Welcome back to the next chapter, everyone! The last time, we got to know a little bit more about the Mikaelson family and we got to see the selection of the tributes from District 12. Jake and Lucy have said goodbye to Hayley and now, she is responsible of getting back to her little brother and sister. Her partner is going to be Joshua (Josh) Rosza. We will get to know more about him in this chapter too as we set off to see how the annual reaping for other districts went, besides Hayley's. Thank you so much. I have read your reviews and I am glad that you want me to continue. For the moment, the main pairing is the only one who I am sure of, as for the rest, I will try to follow your likings of other pairings and see what I can do to make them happen. Please review and enjoy a brand new chapter!
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
The Annual Reaping
"Citizens of District 2, make your way to the reaping at once!" I heard the announcement. I looked at myself in the mirror and smirked. "Today's the day." I said to myself. I always hoped that I would get the honor of hearing my name come from that woman's mouth. I wanted to be chosen, not to volunteer myself. I wanted to be chosen to fight and avenge my fellow tributes that were killed. We had the best warriors here in District 2, even better ones than the ones from District 1. Mikael grabbed a hold of my arm and whispered in my ear, "You better do what's right this year." I pulled my arm away from him and went outside where Rebekah was waiting. She was dressed very elegantly. All the women from Districts 1 and 2 had the best clothing, due to the wealth we all had. We were strong and powerful and the Capitol was proud with us. "Let's go, Nik." Rebekah whispered and took my hand in hers. I nodded and together we stepped to the place where we were all supposed to be gathered. I knew that Mikael was following right behind us and when we arrived at the place, we were pricked so they could get blood from our fingers. Every year, the same procedures, I was getting the hell bored.
Rebekah took her place next to the girls; there were a lot of them that she saw from the Academy that we all went to. Nobody was scared in our district. It was an honor to get the chance to participate in The Hunger Games and everyone knew that. I looked around at the girls and I saw the blonde girl that I used to date once, Caroline Forbes. She blew me an air kiss when she saw me and I shook my head with a smile. She never really got over it even when I had to explain to her that we were broken up and that there wasn't going to be anything between us anymore. We had some sexual attraction in the past for over a year but that was it really. She just didn't understand that. She actually thought that I was still willing to see her. Rebekah was standing right next to her. She never really got along with Caroline and saw her as a very shallow little princess. My little sister was glad when she found out that I had broken up with Caroline. I smiled over at Rebekah and she smiled back but I could tell that she was really nervous. The lady who was at the microphone was smiling wildly and I always commented that with her makeup and her frizzy hair, she was impersonating a clown, which is why I couldn't help myself but start laughing as she appeared on the stage. She was all white and with blue eyeliner and lips. She looked like a ghost sometimes. Her name was Gora and she was representing District 2 every year. "Welcome, welcome!" she exclaimed, clearly excited for this. "Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!" The same thing over and over again. Rebekah caught my eye again and she rolled her eyes. "Now, we have a special film brought to you from the Capitol!" she exclaimed and clapped as the hologram showed it once again. I knew all the words from the film by heart, the words that belonged to President Snow. Mikael had made me watch numerous times. I sighed and was glad when the film finally ended.
"Now, the time has come for us to select one courageous young man and woman for the honor of representing District 2 in the 77th annual Hunger Games. Let's start with…ladies first!" Oh, there's a shocker! She always picked the girl's name first. I looked over at Rebekah and the other girls around her. They were all smiling and looking proud. Rebekah was the only one hoping that it wouldn't be her. Gora looked into the bowl and picked out a piece of paper which she showed it to everyone. She unfolded it gently and looked at the name. Rebekah was breathing harder than ever, I could tell. "Our female tribute…Camille O'Connell!" Rounds of applause were heard as the bookworm, Camille O'Connell took off her glasses and jumped up and down excited as she stepped up on the stage. I could see other blondes like Caroline who looked very upset. Caroline looked like she was ready to volunteer but didn't have the courage. I knew Camille very well. A lot of people liked to call her Cami or Bookworm, because she was absolutely obsessed with books and education. I couldn't believe that out of all the hot chicks, Gora had to pick Camille. I knew that she wouldn't last a day in the Hunger Games with those books of hers. She didn't get the proper training like others. I smirked as I saw that she had taken off her glasses to look more like she was mature and strong. She was bluffing. She wasn't mature nor strong, even if she did read the encyclopedia thousands of times. Still, with her knowledge of the outdoor and surviving skills, she might actually have a shot and shouldn't be underestimated. She had long and blonde wavy hair and if she were to get a facial, she might actually look pretty hot without her glasses. "Very well." Gora said with a smile as she took her by her side.
