Harley Tandley 16, District 2 Male

Chariot Preparation

"Now before we go in there, I need to make this very very crystal clear no burning or killing anyone, okay" Everett says

Both Rory and I stare at him, as I tilt my head at him, I don't call it killing I call it charity but apparently charity is very bad.

I'd been itching for blood for almost a full day, and I was locked in my room completely alone, eventually, I just knocked myself out by ramming my head into the wall because I couldn't deal with it but after Rory and I both lost it after the peacekeepers took junior and His blowtorch away our mentors were ordered by the capital psychologists to have us locked alone and clearly, I don't do well with that but it was either that or they send us to the capitol mental institution which I heard is very bad.

I knew I was going to be chosen, I saw my death certificate in my dreams but it still doesn't seem real, it didn't feel real but maybe it's my turn to die, to find peace, I do deserve it, I have been a very charitable person, I have sent people to peace so they can't get hurt maybe it's my turn to be safe, doesn't mean I won't go easy or quickly Rory and I have an end game.

And we will complete that end.

We haven't spoken about that end game but we have one.

"I really don't like the look you are giving me right now," Everett says we are in some room before we go out into other rooms. I don't fucking know my head still hurts sadly I feel pain, I like pain though there is a real soothing feeling about pain. I have wanted to cut more of my limbs off but I need them, it is annoying missing a pinky they didn't even let me take that, so all the tokens I have are a black string and a small charm that I have had since I was born, never really felt like taking it off, never knew the meaning of it either and a small wooden knife that the witch gave me since I can't even bring my witch knife, but Everett didn't promise to sponsor our stuff back.

He fucking better

He is lucky he is a Victor that's for sure, Maverick I like, Everett I don't like. I really want to saw his face right now, I hated being on the train locked away like some animal and it was all because of him, he will regret it.

"Will I get in trouble if I saw your face in half, people can live without half a face I have tested the theory before, if you want I can saw your entire face off and give you the skin of another I have a collection in my freezer you can choose sadly people in the black market don't want skinned faces, not that I wear them let someone else do that," I hum

Rory just smirks fist bumping me from behind my back, but unlike most Everett doesn't react. I have to admit he has been nice to me, has tried to make a effort. I should be a little nicer, he let them take my child away until I get Junior back everyone in my sight besides Rory and Maverick is an enemy, hell I want to kill some tributes now but we have to wait and that's when the when the message of our end game will be revealed.

"Lovely story, but go ahead I don't really care if I die" Everett says Maverick flinches at that as Rory mumbles to himself I mean Lucifer sometimes it's hard to tell when he is talking to him, I wish I had a friend that only I can see.

Even Junior can't talk yet but he's only a baby after all he will learn.

"Actually I don't want to kill you" I say Everett just nods looking at his watch

"What if I throw a match at the president," Rory says I wonder what is inside the president. I have always wanted to gut that man alive and see if there is a heart or soul in there and even if we seem insane right now, we know when to tone it down hell, some people spoke to me like they didn't know who I was, it is easy to have a innocent facade on something Koby taught us just stay silent and listen, by rambling on and having tantrums that's when the world gets alerted of true evils and they turn against you.

"Please do not do that, I would rather our entire district not get punished, there has to be someone at home beside each other, you both still care for right," Everett says

"Junior," I say

"See, is that a cousin, pet?" Everett says

"My saw," I say

Even if I swear he is about to laugh once again victor keeps a straight face he does live in District Two there are a lot of maniacs around, you need to learn how to speak to the, I wouldn't say I'm manic I'm not special "You will get it -" he just bites his lip when I tilt my head "I mean him back after the bloodbath the capitol approved it, in training just use the ones in the capitol" he says

"You are wasting your time, we aren't stupid" Rory stutters

"We won't kill people in public" He finishes when Everett looks confused.

