3

Prim lay on her back, eyes wide open. She imagined herself killing another tribute in the arena. It was disturbing in her innocent mind. Today she would meet her stylist and prep team. They would prepare her for the chariot rides, interview, and games. Prim got up and wore the same outfit from the day before.

She went to the table, and found it empty. Prim loaded a plate with fine fare and sat down. By the time the others arrived she was finished. "Already done? What time did you wake up?" asked Haymitch. "Early," was all Prim said. She was about to exit for her room, but Haymitch stopped her.

"No, stay here. We're going to talk about your skills and strategys you might use," he said. Prim sat stiffly back down. Peeta was blabbing about the bread that there was in the food cart. Effie was complaining that every year District 12 never wins, and Haymitch getting drunk. All Prim wanted was to leave.

"Okay, skills!" Haymitch said with a drunk tone in his voice. "Peeta. What can you do that can help in the arena?" Peeta appeared deep in thought. "Weight lifting," was all he said. Haymitch looked at him suspiciously, "That it?"

"Well, I can use a knife," Peeta added. Haymitch nodded and turned to Prim. "And you, sweetheart?" Prim winced every time that he called her 'sweetheart'. "I know about plants, and self healing," Prim confirmed. "Your knowledge of the land could help in terms of food. The ability to heal yourself can come into use. Fake dead, and then heal."

Primrose sat up at the idea of it. Someone hurt her then she could play dead and heal herself! "Any... advice?" Peeta asked hopefully. "Here's some. Stay alive!" he laughed. Peeta looked angry over there, twitching a little. "Okay..." was all he said.

"The stylists and prep team should be here soon," Effie acknowledged. The train was speeding along, when the room filled with bright light as they reached the Capitol. Primrose and Peeta ran to the window and beheld the place they had only seen on television. It was breath taking.

People pointed excitedly to the tribute train rolling in. People rooting for us to die, Prim thought. Peeta was waving at the crowd in front of him, smiling. The Capitolites were pointing at Prim, and whispering at the twelve year old who won't stand a chance. She felt sick, and went to her room.

A terrible thought entered her mind once again. Someone who was in this room, has died because and the games are to blame, she thought. Prim stared at herself in the full length mirror. This girl would kill someone in the arena, or someone would kill her.

Haymitch was right. She needed to gain more weight. There was a sudden knock at the door. "Primrose, dear! Your stylist and prep team is here!" Effie said through the door. Prim glanced at herself once more, before opening the door. "You won't like what they do to you, but don't resist," she said.

"Okay," Prim said quietly. She was lead in a white room, and Effie closed the door. "Just wait one minute and your stylist will enter." Prim sat down picking at her shirt. Then, a man with dark skin and appeared non-Capitolite entered the room. "Hello Primrose, I am Cinna your stylist."

"Hi," Prim answered his greeting. "Your prep team will come in shortly and get to work immediately," he said. "Anything you'd like to talk about?" he asked. "No sir," Prim proclaimed. There was a long awkward silence. Finally, three complete Capitol freaks burst into the room. Prim jumped a little. Were they going to do this to Peeta? she hadn't seen him yet today.

"Their names are Flavius, Venia, and Octavia," Cinna confirmed. They were laughing hysterically and trying to talk at the same time. "And the-n-n she sa-id...!" Octavia was saying. "Erm... what's wrong with them?" Prim asked.

"Oh, um..." Cinna trailed off, embrassed. "Oh, sorry!" Flavius guffawed. "Shall we get to work?" he said. "Yes," Cinna said as he exited the room, giving Prim a worriful look. "So, what your name you poor darling?" Octavia said, finally calming down.

"Primrose Everdeen," Prim said politely. "Wonderful, wonderful!" she beamed. Venia skipped over next to Prim. "Let's get down to business now!" They made Prim change into a knee length blue dress for the 'operation'. The prep team ripped every hair off of her body.

It hurt and Prim said the occasional 'ow'. Flavius washed Prim's hair while Octavia was in charge of nails. Venia was finishing up waxing and Prim was ready for Cinna. The trio ran out of the room, foolishly. They're weird, Prim thought. She wished her family was with her right now. Cinna walked in and sat down coolly.

"So, the next stage of the games are the chariot rides," Cinna said. "District 12 is mining. So Portia, your friends stylist, and I thought we should focus more on the coal." Prim burst out, "I won't be naked and covered in black dust, will I?" she asked. Cinna laughed, "No, no. It had to do with fire," he said while grinning.

Cinna gave Prim hope. Hope and fear.

End of 3