Hi, everyone! Sorry for the late update, but I've started attending university classes again, so I'm quite busy, and my updates will probably be less frequent than during summer. Anyway, let me explain a couple of things before starting with this chapter. Those who are reading both my stories know how everything works, so they can skip this introduction, if they want. All the others need to know that:

- SUBMITTERS (only submitters) can now assign 20 extra POINTS to tributes per chapter. You can assign them either via review or via PM, either you give them all to one tribute or you distribute them by following the five times table. The list of submitters with their current points is on my bio

- these points are cumulative, so if you don't assign them in a chapter, they will be added to those you already have. There gonna be some chapters in which assigning extra points is not possible, but I'll tell you in which ones

- points are usually assigned to tributes who have a POV

- earning points means that a tribute can get supplies in the arena. Actually, this story doesn't work like the other SYOTs, in which you buy supplies with your points. It's me who decides what to send and to whom. You can make suggestions, though

- you play an active role in this story as well, in the sense that the more points a tribute has, the more probability they have to survive, and they can earn points only thank to your reviews and extra points

That's all for the moment. I hope this explanation was clear. Please, see my profile or PM me, if you still have doubts.

And now, enjoy your reading :)

On the way to Capitol City

Gavriel Asterin (18)- District 2 male tribute

The Weapon

The train leaves the station of District 2 in no time. We're not that far away from the Capitol, so it won't take long to get there. We will probably have the time just to eat something and have some rest, but even this little time has to be used in a profitable way. I watch the Reapings on my own, since Lokir seems to be more interested in the dining car than in her opponents. In my opinion, a preference than could be fatal; you always need to study your opponents before facing them. I wonder if she's trying to avoid me… or is it the other way round? I told her not to volunteer for this year, but she didn't listen to me, and now I don't know what to say. Scold her? She's so stubborn, she wouldn't listen to reason; besides, it's too late to change things. We will both end up in the arena, where she will need to die in order for me to win. I should accept it, but in fact I can't. Why? Have I really got attached to her to this extent?

When I'm finished with the Reapings, I move to the dining car. There, Lokir is already having lunch along with our escort and mentors.

The escort addresses me as soon as she sees me: "Oh, you're here, Gavriel, I thought you got lost. Aren't you hungry? Well, your partner seems to have appetite for both."

In response, Lokir glares at her until her smile fades away. I can't help smirking. Lokir's panther-like gaze could scare even a wild beast.

I sit down. Lokir doesn't look at me, she resumes eating with incredible hunger. No table manners, of course. The escort would like to comment on her behaviour, but luckily she gets cold feet. Lokir cannot stand reproaches, especially if they're on unimportant things… or, rather, on things she finds unimportant. Actually, appearances do matter, in the Capitol even more than in the districts. As a tribute, your victory relies not only on your skills, but also on your popularity with the audience. You have to maintain a certain image, but I don't think Lokir can understand such subtleties. She has struggled too much in her life to care about them. All things considered, she might be more determined to win the Games than anyone else, even than me. But why did she volunteer for this year? She could have waited till she turned eighteen. Does she hate me so much that she wants to kill me with her own hands? I've trained her, after all, and she repays me like that!? Have I really turned her into the monster that is going to kill me?

"We have time to discuss our strategy. Most of the tributes will get to the Capitol tomorrow, so we have a head start, but I think we could talk about something also right know… we could get to know each other better, at least. We're a team now, Savio and I need to know what kind of tributes we'll be mentoring..." says Lionel- one of our mentors- interrupting my thoughts.

"There isn't that much to say about me," I promptly reply, while picking some white grapes from a bunch. "I'm the son of two victors, and the academy selected me to represent my district in the Games. I'm precisely the kind of tribute the Capitol wants as a victor."

"You shouldn't make references to the academy. You know, academies are theoretically forbidden," Savio points out.

"Theoretically."

"In any case, many rebels- even some victors- came from District 2, so we cannot take for granted that the Capitol is going to favour us."

"That's true. We need to work more on your images this year, if we want to get sponsors," adds Lionel.

I snigger in response. "I don't need to work on my image at all! I'm the son of two loyal victors, and I'm eager to follow in their footsteps!" I insist.

"Okay. What about you, Lokir?" asks Lionel.

This question catches her momentarily off guard. She stares at our mentor, her mouth still smeared with the barbecue sauce of her steak. Eventually, she uses a napkin to wipe it.

"I'm a fighter, I think I showed it at the Reaping… that's what they want, in the end," she answers with a shrug.