"The male tribute now, shall we?" Gora asked and there was silence all around the place. Here it came. The parents were sitting in the back and I turned my head to see Mikael glaring at me. Gora went over to the bowl and looked inside. She hesitated for a moment before she put her hand inside and took out a piece of paper. She opened it up and went to the microphone. "Our male tribute…Jordan Elson!" she exclaimed and there were rounds of applause. I groaned as I looked back at Mikael and he exclaimed, "Do it, boy!" I had to do this to please him. In his eyes, I was stinging the family name but volunteering to take someone else's place was…well… I stepped out from the crowd and yelled out with as much force as I could, "I volunteer as tribute!" Everyone stopped applauding and they all turned around to look at me. Gora recognized me and smiled as she exclaimed, "Well, District 2 has a volunteer! And I see who it is. Come up here, boy!" Elson growled and turned back to his place. He missed his shot because of me but I couldn't care less at that point. With a smirk on my face as I knew that I was soon going to be praised, I raised myself on the stage and Camille frowned at me. I ignored her and went to stand next to Gora as she put her hand on my shoulder. "Niklaus Mikaelson, 17 I believe and the son of the one and only, Mikael Mikaelson who had one of the most splendid winnings of The Hunger Games in his time!" Gora said and they all started clapping again for me and for Mikael. "That was very good! Such courage to volunteer and choose to participate!" she said and then looked at everyone else. "We have our 2 tributes from District 2, Niklaus Mikaelson and Camille O'Connell! I wish you all the best! Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!" At last, she took us to our special rooms where we would wait for relatives as always.
Rebekah came inside with a smile after a couple of minutes and hugged me as Mikael came in after her. "What were you hesitating for?" Mikael asked me and I frowned, choosing not to answer him. "Are you happy you didn't get called on?" I asked Rebekah and she nodded, much to Mikael's disapproval. "Win the games! You know you can do it! I will be rooting for you every day for always, Nik!" I smiled at her and nodded as Mikael stepped over to me afterwards and pulled me into a hug as well. "Well done, son! You better win these games and make your family proud, you hear me?" "I will, Father!" I said with determination. I was going to win the games but I wasn't doing it to please Mikael. I was doing it so I could get back to Rebekah and not leave her alone with her monster-like father for the rest of her life and I was going to go out there and kill for our passing tributes, Cato and Clove. "You are a Career Tribute, you hear and you are going to be treated as such. You will receive fame and glory and you won't have trouble receiving support once you get there. Make alliances, not friends, you hear?" Mikael was telling me and I rolled my eyes at his instructions. "Father, take it easy!" Rebekah told him and he stopped. She turned back towards me and kissed my cheek. "Goodbye and come home soon with that golden crown on your head, champion!" Soon, Rebekah and Mikael made their departure and I was left in that room to think, until they would pick me up and take me on the train to the Capitol, just like the other tributes.
I heard another knock on the door and then the guards opened it up. I was allowed to have two visits as the rest of the tributes. The door opened and it revealed someone that I never expected to see. "Klaus!" Caroline exclaimed and flung her arms around my neck as she giggled. I pushed her off me and asked, "What are you doing here?" I asked her. She looked confused but she still smiled. "What do you mean? You volunteered. You were so brave. I am here to say goodbye. I asked the guards outside to make an exception and leave me more minutes in here." She whispered and then winked seductively. I rolled my eyes at her attitude. This was exactly the reason why I never saw her as anything more than a fling. "So…you should know that I would have volunteered had I found out first that you would participate. Anything to be with you." Caroline put her hands on my chest and started rubbing them slowly. I eyed her sternly. I wasn't in the mood for her games. I took her hands and pushed her away. "What is wrong with you, Nicky? Why are you being like this with me? Are you mad at me?" Caroline asked with that pout of hers that I knew well. She put her hands on her hips and waited for my response. "Listen, Caroline…we had a thing alright? But it's over now." Caroline looked shocked. "You're breaking up with me?" "I had broken up with you some time ago. I am sure that you can remember, but with that fish memory of yours…lasts about 3 seconds." She gasped and was about to slap my face but I stopped her. "Get out, already! I don't want to see you again, alright? I told you many times before. We had our fun but it's over and I don't need you on my head right now. I have to fight for my life out there now." She once again didn't get my message and cupped my cheeks and gave me a long kiss while I grabbed her shoulders and pushed her off. "Okay, now you're really getting out of line." "I will be rooting for you. I know that you are stressed out. I understand and we can continue our relationship when you get back. I won't stress you out anymore. I'll go. Goodbye, my champion!" She said the same thing as Rebekah. Caroline always had that kind of jealousy when it came to Rebekah because at that time, I was spending more time with my own sister than my so-called girlfriend. And even now, she still didn't get the memo. I slapped my forehead as she left the room. When they said that some blondes are just born dumb, they weren't kidding. It doesn't matter now. I had to focus and get my head in the game. I would slaughter anyone who got in my way of winning.
