Train Rides Part One

District One

Galilee didn't feel like looking outside.

Bennett couldn't really speak and although she tried to start a conversation with him, which lasted for a good five minutes, but then he tried to convey something and she misunderstood it, and then they gave up. Galilee was glad that her District Partner was someone who she knew, who she could rely on, at least in the beginning. But she was sad too, because she didn't want her friend to die. Sure, she didn't know him very well but they got along very well and used to spend time together in the training centre. She only hoped she didn't have to kill him herself. Her yes flitted to the tattoo on his right upper arm. 'Does this deafening silence means nothing to no one but me'. Whenever she saw that tattoo, Galilee felt terrible. She couldn't even imagine Bennett's pain…

Bennett, on the other hand, was contemplating on how much he was ready to trust his District Partner. He couldn't afford to lose. He had to prove a point, and he needed to get out of this mess alive. He needed to win and Bennett was tired of not hearing his voice. He wanted to laugh and scream and shout and cry and speak as much as he could. It had been so long… He could not let his friendship with Galilee affect him. But it would be hard. He knew she didn't really want to volunteer. He wanted to help her. But he couldn't. His desire to return home was stronger than his desire to help.

"You'll enjoy your time in the Capitol," Verity said, "And the chariot rides! Oh the chariots! Last year, they had chosen such beautiful costumes, they had dressed our tributes as dolls! Dolls! It was so adorable! I'm sure you will look beautiful as dolls too!"

"Dolls?" Galilee muttered and then looked at Bennett, who rolled his eyes.

Do I really look like a doll? he signed.

"No," I replied, "You don't. I wouldn't like a doll as my District Partner."

He grinned at that even as Verity went on and on about the Capitol. She talked of victors next, victors from other Districts, especially Two, and it was not giving the tributes a boost of confidence.

"Is she doing that on purpose?"

I have a sneaking suspicion that she is.

"Oh and that boy! Oh my goodness, he ripped Sterling apart with his bare hands!"

Needless to say, Sterling was the male tribute from One a few years ago.

Really encouraging.

"I know."

Both Bennett and Galilee were waiting for their mentors. They needed to discuss strategy and the two weren't sure why the mentors hadn't shown up yet.

"Where are they?" Galilee asked.

Bennett shook his head when they felt a hand rest on each of their shoulders. Galilee instantly grabbed the hand and yanked it forward, grabbing a knife from the table while Bennett turned around and struck, stopping in mid-air when he saw it was one of his mentors. Galilee blushed as she realised that it was her mentor against whose neck she held her knife.

"Oh sorry," she said as she withdrew her knife and Bennett stepped back, looking down.

"No, we are sorry," Lorenzo said, rubbing his head, "We never thought we'd creep you out."

"Yeah," Shelby added, "It wasn't our intention!"

Looking at her barely concealed grin, the two decided that that was their exact intention.

"So anyway," Lorenzo said awkwardly, "I'm Lorenzo and she is Shelby, your mentors. You probably knew that but still. Formalities."

"I'm Galilee and he is Bennett," Galilee said quickly and the boy smiled politely, eager to start discussing strategy. But it seemed the mentors had other plans.

"Ah Verity!" Shelby exclaimed, "I love your dress!"

"I know right!" Verity replied fondly, "I got it made especially for this occasion."

Bennett glanced at his District Partner.

What the heck is happening?!

"I don't know…" Galilee replied, and the two of them turned to the two women. Poor Lorenzo was trying to convince his partner to focus on the tribute but to no avail.

Bennett sighed and Galilee voiced his thoughts.

"This is going to be a long ride…"

District Two

Tasha stared at both Amaranth and Olympia carefully, in an almost creepy manner. The escort sighed audibly at that, but the mentor seemed unconcerned.

The way he was staring at them unnerved Olympia though. She felt as if he could look through her, and maybe he could, and she did not really like the idea. Amaranth was much more relaxed about it. he was not even focusing on Tasha. His gaze was settled at the small scar on his mentor's wrist. It must have been so painful for him…

"Uh, what are you doing?" Olympia asked finally, secretly cursing Minerva for being so drunk. The said woman was sitting quite away from the rest of them, downing as much alcohol as any mortal could possibly do. However, Olympia knew that she wasn't exactly drunk all the time. She had brought home a lot of victors.

