Hey, sorry about the hiatus. I'd like to announce that I'm co-writing this with my friend Alice. The Marina chapters are hers. Enjoy!

The Mentor

The second we got on that train and walked into the first car, I wondered if dying was worth this luxury. One glace at Maxwell and I knew he was thinking the same thing, after all we were both slum kids. The car we walked into was covered in delicacies like cakes, coffee, anything I had ever wanted to gorge on was in this room.

"No luxury was kept from you, after all The Capitol spares no expense when it comes to it's tributes well-being," Claudia sighs when she enters, finally returned to her normal comforts. Of course I didn't care about that now, swiftly I grabbed a cupcake, a cinnamon bun, and a slice of apple pie before sitting next to Maxwell who already had his deserts. That's when our mentor walked in. Finnick Odair.

He's smirking already, I think I hate him. Finnick comes over and stands in front of the table Maxwell and I are sitting at. "Well, aren't you two cozy?" I had always been comfortable with people, and when I glance at my fellow tribute I can tell he's the same way. Our mentor sits down across from us and takes a closer look, like he's wondering if we'll live long. "You two seem like such dainty dolls, I really hope you have some real skills," I glare at him and he can tell. Finnick grins at me smugly. "Well Princess, do you have any skills other than smiling and waving?"

Quickly I compose my expression and resist the urge to claw his eyes out, reminding myself that he's here to help. "I'm good with a trident and a net." Finnick changes his gaze to Maxwell.

"What about you Maxwell?"

"It's Max, and I'm the same way. Who in District 4 isn't?" I think of Brooke who couldn't spear a fish if her life depended on it.

"I'm guessing you're both from the slums?" We nod and he sighs. "Well at least one of you seems to have a few social skills," and with that Finnick Odair stands up and walks over to a table of liquor. After pouring his drink he turns back to us. "Well, you two are stuck with me as your mentor. There are a few other victors going to the Capitol this year but not many wanted to deal with the pale, skinny tributes."

"Thanks for the bode of confidence," Max said sarcastically. "Any advice that will help us survive?" Finnick narrowed his eyes at Max and got really close to him.

". Listen kid, I'm the only person in this world now that is trying to help you. Show me some respect," he said in a low voice. If Finnick was trying to intimidate Max, it worked. When he pulled back I saw Max gulp and look down. "Ok, when you two get to the Capitol, I want you to smile and wave for the crowd," he turns to me. "Shouldn't be too hard for you, Blondie," I glare at his back as he leaves the room.

"Well, he's kind of a dick," I look to Max who's glaring at the spot where Finnick was standing. I move so I'm across from him and he looks at me with those brown eyes.

"So how old are you? 17? 18?" I ask him curiously.

"18. And I was so close to being out.. How old are you?" I smile at him.

"15." A few hours later we all watch the recap of the Reapings. All is as expected, Careers from one and two, the rest are just scared kids. Most of them look older than me but I did see a boy from District 8 that couldn't be older than 12. After that I tried to sleep, but I've suffered from nightmares since the whole incident.

"What did you do?" I practically begged her, nearly on my knees with tears in my eyes. Brooke's expression was blank as she tugged at the strong hands constricting her upper arms. Her forearm was bleeding steadily but she didn't seem to care at all. The Peacekeepers were emotionless as they started dragging her away again and that's when she broke. Screaming and doing everything humanly possible to get away from their iron grip but it wasn't working.

"Wait!" I cry out practically gasping as I ran to them. "Wait!" But this time they didn't stop, this time they just dragged her away with blank faces.

I wake up in a cold sweat, my eyes burning from tears. It wasn't real, It wasn't real, that never happened. I keep telling myself that, and it's technically true, but only partially. I sigh and look out my window to see the sun starting to rise and I get dressed and walk out of my room. When I get to the dining car I see that there's an assortment of breakfast foods everywhere and I pack a plate with eggs, pancakes, and bacon. After that I look up to see Max isn't too far behind me and when I sit down he sits down across from me. We eat in silence until Finnick comes through the door, ignoring the food he takes a seat next to Max.

"Morning, your highness," he says to me and I roll my eyes. "Tonight is the tribute parade. That means the second we get to the Capitol a prep team is going to come and take you somewhere to well, prep you for your stylist. Just do yourselves a favor and don't resist," I can see Max about to say a sarcastic retort but I shoot him a look and he holds his tongue.

"We can do that," Finnick nods to me and then leaves the car. A few other victors come in and get breakfast but most of them leave with their food and none of them even look at us. For a split second I'm angry at how they've already decided we're going to die but at the same time, looking at us I can't blame them. I recognize a few of them from past years but most of them are a lot older than me or even Finnick and must have won their games a long time ago.

Max catches it before I do and runs to the window, with me on his tail. The Capitol is even more stunning in person than on television, with it's towering, glinting skyscrapers and blue rivers. It's not long before we're pulling into the tribute center and we pass the waiting Capitol citizens just itching to get a look at this year's tributes. I smile and wave at the people and I look over to see Max doing the same thing, and the Capitol people are delighted. Cheering and smiling at us, fully knowing we'll be headed to our deaths in less than a week. At least they haven't already decided we're dead meat. After a minute or so the train stops and Max and I are shoved into different rooms.

Welcome to the Capitol.