A/N:Whoa. Whoa. What? Two chapters in one weekend? What in the world is happening? Here's a quick little chapter before the Games begin. This chapter is shorter than the others so...sorry if it's too short.


Sage Freedan – District 6

I wake up bright and early. We actually have an hour before we have to get up, but Tarragon's shouting and yelling with his dad wakes me up. On my nightstand, my stylist had laid out my outfit for the arena. How could I have forgotten? The Games begin today. In a few hours.

I lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. I miss home so much that my heart aches. Just the simple thought of sitting outside on the brown grass makes me yearn for home. A few tears escape, but I quickly wipe them away. Now's not the time for weakness. Now's the time to step it up.

My prep team ties my hair back into two French braids. I stare at myself in the mirror for a moment, realizing that when I come out, I won't be the same person. That is, if I come out. At breakfast, Tarragon and his father don't speak.

"Sage, do your best," my mentor says curtly. He purses his lips and storms away from the table. I eat as much as I can without getting too full to the point where I'd be sluggish if I needed to sprint anywhere.

I'm led to the roof top after breakfast. A hovercraft is hovering a few feet off the ground. It's huge, much bigger than I remembered. When I board the flying machine, the tributes from One to Five are already there. I'm locked in and a Capitolite inserts a tracker in my arm. I wince at the pain, then relax.

During the ride, I close my eyes and imagine I'm home. Suddenly, we're at a different building and I'm in the launching room. Things seem to be going by so quickly. My stylist is there, smiling softly at me.

She puts a thin, purple jacket on me and hugs me. "Sage, you'll do wonderfully," she says. I nod and step towards the launching tube. The glass encases me and instantly, my panic begins to rise.

The pad is lifted upwards. As I get a view of the arena, I gasp, cringing at what I see. The whole arena is dark because the trees block the sunlight. My eyes quickly scan my surroundings. Mist covers the forest. The trees don't have any leaves.

But the Cornucopia is what really stands out. It's in the center and the center is the only place with color. There are beautiful flowers everywhere and there's trees covered in green leaves. The Cornucopia is overflowing with supplies.

Finally, I get to all the other tributes standing on their launch pads. My mind goes back to the Cornucopia as the announcer begins to count back from sixty.

Then I think…I don't want to die.

Corduroy Dowlas – District 8

Rilly fidgets in her seat at breakfast. She twirls her hair and isn't really eating. She messes with the hem of her light green shirt. It doesn't take a genius to see that she's nervous. I'm anxious too. The Games are going to begin soon. My hands begin to sweat as I think about it some more.

"You're going to do fine," my mentor says. He leans back casually, then continues his conversation with our escort.

Rilly doesn't say a single word this morning. She leaves the table and our mentor leads us up to the roof. The tributes from Seven just board the hovercraft. I take a deep breath as I clamber up the stairs. The other tributes are there having their trackers injected. The tributes from Two glare murderously at the other tributes. The girls from Three and Six are terrified, eyes open wide and I think one of them is shaking.

I sit down next to Rilly and we're strapped in. I grimace as the needle pierces my skin. I look at Rilly and then other tributes from lower districts as they insert her tracker. The other tributes from Nine to Twelve eventually climb aboard. The girl from Nine smirks confidently. The boy from Twelve checks behind himself a lot, as if he expected a tribute to sneak up on him. I bite my lip nervously. Rilly mumbles to herself the entire ride.

In the launching room, there's the rest of my outfit. The jacket is light weight, soft, and not water resistant. Even though the jacket's light, it'll be warm and I think that the arena is going to be cold. My stylist doesn't say anything; just points me towards the launching tube.

As I step in, I glance up. The glass closes around me and I start to rise up. The cool air touches my face as I adjust to my surroundings. It looks like it's daytime, but it's also kind of hard to tell because of the mist. I hear crows cawing and I turn my head. The other tributes come up and I examine them. We're all looking at the Cornucopia, a massive, golden structure.

The countdown begins. The supplies in the Cornucopia are enticing. The best things are inside the Cornucopia and in the back. There's a few things scattered on the outskirts of the colorful center, but it's hard to tell if there's anything of value.

Then, I see it. A glimmering sword. I can use it. It's my only hope to survive. I can run and grab a pack as I snatch the sword from the back of the Cornucopia. I glance at Rilly who notices me gawking at the sword. She shakes her head no, and jerks her head towards the rest of the forest.

I shrug to her. I won't let anyone kill me in this Bloodbath. The countdown continues and I take in a deep breath. The number is getting closer to zero. My foot slowly slides off the launching pad.

