Disclaimer: If I owned anything relating to the Hunger Games, then trust me I probably would be much richer than I currently am and living on a tropical island somewhere.

Chapter Six: A New Sort of Game

I blinked several times, looking around to everyone in my view that would have been a potential volunteer. Silently, I took one step forward, but still kept eye contact, trying to send the message that this was their cue to step up and take over for me. After several moments of blank stares or even pure ignorance, I swallowed hard as realization slid down my throat.

No one was going to volunteer for me.

Eyes wide with fear and legs feeling like wobbly, I made my way through the crowd, only after being pushed and shoved several times. Tunnel vision would have been an understatement to describe how terrible my eyes were cooperating with me. I presume I made my way up the stairs to the platform on which the escort stood proudly. With a shaking hand, I took the escort's hand and shook it, looking out to the crowd of peers, who were simply staring at me as if it were the last time they would see me.

In all honesty, at that moment, I could hardly process all of my thoughts running through my head; not to mention, say anything to the crowd.

I had been reaped for the Hunger Games.

It wasn't until that instance that I felt the reality of death and dying a painful, horrible death on live television for all of my family to watch and grieve my loss. The thought in itself was that of nightmares, but it appeared as though this was going to become my reality. No, this was my new reality. No more puzzles, no more brain teasers.

It wasn't until that moment that I realized I would be killed the same way that Titus had been. I would be another child my mother and father would have to lose. No parent should outlive one of their children; not to mention two.

Perhaps, these thoughts were too morbid, but the only realist thought in my head were these. Why think of winning when it was obvious that Flux was going to be the favored between the two of us? Was it not pointless?

My eyes found the eyes of my family. My mother was looking straight at me and even from a distance, I could tell her eyes were brimming with tears, but she was trying to appear strong, as we were expected to look in District Two. My father wasn't even looking at me, but his face was burning red and it would be useless to say that he was angry. I could only imagine the conversation he would be having at work the next day; I only hoped he would not do anything too bold. Ostro, on the other hand, simply shook his head in disbelief as he looked down to his feet. It was as if time was punishing us and setting the clocks back to the day when Titus had been reaped for the Games.

The escort continued speaking, but I was so far out of it, that she simply continued about her business, cracking a joke once before moving on to the boys' names.

My ears heard her high-pitched voice cry out a foreign name, but it took a split second for Flux to sprint from his position up to the stage, giving the escort a big hug before turning and shaking my hand with a huge smile on his face. I looked at him warningly before turning away to find something else to look at. Of course, the original boy had nothing to worry about. Everyone knew Flux was going to be the tribute. He was the one that they had been waiting for since birth to watch and his entrance was even followed by a loud roar of applause.

Already, the brown haired, green-eyed boy had the crowd wrapped around his little finger.


"What type of sick game are you playing?" I heard my father's voice boom as soon as he entered into the Justice Building; I may have been several rooms away, but I could recognize his voice from anywhere. It was needless to say that he was...less than pleased.

I then heard Zenobia's voice, more nervous than I had ever heard it before,"I had no role in this, Mr. Stone, I swear-"

"Don't lie to me, Zenobia! You plan these games every year and have it pinned down to a science as to who you send in. None of those kids go in there because they're actually reaped, now tell me why I have to send my daughter off to sacrifice!" He growled at her, but it was at this moment that I heard a slam into the wall and a new voice.

"I don't see what the big ordeal is," A smooth voice, Brutus, said entering in to the picture as I pictured my father being pinned against the wall by him, even though they were both large men. "All children have nearly an equal shot at having their name pulled and you just so happened to be…unlucky."

"Don't play that game, Brutus!" My father growled, struggling.

Brutus played innocent," I don't really have a choice but to play it, now do I?"

There were more words exchanged, but I zoned out, sitting myself down on the chair in the room with no windows. I had no clue what I was going to do, not even the slightest. I suppose I should have been enjoying life while I could have because odds were that I wouldn't have too much more of one. I tried steadying my breathing and calming myself down, but nothing seemed to help for my heart was only on one setting. The imminent presence of death flooded my being and I couldn't believe that in a matter of days I would be expected to hunt and kill other teenagers like myself.

