"After interest in the Games drops to an all time low, President Snow is determined to regain the once amazing popularity. Twelve tributes. One 'arena.' And one game-changing twist. Welcome to the 80th Hunger Games, the Rebirth."

~ The Rebirth Games ~

Chapter Five:

Final Destination

All I remember from last night was leaving the balcony and heading straight to bed. And now the following morning, I'm still scratching my head over the conversation with Tren.

But maybe I can.

I still don't know what I meant. I know I certainly didn't mean it in a cocky way.. But I just know that she probably took it that way. Why wouldn't she? "Oh look, I'm gonna die!" "That's cool, but I'm definitely not so ha!" That's what it really sounds like...

It was just on the tip of my tongue. She paused, I knew I had to say something. So it just fell out instantly. And that's why she gives me an odd stare when I walk into the dining hall right now.

"Hey," I say. She gives a small wave as she pours a spoon of cereal into her mouth. Finnick and Beetee sit opposite her whispering away like children, but they instantly stop once Beetee shrugs to me. Finnick turns, gives me a look and falls silent.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," I begin, but I'm instantly cut off by Finnick.

"You better be. You can't act that way anymore. You're not back at home in District 4. You're going to the Capitol.."

"I know. But I told you I'm sorry," I say as I approach the table.

"Sorry may not be enough," Beetee coughs up. "You purposely tried to squeeze information out of Mr. Odair without a single thought of consequences."

"And what may the consequences be?" I ask.

Beetee looks away and shares eye contact with Finnick. I can instantly sense some sort of connection between the two. Like an uneasy feeling they both share. Like they're both on the same page with what Beetee says immediately afterwards. "Well let me just say that Snow punishes the lightest rule breaks with the worst things possible."

He could cut my tongue out. Turn me into an avox. He could kill me. Chop off my head on live television.

"I don't care," I continue as I grab a bread roll from a platter on the table. "He's not going to hurt a tribute."

Finnick quickly turns and glares at me. "When you eat that, just remember where it came from.. Go get ready. We'll be arriving in the Capitol soon."

And so when I head back to my room to get changed, I know what he's talking about. The Districts. Probably District 11 mainly. They make all the ingredients over there.. But I fail to find a point in what Finnick meant.

When you eat that, just remember where it came from. I take a bite, swallow and still don't know. And then I hear the laughter of invisible people in my mind by how literal I took it.

Is he trying to make me feel proud of how far I've come? Maybe to realize the luxury I'm getting? I just don't know.

It's about an hour later that Tren, Finnick, Beetee and I are all standing in the exit of the train. Just a thin sliding door stands in front of us with a small window on it. We look through and watch as we sweep across the rail tracks over a large lake. The gigantic city of the Capitol comes into focus. Towering buildings, some look odd in shape. Pastel colors; green, pale pinks, soft blues. It's like a slightly dull version of a dream-like candyland. We are enclosed into darkness as the train darts through a black tunnel.

"Smile and wave," Finnick whispers into my ear. I chuckle. "I'll try."

I see light at the end of the tunnel.. Literally. White surrounds us. A glow shines through the small window as a huge roar of cheers errupts. The door slides open and all I see is a rippling wave of a rainbow. Blue hats. Red shirts. Pink lips. Green skin. The Capitol couture as clearly been stepped up for our arrival.

I walk down the steps, only hoping the others are following behind. The crowds chant my name.

"Danix! Danix! Danix!"

I see a woman completely covered in what appears to be... spaghetti. The thin noodles start from her scalp and dangle over her body like curtains. She holds out a notepad and a blue pen. I can barely see her lips behind her 'hair' form to say my name.

I walk over and hands shoot towards me, but I'm only focused on the woman. I take the pen, sign my name and I see her green eyes glisten. "Thank you."

I feel my shirt being tugged, but I manage to break free from the grasp. Back out and onto the red carpet, I walk through the barricades and into an empty section of the train station. I hear the crackles and I see the flashes of photographers taking pictures. I watch as a suited man opens up the door to a long limousine in front of me.

"Gentleman," he says, a wide smile on his face. After taking a seat inside, the screams only sound like echoes now. The entire car is quiet and I can hear the bubbling of some sort of fizzy drink in a glass beside me. The others step inside onto the long, soft seats and the door shuts.

"You were having a great time.." whispers Tren.

"I know." I pass her a glass filled with some of the fizzy drink. "It was fun."

"Enjoy it while it lasts. You won't get this forever," Beetee chirps.

Of course I won't get this forever. Because I'll probably die in that arena. And this is probably the same moment every year where the tribute partners turn to one another in fear. Both probably won't make it out alive, but even if one does, there will only be one victor. But I can't. I can't do the same with Tren. No, not after last night.

Not after Finnick let slip that their could possibly be more than one victor.

Author's Note:

Hello!

Welcome to Chapter Five of The Rebirth Games, Final Destination! I really thought this was a fitting title because we have finally made it to the final destination, the Capitol! Also because of those Final Destination movies.. They're horror movies and they're all about bad luck.. How fitting considering we're going to be heading to the Games very soon! :P

Whether you like this chapter or not, please feel free to leave a review if you have time! Also, let me know what you think of the chapter lengths. I have never really had chapters this short in my stories before, but I feel like it's good for this one. It makes me post them quicker! If I force myself to write like 3,000 words per chapter, I could literally take A WEEK. But if I post around 1,500 per chapter, they will be easier for me to write. If I write to much without actually posting anything, I get stressed and stop. xD

We've finally entered the Capitol... What do you think is coming in the Games? Leave me your predictions!

Thank you all so much for reading, byeeeee! :D