Savio sighs. "I think you aren't taking it seriously… not enough, at least. Do you know how many victors' children, or skilled trainees, or self-confident guys were tributes before you? The answer is many, but the arena showed no mercy to them, and it will do the same to you. We're lucky, because we have the opportunity to train future tributes before the Games, but the truth is that nothing can really prepare you for what you'll find there. Believe me, you'll need any help you can get once in the arena, and you cannot get a help, if you don't impress the audience and the Gamemakers first. By "impress" I mean "be original", "leave a mark", okay? And after seventy-five editions of the Games it's not that easy."

…...

Linden Auxley (13)- District 7 male tribute

The Prankster

How could I be that stupid? Volunteering for the Hunger Games… and just because of a peacekeeper!? The mentor of District 7- Hugh Barkard- wants to see Azalea and me separately in his private car… to talk about strategy, I suppose. He will certainly ask me why I volunteered, but I don't know what to answer. Why did I volunteer? I could tell him that the reaped boy was a friend of mine, but this would mean lying to my mentor, the person on whom my life now depends. No, that's not the way to relate to a mentor, right?

My thoughts are interrupted by Azalea, who's now exiting the private car. I'd like to ask her how it was, but I notice that she's kind of shocked: she's slightly shaking, and her eyes seems to be staring into space. Is our mentor that terrifying? Well, guess I'll have to talk to him to find it out.

I shyly enter the private car. The first thing I notice is that there are several essence bottles spreading a familiar scent of freshly cut wood and pine in the air. Oh, how much it makes me feel at home! Hugh Barkard is sitting on a brown armchair right in the middle. I think it's the first time I see him, since he's never present at Reapings or at any social event of sort. Actually, he's said to own a shack in the woods, where he spends most of his time by carving wood. He's in his seventies- probably the first victor of District 7 in the history of the Hunger Games… he may be as old as the Games themselves, if you think about it. Despite his age, he has still a muscled physique. He has snow white hair, moustache, and beard. His eyes are light brown and… well, I'd define them as glacial, if it weren't for their colour. Today, he's wearing a white shirt, and elegant, brown trousers with overalls.

"Do you want to stand there all the time or are you going to get closer?"

I wince in response. His voice is deep and slightly hoarse.

I get closer to him, but when I'm about to sit down, he stops me: "No, stand there, I want to observe you."

I obey. Some minutes pass by. He silently stares at me, while I can barely hold his searching gaze.

"I wonder how such a squirt could volunteer for the Games…" he says at some point, breaking the silence.

I don't say anything in response.

"There are many possibilities: love, money, madness… choose one reason and behave accordingly, no matter if it's not the truth," he goes on.

"I-I... I-I don't think I got what you mean," I stammer in response.

"In your opinion, does the audience prefer a true story or a sensational one?"

"What?"

"A volunteer from an outer district draws attention, especially if he's young. Are you ready to handle this attention?"

"I have to, I suppose. I… I volunteered because a peacekeeper threatened my family, and I didn't want…"

"I see," he says, interrupting me. "You want to be untouchable… that's a good reason, little lionheart. Peacekeepers cannot harm victors and their families, no matter what they do," he adds, and a slight smirk forms on his pale lips.

"But how can I win? I mean… I'm not trained, I'm not strong… what should I do?" I rebut.

"You should know your strengths, working on them is not up to me," he replies.

"But… you're my mentor," I point out, puzzled.

"Listen, I like you, lionheart, but if you don't show me that you have a potential, I won't waste my time with you. Is that understood?"

…...

Iron Rattler (14)- District 1 male tribute

The Rebel's Son

On this train, I had the most satisfying lunch of my life- mac and cheese as a first course, stuffed chicken decorated with almonds and orange slices as a second course, and eventually meringue pie as a dessert. While eating, I couldn't help but notice that there's a sort of tension between my district partner and our mentor Skinner Prime. They have known each other for a while, that's clear, but I wonder where this tension stems from. Certainly, they have both a strong character and don't want anyone to overshadow them. He insisted on the fact that we should feel lucky, because we have a mentor from District 1 and not from the Capitol- which was kind of annoying- but even when he tried to give advice, she had to rebut. One thing is certain: we're not a team… not yet, at least. Maybe… if I bonded with Honey, things would be easier.

After lunch, Honey and I head to our private bedrooms to have some rest.

"Honey," I say, while we're still walking down the corridor, she before me.

"What do you want?" she asks in a rather aggressive way and without turning to me.

"I was… I was just wondering…"

At this stage, she stops and then turns around. "I'm not going to ally with you!"

"Why not?" I ask- well, guessing the answer is not that difficult, and yet this question came naturally to me.

"Come with me," she replies.

We enter her room, where she switches on the TV. While travelling to Capitol City, tributes have the opportunity not only to watch all the Reapings of the current year, but also to view the past editions of the Games. Indeed, Honey shows me the Reaping of District 1 of the 69th Hunger Games. When a boy volunteers, she stops the video.