"Kid you killed 37 teenagers yesterday, during the reaping ceremony," Everett says

"I didn't want to go but now I'm here I'm happy" Rory says

Everett sighs whispering to Maverick as he just signals me to follow him "What happens now" I ask Maverick as we walk away from the other two. I completely forgot or just can't be bothered remembering I just want to go into the Hunger Games so I can quit this innocent facade even though apparently two tributes have our full file, I learned that before we were locked away like animals.

We know how to separate our real selves from our worlds and be normal people, it's how I was able to lure some of my victims normally if you chase someone with a saw they comply but sometimes I found a victim that interested me so I had to convince them to come with me. I was able to switch off the dark side of me the witch doctor, the games are no different, we may be headhunted if tributes see us as threats if they fear us and I would fear us, even I fear myself sometimes, sometimes I don't have control of what I'm doing and I end cutting a pinky of or having a permanent lapse and stutter, not that I hate tongues, they are fun to cut out, it's interested why people can't talk without a tongue, I don't know how it really works even if I have tried to work it out.

I have experimented with that too, cut tongues out and they can't talk properly, interesting enough it doesn't actually kill them yes they may choke on blood but you can survive with a tongue cut off, like Avox's do.

"Chariot rides, just close your eyes if you have too," Maverick says softly

"With horses and shit," I say

He just nods "Can I cut the horses apart?" I say

"I don't think that's allowed, it's only a few days then you have the freedom to do and kill who you want," he says leading me to another little waiting room as he just sits next to me

"I'm sorry we couldn't really talk on the train, we had no choice I didn't want to do that" he says

"It's okay, I was in peace anyways" I say

"You need to stop hurting yourself, okay, you can get killed," he says

"Is death really that bad, didn't you die, what was it like, did you meet the devil, I want to meet him sadly I don't think I will be going to hell maybe heaven but the gods aren't as interesting?" I say

"I didn't know you knew that I died and got revived," he mumbles, I wish I knew how it was possible it shouldn't be possible but everything about Maverick is human.

"I like watching games, I like the people die," I say

"It's a better place, I would rather be there," he says I just smile, it means I'm not a bad person, yes I injure people first but I have to, I can't just kill without reason, I used to and people called me a monster but if I had a reason, then it makes me a good person, I want to be the hero that everyone remembers. I wanted to be remembered that's going to be my end game, even if I didn't have Rory, I knew I didn't want to live past this, if I didn't I couldn't be who I was, I couldn't be a doctor anymore and I don't know if I was ready for that.

"Is there anyone I can help?" I say

"Not until the games, but I mean I killed a few avox's, just don't touch a tribute or capital citizen alright, if you kill a tribute both you and Rory get punished and you don't want that, do you," he says, they call Maverick crazy but he seems sane to me but he did say they give a lot of medication, they use to do that to us. I don't know why they stopped I'm happy they did though that mediation made things feel I don't know calm, normal, I didn't feel the emotions I do now, I like these emotions, I like my want for blood and gore, it calms even during the night when I'm having nightmares that even scare me blood and gore calms me the next morning it's like a drug.

"I'm not stupid," I say.

I do get pissed off with how people talk to me like I'm stupid like I'm a child, if I was so uncontrollable I would have been locked up I mean I was locked up but still that's not the point, if I was so uncontrollable I would be sent to hell that's where the evil people go and when I do die, I won't be sent there, I will be sent to a happy place and my happy place is where I am now, well where I was in district two with my best friend, being a doctor and helping people.

"I know, I just don't want you getting hurt okay," he says, I just nod to him.

"I will just go into my mind, where I escape to sometimes it's like an alternate universe. I will do that on the chariots but don't expect me not to kill anyone beforehand. I need to kill someone I feel the shaking starting" I admit the shaking happens when I haven't felt her adrenaline in a while, where I haven't spilled blood.

"Stylists aren't untouchable, if you know what I mean, just come out if you need help," he says I just smile at him.

I like people who aren't untouchable means they are touchable.

"You won't tell on me," I say, even if I am a little untouched by the normal human. I do like watching people and picking up habits, it's why I can talk so much, I don't know if it was due to the church I had to go to as a child or I just raised myself, I can read him well, he is a little confusing, he isn't as transparent as Rory I know what to get from him, even my self I go through a confusing roller coaster.

