Deanie's POV #3

Once Finnick, Brody, me, and Smuil pile onto the train I look into the cart and see a buffet of food that I have never seen before. This food could last me a lifetime. I walk around and see every colour of the rainbow. The smell dances around me and I am tempted to start eating all the food in sight without a plate. As Brody walks past me he hits my shoulder hard enough that I loose my balance.

"Better get the food before Orphan girl eats it all." I glare at Brody. "Am I right D?" I grab the knife on top of the table ready to start these games early.

"Do you care to say that to my face?" I take one step towards him and Finnick quickly stands between us. He gives me a deep look.

"Now lets not get hasty." Finnick gives Brody a huge smile. "It wouldn't look good on my part if I had to tear you apart for leaving a bruise on D's face." He looks at Brody stearnly. "I don't even think you want to imagine it."

"Whatever." Brody shakes his head and grabs a plate beside me and piles on a mound of food. I look up at Finnnick and he looks down at me.

"Don't draw bad attention to yourself Deanie." He grabs the knife from my hands and takes a plate and begins to fill it with the rainbow food. I stand for a couple seconds looking at Finnick. He should of let me at him. Brody deserves what he gets. He has always been the town bully. One time he shoved a kid underwater and held him there for at least a couple minutes. Finnick just made me look weak in front of my worst enemy in the games. I storm off into the other carts trying to find my room. I look on every door but there is no sign to indicate whos room it is so i just walk into a room and close it. This is the only privacy I will have until the games start. Even in here there are probably hidden cameras.

In the room there is a queen size bed that is wedged in the corner beside the window that allows me to see the other districts and trees wiz by as we draw closer to the Capitol. Beside the bed is a dresser. I look in the dresser and see some clothes. They are womens clothes so I must have the right room. I grab the first outfit I see and peel off my mothers dress and throw it in a heap at the foor of the bed. There is a hair brush and an elastic on the dresser. I grab the hair brush and brush out the tangles and throw my hair in a ponytail. The dark green tanktop brings out my light green eyes and the black shorts make the shirt stand out. I walk to the ajoining bathroom and look at myself in the mirror for a long minute. I shake my head of wavy ponytail and walk out to the bedroom. I sit myself on the bed in the corner with my knees against my chest.

Every single game in the past 68 years Districts 1,2, and 4 have always been called the 'careers'. Careers are Tributes that team up in the games to fight against the other tributes. They always win because they have more fighting experience than any other of the tributes. The careers have a big advantage compared to others. I can't be a career. They play dirty. I can't change to survive. Theres nothing for me to survive for.

"Hello?" The door creaks open and Smuil pops his green buzz cut hair in the doorway. "I thought you would like to talk to someone." He is serious right now. No stupid smile on his face. He clicks his high heels and walks towards the bed. "Do you mind?" I shake my head. "I know how hard this is for you Deanie." I wait for him to sit down.

"How the hell would you know what it is for me to go into the games?" I yell at him through the strands of hair that fall on my forehead. "All you do is announce our names with a big smile on your face." I cross my legs. "You might think you know how it feels, but you don't." I sit up straight. "You don't even know what its like to live in fear your whole life. Or even to feel poor."

"Darling," He sighs and looks down at his hands. "You are right. I don't know the feeling of having my name called to die. I also haven't had the experience to live in poverty." He looks at me with tears in his eyes. "But I do know the feeling of fear and getting to know people and having to see them die." His makeup is smudging. "I know the feeling of knowing that yor friends aren't coming back because they are dead." A hiccup escapes his mouth. "Even knowing that they died at the hands of the person that has kept you safe your whole life," I feel guilty now. "Makes you feel like its your fault that they are dead." He laughs but its not for fun. "I know fear and sorrow Deanie."

"I'm sorry Smuil." I wrap my arms around him. This is a weird action for me, but Smuil needs it.

"Its tough for everyone Deanie." He gives me a hug back. "There is no escaping it." Our hug is broken. "We have to act like this doesn't bother us."

"Thats bull." I grab his shoulders. "We don't have to act like anything we don't want to."

"Hush your voice darling." He looks around the room. "There is no privacy." He stands and heads towards the door. "Even in the most desolate places, we are not alone." He opens the door and steps out. "If you need anyone to talk to, I'm here." Then he is gone. I am left with my thoughts.

I resume my position back into the corner of the bed. With my knees against my chest as a cell for my thoughts. I look out the window and see no more of the districts all I see is trees. All the lower number districts that are the closest to the Capitol take less time to get there. Since we are coming from district 4 the train will be in the Capitol tomorrow afternoon. I wont have to deal with Finnick or Brody much longer. The setting sun looks nice and washes away my worries for a moment. My back begins to fall down the wall and I find myself laying on my side with the silk pillow under my ear. My eyes shut and everything, including the sound of the tracks is quiet. My mind goes blank and I drift off into a dreamless sleep. The first one I had in many years.