Satan and St. Paul (Hunger Games OC x OC)

2.

Chapter Two: The Train Ride

The train sped through the countryside, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks doing little to soothe Maggie's frayed nerves. She sat on the edge of her seat in the plush compartment, her hands twisting together in her lap. Everything about the train felt foreign to her—the soft velvet cushions, the lavish decor, the way the windows framed the passing scenery like moving paintings. She had never been surrounded by such luxury, and it only heightened the surreal nightmare she found herself in.

Across from her, Boaz Thornwell sat with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the window. He hadn't spoken a word since they boarded the train, his silence only adding to the tension that thickened the air between them. Maggie stole glances at him, her anxiety growing with each passing minute. How was she supposed to form any sort of alliance with someone like him? He was terrifying, a force of nature that she could barely comprehend.

The door to their compartment slid open, and their mentor, a grizzled man named Alder, stepped in. His face was lined with age and too many years spent trying to keep tributes alive, his eyes tired but sharp. He took one look at the two of them and let out a weary sigh.

"Well, aren't we a lively bunch," Alder muttered, dropping into a seat between them. He rubbed a hand over his face, his expression grim. "Let's get one thing straight, you two. The Capitol loves a good show. They love stories, drama, characters they can root for or despise. So, if you want any chance of survival, you'll need to play to the audience."

Maggie nodded, though she wasn't sure how she was supposed to play any sort of character when she felt like a leaf about to be blown away by the wind. Boaz, however, remained silent, his gaze never leaving the window.

Alder's eyes narrowed at Boaz. "You listenin', Thornwell? Or are you planning to scare everyone into submission?"

Boaz finally turned his gaze to Alder, his expression unreadable. "I don't need their sympathy. I need their fear."

Maggie shuddered at the coldness in his voice, her anxiety spiking. How could someone be so indifferent to the horrors they were about to face? She couldn't understand it. She didn't want to understand it.

Alder frowned, clearly frustrated by Boaz's attitude, but pressed on. "Fear might work on some, but it won't win you sponsors. And you'll need sponsors if you want to make it out of the arena alive. The Capitol likes its tributes with a bit more... personality."

Boaz's jaw tightened, but he didn't argue. He leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms over his chest as if signaling that the conversation was over. Maggie couldn't help but feel a pang of helplessness. How was she supposed to survive alongside someone who seemed to care so little?

Alder turned his attention to Maggie, his gaze softening slightly. "Magnolia, you've got a different kind of challenge ahead of you. You're not exactly what the Capitol loves to see—a scared little girl doesn't make for good television. You'll need to find something that makes you stand out, something that makes the audience want to keep you alive."

Maggie nodded, though her mind was a whirlwind of panic. What could she possibly offer that would make her stand out? She wasn't strong like Boaz, or cunning like the tributes from the Career districts. She was just a girl who had spent her life in the shadow of the trees, never wanting to be noticed.

Alder sighed again, rubbing his temples. "Look, the arena is a nightmare, but you have to play the game. Magnolia, use your innocence to your advantage. People might see you as fragile, but that also makes you seem less of a threat. That can buy you time. As for you, Boaz..." Alder trailed off, clearly at a loss. "Just try not to alienate everyone. You need allies too."