"Our little secret" he says just sliding a knife into my pocket.

"That's why I haven't skinned your face off yet," I say just walking towards the room, I swear he flinched but that boy jumps at whispers in the wall I something hear whispers in the wall, they are a little intimidating but they guide me as well, they tell me when to kill but I already know when the stars the night before align for me.

I walk in "Harley right" I just stare for a moment I was expecting something worse, they tell us about what the capitalists are like, coloured and scary, some have tails, some have wings but right now I see an angel but I just nod.

"I'm Stella, your stylist, it's lovely to me you" she says

"You don't look like the reapers," I say

"You mean the capital I'm not, I'm from District One they have changed it around this year" she says

I don't like District One, I don't like any District especially nine. I can't want to maul the tributes from nine and stain their blood in the grass then bomb their entire district, if there is a girl she will be the only one I will directly target if they are two boys Brayen's tributes everyone else is free pickings not that Rory and I have really planned it out yet we really just go with the flow.

"That's good," I say she is really pretty and nice. I need to help her she just gently leads me to a chair as I see all these objects on the table, scissors which will be good for cutting people open, a hair brush I could use to smash the skull open, some weird sticker things could stick the mouth and nose shut, but the eyebrow pluckers scream out to me I haven't killed with those before.

I like killing with things I haven't killed with before.

I really want to, I mean if she gets a sharp object in her neck and bleeds out then by ending her, I'm helping her it makes me a good person.

"I don't need to make any modifications, so we can go straight to your outfit, it's just a fallen solider, so you have to put on fake blood and dirt but that will be fine," she says

"Would you scream if I plunge these into your neck?" I say waving the pluckers in her face, her eyes widen but before she can scream I slam myself against her then I jam the object in her throat as she does scream I just cover her mouth.

"Don't alarm the reapers Heaven won't accept you if do that, I didn't actually think this would cut skin so easily" I hum and push the object further and further she struggles against me as I just throw her to the ground as she gravs for her neck.

"Thank you for the effort you put in my outfit, now have you ever been cut open by scissor don't worry it will only hurt a lot" I say she tried to scream but I did literally cut her throat open, I just jump when the door opens as the squirming girl whimpers

"We have to go soon, sorry" Maverick says

"It's ago, she will see heaven" I say I just grab the scissors just plunge them under her chin then twisting it for good measure, I can almost hear the sound of the cannon

"We will get this blood if you though" Maverick says even if he seems afraid

"I won't hurt you don't be scared" I say

"I'm not scared of you," he says

"The addiction, I was like that before, I won't be able to to come back to the body won't I" I say

"No, don't tell anyone I let you do this okay you are under my card" he says

I just shrug no one cares for me other then my self I'm not some child, I'm a doctor

Cedric Lenlen 17, District 1 Male

Chariot Rides

Fuck this suit is heavy even walking out of the room I trip over my shoes, falling heavily on the ground.

"You want me to ask for sneakers," Markus says when I make it out, it was awkward enough being chosen, then falling down the stairs which made me a laughing stock and I twisted my ankle so now I'm limping not that I told anyone, I'm trying to hide it, even if it hurts as hell.

Jasper hasn't even said a word to me his main focus is on Levin, so he won't help, and I have already again embarrassed myself in front of my district partner who by some miracle wanted to be my Allie I don't know if I should be concerned his just playing me and is a secret psychopath because I mean the dude is a hitman but I don't know there is something about Levin that makes me trust him, and then there is my mentor who will probably berate me if I told him not that I spoke to him. I pretty much told him I needed time, I didn't need a lecture, or for him to put me down more than he already has.

I mean my leg kills but it will be right, it's not like I'm going to last that long I know I need to be positive but it's hard. I was stunned when my name was called, maybe I thought I was safe, why me out of everyone in one, I'm not like Levin, I'm not whatever he is, his file paints him out to be an anti-hero but I have only seen his kind side.

