CW: Language

Blanca Bolero, 14, District Eight Female

The forest nymph sat at the king's table, a bountiful feast before her. Behind her, the world rushed by, too quickly for her to see the forests that she had longed to visit.

She wanted to reach for her mirror, a precious gift from her mother, but the nymph remembered how the boy who had joined her on this journey had stiffened and turned pale, how his fists clenched, and he looked away, bluntly asking her to put it back in her pocket. The nymph did so quickly, frightened at the boy's reaction to such an innocent action, and was left without a surefire way to calm herself down.

So instead, she tried to imagine her bird friends by her side as a means of comfort. She tried to picture herself anywhere else, where she wasn't being fattened up to be slaughtered. Where she wasn't going to her death, but there were no birds here. Only the angry boy and a wise spirit who had arrived shortly after she was placed into this gilded cage.

The boy looked at her, concern in his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Blanca dropped her gaze to her lap, her eyes starting to water again as her daydream was interrupted. She didn't say a word, didn't even acknowledge the boy. "Hey, if it's about earlier, I'm sorry if I scared you. I'm just…not a fan of mirrors. You couldn't have known."

Blanca looked up just a little bit. Her mentor, Cordy Harris, sat across from her and Jann, and her eyes were full of concern. Blanca didn't know a lot about her. She knew that she was Eight's most recent victor and the last victor from Eight left alive after the Quell. She remembered her nickname was Ghost because she practically vanished like one during her Games almost twenty years ago, but that was about it. "Do you want some hot chocolate?" Cordy asked.

"Hot chocolate?" Jann asked curiously. "Never had it."

Cordy smiled and stood up. "Best comfort drink there is."

While she went to grab the drinks, Blanca turned towards the window. "Do you think the arena will have a forest?" she asked quietly.

She could hear Jann sigh. "I don't know. But I'm sure it'll be pretty!"

"I'd like pretty," Blanca replied. "If I was going to die somewhere…I'd rather it be a pretty place with birds…"

Jann gently patted her shoulder. "No one said anything about dying."

"The escort did…when she pulled my name. No one volunteered for me…"

Blanca couldn't help but feel jealous of the boy that Jann replaced, the boy who would never know he was almost doomed to die because Jann didn't give the escort a chance to pull that slip.

She wished someone would have done that for her.

"And that's a shame," Jann replied bitterly. "A real shame."

Cordy quickly returned with the hot chocolate and placed a colorful steaming mug in front of Blanca. She sniffed it curiously, catching the rich scent of chocolate, something that she always associated with the wealthy.

It occurred to her that this would be her life for a week. The last week of her life.

She also caught another smell, the smell of alcohol, and she noticed Cordy putting a splash of a white and creamy liquid into her drink. "What is that?" Blanca asked.

"Irish cream," Cordy replied. "Don't worry, I'm no Haymitch. I just happen to like the taste."

"Can I have some?" Jann asked.

Cordy's face hardened. "I don't think that's a good idea, Jann."

"Oh, come on!" Jann protested. "I'm about to be in the Hunger Games. Let me have the experience!"

Cordy stared at him for a moment, then rolled her eyes and added some of the cream to his drink. "Just the one, okay? We don't need a tribute rolling up to the Capitol hungover…again."

Again? Blanca wondered, before deciding it was best not to ask.

Cordy began discussing the Games with them, but it was mainly Jann talking. Blanca wasn't entirely sure what to say or add. What could she possibly do? As much as she tried to pay attention, the forest was calling her, the life of a nymph much more welcoming than what awaited her here.

However, she used the distraction to steal a sip of Jann's drink. Her face twisted as she caught the sharp bitterness of the cream and quickly put it back, deciding that she preferred her own.

If Cordy saw her, she didn't say anything. The amused look on her face said it all.

Hendrix "Hen" Conestoga, 13, District Six Male

Hendrix flinched at the sound of yet another enraged shout and the sound of something breaking. He thought Viorica had cooled off when they were brought to the train station, but apparently not.

He looked at Mercury, who had his head in his hands. The Outlaw was clearly exasperated with his situation. "Are you okay?" Hendrix asked, hating how meek he sounded around this living legend, this western hero, Hendrix's hero.