District 1: Elijah Mikaelson
The Annual Reaping
They lined us up and we waited. Kol got his finger pricked and joined me, smugly. That's how our district was. We were happy to be loaded and having such fine women in our lives. I was in the front row this time with Kol right next to me. Our mother was in the back with the rest of our parents. "Oh boy, this is going to be good." Kol whispered to me. I didn't look at him. The only thing I could do was glance over to my right where the girls were waiting and I could see the twins, Elena and Katherine. Tatia was standing behind them with some of her friends from the Academy, all wearing rich and expensive dresses. Elena was smiling and looked very excited for what was about to happen, but Katherine didn't look excited at all. All she could do was look at her feet and touch her curls once in a while. She was not excited as she was supposed to be. When she talked to me a couple of months ago, she wanted more than anything to be a part of the games this time and get fame and fortune. Now, she looked disinterested. What interested me even more was that Katherine wanted to do this for her good friend Glimmer who was the 74th Hunger Games, District 1st Female Tribute. Glimmer used to be a good friend of hers.
The woman who was supposed to be guiding the District 1 tributes of every year was Nina, dressed all in red and the lipstick she was using made all of us believe that it was blood, not real lipstick. Her hair and her clothes were all red, including the make-up. "Welcome, welcome! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor, my darlings!" The girls looked absolutely thrilled about this. Elena looked over at Kol and she smiled to him. I knew that Kol was always flirting with girls but he seemed to take a special interest in Elena lately. I decided to say nothing as the woman Nina played us the film she played us every year from the Capitol. Kol loved the film, but I couldn't see the point of it at all. I looked up at last and I saw what was going to happen with the tributes, going to be thrown in a bloodbath. I shook my head as I thought of 23 people dead and only one being alive. "I will volunteer if I must." I whispered to Kol and he just shook his head. "That is disrespecting your district, brother. Don't say I didn't warn you. It's not that you're not allowed but you really don't want to upset the district, your home, that's supposed to be rooting for you if you volunteer." Kol told me and for once, he was right. I hoped though that I wouldn't have to volunteer and just be chosen.
The film ended and Nina clapped really hard, smiling too big for her scrunched up face. "I just love that! Now, let's move on to the reaping. I can tell that you are all excited you who will be the two lucky people who will honor District 1 this year." Nina said and went to one bowl. "First, we have the girls." She searched through the pile of names and found one that she liked, holding it up. She smiled at us widely and I hummed slowly, getting really impatient. "Our female tribute of District 1…Katherine Pierce!" Nina exclaimed and I gasped and looked over at her. She was standing there and she looked absolutely terrified. People were giving her looks of shock, especially Elena who apparently couldn't understand her attitude either. They were expecting someone of her value to be happy about this. Apparently, for some reason, she wasn't. I could never remember her be this unhappy about getting chosen.
"Come on, Elijah! Catch me!" She fluttered away from me in her beautiful gown and I was left to catch her. I knew that I would eventually. I caught her arm and we landed on the soft grass. I looked down at her as she was still smiling. "I keep thinking about this year. I want to be in The Hunger Games this time. I have to avenge Glimmer." she whispered and kissed me, standing up. I stood up with her. "If you go, I will have to come with you, to protect you so we can make it out together." Katherine raised an eyebrow. "There is only one winner, Elijah. You would have to kill me in the end to survive and get back home, you know that." "I would never do that. I would rather let you kill me so you can get back home." "Stop lying." "I am not lying; I would sacrifice myself for you." She smiled smugly and kissed me once again. "Good. Because I would sacrifice myself for you too." She said in a whisper and then added, "But don't let anyone know that I told you that." She then raced back to her home with me left chasing after her the way she always liked it. I knew I would love and chase her till the end.