"I want to make sure whether you guys have potential," Tasha muttered, "I was, sadly, disappointed. You, boy, look weak, and you girl, you're not trained."

"I am trained," Olympia muttered.

"I beg your pardon, but I differ from you," Amaranth spoke up smoothly, "I may be physically weak but, due to the efforts my respected trainers put into training me, I like to believe that I am a strong contender."

"Well spoken," Tasha nodded, "But the Academy has been wrong in the past."

"And you," he said, turning towards Olympia, "I have never seen you in the Academy. Home-made weapons and fighting like rustics won't help. I suggest you spend your training days focusing on weapons."

Olympia was about to speak something witty when Amaranth beat her to it.

"With due respect, sir, I don't understand why we Careers, who spend our whole lives training in the arts of war, have to focus on weapons."

Tasha looked at him for a second and Olympia nodded. Of course, she agreed. They had spent their lives training with weapons. What was the need to do so again?

"I was talking about Olympia," Tasha replied, "She needs to know how to use a real weapon. Brooms won't work for swords."

"I didn't train with brooms!" Olympia said heatedly, "And I have worked really hard, okay?! You have no right to-"

"HEEHAAHEEHAAHAAAAAA!"

Startled, everyone turned to Minerva, who was cackling like a witch. Bottles lay around her, on the table, on the floor, everywhere. Tasha threw an apple at her, which got stuck in her mouth thus silencing her for the moment.

"Where was I?" he asked.

"Look Tasha-"

"No, you look, Olympia. I understand you may have made weapons at home and practiced. But do you know how to use a real sword? Or a knife? Or any weapon really? You will need to get used to that."

At that moment, Minerva dropped a glass bottle. The shards spread out everywhere, and cut her ankle just a bit, drawing a little blood. Amaranth cringed. Not blood. Not blood!

He was about to walk over to his other mentor when Tasha grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"You like helping," he said with an amused smile, "And you certainly don't like blood."

The younger male didn't say anything on that. He didn't want to reveal his weakness, especially not in front of Olympia, who was watching him intently.

"You didn't say anything."

"What is there to say, good sir?" Amaranth replied finally, "Unnecessary blood is never a welcome sight."

Tasha leaned towards him, till he was only centimetres apart from his face. There was a sick smile on his features, and his eyes were twinkling. Usually, Amaranth wouldn't be too bothered but Tasha had that effect on people.

"Then why did you volunteer?"

"Enough!" Olympia said, "That's just enough! You can't do this."

"And why are you sticking up for him?"

"Tasha, I don't know about you. You didn't really have a code of honour, did you? But I do. And harassing my District Partner? I'll not let it happen."

Their mentor glanced at her and then at the boy and then back at her again. He laughed.

"Well then, when you guys are smart enough to figure out everything, loyal enough to stick for each other, and strong enough to survive without help, you don't really need me, do you? I guess Minerva will do a better job with you."

And with that, the man left the room.

Olympia's shoulders slumped. That wasn't supposed to happen! But he was so annoying. So annoying!

"I'm sorry, my friend," Amaranth said, "It's my fault that-"

"It isn't," the girl replied and smiled at him. Then she turned to her drunk mentor.

What was wrong with their mentors that year?

District Three

Despite trying very hard, Tab found it impossible to stop crying. His impending doom was giving him nightmares even though he was awake. He could literally imagine all the ways he could be killed, and twice he had to go and throw up because he saw the image of himself being inside out. Quite literally.

Quinoa was oblivious to the fact that she would probably die. She was talking animatedly to Lily, who was giving her all the advice she needed.

"You need to find an alliance," Lily said, "And a good one at that."

"Like?" the girl asked.

"I don't know. Look, it may sound ruse, but you're not really very strong. Or a great survivor."

"That is rude but I'll try not to be offended."

"Good. So I suggest that you try to gain people's sympathy. Act like a weak girl and someone will definitely take you in their alliance. That will most probably get you past the first day and maybe through second day as well. After that, we'll think what we have to do. Okay?"

"Okay! Thanks Lily! You're so intelligent!"

