Train Rides Pt. 1:

Vivian Shaw, 18
District 1 Female

Personally, I like the idea of being a lone wolf. Alas, I don't get to make the rules around here. Considering the way Lapis and Diane left Prism and I on the couch together while they went off to quickly talk, District 1 is going to be a pair this year. Well, like every year.

That's just the way it is.

I've spent a good amount of time around Prism and I know how they function. That, and the fact they're a total piece of work. They flash me that winning smile of theirs, one that makes all the younger kids swoon and clamour. It doesn't work as well when you're the same age as them, taken, and have seen that exact kind of smile laced with sleaze at the strip club.

Not that Prism is a sleazeball or anything. At least I don't think they are. But there's a part of me that feels almost immediately on edge.

"Alright, Shaw. We're gonna grab the bull by the horns and make the Games our bitch! What do you say to that?"
"I don't think the arena will be a giant bull, but hey. Whatever floats your boat."

They burst into laughter, right as the mentors come back. I lock eyes with Diane, careful to look her in the eye and not at her leg, as I think of Rudy. I think of my parents. I think of the whispers behind my back, the things said to my face, and the way I was laughed at because I never had the same things as everyone else. I remember being called pretty, sometimes genuinely and sometimes not.

"I can't remember the last time I've seen bulls in the arena, but I'm sure there has been." Lapis takes a seat next to Prism. "Diane and I were thinking that we do want to coach you both together. Cooperation has always been a big strength of District 1. But at the same time, we'll each give you chances to work alone with your mentor. Would you like to start that right now, or wait until we get into the Capitol?"

"Capitol," Prism announces at the same time I say "right now." They shoot me a funny look and I just shrug. "What?"

Diane seems bewildered, as if she didn't expect my response. Her leg makes a strange tapping sound on the ground. It's annoying, but also kinda alluring. I think I'll like her as my mentor.

"Sure." Lapis stands up. "I'll leave you two the room, then. Come with me, Prism."

Diane takes Lapis's spot. "Let's talk about your strategy. I'm assuming you have a plan."
"That I do. I prefer ranged weapons. And I never let the gap close."

"And for interviews?"
"I give them what they want. They want sexy. I know how to pull sexy off."

Diane nods, but I get the feeling she's not impressed. No, she is, but it's clear she was kind of hoping there'd be more I can give her. More than just a pretty face with pretty knives.

"And I want to prove something. Both to myself and others. I've spent a lot of time looked down on because I was poor and came from mining money. Because I danced at a strip club to pay for my training since I didn't have parents who could just fork all the cash over. I want to show that my past doesn't mean I'm not capable of being a winner or a Victor. That I've worked my ass off to get here and I earned it."

Diane perks up a little. "Never took you for the miner's girl, dearie. And you won't be surprised that I, of all people, know quite a bit about proving myself."
"I think you might know more about that than anyone else. And I think nobody could teach me better but Diane Bloom herself."

It's not buttering up my mentor or anything. It's the truth. Maybe I'm lucky to have Diane, because I think she'll understand more than anyone else. When you work so hard for something, but your status is all anyone can talk about, then what's even the point? How do you beat that?

Regardless, I will show I am more than my status.

"Lapis was right when he selected you." Diane's smile is warm now. "Let's talk about sponsors."

Arietis Rammestien, 18
District 2 Male

I've never been on a train before.

I don't think I ever wanna get off.

It's so much fun watching the outside whizz by, as if I'm actually flying past everything myself. The mountains that surround my home have been replaced with lush green forests and plains covered in grass and flowers. It's actually kind of beautiful. If I could choose where I'd want to live, I think I'd pick the forests. There, I could have a man cave all to myself, and nobody would ever be able to-

"A-man! Hey! Are you paying attention or what?"

Brick gives me a punch to my shoulder. Immediately, I turn around and punch him. Harder. He sighs as he sits down next to me. "Ow. You didn't lose your touch. Nice. Anyways, Lyme had something to say?"

Lyme nods, taking the television remote and turning on the screen. She pauses the second the 5 Reapings conclude. "At all, are you considering either of the 5 tributes for the Career pack? Or would you rather keep it at the traditional six members?"

"I don't know," Olympia admits as her shoulders slump forward. "I mean…eight people is a lot, right? Might get crowded. We could stand out too much and I don't like the sound of that."
I'm also on board with the "screw the Fives" mentality, if it's for different reasons. I don't want anyone in my pack whose loyalties may not entirely lie with me. Fives don't give a shit about Career honour.

"I'm on board with Olympia. They can go get their own allies."

