Hey guys, sorry for the wait, I'll try to be better at this updating thing.

Disclaimer: wish I did, but I own nothing, not even my sanity

For a few moments, Peeta and I take in the scene of our mentor trying to rise out of the slippery vile stuff from his stomach. Obviously Haymitch isn't much, but Effie Trinket is right about one thing, once we're in the arena he's all we've got.

Peeta reaches down and pulls Haymitch up.

"I can deal with this Katniss, don't worry"

"I tripped?" Haymitch asks "Smells bad" he wipes his hand on his nose, smearing his face with vomit.

Peeta, half drags half carries Haymitch out, sending a reassuring smile my way.

"You're sure?" I ask.

"Ya, I can take it from here " he replies.

"All right, I can send someone to help you"

"No, I don't want them"

I nod and head back to my own room. I slip into bed, letting the soft fabric embrace my skin.

If I'm going to cry, now is the time to do it. By morning, I'll be able to wash all evidence from me face. But no tears come. I'm too tired or too numb to cry. The only thing I feel is a desire to be somewhere else. So I let the train rock me into oblivion.

Gray light is seeping through the curtains when the rapping rouses me. I hear Effie Trinket's voice, calling me to rise.

I pull on a random outfit, taking a moment to remember my father, mother, Prim. I quickly change and make my way down the hall for breakfast.

As I enter the dining car, Haymitch waves me over to the table.

"Sit down! Sit down" his face is red and puffy from the previous day's indulgences.

I look out at the table; piles of food adorning it mahogany surface. This time I try not to overdo it on the food, the richness of it can be hard to keep down.

"So you're supposed to give us advice" I say to Haymitch.

"Here's some advice. Stay alive" says Haymitch, and then he bursts out laughing. I exchange a look with Peeta. I'm surprised to see an unfamiliar hardness in his eyes.

"That's very funny" says Peeta. Suddenly he lashes out at the glass in Haymitch's hand, sending the bloodred liquid towards the back of the train. "Only not to us"

Haymitch considers this a moment, then throws a punch at Peeta's jaw. At the same time I drive my knife into the table, barely missing his fingers.

I notice Peeta's head duck under Haymitch's fist, dodging the hit.

"Well what's with this?" says Haymitch "Did I actually get a pair of fighters this year?" he turns to Peeta . "You've got fast reflexes boy"

Peeta's eyes stay cold. "I just know when I'm about to be hit"

My heart freezes at this. Peeta doesn't usually talk about his mother beating him.

Haymitch confronts me."Can you hit anything besides the table with that knife?"

I pull my hand back, sending the knife flying at the wall. It's tip lodges itself between two panels. I had actually been hoping to get a good solid stick, but the way it turned out makes me look better than I am.

Haymitch has a pleased expression in his face. "So, what's the deal with you two?"

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"I mean, are you together?"

"Yes" Peeta answers for me.

"Good, good" I'm annoyed by Haymitch's comment. What difference does it make if we're together? It just makes it harder for us to decide who comes home.

"So, here's how it's gonna work. You don't interfere with my drinking, and I'll stay sober enough to help you. You have to listen to what I say. Now, we're nearing the Capitol, and as soon as we get there, you'll be sent to your stylists. You will not like what they do, but do not resist"

"Fine" Peeta says.

We stand in silence as the train speeds along. Down in a dark tunnel leading to the Capitol. The tunnel goes on and on and I think of the tons of rock separating me from the sky, and my chest tightens. I hate being invaded in stone this way. It reminds me of the mines and my father, trapped, unable to reach sunlight, buried forever in darkness.

The train finally begins to slow and suddenly bright light fills the compartment. We can't help it. Both Peeta and I rush up to the window to see what we've only seen on television, the Capitol, the ruling city of Panem.

Peeta stays up at the window, waving at the rainbow coloured citizens. I shoot him a scowl.

He sees my face and shrugs. "Who knows?" he says "one of them might be rich"

I huff angrily, then pace out. I may have misjudged him, already his going against me. Already he's fighting for his life