Meeting the Mentors

OH MY GOD; are we actually on the first Capitol chapter? Nope! Sorry for semi lying but we have to have the train chapter. It's like the law of Ellesse. Anyway it's the first chapter since the prologue that's not a reaping so quit whining (hopefully my fricken awesome reviewers are mature enough to avoid doing this though it's more likely you're all as childish as me). Enjoy the Chapter and May the Odds be Ever in Your Favour!

Lewis Simmons POV

Nicole pushes past me and looks out the window. She waves goodbye happily but then her face drops. I rush over just in time to see a boy of about her age walking away, a crowd clearing for him. I look at her sympathetically.

"What are you staring at?" she snarls.

I jump back at her response and she shrugs as if to say "Don't blame me." She lies back in her chair and falls asleep within minutes. As soon as district 7 is out of site, I'm ready to throw up all over again. I feel like I've never lived without fear and I was reaped less than an hour ago. It doesn't help everyone I've met so far whose meant to be help me looks like they're gonna kill me any minute. Chickie hates me, even though what I happened was an accident and Nicole just seems like a Career, but worse. She's strong but she's also kind of- angry. I wish I could cheer her up; maybe she would go easier on me in the arena. Then it comes to me; I could pull a prank on her! I look over to get a perspective and notice that she still looks angry, even when she's sleeping. She doesn't look like the sort of person who likes being pranked. What am I supposed to do now? Suddenly, I hear footsteps. They wake Nicole up.

"What- what's going on?" she murmurs wearily.

"I don't know" I reply nervously.

"Well whoever it is, they're gonna be sorry."

"Am I?" a familiar voice asks.

"Oh not you" sighs Nicole.

Amy Leigh Gizmo raises her eyebrows as she walks through the automatic doors.

"Hi Nicole; nice to meet you" her voice is monotone; it's hard to tell what she's feeling.

"Well I can safely say the feeling isn't mutual" Nicole is more sarcastic; her tone makes me shrink back in my chair.

"Look, I'm just here to help."

"Good for you; but if you wanna help someone, go help the shrimp" she gestures to me "After all, if anyone needs lessons on how to die quickly it's him."

Amy slowly walks towards Nicole; as she gets closer, it's easy to see Nicole towers over her.

"You know who you remind me off? You remind me of a Wonder Jones; the only difference is the Capitol have already broken you" Amy smiles at her and then turns away.

"Still mourning Terro are you?" Nicole calls.

Amy turns to face her again.

"That was a mistake" she beckons Nicole towards her, instigating a fight.

"Bring it bitch" Nicole prepares to fight and runs towards Amy.

Except… Amy doesn't do anything; she simply raises her right leg. Nicole is left clutching her stomach in pain.

"Rule one- don't pick a fight with someone stronger than you" Amy smirks.

Nicole storms off to the other room and Amy comes over to me.

"Hi; you're Lewis right? Look, I'll help you as much as I can as long as you listen, because it looks like Nicole isn't gonna need anything, luckily for me" she shakes her head in the direction Nicole went.

"Why do you wanna help me?" I ask.

"Last games I got to live; the only reason I got to live was by doing two things- trusting my instincts and luck."

"What do you mean "luck"?"

"I mean, if that boy Danny Suvillian hadn't sacrificed himself and killed Shimmer, I wouldn't be standing here right now. That's a big debt to owe to someone. I figure by helping someone like Danny win, we'll be even."

"You think I'm like Danny Suvillian?"

That's a big title to live up to; among the strongest of contestants, Danny was the youngest one.

"You could be; I don't see why not. Now go to sleep; we start training tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

But she slams the door before I can ask anymore.

Whittier Lear POV

"I've gotta say, your hair is just so cute!" I compliment my escort Elina Blossom.

"Oh my god; thank you. Did you know these are extensions?" she gushes.

"No way!"

"Totally!"

"Miss Blossom?" a peacekeeper calls from the door "Spike wants to talk to you."

"Eurgh, escort duties are the worst!" Elina complains before leaving Scout and I alone.

I've already worked out how to handle Elina; she's just one of those prissy airheads who are happiest when someone is complimenting their looks. We met our mentor Spike earlier; he's just an alpha male; looking attractive and strong is more than enough for him. Annoyingly, until now I haven't got a spare moment to work out how to manipulate Scout. Still, no time like the present.

"It's warm in here; do you mind if I take my top off?" I try to seem innocent about it to start with.

He shrugs and I take off my shirt. This is gonna be easy; I'm older and beautiful.

"So, tell me about yourself" I smile flirtily at him but he just looks away from me "What's wrong, I don't bite; unless that's what you're into."

"It won't work" he says nervously "You- you can't make me be a Career."