Mercury sighed and looked up. "Yep. Never better. Do you want to get started or wait for—" Another crash. "Yeah, she's going to be a while…" He clasped his hands together loudly. "So, what's your story kid?"

"Uh… I'm adopted?" Hendrix almost immediately cursed himself for such a ridiculous answer. He was a legendary adventurer, protector of the realm…then he realized that his imaginary persona would only confuse his poor mentor, who was already dealing with enough if the sound of innocent fragile objects meeting their doom at the hands of a rage monster just a few doors down was of any indication.

Mercury blinked. "Neat."

Hendrix stared at Mercury. "Uh… What's yours?"

"I'm a victor? And I was adopted too, so we have that in common, I guess."

Hendrix's eyes went wide. "Really?"

"Yeah, I am. A peacekeeper took me in after my parents died."

"You were…raised by a peacekeeper?"

"Oh, don't worry! Orion is a great dad. He was actually the one who led you up on the Reaping stage, believe it or not."

"Oh no, I'm sure he was awesome!" Then, it hit Hendrix and he looked down in thought. A victor who was adopted by a Peacekeeper…

Could this be the opportunity he was waiting for?

"Um… Do you think you could help me with something?" he asked carefully.

Mercury raised an eyebrow. "With what?"

"You must know a lot of people in District Six. A lot of very important people, including your dad. I…don't actually know what happened to my parents, my birth parents. Don't get me wrong! I love my parents very much but…" His voice trailed off. How did he phrase this without sounding like an ungrateful brat? He was already undeserving enough of his adopted family. He didn't want this conversation to get back to them and hurt their feelings.

Mercury shook his head. "No, kid, I understand completely. Do you remember their names?"

Hendrix nodded. "Chidi and Kesia Conestoga."

Mercury frowned. "Names don't ring a bell, but I can ask Orion, and have him look into it."

Hendrix's heart was pounding now. Mercury was really going to help him. "Are you sure? I don't want to trouble you. I know you're busy."

"Don't worry about it. You're not the first tribute to want to find someone and you won't be the last. Orion's pretty high up, so he'll be able to go through the records for you." Mercury gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll make sure it gets to you by the end of the week."

Hendrix felt his lips turn upward into a smile. He knew he would be dead by the end of the week. He knew that his adventures were about to come to an end, but at least he would have some closure. He would finally get the answers to the question he had been asking himself for his entire life.

Hendrix Conestoga, the legendary adventurer, prepared to embark on his next quest: find out the fate of his biological parents with the help of the wise Outlaw.

Somehow, putting something between him and the quest that came after made everything seem much less daunting.

Cordelia "Cordy" Simmons, 15, District Three Female

Cordy's leg bounced rapidly, her heart pounded, and she overall felt completely and utterly overwhelmed. "You good?" She turned to Rhys, her face incredulous.

They were off to the Hunger Games, and this boy wanted to know if she was okay.

Cordy just stared at him, unsure what else she expected. The boy did have quite the laughing fit on stage after all. Instead of giving him an answer, she just focused on the movement of the train. Three-hundred miles an hour, was what the escort said. They would be at the Capitol by tomorrow morning.

She imagined the technology within this train that would make such a feat possible, let alone possible without feeling a thing. It was incredible, something that Cordy would have loved to study one day.

Except now, she wouldn't get the chance.

Her future didn't look so bright anymore.

Was it really just two hours ago that she said her goodbyes? Hugged her parents, her granddad, and Pixelle for the last time?

Was she really never going to see them again?

Cordy shook her head. No, she was going to see them again. She couldn't die on them. She just couldn't.

"So, you're not okay?"

Right… He was still there.

She looked back at the boy (Rhys. His name was Rhys.)

"Are you?" she muttered.

Rhys's brow furrowed and he shrugged. "Point taken. I wonder who's mentoring us this year."

"Same as last year, more than likely," Cordy replied. The boy from Three had placed second last year. The Capitol likely saw that as successful (ignoring the fact that the boy was just as dead as the poor kid that placed twenty-fourth) and would use that mentor again.

Sure enough, a young man in his twenties walked in. Cordy quickly recognized him as Gaius Gloriana, Victor of the Seventy-Third Hunger Games. He was from Two, but with so many districts lacking mentors after the Quell, they asked Gaius to mentor Three.

