Chapter Three:

I enter my room and look around it's a little more expensive looking from my room in 1. My room at home is pale pink; walls, curtains,window seal, bed spread and pillows. Here it's pale blue only reminding me of Kristen. I look at my charm bracelet again and open the locket with the twins and my parent's picture in it. I start to sob but get interupted by a knock I quickly clean my self up and change into a simple white tank top and a black plaid skirt with calf high lace up boots. It's my normal clothes back home and I got lucky with being able to wear it here.

I open my door to Quinn telling me dinner is ready, I follow her to the dining cart. Before I even enter the room I can already smell the dinner. It's soup, I make it for the twins when they're ill. It's made of chicken, carrots, potatoes, corn, and noodles. I learned from my mother when I was very young and my memory never let that recipe go.

I sit across from Craige he's happy he's here and I don't understand why; yes I do. Craige is strong and tall and is good with any weapon,unlike me. I'm only good with two or three weapons; bow and arrow which is only because Glimmer used them as fun in her yard when she was still here, and a dagger where I can make quick,clean cuts. No one talking just eating which is making me uncomfortable. When I'm about to break tension Craige beats me to it.

" So, Gloss what do you suggest I do to win." he's smirking at me, is he going to kill me off first because I'm not bloodthirsty like him? I just smile as if it's just a joke.

" Be sure to get food , shelter, water and your very best weapon don't be afraid to kill." says Gloss. Craige smiles he's pleased. Everyone contuinues eating but Craige pleased through the whole meal, not because of the food but because he knows he'll win.

Craige has been training since early September, right after the last games. Everyone in town said it was because he was still upset about his best friend Marvel dieing because of Katniss shooting the arrow through him. I know that once Glimmer died I didn't speak for weeks neither did the girls, we would just go to our aunt and uncle's house and weep. In our gym period at school he would take the biggest sword and most life-like dummy and would write district numbers 3,5-12 each time saying these were whose life he was ending as payback for Marvel dieing. I felt sorry for all the pain he felt; him and Marvel were almost inseprable. So were Glimmer and I but not that bad. When it was always my turn for individual training, I would pick up the nicest arrows and bow and pick the least human like dummy a shoot never missing the heart.

We all finish our dinner and head to our rooms for bed. I'm not tired but I don't protest. I just go to my room find a night gown whis is pale pink and silk. I also grab the lacey silk robe and place it by the door in case I get hungry or have a early visitor. I also place a pair up slippers right by the bed for that same reason.

I'm awaken, well not really awaken I wasn't sleeping I couldn't. Before answering the door I run to the bathroom checking to see if I need to look presentable. I do. My hair is still in the bun but I look like my drunken mother so I pull it out letting my long blonde curls fall to my shoulders I brush it a little and then walk to the door. I open and find Cashmere. What would she be doing here at such a late hour.

" Can I come in? We need to talk it couldn't wait." I nod. What couldn't have possibly waited?

" You know this year's a Quarter Quell right?" I nod again.

" Well, I already know the twist. It's one that I don't think you'll like." now I'm worried.

" Cashmere, why would you say that?" she knows we're being watched and listened to.

" Never mind I'll tell you tomorrow we will be having a stop I can't risked anything." and she leaves without any other word.

I get back in my bed, tuck myself in and just think about what Cashmere might have wanted to tell and what I won't like about it. Does it have to do with Craige, other tributes only one could know. I'm worried what Plutarch Heavensbee might have in mind.

I only pray it's nothing too Districts 1,2,4 all have to be an allience which means immediate careers the one thing I don't want or will the other tributes automatically get the tool I need. I won't get anything and die from hunger or thirst. But I know for a fact that will not be happening. I know that this year's will be the worst of all.

I'm starting to think of the girls all of them not just the twins. Are Maya and Kaylie feeding and caring for the twins? If that's the case then are the girls behaving ? Have my parents realized I'm gone? My thoughts keep changing from the Games to my family. I can't stay on topic so I just close my eyes and pray I fall asleep.

When I wake up in the morning I change into a red plaid skirt and put the lace up boots I found yesterday when I first arrived on. I'm once again am distracted half way doing my make-up and look down at my bracelet, and sigh.

" How can I miss someone who is never there mentally for me?" I'm talking to the picture of my mother in the locket portion of the charms.

" Mom, do you drink for your personal reasons? For our safety because you don't know how to raise us? Mom, do you even know you have children that want to look up to you but can only look down?" I feel tear swelling my eyes but I don't cry I only finish my sparkly make-up. Lace up my boots and start to head out the door.

Craige walks out right before I do he waits for me when he sees me. He's wearing a simple black t-shirt and jeans with black hiking boots.

" Mornin' Princess." everyone in the district calls me Princess because of my father being richest other than the victors and because at school I'd usually be wearing a princess cut ring with a blue gem stone called Saphire.

" Please don't call me that I'm not in the mood for any memory of home. Okay?" he nods smiling.

