Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games, because if I did, the third book proably wouldn't be published yet.

Peeta

"Well, well! It is wonderful to see your lovely face up her, young lady!" Effie said, not at all put off by the sobbing coming from Lilijanna's mother. "Now, for the boys!"

Making the same show as before, she walked back to the podium.

"Anton Mellark."

I couldn't believe it. My brother, for his last year, was selected. This wasn't supposed to happen.

I looked for him in the crowd, and saw him in the middle of a hollowed circle. He was all alone. And would be, for the rest of his life.

Unless I stopped him.

I stepped away from my friends, and into the aisle that was separating boys and girls. Men and Women. Cattle prepared for the slaughter their whole lives, and were grateful to make it past their eighteenth birthday.

How were we supposed to live in harmony with the Capitol when we sacrifice our friends and family for their sick entertainment?

"I volunteer as tribute," I said in a calm voice, though it was only a façade that anyone could put on. It was just more effective when you had practice in hiding your true emotions, which I had plenty of.

"Oh!" Effie sounded excited for once. Maybe because her District was finally shaping up and producing volunteers. After all, we had never had one until last year, when Katniss volunteered.

I walked toward the stage.

Toward the pink and purple monstrosity.

Toward the love of my life.

Toward a stumbling drunk.

Toward my death.

But I would not give up. Because I know, that deep down, I was doing this for a reason besides spending time with Katniss Everdeen, the previous Victor.

I was doing it to have freedom.

All of my life, I knew that I would grow up and work in the bakery, always under my mother's hawk eyes. But now? Now, I could do what I want. I could die by my own hand, or have someone else do it for me.

I could spend time my fellow Tribute, Lilijanna. I could learn all about her and her family. Right now, the only thing I knew about her was that she was a merchant.

I could even try to get to know Katniss.

Haymitch

Everyone was trying to process what had just happened. Hell, I was trying to process what just happened. It wasn't every day that you got a volunteer two years in a row in District Twelve.

Actually, it was never. District Twelve had never had a volunteer until the lovely Katniss Everdeen just had to save dearest Prim. But, don't get me wrong; I like the girl. She has a fiery soul, and is so fun to poke at, even if only to jump away from her in fear.

But in this case, it wasn't a hardened Seam kid. Nope; it was a merchant child. While he appeared strong, I knew that he had next to no chance of survival. I just hoped that the kid knew what he was getting himself into when he said those forbidden words.

Katniss

Peeta Mellark, a volunteer. That was something that I never thought would happen.

Prior to my victory in the Games last year, I had only interacted with Peeta on a few select occasions. After winning, though, I had gotten to know the blue-eyed, blonde baker.

I had thought that all Merchant kids were stuck up and selfish. Peeta, however, was the exact opposite. He was always trying to help people in the most subtle of ways so that his mother wouldn't take notice of his actions. It seemed as though she was abusive, because whenever she walked in the room, he seemed to be quieter and somewhat reserved, as if shying away from the world in fear.

I had always thought Peeta to be strong and resilient. But now, he seemed just like he did when his mother was around. Afraid. In need of help.

And I finally had the chance to help him, and repay my debt to the boy with the bread.

*a few hours later*

We were on the train. The two newest tributes, Peeta Mellark and Lilijanna Pacem.

I sat across from them, next to Haymitch. I had requested for him to sober up for the Games, or until the two of them die. After all, there was no way for the two of them to come out. Only one Victor.

I wonder what it's like to be in a truce from the start.

"So, when are we going to start?" Peeta asked, breaking me from my musings.

"That depends," Haymitch said just as I opened my mouth. "Are you willing to hear the cold, hard truth?"

Lilijanna and Peeta exchanged a look. "Yes," was their unanimous answer. Haymitch looked to me for support. He was leaving me to give them the bad news? Ass.

"There's no way for both of you to come out of that Arena. I'm so sorry for that." I thought my next words over carefully. "You can help each other, though. And you'll be able, if you both get enough sponsors, to have assistance from Haymitch and I. Howe-"

"How will we be able to help each other?" Peeta asked, interrupting me. Haymitch took this one.

"You can stick together, or form a truce and not attack the other. It's really your choice, as I'm assuming that you don't want to kill one another."

"You assume correctly," Lilijanna said. It was obvious that she was in no way prepared for the Games, but was willing to give it her best shot, even if only to help Peeta. "Katniss, you were saying?"

I was surprised. She was willing to wait while I explained. From what Haymitch had told me, the tributes usually whine when they're a Merchant. "Um… Ya. We can only-" I was interrupted again.

"Katniss Everdeen! Did I just hear you say 'ya?'" Effie asked, enraged, puckering her purple lips.

"No, Effie, I would never say that!" I put on a fake insulted attitude. "Why would you ever suggest suck a horrid thing, Ms. Trinket?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry! And, Katniss, call me Effie!" She gave me a look that said 'we've been over this.' She walked out of the room, towards the back of the train.

"The things I have to put up with!" Peeta chuckled, a deep, soulful sound. Lilijanna laughed as well, which was the sound of bells. "As I was saying, we can only do so much for the two of you, even if we have unlimited money."

Haymitch decided to put some effort into training our tributes. "You two need to learn how to fight, forage and possibly hunt." He looked at me. "If Katniss hadn't known how to shoot her bow, she wouldn't be here today. So, maybe the two of you have a life-saving skill hidden up your sleeve. And if you do, I suggest that you tell us right now."

"I guess that I'm strong," Peeta suggested hesitantly, as though he didn't know if the information would help the situation.

"That's good! Keep coming up with what you're good at. As long as you can do it in the Arena." I looked over at Haymitch, sending a little glare towards him. He knew as well as I did that being good at something didn't mean that you had any better of a chance to survive.

All right, I'm sorry. This chapter is fairly long by my standards, though, even if it was being written over, like, three months. You all know I'll disappoint you again soon, so don't hold your breath waiting for another chapter. Bye Bye for now!