Chapter Four (District 6 v District 13)

Goodbyes and train journey


POV: Axelle Hartzog, 18

District 6, 5th Female

I was led into the Justice Building along with the other forty-seven tributes to have our goodbyes to our families. I knew that most, if not all tributes, would get at least one visitor. In Districts like Eight and Twenty-one, not everyone got visitors as poverty and family separation was most common in those two Districts.

When I was in one of the goodbye rooms, I overheard that there had been a massive basement added for all tributes to get their own separate room, I only waited about thirty seconds for my first visitor. My mum and dad came in first. They both hugged me really tight, before telling me I was really brave for volunteering.

"Really brave?" I replied, "We all know Molly would have died quickly in the Games, maybe even giving birth before during them if she somehow escaped the Bloodbath. I volunteered to save her life, my nieces' life and to spare us, and Gino pain. I didn't really do it out of bravery, more a responsibility to protect my family."

Mum started at me for a second, "That is what bravery is and think of it this way. The Capitol is going to love you for it. You volunteered to protect your pregnant sister. That is going to earn you a lot of support in the Capitol," Dad said.

"and from that, you can get sponsors, and hopefully build an alliance. You are strong. You may have left the academy last year, but you are still deadly with the weapons you trained with. Use them, get allies and impress sponsors. Use Molly's pregnancy and the upcoming birth of your niece to get support from the Capitol audience. It worked for Cantila Requot in the 954th Hunger Games, so it can work for you." Finished Mum.

They both pulled me into a second tight hug, and help me there for a full minute. "Try your best Axelle, try to come back to us," whispered Dad.

"I will, I promise I will," I whispered back. The Peacekeeper opened the door, and started to drag my parents back. "Look after Molly!" I called after them. My Mum nodded once, before the door shut on them. I sat down on the sofa, and waited for my next visitor.

My sister and her boyfriend, Gino, were my next visitors. I helped my sister sit down, before she threw her arms around me and cried into my shoulder. Gino, who has been my best friend for fifteen years, also hugged me.

"Thank you," Molly whispered into my ear, "You saved my life, and my daughters. Thank you." I looked at her and smiled.

"Did you really think I would just let you be reaped?" I asked, "I am a little shocked Gino here didn't immediately volunteer." I smiled up at Gino, who smirked, and shook his head.

"I was just about to when you volunteered. Then I thought that there was no need, as Molly would be here at home, and would need me when she gives birth," he said. I smiled, and pulled them both into another hug, before kneeling down, and kissing Mollys' belly, right over where the child was. I looked up at Molly.

"Quickly, before you go, can you tell me the name of my niece. I am unlikely to ever meet her, so I would love to know the name you have kept hidden from everyone before I probably die," I asked.

Molly smiled at me sadly. "First, you were amazing at the academy, and I know you can win, believe it, and you can win. You can meet my daughter." She said. I started to say something, but she carried on speaking. "Secondly, at first, we were going to call her Nicosia, but me and Gino had a quick discussion and, as much as we both hated to admit it, you are most likely not ever going to meet her, and you saved her life. We are naming out daughter Axelle Nicosia Hartzog." She finished.

I barely had time to start crying and to thank them before the Peacekeepers burst in. I gave them both a quick final hug, and told Molly I loved her, and to pass my love onto little Axelle. Then they were gone. I quickly wiped my tears away, and the door opened again. My boyfriend, Flaxon, was there. I fell into his arms crying over the fact I would never see him or my family ever again, and the fact that I would never meet my niece.

He slipped his arms around me, and held me. He kissed me on the top of my head, and started crying himself. "I love you Axelle, you can do this. I know you can." He whispered. I hiccupped, and held him tighter. "There are over one thousand other people, there is no way I can win," I said.

"But you won't be fighting them all. You can ignore nine-hundred-and-ninety-six of them. You only have to be in the same arena as one-hundred-and-fifty-six other tributes, which makes it much easier than facing one-thousand-one-hundred-and-fifty-one other tributes," He said.

