Chapter Seven. Hopefully this chapter will be up pretty soon.

IMPORTANT - I have started the story I have been planning for the past few weeks. I couldn't help myself. If you could go and heck it out, that would be great. If you like it great, If you don't, then you can stick to this story. It's called "Among The Ash Heaps".

I've been listening to a lot of music to help inspire me latley. In my opinion, it seems to be

Anyway, here's the chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Seven - Closer

I make my way through to the lounge, where everyone else is, and sit down next to Ryan, who looks distant. He's staring out of the window, his head rested in his hands. I look into his eyes, trying to tell what he is thinking, but it's impossible. He's always been like that.

We are all silent for a while, every single one of us. Lewis has wondered off to admire the technology, and Hunter's grandfather has gone straight to the food cart, but apart from them, we're all in the same place.

"I can't wait to get home." I say, looking out to the changing landscape. We're just about to cross over the reservior. Megan and Emily are kneeling on the seats, trying to get a good view.

"Me neither. I'll miss our hut though." Ryan sighs, not making eye contact.

"Oh, yeah. They're making us move into the victors village, aren't they?" I moan, watching as the great body of water flashes by in an instant.

"We can always make it feel like home. Do some extra decorating." suggests Raven.

"I suppose. It'll never be the same though." I shrug, turning my attention away from the window as we enter a tunnel.

"What's District Four like then?" asks Hunter. I've described a few things to her, but not much. She'll want to know what she's gotten herself into.

"It's beautiful. It really is. You have privacy, everyone minds their own business, and the peacekeepers aren't that bad, as long as you stay out of their way." I smile, watching her face carefully. She smiles back, and turns to Elanor, who starts to speak.

"It will be a wonderful place to start a new life, I'm sure of it." she says, genuine warmth in her voice.

"We can show you around once we get there, all of the beaches, the meadows, the creeks..." sighs Raven. She's glad to be going home too, I can tell.

The landscape is becoming wilder and more beautiful as the hours go by. We're certainly out of Capitol territory. I don't know how long we've been stuck on this train for.

The sky has darkened, and stars are beginning to show despite the thick clouds that blanket the sky.

I've left the lounge, and I've gone back to my room. I can still remeber how to get there, after all these weeks.

It looks untouched, just like how I left it. Everything in the same place as I remeber it.

I ordered a small amount of food, hoping that Natalie would deliver it. It wasn't her, but I can still enjoy my meal. I can handle more food than before, which makes me happy. I feel much less wasteful when I don't leave anything on the plate.

There was an announcement over the speakers that we would be stopping for fuel in a few minutes, which means that I can get some fresh air. I've been stuck on this train for a whole day, and it's about time that I get to stretch my legs, even if it's only for a few seconds.

I feel the train slowing, and immedietly jump off of my bed, pulling the satin sheets off of me as I make my way to the nearest door.

Apparently, most people have the same idea as me. We end up sitting in a row on the stairs leading to the open train door, our feet dangling off of the edge.

The chilling air is a welcome relief, making me feel refreshed and awake.

Megan sits on my knee, telling me that Emily is asleep, and that she has nobody to play with. I tell her to get some fresh air while she can, and that I'll play with her after the train starts moving again.

Ryan and Hunter sit to my left, and Rebecca sits to my right, staring out into the darkness as if she can see something. The truth is, it's impossible to see anything. It's just too dark.

Raven must be asleep. She did look tired this morning.

So, we start conversation.

I try not talk as little as possible at first, but eventually, I get asked a direct question.

I have to ask Rebecca to repeat herself.

"Are you nervous about being a mentor next year?" she asks.

I pause for a second. I never thought about that. I'll have to guide two people from my District, and probably see them die. Next year.

"I can't let that happen." I whisper, shaking my head.

"Can't let what happen? Phee? What are you talking about?" asks Hunter, turning to face me.

My brow furrows as everything falls into place.

"I have to go. I'll play with you later Megan." I whisper, kissing the top of her head as I get up and walk towards my room, a whirlwind of thoughts flying through my head.

I lock my door behind me, and sit down on my bed, frozen in the same position.

All the pieces fall into place. I know what I have to do.

The capitol will never leave us alone. We're always going go be in some sort of danger, we're never going to be truly happy again. Until the day we die, we are their property, and according to them, they can do whatever the hell they want with us.

I have to stop this.

I remember, before the games, Ryan, Grace and I were sitting on the beach, discussing what is beyond the horizon.

Well, for me, there's safety. I have to figure out how to get everybody I care about over there, and give them a second chance at life. The people who are reaped next year too.

That's exactly what I'll do.

They deserve better than this. If I can get myself over there too, I will.

I just have to find a way...

I'm just going to have to trust that there is something left there.

That's enough brainstorming for one night. I'm going to give myself a headache.

I decide to tell the others about my plan when I've figured it all out. It'll be a while yet, but I'm sure I can do it.

I'm pulled out of my trance by a quiet knock on my door. Oh, I forgot about my promise to Megan. I don't know how long I've been sitting here for, but I'm surprised she's not asleep yet.

I force myself out of my sprawled position on the bed, and unlock the door, pulling it open quietly. Sure enough, Megan is standing there.

"Megan, I'm so sorry, I got caught up in my own thoughts." I sigh.

"It's okay, as long as you play a game with me." she smiles.

I didn't expect her to forgive me that easily.

"What do you want to play?" I ask, opening the door a little wider, letting her walk into my room.

"I have my pebble game, that's always fun." she says, taking out the small wooden case.

"I haven't played that in ages, you're going to win." I smile, kneeling down as she sets up the game on the floor.

It consists of a board with eight little divots in it, and many small pebbles, straight from the beach back in District Four.

I pick one up, feeling the rough, familliar texture against my skin.

"No, you're supposed to put three in each divot, like this." she explains, dividing them equally.

"I know, it's just, I've been away from home for a long time. It's nice to see something familiar. " I sigh.

"You can move pebbles one, two, or three divots up at a time. The goal is to get rid of all of your pebbles. First one to do that wins." she smiles.

I smile as we start to play the familliar game, the sound of the pebbles hitting the varnished wood is music to my ears. Joel made this for her, I can tell.

"I missed you y'know." I sigh, watching as she tries to figure out how to win. She looks up, the look of intense concentration vanishing from her face.

"I missed you too." she says, reaching out for my hand.

"Were you okay without me?" I ask.

"Yeah, but it was strange, not having you around." she sighs.

"Well I'm back now. I'm sure there's a house for you guys in the Victor's Village, so you can come and visit me any time you want. I'll be right next door." I smile.

Her mouth drops.

"Really?" she asks.

I nod, smiling.

"They were building new houses, especially for us. Ryan requested that they keep one of the old ones, for you guys, since they wouldn't build you a new one. You deserve the house more than us, but they insisted that we couldn't give our house to you. We would have been quite happy with our hut, but..."

She just looks at me in shock, before jumping on me, and giving me a hug so tight that I can hardly breathe, interrupting my little announcement.

I manage to push her off, and we both start laughing. When we stop, she moves the three pebbles left in her side of the board over to mine, before smiling radiently.

"I win."

So, Phoenix is forming a plan... A very big plan.

A bit of a happy ending to the chapter there, the story probably isn't going to stay happy though. I'm not the kind of person who writes completley happy stories. There always has to be a dark side...

Anyway, I'm sorry for the wait. I was training for a gymnastics competition, and guess what...

I won! Yay!

I'm still going to be quite busy for the rest of the month, so sorry if I keep you guys waiting.

Thank you for reading!

BethanyDee x x