Trenton Cedar – District 10

My mentor speaks to us quickly about last minute advice. I hear the words, but don't process them. I keep thinking I don't want to die. I'm too young to die. I have to get home to my family. I'm so much more than what people think. I want a chance to show people I'm worth something.

"Do you understand, Trenton?"

I look up from my food, unsure of who was talking to me. Parrow stares at me, blinking rapidly. "Do you understand?" She seems to be holding back tears.

"What?" I reply dumbly.

"Don't go to the Cornucopia. You'll die quickly if you do," my mentor tells me.

"Everyone forgets the first tributes to die," Parrow adds. She finishes her breakfast, then sits there for a while, thinking about something.

People forget the first person to die. I don't want to be the first person to die.

"Remember your allies," our mentor says as an Avox picks up our dishes.

And just like that, breakfast is over. The last breakfast I might have. Parrow and I are led to the rooftop where we board the hovercraft. I limp up the stairs and settle down in a seat as the tributes from the last two districts come up. I hardly notice the tracker being pushed into my arm.

In the launching room, my stylist puts my jacket on me. "Good luck, Trenton," he says. He grins and pushes me towards the tube. The tube rises up and suddenly, my heart begins to race and I don't know what to do. In fact, I almost step off, then I remember the land mines.

I blink, trying to adjust my eyes to the bad lighting. The brightest part is the center and light is reflected off the shiny Cornucopia. Our mentor said not to go towards the Cornucopia and that's just what I'll do. I look at my allies, Pietta, Sage, and Rilly, all ready to go.

The announcer starts the countdown and my palms go sweaty. This is it. I have to make it home. Show people I'm worth something. Gabrielle smirks, eyes on the Cornucopia, along with the rest of the Careers. The girl from Five is staring intently on the golden structure whereas her partner looks murderously at her. The boy from Twelve does the same to his partner, who's shaking like a rabbit.

The countdown has almost reached zero. Suddenly, there's a loud boom.

Ector Cabot – District 12

Today's the day. The Games begin today. The killing begins. My dreams are going to come true. I leap out of bed and stretch, a huge grin plastered on my face. I ruffle my hair and throw on the clothes my stylist laid out. In the mirror, I stare at myself.

In the mirror, I see Colby, my best friend, next to my other best friend, Kenneth. He laughs and stands in front of me. His blood red hair is spiked up and his crimson eyes glow. "Are you ready, Ector?" he asks me.

"I'm ready, Colby. I'm ready to kill. And that redhead is going to get it," I say, leaning over the sink and gazing into the mirror. Colby smirks and shoves his hands in his pockets. "I'll be home in no time."

"I'll see you in the arena, mate," Colby says, patting me on the back. He cackles as he exits the bathroom. I follow him and sit down at the breakfast table. Larkie plops down in her seat and I smile. I take my knife and thrust it into the table in front of her so it stands up. She jumps back and gasps.

"Excited for the Games, Larkie?" I ask, grabbing a slice of bread. Colby winks at me and gives me a thumbs up. His maroon cat, Garnet, meows and weaves between Colby's legs. I glance around behind me, then to Lark. Most of the time now, I feel like someone's sneaking up on me. But, Colby said he had my back and I trust him. He helps me through situations.

"Good luck in your Games," our mentor says.

"Thanks, but I won't need it," I says.

Lark sinks back in her seat nervously. She nervously runs her hand through her hair and picks at the tips. Finally, we hop aboard the hovercraft. I glance back and see Colby giving me a sly smile. I take a deep breath and sit, waiting.

When we reach the launch building, I just can't help but feel giddy with excitement. This is it. I'm ready. I don't say a word to my stylist as she puts on my jacket. I shrug my shoulders and walk into the launch tube. As it rises, I can't help but smile even more.

I barely take in my surroundings. All I see is the glorious Cornucopia standing in front of me full of weapons. There are swords, spears, bows and arrows, knives and more. It's so much to take in and it's almost overwhelming. Larkspur shakes on her launch pad and I laugh to myself. I've got great plans for her.

Over the Cornucopia, I watch the countdown, not listening to the announcer. The ground rumbles underneath my feet, almost making me lose my balance. Smoke fills the air and suddenly, I'm off, sprinting towards the Cornucopia just like most of the other tributes.


A/N: So, I've got a question. I'm not sure if this is too early to ask, so I might ask it again later, but...If I were to write a sequel of the next year's Hunger Games, would you read it?

Thanks.

The Games begin next chapter. Have any last thoughts before the killing begins? And what's with the explosion at the end? Hmmmm?

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