"Oh, you caught me; you don't wanna be a Career huh? Pity; I wanted something cute to look at in the arena."

"You think I'm cute?"

Hook line and sinker; now just one more little touch. I walk over and sit close to him.

"Not just cute; you've gotta be the hottest guy in district 1" I lean towards him.

"Stop it!" he pulls away from me aggressively "This isn't real!"

"Really? Tell me Scout, how real is this?"

I grab his shirt and pull him close to me; once my lips hit his, he stops resisting. He puts his hands around my waist and we make out for a few minutes. Not bad for a 15 year nerd like him. I pull away this time and Scout's looking on in awe.

"That's all for now I'm afraid" I pull on my shirt and walk towards the door before quickly turning back "Later handsome."

As the doors close, I smirk to myself. He puts up a good fight but he's just the start of a long line of people who'll fall. Soon, all of the Career boys will be willing to give up their blood for me; and I'll be happy to oblige.

Cersai Grace Helms POV

Garrett; he's all that's on my mind. Is my dad mad he didn't volunteer for me? What if he threw him out? I picture Garrett alone in the streets; stop it Cersai, he's fine. But I can't make myself believe it. It doesn't help neither of them came to see me. Karla came though; she found a picture of Garrett. It's old but it's good enough for me, even if it does make me worry about him even more.

"Hey, Cersai" I look up to see the male tribute (whose name I don't even know) talking to me for the first time "Are you alright? You look a little pale."

"Err- I- excuse me" I semi squeak before running out the door.

Strangely, no peacekeepers stop me. Our carriage is the last one so I go out to a small balcony area and run right up to the edge. I feel ready to throw up, but I don't. Instead, I just stare over the edge and watch the rails disappear under the train one by one. But I find myself thinking-

Is this my chance?

There's no peacekeepers to stop me; I could just end it all now, quick and painless. There's Garrett to think of, but- somehow, part of me feels like he'll be ok. He's all I've got to live for, but he can go on without me. I climb over the rails and stand on the edge, still holding on. I don't need to worry; even if a peacekeeper does come out here, I can jump before they get a chance to stop me. I close my eyes, loosen my grip and-

"Cersai don't!" I hear the boy's voice and suddenly my grip tightens again, as if he's holding me back.

"D-don't try and stop me! I'm gonna do it; I'm gonna jump!" I inform him.

"Can't you see that's exactly what they want?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you die, they get a new story. You're practically helping them to promote the games."

"I don't care; I'll be dead. It won't matter to me."

"Well what about afterwards? They'll need a new female tribute; they might even replace you with one of your own friends just for defying them."

"They won't punish Karla; they can't do that."

"Who says they can't? You'll be dead; her family can't do anything but try and run and you know that's impossible now both of last year's tributes' families disappeared" he pauses and there's a brief moment of silence "You know don't you; deep down you know this is a stupid idea."

I still don't say anything. After a couple of seconds, I start to pull myself up and as I look up, the boy's holding his hand out to me. I take it and climb over the railings.

"Why are you being so nice to me? I don't even know your name."

"It's Terrian and I don't know; the Capitol already has enough power over us. If you'd killed yourself, it would have just proved they've taken away the little control we still have."

Before I can ask anymore, a red haired woman looks round the door.

"Hey, both of you get back in here right now!" she barks.

"What?" Terrian blinks bewilderedly.

"Just get in here!"

The two of us promptly go inside where Suzy is pacing around impatiently.

"Listen very carefully maggots; the name's Suzy. My friends call me Sweet" she swerves round "You don't."

"Pfft, like I'd bother" Terrian mumbles; Suzy storms over and, with a rod I've just noticed she's carrying, lifts his chin so he's looking her in the eye.

"You disrespecting me maggot?" she asks sharply.

"No; I just don't think you have the right to treat us this way" Terrian explains.

"Oh, so I got a smart aleck on my hands" she turns to me "What about you Miss Wallflower; got anything to say?"

"No ma'am" I answer quickly.

"Good, now both of you keep me 100; go, go, go!"

The two of us get down and start doing push ups the best we can on the less the spacious train. It gives me some time alone with my thoughts. I'm still alive, thanks Terrian; but is it worth it?

Well I hope you LOVE this chapter considering it's taken me until almost 2:30am to finish it. I'll try and get the Chariot Parade chapter up before Christmas but I truly do not know. It all depends on whether I get inspiration and when I have the time. By the way, here is the full list of mentors-

District 1: Spike

District 2: Enobaria

District 3: Beetee

District 4: Annie Cresta

District 5: Melissa

District 6: Cyrus

District 7: Amy Leigh Gizmo

District 8: Ludo

District 9: Sally (Sweet)

District 10: Jedediah

District 11: Leef

District 12: Peeta Mellark