Cruor's POV

I couldn't believe it. My own sister, only 14 years old, volunteered as tribute. I've decided a long time ago that I would stay out of the Hunger Games and protect my own family. But when a family member decided to be in the Games, what then? I had to volunteer myself. Even though Calla is a skillful fighter, it feels like it is my job to protect her. As her older brother I have that role.

The train ride to the Capitol is very boring, in my opinion. It won't be a long ride - only 3 hours - but what can you do besides sleep and eat? I want something more.

I've been in my quarters for, about, a half hour now. I want to see my sister. I get up from the bed I've been trying to fall asleep on but failed. Calla's room should be pretty close to mine.

Once I step out of my room I hear him. Ajax. Our escort. He has been the escort for District 2 for 10 years and I have always hated him and all other Capitol residents. Their posh accent, their overuse of makeup, and their colorful hair. But the thing that irks me the most about the Capitol is their enjoyment in watching the Hunger Games. I only watched it because I was forced to. They watch it because it is entertainment. They believe it is entertaining when watching teenagers die in the most cruel ways possible.

Hearing Ajax talk to our mentor, Jason, I can't resist listening to what they are saying.

"Another year, another winner!" Ajax proclaimed in his thick, Capitol accent.

"Or another failure." I hear Jason mumble. "Have you seen our tributes this year? They don't even look like they can step on a cockroach!"

I should be offended by him calling him weak but I am not. I already know that I am weak. However, I am offended by him calling Calla weak. She might be small but I've learned a long time ago not to underestimate her.

"While I agree on you there, I do not believe they can't be sharpened!" Ajax said gleefully. "Also, I do believe they while have a lot of sponsors. It's not every year a brother volunteers together with his sister. They should feel lucky about that!"

Lucky?! Lucky that I am about to be thrown into a game of life and death? Lucky that my sister will be together with me? Lucky that while I die a gruesome death, the only people who will actually bat an eyelash at me are my parents and older sister? If that's so, then no. I definitely do not feel lucky.

I've had enough of this. One more word from Ajax and I would step out from my hiding place and punch him in the nose, something he most definitely deserves.

I pursue my first mission in finding my sister. I find a door which isn't entirely closed. Carefully, I scanned the room as much as possible while standing in the hallway. There, sitting on the bed with her back facing me, is Calla. I could see from here that she is looking outside the window.

"Hey" I said with a weak voice. I could tell I startled her because she turned around quickly to look at me. Giving her a small smile, I sat down next to her. Calla turned to look out the window again while I copied her. Silence was what came next. I wouldn't say that it was awkward silence but it definitely wasn't comfortable silence. We sat there for what felt like hours but only minutes passed. A lot of question came to my mind but none of them was heard out loud.

"Why?" I finally asked. She turned to look at me with her brown, confused eyes. She must not know what I meant. "Why what?" She asked me, her voice probably as weak as mine. It was like she didn't do anything wrong, like she thought that volunteering was the only thing to do. Maybe it was, in her mind at least.

"Why did you volunteer?" Calla then looked more and more confused.

"Because I won't to win". She said it like it was obvious. I couldn't believe her. She was acting like all the others in our district, only out for glory. But there was one thing that didn't really add up.

"Then why were you crying?" When I saw her face, when she turned around before, her eyes were red. She had clearly been crying.

"Because you volunteered". Like brother, like sister. I admit that when we were saying goodbye to our families, I was also crying. Calla was the one who acted strong. I am supposed to be the older sibling. I am supposed to act strong for her.

Still, I couldn't really believe her. I think she is waiting for me to apologize but I won't. Not until she also apologizes too. I might have broken her heart but she broke mine first. I stood up, still looking at her. I needed to get out of here. "Now you know how I feel". That was the last thing I said to her before leaving the room to and walking to my room. I could hear Ajax calling for me but I ignored him. I didn't want to talk to him because that would only make things worse.

I can't believe I am saying this but I can't wait 'till we reach the Capitol.