"This was my elder brother Senior Valli," she explains with a slight tremor in her voice. "A skilled trainee… everyone was so proud of him, especially my family… you can imagine how happy my parents were, when he decided to volunteer. After all, he was the firstborn, and he was a boy… who else was worthy of representing our family if not its heir? Actually, no one really cared about me, no one asked what I thought… they even called me selfish, when I said that I didn't want Senior to volunteer… but I didn't do that out of selfishness, just… I didn't want to lose my brother, because he was my brother, and I loved him despite all."

That said, she goes on with the video. She skips all the first part in the Capitol and in the arena and jumps directly to the finale. Senior is one of the two tributes left. His opponent is a boy with short, bronze hair, hazel eyes, and freckles all over his face. By his muscled physique, you can tell that he has trained before the Games. He must come from a Career district.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've finally got to the final two: Senior Valli from District 1 and Lionel Taspar from District 2! May the odds be ever in your favour!" says the announcer.

What is interesting is that Senior and Lionel were together when this announcement was made. They probably stayed allied till the very end of the Games.

"So, here we are... the finale... honestly, I don't want to do that," says Senior, clearly uncomfortable.

"Neither do I, but we have no choice, babe, and you know it," replies Lionel, who sounds calmer than one would expect.

He called Senior "babe", which is strange... I mean, you don't call an ally or a friend like that, right? Maybe there was a romance between them. It wouldn't be the first time that two tributes fall for each other. As a matter of fact, Capitolites love romances in the arena and homosexuality is widely accepted in the Capitol, whereas people tend to be more bigoted in the districts. I try to think if I remember something about this edition- I should remember such a couple, at least- but the truth is that I've never been a fan of the Hunger Games.

At some point, Lionel gets closer to Senior. Honey's brother doesn't look scared, he doesn't even put himself in a defensive position. Lionel gently caresses his cheek and flaunts a sad smile.

"It has to be done. May the best win," whispers Lionel.

At this point, a grimace of pain distorts Senior's face. Immediately afterwards, the camera shows us what happened: Lionel stabbed his former ally in the stomach while he was distracted!

"And I am the best, of course," adds the murderer, watching Senior keel over on the ground.

There's still a smile on his lips, but it's a smile of contempt this time. Was the romance all a farce to him then?

At this stage, Honey stops the video again and then switches off the TV. I'm still too bewildered to be able to say something. How can a person be that cruel? Is that what the arena does to tributes? Does it really turn them into monsters without feelings? Or does it just bring out the worst that already exists in them? I don't want to become like that!

"So... do you still want to ally with a Career?" asks Honey, interrupting my thoughts.

"Honey, I... I-I'm really sorry for your brother... that... that monster... yeah, he is a monster..."

"That monster is the current mentor of District 2," she points out.

"Not all the Careers are monsters, you don't have to be like that, Honey!" I reply.

"But these are the Hunger Games. Yes, now I could tell you that I'm not able to betray someone like that, but who knows? Anything can happen in the arena, right? If Careers can betray even their allies, what could they do to a little rebel like you? You'd better watch your back, don't you think? One thing is certain: I won't make the same mistake of my brother, I won't trust anyone! Now, leave me alone, this is my room."

…...

Lorenzo "Salas" Jacobson (18)- District 5 male tribute

The Machine

A little peace… finally! I flop down on my bed- how comfortable it is! Like the hug of a fluffy cloud… oh, jeez, when did I become so pathetically poetic?- and pull a cigarette out of the packet I took with me at the Reaping. I light it. I look at the smoke rising, while sniffing its sweet scent. Honestly, I could spend here the rest of my life, but unfortunately I can't. My… let's call it "team"… likes dilly-dallying, apparently… they want to speak about strategy… about teamwork and alliances… but I've got other plans. I have a mission, a mission that doesn't imply allies. My district partner volunteered for her little sister, which is praiseworthy- I mean, I'd do anything for my family as well- but this doesn't mean that I'm going to ally with her. Actually, she may stand more chances than her sister, but compared to other tributes… well, she will probably be a bloodbath.

Suddenly, an alarm goes off in my room, distracting me from my thoughts. I can't help startling. It starts raining from the ceiling, soaking my clothes, my bed, my cigarette… shit! What the hell…?

At this stage, the escort enters the room. "What's up?" she shrieks, but she immediately steps backwards in the corridor.

She gets back only when the alarm stops. I'm still laying on my bed, completely drenched.

"Smoking is forbidden on the train, you idiot!" she apostrophises me. "Didn't you know that there's a fire alarm in every room?"

I sit, while water is dripping from my hair and my whole body is shaking like a leaf. Hell! It's ice cold!