I am just hoped that's what I get, I didn't want to say no, I wanted to be his allie, but I thought there was no chance, so when he asked I almost collapsed and but said mainly because I practise for about half an hour in front of the mirror about how I would ask him. like how I use to practise in front of the mirror about how I would ask Sarah out.

I was planning to one day I dressed up extra nice but when I went over to her, I just couldn't speak so I turned around bumped into someone and got coffee spilled all over me.

So that was fun

"It's not the boots I think I've twisted my ankle or something it's fine though," I say stumbling over

"I noticed you were more than usual, why didn't you tell me, we could have gotten it fixed," he says just helping me walk over to the waiting area. I presume as I do see him bring his phone out, the fuck, they have phones.

Woah

I mean he is a Victor but still Woah.

"I'm a disappointment as it is and didn't want to bury my grave even further," I shrug

"Look what I said I didn't mean it okay, I really like you kid I was trying to help but now your here in the games it's my duty to help and try to guide you, yes I admit your chances are slim but every tribute that goes into that game has a chance whether there it's a 90% or 10%," he says

"I know you didn't want, me I heard you and Jasper argue about it" I say

"I questioned why he was quick to want Levin when he normally takes the younger and more unprepared tribute, I won during a stage where the career system was in full force, I have been a trainer for years maybe winning is still a priority on me but I'm starting to learn that some kids need help," he says. I just jump as some woman walks over to Markus grabs me before I can full over as she hands him a packet of tablets then walks off.

"Who was that?" I say

"An avox, here take these it will heal it straight away," he says I just do what he says.

"We will talk more when we get to the apartment, I don't even know if you thought of allies or anything but I didn't want to force you to talk either," he says

"Levin asked Me," I say

"He did," he says

"Why are you worried" I say

"I don't know him, I never saw him around I didn't know about the hitman society, the interactions I had with him he seems like a nice kid and I did see three kids go into his room, so he has a family but just be careful okay maybe he is genuine and wants to be your friend but remember he has a lot too loose, he won't die for you," he says, he is right, I know as much as it hurts Levin wanted to be my Allie because he knows I'm not a threat to him. I should run, go with someone else but he also seems like the type that isn't messing around if he wanted me dead, he wouldn't be so nice to me and if he was a true psychopath wouldn't the mentors know.

"What should I do?" I ask

"Use him, the careers won't happen, and only four outers have a chance, two are siblings that won't welcome outsiders, and there are maybe two outer boys you could fit in with but if you have one of the strongest competitors willing to be your allie then don't throw that away, he will be the target, it means you can use him as a shield, use his experience and when the time is right determine your next move like I said we will talk later," he says

"I don't like using people," I say

"You are in the Hunger Games Cedric, you can't be a nice guy" he says Markus is right, we walk out as I try so hard not to trip over as I see tributes already getting ready to get into their chariots.

"What if I fall off the chariot," I say

I fell down the stairs, dropped a bookshelf on myself, then slipped over in the shower I'm going to definitely fall off the chariot of fuck imagine that I rewatched my reapings and even I laughed and I did it although I wish I didn't watch the reapings because the brunette from two seems like a complete wackadoo, even seeing him now he just stares at the ground mumbling to himself.

Lovely

"There are rails and it is closed off to make sure that won't happen but just be careful yeah just smile and wave, and you will be fine, you are very likeable," He says

I'm more worried I'm going to puke but I don't tell him that we meet Jasper and Levin who look more unimpressed with the outfit than me which is just golden suits quite boring if you ask me

"Not use to suits," Markus says

"Fuck no, I didn't even know how to tie a tie, are they painting us to be rich snobs or something," he says, we do look like rich snobs. I mean two look like soldiers, ripped clothes splattered in dirt and blood, even if both boys are 16 they are menacing height wise, thankfully neither made eye contact with me as they just jumped onto the chariot whispering to each other although when I went to read their files it was like blank.

Yet one set people on fire, a normal dude wouldn't do that.