She barked in reply and licked her feet. It tickled a lot and Quinoa laughed and giggled, telling her to stop.

Tab wondered what was wrong with the girl. She was asking questions and then started nodding at every question she asked. Then she started giggling. Was she unstable? Was she talking to 'Lily'? was the girl hallucinating? Tab didn't know but it pained him. For some reason this reminded him of his own Siri. The boy thought he could be a great dad, and he was doing quite well, but what now? Who would look after his family? He wanted to go back anyhow. His daughter was waiting.

"Hello guys," Sam said as he entered the room. Furiously wiping at his tears, Tab smiled at the man. Quinoa just looked at him curiously.

"Who's he, Lily?" she asked.

"He's your friend. Take advice from him."

"Oh."

Sam smiled at the two of them and sat down.

The two just stared at him and he sighed.

"Okay, I think you'll like to introduce yourselves."

"I'm Tab," the elder tribute said and shook hands with the mentor.

"Quinoa," the girl replied, "And this is Lily!"

The girl pointed at the floor.

Sam raised his brow and looked at her and grinned. "Right. Hello Quinoa and Lily."

"Okay, so let's get to the point directly. Do you want me to train you together or separately?"

Quinoa stared at him blankly while Tab glanced at her. She was young and mentally ill. Tab's every instinct told him to refuse but his heart just wasn't allowing it. She needed an ally. If not an ally, then at least someone who wouldn't kill her on sight. Someone from home.

"Together," he replied.

"Are you sure?" Sam asked. Tab sensed immediately why he did so. He wanted Tab to refuse. Sam had already declared Quinoa as a lost case in his mind and he didn't want Tab to follow her. There was just no hope for her. The man just wanted his other tribute to take a wise decision.

"I am certain."

Sam shook his head very slightly, looking at the floor, which he suddenly found very interesting.

"Very well," he replied, "I guess we should watch the Reapings. What do you guys say?"

"Watch the Reapings?" Quinoa asked, "You mean we watch videos?"

"Yes darling, we watch videos."

"Cool! Lily and I like videos!"

Sam turned on the television and the Capitol's seal filled the screen in all its glory as if telling the others that the Capitol would always remain at the top.

Tab leaned forward to watch when Sam rested his hand on his shoulder.

"You need to control your emotions, Tab. If you don't, you're already dead."

District Four

"That boy can't speak," Oceane said in wonder, "And yet he managed to volunteer. That's admirable."

"Why didn't some admirable person come along and take my place?!" Victory groaned. He didn't cry, because that would be too dramatic as well as drastic, but groaning wouldn't hurt.

"Out of all the other Careers, Olympia seems strong to me," Oceane continued.

"Yeah, yeah she does," Victory muttered, "But why did Daniel betray me?"

"However, there are so many outer district volunteers? Can you believe it?"

"I can't!" Victory replied, "And yet nobody volunteered for me!"

"But," Oceane said, looking at the picture of the boy from Twelve, "He definitely confused me."

"Yeah Daniel confused me."

"A twelve-year-old volunteer, and that too from Twelve! It's just too much."

"Careers are generally seventeen or eighteen! Why didn't one of them volunteer for me?" Victory said to himself. He didn't wail or moan or cry. He just asked the question.

Oceane sighed. She had spent a good amount of time to convince him that he was not a lost case, and Victory most probably believed it too, but he couldn't understand his friend's betrayal. Oceane sympathised with him, but how was he going to do anything if he didn't analyse the opposition with her? They needed to know the competition and since the boy was not really watching the Reapings, Oceane was trying to tell him most things that she had noticed, but she doubted whether he was paying attention.

The case was, however, that he was paying attention. That only made it so much worse. So many volunteers from on-Career districts! And nobody, NOBODY volunteered for him! All because of weapons! Was that a good enough reason to ditch your friend?! Victory doubted it. If he won, he would live up to his name. If he lost- ha! Victory lost. That's what people would say. It would be so ironic. So mean! So humiliating! Victory lost!

"Look, Vic," Oceane started.

"It's Victory."

"Fine," the girl replied, trying to be patient, "I'll try to teach you how to use weapons."

Victory stared at her with such intensity that she thought she would burn under his gaze. But she held her own.