Lyme nods. "Right. I'll chat with the others in the Capitol."
"Um…Lyme?"

Her head turns back to me. I notice Brick and Olympia are watching closely with looks of concussion on their faces. Hoo boy. I just say my mind anyway, to get it all over with. "Could I lead the Career pack?"
"I'm not your mentor, Arietis. You'll have to discuss that with Brick."

Brick immediately shakes his head. "I don't think that's a good idea, dude. You know what happens to the leader? He gets his ass kicked when it's time for the pack to break up."
"Yeah, but-"

"Just trust me on that one."

Well, that's not fair! Now what strategy am I supposed to use? I have to be the leader. I need everyone to respect me. That won't happen if I'm just one of them. I'm used to always being the gold standard in the Academy, the guy all the trainers point to if they need an example of how to get things done. That's just the way it is.

I glance at Brick, trying to tell him that hey, throw me a bone here. He just reaches out, probably to clap me on the back, but I duck before he can do so. Bless Brick's heart, I know he's not normally that kind of guy who has to always touch you but it sometimes feels like it. "Hey, A-man. Not the end of the world."
"Whatever."

"We need to move on," Lyme says quickly. "For convenience, we'll stay where we are. You two are okay working together, no?"
"Of course," I say. Olympia nods. I don't feel a need to hide any secrets. Okay…that's a lie. There are a few secrets I feel a need to keep. I'm not ready to admit them, not even to myself. But...we're not talking amount that. A moment of weakness or whatever. I don't even wanna think about it.

But I just wish they'd let me keep my strats.

How else will I get everyone to notice me? How can I prove to them that I've earned this?

Mila Estedon, 16
District 3 Female

The tears from my eyes run over the remains of a lipstick smudge on my cheek where Gadge kissed me goodbye. I can't believe how badly I miss her already. Things are finally looking up and I've managed to patch up my relationship with her.

Only to be completely torn away from all of it. That stupid escort just had to call my name!

Maybe if I was from another district, I might be more inclined to believe I actually have a shot. But I'm from Three. We've got Bennet for a mentor. I can't remember if I've ever heard people say something good about him. Regardless, he's not here.

So that leaves me and Victor sitting together on a couch.

Victor holds their headband in their lap. The things on it remind me of candy corn. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to break the silence a bit to keep myself from going insane.

"I like your headband."
"They're horns."
"Horns?"

Victor holds the headband up. Okay, I can kinda see it. "Why are you wearing horns?"
"I dunno. My friends and I wanted to make trollsonas, but I didn't have any other ideas. This one's kinda broken, so I was hoping to make another one, but…" Victor shrugs.

"What's a trollsona?"
"It's…uh…where you dress up as a troll and stuff."
"And trolls have horns?"
"And gray skin too! Dad won't let me get the body paint yet. He said it's too expensive."

I just nod along, pretending I understand what they're talking about. Too bad I don't get a chance to prod further, because Amalthea comes up, dragging Bennet with them. I just glare at Amalthea. Fuck them. They're the reason I'm here instead of at home with Gadge where I belong.

"Tributes, Bennet. Bennet, Mila and Victor."

"I prefer Vick."
"Ah, okay. Mila and Vick. Bennet, any advice for them?"

"Don't trust anybody." Bennet finally pulls away from Amalthea. "Everyone is just out to hurt you and destroy you. I'm going back to bed."

I remember Bennet's Games now. I never liked his district partner at all; she was rude and constantly dragged his name through the mud whenever she got the chance. Not at all the hero the district pretended she was but of course they couldn't see the problem with her the way I could.

Bennet stumbles off and we all watch him go. Then I follow after him. Through cars and past furniture, until I reach the outside of his bedroom. "Umm…Bennet? Can I talk to you?"

"No."

"I'm Mila. Mila Estedon. I have a twin sister named Tara, who was always treated like she was better than me for no reason. A while back, she outed me and my girlfriend to my parents-"

"Girlfriend and I. If you're gonna tell me a sob story, do it right."

"We had to keep our relationship under wraps out of fear of scrutiny and what Tara would do. I almost lost Gadge because of my sister. My parents have never looked at me the same way since. You…you don't have to like me. Or mentor me…I guess. But I don't want you to think you're alone. There are people who understand what you've gone through."

The door creaks open a little and I see one of Bennet's eyes poking through. "Is that so?"
"I'm sorry to bother you."
"You know what. Give me five minutes to take a leak. I'll meet you in the dining car."

Avonlea Headden, 18
District 4 Female

Cy gives me a fist bump as we get onto the train together. I like him. He's pretty nice and funny. I do think he had more potential than some of the other volunteer choices so it's a damn shame that the trainers never considered him. And I mean…he's got other capabilities too…like…y'know...