"Katherine Pierce, come up here my dear!" Nina demanded and the white soldiers were ready to move in the group of girls and force her out. Why was she hesitating? What was wrong with her? I saw her eyes meet mine and she looked scared, so terribly scared. Maybe she hadn't meant what she told me about wanting to participate in those games. Why would she be so scared right now when this was her chance of a lifetime, what she wanted? "What the hell is she doing? I'm getting bored here." Kol mumbled under his breath and saw the soldiers finally realize who was Katherine Pierce and they pulled her out of there, taking her on the stage next to Nina. She looked at her and asked. "Are you in shock, my dear? Do you need some water?" she asked and Katherine just shook her head as she was still only looking at me. "Well, it seems that we've already wasted enough time so I will immediately pick the name of the male tribute!" Nina exclaimed and moved to the other bowl. Kol was keeping his fingers crossed. Nina took less time than usual and she looked really tired. I looked at the frightened Katherine there. I remembered what I had promised her. I would always choose to sacrifice myself for her. Whoever it was, I would volunteer, for her. "Our male tribute from District 1…Elijah Mikaelson!" I looked up and everyone clapped. I realized it was me and I didn't hesitate to move up on the stage and go to Katherine, but Nina put me on the other side of her. Kol gave me the thumbs up with a smile on his face and clapped along with others. "Our tributes from District 1, Elijah Mikaelson and Katherine Pierce!" She then grabbed both of us and we were off the stage and towards the rooms where we were supposed to say goodbye to our families.
My mother, Esther came inside and Kol came in too. "You have 5 minutes." The soldier told them. I knew that other poorer districts had only 3 with their families. My mother pulled me in for a hug and began crying. "Don't cry, mother! I was going to volunteer anyway, remember? Nina spared me the shame and picked me." I told her and she nodded, whispering, "I just…I just know that Niklaus will be a tribute this year and…you haven't seen him in such a long time and…" She began crying really hard and I understood her worries. The last thing she wanted was watch her sons trying to kill one another on television. "Mom, I am not scared of anything that might happen to me, you hear me? I will do what I must to protect myself and I will protect Katherine until the end too. I will see to it that we both make it home, whatever it takes!" I promised Esther and she nodded, hugging me again and then stepping back to let Kol hug me goodbye as well. It wouldn't be long now and I will be on the train to the Capitol. We were the closest district to them so it would only take us a couple of hours. "Hey, you take care of yourself out there, bro and if Klaus is there…I…I don't know. Do what you think is right." Kol told me and hugged me once again before stepping back. "I love you, my son! Don't forget that." Esther whispered and she stepped back to leave along with Kol. They waved goodbye to me.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
On The Train
"Step right inside, young ones!" Effie said and we boarded the train. The moment we did, the doors closed and train began moving. I knew how long the Hunger Games could last. And my brother and sister were going to see me on television. What would happen? What if I died right in front of their eyes? What would happen to them? They have no one and nothing. They would be orphans and no one would love them. I refrained myself from crying now as we entered the main room. The train began moving and you didn't feel it move at all. It was as though we weren't moving at all but we were. All I saw in these chambers were sweets I have heard about but have never tasted before. This was very good food that I had never dared to taste and I wouldn't start now. I knew what a shame it would be to do so when Lucy and Jake were starving at home and I was here, in for a treat, as Effie put it to taste wonders and walk through fame and fortune just because I was a pawn now in the Capitol's games.
