I am sorry I took so long to update, but I have been SOOO busy with other stories, and real life of course.

I don't want to bore you all with a long AN, so here's the next chapter!

Read and review! :)

CLOVE POV

The moment was interrupted by Karma.

Yes, she strode into the room, saying something about dinner, then stopped abruptly. "What did you do to the TV?" She asked, mouth wide open, eyes matching dinner plates.

"I wasn't a fan of the program," I said sheepishly, slipping off of the bed, past her and into the hallway. "I'm sure you can make another, though, right? This is the Capitol Train!"

With that I broke into a jog out of that car, not wanting to hear Karma's reply. Or Karma at all. She really does bug me.

I didn't hear anything as I walked towards the dining car, but I was still constantly checking behind me. I don't know why, but the paranoia of the Hunger Games was already with me.

So when I looked over my shoulder and saw a curtain brush against a wall when nobody had touched it, the first thing I did was grab the small knife I had taken from the table when we had first entered the train. It was a table knife, but with my skills, still deadly.

I slowly approached the curtain, and when I was a few feet away, my brain turned the scene around me into woods, and the curtain was just another tree. I slowly peeked around the bark, trying to remind myself that it was just a fabric for a window. No matter how hard I tried, my surroundings stayed like the outdoors.

That is, until Cato jumped from the curtain causing me to launch the knife at him. Luckily, I pulled my hand up at the right time, so the knife strayed to the side and stuck into the wall.

As I watched the knife fall from its place on the wall the world slowly melted away, so I was back in the tribute train.

I let myself fall to the ground as Cato looked at the knife-now on the ground, like me-astounded.

I took steadying breaths as I tried to regain composure. Actually, they weren't steadying, they were more desperate.

"Clove, what the hell was that?" Cato shouted, pulling me to my feet. "You could of just killed me!"

I blinked. "I'm sorry, the paranoia is getting to me already."

Cato looked at me, unsure. "Alright, we should get you something to eat."

I nodded, then began to walk -read: stumble- towards the dining car. As I arrived I realized that there was a loud growling in my stomach, one that wouldn't shut up until it was satisfied.

I saw a Capitol slave, standing besides the table, setting plates of steaming food down. Again, I couldn't control myself, but this time my actions couldn't possibly hurt anybody, well, except for whatever animal had died to make this meal for me.

I immediately dug in, my brain registering the fact that Cato had taken a seat next to me, but not really comprehending it.

This food! It was amazing! Chicken completely blanketed in gravy, placed deliciously on top of rice, which held little chunks of vegetables. The side was a soup, clear broth with little bites of chicken and beef and turkey, noodles floating around with it.

More seats were taken, but again, I didn't care at all, my mind was on my food.

Finally, after I had finished the meal, I sat back in my chair, enjoying the feel of a full stomach.

"Clove, that was something," Maple commented, and my confused look must have served as an answer because she continued. "I have never seen anyone wolf down food like that."

Titan barked out a chuckle then continued to rip into his food.

I was going to comment on Titan's style of eating, but decided against it. The brute still terrifies me. So I just shrugged and asked for seconds.

A slave immediately obeyed, and walked out of the room, then almost immediately returning.

I slowly ate this dish, this time wanting to savor the amazing taste.

I mean, District Two has really good food, especially compared to other districts, but we're put to shame by the Capitol. I can't even imagine what this would be like for a District Twelve tribute. Probably life changing in the food department.

As I disappointedly came to a stop, setting my fork down, Cato announced loudly, "I am going to my room!"

Titan gave him a nod and then attacked his fourth piece of steak.

I looked at him meaningfully, trying to tell him something, but he just smiled cluelessly at me.

I wanted to get up, shake his shoulders and ask why he was such an idiot. But I couldn't. Instead I just politely asked the servant for another serving of soup.

As I finished yet another dish, Karma and Titan excused themselves, leaving Maple and I to ourselves.

Maple immediately took that as a good moment to slide her chair towards me and push my bowl out of my reach. "Clove, can I talk to you?"

I watched as the now lonely bowl tipped sideways and the liquid spilled out like a tsunami. Small chunks of meat turned into houses and cars in my imagination and I wanted to point it out to Maple, but decided I'd look childish.