Wait, fuck. No, no, no! Bad Avonlea! What are you doing!? Don't get distracted! You're not here to ogle a guy, you're here to win! How can you do that if you can't even pay attention twenty minutes after volunteering or whatever? God, I feel like a burning idiot.

"How am I supposed to talk to you?" Colby folds one leg over the other and stares icily at Cy. "I didn't even realize that it would be this one on the stage and not-"

"Yes! I know!" Concha sounds like she's heard the whole spiel already. "What's happened has happened and we can't change the past. We can still work with this."

Then she turns to us in a more direct and forward manner. "First off, congratulations. We're counting on you to represent us. I know how prolific you two are with weapons and combat, so let's put that aside for now." Concha reaches for the TV remote. "I think you should currently focus a bit on sponsors, profile, and reputation because we've got our work cut out for us."

She flips between two frames; the District 1 and District 2 tributes standing on their stages. "Because these are your new allies. Get along with them, but don't get close. They'll help you dominate the arena, but they're in it for the same reason as you and that's to win. Don't underestimate either of them, because that will kill you."

The girls from 1 and 2 look so much stronger and better than me. I feel a knot form in my stomach. Obviously if the Games were a popularity contest, no way in hell I'd ever be here. But I don't think I can stand out against that.

I want to stand out, right? Want people to notice me? Love me? It's a good thing. It has to be a good thing.

What do I have in my arsenal? Well, I'm from 4, I have two parents and two sisters, and I badly hurt my knee a while back. Maybe I should've focused on the physical therapy more while it healed, but I thought it was fine. I was doing tons of physical stuff anyway in training.

I feel myself shrinking into the couch a little, as if the whole thing is just gonna swallow me up in fabric. Maybe it should. I don't like the three pairs of eyes that have landed on me right now. Do they think I'm just gonna walk away from the Career pack? I'm not stupid enough to do that! I can suck it out, I'll be okay. I swear, I'll-

"Avonlea?" Concha asks.
"It's fine."
"Okay. You look a little tense."
"I'm fine."

"Right." Concha is back to business. "So you both think you can work with them? It's for your own good, actually."

"The guy from 2 looks a little scary," Cy mutters and I have to agree. "The others seem fine, but I don't know if they'll like us very much."

Colby sneers. "Yeah, they don't like us ever since the Odairs came on the scene. Think every kid is his bastard child or something."
"Lovely," I sigh. "I can't wait to get targeted over some guy I have never even met before."

Cy gives me a small grin. "Hey, don't worry about it. You got me and I'll protect you. Let's get the crown home to 4, no?"

"My knight in shining seaweed." A giggle catches in my throat. God, it's hard to take him seriously like that.
"But…thank you."

Loire Lemaire, 16
District 5 Female

I've made a huge mistake.

Not volunteering for Sidonie. No, I'm not going to regret that. I could never just let her die. But all my talk to Elouan about how he can't go off chasing a one in twenty-four chance of victory and riches. Me pretty much begging him to stay with us. And then what do I do?

I turn back on my word.

I'm a hypocrite.

That's my mistake.

I only have one silver lining to my dark cloud and that's Elouan and Sidonie are safe in the loft looking after one another. Meanwhile, things are not looking up for me at all. Aaliyah Anderson has refused to even look at me, deciding she'll mentor Ganbaatar instead and taking him off to who knows where. That leaves me with Alexia, who I can't imagine is very happy with me either. Another opportunity to back up their big talk with two very competent tributes and I've probably just thrown a wrench into the whole thing.

God. I'm just making ally after ally today. Way to go, Loire.

We've been rewatching the Reapings together, trying to figure out who might make a good ally. I only want one, two at most, because I don't need a big group that puts a target on my back. There's a few potential options, like the girls from 3 and 6, the older tribute from 9, and maybe Ganbaatar if it has to come down to it.

"It's okay if you're upset at me," I say quietly to Alexia after finishing the Reapings and rewinding all the way back to the start. She hasn't spoken much to me since. "I understand I ruined this year's plans for you."
"Probably better it's you than your cousin." Alexis sounds resigned. "She's what, mute?"

"No. Blind, deaf. I couldn't stand by and let this happen."
"You're a lot braver than my sisters ever were. But I know where I've seen you from, and you're at least a bit trained, right?"

Well, yes and no. I'm starting to hate past Loire for never paying attention in training. If only I could know it might save my life.

