"No," Taiya gasped.

"You have to act," Kenna said tugging on her arm. "You can't let them know what you're thinking. Taiya!" she hissed. "You need to focus, act strong." Taiya nodded and pushed the fear down. Everyone was watching her, her competition would use footage of her to determine her threat level. She had to be confident. She took a deep breath, pushed her shoulders back, puffed out her chest and smirked. Taiya stepped out of her section and made her way to the stage flanked by Peacekeepers. She was careful not to look over at the victor's, all of whom she could feel staring at her. If she looked, she'd break.

Taiya smiled at Moxie as she came to stand next to her. "And now for the boys," Moxie announced as she walked over to the bowl and drew a name. "Maverick Lakewell."

"I volunteer," a male voice immediately called out and Taiya's eye's widened. "I volunteer," he repeated as he stepped out of the crowd and walked up the stage.

"Wha… a… a volunteer," Moxie cried out, unable to handle the unusual occurrence. "And what is your name dear?" she asked as he reached the stage.

"Theo Cresta," he replied and Taiya clenched her fists behind her back.

"Very well, our two tribute's from District 4, Taiya Ambersnow, and Theo Cresta," she claps.

The new mayor of District 4 then steps forward and Taiya glares at him, he would never compare to her dad. The mayor read out the dreary Treaty of Treason and then motioned for Taiya and Theo to shake hands. Taiya turned to Theo and held out her hand for him to shake. Theo took hold of her hand and then surprised everyone by pulling her in for a quick hug before releasing her. Taiya turned to look at the crowd through her eyelashes and smiled as the anthem played, the cameras would see everything. The act was on.

Taiya waited inside a room in the Justice Building. It was more formal than Finnick's home, it was quite like the mayor's home with luxurious carpet and velvet chairs. There's an hour available for tributes to say goodbye to loved ones. Who'd come to see her? Who did she have left? Mentor's weren't allowed to visit tributes, they were taken directly to the train, so Finnick couldn't come to see her. Theo was stuck in the next room, no doubt with his family around him, she was alone.

Taiya's legs began to wobble and she shakily lowered herself down onto one of the chairs. She couldn't cry, there'd be cameras at the train station and she couldn't appear weak. As soon as she sat down, the door to the room flew open.

"You came!" Taiya gasped as Mags came into the room. She immediately stood up and moved towards the older lady, pulling her in for a hug. "I didn't think anyone would come." As soon as she pulled away she heard yelling coming from outside. "What's happening?"

"Todd and Buck are trying to get Finnick on the train," she explained as she brushed through Taiya's hair. "He's not going calmly."

"Is he ok?" Taiya asked and Mags nodded.

"He's not the one I'm worried about right now," she explained and Taiya's face fell. "You can win this sweetheart. I know you can. I've watched you sneak off to training with Tyler for nearly half a year. You're strong now, you've always been smart."

"Mags," she says before pausing. "Theo's with me."

"You know why he volunteered."

"No, I don't," Taiya denied.

"He's going to help you Taiya. Let him."

"I can't," Taiya sniffled. "I can't let him do that."

"You're going to have to."

"Time's up," a Peacekeeper banged on the door.

Taiya grabbed Mags and pulled her in tight, "I love you," she whispered as the peacekeeper ushered her out.

Taiya collapsed back down onto the chair as the door opened and Kenna entered. Kenna doesn't say anything, she just comes and sits down on the chair next to her. There isn't much to say, talk isn't what Taiya wanted right now. So they just sit in silence for the full-time allotment until the Peacekeeper summons her from the room.

"Win this," she called on her way out. "I know you can."

The next person to enter the room is Annie. "Annie," Taiya whimpers as she sees the girl.

Annie immediately comes and sits next to her, her eyes flowing with tears. "I know Theo isn't coming back. So please, promise me you will. Promise me you'll do your best."

"I promise."

"They let you wear one thing from your district in the arena. Wear this?" Annie asked holding out her sea glass necklace.

"Thank you," Taiya smiled. "I'll wear it, I promise."

"I'm sorry my aunt and uncle can't come and say goodbye," she said referring to Theo's parents.

"It's fine," Taiya assured.

"They're just too upset," Annie continued as she began to sob.

"Time," the Peacekeeper snapped and Annie ran from the room.

It's a quick car ride from the Justice Building to the train station. Theo sat stony-faced beside her throughout the trip, neither of them talking to each other. As they walked along the station platform, Theo kept his face hard, while Taiya smiled for the cameras. They had to stand in the doorway of the train for a couple of minutes, allowing for the cameras to get good shots of them. All Taiya wanted to do was be by herself.

They were finally allowed inside the train, the doors closing behind them before the train began to move. Theo and Taiya grabbed onto the wall to steady themselves as the speed of the train took their breath away. Taiya looked around in amazement, the tribute train is fancier than she could have imagined, much fancier than anything she'd ever seen before.

