Chapter 7

The Argument

I hadn't seen Dominic (aside from meals) since this morning and it was already close to midnight. We would be arriving at the Capitol in less than twelve hours. Was I nervous? Yes. I could barely sleep and when I did, the nightmares woke me up again and I didn't want to sleep.

At five o'clock, I decided it was time to get up. If I wasn't going to sleep, I might as well get up and do something productive. I took a shower, letting the hot water wash away all of my nightmares and fears about the Capitol. I took my time getting ready and was about to leave my room and look around the train when there was a knock at my door. It was Janelle. I beckoned her to come in and she quickly shut the door behind her. Then, went to my mattress and pulled out the notepad and paper we had been communicating with. Janelle told me if someone was to find out that I had been talking to an Avox, I would be in serious trouble. More trouble than having to fight for my life in an arena with twenty four other kids. When she finished writing, she handed me the note.

We should arrive at the Capitol in 2 hours.

Everyone is in the dining car.

Dominic is in a bad mood.

I make my way to the dining car, but before I enter, I can here an argument between Dominic and Mags.

"Now you need to straighten up your attitude young man." That was Mags.

"I'm not going to be all smiley. They want to kill me. All of them. Even her."

"Now you listen to me. Just because you want to be a Career, does not mean that you have to be against everyone. You cannot do this all by yourself. You are not invincible and if you keep acting like this, you will die. If you don't believe me now, just watch and see. Everyone has a skill that someone else doesn't. I'm not saying you have to like the others, but at least consider allies. You will need them."

"No I don't. I can do this by myself. Why should I trust anyone but myself? They will want to kill me in the end. What happens if we are the last two? I can survive on my own."

"Do you want proof of why? Take a look at Darcy. Have you seen her train? Have you seen her out in the water? Have you seen her with a spear?" Dominic didn't say anything. I guess that was a no.

"She can spear three fish in one strike. She can swim faster than most in District Four. She belongs in the water. She will not go down easily."

"I can do all of those things as equally good. Those skills do not make her invincible either. Plus, what if there is no water. What if we are surrounded by jungle? I have trained in climbing and several areas that I know for a fact she hasn't."

"Dominic." Mags voice was a lot softer now. "It is not those skills that will keep her from being defeated easily. The difference between you two is that she has something worth fighting for."

"But don't we all?" Dominic sounded more confused than angry now.

"In a way." said Mags. "But her more so. Now, I mentioned the brother and sister from District even yesterday. Why did I say they would most likely be the fiercest competition?"

"Because they – because they have something worth fighting for."

"And what is that?"

"Their love for each other. Neither will live without the other. If one dies, the other dies too."

"Yes." Dominic didn't answer for a few minutes.

"But that will just make them more vulnerable." he finally said.

"And that, Dominic, is where you're wrong. That makes them less vulnerable. You see, they will be extra alert because they are that much more determined to win. Not for eternal glory. Not for going back home. But, for both of them staying alive. They will do anything to achieve that goal."

"Fine then." said Dominic, dismissing the subject of District Seven. "But what does any of this have to do with Darcy?"

"Dominic, this is where learning all about your opponents is one of the most important strategies. Just like the brother and sister, Darcy has something worth fighting for. If I am correct, Darcy has a family and best friend at home, but that is not what drives her to win. She lives with her grandmother and sister and her best friend Boyd are all that she has left. She has lost more in her life than most fifteen year olds have. The Hunger Games have personally destroyed her life. The Capitol has destroyed her life. She will not go down as another one of their victims."

"But, what has she lost, then?" Dominic asked, more curious now.

"That, my boy, is not my business to tell. If you really want to know who your competition is, you must take on that responsibility." I stood against the wall in the hallway thinking about what Mags just said. First of all, she thought that I was a top competitor. Second, she knew all about my life. Third, she though Dominic needed me to win the Games. Does that mean that I need him to win the Games? I sure hope not.

A/N: This chapter is a little shorter, but I'm going to have Chapter 8 out soon. Hope you guys are still liking the story. I'd love to hear your reviews and criticism or suggestions (if you have any).

(Btw – only 2 more days 'till Christmas!)