PREDATOR | THE HUNGER GAMES

MAKE YOUR DISTRICT PROUD

"Come back here right now mister!"

Lara turned around in her chair, despite the stylist's complaints, to see Cal chase Atlas down the hall. She saw the both of them scurry past, one in attempt to avoid the other. She smiled and turned back around, allowing for her to be made ready.

The tribute interviews with Caesar Flickerman were happening tonight. It would be their final chance to say goodbye and to be out in the world until their potential fatalities. They were to be made flawless and presentable once more before being thrust into the fight of their lives. The irony of being brought up to luxury and shoved back down to poverty was not lost on her.

This time around, Lara was placed in a forest green gown with golden, floral lace that covered the outer layer. Thankfully, Cal had made the dress lighter in lieu of Lara's last breakdown. He wanted to ensure she would feel comfortable. He'd also allowed for her hair to be only half pinned up, and instructed that her makeup be centered on her eyes, not her whole face.

The whole time she was being remade, thoughts of what she'd say to Panem ran through her mind.

When the stylists' were done, she stood up and saw Cal conversing with someone at the elevator. She saw none other than the drunken man who attempted to advise her during her first late night training session. She opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted by Atlas cursing in his room. It took only a glance back for a mere moment for the man to disappear into the elevator.

She'd missed her chance.

She huffed and picked up her dress. She knocked on her partner's doorframe before entering. He barely glanced at her before continuing to adjust his suit, which matched her dress in every design; Cal seemed to like to make them look aligned.

"How are you?" she asked lightly.

He let out a short, bitter laugh in response. He hadn't really spoken to her since last night. When she got her score, there wasn't much to say. It wasn't anything he didn't already know. It was just too overwhelming-the reality of it all.

"Atlas, I-"

Cal snuck in behind and abruptly pushed passed her, knocking against her shoulder, and scrambled to adjust his lapels.

"We are late!"

Before they knew it, they were corralled into the elevator and led through a series of hallways until they approached a large backstage area. They could hear Caesar's charismatic voice over the booming microphone. He was currently interviewing the District 8 male tribute.

Lara and Atlas watched on the screen beside them as their stylists made their final touches. Neither said a word to each other, merely glancing every once in awhile to gauge how the other was doing.

"Now remember, you need sponsors. Smile, wave, and sell yourself! Be the person they want to root for," Cal advised.

They numbly nodded.

"Please welcome District 9's male tribute, Atlas Hearst!"

Atlas took a deep breath before plastering a big smile on his face and jogging up the short flight of stairs. Lara saw him wave out to the crowd before sitting in his chair across from Caesar. She watched from the screen beside her.

"Now, Atlas, how are you feeling?"

He sighed and tried to push through his lies, "I'm feeling great. Training has helped a lot."

Caesar clicked his tongue, "Yes, coming from an outlying district, you have zero experience. Is that correct?"

"Yes. But if my opponent were a wheat field, they wouldn't stand a chance," Atlas joked.