The 75th Hunger Games

The Train Journey

As Katniss and I step on to the train we are joined by none other than Haymitch Abernathy. He nods to us in greeting and a silent gesture signifies he's coming with us to re-watch the reaping.

As we enter the mentors carriage I am momentarily shocked. The luxery we say last year as a tribute was nothing compared to this. No wonder we rarely saw Haymich. Purple drapes are against the windows, with tables placed all around the edge of the compartment. That is with the exception of the main wall, which is entirely covered by a tv screen. In front of the screen are three sofas. A worn leather one, which I assume is for Haymitch, and two matching purple velvet ones. We each take a seat, Katniss rearranges the pillow configuration to one which is more to her liking, then Haymitch turns on the TV and we start to watch the reaping again.

It's only when re -watching the reaping that I realise there are no tributes from district 1 or 2. I'm guessing it's due to the fact that those districts can be considered wealthy compared to some of the poorer ones like 12. It means that most tributes have more of a chance this year.

As we watch I take notes on the tributes and what I believe their strengths and weaknesses to be. By the end the list I have created is long and detailed. It may also prove to be useful.

Katniss leans over to read what I've written. I notice Haymitch rolling his eyes from the corner of mine.

"Just put it on the screen." I hear him say

"I don't know how." Is all I reply. He takes the paper from my hands and scans it using some weird Capitol technology I've never seen before. Next thing I know my writing is displayed on the TV.

'1.Lucci Rails District 7- short but probably speedy.
2.Hayden Hennings District 5- reserved. May be hiding something.
3.Joe Frederick District 9 - seam look. Underfed.
4.Henry Goule District 4 - career district. 14-15.
5.Sadie Greds District 7 - 12.
6.Xander Fri District 6 - sibling in a previous games.
7.Dezzy Certa District 12 - our tribute
8. Gumley Gillson District 8- butch. May be slow.'

The list goes on and we start to talk more about Dezzy's competition. We were discussing who we believe to be a threat and who will go out soon. There are three 12 year olds in these games and we reckon they will be some of the first to go. The first is Sadie from 7, you also have one from 3 and one from 10. We came to the conclusion that it will be best for Dezzy to try and get at least one ally for these games. It will also help to get her sponsors. Just as we start to stand a knock comes from the door. Haymitch shouts for them to open it. As the door is pushed aside Effie stands in the doorway. Signalling it's time for the train to leave. It also means Dezzy is now on the train.

"So Dezzy," I ask as we are all sitting around the table in the tribute carriage. "Anything you want to know?"

"What's the chances I manage to get out of this?"

"We reckon you are certain to beat at least 3. You look strong, eveb with your size, but it all depends on any skills you may possess."

"So I may not be a lost cause then?"

"Not by far." I hear Katniss pitch in. "So do you have anything you would consider a skill?"

"Being the blacksmiths daughter I often worked with metals. Occasionally when no one was around I would chuck a few knives. I suppose that could be a skill."

"Show me." Haymitch says, passing a steak knife to her.

She gladly accepts it "Just to let you know I'm not used to doing it with people watching."

"It doesn't matter. We just want to get an idea of what you can do." I tell her.

As she stands and gets in an appropriate stance, she closes one of her eyes and aims the knife. She releases it as Effie walks in to the room. It sticks blade first in to the knot of the wood on one of the display beams.

"Every year with the mahogany." A shrill voice cries. "Why can't you just leave it alone."

"I apologise sincerely for my actions" Dezzy says. Looking at Effie apoligeticaly. Effie's turns and leaves the room. The moment the door shuts behind her Dezzy burst out laughing. This is closely followed by Haymitch and Katniss.

"She won't like that you know sweetheart." Haymicth tells her. "At least you apologised. She probably would have killed you if you hadn't."

"Gathered that. It was funny though."

We don't really talk much more about the games for the rest of the evening. Instead we all eat and enjoy the time we have together. Haymitch drinks, Katniss eats rolls dipped in hot chocolate and Dezzy sits slicing an apple. Carefully arranging it in to a swan formation .

"That's beautiful." I tell her. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"My brother would sneak me apples occasionally when I was having a rough time working. To make it last longer I would cut it in to small pieces. Eventually I learnt how to make animals out of the slices. This is my favourite though."
I sit in stunned silence. "If you can do that, you might be good at camouflage."

She nods silently. That's when Katniss tells me she wants to go to bed. I take her hand and lead her to her room.

I wake up early the next morning to knocking at my door. Katniss is still asleep on the bed so I tip toe over and open the door a tad. To my surprise Haymitch is the one standing outside.

"Effie took all the liquor." He says, his voice raspy with thirst. "Therefore I though we could work on tactics."

"Sure." I say astonished. "Let me just get dressed." I don't think Haymich would appreciate me wearing just my tracksuit bottoms whilst we talk business. I also bet that if Effie saw me shirtless as the dinner table she would have a heart attack.

Haymitch and I talk for an hour before Dezzy turns up. It looks like she managed to get a decent amount of sleep, but it probably won't last long. As the majority of today will be spent on the train Haymitch and I talk with Dezzy about her home life, Katniss joins us silently later.

Over the course of about 3 hours we learn that Dezzy is an only child but her parents also bring up her two cousins, 3 year old twin boys. The mum had to give up work to look after them so her father and her provide the income for the family. The reason most people don't know of her is because she was home schooled in order for her to help her father out in blacksmith business. However, even with all of this, she is still cheerful and optimistic.

"5 minutes!" A shrill voice calls out. "We will be in the Capitol in 5 minutes!"

"Better get your belongings together. If her scuedule isn't followed to the second she will have a hissy fit." Haymich tells Dezzy. She stands and leaves to get whatever she may need.

"We better go." Katniss tells me. "We can catch up with Cinna and Portia. One of them will end up being the stylist for Dezzy anyway."