Cordy would have much preferred Wiress and Beetee as mentors. They were brilliant, pioneers in their fields. Gaius could never understand how the mind of a Three worked, even if he was a master tactician. Of course, he did develop an alliance/rivalry with a Three in his Games. Perhaps he learned a thing or two from Prospero.

Even though Wiress and Beetee were dead, maybe Gaius was the next best choice…

"Oh my gosh," Rhys breathed. "You're Gaius Gloriana! You're the man with a plan! Protégé of Brutus Santori and Amber Reeves! A master tactician!"

Gaius chuckled and waved. "That's what they call me."

Cordy decided that Rhys had no idea how to behave in front of celebrities…or in public in general, and simply looked up at Gaius. She cursed herself for being so nervous. . "I'm a chemist and an inventor back home. With the right materials, I can make traps and mix up chemicals that could prove fatal."

Gaius raised an eyebrow. "Straight to the point. Okay, that's not a bad repertoire. We can work with that." He then turned to Rhys. "You?"

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Uh… I'm… I'm…" Rhys seemed to stumble over his words. "I'masupercoolthief," he finally said quickly.

Cordy blinked.

Gaius blinked.

Rhys blinked.

Wonderful.

Rhys, to his credit, immediately included an addendum to his statement. "But I don't really keep the money! I give it to people who need it! Like my neighbor!"

Gaius nodded slowly. "Well, that would imply stealth, agility, and a shady hero complex that might go over well with the Capitol."

And just like that, Rhys overshadowed Cordy in a way that she wasn't sure she could recover from, and she hadn't even met the rest of the tributes yet, all with personalities that were certainly bigger than her own. Her mind immediately began racing as she tried to find a way around that.

This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.

Safira Altin, 18, District One Female

"So, why did you do it?"

Safira looked up from her meal and towards Caden. "Do what?" she asked innocently.

"Steal Label's thunder," Caden reiterated. "Why did you do that? My brother was pissed. Augustus is probably pissed. Hell, everyone in One is probably pissed."

Safira shrugged. "Well, everyone in One will just have to deal with it, because they're stuck with me, and that includes you."

Caden narrowed his eyes. "Look, I just want to know why you did it. I want to make sure this won't be another Glimmer situation."

Safira scoffed, completely taken aback about the fact that Caden would even consider comparing her to that airheaded bimbo. "Of course not. I am more than capable, and everyone knows it. That's why Label was gracious enough to let me have the honor of volunteering instead."

That got an eyebrow raised. "You're saying Label gave you the spot? Seriously? She was so enthusiastic about this."

Safira nodded. "She got cold feet the day before. Her heart was never really in it, you know? She was just doing it for her parents. She didn't want to let them down, so she went to me, the backup."

"And she convinced you to go rogue?"

Safira nodded. "I kept asking if she was sure. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event after all. I didn't want her to miss out due to last-minute jitters, but…she felt District One had a better chance with me."

Caden stared at Safira for a long moment, and Safira found herself wondering if she had underestimated his intelligence and if he suspected that Label hadn't given up the slot as readily as Safira had implied. Thankfully, if he was suspicious, then he was smart enough not to voice that. "Alright," he said. "Works for me. I was wondering why Label got the slot instead of you."

Safira shrugged. "Probably has something to do with the fancy new coat the dean was wearing on Selection Day."

This seemed to settle Caden down. "Yeah, I can understand that. I hope you're ready to explain this all to Augustus though. He didn't seem too happy when we boarded the train."

"Braun's not happy about a lot of things these days." Safira sighed. "Just keep your trap shut about Label. I don't want this getting back home."

The door slid open before Caden could reply, and in walked the Cavalier Career himself. Speak of the devil.

Augustus looked absolutely exhausted and exasperated, a far cry from the nonchalant victor from eleven years ago. It got worse after he started rubbing elbows with the outliers. Why they kept calling him Cavalier, Safira would never know. He seemed to have a complete personality change after his Games. All she knew was that she wished that Leonidas was here.

"You good, Augustus?" Caden asked carefully.

