When I approach the train. I turn to face the silent crowed. In the sea of faces, I see Cassa perched on Ferns shoulders. They've noticed me looking at them, and mouth 'I love you' and wave hysterically. Cassa almost falls off because she's leaning so forward, but Fern catches her. I wave back robotically, and break away from their gaze. I climb onto the train and the doors snap shut behind me with a mechanical CLUNK. I look out the door window and notice people. There on the right it Sonia, the girl who sits next to me in math class. Over to the left is Joel, who once came to our house to fetch clothing for his mother. So many faces I will forget in a number of weeks.

The train springs forward, and the movement knocks me into the wall. I gaze at District 6. My home for the last 14 years. Will I return? The odds are against it. I close my eyes and sigh. My family is behind my eyes, but their faces are happy. I open my eyes and turn to the compartment, and my mouth drops.

The whole of district 6 costs less than this room. The seats, like the room in the justice building, are covered in leather, but with delicate patterns. The food (Oh the food!) seems to crush the table. Pastries and dough so fine and sweet sprinkled with colors and sparkles. And drinks much cleaner and shinier than Mona's bottle, which is nestled in my pocket, my hand is already reaching for a roll. I sink my teeth into the spongy delight. And savor the bite before stuffing the whole thing in my mouth. I stare at the table. Fabian and Dena are staring at me. Dena's eyes as wide as these fine dinner plates. Fabians eyes are laughing at me. I hate him. So much.

"Well then!" she says finishing off a cream filled roll. "I think I'll fetch your mentors!" She disappears behind one of the doors. And I'm left with Fabian. The silence is petrifying, so I stupidly break it.

"Hello" I blurt out.

He stares at me. Then he looks back at rearranging his tower of sandwiches (Or lady fingers as Dena calls them) on his plate. He doesn't look at me when he mumbles.

"Hi"

I open my mouth to speak, but then I hesitate. What am I suppose to say? I can't say good luck. It's not a silly sporting event. It's a matter of life and death.

"Listen. Just… Don't talk to me" He says. Still not looking at me. My eyes narrow at him and I growl through my teeth.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want to make any friends. I'm not here to socialize, I'm here to win" He declares with over confidence. What an egomaniac pig!

I pause, think of a good comeback, and then smile mischievously.

"And I didn't come here to listen to your crap" I see his eyes bulge ". I came here to win as well. And because of your rudeness you pig-headed idiot, I think I may smile when I see your face in the sky."

He turns to face me. His eyes filled with red-hot rage. I don't cower away, I continue grinning, not like me at all.

"Listen you sniveling rat" I only scoff at his insult. But inside I'm petrified. "you-" As if my prayers were answered, Dena trots in and we spring apart. I feel acid on my tongue. And my breathing is quiet, but hysterical. That was not like me at all! I think I've made the biggest mistake of my life. I don't want Fabian as an enemy! He'd never be my ally. He'd skin every tribute alive if it meant getting good sponsors.

Just then too people walk in. I gasp. These are our mentors? No wonders District 6 ever have victors! These people are plain pathetic.

They hobble in. A man and a woman. The women in much better condition than the man. But not by much. Our mentor's skin is sickly green and grips his face bones. You can basically see the skull shape, which is tightly hugged by his skin. His eyes are bloodshot and are full of water. He hasn't been crying. His appearance is revolting. He grins at us, and I almost laugh out loud when he struts over to Fabian and chats to him. And Fabians mask of pure horror. Even Dena is going green at the sight of them.

The girl appearance is slightly better. You can see her eyes are saffron yellow, and her hair is dirty blonde. But she too, is as skinny as a twig. I can count each rib under her T-shirt. But she is not green. She walks over to me, and smiles. Not the male mentors revolting yellow smile. But a kind smile. She is actually quite beautiful. Just very skinny. She gestures for me to go with her. I bite my lip and look at my options. I can either go with this woman or get away from this revolting beast and Fabian. Or I can stay with both of them. Hmm. I leap from the seat and follow her, only stopping to teasingly wave at Fabian. He looks at me with pure hatred. When I'm sure he can't see me. I gulp

We go to an empty compartment, identical to the other one. She sits at one of the chairs. I sit opposite her. She opens her mouth to speak, and I fear her voice will be raw and ragged like our other mentor. But no.