"Hello my tributes," Moxie greets them. "Let me show you around," she said, leading them into the carriage to their right. "This carriage is where your chambers are. This is the girls," she said pointing at one at the end, "this is the boys," she gestures towards the closest one. "The two mentors have their own chambers in between the two."

"Thank you," Taiya mutters, not interested in anything else she had to say as she makes her way to her room.

"The drawers are filled with clothes," Moxie says chasing after her. "Do whatever you want, wear whatever you want, if you need assistance call an Avox, everything is at your disposal. Dinner will be ready in an hour"

"Thank you," Taiya nodded as she shut the door behind her.

Taiya sat on the end of her bed staring at the wall. She'd taken a hot shower and gotten changed into fresh clothes. But she still couldn't bring herself to leave her room. She hadn't seen anyone. She didn't want to see anyone.

"Taiya," Moxie called out as the door opened.

"Hm?" Taiya asked as she door opened.

"Dinner. You're late."

"Whatever," Taiya dismissed glumly.

"You need to eat, you need your energy."

"Fine," Taiya snapped.

"Manners, young lady," Moxie warned.

"Sorry," Taiya mumbled as she followed Moxie down the corridor into a dining room.

Theo was already sat at the table next to Tyler and opposite Finnick, who hadn't looked up from his plate. Taiya took her seat next to Finnick, but the room's atmosphere still remained cold. Moxie sat at the head of the table and looked around, waiting for someone to talk. "What an exhausting day," she chuckled nervously. All 4 of them looked up at her with glares and she hung her head and focussed on her food.

"So what's the plan?" Theo asked.

"What?" Finnick asked.

"What's the plan?" he repeated. "For the games."

"Well, we've spoken about it…" Tyler started.

Finnick cut him off, "the plan is to get her out," he glared.

"Finnick," Taiya reprimanded.

"Well, that's why he volunteered. Isn't it Theo?" Finnick asked and Theo nodded.

Taiya glared at the two of them, "I don't need help to do well in this ok? I'm strong."

"Taiya you're just about the bottom of the class in the academy. You're competing against volunteers from 1 and 2 who are at the top of the academy," Theo argued.

"I've trained," she snapped.

"When?" Theo snorted. "Finnick spent over a year trying to train you and you just wouldn't listen."

"I've been training with Tyler," she yelled. "And I'm pretty good. I can throw knives, I can use a spear, you know I can use a trident, I can spar and I can make a fire!" she listed all the skills Tyler had taught her in the past months.

"Tyler?" Finnick asked turning to the man who was sitting silently rubbing his temples.

"We've been training," he confirmed. "She's good. She could do this."

"So you volunteered for nothing," Taiya snapped, her eyes filling with tears.

"It's not for nothing Taiya. You need help to survive in the arena. Don't be so naive to think you can do this alone," Theo tried to reason.

"I'm not going to be responsible for your death. If you'll excuse me Moxie," she apologised as she stood up and walked out of the dining room.

"Taiya," Finnick called as he chased after her.

"Not now Finnick," she groaned as she walked into her chambers, slamming the door behind her.

Before the door had been able to fully closed, Finnick had stuck his hand in the way, stopping it. He walked in after her and gently shut the door behind him. He looked over at Taiya who sat on the bed with her head in her hands. "This is my fault. I'm so sorry. I did this. I caused this. I'm the reason you're here."

"Stop that!" she snapped. "Stop saying things are your fault. They're not. It's not your fault our parents died and it's not your fault I was reaped so stop apologising. Please."

Finnick sighed as he sat down next to her, "ok. I'll stop."

"Distract me, please," she asked, looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Tyler's talking to Theo about what's going to happen when we get to the Capitol in the morning and then we're all going to watch the reapings from the other districts if you're feeling up to it."

"Tell me what will happen from tomorrow and then we'll go watch. I just need to calm down."

"We'll get to the Capitol early in the morning, that's when the citizens get their first sight of you. As soon as you step off the train they'll be working out whether you're worth sponsoring. Then they'll take you to the remake centre, they'll wax you and do your hair up how they want and get you ready for the opening ceremony. That'll take place at night and they'll parade you in front of the whole of Panem. You'll get the next two and a half days for group training. Private sessions are held in the afternoon of the third day and score's will be announced later that night. The next day is a free day, we can do private training on our floor and coach you for the interviews with Caeser Flickerman that happen the day after. Then the next day it's…"

"The arena," Taiya finished where he trailed off.

Finnick reached out and pulled her in for a hug. He kissed her on the forehead and just held her. "I'll be with you every step of the way. I promise."

twinia1: I feel like the interviews are going to be a struggle to write, I have absolutely no idea what I want to happen yet

HungerGamesFan36: Finnick is quite calm in this chapter, trust me, the storm is coming ;)

gamergirl28: Sorry... thanks for your comment though, that's so sweet, I really appreciate it!