Augustus sighed. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Safira, you realize that–"

"What I did was against years of protocol and is considered dishonor of the highest order? Yes. Do I regret it? No, so please, Augustus, spare me the speech."

If Augustus was tired before, he was completely and utterly done with everything now. "Noted. At least our rogue is an actual backup."

That was the problem with going rogue. Everyone was going to compare her to Glimmer. Safira knew this was coming, but knowing didn't stop the outrage she felt being constantly compared to her. Glimmer was an incompetent idiot who didn't know the bow from the arrow. She was an entitled brat who thought she was hot shit, someone who could get through life on looks alone and thought she was way better than she was.

It took every ounce of discipline not to burst into hysterical laughter when Katniss Everdeen dropped a tracker jacker nest on her head, a head that wouldn't have been there if she hadn't tried snuggling up with the boy from Two.

Glimmer liked to call herself gorgeous and perfect, but she certainly wasn't either of those, especially after the tracker jackers were done with her.

Safira was better than Glimmer. She was worthy of the volunteer slot. She wouldn't have had to go rogue had the dean not been so weak-willed and eager for a new coat. She had beauty, brains, and skills.

Safira just looked at Augustus and smiled. "We all know it should have been me to begin with. We all know what really happened that day."

Augustus sighed. "Well, there's no helping it now. Let's just get to work."

Safira smiled. "Great idea."

Becket Hyde, 18, District Four Female

Becket admitted that she did feel a twinge of sadness when she watched the ocean disappear. Becket had watched it fade away into the horizon. It was as beautiful as ever, even as it vanished for the last time.

There was a real possibility that Becket would never see the ocean again. Even if the arena was somehow full of beaches and water, it wouldn't be the real ocean, it wouldn't be her ocean.

Still, seeing the relieved look on that little girl's face and hearing her district cheer for her when she took her place on that stage made it all worth it.

The little girl, Ariella, had visited her in the Justice Building and had hugged her so tightly. "You saved me," she said. "Thank you so much!"

Becket fiddled with her bracelet, made of rope scraps from her mother's ship, and woven by her father, and felt the sadness fade into content.

Yes, she did the right thing. No matter what happened next, it would all be worth it.

She looked to Lucien, or Luce, as he preferred to be called. He was also looking content, staring out the train window while sipping on a glass of juice. "Is this everything you imagined?" she asked.

Luce shrugged. "Kind of. It's a bit quiet, but the food is definitely up to expectations."

Becket chuckled. "I agree. Doesn't beat my mother's cooking, but lunch tasted amazing. Do you know where Annie is?"

Luce shook his head. "Probably with Finnick. She didn't look too good earlier."

Becket shook her head sadly. "It's not fair they dragged her out to mentor."

Luce sighed. "No, it is not. So, what's your story, Becket? What do you want to get out of this, besides winning, of course."

Becket cocked her head, taken aback by the question. "I… Sorry, I wasn't quite expecting that."

Luce chuckled. "Sorry, we're not even an hour into the journey, I know, but we're going to be allies, and I didn't get much of a chance to get to know you before."

"I understand," Becket replied. "I just want to do right by our district. If it wasn't me going in, it was going to be that little girl."

"Wanting to protect the innocent," Luce mused. "That's honorable of you. We don't get those anymore, from what I hear."

Becket decided that she liked Luce. "What about you?"

"Same reason as you," Luce replied, "sort of."

"Sort of?"

"I have a family," he replied. "That money would help them a lot. Not to mention that I owe the Gym quite a lot."

Becket was suddenly reminded that this boy wasn't just her district partner, but her opponent as well. If she won, Luce wouldn't get the money for his family. If he won, she'd be dead. She'd never see her home again.

Becket frowned. Winning wasn't her end game. While she didn't want to die, she knew where her priorities lay, and that was to make sure those twenty-three kids in there with her didn't suffer. She didn't want to die, but she felt guilty knowing her life meant Luce's death, and if the prize money was among the reasons he volunteered, then he must have needed it.

"Everything okay?" Luce asked. "I mean, my reasons are nowhere near as honorable as yours, but…" His voice trailed off.