"How did you work that out?" I said, "the twist was forty-eight times the tributes. We will all be together."

"Did you not hear the entire announcement/" he asked. I shook my head. "After President Snow announced that it would be forty-eight tributes, my ears just filled with a ringing, as I knew that both me and Moly had a chance of being reaped together, which meant I would not be able to protect her."

Flaxon smiled, and kissed my forehead again. "No darling. The twist was different. You will only face District 13 tributes in this Game. That leaves eleven other sets of seventy-two tributes who will die without being in your arena, which makes seven-hundred-and-ninety-two. Then, there will be five sets of thirty-six tributes in round two who you will not face, which makes a total of nine-hundred-and-seventy-two tributes. Then, there will be twenty-four more tributes who will die before you face them, bringing the total to nine-hundred-and-ninety-six tributes. Take that away from the total number of tributes, and you are left with one-hundred-and-fifty-six." He pulled out of the hug, and looked directly into my eyes. "I love you Axelle. Come back to me, please." The door was opened, and two Peacekeepers pulled him away. "I love you too Flax," I called. The door slammed, and I sat down on the couch, breathing deeply and thinking.


POV: Queenie Silver, 16

District 13, 2nd female

I thought no one would come to visit me. I had been an orphan since I could remember, which is one of the reasons I train so hard. Every year, all eight-year-olds get tested for the career academy, and the top two boys and two girls get a sponsorship, which means that they don't have to spend any money to get into the academy. I knew from when I was two, I wanted it, as it would mean I wouldn't have to spend any money on being trained, and I would get a bed and decent food for most of my life, until I died in the Games, became a Victor or aged out of the academy. I was originally planning on volunteering next year, or the year after, but I was ready to fight.

I knew that there would be a few career tributes from District Thirteen, namely David and Nuclear. They were the top of their age group in the academy. If I had to guess, District Six would produce between four and six Careers. Then, of course, you have the anti-career pack to consider. Every year after the One-Hundred-and-twenty-seventh Hunger Games, there has been an anti-career pack. Last year was one of the weakest, with only five members, all of whom died in the Bloodbath. I would say that there would be around eight in these games.

As the hour came to an end, I had a surprise. The third in command at the academy, after the two Victors, walked in. Her name was Pauline West, and she had almost been the tribute for the Nine-Hundred-and-Seventy-fifth Hunger Games, before her sister, Tahliah West, volunteered before she could. Tahliah ended up being the first tribute to lose both her lives, leaving her in forty-eighth place. Since then, Pauline has always despised people who don't follow her rules, especially when it comes to who volunteers.

"Well then Miss Silver," she said "I didn't expect this. I have been visiting all other tributes, with the careers being last. I have been giving advice to the non-volunteers. It seems Philip, Ximop and Terra are going to be in the anti-career pack. Of course, Ximop knows you really well, so watch out for her. David is excited and has already requested that you join him in the pack. Nuclear is ecstatic. Probably a bit too much so. Watch out for him and kill him in the Bloodbath in necessary."

"Yes Miss!" I said, standing to attention. After eight years, it was automatic.

"Come and sit down," she said, walking over to the velvet sofa in the corner. I walked over slowly, and nervously sat down beside her. "I am going to be honest Queenie. You probably aren't going to win. Not only are there going to be one thousand, one hundred and fifty-one other tributes, all the tributes from One, Two and Four are likely to be trained full, Seven, Eleven, Nineteen and Twenty are likely to supply a lot of decent tributes, and we both know how good Twelve is at Quarter Quells with multiple times tributes." She continued. I nodded silently.

