I take in all my surroundings every single one. I can see the boy from District 6 seems to have a nervous twitch whenever someone makes eye contact with him.

I can see how the girl from District 2 obnoxiously twirls her hair.

I can see how the boy from District 1 keeps unclenching and clenching his fists as if it's taking all his strength not to kill someone right on the spot.

And that's when I see it. The small girl from District 10 looking back at me with so much intensity it's almost unsettling, but I don't let it show.

I look right back at her our eyes locked and something passes between us. Fear? Understanding?

I can't quite figure out what it is but I know that girl with the emerald eyes is only going to be trouble for me.

I then feel someone lightly tug on my hand, "Zane come on we should go talk with the other careers," Scarlett's sweet voice snaps me back to reality.

I tear my eyes away from the green eyed girl who continues to bare her eyes into me as if she's trying to see past my surface.

I nod and walk with her our hands still intertwined in one another to where the other careers stand.

"Well you must be the pair from District 4." The girl from 2 says as she glances down at our intertwined hands. I instantly pull my hand away. I can't show attachment to anyone not even Scarlett.

"Yes that would be us. I'm Scarlett and this is my District partner Zane." She smiles an attempt to be friendly with people we will have to kill in a few days time.

All I do is nod politely to the rest of the group.

"You don't talk much do?" The girl from 1 asks me and all I do is shrug.

"Well my names Alec and this obnoxious bundle of pep is Ophelia," The boy from 2 introduces himself and his partner.

"And I'm Harper," The girl from 1 announces and that's when the large boy from 1 steps forward.

"And I'm Hunter now if all these cheery introductions are over," I can't help but pick up on the sarcasm that laces his voice, "I'm going to be the leader of the career pact this year." He obnoxiously puffs out his chest daring anyone to test him. And this is when I grow sick and tired of these people.

Do they really think they would even stand a chance? They don't not with me going into the arena alongside them. I've killed before I live without remorse for my actions even if I am constantly being tormented for what I've done by the voices that lurk in the depths if my mind.

"I want nothing to do with this alliance," I state and all the others stare at me.

"Zane what are you talking about?" Scarlett leans over and whispers in my ear and I relish in the closeness of our bodies if only for a brief moment.

"Oh do you not like the fact that you don't get to be the leader?" Hunter sneers at me.

"No, I just have no interest in being with an oaf who obviously won't be a wise choice as a leader and who will just run this alliance into the ground."

"Well looks like District 4 does have a backbone," Harper says with a smirk on her face.

"What the hell did you just say to me?" Hunter says his voice rising. How easy it is to make him angry.

"You heard exactly what I said. I can see by the way you keep clenching your fists that one wrong move and you will snap someone's neck. I can also see by the way the corner of your mouth keeps forming into what is that a sneer that you hate to be challenged like what is happening right now. Lastly I can tell by the way your eyes keep moving around that your trying to keep tabs on everyone and that proves you're not trustworthy in the least bit," I say all of this calmly not raising my voice once. I can tell by the looks on the faces of the others my little speech has proven effective. They all appear to be slightly freaked out by how well I can read a person.

They have all the rights to be worried.

Of course they do. There is a reason you have been labelled insane. The voices in my head whisper.

Before anyone can respond I turn on my heels and walk towards my carriage. I can hear the voices of the others behind me discussing what just took place. "There's something about that kid that freaks me out," I hear Ophelia say. "I am going to be the one to kill that idiot nobody talks to me that way," Hunter growls.

At this I tune them all out and stand at my carriage ready to get this all over with. I turn to see Scarlett still standing there with the other careers. My blood boils slightly at this site I thought maybe she would come after me. How could I have been so foolish to even think that? She is one of them. She is the enemy.

There you go Zane you have it all figured out now. You never deserved the chance to be close with her anyways. The voices in my head cackle and I have to rub my temples as a way to keep myself from screaming.

"Zane is everything alright?" Scarlett says as she approaches me. I turn away from her focusing on nothing but silencing the voices.

It's no use Zane. We are superior in this mind game you can't possibly win.

I cover my ears with my hands and yell out, "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

Scarlett takes a step back and glares at me figuring that I'm speaking to her, "What the hell Zane? Are you seriously going to act like an immature child because I'm siding with the careers?"

See even she is against you. Did you really think she would leave the others who are strong and determined for you who is weak and unstable?

I sink down to my knees my hands still coving my ears. "Get out of my head! You're wrong! I'm not weak!" I continue to yell at the top of my lungs the eyes of every other tribute are on me as I have one of my episodes.

"Zane please calm down and just talk to me," Scarlett places her hand on my shoulder realizing something is wrong.

She's lying to you right now. She doesn't care she doesn't want to help you. She is enjoying watching you suffer.

I dig my nails into the side of my head trying to use pain as a way to escape. I can hear Scarlett's voice but she seems so far away. I try to reach out to her but the voices hold me back convincing me she is not really there. And then I feel something I haven't in years, the human contact of someone wrapping their arms around me.

"Zane please come back to me. I can't lose you already." My eyes flutter open and all I manage is a quiet whimper.

Scarlett tightens her hold on me and the voices fade into the background as I start to come back to my senses. "Scarlett?" I say sounding slightly confused.

She doesn't release her hold on me as she speaks, "Zane what just happened? You really frightened me for a moment." All I do is shake my head as I stand up and realize that everyone is still staring at me. I glare at everyone and they slowly avert their eyes from my meltdown.

I walk into the carriage without another word. Shortly after Scarlett follows me and stands beside me remaining quiet as the carriage begins to move. It's finally our turn to be presented and Scarlett grips onto my hand. "Please don't let me go," She whispers. "I won't I promise," I say as I hold her hand happy for the contact.

The doors of our carriage open and we are bombarded by bright lights and the drone of music. I take a step forward with Scarlett at my side. The Capitol cheers at the sight of us and I keep my eyes forward not paying any attention to the people calling out my name wanting my attention.

Scarlett on the other hand is relishing in this moment. She waves to the crowd and even blows a few kisses. I give her hand a squeeze as we reach the end of the aisle and enter the training building.

Our hands are still intertwined as our mentor comes striding over to us. "Swansea we need to have a chat about your little episode that you apparently had."

All I do is shrug, "What is there to talk about. Nothing that's what," I let go of Scarlett's hand and head towards the elevator ignoring my mentor calling after me.

I step into the elevator and right before the doors can close Scarlett slides in next to me. I remain quiet letting her to be the one to speak first, but to my surprise she says nothing as the elevator opens to our District floor.

As soon as I step out of the elevator I rip off the top half of my costume and immediately regret it when I hear Scarlett gasp behind me.

Almost every inch of my body that can be hidden is covered in scars. Some of the scars that cover the length of my body make out words such as insanity or monster.

"What are those?" She begins to question, but I walk away to my room slamming the door behind me. I flop down on my bed and scream into my pillow.

After a few moments my door opens and Scarlett walks in sitting on the edge of my bed. She doesn't say anything, but she traces one of the scars on my back I shiver slightly at her touch.

"You don't have to say anything, but I'm not leaving you alone right now." She runs her hand through my hair and my eyes start to close.

"I don't understand you," I say to her. "You don't have to," She whispers as she lies down next to me.

The voices hiss through my mind but I shut them off focusing on the girl laying next to me. Her scent is intoxicating and her skin is soft against mine.

I fall asleep with her in my arms and for the first time nightmares don't plague my dreams.