Prologue 3

Crystal Vine, Victor of the 50th Hunger Games, District 1

I sit in the large auditorium within the training academy, surrounded by coaches and fellow Victors, including Alexandrine.

We sit patiently waiting for the head of the academy to announce who will be chosen to die at this year's Games. To make matters worse, we'll find out which two victors will be subjected to guiding the tributes, knowing they're literally putting their lives in your hands and no matter how hard you try or how much you give, it's never enough to carry someone to victory. The first tribute I ever mentored, Emma Corkly, I was confident she would win. Not only was she incredibly gifted physically, but she was also incredibly charismatic. And she was gorgeous. She had everything she needed to win. But I couldn't predict a Gamemaker induced natural disaster. She didn't even make the top twelve.

Alexandrine mentored a boy, Trevor Matthews, a few years back who was considered one of the weakest volunteers to ever come from One. He had started training later in life and you could tell his heart wasn't into it. What we didn't know was underneath his lax attitude there was a cunning, deceiving killer hiding, waiting to be unleashed. He built up so much trust with his fellow Careers that when they decided to split, he was able to kill them all before they knew what was happening. After he killed them, he was able to hunt down and kill the final alliance, a pair from Ten. They didn't stand a chance.

I try to avoid mentoring as much as possible. Fortunately, District One has no shortage of victors eager to get back out there. Unfortunately, I think they're getting a little tired of watching me merely exist in my home at Victor's Village. Murmurs have been going around that I should be doing more to ensure the prosperity of our District and their tributes.

The door opens and in enters Reese Willington, head of the academy.

"Sorry I'm late. There's been…an unexpected change." He takes his seat and rustles through his paperwork. I raise my eyebrow at Alexandrine, but she doesn't catch my glance. Reese has never been this off guard before. What happened?

"I don't want to waste any time. Crystal, you'll be mentoring the female tribute. And Alexandrine, you'll be mentoring the male." Alexandrine shoots me a look, but we don't say anything. Well, I knew it was coming sooner than later. At least they gave me her as a partner.

"Now like I said, a last minute adjustment had to be made. As most of you know, Rosaline Locke was our top choice for the females."

Was? I look around at the other victors. They are either in the loop or way better at hiding their confusion than I am.

"Unfortunately, she has had an accident. She is unfit to go into the arena. So, we have to rely on our second choice, Jade Hastings." Silence fills the room. No one is sure what to say.

"I'm sure she'll be great." Alexandrine finally breaks the silence. Reese nods.

"I'm certain of it. That's what we train them for." He flips through his papers. "That leaves us with our choice for the boys, Henry Haines." No surprise there.

"The kids will be briefed tonight. You're all dismissed." Without waiting for a response, he gathers his things and bolts out of the room. The victors follow his lead, many shooting me an ugly glance. I just roll my eyes. I walk over to Alexandrine.

"So, I guess we're in this together." I meant it as a light-hearted joke, but it comes off way more anxious than I intended. Alexandrine either didn't pick up on it or simply didn't want to acknowledge it.

"I guess so." She says, taking my hand in comfort. "We'll get through it together. Like we've done before."

A shiver runs down my spine. She might be able to forget what we've lost, what we've had to endure to get here. Watching Evan bleed out in front of me. Knowing he couldn't be saved.

And these two tributes, how much help will I be able to provide to them when I can barely help myself? Will they end up like Emma Corkly? Or will they end up like Trevor Matthews?

Lance Thorn, victor of the 66th hunger games District 11

I feel my fingers fidget nervously tapping on the train table as I head to the capitol for the second time this week! I can't believe I'm finally doing this! It's been my dream ever since I survived that fateful 66th Hunger Games. Briefly staring down at the metal where my leg used to be reminds me of the sacrifice it took for me to make it out alive. That's the most important lesson I'm going to have to drill into the tributes I'll be mentoring. If they are going to survive then they will have to sacrifice something and it's a guarantee that their humanity will be sacrificed, it's the only way to survive and possibly something else on top of that… for me it was a leg. Thinking back to Twyla and Ares… that could not be more the case, they will need to know that they are never going to be the same person again even if they make it out. I need to make sure they are aware of this from the get go!

After arriving in the Capitol I am escorted to an undisclosed location with the use of some blindfolds. The first time I arrived here at the age of 16, I was blown away by the sheer scale of it all but now it just feels like another day at work and soon it will be!

The blindfolds are suddenly whipped off by some peacekeepers revealing a brightly lit room which takes my eyes off guard! I am met with empty metallic looking surroundings reflecting the pale light between the place, darting from the ceiling, to the walls and the floor.

I begin slowly shuffling towards the group of people crowded around a screen, wiping my weary, bloodshot eyes. The sound of my metal leg is echoing off the metal floor as I do it.

As I get closer to the group of people I recognise a lot of the previous winners… this must be all the other mentors! I find myself standing next to two older ladies. The more inquisitive looking one with the slightly thinner face briefly glances down at my replacement leg.

"And I thought I had it bad," she cheekily comments.

At first I'm confused but then I take notice of her metal hand.

"I don't know," I shrug.

"How's tying your laces been?" I retort.

She smirks in response, taking her eyes back to the screen.

"Wait, you're from District 1 aren't you?" I ponder, placing my hand under my chin.

"Uh huh… I'm Alexandrine and this is Crystal," she says, gesturing to the other woman.

I briefly glance at Crystal, the more serious yet worn down looking woman and she sends me a nod. The tired wrinkles on her face clearly starting to show through. Geez… I wonder what my face looks like...

"I'm guessing the last time you met with someone from District 1 it didn't end so well," Crystal comments.

"Actually no…" I shrug.

"One of you guys comes to the victors therapy session every month… Ares his name is" I mention.

"Oh yeah Ares," Alexandrine chuckles.

"You two should come along sometime, Melvin Murk runs the sessions… he's a great guy," I offer.

"Talking isn't always my strong suit," Crystal replies, her eyes diverting to the floor.

Suddenly the screen lights up in front of us revealing the names of the tributes we will be mentoring! I can't believe I'm doing this! Putting the lives of two kids in my hands. I was barely able to protect myself in the arena… What were you thinking Lance? I can feel a feeling of nervous dread now seeping into my heart but there's no turning back now. I'm gonna have to treat these two kids… whoever they are, as if they were my own. Alexandrine and Crystal are mentoring the Ones of course and I will be mentoring both the Elevens!

I offer out my hand to them.

"Well… may the best mentor win," I grin.

Smiles return to their faces as they shake my hand, our competitive rivalry has begun… now at least for me… nothing means more than my tributes survival...

Hey everyone we're back with what's probably the final prologue. As usual we each wrote one section! Keep an eye out on the tribute list because we are selecting the next wave of tributes so it's likely the next chapter will be district 1