We walk down the hall. He's talking about how I should be a career only because that will promise my safety at least against the others. I only nod and act like it's going to happen. About halfway to the dining cart I started getting uncomfortable because he reached for my hand a few times but after his third or fourth attempt he gave up. I'm not quite sure what he was going for but I wouldn't have minded if he wasn't still psycho because of Marvel's death. I don't think anyone was as effected by Marvel's death as Craige was. He scared everyone in town, he and I were great friends with Marvel and Glimmer both -it was a given with me and Glimmer being cousins- but Craige kind of snapped when he saw the arrow puncture Marvel's skin and kill him. I was heart-broken, it was already hard enough watching my delusional cousin swell up like a balloon and die because of the poison from the traker jackers.

Craige came over to watch the games for emotional help. When he saw Marvel's death and hear his cannon he didn't say another thing he just stood up and left. Since that day we haven't talked except the occassional 'hello' or 'hi' in the hallways at school. I miss him but I know he doesn't miss me -he's been talking with all his friends from before him,Marvel,Glimmer and I were all friends- he ignores me as if I'm not even there. It's quite sad actually, ignoring someone who was there during your darkest hour. But, I guess that gives him every reason to ignore me I've seen someone so strong at their weakest. Maybe that's why he's going to kill me, not because I refuse to be a Career but also I know what makes him weak. Marvel's name being metioned.

We get to the dining car and find Cashmere,Gloss and Quinn already starting to eat their breakfast. When I sit down Craige sits across me.

" What's for breakfast?" I ask I'm starving.

" Eggs, bacon,toast and diced potatoes." Gloss says with grease on his face.

My meal comes and gets placed in front of me. Quinn looks at me worried. Does she think I'm going to eat like an animal? I may have came from a home where I was raised by drunken parents but that doesn't mean I don't have manors. My Aunt Auburn and Uncle Shine, Glimmer's parents taught me manors while my parents were working in the summer.

I was 13, Glimmer and I were just playing outside, shooting her bow. When it was dinner we went inside and sat at the table with the twins and my aunt and uncle. The twins and I never learned how to eat proper except to use a fork.

" Nicole! That's gross don't eat with your mouth open."my aunt Auburn has never been more disgusted.

" Did Gem show you how to eat proper?"uncle Shine asked. I frown.

" No, she's been feeling 'ill'." I say moving my head towards the twins. I knew what my mother's problem was but Kristen didn't need to know yet.

I finish my breakfast and ask Cashmere if I can speak with her. She nods and meets me in the hall.

" What's the Quarter Quell twist?" I whisper making sure no one heard me but her.

" We have about 30 min. until our gas stop I'll tell you then."says Cashmere in the same whisper.

I walk back to my room and just sit there in my room wanting to hear or see the girls one more time before I die. I know I won't win. I know how I'll tell the twins goodbye and my aunt and uncle they mean more than my parents. I'm going to write letters. I walk out the room and ask Quinn for a pen, three or four pieces of paper and two envolopes. She nods and I wait. When she hands me what I've asked for I go back to my room.

The train has stopped and Cashmere and I meet outside. We walk quite aways from the train just to be safe.

"Cashmere, please tell me the twist. I want to know." I say desperatly.

"Every four Districts are an allience. Three districts win this year. The final three pairs are not allowed to be from the same allience." this is a twist a huge one, too.

"So, that means?" I'm still confused.

"That means the tributes from 1,2,3,4 are an allience. 5,6,7,8 are an allience and 9,10,11,and 12." I nod now understanding.

" Do you want me to tell Craige telling him that I was told to be a career tribute?" she nods.

" He'll know why, once we get to the capitol tonight. We'll be either first or second there depending on if district four decided to come early." I nod and we head back to the train just in time, too.

I head back to my room and start my letter for the twins. I know what to write.

Dear Nicole and Kristen,

Girls I miss you more than anyone. I know what my angle for the interview is but the mentors don't. I'll tell them later. I'm going to play the same angle as Glimmer with my own innocent twist. I thought that with Glimmer being my cousin Panem would want to know we were related and everyone loves a family of tributes dead or alive. I love you, both. I want to come home safe and soon enough you'll know I might be able to then.

I love and miss you girls,

April, your sparkle

I felt like I was going to cry. But I didn't I just sealed the letter with a jewel sticker I found. Then, I moved onto my aunt and uncle's. I'm not sure what to tell them. Actually yes I do.

Dear Aunt Auburn and Uncle Shine,

This year for my interview I am dedicating my angle and my actions toward Glimmer. She would want that to happen. For me to dedicate something important to her would make her happy. I love you guys and wish I could have the girls go live with you. In fact if I don't make it I want you to get the girls out of that house, they're not going to be safe or healthy.

Your niece,

April

I finished the letters. Sealed them so they wouldn't open. I'm so upset that I even wrote these letters because I don't want my family to only have my last words on paper rather than verbally. But, I owe the girls this much. I find Quinn hand her the letters and tell her to mail them as soon as possible, she nods and struts down the hall to her room.

We arrive at the Capitol only moments after I handed Quinn the letters. I walk over to the window before we pull into the station. The city is more beautiful in real life rather than on television.

" It's beautiful, isn't it?" I turn to the voice it's Craige.

" Yeah, it's so beautiful. I've never seen anything so gorgeous." I say smiling even though I want nothing to do with him.

" I have, I couldn't believe I had to let go of it." he says frowning.

" Craige, what was it?" I say worried. I know he heard it in my voice.

"Glimmer."