The thought of it in itself was morbid and I wished for nothing more than to be able to escape to somewhere else.

Yeah, right.

Now, that I was their tribute; they would hardly let me out of their sight.

Seconds later, the door to my personal room was thrown open as my family entered in and a Peacekeeper muttered something about having a limited amount of time. Instantly, my mother picked me up in her arms and tears were streaming down her face, nearly drenching my face too. I held on to her, so tight for such a long time before I realized that I had to ration my time between the three of them, though I could have stayed in her embrace alone for the rest of the day. It would be the last time I embraced mother.

She pulled away, still crying before Ostro looked down at me, seriously before saying," You're going to fight them and give them something they haven't seen before."

I shook my head and looked down but he grabbed my jaw, forcing me to look at him," Don't let them walk all over you."

With that being said, he pulled me into a tight embrace, telling me he loved me before breaking away to console mother. The last time I embraced my brother.

Next, father came and stood in front of me with a stoic look on his face. I didn't know if I could handle this one. He took in a deep breath before placing a hand on my shoulder," I never thought that we would have to do this again, Savera. I never wanted to go through this again, not with any of our children and especially not with you."

There was a pause as I looked into his brown eyes," Play them like you play us mentally. As silly or stupid as it sounds, pretend like they are the last-"

A Peacekeeper opened the door, instructing my family to leave. How quickly the time seemed to fly.

"Puzzle in your book that you've been dying to solve. If you don't pay attention to their strengths, then you're sure to find their weaknesses. I love you," He spoke so rapidly that I hardly was able to comprehend all that was said. All I truly remember was him quickly embracing me, before being dragged out of the room. His eye had been bruised and I couldn't help but be tortured with the idea of whether or not he would still have a job after these Games had concluded.

And in a matter of seconds, they were gone and once again, I was alone.

Literally, my time with them seemed about as long as the time needed in order for one to blink.


I suppose that the Capitol's idea of greeting tributes was similar to how a farmer prepares a pig for slaughter.

There was so much lavish furniture aboard our train en route to the Capitol, a very modern and sleek look to it. In addition to the furniture, it appeared as though we had arrived just in time for a decadent feast being prepared on the table in the dining cart as we passed through. We had been told that dinner would be announced when it was ready. Though I would like to say that I remember the lush decorations and food precisely, my mind was much farther away. I thought little of the event itself, even ignoring the instructions given by the terribly dressed escort. I'm sure she didn't appreciate that much.

Flux seemed to be missing for a long time until the train had departed. I had placed myself in the parlor, sitting stiffly in one of the light blue chairs, when he finally entered with a big smile on his face, as if he had won the best prize anyone could give him. He paced slowly toward me before plopping himself down directly in front of me, keeping that smile plastered on his face.

"So, it's you and me, huh?" He said, "meaning well".

Slowly, I folded my arms over my chest and said dryly," Obviously."

The smile faded," Aren't we Miss Pleasant?"

I let out an aggravated sigh," Listen, we don't have to pretend to be friends, okay? You don't have to attempt to be nice to me. It's not like you have been for the last seventeen years; don't start now."

He simply looked at me as though I had a third eye. I broke the silence before shoving myself up and turning on my heel, wishing to be alone more than anything," I just thought I'd make your last days a little more enjoyable."

He wasn't sincere with this comment. The tone of his voice was rather spiteful and arrogant. I simply looked at him briefly before turning on my heel to exit. Where I was going? Absolutely, no idea, but I would get away from him. Preferably, if I was going to die, then it would have not been at his hands. Realistically, I knew that I had little say in my death. The Gamemakers would be the ones to decide how long I live and who gets to kill me.

Knowing them, they would make it as terrible and drawn out as possible.

It was at this moment that the metal door in front of me slid open and our mentor presented himself to the both of us, tall and muscular. I had rather not been looking forward to this moment, but it had presented itself to us quicker than I could react. He looked at me as if I were a speck underneath his microscope," Going somewhere?"

I looked at him, irritated," I was planning on it."

