Into the Game - A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter Five: The Train

The train that was going to take us to the capitol was some rich people shit. It was giant, with so many rooms, all full of pointless shit ranging from furniture to art to a whole ass bar.

I was standing in the middle of the main compartment, debating whether to grab some food or some liquor. I decide to go for the latter. Food can wait.

I walk to the bar and search through the bottles.

There are so many different kinds of alcohol, more than I have ever seen, and all in one place.

I find a bottle of vodka, which I decide will work. I take the top off the bottle and down a shot, straight from the bottle.

"Are you supposed to be drinking that?" asks Flynn, who is sitting on a large, plush, dark blue couch by the window of the compartment. His knees are tucked up to his chest and he looks as though he's been crying.

"Why the fuck not? What is anybody gonna do about it? They're already gonna kill me in the arena."

Flynn just shrugs and looks back out the window, watching the outside flash by.

I take a seat on a matching blue chair adjacent to the couch and take another swig.

A few minutes later, someone slides open the door and walks in from the compartment next to this one.

I look up and see Seeder and Geranio.

Right. Mentors.

I notice Seeder eyeing the bottle in my hands but she doesn't mention it. Instead, she asks us "Would either of you like something to eat? You're going to need your strength."

I shake my head, but Flynn gets up and grabs a plate which he piles with various unfamiliar meats, breads, vegetables, and other dishes, the contents of which I cannot even guess.

He takes his seat on the couch once more before digging into the feast before him. I don't blame him. He likely hasn't ever had access to so much food.

Seeder guides a zombie-like Gernaio over to the couch opposite Flynn's.

I don't know much about either of the mentors, but I do know that Geranio fell into a deep depression after his games, feeling immense guilt about his survival.

Seeder begins questioning me and Flynn, seeming to understand that Geranio is not going to be very helpful in the survival of either one of us.

"Ok, so you're Flynn, and you're 17?" she says pointing at Flynn. He nods. "and you're Quinn, age 13?" It is my turn to nod.

"So, do you two work in the fields? Are you still attending school?" She asks.

I let Flynn finish his mouthful while I respond.

"I've worked part-time in the fields since I was 8, but two years ago I had to drop out of school to work full time," I tell Seeder. She gives me a knowing nod, and I realize that she remembers. Fortunately, she doesn't say anything.

Flynn then manages to choke down the rest of his bite to respond "I work full time too. I dropped out of school when I was 15, but before that, I worked part-time since I was 12."

12 is late to start work in district 11. Most start around the age of 10 and quit school around 15.

Seeder then asks us what we do for our work.

Flynn goes first. "I plow the fields" That makes sense. He's pretty strong-looking.

"I collect fruit from the trees" and then decide to clarify "climbing".

Some people, often the younger and more agile, will climb up the trees to get the fruit from higher branches, while others, often older people still trying to work, will collect fruit from lower parts or catch the fruit that we drop down to the.

Seeder seems pleased with our answers.

"Ok, so you do have the choice to be mentored separately, but if you would prefer I could work with Geranio to mentor both of you together."

I make brief eye contact with Flynn and we decide that neither of us wants to be stuck with Geranio, who is still sitting, staring straight forward, a blank look on his face.

"Together is fine" Flynn informs Seeder.

I'm starting to feel a bit tipsy from the couple of shots I had consumed, so I put the bottle down, realizing that I need to pay attention.

Seeder looks pleased by that.

We then go over our strengths. Flynn is strong, which can be helpful. Like most district 11 kids, he is good with plants, which means that he will be able to find food.

I inform them that I am agile, good at climbing, can identify plants with ease and that I can throw knives pretty well.

The last bit seems to surprise them.

"How did you learn that?" Flynn exclaims.

"I've been on the streets for a year and a half. I had to learn some sort of self-defense." I snarl.

"Ok, that will help you in the arena" Seeder interjects, sensing how defensive I seem. "I think that's good for now. How about I show you to your rooms, where you can rest up for now. I'll get you for dinner."

We both agree.

Before Flynn enters his room, Seeders says "Just a heads up, Isla will be joining us for dinner."

"Fuuuuuck" I murmur before walking into my room, directly beside Flynn's.

I shut the large oak door.

Then, and only then, do I allow myself to break down.

A/N: I am so sorry for the delay with this chapter, I have been very busy. Thank you for reading!!