"You'll need weapons in the arena," she continued, "I can help you with that."

Victory still stared at her and Oceane had started to wonder whether she had said something wrong, when the boy suddenly hugged her. He hugged her so tightly that she thought her ribs would crack but she didn't resist.

"Thank you!" he said, "You can definitely call me Vic!"

Oceane laughed and then grinned at him.

"Okay Vic. So during training, I'll help you get better with weapons."

Victory couldn't really believe his luck. His friend had let him go to a death-match so that he could learn how to use weapons. And there was this girl, who he had met just a while ago, ready to teach him all she could in just three days. He wanted to give her another hug but decided against it.

"B-but," he said, "What about the Careers? Will they let me in?"

"They will," Oceane replied, "Just stay humble. And friendly and show that you are confident. After watching the Reapings, I am certain that they are quite friendly. They'll let you in. Leave that to me."

"Are you sure?"

"Very," she replied. And she was. Oceane couldn't be heartless enough to leave her District Partner alone like that. When the Games would start… she would think about it later. At the time being, she was going to have him in the alliance anyhow.

"Anyway, by the time Coral and Ken come, let's discuss the other tributes."

"Sure. I find the boy from Eleven quite strong," Victory said solemnly.

"You were watching the Reapings?"

"Obviously."

Oceane shot him an amused look and then nodded. The two of them started talking in hushed whispers about who they considered a threat and for the time being, Victory had forgotten about Daniel's betrayal.

District Five

The Reapings were done. Sevarian was Reaped. And only then did he realise that he wasn't really very comfortable with the thought of murder. Sure, he had helped in a couple of them but it was never… direct. They were a gang. He worked as a part of one, and the victims were usually elder people. Killing children, especially those younger than him, was going to be hard. He started doubting whether he would actually be able to pull it off.

Cecelia found it hard to start a conversation with her District Partner. She was already very quiet around people she didn't know, and the boy was giving off weird vibes. Cecelia wanted to avoid him. The way he sat, brooding, not saying a word to her, not saying a word to anyone in fact, screamed at her to not trust him. Cecelia trusted her instincts.

The girl reflected on her decision. She wanted to prove herself and wanted to be accepted. But after getting on the train, she wondered whether she had done the right thing. What if she died? What if instead of proving herself to her parents, she ended up losing her life? Cecelia shuddered visibly at the thought.

Sevarian was tired of waiting for their mentor. Their life was on the line, and yet he was delaying his arrival. The boy found it rather inconsiderate if he was being honest with himself. After all, helping tributes out was Mason's job.

At that moment, the tall handsome man decided to make his entry. Their escort sighed dramatically, it had become very boring in all the silence.

"Seriously," Mason said as if disappointed with them, "I had thought that you guys would at least introduce yourselves to each other if you were alone. I was wrong. Spending so much time outside, trying to eavesdrop, I didn't get a single word from you two!"

"You were eavesdropping?" Sevarian asked, amused, "That's what you were doing for so long?"

"Well yes," Mason replied, as if it was obvious, "I wanted to know about you guys."

"Y-you took your time," Cecelia muttered. The man was quite intimidating, at least he appeared to be. Until he opened his mouth that is.

"So, I will assume that there can be no alliance between you two?"

Sevarian didn't say anything on that, waiting for Cecelia to answer. And she did as he had predicted.

"No. Not with him," she replied without hesitation. The boy seemed strange to her. Even as she declined the idea of an alliance, a small smile appeared on his face. Cecelia didn't like that.

"Well, obviously," Mason grumbled and then sat down.

"Okay, lady, why did you volunteer?"

Cecelia wasn't prepared for that question. What was she supposed to say? If she told him the real reason behind her decision, he would definitely laugh in her face. Proving yourself to your parents wouldn't really be seen as a good enough reason to march off to a death match.

"I-"

"Why don't we watch the Reapings first?" Sevarian suggested. He was eager to see the competition, and strategize accordingly. He wasn't really keen on killing children, after all the previous murders had all been accidental and his gang usually caused harmless mischief, but Sevarian was not a hero. He actually valued his life and didn't want to lose it. the boy was more than willing to do anything for it. Anything.

"That's a good idea but-" Mason started.