"Pretty much, just don't try to look like you want to kill everyone," Markus says

"I'm a hitman, not a serial killer" Levin says rolling his eyes and just getting on the chariot.

"Same thing kid, same thing" Markus says, do I look like a killer to you buddy, he is very judging isn't he.

"Good luck," Jasper says just patting my shoulder I get ready to climb on the chariot struggling already as one of the boys from four just walks past chuckling as I just get embarrassed.

"You want a hand," Levin says

"Na I will good it's just a chariot you know," I say getting ready to get on again as I just fall over completely this time

I hear laughing again "What a flop," The boy from 9 says the one who is predicted second apparently but also has a blank file he actually is really tall for a boy from 9 fuck

"You want to say that to his face," Levin says, 9 just turns back smirking at him.

Woah she is pretty my mouth drops as the girl from 9 just walks past a little bit behind the boy

"Sorry about him" she says really softly, just giving me a hand I just stare at her stunned but I just grab her wrist as she helps me up.

"Ah ah thank-" she is already gone by the time I can finish my sentence as I just fall over again.

God, I think I'm in love

"Hey Cupid" Levin says hitting me gently on the head, and helping me up.

"What" I say

"Sorry I uh-" I get lost for my words "Have a thing for pretty girls, I have noticed," he says

"Shut up," I say trying to keep my eyes away from her, the fact she went to help me too not many girls do that.

"Don't get any ideas, she and her brother are a concern" he says

"What's up with him anyways fuck," I say other tributes start to file in

"I was going to tell you once we got to the capitol but I got the full 18 files about everyone, I don't know why I out of everyone but now I know everyone's secrets they also gave it to that girl, they are either choosing their favourites or drawing the line in the sand," he says

"So what we target them" I say, I can't believe that even came from my mouth I can barely stand without shaking right now.

"We don't directly target anyone, I don't care if you don't want to kill, I have so much blood on my hands one or two more won't make a difference, we just have to keep this between us, we can't let anyone know we know their secrets, especially the twos and the younger one from four, it will make us instant target," he whispers

"Could we use it to blackmail them?" I say

"Blackmail won't work in the Hunger Games boys like them, won't care if people find out their secrets, the twos they have been made to feel insane all their life and four, it won't affect him he will use the spotlight to his advantage even my file painted me out differently you got my full file but not everyone has," he says

"You don't have to feel ashamed as long as I'm not so pawn to you I won't judge," I say

"Of course, you aren't a pawn look I need the company and you seem like a funny kid, I know not to look after myself I don't need someone to do it for me," he says he has a point I mean I'm up to the dude's chin and I'm a good 6 foot, the twos they are physically menacing and by the looks on both their faces it's unnerving

"What about Mr burns children alive at the reaping and his buddy what is their story" I say

"Pyromaniac-" I cut him off

"Pyro what sorry I'm the brightest kid alive," I said I didn't really enjoy school I was bullied there too saddest thing is a 91 one-year-old and a hitman is really the only nice people to me and Sarah I'm going to miss Sarah and Kenzo I never got to thank him I was always dreading the day I will go to the cafe and he wouldn't be there and I would find out the news, but I'm going to die before him unless a miracle happens .

"Obsessed with fire, his partner is well fucked in the head they are best friends, we are staying the fuck away from them that's for sure, four as well both are killers one a serial killer, one a genius con man, there was no chance a career alliance was ever going to happen not that I would have joined, we just pretend we know nothing," he says I just nod as Levin grabs me before I fall just chuckling

"Hold onto the rail, do whatever your mentor to you to do" he says as our chariot is the first to come out,

"I forgot what he said, fuck, dude this is real bumpy," I say I already feel my stomach do flip flops

"Wave I guess I need to put in this cold act," he says, I just start waving as the capitol cheer and whistles I doubt it would be for me they are like sheep just like in one everyone wanted to be in it crowd, like me it is why I did everything to fit in yet now I wish I didn't now, like my parents didn't even bother coming to see me, like I never existed and it hurts.