"Hello" She says while smiling. Her voice is so happy and kind I feel like crying. "My name is Blaine. And I'm here to help you in every way I can"

I look around. No one is here but her. I feel I can trust her with my life. I smile back at her, but my lip quivers and tears are running down my cheeks. Her gorgeous yellow eyes are filled with concern. "Oh don't cry my darling" She glides over to me and hugs me. She smells of morphine but I don't care. She hushes me and hands me a napkin to blow my nose. Then she goes back to her seat. Her bony hand slowly reaches for mine, and she clutches it.

"Now. What's your name?"

I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Viola Emberlee"

"What a beautiful name! Do you mind if I cal you Vi? 'Viola' seems a bit of a mouthful"

I nod.

"Good. Now I'm going to tell you everything that will help you when you're in the arena."

I listen, taking in her words. She tells me everything. No wonder she became victor. She knows everything. She tells me how to get people to trust you. How to manipulate them. What to do at the Cornucopia. My top priorities. The careers techniques. Places to sleep. How to end alliances. She tells me everything. And I think I have a chance of winning when I've devoured this information. It's dark when she finishes the lecture. "Did you get all that Vi?" I nod enthusiastically and grin. She smiles back then checks the time. " I better get back to my room. I'll have this attendant" She snaps her fingers and one appears of nowhere it seems. "Show you to your room". The attendant nods. And then I surprise myself when I throw my arms around her. She's very tall. My head just rests on her chest. She stiffens, but then holds me back. " Thank you" I whisper. Then I break apart and see if anyone has seen that. No one but the capital attendant whose eyes are wide and mouth is open. She winks at me then disappears.

I follow the capital attendant through the carriage with Fabian, who is clinking wine glasses with our other mentor and laughing. My nose in the air, I walk past him, but he sticks his leg out into the aisle and trips me up. I fall face first onto the carpet, then I hear deafening laughter around me. I get up and walk past the capital attendant. But pause to get a handful of sharp knives that no one sees. Even he is smiling. My face is hot with rage and my arms are shaking. I run into my room and slam the door. I lean against it and listen. I still hear the muffled laughter, which dies down. Then I crumple on my bead and cry.

Oh I miss home so much. I'm already starting to forget. Who do I sit by in maths? I hate the hunger games. Not as much as I hate the capitol. While we suffer they laugh and drink wine in solid gold goblets. I grab a pen off the bedside table and draw a target on the wall. I really don't give a damn. I grab one of the sharp knives and stand the other side of the room. The targets a good 20ft away. I clutch the knifes handle, and raise it. In the center, I imagine Fabian. Laughing at me. Mocking me. I fling the knife hard. It spins through the air, and the point wedges in Fabians eye.

Bullseye.

I grin, and run over to the wall. The knife is directly over the middle. I clutch the handle and pull. It does not come out easily. I have to use all my strength before it flies out. The hole is 3 inches deep. I grin deeper. These games are now becoming more and more interesting.

For the next few hours, I practice. At first I imagine peoples faces. People who I hate. Fabian again. President snow. My other mentor. Then I practice just hitting the target. I am amazing. My aim is epic. I fix my eyes on a point in the room. Just above the window. And I fling my knife into the wall. It wedges in the point my eyes were fixed on. I look up at it. I'm very tired. I can't be bothered to get that knife well above my head. I simply shrug and climb into my bed. I fling the knives in a random drawer. Hoping no one finds them. And if they do, they'll shut up about it. As soon as my head hits the pillow, I feel I'm lying on a cloud. This silk so soft and blissful. I go to sleep happier than I've been all day. I've made a new friend, and discovered a hidden talent.

Oh these Games are going to be amazing.