Districts One, Two and Four were the original Career Districts. After the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games, the Capitol put a vote out to all its' citizens, asking whether it should build training academies in all Districts. The vote came back with ninety-two percent in favour. The Capitol decided that each District needed to have ten Victors to be able to have ana academy built in their District. From this, Districts Seven and Eleven were the first two to get an academy, as Seven already had seven Victors, and Eleven always provided strong tributes. District Thirteen also had to gain ten Victors before an academy would be built there. After the Three-Hundred-and-Fifty-First Hunger Games, when Districts Fourteen through Twenty-Four started providing tributes, they had to build to ten Victors before getting a academy, with District Twenty-One being the last after the Six-Hundred-and-Forty-Eighth Annual Hunger Games. District Nineteen and District Twenty quickly became powerful Districts, earning more Victors than any of the other eleven.

After the Five-Hundredth-Hunger Games, the nation was split into various 'career quality' groups. Districts One, Two, Four, Seven, Nineteen and Twenty were called the Alpha Career group. These six Districts provided the most trained tributes every year, and thus were typically the Career Pack, although in District 19, the academy was in the part that used to be called Wales, so most tributes came from there. Districts Five, Nine, Eleven, Twelve, Sixteen and Twenty-Four were grouped as the Beta Careers. These six provided decently trained tributes most years, and typically were the anti-career pack. Districts Three, Ten, Fourteen, Fifteen, Seventeen and Twenty-Two were called Proto-Careers. They supplied decently trained tributes on a semi-regular basis, and normally were split between the Career and anti-career packs. Then, the Delta-Career group were Districts Six, Eight, Thirteen, Eighteen, Twenty-One, and Twenty-Three. We occasionally had career tributes, and normally were backups for any careers missing from anywhere else, or just went solo.

The reason we were both worried about Twelve, is the fact that they have the record for most Quarter Quell wins of any District at five.. In addition to that, all five of their Quarter Quell wins came from years where there was a specific number multiple of tributes. Their first one, was Haymitch Abernathy won the Fiftieth Hunger Games, when there were twice as many tributes. Then, in the Two-Hundred-and-Fiftieth Hunger Games, when there were four times the tributes, Daffodil Sablone won. In the Five-Hundredth Hunger Games, Smokey Brokeroot won when there was six times the number of tributes. Basil Everdeen won the Seven-Hundredth Hunger Games when there was eight times the number of tributes. And finally, Keel Ness won the Nine-Hundredth Hunger Games, when there was twelve times the number of tributes. So, in short, District Twelve seem to have the magic needed to win this type of Hunger Games. I knew that we were lucky, as against District Six, we may actually do well.

I asked a question that had been bugging me most of the time since the twist was announced. "How many Careers do you think District Six will produce?"

Pauline bit her lip in thought for a moment. "I would say four. Kentucky, Santiago's daughter, will probably be in the Games this year, but if she will be in the career pack, I don't know. See if you can rope her into joining the pack with you and David. Just know, that the person who kills Kentucky in the end, will probably have all District Six tributes trying to kill them in return. She is loved by the District."

The hour was almost up now, and Pauline said one last thing to me, before being led out by Peacekeepers. She said "Do your best, do your duty, and may the odds be ever in your favour. If you need to, betray the alliance. You probably have the best chance of winning out of all the tributes from our District, apart from Nuclear. Kill him, and you may go far. You are better than David in my opinion. Do not show your full skill straight away." I nodded and gave one final salute before the door shut. Two minutes later I was taken onto the train, to head to the Capitol. I climbed onto the train, and sat down with David and, unfortunately, Nuclear. We were on our way to the Hunger Games.


POV: Swansea Holfranlong, Victor of the 993rd Hunger Games, 22

District 6 resident and mentor

I climbed onto the train alone. I knew Santiago, his wife, and there three other children, 11-year-old Renault, 5-year-old Haasie and 4-month-old Chevy, would be with Kentucky, spending their final moments as a family there. I felt so bad for all of them. I loved Kentucky like a younger sister. I was determined to do everything I could do to protect her.

I also knew that Eugene was going to all the other tributes, to talk with them briefly, so he could see who would be strong together to try and come up with alliances before the train even set off. He had done this for the past twenty years according to Santiago. I didn't understand it.