"No buts. Let's analyse the other tributes first," Cecelia pushed.

"Okay…"

The two tributes faced the television screen as the Reapings played out in front of them. The sheer number of Outer District volunteers shocked them. They were both under the impression that Cecelia was the only one, but apparently, they were wrong. And then there was the Reaped Career. Victory. Sevarian didn't count him out just because he was Reaped though. These kind of careers had won in the past and both of the tributes could see that he was strong.

But Cecelia was shocked when Bridge volunteered. He was twelve!

"I guess you are not the only one," Mason commented, "There are many more fools around."

Sadly, the other two agreed.

District Six

"Goodness, they look wicked!" Oren exclaimed.

The boy was particularly scared of Fynn, who just seemed to have a really sadistic smile on his face. Quite convenient for him, he could very well use it to scare people like Oren.

Aileen was more concerned with Cecelia though. The girl kind of reminded her of herself. They shared the same determination and Aileen didn't see this as a good thing. Or maybe she could ally with her… No. That wouldn't do. She didn't want anyone to stab her in the back.

Oren had hoped for a better District Partner, for a friendlier person. But Aileen had been very quiet since they boarded the train and Oren was, frankly speaking, extremely bored. Sure, in the beginning he had cried. He had cried a lot but Aileen had not said any word of comfort to him. Then tears had dried up and Oren started thinking to himself. If he could gather all the young ones in one alliance, maybe he had a chance? It was no use to give up hope, because that was all he had. He had to force himself to be confident.

"Anyone who stood out to you?" Wheel asked.

"The Careers don't seem very strong," Aileen answered, "I think Oceane has the best chance among them. The pair from Five look strong though, and so does the boy from Eleven."

"What about the other volunteers?" Oren muttered, "I think we should keep an eye on all of them."

"Obviously," Aileen replied, "But Rowan seems weak. And Bridge is simply a young boy of twelve-"

"-who volunteered for the Games," Wheel added.

"Yeah he did," Aileen agreed, "But we can clearly see just how scared he looks. It's as if he's been forced into doing this."

"That boy has been forced into doing nothing," Wheel commented, "He was acting that way so that people don't target him."

Oren gasped. "Tha- that could be it!" he exclaimed, "Yes… yes certainly! Maybe, maybe he is a psychopath! Maybe he's been kicked out of the house! Maybe-"

"Besides them," Aileen continued, cutting him off, "I wouldn't really consider Victory to be weak. He may be Reaped, but Reaped careers have done really well before."

"What about that crazy girl with MPD?" Oren asked, "I'd certainly not want to ally with her."

"Me neither," Aileen answered, "She seems too disturbed. Or maybe it was an act to appear as a threat. I don't know."

"And her District Partner?" Wheel asked. Oren seriously wished their mentor would start giving his own opinion instead of asking them for theirs.

"He seems quite normal. Top sixteen, I guess," Aileen replied.

"And anyone you think is a bloodbath?"

"I think you should give your suggestions too instead of asking us these questions," Aileen said. She was tired it was as if Wheel was the tribute and they were mentors. Wheel smiled.

"I will do that once you tell me what you have analysed. So far, you're doing quite good."

Oren stared at him. Was he really supposed to trust this man? His future didn't seem bright anymore. In fact, he didn't see a future anymore and it scared him. A few tears started escaping his eyes but he wiped them away furiously.

"Bloodbath?" he said before Aileen could answer Wheel's question, "I am sure the pair from Three will die early. As well as the two from Eight. And the girl from Nine."

"And the pair from Seven," Aileen said.

"Although the boy from Nine could be a contender."

"Very well," Wheel said, as if satisfied, "So tell me, do you want to be trained together or separately?"

Neither of them looked at each other. They knew what was in their best interests. Oren nodded and they replied simultaneously.

"Separately."

The two were certain that they would do well on their own. Oren had a plan. Attachments would only weaken Aileen's chances.

Going separate ways was the only right solution.

The first part of train rides is here and I am actually surprised that I am going in order. Haha. I understand it is short for a train ride chapter but still. So, what did you think of it? Which pair of district partners do you like best here?

Also, 161 reviews?! Thank you! Thank you all of you, you're wonderful!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and have a wonderful day!