"Do you have any ideas for allies yet?"
"I was thinking Mila or Naomi. Maybe Grail or Garnet. And possibly Ganbaatar, but I have a feeling Aaliyah's gonna try and get him in with the Careers over me."

"Fair enough. She's got the work cut out for her, though; some of the mentors weren't too happy with Peirre and Rosanna last year and the shitshow that was. Unfortunately, I won't be too surprised if they don't want either of you."
"Which of us do you think have better odds of making it in that alliance? I think Ganbaatar has a better shot, so I might as well look elsewhere."
"You do have a point there. I'll ask Aaliyah in a bit and then she'll let me know-"

Almost right on cue, Ganbataar sneaks into the room. "I'm very sorry. But I could not stand to listen to Aaliyah any longer. Career this. Career that. I understand what she means, but I've barely managed to get a single word in over her. I need a break from her to think about things for myself."

Alexia picks at her nails a little. "Join the club, kid. Loire was just talking about you."

"Oh." Ganbaatar looks over at me. "I hope you won't feel too offended if I tell you that I was kind of hoping to do my own thing? You're not really the kind of ally I had in mind."
"Of course not. No hard feelings at all."

One potential ally out the window, but it's not the end of the world. Still, I have to plan everything carefully. I want to win, because I desperately want to get home more than anything. I feel so damn guilty about just leaving my brother and my cousin behind like that. Throwing all caution to the wind and putting my own self in danger.

If I win, I'll never do it again. I'll stay with them for as long as I possibly can.

Walker Jeong,13
District 6 Male

I remember when I was little, my dad would make roast beef for dinner sometimes. It used to be one of my favourite meals. He doesn't do it anymore, considering how often he and Mom went out. I miss them both, but I miss his cooking more than anything else.

The one on the train is still pretty good. I drown my whole plate in gravy. Maxon just watches. "Ever had roast beef before Do you like it?"
"Yeah! It's better than Rhonda's!"

"Rhonda…oh yes. Your family maid. Do you spend a lot of time with her?"
"Pretty much. She teaches me how to play chess and stuff. I wish my parents were home more often."

It sucks being Reaped. But my parents were kinda weird about it in the Justice Building. They kept crying and apologizing and hugging and telling me that I wasn't supposed to get Reaped. I lost count of the number of times they said they were sorry, but it was a lot.

I just don't understand. Did they do something? Make someone mad? Did it have anything to do with the reason I saw Cruz Wells on my doorstep one day?

Maybe I should tell Maxon. But I don't know. I don't wanna get my parents in trouble. At the same time, I don't know who else I can go to. Rhonda refuses to say anything. She's made me not tell anyone. And I want to listen to her, because I should listen to her, but again, I don't know what to do. I wish my friends were here and we could all talk through the pros and cons, but I haven't told them either.

I don't get a chance to bring it up anyways, because Dolly and Naomi join us at the dinner table. Naomi follows Dolly almost like a shadow, ducking behind her.

"Oh, thank fuck. I'm starving." Dolly tears open a roll and starts buttering it. "So, did you two talk allies?"
"Yep. I know exactly what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna make an alliance with the other kids and we'll all protect each other."

Dolly winces a little. "Be careful with that. You don't want to make yourself a big target."
"No I'm not. Nobody is gonna want to mess with us!"

Naomi scoffs into her soup, which she seems to find more interesting than me. It's whatever. I didn't want her in my alliance anyways. If any older kids think they can boss me around because they're bigger or stronger, they can just forget it.

Maxon glances at Dolly. "We've talked about it at length. I don't think it'll be a problem. Naomi? How about you?"
Naomi shakes her head. "I don't want allies."

The rest of the meal is fairly silent, but something gnaws at me. I can't share it here, not with all these people in earshot. I wait until afterwards to approach Maxon. "Hey. Can I talk to you about something?"
"Of course, Walker. What is it?"

"Ummm…it's kinda private. Nobody else knows about it."

Maxon's face grows a little cold. "Oh. Follow me."

He leads me to the very back of the train, and opens the door. The cold wind stings my face. There's a little bench out here. Maxon sits down and motions for me to join him. "Nobody else will be able to hear us. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about?"

I swallow the urge to run back through the train screaming. "My parents are doing something shady…and I'm scared. I think it got me here. They always said I'd be safe."

And somehow, it was a lie. Two lips out of thousands, and yet my name is the one that gets called. I'm not that safe at all.

Got a new laptop and this is the first FFN update I've made on it, so hopefully the formatting is fine; looked a little strange to me when I was writing.

Next chapter, we'll be meeting with the other half of tributes and the other half of train rides.

See you all then,

-Vr