Chapter 2, The Train

Isis smiled. "Well that was exciting! Our prodigy has volunteered! District 2 most certainly has a winner this year no?" 

No one spoke.

Isis wasn't even fazed. She walked over to the second glass jar. "Gentlemen next."

Slowly, she pulled out a piece of paper and unfolded it.

"Kern Kinnimonth!" she announced.

A boy from the sixteen year old line separated from everyone else. He was tall and muscled and his expression was eager.

He walked up to the stage and stood next to me.

"Hey." he said looking at me. He grinned at me and his eyes glanced me up and down.

"You better be better at fighting than you are good looking." I said coldly. 

The smirk on his face disappeared. 

Then reappeared.

"Feisty."

 "You'll think more along the lines of cold-blooded when I stab you in the heart." I said smirking.

Smirk disappeared again.

"These are your District 2 Tributes!" Isis yelled. People clapped because in District 2, it's considered an honor.

Not a death wish.

Peacekeepers led us to the train.

Ever since the 74th hunger games, we weren't allowed to talk to our loved ones. I frowned at the bitter memory. Katniss and Peeta. District 12 idiots as usual. I'll admit, Katniss had good bow skills but her strategies were awful.

And in order to win, you need brain and brawn.

We stepped onto the train.

"Well that was lovely!" Isis said perkily. "We have a celebrity volunteer!" 

 I evaluated the train.

"Model 356?" I asked.

Isis looked surprised. "Yes! How did you know?" she asked.

"Panels on the wall. They look different from what I saw on T.V. from last year's. Last year's model was 354. And you Capital people like even numbers."

"Despite how odd you are." Kern said under his breath.

Isis didn't seem to hear him. "Very impressive! Enobaria will have a fun time training you!" 

She turned toward Kern. "As for you...I'll have a hell of a time trying to teach you manners." she said coldly.

Guess she did hear him.

I officially like Isis.

Kern's expression turned stony.

She led us into a room.

Enobaria and Brutus sat at a table covered in food.

"There's my Prodigy!" Enobaria said flashing her gold teeth.

Kern snorted.

"If it wasn't against the rules, I'd kick your sorry butt out of the window." I snarled.

Brutus laughed.

"She'll do wonderful at the interviews as well."

Kern glared at me.

"Sit, sit." Enobaria said.

We took our seats.

"First things first, skills. Do you have any?"

"I'm excellent with spears." Kern said.

"Hand to hand combat?" Brutus asked.

"Good." Kern answered.

"Snow?" Enobaria asked turning to me.

"Spears, I can handle." I said trying not to sound too cocky.

"How about bows?"

"Yes."

"Knives."

"Great."

"Guns?"

"Fun." I said grinning.

Enobaria smiled.

"I heard you got some skill with homemade explosives. That'll be good against the District Three nerds."

I laughed. "I'll blow them to smithereens." 

"Amazing." Brutus said.

Once again, Kern glared at me.

Jealous? I mouthed.

***

I sat on the velvety couch with my legs crossed. We were about to watch the taping of the reaping.

I watched as a boy volunteered in District 1 for his younger sister.

His name was Jerome.

In District 3, another boy was separated from his family. Three brothers and two sisters. A mother. No father. 

Jason was his name.

In the same District, a twelve year old was chosen.

Kind of like the girl I volunteered for.

Every district went by. As expected, District 12's tributes were a sad skinny pair.

Enobaria laughed. "Maybe Haymitch will sober up for these two."

Brutus joined her and they laughed in harmony.

While they were laughing, I mentally evaluated the tributes.

District 1: Vena and Jerome

District 2: Snow and Kern

District 3: Orchid and Jason

District 4: Thalia and Mitch

District 5: Silver and Ian 

District 6: Septima and Quentin

District 7: Ashley and Garric

District 8: Fawn and Ty

District 9: Dixie and Ryan

District 10:  Winnow and Adam

District 11: Prine and Otto

District 12: Wren and Baron

I paused.

"Good luck." I whispered to the list of tributes in my head.

Jason's P.O.V.

The reaping clips were playing on the screen.

Beetee, my mentor, watched.

District 2 came on.

A girl was chosen.

A twelve year old.

Orchid trembled in fear to my left.

"It'll be okay." I whispered.

Funny thing is, we already know each other.

I've known her since she was a baby. Our families are friends.

At least my mom is. My dad died in a factory explosion.

Suddenly a girl from the eighteen year old line walked out.

"I volunteer as tribute!" 

Another girl from behind her tried to pull her back but she just kept walking.

"I volunteer as tribute!" she repeated.

Commotion rang out through the crowd.

"Oh god no." I heard Beetee murmur.

"That's not..." Orchid trailed off.

 The Capital woman on stage announced the two tribute's names.

"Snow Pristeen!" she said.

Then my mind went into panic.

Snow Pristeen.

Famous for being wickedly talented with weapons. Also very clever.

Very violent and menacing too.

If I ever had the smallest thought that I would have a chance, then they vanished. No way was I going to beat Snow.

And she would probably team up with the Careers making her practically invincible.

Orchid started sobbing.

"We're all going to die."

I gave her a hug. "It's okay Orchid. It's going to be alright."

"Have you seen her throw?!?!" Orchid demanded.

I froze at her sharp tone.

"She could kill us with any random thing she gets from the Cornucopia from a hundred feet away!" 

Beetee looked at us.

"Have either of you actually seen her throw?" he asked.

We both shook our heads.

Beetee sat there for a moment thinking.

"The best thing to do is evaluate her. When you get into training, I want you to watch her. See what she can really do. If she's better with a bow or a spear. If she's any good at hand to hand combat. Whether she can throw a knife as well as stab someone."

He continued.

"See if she's as clever as they say she is. And make sure you watch to see if she can live out in the wild. I mean see if she can past the edible plants test. I want you to watch her!" he said.

Orchid and I nodded.

"Maybe we can find a weakness." Beetee murmured before walking away.

 Orchid stood up and left.

I watched as the last image of the tributes flashed. My eyes focused on Snow.

Her dark hair was dyed white at the tips and her face was curved into a small smile. She was nimble but also strong. 

She was beautiful, really.

But I didn't allow myself to think that. I couldn't fall for anyone in the games. And especially not her. I had to win and go back to my family. My brothers and sisters. If I didn't, they would all die, they relied on me.

I looked once more at Snow's face.

"Good luck." I whispered.

The screen went black.