I am in Kayne's room, answering multiple annoying questions, most of which are answered by "Wait until you're in the arena." He is asking me about the different weather conditions, how to fight people, how to climb trees. I know the landscape of Panem very well. I have driven by it so many times that I can tell you the landmarks along the way. District 10 with the many cows grazing, District 7 with so many trees you can't even see the people, District 3 with huge factories and smoke piping out huge columns. I look out the window and see the last district before the Capitol, District 1.
District 2 is the last district before the Capitol. The sign outside of the district shows how proud and rich they are. The sign is a simple sign, purple with lights around it so it sparkles. The sign just says District 2 but the fact that they even have a sign is crazy. Johanna told me that in a country once called America every district had signs. Wait, they were called states. The people rush to the gates, ready to see the trains come by that hold the tributes. You can't tell what train is for what district, except for a small number with a circle around it in the very front of the train. The people know that the tributes in this train will be their tributes allies.
I duck out of Kayne's room because I do not want to answer all of his many questions about the Capitol. That would be a horrible experience. The memories I have of the Capitol are horrible, miserable moments. I would be happy to destroy it and with it, the memories. On my way back to my room, I run into Mags. Literally, I run into Mags because of my anger with the Capitol and the memories it has forced upon me.
"We are almost at the Capitol." She nods. She doesn't speak much because of a stroke she had in her games. I think that is amazing that she isn't always depressed. She doesn't talk about the dark days at all, even though she can remember them. She can remember the footage of the destruction of District 13. I have seen the footage because they play it all the time on the television. I find it strange that the same bird always flies by.
"Are you ready for…?" It falls off at the end, but with the many years of being with her and being trained by her, I can figure out what she will say. I don't mention it to other people that I can tell what she will say. I know what happens to Beetee and Wiress because I sit in the control room every year, listening to them finish for each other.
"Yeah, I think. I'm ready for them to go into the games." I find this a strange question because the games are so far away. I would keep all my tributes alive if I could. I never want them to leave.
"Do you like?" Do I like them? Kayne is an okay kid; I mean I would be happier if he would shut up with all of his questions. Annie is also a nice girl that I've gotten to know. I like spending time with her.
"Yes." I find that the question is best answered with a one word answer. She nods like she knows what is going on in my mind but she isn't going to comment. I am happy that she goes to get Kayne for the Capitol and that I don't have too.
I think back to the first time I met Mags. That I knew she had a plan, a plan that I didn't even know until I became a mentor myself. That her plan from the beginning was to get me out alive and that she would do anything to make it happen. I do the same thing but I hate that I have to choose one of them to support more than the other. It is horrible, but right now, I'm thinking Annie.
I walk into Annie's room, through the same door that I walked into five years before, scared that I wouldn't ever see this train again. Now, I would be happy if I never saw this train again.
"Are you ready? It's time for the crowds to see you." She is still sitting in the same place the first time I truly met her. I mean, I first met her at the candy store and again at the reapings, but the first time I ever truly met her was here, on this train.
"What if they don't like me?" She looks at me with a sincere expression. She really believes no one will like her. I would like to say she wouldn't get any sponsors but that would be being a bad, careless mentor.
"They will like you, Annie. Everyone on the train likes you. I'm sure you will have more sponsors than any other person before!" I smile at her because I really do believe people will like her. Everyone likes her; she has friends in school and the Avoxes on the train like her too.
"Yeah, but you will always be the better people person." She gets up off of the window seat and walks over to the door.
"That may be true, but you will be second." She laughs as she goes out the door and outside, off the train to meet where Kayne and Mags are already standing. Many people are taking pictures and reporters are filming us. We are hearing shouts of people already wanting for us to win. I don't know how they can decide so early. Some of them are jumping so they could see us, getting ready to decide if they like them. It looks like a rainbow with all the different colors of clothes and skin and hair. I follow her and stand behind her like I have done for five years. It is tradition.
"Soon, you will meet your next biggest fan, your stylist." I tell Annie. I am now determined, even more than before, to get Annie out alive.