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Kliar Hydren

District 5, 18, Male

I sat on the balcony and looked up, hoping to see stars, but there was no such thing in places like the Capitol. I had always wanted to see stars as a kid and always made up stories of me going to space and touching a star.

Of course, I knew it would never happen but without dreams, no one would get anywhere. The reason I came up here is because of all the fuss downstairs, everyone still hadn't forgotten about me volunteering and it was starting to bug me that people kept asking. Also, everyone was worried about the games. I do not worry about the Games, I don't doubt that I can't win but I know if I do lose it wouldn't affect anyone. My family is dead and everyone at the academy is too worried about it happening to them.

Only one person would miss me and she walks through the door on cue, sitting beside me.

"Hi." She squeaks.
"Hello," I say and she puts her head against my shoulder, laying a blanket over us that she had brought from outside. We sit there for a while silence.
"I know why you volunteered." Did she? Because, to be honest, I didn't know why I volunteered.
"You do?"
"Yes," She pauses. "I think, you have no reason. You felt as if it was the right thing to do."
"I mean. Yes, that's right." Loren knew me more than anyone.
"Are you scared?"
"About the arena. No, I don't think so at least." She nods.
"You have the careers to protect you." I laugh.
"Nobody will be protecting me but they better try and protect themselves." She wraps her arms around me and I shiver at her warmth. I had never seen her as more than a friend and I am unsure why people can't realize that. "You know, I did want to ally with you."
"Me too." I smile.
"I just..." I stop. Do I tell her?
"Just?"
"I didn't want to see you die." She nods. "Loren, I would be over the moon if you won but I want to win more than I want you too."
"I get it."
"You do?"
"Yes, because I feel the same way. I realized if we stick together, we might have to kill each other or see each other die. I can't handle that, Kliar." I put my arm around her and she begins to tear up, then I too begin to cry.

I don't care if we have to sit out here all night. I just wanted to spend the last chance I will ever get with Loren, right now and I didn't want it to end.

Lex Cole

District 10, 15, Male

I sit on the edge of my bed, rocking my head from side to side. I look over at the digital clock on my bedside table and the time reads 12:15, I know I need to sleep but only the careers could do such a thing on a night like this.

I hear a knock on my door.

"Come in," I say in a hushed voice and my mentor, Carter, enters my room.
"You can't sleep, hm?" I shake my head, I was nervous to speak because I must sound like a massive coward to him. He got 7 kills in his Games, and he wasn't even a career. "I was just the same."
"You were?"
"Yes, I was."
"But you're a massive killing-machine! Oh, sorry that sounded rude." He laughs.
"No, no it's quite alright. Of course, I was nervous! I am no heartless career." That's true, he wasn't a career. He gestures to the space beside me and I nod. "Tell me, Lex. Why are YOU nervous."
"I am scared I won't see my family again. I am scared that they will have to watch me die."
"Ah, ah, ah lose the will and replace it with might."
"You think I have a chance?"
"Just as much as I did. You're strong and motivated." I nod, he was convincing me more and more.
"But I am only 15. You were 18."
"Age is just a number."
"But all these careers have had years to train on killing other kids, like me, and I have only gotten 2 days."
"I know, it's not fair at all." He nods, agreeing. "But you have loyalty and trust with your allies, something they don't have. If they see someone a big threat, they will cut their throat."

I feel some sense of warmth in me and I lay my head down against my pillow. Carter stands up and puts the blanket over me.
"Goodnight,"
"Goodnight."

A/N: Last pre-games chapter! Who is ready for their tributes to fight to the death? I sure am!

What are your feelings on Kliar and Loren's bit?
What do you think of Carter?
Are you mentally prepared for the bloodbath?

See you at the bloodbath!

-James