A/N: I'm back! That was a long hiatus but I'm excited to be updating this story again.

Abraham Smith, age 12
District 10 Male Tribute

Arrival at the Capitol

"Everyone, our train is arriving at the Capitol," Aquilus, our Escort, announces. "Let's all at least pretend to look excited, shall we?"

I don't need to be told twice. I run up to the large train window and gawk at the amazing scenery of Panem's central city. Why is everything made of glass and concrete without a single blade of grass in sight? Do people really live here? Are they scary? I feel extremely out of place as the train chugs closer and closer to its destination.

Henna and Zach told Lupe and me that we'll be given a health exam and a body cleaning upon arrival in the Capitol. I've never been to a doctor before and I wonder what it's like. Will the doctor try to stick needles into me? I've heard plenty of horror stories about people sticking needles into each other outside Mississippi Town.

I should have asked my Mentors for more details about the physical, but it's too late now because the train is slowing down. Zach tells Lupe and me to get ready for our Prep Teams, who will be escorting us to the Remake Center. I stand up straight, trying to look braver than I actually am, as the train doors in front of me open and a group of brightly colored people rushes in. Three of them hover around me, three around Lupe. The people around me introduce themselves before guiding me off the train and into a spacious building.

"Stay here, we'll go get your doctor," one of the Capitolites says as the group drops me off in a very foreign-looking room. I don't have any reason to resist, but I can't help but feel goosebumps of cold and nervousness as I take a seat on a soft table.

I don't have to wait very long before the door to the room opens and another Capitolite walks in. He introduces himself as Dr. Peterson and explains that I'll need to be very still for the exam. Then he starts touching me.

"Ew, that's a gay person thing!" I screech, bolting into a corner of the room. "Hands off me, you leech!"

"I'm a doctor, I need to feel certain parts of your body to make sure you're healthy," Dr. Peterson says, surprised. "Have you never been to a doctor before?"

"No, Mom says they're always trying to stick things into you!" I yell, backing into the wall. "Like those vaccines!"

"I see, I see what's going on here," Dr. Peterson says with a sigh as he massages his temples. "Well, since you're a Tribute, Abe, you're going to have to get your physical whether you like it or not. Tell you what, if you stay still for your physical, you get a chocolate frog and my entire jar of every-flavor jelly beans."

"Hmm," I say slowly, relaxing slightly. "How big is the jar?"

Mishel Lavender, age 18
District 8 Female Tribute

Arrival at the Capitol

When the doors to the District 8 train open, Capitolites swarm around Redmond and me, but the ones around me are wheeling a contraption that I believe is called a gurney. I'm carefully helped onto the temporary bed.

"Best of luck, Redmond," I call out to my District Partner, knowing that it will be a while before I see him again.

"You too," Redmond says as we're guided in different directions.

I smile weakly at the crowd of gawking people as I'm wheeled down a cleared path to an ambulance. It's so weird that these Capitol citizens had time in their day to see me, but some of them might have sponsor money, so I manage a wave as the gurney is maneuvered into the ambulance.

"It's a short drive, Mishel, under ten minutes," one of the Capitolites in the ambulance says to me. "But it's our job to keep you comfortable. Is there anything you need?"

To go home, I think, but I know that these people will be responsible for the safe delivery of my child. So I hold back my sarcasm.

"I'm scared," I admit. "I'm scared of being cut open. I'm scared of what will happen to my child. What's going to happen if I die in the Arena and can't be there for her?"

"I… don't know actually, but I'm sure she'll be taken care of," the Capitolite says, not meeting my gaze.

"Wait, you don't know?" I squeak, hoping I don't sound too accusatory.

"I'm just one of your EMTs, I'm sure there will be someone on your care team who has an answer for you," the Capitolite says quietly. "Ophiuchus?"

"I'm afraid I don't know either," one of the other Capitolites in the ambulance, a man, says. "We can definitely find out though."

"Please do, I need to know if my child will be safe," I fret.

"Mishel, do you know the gender of your baby?" a third Capitolite asks, clearly trying to diffuse the tension.

"She's a girl," I say, my heart swelling with love and apprehension. "I have a few names to pick from once I see her but I might end up choosing something else."

The ambulance ride to the hospital is indeed brief. Thankfully, the Capitolites on the ambulance don't ask about the father of my child, sparing me an awkward explanation. Once we come to a stop, I'm transported off the vehicle and into a large, clean building. I feel a twinge of jealousy but keep it to myself as I'm wheeled through the hospital and into the maternity ward.

Here we go, I think, my heart racing. It's time.

Lamar Hunter, age 17
District 4 Male Tribute

Arrival at the Capitol

"I'd like to speak with your tributes, Hikari and Watson," I say coolly to the Capitolite who answers the door to the District 3 lounge.

"Interesting," the Escort says. "Alright, I'll go get them."

Pretty soon, the two tributes from District 3 stand before me. They don't look particularly strong, both of them being fifteen years old, but my plan will need all the help it can get.

"Hello, I'm Lamar from Four," I say with a curt nod. "I'm here because I'd like to invite you two to my alliance."

"No thanks," the boy says immediately. "I work alone."

"I might join," the girl says. "Who's in the alliance?"

"Just me so far, but I decided to get a head start in recruiting people," I say, projecting an air of confidence. "We'll need all the help we can get if we want to take down the Careers."

"Wait, you want to actually fight the tributes from One and Two?" Hikari says with a hushed voice, her eyes wide. "You can't. I can't. It's too scary - I mean, they're too strong."

"There's only four of them," I press. "If we can get a numerical advantage, we can beat them."

"No thanks, it's just too risky for me," Hikari says, looking away.

I repeat my pitch at the District 5 lounge, but the girl, Trisha, looks ready to shrivel up on the spot at the sight of me. The other tribute, Sky, gives a derisive laugh.

"You really want me for your alliance?" they say. "Boy, you must be really desperate."

"I can use all the help I can get," I say steadily.

"Thanks, but no thanks," Sky says with a scoff. "It's nothing personal. I want those Careers as dead as you do, but I suck ass at group work."

"Noted," I say with a nod. "Trisha?"

She just looks down and darts away. Weird.

I'm at the District 6 lounge and I'm starting to get a little worried, given that I'm halfway through the Districts. Thankfully, Velmire and Hinoka's eyes light up when I tell them that I'm assembling an alliance to take down the Careers.

"I'm in," Hinoka says immediately. "The Careers are going down. Velmire?"

"Well, I said I'd have your back, so I guess I'm in too," Velmire says thoughtfully. "Let's try to get as many tributes in our alliance as possible. If we have the numbers advantage, I think we can take the Cornucopia from the Careers."

"Will you two come with me to the Seven lounge, then?" I ask, smiling. "It'll be easier to recruit people if it's more than just me."

"Of course," Hinoka says, bouncing on her heels.

A/N: Chapter questions: What will be Abe's biggest challenge in the Capitol? What do you think will happen to Mishel's baby? Who else do you think Lamar will recruit into his alliance?

Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you all soon!