This prompted the man to chuckle before putting an arm around me, as if we were the best of companions before turning me around completely back toward his lovely son. I wanted to fight this, but I simply went along with his little scheme, not returning the gesture, but simply standing there as he turned me around like I was his puppet.

"I'm your mentor, Savera Stone," He said in a booming voice. "If you don't already know my name, I am Brutus."

Brutus looked much like his son did, very muscular with dark hair and green eyes that were not necessarily attractive, but intimidating, rather. He had a rather sharp jaw line that gave him a rather serious look at all times. Though many girls and women alike in the district would have thought these two to be completely alluring, I found these two to be…daunting to say the least.

"Flux have you introduced yourself properly to Miss Stone?" Brutus asked, in his best well-behaved voice, though I couldn't help but hear his stern voice looming in the back of my head.

Flux looked directly at me, chuckling slightly as he leaned forward to shake my hand professionally in front of his father," I'm Flux, Miss Stone."

Feeling slightly sick, I shook his hand before Brutus continued speaking, his arm still around my shoulders as he showed me back to my seat. Not wanting to cause a scene in this setting, I simply sat down and looked at him as he took a seat across from the both of us. Awkward seeped into the air, hanging heavy amongst the three of us. Father and son seemed to have their eyes glued upon me, as if I was some sort of animal in an exhibit.

The man leaned back in his chair before crossing one leg over the other and looking straight at me," Why don't you tell us about yourself, Miss Stone? What do we not know about you?"

I looked straight into his eyes once more trying to decipher what his strategy and meaning was behind asking this. Tentatively, I looked over at his son, who was looking at me intensely, as if waiting for me to answer. It wouldn't have taken a guinness to see the trap that they were baiting me into. As if the process of the Hunger Games was not grueling enough, it appeared as though I would be working against both my mentor and my fellow tribute. Not that this was surprising.

Obviously, I couldn't tell them much, but I could turn this around on them. I could be a little sarcastic to get myself out of a potentially dangerous conversation.

"Well…" I began, crafting my story in my head. "I guess something that a lot people don't know about me is that I can…braid my own hair."

I smirked slightly after saying this, to which Brutus let out a hearty laugh that Flux mimicked, just a little delayed, I noticed. Their humor was short-lived; however, since they were quick to try to press me for more information.

"Can you now?" Brutus asked, raising a brow, playing along, but for some reason underneath the smile and laugh; I sensed some annoyance, as expected.

"Yes, I wouldn't lie to you," I said sweetly, keeping the smirk on my face whilst playing this game with pleasure.

Flux; however, was much more quick to keep me on topic and swiftly prompted me again," How about your skills in…combat? At the academy, what did you enjoy most?"

I studied his face for several seconds before turning away to ponder what my next fabricated response would be. Strange, he was asking me this now when he had had the opportunity for the last seventeen years. As I leaned forward in thought, I heard the door slide open again. Before I could spit out a lie, a female voice, one that I recognized from recent events said from behind us," You should know, Flux."

All eyes turned to the voice, who spoke again," She gave you quite the run for your money, I'd say. She got a little too close for comfort though, unfortunately."

Enobaria stood there, a glass in her hand, half-filled with a clear liquid that she sipped as Flux and Brutus processed what she had just said. The brown-haired lady was wearing a simply gold dress against her pale skin with a simply, long dainty necklace. I had never seen her in such an outfit before, but she looked very nice, nevertheless. She swished her glass about watching the liquid swirl, which I presumed to be alcohol, before setting it down on the table beside her in the parlor. Brutus cleared his throat before looking up and making eye contact with his fellow mentor," Enobaria, I don't think-"

"You're not going to play this game with her," The young lady nearly growled at him, bearing teeth and all before motioning for me to stand up. "Not to mention that she's far too bright to fall for it. Foolish of you to attempt it, really."

Just as I stood up, Brutus stood up and walked toward Enobaria, a stern look on his face," Marking territory, Enobaria?"

"You already have, Brutus. I'm only leveling the playing field," She whispered back harshly before finishing her drink in one swig and flipping her hair over her shoulder as she slammed down the glass again, "Have a good dinner with your son."

