A/N: Hey guys, I'm back again with the District 5 and 6 train rides. These will be the last train rides before we move onto meeting the stylists and the Tribute Parade!

Zachary Hillman – District 5

I sit down at the dinner table, unused to the strange movement of the train beneath me. Camelia and I face Hestia as she babbles on about our Reapings and our chances and if we might have impressed sponsors. Right now I couldn't care less about sponsors. I'm too shocked and scared to think straight right now.

I think the most terrifying thought is that I can't get out of this. I am trapped in this nightmare until I wake up. Until I either die or win the Hunger Games. And that will never happen.

Camelia is quiet, but asks a few questions about the Capitol. Hestia looks happy that at least one of us is talking. She comments about last year's tributes: "They were utter freaks, the two of them. One wouldn't talk at all-" she glances meaningfully at me, "-and the other was a total mess, crying and dribbling everywhere. Hopefully you two will be better."

She tosses her hair in irritation and I feel anger rise up inside my chest. But I force it down. I can't afford to start fights with my escort.

The meal is delicious, with fine food that I haven't even seen before. But somehow I can't enjoy it. The heavy feeling of the Games is weighing on my heart.

Afterwards, Hestia hurries out of the car to find our mentor. I try to remember District Five's last Victor, but I can't. My family never really paid much attention to the Games. Usually we just tried to block them out, like lots of others.

I glance at Camelia. Her head is bowed low, and she stares into her bowl of soup.

"So…" I look around the dining car. "You were really nervous on stage, weren't you?"

Camelia shoots me a dark look. "I don't want to talk about it," she says quietly, raising her head and shaking back her brown hair. "I-it's natural for somebody to throw up when they're in stressful situations!"

Something is so defensive about her tone that I laugh. "OK, OK." Wow. Laughing. That feels so out of place right now. But to my surprise, Camelia smiles slightly. "Yeah, laugh all you want." She says, folding her arms.

"Children!" Hestia calls, and we both look up to see her standing in the doorway, accompanied by a tall man who looks about twenty. His dark hair is long and messy, and there are numerous scars across his arms, face and neck. With a chill, I notice that he has an eye-patch and some of his fingers are missing. What happened in his arena?

"This is your mentor, Xeph Anderson," Hestia says brightly, leading the man into the car. Without a word, Xeph seats himself at the table and begins to tear at some bread. Camelia and I watch nervously.

Hestia leaves, saying she'll leave us to chat.

Xeph doesn't acknowledge us until I clear my throat. "Um…hello?"

Our mentor looks up. "Yes?"

"Aren't you meant to give us advice or something?"

Xeph raises his eyebrows. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't realize you were going to be so demanding." He puts down the piece of bread and laces his fingers together. "Your names are…?"

"Zachary Hillman." I reply. Camelia tells him her name.

"Well, Zachary, Camelia, I'm afraid I don't have a lot of advice for you. You see, I don't think you're going to make it very far, so why should I waste my words on you?"

"But that's not fair!" Camelia says angrily. "What if we get past the Bloodbath, then? What if we do survive? You'll regret not giving us any information then!"

Xeph shrugs. "You vomited all over the stage. Girls with weak stomachs will not get far. That's a solid fact."

I feel like that's probably not a solid fact, and by the looks of it, neither does Camelia.

Xeph sighs loudly. "Fine. Maybe I could give you something…in case you really do make it past the Bloodbath, by some kind of miracle."

I lean back in my chair. I feel like it's going to be a long train ride.

Kiva Briks – District 6

Now, as we step onto the train, the tears have stopped but my face is still blotchy and red. I am trembling as we sit down at the table as Rubietta instructs us.

I don't like Jason, my District partner. He looks scary and he doesn't talk to me. Well, I guess I don't talk to him. But still. He's intimidating. That's a good word for him.

"Now, how are you feeling?" Rubietta asks us. I can tell she's really asking me. I swallow hard. Hopefully I can make her feel sorry for me. I need some sympathy. I've just been Reaped for the Hunger Games.

"Well…I guess I'm OK," I say, putting on my signature five year-old voice. Jason raises his eyebrows and starts eating. He isn't falling for it. Oh well. Rubietta obviously is, since she reaches across the table and takes my hand.

"Don't worry your little head about things," she says. "It'll all be over quickly."

Does she mean my death? I shiver and almost start crying again at the thought. I don't want to die!

"I'm going to fetch your mentor, so try to put on a brave face, OK? She'll be…sizing you up."

Great. That's a wonderful thought. I really don't need that right now.

Rubietta walks out, only to come back a few minutes later followed by a short, very slim blond woman. She looks annoyed as she walks in, pushing our escort aside and sitting down to eat.

"Names?" she asks us. Rubietta hurries forwards.

"Um, children, this is Olivia Gray. She won the 111th Hunger Games!"

Olivia Gray looks us up and down, then asks her question again. There is more annoyance in her tone, which makes me nervous.

"I asked your names."

"Jason Dodge." Jason tells her.

I swallow and wonder which kind of voice to put on. I want her to think I have a chance. "Kiva Briks," I say as strongly as I can.

"You've been crying," Olivia says without looking up. She finishes buttering her bread and meets my eyes. Her own are small and steely-blue. It feels like she's reading my soul. "No use crying. I did it when I was Reaped." She sighs. "And look where I am now."

I look down. She turns to Jason.

"You look strong, am I right?" Jason nods. "Then you'll be good with weapons or weights. Maybe some kind of spear or javelin. You can always try an axe."

"I'm…better at hiding and camouflaging," Jason says quickly. I can tell he doesn't like the idea of using weapons. "I can move fast too. I…used to be an illusionist."

Olivia shrugs dismissively. "OK, but being a magician won't help you. You both have to look strong and you have to be able to use weapons."

I don't like this. "But I don't want to use weapons," I say plaintively.

"Tough luck. You're stuck with me." For a split second, Olivia flashes me a toothy grin. I hate it. I don't like our mentor. I don't want to use any weapons!

Maybe Rubietta was right. Maybe my death will just be quick and painless, in the Bloodbath.

A/N: The train rides are finished! Hope you enjoyed them. Now for the three questions:

1. Do you think Camelia and Zachary would be good friends?

2. What do you think of the two mentors?

3. Do you think Olivia's advice to Jason and Kiva about weapons is good for them?

Next up, the stylists!

~Sky~