"Yeah." Becket found herself chuckling despite herself. "I understand. Don't worry. You have a good reason for volunteering. Better than a lot of Careers nowadays. I know we haven't seen or even met the Ones and Twos yet, but if we stick together, we can make sure one of us wins. We can make sure that District Four wins."

Luce thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah, I think I'd like that." He extended his hand. "I like you, Becket."

Becket smiled and shook his hand firmly. "I like you too, Luce."

Dawn Maconson, 18, District Ten Female

Dawn had retreated to her room as soon as she could. She knew that she'd eventually need to go out and speak with Texanna, but she couldn't bear to look poor Hoover in the eyes. She didn't want him asking her to be his ally. That was not a conversation Dawn wanted to have.

Dawn began pacing back and forth across the cabin, her lips pressed into a thin line. She reached into her pocket, where she found the stray spool of black wool, from one of Ginger's old sweaters that she couldn't bear to get rid of. She gripped it tightly, trying to ground herself. "Fuck…" she muttered. "Fuck!"

She took a deep breath, then another. She could not break down. As much as she wanted to scream and punch a wall, she had to keep it together, even if now was the time to get all her anger out of her system.

"This is complete bullshit," Dawn muttered. Of all the people to be picked, they had to pick her.

She was this close to achieving her dream of becoming a Peacekeeper. Just one more day, and she would have been able to officially enlist. Now, that dream was never going to happen. One slip of paper shattered that dream.

Of course, Dawn couldn't say that this was entirely undeserved. After everything she did, after everyone she betrayed and killed, this had to be karma.

Of course, there was no use dwelling on it now. If Hoffman were here, he would have told her to stop thinking about the past and think about how she was going to handle the present.

So, that begged the question: how was she going to handle this? Dawn knew she was a contender, and that wasn't even her being arrogant. She could fight. She could kill. She could make allies. That was important. She needed allies. Her years as an honorary peacekeeper had taught her that going into a hostile situation without backup was a terrible and fatal idea.

Allying with her district partner was not an option. As bad as she felt saying no to that little boy, she knew full well he'd only hold her back. He was doomed, and trying to protect him would only doom her as well.

Dawn stopped pacing and sat down on the bed. Who could she trust, though? Alliances in the Hunger Games were almost always doomed to fail, and if she teamed up with the wrong tributes, she could wind up with a knife in the back, and Dawn did not want to have to deal with that.

It was so ironic it would have been hilarious if it wasn't so dark. She stabbed so many people in the back, some literally, and here she was worrying about being betrayed herself.

Still, she needed someone, anyone.

The Careers maybe? Some other strong tributes?

She didn't even know who the other tributes were yet, let alone if she could team up with them.

It occurred to Dawn that she should at least make an appearance in the dining hall if only to watch the recap and talk to Texanna. She sighed, cursed under her breath, and stood up.

It was time to rip the bandage off and get this all over with, regardless of how she felt. She was Dawn Maconson, and the one thing she couldn't afford to become, especially now, was soft. If she wanted even the slightest chance of surviving this, she had to get to work.

Dawn took one more moment to wipe her face clean of emotions, then stepped through the doorway to the dining room, where Texanna was sitting with Hoover. "Nice of you to join us, kiddo," she said. "Hungry?"

Dawn had to fight the urge to scowl at her mentor's antics. Of course, she wasn't hungry. How could she possibly be hungry?

Hoover looked up at her hopefully, and Dawn felt her heart sink. Here we go… she thought.

She needed allies, that much was true, but before she could do anything else, she had to figure out how to let this kid down easily without looking like a complete and utter monster in front of everyone.

As if this day couldn't have gotten any shittier…

Finally! The Nemo Train has left the station! What was your favorite point of view? And I realize I forgot to ask this at the end of the intros, but who is your favorite tribute? Who do you think has a chance at winning?

Next chapter, we'll arrive at the Capitol with Zhenya, Luce, Ebony, Florin, and Cole! Which one of those are you the most excited for?

On another note, I will try my hardest to get another chapter out before the end of the month, but I can't make any promises at this point. My husband and I are renting our first house together, and our apartment is pretty chaotic right now. I'm also aware that I fell behind on the playlist, but I'll try to have that updated soon! (I can think of a couple of Eurovision 2024 entries that might appear on there!)

See you next time!