After my mother and Cora left, I sat down on the couch in the center of the room. Tears were threatening to fall and I immediately stood up and pitched the glass coffee table across the room. It shattered into thousands of pieces. There were scratches all over the yellow paint on the wall. I just didn't care anymore.

It's not about showing off anymore. It's not about the fame anymore. It's not about making my parents proud anymore. It's about getting back to my sister. I made a promise that I intend to keep. I realize now that no matter what, I have to win to see my baby sister again.

Still glaring at the broken glass shards, Kesla and Brutus open the door. Kesla's face flashed a brief moment of fear, but she quickly replaced it with a smile, a wave of her hand and an "Oh Cato! Don't you worry about that! People will clean that up for you! Come now deary, the train is leaving in ten minutes! I trust you were able to say goodbye to your family?" I couldn't say anything. A short nod did just the trick.

"Oh goodie!" Kesla said. "Well then come now lovely, we must get going!" I allowed her to take my hand and drag me to the identical room Clove was staying in. As Kesla recited the same speech she had just given to me, Brutus rolled his eyes. He leaned over and whispered "This woman is batshit insane…" I couldn't help but snort. If Kesla knew I was laughing at her, she didn't show it. She rushed everyone out to the train station in the back of the building.

I let Clove and Kesla step on first. Hearing Clove's gasp, I got excited and leaped onto the car. It was just as beautiful as the room in the justice building.

I walked in to the sight of a giant crystal chandelier. A modern dining car with neon orange chairs and a bar pushed into the corner with every type of drink imaginable, even some I've never heard of. There were two gold doors, one on each side. I ran towards the one on the left when Brutus grabbed me by the shirt collar. "Hold on. Your room is this way." He grunted.

Kesla chimed in, "Oh, come now Brutus! Let the boy explore for a tad! Show him his room later."

Brutus mumbled. "Fine. Be back here in five minutes." With that he took a pill bottle out of his pocket, popped two, and sat down at the table.

Clove and I walked to the next car over. There was a large leather sofa and something resembling a TV, but flatter and larger. As much as I wanted to stay, I followed Clove to the next car.

We found the kitchen, the coal car, and the conductor's car up ahead. We decided to walk back before we had to face the wrath of Brutus.

We were silent, but as we got to the kitchen, Clove stopped and turned to face me. Sticking out her hand, she said "I'm Clove by the way. Clove Alcen. And you're Cato Davis." I took her hand and shook it. "Yeah. Nice to meet you Clove… I guess?"

She smirked and continued. "I've seen in interviews before, they call us 'Careers.'"

I know exactly what she's talking about. There have been countless interviews ever since we were children of people from the other districts calling District Two tributes 'Career Tributes.' Same as District One and District Four. These three districts train for the games their whole lives. They all normally band together until the brutal end.

"Yeah. I know. So what are you saying? You think we're going to have an alliance?" The smirk again. "That's exactly what I'm saying." And with that, she walked back to the dining car so Brutus could escort her to her bedroom.

I followed Brutus and Clove back to the sleeping car. The silence was so thick I wanted to say anything just to break it. However, I kept my mouth shut, out of fear of Brutus. He opened up the doors to our bedrooms at the same time. As we both walked in, he said "Dinner's in five minutes." Without another word, or emotion, he walked back to the dining room. Clove and I looked at each other. Her eyes were wide, and had dark circles under them. Without saying anything, she shut her door. I quickly followed suit.

The lights turned on automatically when I walked in. In the center of a large room was a king sized bed. Golden closets and dressers were lining the walls. There was a bathroom to the right with a gold rimmed toilet, shower, and bathtub. On the bed were clothes laid out for me. A metallic green shirt. With matching shoes. The only saving piece of this outfit were the black pants, which looked identical to the ones I was already wearing. "What are they doing to me?" I whispered to myself, before throwing on the shirt and shoes and going back to the dining car.

Clove, Kesla, and Brutus were already sitting at the dining table. Once again, the silence was overbearing. I took a seat next to Clove, who was wearing a dress identical to my shirt, and looked at the food options.

I didn't know what half of this stuff was, or if it was even real food. The only thing I could recognize were a couple of meats. Kesla, noticing my confusion, stood up and pointed things out. "See here Cato darling? We have spaghetti and meatballs, lamb stew with dried plums, Pot roast, steaks, a vegetable platter, some deep fried zucchini, a ste…"

I stopped listening. Frankly, I stopped caring. The events of the day gave me a huge appetite, and I was willing to eat anything at this point. I loaded up my plate and ate like a maniac. Although the disgust in Kesla's face was obvious, she pretended she didn't notice.

After I felt like I couldn't eat another bite, out came desserts. Kesla attempted to explain again. "Okay! So, we have tiramisu, a raspberry torte, some c-" Clove was the one who wasn't interested this time. "Kesla! Could you just be quiet and let us eat!"

Me and Brutus stared at her in awe. Kesla, turning bright red, grabbed a slice of the torte and ate quietly. While we all quietly munched on our desserts, Brutus put his fork down, cleared his throat, and stood up.

"So: Who's ready to see their competition?"