I headed to the kitchen to grab myself a glass of a non-alcoholic fruit cider. I rarely drank. Since my victory, I had only ever drunk twice, once on the night of my Victors Party, and once three months ago on the night my fiancé, Ishania, proposed to me. I loved her so much, and hated leaving every year in Six alone.

"Hey Swansea, the tributes are about to start boarding," said Werntius, as she came in to the kitchen. She had god rid of the ridiculous train carriage costume she had been wearing, and was wearing more normal clothes, still in the light grey colour of District Six.

"Thank Werntius," I turned to go to meet my fellow Victors, but stopped "Werntius, how it be possible for you to help me, Eugene and Santiago with mentoring the tributes this year, as there are so many?" I asked.

"Yeah sure, I can help as much as you need," she said, grabbing a cup of tea. "I just need to go speak with the driver about our timing." She left to the front of the train, as I headed to the back. I entered the final carriage to find Eugene and Santiago already in there. "Werntius is up to helping us mentor," I informed them both as I sat down.

I looked to my left at Santiago. Even after an hour, there were still tears streaming down his face. I reached out and put an arm around his shoulders. He was shaking slightly. I opened and closed my mouth several times. I wanted to say something supportive, but I didn't know what to say. I knew that Kentucky was highly likely to die. It was her against over one-thousand other people, the chance of her living was very low. Eugene walked over to us and knelt down in front of Santiago.

"Listen to me Santiago. We will do our best for Kentucky, but we can't ignore the others. I told you weeks ago that Kentucky was likely to be picked. She is a reapable child of a Victor this year, and they always like having family in the Quarter Quells. I promise you; we will try to bring her home. However, I cannot let you just focus on her. She will survive this round, I can promise you that," Eugene said, in a low voice. Santiago took a deep shuddering breath, and looked up at Eugene.

"How can you promise that?" he cried.

"How much training has Kentucky received? Her entire life me, you and Chevy have trained her, with Swansea here helping these past few years. She is easily our strongest tribute this year, and will undoubtedly lead the anti-career pack. This, coupled with the fact that she is the daughter of a popular Victor, will ensure she survives Round One, and has a good chance of winning," Eugene reasoned. Santiago looked at me, I quickly nodded, and then he took another deep breath and wiped his eyes. "We should go talk to them," he said. I nodded and stood up. Eugene and Santiago followed, and we all walked to the tributes.

When we walked into the room, there were several groups of tributes sitting together. I could see the careers (Buster, Saturn, Holly, Kieth and Jacobi) and what I assumed would be the anti-careers (Chelsea, Axelle, Crystaler and Ariel). There was also a group of male tributes (Lincon, Cylinder, Texas, Jason and Tank) and a group of female tributes Cowl, Mitt, Lexi and Izzy). Most tributes however were sitting by themselves. I looked around at everyone in the room.

"Hello everyone," I said. "There is no point in introducing ourselves as you all know who we are. Normally, I would take one of the tributes, and Santiago or Eugene would take the other tribute. However, this year will obviously be different."

"The Capitol has said that the Escort can act as a mentor this year, if the Victors and Escort are OK with it. Werntius has agreed to help us, and together, us four will each mentor twelve of you." Said Santiago shakily. I saw his eyes flicking over to Kentucky frequently.

"Santiago and I will mentor the male tributes, while Werntius and Swansea will mentor the female tributes. We can split you any way you want. I can tell there is already a few separate groups of tributes forming, so if the male and female tributes from that group want to stay together, they can." Eugene said. Werntius opened the door on the other side of the carriage, "We are going to be delayed slightly as the storm last week knocked a tree onto the line," She informed everyone. "and as a final note to what the Victors were saying, all four of us will of course work together. And before you ask the question Eugene, yes, I did hear you three, as I was talking to one of the workers just the other side of the door."

