It couldn't have been that late. We were one of the first ones up for the interview, so it had to be around nine P.M. The last sunrays of the day were creeping over the mountains.

I calmed down when we drove to our home. I saw everyone out there in the city, some of them wearing t-shirts with my face on them (where did they get them? Was there a shop where you could buy t-shirts with tribute faces on them?). The gigantic screens on the squares broadcasted the other interviews. I felt the effects of the morphling slowly fading away and every minute I realized more of what I'd done. Every kilometer we travelled I realized I had made a fool out of myself.

'I'm still mad at you, Abbey, but your odds are now 1-5, and that is better than anything we could have hoped for. I think there's a higher power up there that must be very fond on you.' Laika said.

'Probably' I said, constantly dozing off. Next to me was Charlotte, who was sleeping vast.

Kara just stared out of the window. I hoped she wasn't angry with me for making a fool out of District 1 or outshining her interview. I couldn't remember a word of what she said, but hey, any sponsor gifts for me were gifts for her.

Tomorrow we would be in the arena, and we were going to be there as long as possible. With the help of Mika and Timothy everything was going to be alright. At least, I hoped so.

'We're there' Laika sighed.

We got out of the car, went to our floor and turned on the TV to watch the rest of the interviews. I was still dizzy while the last effects of the morphling slowly faded away.

I watched Mika's interview, which went fairly well, and then Timothy's, where, as usual, he didn't say that much. However, when everything was finished and Ceasar bid everyone goodbye saying this was 'a show to remember', they did what I feared: they repeated the highlights, which included my complete interview.

I looked in horror while I saw myself screaming at the audience, blurting out insane things and tripping over my dress. I buried my face in my hands while Kara supported me.

'I told you we should have stopped using morphling' she whispered.

'Well, at least they can cut the investigation on the late Jess Woods' Laika said.

I had never felt more ashamed as I did then. I suddenly remembered Mrs. Johnsons offer to support me, but now she wouldn't do that anymore, of course. Although the public effects were fantastic, in my eyes, my interview couldn't have gone more wrong. I wasn't ashamed to admit I wasn't proud of myself.

'I'm going to bed' I said, when the television repeated me falling for the fifth time. Kara said she would do the same.

'Sleep well tonight' Laika said 'you'll need it.'

'Thanks' I said. I was glad I had him. I knew he was still mad at me, but was wise enough to keep it for himself in such a vulnerable time. Maybe I would be dead in 24 hours.

When I was alone in my room, I tried to cry, but I couldn't. Tonight I had been weak. And I would never be it again.

I laid down on my bed, but I couldn't sleep. Of course not. This building was filled with 28 sleepless kids. I got up again and stared out of the window.

Someone knocked on my door. I looked over my shoulder and saw Laika enter.

'Oh, hey' I said 'You need something?'

'Hi' he said 'haven't you tried out the windows yet?'

'Yeah I have, you can do a lot with it.'

On the second day here I discovered you could choose pictures to project on your windows, but I rarely used it. It was decadent and annoying.

I turned around and walked to my bed. I pulled a sheet straight and sat down. I caressed the soft fabrics. I would miss it. I deserved more than just one week living the happy life. It was better than District 1 and way better than the arena.

'I always use the picture with the feathers. It reminds me of soft things.' He said dreamily, while walking to the window with his hands on his back. The moon was shining on his face.

'I'm going to miss soft things.' I mumbled.

Laika didn't move, but I saw he was smiling. 'It's bad. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. This moment is always very painful. I can clearly remember last year.'

I raised. 'Thanks, but I don't think I can possibly be comforted right now. I should get as much sleep as I can. Not that it will work, sleeping tonight, but at least I can try.' I walked back to the window, so I stood next to him.

'I'm so ashamed for what happened this evening. I'll never use morphling again.'

He put his arm around my shoulder, as a true friend would do. He looked at me.

'That's very noble, Abbey. And after all, it turned out well. What do you fear the most?' he asked.

I didn't say anything and bit my lip.

'I know' he grinned 'dying in the arena.'

'That's not funny' I said, and I tried to release me from his arm around my shoulder. I didn't succeed, because he was too strong. 'It's just stupid that I'm not going to get any sponsor gifts.' Not even from Mrs. Johnson. Not after tonight.

'What do you mean? You have the most fans in the Head City. Hear it' he said, and we both listened to the city noises behind the window 'that's mostly for you'

'No, because of Charlotte. She has to sign sponsor deals'

'Ah, I see. Yes, it's such a shame. Such a waste. She used to be such a pretty girl.'

'Yes' I said 'Will you please let go? I'm cold.' And I slowly tried to release myself again. When he didn't move his arm I began to tremble. 'Please, Laika.'

'You know' he said softly 'I think I can help you with that. I can attract sponsors. I just have to make Charlotte sign my deals and then you'll have medicine for you…and Kara of course.'

