The Next Morning

"Fern, get up already, we can't be late!"

I groan at the pounding coming from the door, shielding y eyes from the orange light filtering through the windows. Glancing up at the windows, I notice it has to be at least seven. The Games don't start until ten since the Capitol citizens have a preference of sleeping in.

The Hunger Games. I can't bring myself to think about, but I do wish I could just stay asleep. Lazily I pull myself out of the covers and pull on some clothes. I can't go in the Hovercrafts, but I have to see Lauren off.

Pulling my hair back in a messy bun I walk out, closing the door gently.

Lauren is out in the Dining Room watching Blight and her District partner leave out through the elevator. When it comes back up, it'll be out turn to go meet the Hovercraft out back.

"You should drink or eat something," I say softly, nodding towards the table with barely-picked over food.

She shakes her head. "I'd just see it again."

What can I say? What did Johanna say to me? "You'll be fine."

She nods, but refuses to look anywhere but the floor. I notice her shaking, though I doubt it's because of the thin slip she's wearing- I would be a little worried if she wasn't nervous.

The ding of the elevator makes me turn to the side and I walk over to the elevator doors, her feet shuffling behind me. When the gold slabs slide open we step in and I hit the "Ground" floor. Flipping down to the main hallway, we say nothing.

When the doors open, the blue sky comes into view, blocked by a Hovercraft sitting there.

"Lauren," I say resting my hands on her shoulders. "You can do this, alright? Don't doubt yourself. Just avoid the Cornucopia and run to water. Put space between you and any other person in that Arena.

She nods, swallowing. "Thank-you."

I pull her into a hug, half trying to stop her from shaking. "You can do this."

Two Peackeepers walk up as I step away, and saddle up on either side of her, guiding my Tribute to the Hovercraft. I don't move until she steps on the platform, turns and waves, then disappears in the hovercraft.

Letting out a breath of air, I get back in the elevator which whisks me up to the Top Floor. Waling out and door the hall, I let myself into the Victors Lounge, finding seven pairs of us here.

Mags turns around, sitting on the couch. She smiles warmly, patting next to her.

I sigh in relief and gladly take a seat, linking my arm with her frail one. Glancing around the room, the Career District are quite comfy and, to my surprise, Haymitch has no drink with him.

No one says a single word until all of us are in the room and someone finally turns on the TV. Their showing recaps of the Reapings, Training Scores, and interviews.

However, I notice that almost every single minute is spent on District Twelve. By this point, Lauren is totally forgettable. Annoyed, I occupy myself with complimenting Mags and Seeder on their Tributes this year.

Mags laughs, for some reason that I don't know and Seeder just nods. Besides One, Two, and Four every person in this room seems tense. Suddenly Cladius Templesmith appears, a clock behind him.

"Alright folks! The Tributes have just arrived, and it will be about ten minutes before the Games begin!" he says happily with Ceaser beaming beside him.

Again, silence hangs over us all. Capala chews her nails. Finnick traces patterns in the arm of his chair. The girl from Six stares at the colors in her shirt. Seeder hums. Everyone seems to have some nervous habit. Or, that is, until Cladius reappears.

"Alright everyone!" He says loudly. "It's time! The Tributes are about to be in the Arena in 4,3,2,1..."

The camera angle changes to the Arena's aerial view. We have a quick view of a lake up to the north, a field of golden wheat to the right, an open field with the Cornucopia right under the lake, with deciduous-pine forest everywhere else.

Then we see the Tributes all rising on the their plates. I crush part of the couches soft cushion in my free hand, watching as they click into place. Lauren is to the left of Peeta.

Everyone has black hoodies on with tawny pants and sturdy boots. The countdown begins. Ever single second of the minute, when the ping sounds from the clock, my heart jumps. It's like I'm back there on the podium.

Then, the gong sounds. It's a rush of colors as tributes all rush to the Cornucopia. Lauren, run away. Lauren, run away. Maybe if it say it enough, it'll come true. But no, she's running full force into the thick of it.

Without warning, Marvel reaches it first, grabbing a type of knife I don't know the name of, and slashes the boy from Eight. Ombre groans, putting his head in his palms.

Then the boy from Five. The girl from Ten. Some gets up and leaves. The girl from Three. Capala smacks the side of her chair. The girl from Six. Then, Blight's Tribute. He slumps back in his seat, staring at the ceiling.

Clove gets the girl from Nine. The boy from Four, surprisisngly, considering he was a Career. Finnick barely looks. The boy from Six.

Then they switch angles. and my heart stops. Lauren is opening a crate, finding an axe packed inside until Marvel shoves her over, a spear in his hand. She scrambles back, on all fours, trapped by the boy from One.

Run, Lauren, RUN! I scream in my head. She doesn't. Instead Marvel stabs her with the spear in her heart. Mags tights her grip turning my head towards her shoulder. I find tears in my eyes, the image of Lauren trying to escape from Marvel burned in my memory.

I can't do anything else. I failed. Lauren didn't even make it 4 minutes into the Hunger Games.

I don't know who, I think Haymitch, mumbles from across the room. "Congratulations, your officially a mentor."

4 Hours Later

We're in the lobby, waiting for the Hovercrafts to take us back. The pair from Six, Nine, Finnick, Ombre, Capala, Blight, the girl from Ten, The guy from Five, and me all are leaving today. The rest are staying. By about now, Johanna and Nyla and Rasp and Axel should be getting on the Train to go back to Seven..

Six is the first to leave, getting into the hovercraft happily. Then the girl from Ten.

I preoccupy myself with playing with my axe necklace, thinking about what's going on the craft with me. Lauren and the boy.

"Fern," Blight says snapping me from my thoughts. "The hovercraft's here."

I nod getting up slowly. "Bye Capala."

She gives a small smile, waving.

"See ya', Red," Ombre says nodding.

"Goodbye Ombre."

I don't know why I'm saying by to them all but I just... I don't know anymore.

"Bye, Fern," Finnick mutters, standing by the wall.

"Bye, Golden Boy," I reply with a nod.

He makes the faintest smile, which I return, before I follow blight out the door. Walking across the cement ground, each step makes me a bit happier- when I'm on the hovercraft I'll get off in Seven.

Going up the ramp I let Pine and Mother fill my mind. I really cannot wait to see them. However, when I belt myself into a seat I begin to think about Snow's orders. When I get back if some Capitol V.I.P visits and wants to meet me I'll have no choice..

Maybe getting back to Seven isn't as good as I thought.

Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews, keep it up!

So, Fern's time mentoring is spent. WHEW! That was really fun to write, mentoring and all. I absolutely LOVE getting to have all the Victors to mess around with in my story.

If you can't tell, I really ADORE Mags, Seeder, Haymitch, and Finnick. I will have them be in the story a lot more even after she gets back home. On the Phone and whatnot.

For the time being I'll focus on my lovely District Seven Victors. So who do you want to see more of? Johanna? Finnick? Axel? Mags? YOU NAME IT!

So tell me how you liked the chapter (this thing was extremely hard to write and a GIANT writer-block chapter) but anyway I'm glad she's finished in the Capitol for now.

Anyway, thanks for reading and PLEASE review!

~Meghan