I smiled at Werntius, and then looked back at the children. "We will leave you for a few minutes to decide who you want to be mentored by. Then, we will watch the reaping recaps, so we can see the tributes from District Thirteen." I said. Werntius walked over to us, and the four of us walked out of the room. I slipped my hand into Santiagos, and squeezed it. He smiled at me, "You good Swan?" He asked, "You've never handled this bit very well."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I have to be." I lied. In reality, memories of my first journey on this train were already flooding my mind. In the Nine-Hundred-and-Ninety-First Hunger Games, I was fifteen and the youngest tribute. Even worse for me, that year I was the only non-volunteer. Every other tribute from Julian in One to Ariana from Twenty-Four were all trained, and eighteen years old. During the pre-games predictions, I was given the worst odds in the past twenty years, at 145-1, which dropped to 187-1 after I only scored an eleven.

Thankfully, we being weak actually worked out in my favour. We were dumped into a prison. Twenty-five people died in the Bloodbath, and the Games lasted for a further nineteen days. I hid for most of the time, killing Kaleb and Abbey from Twenty-Three with a trap. At the top ten, I ran to the Cornucopia while it was unguarded, and hid inside. The final battle happened outside, with Julian winning. He had forgotten about me, and joyfully announced that he had won. While he was looking around, wondering why there were not trumpets signalling his victory, I slipped out of the box I was hiding in, picked up the dagger he had dropped, and drove it into the back of his head, winning. My victory caused a stir-up in the Capitol, as no one expected it. I had a small group of fans, but almost everyone wanted someone else to win. I shook my head, determined not to focus on the past, and focus on the tributes.


POV: Winter Sawpit, Victor of the 942nd Hunger Games, 73

District 13 resident and mentor

I swore quietly as Phaedra said that he wasn't going to help me and Niler mentor. He said that it wasn't his job to mentor the little beasts, and that we should be happy to be able to mentor in such a great year, where we would each have twenty-four tributes to look after. According to him, a lot of people would kill for this role. The arrogant prat walked away, and I glared at his back.

"Bastard," muttered Niler. His face had fury written all over it. I could see his eyes darken as well. I knew that look all to well. I saw it every year in his eyes, on the train, even when we had two strong tributes. I had also seen that same look in the eyes of Callisto, Sophia and Bethany each year before they died, including my own year. Callisto had died almost fifty years ago, during the 953rd Hunger Games' second day. Sophia had died just after the bloodbath of the 972nd Hunger Games, which Niler won. Bethany had died two months after the end of the 990th Hunger Games.

I sighed, and grabbed Nilers' wrist as he made to get up. "Leave it", I said, "Let the bastard go. If we try to do anything, all of the tributes will die during this game." Niler still looked pissed, but nodded. "I wish Manhattan had won, that would make everything easier." He said. I nodded "Yeah, it would have. But we can't dwell on the past. We have to take care of these tributes." I took a moment, before saying that we should go back to the tributes, and watch the reaping recaps. I stood up, still being quitter fit, and walked with Niler back to the main carriage.

Manhattan had been the female tribute for District 13 two years ago, which Poseidon from Four won. She was one of our strongest Careers in recent memory. She scored a twenty-two, and received 8-1 odds of winning, so me and Niler were both hoping to receive another Victor. She team up with the careers, which were both from 1, 2, 4, 7, 19 and 20. The arena was the usual woods, and the games lasted twenty-three days. Our male died in the Bloodbath, while Manhattan survived till the final two. She and Poseidon fought for thirty minutes. Manhattan managed to cut his left arm off, but left herself open for a stab to the neck, killing her. She was the closest to victory of any District Thirteen tribute since Niler.

Me and Niler entered the room with all the tribute again, and called for their attention. "So, how have you decided do be mentored, and it is only us two." Queenie spoke up, "The first twenty-four by Niler, the second twenty-four by you." I smiled and nodded. Niler did the same. I knew Queenie was a good person. She was a fantastic fighter, but was still compassionate and caring. She detested torture, preferring to kill quickly, and hopefully with very little pain. I signalled everyone to sit down and turned on the television to watch the reaping recaps.