"You do have a look about you," I say as I almost fall over again as the screen thankfully moves onto district two both of them just stare at the ground occasionally looking at the crowd but no smiling, no waving and now I feel stupid doing it as Levin is just robotic next to me

It's obvious Jasper said to play the cold act, if tributes realise he has a heart he will become vulnerable, unlike a lot of the strongest competitors, he has family, he has a heart.

Three are dressed as computers or something as they both shyly wave, the outers know they need sponsors like me it's why I'm playing for the crowd even if I don't want too, I need sponsors, I need help.

I need all the help.

I can get maybe Markus is right I need to use Levin I won't plot his death I can't do that but I know he can help me as cruel as it is to want to use him.

District 4 are fishermen and both have a similar reaction to two, just looking at the ground unlike the pair of two who are whispering to each other these two aren't even close to each other, I wonder if the pair will be together or they are trying to distant their relationship. I almost fall again as Levin grabs my wrist.

"Dude," he says

"I know man, I know," I say, he just chuckles, five are power plant workers, 6 are train drivers they are the ones getting into it the most, and clearly the crowd loving it, watching the chariots kast year clearly they weren't creative with 7,9 ans 10 since once again they have similar outfits all with checkered shirts.

"Even the boys from 7 and 10 look strong" I say

"Don't underestimate anyone, even 14 year olds have won" he says I just nod but I know by the tone of his voice he isn't trying to be arrogant but I know the landscape has changed even me maybe ten twenty years ago I may been okay not being trained yes there are 6 less but there weren't tributes like this.

Declan Callen 18, District 9 Male

Post-Chariot Rides

I hate every second of this I just want this entire circus to get over with, not just the chariot, but the actual games in general. When my name was called I wasn't 100% surprised, I set myself up mentally preparing myself for this, I knew I might die, but I knew there was a chance of victory as well.

I survived the dark regions, I survived being an outlaw if I can survive that, I can make it far in the games, can I win, I don't know, I didn't want to be arrogant yet that was turned upside down when I found out my estranged sister wasn't dead my mind has been all over the place and even if we had a small moment together, even if we will help each other it's still awkward, there is still tension.

How are you meant to rekindle a ten-year relationship in an environment where one of you will die. Where if we make it to the end the only way out is to kill the other, at the start the thought seemed easy, I even told her to her face. I'm a natural killer yet I knew I was lying, even being with her now this protective side of me is coming out, a side I drowned and even if she said she will sacrifice her self for me, when it comes to the crunch would she really die for me, when I said I can kill her, did I really mean that?

I don't know, it seems easy to just think about it, it's why at the start I didn't want to Allie with her it wasn't because I thought she was weak, it's because I was scared of forming an emotional bond but then Xander was right, if I go into those games alone and she dies, I won't forgive myself at least if I try to help her, try to form something it might make it easier to see her die.

Not that I'm arrogant, even if I barely feel scared, I am concerned about this year, even if I'm somehow protected by the fact my entire file isn't shown. I'm predicted second, why?

I have no idea yes I'm one of the taller better-built boys this year but I'm not a career, I'm not a trained killer everything I did was for survival there, was no method, no true training, no planning, it was all instinct and even if that won Xander and Brayen their games, there is no way the other tributes will let me slide. I will be a target and that effects my sister too.

When it comes to her my mind is all over the place but the mentors are right we need each other, she would be able to find another ally but not me. I wouldn't dare go near any of the three career districts and I doubt any outer would trust me, I wouldn't trust me. I may have been loyal to the outlaws but everyone else I was willing to destroy if it meant my self getting further.

"Are you okay?" I mumble we have both been rigid this entire chariot ride, we started a few feet apart and both shifted almost shoulder to shoulder I hate to admit it but I find comfort in her, even as kids she was the only one that truly loved me. I started to see through my father when I was younger, it took Aurelia's disappearance to make him really snap. I still don't know what she went through, after our talk yesterday we didn't really talk after that, her mentor is normally glued to her hip and clearly doesn't like me, so tries to distance us. My mentor doesn't like me he said it to my face but that's Xander for you, he hates everyone but he is still willing to help me, yes the fucker punched me in the head to try and get me to wake up to reality and I guess it worked.

