Another chapter! My chapters tend to be short and I'm trying to work on that.

Hope you enjoy!x


2

I barely notice any happenings around me while I wait for my tributes. This year, instead, I notice the silence, not something that one would tend to notice. There's a strange sort of silence in Twelve, almost dead. How ironic, most of the population is starving to death. Everyone talks in near whispers, almost as if for fear of being over heard. What a terrible way to live, I think, constantly facing the likelihood of starving to death of being arrested. Every district citizen of Panem must be on the brink of arrest, a few in the Capitol too, including me. I could be arrested at any time for my thoughts on the Games, my traitorous longing to help the districts, anything really. But I'm careful, I think, I always watch what I say.

Once the tributes are led by Peacekeepers back into the hall I snap back into escort mode. I chatter about absolute nonsenseas we make our way to the train station because I know they aren't listening, they are both in completely different places with their thoughts. The boy, Peeta has been crying, his red-rimmed eyes giving him away but the girl, Katniss stares forward, her face void of emotion. I show them to their rooms, informing them that they may do as they please as long as they are on time for dinner.

Then I notice Katniss' pin, I study it for a minute to make sure I'm right. I am. A mockingjay. I smile to myself, a symbol of rebellion. I knew when she volunteered for her sister that she was something different, but this, this is dangerous. I can't help but feel determined for Katniss to win, I must remember to tell Haymitch to coach them properly.

Haymitch.I realise I haven't seen him since the Reaping, I begin to wonder if he's alright, he took quite a fall. I look for him in the bar car but he isn't there which worries me a little as he's never in his room. I slap myself mentally for being concerned about his welfare. Another thing I could be arrested for, my feelings for Haymitch. How strange the government is, I think. I quickly brush away all thoughts of Haymitch for the time being while I go over tomorrows schedule.

At five minutes to the hour I tell the kids to go to the dining car for dinner. Peeta is already waiting when Katniss and I enter the compartment.

"Where's Haymitch?" I ask.

"Last time I saw him he said he was going to take a nap," Peeta replies.

"Well it's been an exhausting day," I reply, relived that someone has seen him.

Dinner turns out to be a pleasant surprise. The soup and lamb chops are simply divine and the cheeses are delicious. The kids even have good table manners, unlike some of the past tributes. But once I remark on this Katniss begins to eat the rest of the meal with her fingers and wipes her hands on the tablecloth. I decide not to give out but I can't help but be annoyed. The kids begin to feel sick but this doesn't surprise me, they often do, being used to a life of starvation.

We move to the veiwing car to recap on the Reapings. I manage to get an idea of all the tributes skills based on their appearances. The girl from 1 is ditzy you could see it in her smile, the girl from 2 had good aim it showed in her eyes, the boy from 2 was the one to watch his demeanour showed off a killing instinct, Districts 3 and 4 made no real impression but the girl from 5 was intelligent her eyes saying that she knew how to survive, but the girl from 11, she was s young, so small, I knew she could go far, she wouldn't win but she'd go far. I try to suppress a smile when Haymitch falls off the stage at 12's reaping so I decide to pretend to be annoyed.

"Your mentor has a lot to learn about presentation, a lot to learn about televised behaviour," I say and Peeta laughs unexpectedly.

"He yas drunk," he says, "he's drunk every year,"

"Every day," Katniss adds with a smirk, she obviously thinks I know absolutely nothing and neither of them hold any respect for Haymitch.

"Yes," I hiss, "how odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these Games. The one who advises you, lines up your sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch can well be thje difference between your life and your death!" Their faces tell me I took them by surprise, they obviously weren't expecting that. As if on cue Haymitch staggers into the compartment.

"I miss supper?" he manages to ask before being sick on the carpet and falling into hes own vomit.

"So laugh away!" I say before hopping around Haymitch and leaving the compartment before my want to help Haymitch takes over. when he fell at the Reaping I had the fact that I was being televised to the whole of Panem to prevent my rushing to his aid, here though it was simply a matter of appearances so I would probably end up helping if I stayed any longer. So I fled, as I have done for seven years.

I know I can't keep going on like this, hoping for something to change, worrying about everything I say, insulting people I dont want to insult just to keep up appearances. over the past few years I've been increasingly worried, I haven't spoken my mind about things in years. I wonder what it's like in the districts, apart from what Haymitch told me over the years. I can't even begin to imagine what its like to be starving every day while the never hungry Capitol takes your children to fight to the death for their entertainment. that's something we can't talk about in the penthouse which I'm sure is bugged. How I long for freedom.

I think back to the mockingjay pin, this girl is going to make a difference.I make a note to talk to Haymitch about her in the morning.


I know this chapter is a little weird, but everything is pretty important. even the parts where it just seems like I'm trying to fill the page.

Please review. It really helps to have some motivation!x