"Sure."

"I want to talk strategy," She said, leaning her elbows against the table. "You know, for when we get off of this godforsaken train."

"Don't you mean for when we're in the arena?" I asked, looking at her stupidly. "What do I need to know about the Capitol?"

She looked at me as if I were stupid, which I'm sure I am, and exclaimed, "The Capitol is where the Games really begin! Not standing around the Cornucopia!"

I pursed my lips. "I don't know..."

"That's why I'm going to tell you," She announced firmly, her tone telling me not to respond.

"As soon as you get off the train they'll take you to your room. You'll be sharing a building with all of the other tributes. The only tributes on the second floor will be you and Cato," She paused for breath. "Now, never interact with other tributes unless you plan on an alliance. Say you were to walk up to that District Eleven girl and strike up a conversation. She'd either trust you and be a liability during the Games, or hate you and you'd just have another person to look out for. So keep to yourself."

I wanted to take out a notepad, this was so interesting. I never knew the training was such a big deal. I thought it all began in the arena. Boy, was I wrong.

"Anything else?" I asked, leaning forward slightly in my chair.

"Show off your skills. Give people a reason to be scared of you. Come off as strong, deadly, powerful," Maple told me, smiling at my eagerness.

"Is that all?" I asked after a moment of silence. Although Maple was kind and helpful, she still scared me. You don't win the Hunger Games for being a cowardly fool.

"For now," She stated, waving her hand at me as a signal to leave. "We must talk again tomorrow."

With that I scurried from the table, navigating towards the rooms.

Once there, I walked down the hall, looking for the room that housed Cato. I pushed it open, only to find the idiot snoring, spread out like a starfish, one leg dangling off of the bed, blankets splayed everywhere.

I chuckled to myself as I advanced on him. As I got close enough, I pounced, immediately waking him from his slumber, laughing loudly as he snorted, flinging his arms out to ward off danger-or in this case, me.

"Who the fuck is here?" He shouted, and then rolled his eyes and sat back. "Goddammit Clove."

I was now on the ground, rolling around, laughing so hard tears were snaking down my face.

"Oh, that was perfect!" I got out between fits of laughter.

He glared at me playfully. "I'll get you back," He threatened, then pulled me down on the bed with him.

"So, did you plan on going back to your room after you scared me half to death?" He asked after a moment of silence.

I nodded. "I didn't know what I was going to do once I got here, but I'm sure glad I did that!" I snickered again, much to his dismay.

"Well, you're not going back now," He smirked, pulling me to him.

All I could do before he fell asleep again was whisper, "I don't want to."

CATO POV

I heard a deep grumble when I woke up. My instincts took over and I was immediately rolled over Clove, blocking her from the door. She woke up in the process, and I saw her roll off the side of the bed with a muffled shriek.

Then I sat back and laughed at myself. I can save that for later, I'm still in the Capitol.

"If that's payback then it was cruel!" Clove called from the side of the bed. She then climbed back on, sitting cross legged, glaring playfully.

I returned with a smile, then turned my attention towards the disruption that had awoken us.

Titan stood, filling the doorframe. A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed it quickly, sitting straight as he entered.

"Get up," He ordered, his face emotionless.

We both complied, scurrying desperately to untangle ourselves from the blankets.

"We'll be arriving at the Capitol in an hour, so get a good breakfast." With that Titan left, lumbering slowly out the door.

"I thought he was going to kill us," Clove admitted, beginning to follow Titan's steps.

"Nah, he wants us to think we stand a chance," I joked, catching up to her.

She giggled, abruptly stopping when we arrived at the table, facing the stares of the adults.

"Well, sit, sit," Karma ordered giddily, probably excited that we would arrive at her home soon.

Again, Clove and I did as we were told, allowing Capitol servants to place steaming plates in front of us.

I smiled at the thought of devouring this dish, but Titan practically shouted, "Wait!"

I dropped my fork, listening to the echo of the clang.

"What?" Maple shouted, banging her knife against the table in protest. "I'm hungry!"

Titan ignored Maple, continuing with whatever he was saying without batting an eyelash.

"When we arrive in the Capitol, I want you to be strong, not show any emotion or weakness. Got it?" He asked, looking directly at me.

