Her parents and brother were killed by guns, a quick death. Lavina probably wasn't even dead and Sierra had suffered for about five minutes before her last breath. Finch's death would be slow and painful. Every step she would take in the arena would be a step towards death.

Finch took a step forward towards the stage, ignoring the stares that followed her.

'Lovely!' Cherry said as she helped Finch onto the stage.

'Boys next!' It was as if the people from the capitol liked seeing children kill each other. 'Ralph Schmidt!'

A fifteen year old boy stumbled onto the stage. He had skin not too light but not dark. His eyebrows were thick and his eyes were small. Ralph was tall and lean but his eyes were full of worry and sadness.

'Ahh! Lovely! Lovely!' Cherry twirled a piece of fabric from her dress around.

'It would certainly be lovely if I could kill you!' Finch said under her breath, in a voice just low enough for Cherry to not hear her.

'So here they are! The tributes from District Five! Finch Crossley and Ralph Schmidt.'

They were dragged into the building and a peacekeeper pushed Finch into a room. She fell, back first onto the wood floor. She picked herself up and looked around.

The room was not too big but not too small. It had a simple couch and carpet. Just then she heard the door open and close behind her.

She swiveled around and got enveloped in a big hug.

'Finch! If I'd known then I'd tell you to not go!' Mrs. Fluke cried as Joey and Garry stood behind her. The woman's voice was full of pity.

Pity. Finch didn't want pity. She thought that the Flukes really considered her as their own but now she realized that they did all this because they were sorry for her.

Finch faked sadness like the Flukes faked their love for her. She told them that she'd miss them and pretended to be very sad but inside she wanted to get out of the district were she spent her whole life but didn't belong.

After more crying Mrs. Fluke left with Joey.

Just as the door closed Garry said hurriedly, 'Finch, your best weapon is your brain.'

'Excuse me?' Finch asked, trying to understand why Garry was asking her to use her brain to kill people.

'Your brain. Listen Finch, I haven't got much time. You are smart and cunning. You went into the forest without being caught and you lived there for one night. You went out every night to get food without being caught once and if that's not cunning or smart then I don't know what is.'

'Garry I…'

'Take this Finch.' He pushed a bracelet in her hand. 'I found it in your house after your little sister's death.'

Finch examined the necklace. It was Lavina's. She got it on her eleventh birthday.

'Thanks..' Was all Finch could manage.

Peacekeepers rushed in, pulling Garry with them. Garry's last words to Finch were, 'Promise me Finch, you'll use that big brain of yours… It's more useful than you think!'

Before Finch could respond, peacekeepers came in and dragged her to the train. She took a last look at her home before she was stuffed into the silver train.

The inside of the train was nothing like she expected. There was a huge table with so much food that she had trouble naming most of the dishes.

'Finch right?' A 30 year old woman with sandy brown skin and brownish black hair walked up her. 'I'm your mentor, Ileana and this,' she pointed to a 50 year old man, 'is Alfred.' The man named Alfred grunted from under his rough black hair and waved his hand at her. Alfred had dark skin but he seemed nice. Much nicer than Ileana.

'Oh. There's Ralph.' They hurried towards Ralph.

'Finch! I'm Cherry. You must know.' The pink woman who picked her name out waddled towards her.

'Hello Cherry.' She scooted away from the escort so she could avoid the strong scent of perfume.

'Your last name is Crossley right?'

'Yes.' Finch clenched her fists waiting for Cherry's reply.

'Sounds so familiar. Did you have a brother or sister who were in the games?'

'No.'

'Ah then it must be a mistake maybe it was 'Cross' I remember. Anyway, eat up. We need you ready.' Cherrie ran towards Ralph as Finch took a seat at the table.

Ralph, Cherry, Ileana and Alfred joined her after a few seconds.

'So, we're going to eat and talk about battle strategy. I need proper introductions. By the way, Finch, your room is by on the left of the hall and Ralph's is on the right. We meet at breakfast and get you ready for the next few days' Ileana said. 'Ralph, you first. Tell us about yourself.'

'I'm Ralph Schmidt. I have a twenty year old sister who loves me a lot and my mom and dad think I'm the most precious person in the world.' He added a little sadness into his voice, hoping to get pity but no one cared.

'What does your father do Ralph?' Alfred asked.

'He works at the power plant.'

'Lovely,' Cherry giggled. Finch resisted the urge to punch her.

'Finch! You next.' Alfred said.

'Name's Finch Crossley.' Finch snapped.

'Who do you live with Finch?' Cherry didn't get the hint.

'I live by myself.'

'Ohhh! No parents or brothers or sisters?' Cherry looked at her with an innocent expression. Was Cherry dumb?

'No.'

'What happened?' Now, Finch officially hated Cherry.

'NOTHING!' Finch stood up and screamed.

'Calm down.' Ileana took Finch hand, understanding in her voice.

Cherry remained quiet while Alfred looked at her with pain in his eyes. Ralph just picked at his food.

'Eat Finch.' Alfred passed her a plate but Finch didn't feel like eating.

Ileana looked at her and silently pleaded with her to eat. 'Fine.' She mumbled.

Finch looked around at the table to see what she could eat. The only thing she could recognize was bread and the stew her mother once made when Sierra was born. She piled some on her plate and stuffed herself.

After her last few days being so terrifying, Finch hadn't realized that she forgot about her food. She was starving.

Finch stared at her food, remembering what Cherry had asked about her family. 'What happened?'

The answer was simple. They died. They all died.

Now she was ready, to leave, to face death like it was an old friend. Finch was ready to see her family again.

HIII! I'm back! And i'm sorry if this chapter sounds a little weird...Hope you liked it anyway!

Byeee!

~Housevergent