with the interview and chariot parade" she responded, finishing the bottle.

Argyle nodded and then sat down next to her. "I'm going to give you some advice because I think I can work with you well. From my guess, the Careers this year are going to be big and very powerful. There has been a massive amount of volunteers this year and that means trouble. People like Fane and maybe even Fane himself won't hesitate to kill you. Keep away from these people and don't provoke them, you hear me. I know you're angry with the loss of your brother to the hands of the Careers but it's not a fight you can win. I did but barely" Argyle said, his eyes flashing, as if he was reliving some past memory.

Alexandria nodded carefully and his shoulders sagged. "Good," he said simply before going over to the food cart and picking out some fruits which looked divine. Alexandria wondered; could she really win these games?