District 3: Pixel Watt (12) Pov-

I shift my dinner nervously across the plate, trying not to shake. As the bloodbath draws nearer and nearer, the games are becoming more real for me. It's almost like I've been slapped in the stomach. For the first few seconds, you don't feel anything. I wasn't scared at the reaping because the surprise and my eagerness to get a look at the Capitol overpowered it. But now that the games are about to begin, a cold feeling runs through my veins that I can only classify as terror.

"Eat," my mentor, Wiress, instructs, peering up from her own, half-eaten dinner. "Best to get as much into your stomach as possible before the games start."

I push away from my dinner and slide into the living room, tears burning the backs of my eyes. I can't shake the thoughts of Gamma and Giga and Grandpa out of my mind: I can't think of anything I wouldn't give to see each one them just once.

I sit down on the sofa and immediately hear footsteps behind me. I turn around slowly.

"Hi," Joule says. "Don't worry. I'm nervous just like you. Can I sit?"

I nod, moving the pillows on the couch to make room for him.

"So," Joule says, running his finger over the seam of the couch. "We're both in this together."

I don't say anything. I can't bear the thought of watching Joule die. Or any of the other tributes. This whole thing is so unfair!

"Pixel."

I ignore him.

"Pixel!"

"What is it?"

Joule clears his throat. "I'm pretty sure this is the last time we'll see each other, so—may the odds be ever in your favor, right?"

I just nod slowly, not exactly comforted.

District 7: Erik Nordskov (18) Pov-

I toss and turn in bed, unable to fall asleep. One second, the room is far too hot, and the next it's far too cold. One pillow is too flat, but two pillows is uncomfortable. Horrified thoughts of the weeks to come keep popping into mind, and I can't force them out even fighting with all of my willpower.

I gaze at the clock. It's exactly 3:00 A.M. The games begin in three hours.

I figure that taking a quick walk around the suite can't hurt. I slide out of bed and slink over to the living area.

A scream catches itself in my throat. Somebody is already sitting there, staring at the fire with eyes so wide and tired and filled with dread.

"Cerise," I mutter, sinking into the couch across from her.

It's a long time before Cerise responds. "Are you nervous?"

"Just a little," I lie.

"You mean you're terrified."

I just nod. "You've got me. But being scared can't change the future, remember?"

"That was my line," Cerise spits, feigning a look of offense. "But it's not true."

"Sure it's true."

"No, it's not," she insists, shivering and moving closer to the fire. "Fear has been programmed into us since the dawn of our species. It's what keeps us alive. And that's what the games are all about. Fear. Intimidating us. Making us feel… weak!"

I fall back a bit farther against the back cushion of the sofa. She's not wrong. Fear can cut deeper than any knife.

"Cerise."

"Yes, Erik?"

"Can we talk a little about strategy for the games?" I say.

Cerise shivers and lets out a choked cry. "Not here. Not in the dark."

It's a long time before either of us speaks again.

"I'm going back to bed," is all I say before tip-toeing back to my bedroom. About five minutes later, I hear Cerise's door closing. Knowing she's back in bed, I close my eyes, struggling to fall into a few good hours' worth of sleep.

Here's another mini-chapter before the games! Sorry there were only two Povs, but I felt these two were able to sum up all of the terror the tributes are feeling just fine. Only two more chapters to go before the games begin ;D

Question 1: Which District 3 victor is Pixel's mentor?

Question 2: What time of day do the Hunger Games begin?