Part I

District 1 Reaping

Faith, as always, was looking stunning. A bright crimson dress seemed to exaggerate her looks, and her hair was pinned up in a messy bun, with thick, perfect curls falling out. It was reaping day, and Faith wanted to be someone remembered. She gritted her teeth whilst smiling innocently and batting her eyelashes at almost anyone seen. Tonight was most definitely her night. She would be unbeatable. Grinning to herself she waited in patience for the girl to be drawn. A short one, cute, Faith noted, but nothing. The girl was a nobody. Faith stepped forward, eyes glistening. "I volunteer." She said a thick sweet voice put on. It seemed nobody was surprised as the girl jumped from the stage and Faith stepped up, lips curling into a coy smile. "And, I will win." She added to herself under her breath so nobody would hear.

Faith straightened her dress, fluttering her eyelashes at all the cameras and blowing kisses. Remaining composed, she wiped a fake tear of happiness from eyes. All under my control. She thought snidely, still smiling sweetly.

Idiots. She was thankful when led to the room, sinking into a chair where she knew nobody would visit her. That was how it was.

District 4 Reaping

Cat walked with her brothers to the Reaping. The sun was shining, but no one was smiling. It was supposed to be an honour to be chosen for the Games, but although many other districts seemed to think that the tributes in District 4 were happy to be chosen, they couldn't have been more wrong. Those days were gone. As she stepped into the pen, near the back, her heart was beating fast. A chirpy woman was speaking, but she wasn't registering the sound. Fear for her brothers- and herself, was tingling through her veins. She tried to take deep calming breaths. The first name as being drawn. "Ladies first, as always!" The woman trilled. "And this year's lucky girl is...Catherine Nuevya!" Cat's heart stopped. She gasped, and the breath seemed to rip through her lungs. She felt light-headed, as if the world was swimming about her. She began to walk slowly towards the stage, staggering slightly. She tried to get her bearings. Suddenly everything seemed to snap back into focus. She kept her face impassive, a mask as she walked onto the platform. She caught a glimpse of both of her brother's horrified faces. As she stared resolutely into nothing, trying not to let her tears show. As she stood there, feeling her conflicted emotions crash around in her chest, the images of her brother's stricken faces seemed fixated in her mind. And that was the moment when Cat decided that she was not going to die.

Cat, smiled a wobbly smile at the camera's trying to appear composed. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ears, hoping that the glossy blue ribbon that it was tied back with still looked neat. She smoothed the pale blue dress with a hand that shook slightly, and gave a quick, sad smile at her brothers.

She managed to remain standing whilst the woman was still talking, managed to walk into the dark room where she'd say goodbye to her brothers for what would probably be the last time. The minute they shut the door behind her, leaving her alone, she crumpled into a heap on the ground and burst into tears.

District 12 Reaping

Jasper shivered, staring at the stage. God that lady always gave him the creeps. As one of the smaller boys in his age group, Jasper stood at the front of the group. Not that anyone ever really noticed him. He was a ghost, a drifter in the District. He lost all recognition once his father's death had faded into the background. Jasper closed his green eyes and remembered a few years back, when Lowan was still standing next to him.

"Jasper Hawn." His eyes snapped open. Well, fantastic. Jasper could see the confusion in the crowd as he silently made his way to the stage, not really acknowledging the mutters that followed. He didn't care. The whole district had forgotten he had existed. Once he had left, they would continue their lives as normal. His death would leave no hole in the social network. He didn't bother to take note of his fellow tribute, whoever she was, but simply made his way to the room to wait. No one was coming to say goodbye. Jasper picked at his stolen jumper and worn jeans. He looked out the window a bit.

Finally, just as he started to drum him fingers in muted agitation, the Peacekeepers came and took him away to the train.

-x-

Once on board, Jasper looked around, before going to his cabin and flopping down on the bed. He figured that a few hours sleep would do him some good.

Faith looked out the small window, a small smile on her face. Those idiots. So stupid. She laughed and wrapped her hand around her small silver locket. For myself. I'll show them all.

Cat stared out of the window, watching the country flash past. She caught a glimpse of another train going the same way. Another two tributes probably as scared and confused as she was. She looked down at the blue trousers and sea green shirt she was wearing, wondering if she looked all right. Why did she even care? She was probably going to be one of the first to die anyway. She looked up again, and caught sight of another girl in the window of the other train. The two trains were drawing closer together.

Looking through the window, Faith could see an innocent, young looking girl with bright blue eyes. She hadn't changed from her red dress, but had released her hair which now fell in tamed curls down her back. She absently coiled her finger round a curl, watching the girl with interest, a mockingly sweet smile creeping onto her lips.

Cat saw the girl on the train smile, and she smiled back- although she didn't like the look of the girls smile. It seemed to mock her, saying I know I'm going to win. You don't stand a chance.

When the girl smiled back, Faith's smile turned to one of innocence, still absently twirling a small curl around her finger whilst secretly studying the girl.

Cat noticed the change in the girls smile, and instantly distrusted her. Cat matched her innocent smile, deciding to play the poor little girl. People would instantly underestimate because of her height and petite figure, but if she encouraged this...then let them do it at their own peril.

Faith locked eyes with the girl, not one to be fooled easily. Her smiled dropped yet her expression was still one of innocence if you didn't look into her eyes which were as cold as daggers. Poor little innocent girl. She thought mockingly, her fingers reaching up to coil around her locket.

Cat noticed the girls' ice cold eyes. Well, two can play at that game. She beamed still further at the girl, making her eyes full of warmth, and a little bit of fear. "Hi!" she mouthed through the glass. "My names Catherine."

The girls' eyes suddenly warmed like fire. Just an innocent little child. Faith reminded herself, smiling warmly. Instead of responding to her name she noted it was the district 4 train. "Career?" She mouthed, still smiling warmly;

"I didn't volunteer." Cat mouthed back. "I was chosen. But after last year's disaster..." Cat tailed off, remembering that both of District 4's competitors were killed horribly in the five minutes. And then that weird boy tried to eat them...

She smiled sweetly. "Yet still. District four. I'm offering. Career?"

Cat thought this over for a second. If she rejected this offer now, she would instantly become alienated from them. But there was every chance they would turn on her... if she played weak, if she never let them see how good she really was...Cat nodded. "O.K." she mouthed, "but I'm not very good."

Faith's smile grew. "Oh. I'm sure we can change that, Catherine." She mouthed.

Cat managed to fix a grateful smile on her face. "Thank you!" she mouthed, smiling warmly at the other girl. "I know I'm not going to win...All I want to do is do my best, and last as long as I can!" The trains began to slow down. They had nearly reached the Capitol.

Faiths eyes glitter with amusement. Of course. She thought drily, still smiling warmly. "You're welcome." She mouthed.

"I've got to go and get my stuff before we arrive." Cat mouthed. "See you. Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"Faith." She mouthed simply, standing and pulling the blind down without a word of goodbye. She walked to the mirror and ran a brush through the locks.

Cat let out a sigh of relief. She knew she was playing a dangerous game- the other girl wouldn't hesitate to kill her in cold blood. But if she stuck to her strategy, at least they wouldn't perceive her as a threat. She got up and folded her reaping dress and put it neatly in a shoulder bag she'd found that matched her outfit. She picked up her district token- a small, but beautiful shell with a mother of pearl inlay on a leather thong - and tied it securely around her neck. She'd found the shell whilst playing on the beach around three years ago. She picked up her bag, and walked to the door as the train finally stopped at the station in the Capitol.