I looked over at the guy who was standing next to me. He gaped at what was right in front of him and soon enough, he started grabbing lots of candy and pilling them in his mouth like an idiot. I was about to be sick. Effie just chuckled. "Be careful or you will spoil your appetite. Dinner is in 2 hours. But until dinner is served, I think it would be best if you just sit here, relax and I will bring in your mentor." Mentor! I was really hoping that it would be Haymitch, the one that taught Katniss everything he knew and she won the game with his help. This could be my chance to win if I had him. The boy, who was Joshua or something, was not stopping. I couldn't take it anymore and I yelled at him. "Hey!" I exclaimed and he stopped and looked at me as if I was his mother and his hand got caught in the cookie jar. He gulped and put the rest of the candy, donuts and whatever those sweets were down. I refused to eat anything! "Sorry. Did you want some?" Joshua mumbled and I sighed. Was this boy aware of what was happening to us? How old was he anyway. He looked like he was about 15 but he was acting much smaller for his age.
"Do you realize what is happening? Are you aware that our lives are at stake right now?" I asked him and he lowered his head. "That's why I am trying to make the best of the time I have alive." he whispered and sat down and I rolled my eyes. "What kind of man are you, Joshua?" "I am not a man, alright and I like to be called Josh, not Joshua. I didn't ask for this." "Do you think I did? At least I am not acting foolishly enough as to eat all of these things as if I now have everything I ever dreamed because you don't. You are letting these people play with you and manipulate you." "You know what…Hayley or whatever your name is, I don't need your advice alright? We may be partners for now but out there, we're each one for ourselves and I do whatever the hell I want." Josh said to me and I realized he was right. Why was I doing this? I should be worried about me and not him. This was about me!
In that second, the doors opened and Effie walked in and saw me with a grumpy look on my face and she was standing with a man who was not Haymitch. Oh no! How would I know if this guy is just as good as Haymitch? And wait a minute! "I would like to present Kieran! He has won for District 12 when he was only 13 years old. Can you believe it? Of course, he's 45 now…" Effie began and then looked down, sensing herself as a useless person. "Seeing as how your district is the farthest one away, it will take us a whole day to get there. So, take care and enjoy your time with your new mentor, Kieran!" Effie left before I could ask something. Kieran looked at me as though he was expecting a question. "I thought that Haymitch was the only one left to train us from District 12." Kieran nodded and sat down on a chair in front of us. "What is your name?" he asked me. "Hayley…Marshall." "Hayley, I am very sorry that this happened to you. I promise that I will try to help you the best I can now. Haymitch is taking a leave of absence and I know that you would have preferred him to train you but I can do just that. I am going to help you two. I have never been mentioned before by this district because of other issues." I nodded and took as seat as well as Josh was sitting next to me and rubbing his temples. "So…" I began but I saw Kieran walking around the place and taking some of those sweets, eating them himself. I watched him as he ate and I realized that no matter what I said at that moment, he would not pay attention. I growled and sat up and Josh looked at me in shock. I was getting angry because my life was at stake here and he was eating all of that fancy crap that I would never dare touch!
"Are you going to listen to me?" I asked him angrily. Kieran turned towards me and nodded. "Of course I am going to be listening to you. Just give me a minute. We don't have to start right away." He told me and I got really angry. This is why I would have preferred Haymitch. He may have been an alcoholic, but I think he would have listened better. Josh didn't seem to mind at all his attitude. "You are supposed to be here and tell me what to do. You won this thing before! You have to tell me how to get out of this. I have a starving brother and sister to take care of." I told him and just mentioning them made my heart drop. Kieran looked over at me and said, "I would if you would sit down and realize what you're up against."
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
On The Train
We were finally on that blasted train. Gora came over to us with our mentor. He looked very majestic and he was rich in gold. He gave us some pretty cool tips and then left so he could get some rest. I was now sitting in the main living room of the train where they actually had television and a screen flat TV with touch systems on the remote. Very classy. I liked it. I buttoned through the channels until I found the one that was talking about The Hunger Games. I was curious to know if they were going to say anything about the tributes, especially about him since he had volunteered to be in this all because of his father, who was not really his father.