I glare at the escort. "You don't say!" I reply, almost in a hysterical way.

"Oh, dear… we'll need to work a lot on your manners! But now… change those clothes- honestly, they aren't fashionable at all! Did you pick the first ragged items you found in your closet? Clearly, we'll need to work also on your sense of fashion. Anyway, change clothes, we don't want you to get ill!"

In response, I take off my drenched shirt and launch it against the escort.

"Hey!" she protests, disgusted, while picking my shirt with her fingertips.

Eventually, she lets it fall to the ground. She's staring at me now.

"What's up? Do you wanna stay and watch the rest of the strip?" I ask her with a smirk.

"You're a boor!" she shouts, beside herself. "And this," she adds, wrenching my cigarette from my hand. "This has to disappear. Vicious tributes are not appreciated in the Capitol, is that understood?"

That said, she lets the cigarette fall to the ground and then stomps it with her shoe.

At this stage, I get closer to her to watch her right in the eye. "Remember that it's the Capitol's fault, if I'm like this. I was a soldier, I fought for your blessed Capitol City, and I'm not afraid of fighting again. But if you want me to be a proper tribute- someone who might lead you to a promotion- you'd better not interfere with my- let's say- habits. Okay?"

She doesn't say a word in response, she just leaves the room. I go to the bathroom and start drying my hair with a towel. When finished, I look at my reflection in the mirror. I have to change my District 5 clothes with those of the Capitol. Clothes are like roles, in the end. Before the war, I was just a normal citizen of District 5 living his normal life, but then the Capitol forced me to wear the clothes of a soldier, and now they want me to be a tribute. What else will they demand from me? Whose clothes will I need to wear?

…...

Xantinus "Xanti" Polliark (18)- District 9 male tribute

The Poet

A horrible night

Haunted by horrible dreams

Haunting me like horrible hunters

…

Ah! What's the point of writing a poetry right now? I trace an x on my notebook. In a few days, I will end up in the arena, where my experience will probably escape any possible description. Besides, I won't have the time and the materials to write.

My situation is definitely strange… I mean, I'm Capitolite of birth, but I have also to represent a district in the Games. How can I cope with this double identity without freaking out? Can I really be both? Well, living in a district has taught me to change my mind about many things that I used to take for granted. Now, I feel more like a citizen of District 9 than of the Capitol, even though I've never felt completely accepted there. But, honestly, have I ever felt accepted in my life? Even when I used to live in the Capitol, my family didn't belong to the rich elite that rules our country. We were basically social outcasts. Unlike what the districts imagine, not all the Capitolites live in luxury. Nevertheless, my mother used to say that she'd rather be not that rich- no, she didn't use the adjective "poor"- but live in the Capitol than live in the districts. Describing our predicament by denying its opposite was kind of reassuring, though. I've grown up with this sense of alleged superiority, with the belief that the districts are the other, but when I moved to Nine and saw that I was the other... well, it made me think. Actually, I had to revise my whole mindset. If I met myself from one year ago, I would probably see him as a whole different person.

"Look!" says Rye out of a sudden, pointing at the train window.

I look in that direction, even though I already know what I'll see. Indeed, I can now see the familiar skyline of the Capitol. We have almost reached our destination. I feel my heart in my throat. I used to think that the Capitol is the most beautiful place on earth, but now I've learned to see past its beauty, to see the snake hidden under the flower. It's a beautiful prison, but always a prison, right? In my mind, its beauty is inextricably linked to danger and death.

Suddenly, we enter the rock-cut gallery that leads directly to the train station. So, here we are... welcome to a world made of shining skyscrapers and multicoloured people- the wondrous stage where the deadly spectacle of the Hunger Games will be played soon.

So, this was Train Rides: Unquiet Minds. "Unquiet minds" because tributes think a lot in this chapter. Someone is more practical like Gavriel, others are more philosophical like Xantinus, but everyone has their own way to live the same experience, and that's precisely what I wanted to focus on.

As I said in the introduction, submitters can assign 20 points to tributes who have a POV in this chapter, namely: Iron (D1M), Gavriel (D2M), Lorenzo (D5M), Linden (D7M), Xantinus (D9M).

I'll provide you with some questions about the same tributes too, but you're not obliged to answer them:

Iron: how should he behave with Honey and the Careers?

Gavriel: how can he leave a mark?

Lorenzo: which role will he play in the Games?

Linden: which are his strengths/weaknesses in your opinion?

Xantinus: how can he cope with his double identity?

Thank you a lot for reading. Please, leave a review with your impressions/suggestions, your feedback is important. If you have doubts about how this story works, do not hesitate to PM me, I'll try to answer all your questions as clearly as possible.

Have a nice day :)