I can't be the villain not that I wanted to I guess it's just the way I act.

Cold to outsiders and here is no different, I don't want to die yet but I know after everything Aurelia has been through well the brief bits I know, she wouldn't just die for me, in her eyes, I didn't care about her even if I searched years for her.

"Yeah, just not used to big crowds" she mumbles

I just move even closer as she just looks up at me, I spent most of the rides looking at the screens trying to analyse the other tributes. Xander says as a strong outer my best plan is for me and Aurelia to fly under the radar, to try and hide, that isn't the way I am.

I want the thrill, want the fights, fuck even now I want to fight someone I don't care who but I know I will be dead if I did that, I can't be reckless even if that is in my second nature, this isn't the streets. I'm not the king anymore, I'm just a peasant like everyone else maybe my sister's history of being a prisoner will help me, she knows how to be patient knows, how to survive hardship.

"Did you go into the district much?" I mumble? I don't know if I just walked past her in the street if I would have recognised her when I saw her on the stage it clicked but that's because I already knew but I don't remember seeing her, a rule of living out on the streets of nine is you have to show your black band, we both have one I would have remembered a girl with a band it's rare.

"Almost every day but it was normally the borders or the outskirts I never went into the city much, what about you heard the outlaws ruled the night," she says, I just smirk.

"We were the kings between 2am and 4am after that the dark regions were our safety," I say, grabbing her when the jolting of the chariot makes her topple into me, I almost push her away in anger just a reaction I normally would have but I don't.

I can't cause any more attention to us, as we already have she may be predicted 10th but I'm 2nd, I have seen tributes glance at me already and sadly since we are literally just wearing an checkered shirt, holding some sort of pitchfork which I swear scarecrows don't use it's easy to get a better look at us, clearly the stylists got sick of their job, although mine was a chick from one not that I spoke to her she seemed scared at me from the start I should be proud but it does annoy me.

"Welcome tributes," The president says I feel Aurelia stand even closer to me, I look over seeing the blonde for two just staring at her, oh fuck not this story again, I watched last year's game that boy for two was obsessed with Kaela and with the look this kid is giving her it's a mixture of hatred and obsession. I don't know what the hell she did to him, his file is blank as well, so that's great, as is his partner but I mean the kid did set fire to the crowd. so it's not hard to put the pieces together, yet besides creepers well creepy and murderous looks towards my sister they seem calm and if your majesty president wasn't yapping about bullshit, I couldn't care less about it, I would give him the finger because we are allies and if he targets her, it affects me.

Plus it will be seen as disrespectful, not that I give a shit about respect.

"What's that about?" I whisper

"I don't really know but I have a theory, we do need to talk after this. I got the full files, you know how ours and some were blank or very vague I got the real ones. I got both for example they are painting the older boy from One out to be a heartless killer with no filter when he has cause for his actions, the boys from two are both notorious district serial killers along with the older boy from four, and the younger one isn't innocent as he seems" she says. I look at Kylian believe his name is as he just stares at the president with a full attentive and almost admirable look, he seems weak to me and the weak ones are easy to kill.

"How did you get them?" I ask

"They chose only two this year I don't know why, maybe to help me I don't know" she says. I grab her wrist after the president stops talking and the chariots stop to ensure she doesn't fall as she just nods to me, she is a lot more timid and awkward than what I remember I mean she was 6 but she was loud and happy, now you can see the broken look in her eyes, she is a little more tense around me. I watched her with Brayen she is a lot more comfortable with him fuck she is even more comfortable around Xander. I just need to win her trust.

But to what break it?

Fuck it would have been so much easier if she wasn't here "We keep it to ourselves though clearly, they all want to hide their secret" I say.