He started to smile. 'But I want you to do something for me.'

He let go of me and reached for a lock of my hair. He pulled it behind my ears. I stared in his twinkling eyes and was completely frozen.

'What are you doing?' I asked when he laid his hand on my shoulder again. Slowly his hand descended downwards and when I felt his touch on my bottom I jumped away, like I was stung by a bee.

'I want to sleep. Leave me alone!' I almost shouted.

'Stupid girl, I am the one who can help you to survive. All you have to do is provide me with a little favor. I've waited so long, I want to get to know you better.'

I was having extremely cold chills. I was totally disgusted – Laika, the one who had supported me for the last couple of weeks. I didn't want to accept this.

'No.'

Laika smiled. Then he kissed me.

I was too petrified to react. My mind was black. I had no idea what was going on, but all I knew was that it was going too fast. I couldn't breathe and was relieved when he stopped.

'Think about it' he whispered 'you are not going to get anything in the arena with Charlotte as your mentor. You can get it from me. And if you don't, well, too bad, because you are one to watch out for in the Games.'

I suddenly remembered the events on the very first day in this horrible tribute center. The woman in the lobby. What was her name again?

'I now see what Tiara meant' I said, remembering it 'Why didn't I see it sooner?'

Laika seemed confused and worried. 'What did she tell you about me?'

When I didn't answer his question, he shouted at me: 'WHAT DID SHE TELL YOU?'

'That you ruined her..' I murmured.

'Well, that's her own damn fault.' He said.

'I'm sure it wasn't, you filthy bastard' I said, looking him in the eyes.

'I don't care' he said, but before he could do anything else I slapped him in the face and kicked him on the ground with my knees. I couldn't believe what I was doing – injuring my escort – but finally I knew what was wrong with him, and I couldn't let it happen.

I jumped on top of him and punched him several times in the face. He was too surprised to do anything. His head hit the floor and there was blood on his temple. I was in shock when I got up. Laika was unconscious.

I had attacked my escort. They were going to kill me. I would be the main target of the Gamemakers. Looking at his face I felt disgusted. I had to get out of here. I ran towards the door, locked it from the outside and immediately afterwards I bumped on Charlotte.

'I heard you' she said, and her eyes were big and unusually bright 'Thank you. I will do my best to send you every gift I receive. I will, I promise. Go to the District 35 floor with Kara and stay there. Now.'

'I don't understand' I cried.

'Stay there, and…good luck tomorrow and the days to come'

'Thanks' I said. Somehow Charlotte seemed like the best mentor ever.

Mika and Timothy's mentor was an elderly woman. She looked like a nice grandmother that would bake you apple pies and make you eat it until you're stuffed. She received Kara and me (it took me five terrifying minutes convincing her to come with me) and told me that her tributes were of course still awake.

I kept staring at the elevator, fearing that it would stop at this floor and have Laika storming out, doing things that were…intolerable. I was afraid of so many things now.

We had decided to participate in the bloodbath tomorrow. We would protect each other. There were four of us, so Mika and Timothy would gather stuff while Kara and I tried to keep others away. It surprised me how brave the guys were. They were considerably younger than us, but both eventually managed to fall asleep while I just sat by the window thinking about tomorrow and this evening.

I trusted Laika. I had expected anything but not this. However, it wasn't going to stop me from kicking ass tomorrow. Although I was the cities 'personal joke' I would prove them wrong by make them realize their sponsor money was invested in the right person. Me.

Now and then I doze off, but I panicked when I saw the sky slowly turning pink and then orange. The morning had arrived. Everyone on earth would be watching today, from Panem to here to the survival project in New Asia. Somewhere the sun was rising over a huge arena, which would soon not be abandoned anymore. I wondered when they started constructing the whole thing. Maybe they were already building while the first Games where still in progress.

Which meant somewhere on this bloody planet was already a third arena. I shivered and waited until everyone woke up.

I hadn't told anyone about the escort thing. Not even Kara. However, when we were at breakfast (the District 35 mentor tried to make us eat so much we burst) she could clearly tell there was something wrong.

'Look!' said Mika 'That's the hovercraft!'

He was standing by the window and pointing downwards. A huge airship had landed on the big square in front of the building.

'That means that it's time to say goodbye, boys' murmured the old lady. She walked to her tributes and embraced them. I felt a slight pain in my heart. I haven't had a family in so long. I didn't even remember what it was like to be hugged by a relative.

'You are going to do great. Don't talk to people you don't trust.' Then she turned to me and Kara 'You will take care of them, right girls?'

'I promise' I said to her.

I had written this chapter a long time ago, it was already finished before I started writing the beginning. Writing it really disgusted me but I felt like the escort couldn't be a Gary-Stu. I hope my main character will eventually become stronger, let's just see how it turns out while writing. New chapter soon, reviews appreciated :)