A/N: Trigger warning for depression, deadnaming, and gender dysphoria in Max's section.
Abraham Smith, age 12
District 10 Male Tribute
Train Rides
Lupe and I stand awkwardly in the main compartment of the train as our escort leaves us to our own devices. According to him, our Mentors are supposed to talk to us soon, but how soon is "soon"? Are we supposed to talk to each other as we wait? I have no idea what to say to Lupe. I'm very tempted to ask her if her part of District 10 really has gay marriage, but that's such a weird topic to open on. So I keep my mouth shut as my District Partner watches me with wide eyes.
Finally, Lupe says something. "Are you… are you from Mississippi Town?" she asks carefully.
I turn to her. "Yes, I am," I say proudly. "It's my home, and I love it. Everybody knows everybody and-" I'm about to say "we all keep each other away from people like you" but I stop myself even though it's true. It just seems so wrong and rude to say that to the face of someone from outside the Town, especially because Lupe looks just as scared as I am.
"I… I… I think we should stay out of each other's way," Lupe says coolly. "My sister went to Mississippi Town once. Someone yelled at her to go back to her country."
"Well, we don't like to mix with people from outside the Town," I say awkwardly. "I don't know why, though."
Lupe says nothing, then takes a deep breath. "Let's just wait for the Mentors."
"Mhm," I say, nodding stiffly.
The two of us are silent as we wait for Henna and Zach. After far too long, the Victors arrive in the main compartment.
"Hello Lupe, hello Abraham," Henna says with a yawn. "Pardon me, it's been a long day. I'm Henna, and this is Zach. We'll be your Mentors in these Games."
"It's Abe," I say quietly as Henna and Zach hold out their hands for Lupe and I to shake.
"Nice to meet you both, and I'd love to just sit and chat but we have a job to do," Zach says with a serious expression. "Lupe, Abe, we've given the two of you some time to talk to each other so I hope now is a good time to ask, would you like to be mentored together or separately?"
"Separately, please," I say.
"Yes please, separately," Lupe says, inching away from me.
"Hmm," Zach says, furrowing his brow. "Henna and I were just talking, and we hoped that we could coach the two of you together."
I open my mouth in surprise, but Henna interjects, "Hear us out, will you? If you still want to be mentored separately after hearing what we have to say, we'll respect that, but Zach and I thought teaming up would be a good Games plan for the two of you."
"O… okay," Lupe says with a nod.
I glance at my District Partner, surprised at how quickly she changed her mind. "Wait, what do you mean?" I ask Henna and Zach.
"You see, both of you are young," Henna says. "There's a pretty high chance that you'll be the youngest tributes in the Arena. Zach and I just thought that the two of you should get as much help as possible to get through these Games, and starting from each other won't hurt."
"I see," I say, nodding because I understand where the Mentors are coming from. "But…"
Lupe finishes my sentence. "He's from Mississippi Town," she says.
"Oh," Zach says. He nods slowly. "Well, as Henna said before, if you two really want to be coached separately, that's perfectly alright and we can work with that."
A few moments of silence pass as Lupe and I size each other up. I don't know why I'm hesitating. I can hear Father's voice in my head: Find someone strong to help you in the Games. Someone like us and the good folks of the Town. Lupe isn't strong and isn't like us. It would make so much sense to stay out of her way.
But Henna and Zach are right. I'm young, and I'm going to need as much help as I can get.
So I say to the Mentors, "How about we give working together a shot? If we really don't like it, we can separate later."
"Sounds good to me," Henna says with a smile. "Lupe?"
Lupe nods. "Alright," she says.
Maximus Burnet, age 17
District 12 Tribute
Train Rides
Credence, our escort, and Antonio, our Mentor, ramble on about apparently important things. They've been chattering non-stop since Coulson and I got on this train; I wonder how they have so much energy. I zone out and stare into space, catching a few snippets here and there about Reaping Recaps and supper. Quite frankly, I'd rather sleep through both of them. Then Antonio mentions a physical examination.
I cringe slightly. I feel so hollow these days that it takes a lot to get a major reaction out of me. But the idea of a stranger staring at my body - and my breasts, which should not be there - is enough to make me feel at least a little uncomfortable. Credence must've noticed my discomfort because she gives me a weird look.
"The physical is nothing to be nervous about, Marjorie," Credence says. "Its purpose is to make sure that every tribute is as healthy as possible before going into the Games. Call it leveling the playing field if you want, but the physical will also make you look your best."
"Will we be naked?" Coulson asks.
"Yes, but only in front of your Prep Team and Stylist," Antonio says.
"That's still a lot of people," Coulson says awkwardly. He pauses. "I could use a makeover, though. Anything that'll help me win."
"Atta boy," Credence says cheerfully. "That's about it in terms of what we need to say to you. Antonio?"
"I can't think of any other pieces of important information you two need to know," our Mentor says. "Unless you have any questions, concerns, or requests, you're free to do what you want on this train until the Reaping Recaps."
"I don't have any questions right now, but I might have some later," Coulson says. "Where can we find you?"
"You can come to our cabins," Antonio says. "Shall I show you the way?"
"Yes please," Coulson says, following Antonio. The two of them get halfway across the room before my District Partner turns around. "Marjorie, are you coming?"
I don't respond.
"Marjorie?" Coulson calls out.
I continue looking at the ground.
"If you don't want to go, you can stay here if you'd like," Credence says.
I shrug, not looking up. Quite frankly, I just want to go to sleep.
"Hey," Coulson calls gently, walking over to me. "Are you alright?"
"Why do you care?" I ask quietly.
"Well, you're my District Partner, and if I can't win I want you to," Coulson says.
That's just ridiculous. "Why?" I ask.
"Because you're from home. If you win, District 12 gets Parcel Day, and I'll take anything that'll help our District, even if it's small. We can use all the help we can get."
"I'm not going to win, though," I say.
"The odds are against us, but if we stick together, there's a higher chance that one of us will win and help District 12," Coulson says, oblivious to my situation. "So what do you say? Allies 'til the end?"
"I don't really care," I say honestly. "Sure, I guess."
"Great," Coulson says, smiling and clenching a hand into a fist. "Let's do everything we can to get District 12 a Victory."
A/N: Chapter questions: Once again, I just want to know what you think of this chapter. Please let me know what you think about Abraham and Maximus's POVs!
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you all soon!