Camille came over with a book and sat down next to me on the couch. She had her glasses back on and she was reading the book carefully. I looked over at her with my eyebrows raised and sighed. What was it with this girl and her reading? "Camille, if I wanted to be bothered, I would have asked Gora to come here and keep me company. She glared at me and asked, "So what, now you own the couch or something? Being near you doesn't really bother me but if it bothers you, maybe you should be the one to leave!" she snapped at me and went back to her book. "What's with you?" I asked her. "You shouldn't have been that mean to Caroline before we left. She was just trying to say goodbye to you in a nice way. You could have told her politely that you don't want to be with her anymore." I sighed and rubbed my eyes as the ones on television kept on saying some general things about the games, nothing specific. "Listen here, bookworm! I don't really need your advice on how to handle her alright? I told her a long while ago that we were through and she just doesn't seem to get it." "Maybe because she doesn't want to accept it. Maybe you haven't made yourself clear enough." Camille argued. I looked at her for a while and realized that neither this blonde was as smart as she claimed to be. I sighed and thought about how I would have to spend the rest of my time with her now. Why couldn't have Gora chosen someone else? Anyway, if Caroline would have volunteered like she said she would have, I would have killed myself before entering the games, no doubt about that.
At that moment, Gora entered with another plate of treats to give us. "Dinner is in an hour okay? Have fun you two!" she exclaimed and then before leaving she said, "Niklaus, you might want to switch to channel 2, you are all everyone is talking about." Gora told me with a wink and I did as she asked. I saw my face on TV and then a small video of the reaping from District 2 with none other than the presenter of The Hunger Games, Caesar Flickerman talking over the video about me. "Niklaus Mikaelson, 17 years old, has chosen to be courageous this year and volunteer for the games even though the prestigious districts like 1 and 2 do not really recommend it, as it could affect the support given to him by his district. Let's not forget that Niklaus Mikaelson is in fact the son of the infamous Mikael Mikaelson who honored District 2 by winning when he was only 18 the 57th Annual Hunger Games! That was exactly 20 years ago!"
He put on the footage of Mikael winning The Hunger Games and I saw how he brutally killed every single child that stood in his way of winning. "Wow." Camille mumbled next to me. "Your father is a legend." She then said and I rolled my eyes. Flickerman continued talking. "And what a surprise that both the oldest Mikaelson brothers are going to compete this year?" I snapped. What did he just say? "Elijah Mikaelson, the oldest son of Mikael Mikaelson, who lives in District 1 after their parents' separation, with his mother, Esther and his younger brother of only 16, Kol, has been chosen to participate this year as the male tribute of District 1 alongside the female tribute of District 1, Katherine Pierce." I could believe my ears. Elijah was competing. I saw his face and I could barely recognize him. "We are expecting quite the fight between the 2 siblings this year! Let us remember that due to Mikael Mikaelson's great performance in The Hunger Games, he was awarded greatly and the Mikaelson family is one of the most richest families in all of Panem. We eagerly await the confrontation between the two brothers!" I switched the channel at that moment and Camille sighed next to me. "Why wouldn't they say anything about me? They mentioned the female tribute from District 1, but what about me?" I could barely think straight after what I've heard about Elijah participating.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
On The Train: Dinner
Dinner was ready as expected and I could feel my stomach growling. I didn't want to starve myself, even though I felt stubborn enough not to take any of this food from the Capitol. This was food that they had stolen from us. Jake and Lucy were starving at home and I had all the food in this train that you could think of. I went to the dining room where Josh, Effie and Kieran were already eating silently. There was roast beef, turkey, lamb chops, banana and apple pies, fruits, sweet lemonade, and everything you could ever want over there, along with the sweets. Effie smiled when she saw me standing there and I was almost salivating. "Come in here, dear and eat up!" she called and Kieran and Josh but looked over at me. I sighed and entered the room. I knew that if I wasn't fed well, there was no way I could win The Hunger Games.
I was really hoping that I would get the chance to deliver some of this food back home to my family if I could, but I had a feeling that the people from the Capitol wouldn't let me. I sat down in the seat next across from Kieran, as Josh and Effie were sitting at each sides of the table. "I have just been having some talks with Josh about how you might like to find water out there, food and medicine, anything you might want. Would you be interested in hearing some tips from me?" Kieran asked me softly and I looked up at him. I actually believed that he wanted to help me so I nodded and let him show me whatever he wanted. He told me what I should be doing the moment that I stepped in the arena and how I was going to get sponsors. I nodded, understanding the same procedure that I had to go through as Katniss had. "You make sure to leave people out there with a good impression of your style and I promise you that everything is going to be okay. The only thing you need to work on is being more pleased that you're here. Act more excited!" Kieran told me and I nodded as I bit in the wonderful roast beef. It was something I had never tasted before and I tried eating easily and not stuff it down my throat like some homeless person seeing real food for the first time in my life, which was exactly my case. I looked over at Josh and it seemed that he was doing the same, after I had snapped at him.