I nodded, and he sat back. "Eat," He said carelessly with a wave of his hand.

"You made me wait for that?" Maple asked incredulously. "You couldn't of talked to him in the hour we have left? You disturbed my eating time for that?"

Titan laughed, a deep chuckle. "Get over it, Maple."

She glared and growled, then dug in. "This is amazing!"

I also began to eat, tearing through the food like an animal. Bacon, eggs, sausage, all placed on top of layers and layers of toast. Hot chocolate and orange juice sat by the side of my plate, practically asking to be consumed. I happily obliged, downing them both in just a few gulps.

I looked up for a moment to see Clove doing the same, spreading butter on her toast happily.

At least she can be happy before this thing. I thought she'd be scared and nervous the whole time, but she seems to want to act normally for as long as possible, as if that can hold off the thought and reality of what's going to happen. I know it's a coping mechanism, but I want to feel like she's being strong.

She caught me looking and gave a small smile, before inhaling more food.

"I'm done," I said abruptly, pushing my chair out from the table to get up.

Nobody looked up, but Karma said, "Be back here in an hour so we can get to the Capitol."

No answer came from me, I was already halfway down the hall, turning into my room, jumping back into the already jumbled sheets.

As I drifted off, I imagined the Games. In the dream I was in a large dense forest, no, jungle. Sounds from animals could be heard from every angle, and the constant buzzing of whatever insects lived here was incredibly annoying and loud.

I was sitting in a tree, not caring how I had gotten up there, considering these flimsy branches could not support my weight.

I felt complete, sword in my belt loop, spear in my hand, backpack of food comfortably on my back.

I heard a sudden, loud rustle, and looked over, knowing that no animal made that sound. It had to have been a human.

My thoughts were proved correct when a large boy, probably about six feet tall, dashed by.

I had thrown my spear down through his head before he could even realize I was there.

The loud boom of the cannon was heard, and I quickly slipped down the tree to collect the spear before the hovercraft stole it from me.

An evil smile stole my face, and I sighed. If the Hunger Games was like this, then I would win for sure.

Suddenly I was jolted back to reality.

"Cato!" A hand shook my shoulder. I expected to open my eyes and see Clove, but all I saw was the ugly face of Karma staring back at me, her three hundred watt smile on. "We're here!"

I wanted to shout, get away from her, but I had to put on a smile—grimace—and walk through the entire train with the demon.

"I am so excited to see the parade, and then training, I will help the both of you look good for the people. I will be so helpful, you'll love me even more than you already do!" All through her small speech I could see her undressing me with her eyes. Apparently my glares weren't reaching her.

"Yep," I said after she finished, effectively stopping the conversation.

She continued, but I tuned her out, letting my eyes glaze over, almost like President Snow at a parade. Tuning out everything, just doing what was asked of me, what was necessary.

I'm pretty sure she rambled on, the twit couldn't even figure out that I was ignoring her.

"Hey Cato," Clove said as I entered the dining room.

I smiled then turned my attention to the city outside of the window.

Silver buildings, sunlight glinting off of windows, everything unnaturally bright. I wanted to shield my eyes, but decided that would be stupid.

Yes, District Two is much nicer than the other Districts—One is an exception—but again, like the food, the Capitol puts it to shame.

People were crowding around the train station when we arrived, being the second train, and I couldn't help but marvel at how alien they seemed. I thought Karma was strange, I had no idea what I was talking about.

They were almost disproportionate, unreachably skinny bodies with muscular legs, long arms and necks. The way they moved suggested multiple surgeries for all of them, and I couldn't see one that could be considered a normal human.

Blue, purple, orange, pink, red, green, all in Technicolor, could be seen all throughout the crowd. Impossibly long, brightly colored eyelashes, goofy hair, in the craziest colors, I don't even want to talk about their clothes. I just felt like I would be swallowed up by them when I emerged from the trains. Believe me, that's the last thing I want.

So, I was relieved when several guards came to accompany Clove and I as we entered the station. I could probably take all of these untrained aliens myself, but I don't want to be affected by whatever is wrong with them. It's strange to be looking at them for too long.

As I took my first steps into the Capitol, I didn't know that I was beginning the journey to the end of my life.