I watched the District Six Victors get announced, and smiled sadly at the mention of Sierra and Chevy. They were both good friends to me. I missed them. Then, the tributes were announced. Buster, Saturn, Holly, Kieth and Jacobi all worried me. Kentucky did as well, as I knew she would be very well trained. Maybe even more trained than the Careers from Six. Definitely more trained then any of our tributes this year. I felt extremely sorry for Valsa, as she was so young. The commentators, Sphinx Flickerman and Octavia Creops, making comments about all tributes, from gushing about how fit Saturn was, to how beautiful Kentucky was, and how Valsa was brave for how young she was.

Then the recap moved onto District 13, where Sphinx was obsessed over Nuclear, and Octavia was focusing on Queenie, and how amazing Percy was for volunteering to help Namora. Unfortunately, most of the other tributes were completely ignored by the commentators. I had expected it, as District 13 was not the most popular District, and there were ninety-six tributes, so not all tributes can truly be properly looked at, but I hoped that they would make at least an attempt at talking about each tribute.

"OK, first, are there any alliances between you lot?" asked Niler. There were some nods.

"Perfect," I said "We will take the alliances first, then the individuals. We will ask you about you skills and any alliance ideas you may have. David, Queenie and Nuclear, lets take you three first." I walked with Niler out of the room into the final carriage.

Over the next two hours, Niler and I talked to each of the forty-eight tributes. We got an idea of each of their skills, and advised them on what they should do over the next few days before the Games start, and what to do in the Games.

For the Careers (Queenie, David and Nuclear), we told them to try and see if they can team up with Buster, Saturn, Jacobi and Kieth, as they were obviously the Careers for District Six. We also told them to try and keep control of the Cornucopia. For the anti-careers (Philip, Ximop, Terra and Hadrian), we told them to see if there were any anti-careers from Six. If they equalled or exceeded the number of Careers, try to take the Cornucopia. Then, for each other tribute, we recommended allies from Thirteen, or for them to go solo. We also gave them different plans to follow. For Willa, Luke, Pauline, Lupus, Alma, Waverly and Lucian, we told them to team up as a crowd of young tributes. All of them were thirteen or younger, and they had Mercedes, Railson, Valsa, Nuvi, Arizona, Paxton, Dasher and Bonnet from District Six who may team up with them.

After talking with each tribute, we sent them all to their bedrooms, and told them to stay there and have a nap before we arrived in the Capitol, as it was going to be a late night with the parade in the evening, when it was usually the day afterwards. I headed to my own room to relax a little bit. In my room, I laid back and closed my eyes.

I woke up with a jolt. Footsteps. I grabbed my dagger from next to me, and crouched, looking through the holes in the crumbling castle wall. I saw the three remaining Careers hunting. Spartacus from 2 had his sword, Acre from 7 had her twin hatchets and Cathrine from 19 had a bow. I smiled, as I had been waiting for the past twelve days to finally see them. They must have been on the other side of the arena. I slowly stretched my hand over to the rope to trigger the trap I had set off. I carefully wrapped my fingers around it and, after waiting for them to be in the correct place, I pulled on the rope.

The upper floor fell in, landing directly on top of the Careers. I saw Cathrine being crushed instantly, and Spartacus getting his head smashed against the ground. Acre was lucky enough to dodge most of the rocks, only getting dazed. But that was all I needed. I dived round the wall, and slashed my dagger across her throat, killing her, sounding three cannons and gaining my first, second and third kill of the Games. I wiped my blade off, and picked up their supplies. Five other tributes left. I sprinted through the ruins of the old town, from the time of knights and kings. I found the pair from Three an hour later, and killed them. Just the One girl, Twelve boy and Twenty-Three girl to go. I smiled; this was going to be easy.

I woke up with a scream, back safely in my room in the train. I sighed. "Just a nightmare," I told myself. "Just memories, you are safe there is no need to worry." I stood up and got the cup of water from my bedside. I looked out the window, and saw the Capitol in the distance. It was time to do this again.


A/N: I am back! Not that many people missed me. Here is the first set of goodbyes and journeys. I will hopefully be posting another chapter soon, so keep an eye out.