"What am I facing?" I finally asked Kieran and he took the remote control from Effie and turned the TV from the dining room on to channel 2 where the one and only presenter of The Hunger Games, Caesar Flickerman was speaking. He showed a man who looked like he was 17-18 years old. "The tributes from District 1 and 2, the Career Tributes. They attend a special academy until they're 18 and they volunteer to participate. This one here is the son of Mikael Mikaelson. Have you heard of this Mikael Mikaelson?" I nodded. I knew all about his family and how he won The Hunger Games, making his family the wealthiest and the most respected family by the Capitol. "Niklaus Mikaelson, 17 years old, has chosen to be courageous this year and volunteer for the games even though the prestigious districts like 1 and 2 do not really recommend it, as it could affect the support given to him by his district. Let's not forget that Niklaus Mikaelson is in fact the son of the infamous Mikael Mikaelson who honored District 2 by winning when he was only 18 the 57th Annual Hunger Games! That was exactly 20 years ago!"
I sighed and shook my head at this handsome young man who would volunteer for such a thing. "His sons are all jerks! I heard Mikael's daughter is the only one who is a bit okay but she can be a snob as well." Josh told me as he looked at this Niklaus Mikaelson's face with disgust on his face. "So, the problem with Career Tributes…" I began as Kieran closed the TV. "…is that they win this thing every year. Well, almost every year because they know what they're facing and they are trained since they are little by the Academy." Kieran finished. "Yes, but isn't this illegal?" I asked. "It is but the Capitol permits it since Districts 1 and 2 are their favorites." Kieran explained. "So, I say that you better get well trained so you can beat them. I am going to guide you and please rest assured that I know what I am doing. I may not be Haymitch but…I really can help you." Kieran said and I nodded with a smile. This was exactly what I needed. Someone skilled enough to help me get home to my little brother and sister. I wondered what they were doing right now. I gave them money so they wouldn't starve and I knew that Jake was a smart kid and he and Lucy would both be okay without me.
My room was very nice. Effie was right. You couldn't feel at all that you were moving. She came over to me and showed me my wardrobe from where I could choose to wear whatever clothing I wanted. I chose the simplest pajamas and touched the wonderful bed and the soft material. I had never slept in something like this before. "Goodnight. Sleep well and know that will be arriving at the Capitol tomorrow morning at 10 AM." She told me with a small smile and was about to head out when is topped her. "Hey, thank you." I whispered. I didn't know why but I felt as if she really needed that. She smiled at me and then left. Before I could go to sleep, there was another knock and I opened the door. Josh was standing there. "Hi. Can we talk?" he asked and I nodded, showing him in. He looked around the room, not really impressed. "Mine's the same." he said with a small smile. "What do you want?" I asked. "I just came over to say I'm sorry for what happened between us earlier today. I didn't mean to be such a jerk. I was still very much overwhelmed that I was chosen and…" "I understand, Josh. I am sorry I acted like that too."
"So, you have siblings, right?" he asked me and I nodded. "Jake, 12 and Lucy, 10." I whispered and he nodded. "God bless them." he whispered and I thanked him for that. "What about your parents?" "My father died when Lucy was born and my mom left us when I was 12 because she couldn't bear to risk seeing us in The Hunger Games." "So she just left?" I nodded. "Rough. I'm sorry." "What about you?" "No siblings. I just have an overprotective mother and my father is a coalminer. I think they're both grieving right now." I nodded. It felt nice to talk to him. He was easy to talk to. Maybe we could end up being very good partners after all. Josh stayed there looking awkward with his hands in his pocket before he said, "Right, maybe I should go. Um…I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast." he said and I nodded, smiling a little. He was a good person, after all. "Goodnight!" he called out to me. "Goodnight, Josh!" I answered.
A/N: So, tell me what did you think of this? Klaus and Camille are the tributes I have chosen for District 2 and for District 1 are Elijah and Katherine. What do you think Katherine is hiding from Elijah and what do you think will happen now that they are in the games together? What do you think of Caroline? Hayley first saw Klaus on television and already has a bad impression of him because of his district and his family. What do you think of the Hayley and Josh friendship? Do you think it will last? Review please and tell me what you liked or disliked about this chapter.