I held back tears as I walked toward the stage. It seemed like forever until I was at the side of Quasim. Aanisah then called our mentor on stage. A young lady walked gracefully up onto the stage and shook hands with us. She looked like she was in her 30's and she didn't seem to be damaged by drugs or alcohol. She wore a turquoise dress and reached her shins, and shoes like Yasmeen's, only grey. Her hair was in a high bun. It was very hard to believe she had participated in the Hunger Games – she had no visible scars and looked very gentle.

She walked up to the microphone, and started speaking. Her voice was smooth and her accent was beautiful. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. I present to you, Quasim Ali and Melissa Chikaya, our hopeful victors for District 11." She walked away, and sat down, crossing her legs, getting a loud applause from the crowd. Aanisah turned to us and smiled. "May the odds be ever in your favour!" She cheerfully said, although we all knew, deep down, the odds have never been, and never will be, in our favour.

The crowd soon broke up, and we headed to the important building that the tributes go to – gosh, I can't remember it's name – and we sit down. I put my face in my hands and let out a huge sigh. I look over at Quasim. He didn't seem to be coping well either. He was constantly wiping tears from his eyes and I quickly stop looking before he notices, for I'm pretty sure he'd feel like crap if somebody saw him crying. I know I would. I sniff and adjust my posture. I have no makeup to smear if I cry like our escort might, but I don't want to appear weak. For all I know, Quasim might have it in for me. Not like I look threatening.

Amelia comes running in, sobbing and sniffing and wiping her snot on her dress. Yasmeen seems really distressed due to Amelia and is clutching Haroon very tightly. Haroon is also crying, but not wiping his snot on his outfit like Amelia is. "Melissa, please don't die, please Melissa!" She manages to cry out between splutters and gasps for air. She latches herself onto my leg and I stroke her hair as she soaks my dress with tears, but I don't care.

Yasmeen lets out a shark squeal as she starts trying to grab for me. Haroon puts and down and she hobbles over. She reaches my other leg and started jumping, indicating she wants me to lift her. I lift her and place her on my lap. Haroon wipes away his tears. "You must promise you're going to try and win, Melly." I can feel hot tears rolling down my cheeks, and I squeeze my eyes shut. "For us, Melissa. Please." He sobs. I nod, and open my eyes. I can see Quasim's family comforting him, too.

I dry my tears and take Yasmeen off my lap. Amelia's sobbing has quietened down now. "I promise I will try, you three." I managed to force out, and then something clicks inside my head. It's a weird feeling, like a sudden burst of adrenaline. "I'm not going to try and win, I am going to win." I looked Haroon straight in the eye. He cracked a smile. "That's my Melly."

Amelia had overheard this and smiled, no, grinned at me. Yasmeen gurgled and hit her panda hat off my seat a couple of times. I touched my flower crown, surprised that it was still on my head. I looked at Amelia and smiled. "Amelia, can I take this as my token into the arena?" I asked her in the voice I use when comforting somebody – not that what I was asking was comforting, or maybe it was.

"Yes, please! That would be so cool!" She jumped up and down. I smiled, and just at that moment, Aanisah walked though. "Alright, my future victors, time to board the train." Aanisah rubbed her hands together and smiled. I got up and waved at my family, adjusting the flower crown on my head so it didn't fall off too easily. Quasim hugged his mother and father, and walked out of the door. I turned around, smoothed out my dress and headed out.

We eventually reached the train that would be taking us to the Capitol. We boarded and I sat down, my eyes trained on a spot that stained the seat. Thoughts ran through my head, like what weapon I should use. I was absolutely rubbish at throwing anything, so a spear was out of my league. I also didn't know how to fire an arrow, so a bow wasn't an option either. Then I remembered – swords are available. I knew how to handle one, and I knew how to inflict damage with one.

I looked out of the window to see unfamiliar surroundings – although not quite like the Capitol. Maybe some place in my district that I have never been to. After all, it can be a big district both population-wise and area-wise. I looked at Quasim, who rested his head on his right hand. I decided to speak to him. "Hey Quasim." His eyes moved to me, and he waved, turning his head and cracking a small smile. "How are you?" I asked, smiling back. He shrugged and looked down.

At first, I was confused as to why he wasn't saying anything at all. Then I realised why.

Quasim was a mute.