Dangerous Love

~14

The train sped away from four and on towards the Capitol as I sat on a couch next to Crixus as he pour himself drink after drink. The car was empty except for us. Griff had brought us here as customary for the tributes to meet their mentors. But no one had showed up and I wondered if they even made it onto the train.

After being put in a room alone more Peacekeepers showed up I was taken to a car and arrive at the train station alone. No crowds to send my off like last year and Victory tour. No cameras to film me, just Peacekeepers surrounding me, pushing me towards the train. Once in the train Crixus was already on the couch drinking and just nodded his head at me.

"Why did you volunteer?"

"I already told you," he said and poured more whiskey into a cup.

"I didn't think you liked Finnick."

"Ah, sometimes I forget that you're still a child."

"I'm-"

"There are things happening in the world that you don't understand. In time you will. Finnick couldn't go into the games because you, being a child and letting your heart make decisions, volunteered. The world is changing and plans are being made and you threw them to the wind. Let's just hope Cato isn't also going into the games. We can't afford to give the Capitol a win."

The door to the car opened and the other Victors came in following Griff. I turned to look at the floor as Finnick came in. 'Plans are being made and you threw them into the wind." No wonder Finnick looked so defeated at the Reaping.

But, why hasn't anyone told me what is happening or  the plans that have been made. Knowing the plans would be helpful.

"Brook," Finnick began as he sat next to me, but was cut off by Griff.

"Time for the Reaping recap," Griff said, clapping his hands and turned the television on.

The recap started with District One and Crixus and Seaton made comments about those going into the games. Seaton and Crixus knew most of the people from years of traveling to the Capitol for games.

I myself know very little of the Victors except for those in Four and Cato.

The Reaping for District Two was next and shoved my hands under my thighs to hide the shaking. Enobaria volunteered for the women and then the camera shifted to the men.

Cato stood behind the many male Victors being the youngest. The cheering of the crowd overpowered the words of the Capitol escort as Brutus stepped forward and volunteered.

I took a deep breath as the escort raised both Enobaria and Brutus's hands as the crowd cheered as the Recap moved onto District Three.

Cato won't be in the games. But he'll hate me once he sees that I volunteered to go back into the games. Hopefully he'll understand that I did it to protect Annie.

District Four came on showing me volunteering and then Finnick being called and Crixus taking his spot. Interestingly, the feed cut off as Crixus was hugging me and movie onto District Five.

The feed never showed the crowd booing are trying to rush the stage. The Capitol was hiding the fact that people aren't happy about these games.

The rest of the Reaping were cut short right after the tributes had been picked, most likely due to crowds booing and yelling dissent.

I didn't realize how many Districts were rebelling. Never even noticed it in my own home. The shouting and rushing the stage. My food being paid for at the market. People giving us Victors looks of sympathy and hate at us being thrown back into the games.

Every District was able to give two tributes except for District twelve. Haymitch was the only tribute for the District.

"I forgot District twelve only had one Victor. That doesn't seem very fair for Haymitch to not have a partner," Seaton said, as the television went black.

"Twelve once had two Victors," Finnick began. "At least Mags says they did."

I looked over at Mags and she had two fingers raised as tears streamed down her face. Mags was the oldest Victor alive. She knows everyone and maybe friends with the Victors going back into the games.

"The other tribute must have died. The first ten winners aren't alive anymore," Seaton said. "Well I'm going to bed. I suggest we all go to bed. This is a new different year of the games."

I walked to my room and locked the door behind me. I opened the window given that we were stopped for gas. I thought of running off. Going to live in the wilderness.

But I could leave Finnick or Cato.

I got in bed and prepared myself to see Cato tomorrow. He'll hate me and I realized now that our wedding will never happen.

There is no way I'm getting out of the arena alive.