the ruler [THE HUNGER GAMES]¹

Eighteen.

THEY have sent Brutus and Enobaria to be our mentors. Neither talk to us when we get on the train, splitting off and going to their own compartments for the short ride. Jacinth and I end up in the room at the very end of the train that has a large glass window out into the world. He sits on the sofa under the window and I sit opposite him, looking back at our vanishing district.

"Why did you do it?" I manage to get out, analysing his face. He's been crying just like me.

"I said I wouldn't let you die. That promise still stands," he glances down at to the velvet on the couch then meets my eyes.

My heart clenches painfully. My mentor is still trying to protect me. "Jacinth...I can't let you do that for me," my brows crease into a line.

He smiles, "tough. I'm doing it. You can hate me and never talk to me again, but we're here now."

He's right. I would've never truly felt safe going into the Games with Brutus as an ally, and at least now I can die with one person I love by my side. All of a sudden I remember the other reapings and the fact that we should watch them and get a grasp on our group.

"Suppose we watch the reapings?" I ask, reaching for the TV remote resting on a glass table.

"Suppose we do," Jacinth settles next to me and I turn the TV on. They recap on the first two reapings, introducing Cashmere and Gloss as the tributes for One. Neither are overly emotional even though they're going into the Games as siblings. Jacinth and I give an unforgettable show. I almost choke up again at my name getting called and then him volunteering to be by my side. Caesar comments on this, making us look even better for any potential sponsors. Then we watch every other district live as they happen. Three calls out Wiress and Beetee, outstandingly clever but at the bottom of the mix for combat. Finnick gets called and then Annie, but Mags volunteers in her place. My hopes drop at the sight of my friend amongst those I will be fighting against. I don't know the ones from six and only Johanna from seven. She looks rightfully fuming. Chaff and Seeder from eleven who I spent a lot of time with last year.

I tense up as the camera finally switches to the last District of Twelve. Three victors grace the stage in the sad-looking district. I get my first live look of Peeta in six months. He's put on some muscle since last year, his blonde hair sitting perfectly. Other than that he looks miserable. I'm reminded that he might think I set him up with the wrong number and my stomach twists horribly.

Effie crosses the stage and takes the one slip of paper from the girl's bowl. There's no point in her even announcing it because the whole country knows it'll be Katniss. She stands next to Effie and let's a single tear fall down her cheek. My heart hurts for her. Effie then does the same for the boys, taking one of the two slips. I close my eyes and beg for it to be Haymitch so that I can at least protect one person that I care about from the Games. Sorry Haymitch.