Flux started to say something, but Brutus waved him off as I stepped beside the razor-teeth woman, still slightly scared as to why she was doing this all of a sudden. Sure, she had been friendly after Flux knocked me unconscious, but she had actually made an attempt to step in for me. I was…rather impressed with this, but it didn't mean that I trusted her. She was still a certified killer after all.

She protectively waved me alone, placing a hand on my shoulder as I walked back toward the door. Brutus spoke once more, trying to mend what he had broken," You won't be joining us for dinner?"

"We need to have a little chat," She answered smugly before following me without another word to the father and son behind us.

I sneaked one look over my shoulder to see a distraught Brutus running his fingers through his hair before sinking back into the plush chair.

Though I was glad to be out of the hot seat, I could nearly feel the sweat dripping down my forehead as Enobaria escorted me down the narrow hallways of the train, until eventually we came to the tall, dark cherry wood door, which I presumed lead to her room by the way she unlocked it and then roughly kicked it open. Swallowing hard, I walked into the room, tentatively.


I may not have paid much attention to the decoration of the main train, Enobaria certainly had made herself at home in this room,or the rains had simply been done to the Capitol's expectations with little input from her. Either way was a possibility. It appeared as though she preferred green because the décor contained all different shades of green from a dark forest green to a light lime green. The walls were strategically painted in different patterns of stripes with varying shades of green with a touch of white here and there. The furniture was very modern with many clear tables, tall and short clear tables were scattered about the room's dark brown (nearly black) wooden floors. On top of the tables were a conglomeration of flowers and then other strange artwork which looked more like bent pieces of metal.

Enobaria was guiding me more toward the living area which was just as green as the room before. She immediately plopped down on a lime green couch before throwing off her platform shoes and spreading her legs out across the couch. I sat myself down in a matching loveseat, still wide-eyed and curious.

"We've got some competition this year, Savera," The young lady said cooly, shaking out her brown hair before grabbing a mirror sitting on the coffee table and examining her teeth.

I furrowed my brow as I carefully leaned back, still baffled more than anything," We?"

She shot her eyes at me," Unless you want to take on Brutus and his heir alone."

I smirked at her shyly and shook my head," Definitely not."

"Then," Enobaria sat up on the couch before setting the mirror back down and turning over to the side table, upon which a bright green lamp sat, but she was searching for the notepad sitting in the drawer. "Let's talk about how you're going to win this thing."

My eyes widened once more as I leaned forward," I don't think-"

"Listen and don't interrupt me," She told me sternly. " I'm bored with the same types of kids winning this significant showdown every year. I'll guarantee you something right now, as soon as those people up in the Capitol see Flux; they will go absolutely crazy over him. Not only is he attractive, but he's strong and fierce, unafraid. That is the exact type of player that Gamemakers design the Games for because people love to watch a brawny player fight. You are at the disadvantage seeing as you are neither strong nor fierce in the fighting department this being the reason why we show them what you have."

I waited for a pause in the spiel before meekly adding in," Brain power isn't nearly as alluring as physical strength."

She raised a brow as she sat up, chuckling at me," Not in the way that you think of it, but if we can convince the people of your intelligence, then perhaps the Gamemakers will view you a little above that of District Twelve's tributes."

I could have fought this comment with something sharp, but I found it unnecessary and simply chuckled as she continued rambling on and I simply smirked for no more than half a second at her comment.

Enobaria was on my side. She wanted me to win and was willing to take a chance on me. The thought of winning the Hunger Games hadn't passed through my head. Obviously, it had gone through hers several times and even though she spat out idea after idea, I couldn't help but think that the Hunger Games…simply weren't supposed to fit a person like me. Though she was telling me that I was going to be different and show them how strong I really was, my heart was telling me something entirely different:

I was the prey that made the Games entertainment.

I was not supposed to be a standout competitor.

A/N: Make my day and drop a review, please! Thanks to those who had thus far :D

MisticLight- We have another shared obsession! I don't mind you reading another one of my stories either. Read on! :)