I do too, I can lie and I say I'm a street boy but I know how to use weapons, I use to attack people with bats. Xander said he will help me learn how to use a hammer and it's pretty much the same, not that I am scared of fighting. I'm just scared of myself, I know I enjoy it, and I like the feeling I'm worried the more I kill the more power I will feel.

"Like us, not that I have much to hide, if anything my story will make me weaker," she says

"That's a good thing I guess people will underestimate you maybe keep you alive longer, better for me," I say she ruffles her eyebrows

"What happens if I get attacked, will you stay or will you run" she says I just look at her.

"My life is number one," I say is that true I don't know I'm no coward would I let some boy murder my sister and run, depends on who tries I guess, if it's her boy from two that goes near us, I would run, but at the same time I'm not a coward either fuck I should I don't know, just walk away make another ally, forget she is here but Xander was right I wouldn't stop thinking about her.

"Why did you look for me then?" she says as we make it back to the waiting area, the boy from one falling off again, at least his one of the careers, that kid wouldn't even throw a punch but his partner is quick to come to his aid, so maybe he isn't as cold as his file paints him out to be or maybe he has a lot to lose, I mean he is a hitman even I wasn't that bad.

"I do still care about you, you don't get the situation I'm in okay" I mumble

"Or the one I'm in," she says, I'm about to ask what she means but she is quick to let Brayen help her off as I just jump off.

"You both have sponsors lined up everyone is digging the tragic long-lost sibling's story another reason why being together is essential," Xander says

"Can we go back?" She says softly just signalling subtly to the boy from two, I mean even the boy from one gawked at her and literally looked like he was in love but that was like a Woah and if he thinks he has a chance with her the kid is delusional.

"Fuck not again," Xander says just signalling us to follow a lot of the other tributes have ideas luckily it doesn't seem like any alliances are forming yet, as long as there isn't a career alliance but I doubt it. I wonder if they would have asked me if there was, and I wonder if I would have ditched my sister and joined.

It's easy to say no but at that moment it would have been tempting, luckily for me I doubt I would be forced to make that choice, the walk back is silence and it's clear our last conversation has caused tension, maybe I do need to be more careful with my words. I don't know what she really went through, I have an idea in my mind but that could be entirely wrong and I don't think she trusts me yet. I don't know if I should trust her she is an outsider, she was in a group I was enemies with outsiders are smart and dangerous, they use their brains and social skills, she could be playing me for all I know.

I'm in awe when we make it to the apartment, even as a child we were middle class then I was a street kid but this is something for sure.

"I would say don't break anything but who really gives a fuck your rooms are labelled," Xander says

Brayen whispers something to Xander then gently puts a hand on Aurelia's back leading her away as she doesn't even look at me and to be honest it does make me a little jealous.

"What did you do to her," Xander says

"Me I did nothing," I say

"She was looking at you like you killed her puppy dog," he says

"It's not my fault, she is sensitive, one of you needs to tell her to grow up and stop being such a child," I say

"No it isn't your fault but it isn't hers either and that's not what you call sensitive if anything she is more grown up them you, but it's your fault for being an asshole. Look I know this is hard for the both of you and I understand putting people down is almost a defence for you but believe me if you keep treating her like this, the second she dies it's going to hit you like a wrecking ball and you are not the most mentally stable, I should know," he says

"You clearly have no belief in her," I say

"She doesn't have Victor's heart, yet again I thought the same for Brayen and for her sake as much as I would rather her come out than you. She wouldn't handle it Kaela went through similar traumas as her but it wasn't even close to as bad as your sister, look I admit I didn't want you but I do see a lot of me in you and that's the scary thing I don't want anyone to experience what I went to because I'm still picking up the pieces" he says as I just sit down at the table.

"My head is all over the place, it is just when I talk to her I feel that protective nature come back yet then I just panic and I say something and it hurts her," I say

"Why do you think we are trying to separate you two here, it is going to take time but believe me a sibling bond will never die" he says

He is right but at the end of the day one of us will need to die and I don't want that to be me.