Hunger Games Hatmitch's Pov

Chapter 3

I wake up to the morning light shining through the window.

"Ugh." I said while rolling out of the bed.

I take a quick shower step out and get dressed.

I look at myself in the mirror My eyes are red and puffy but I'm use to that.

I go into the dining car and take a seat at the table.

Peeta and Effie are already up and Effie excuses herself to go get Katniss.

"So do you remember what we talked about last night?" Peeta asked looking up at me.

"Yeah I remember. so how long have you like this girl?" I asked pouring myself a drink.

The kid looks embarrassed. "for a while. I don't think she knows I really existed until now." He said looking down at the bread in his hand.

Before I can say anything Katniss and Effie come back in.

"Sit down! sit down!" I say to her. She slides into her chair and is looking at her hot chocolate.

"They call it hot chocolate," says Peeta. "It's good."

Everyone is eating and I am knocking down another drink.

"So, you're supposed to give us advice," Katniss says to me.

"Here's some advice. Stay alive," I say and then burst out laughing. Katniss and Peeta don't.

That's very funny," says Peeta. Suddenly he lashes out at the glass in my hand. It shatters on the floor, sending the bloodred liquid running toward the back of the train.

"Only not to us."

I consider this a moment, then punch Peeta in the jaw, knocking him from his chair. When i turn back to reach for the spirits, A knife is driven into the table between my hand and the bottle, barely missing my fingers. I sit back and squints at her.

"Well, what's this?" I say.

"Did I actually get a pair of fighters this year?"

Peeta rises from the floor and scoops up a handful of ice from under the fruit tureen. He starts to raise it to the red mark on his jaw.

"No," I say, stopping him. "Let the bruise show. The audience will think you've mixed it up with another tribute before you've even made it to the arena."

"That's against the rules," says Peeta.

"Only if they catch you. That bruise will say you fought, you weren't caught, even better," I tell him.

I turn to Katniss,

"Can you hit anything with that knife besides a table?"

She yanks the knife out of the table, she gets a grip on the blade, and then throws it into the wall across the room.

It lodges in the seam between two panels.

'Damn!' I think to myself.

"Stand over here. Both of you," I say nodding to the middle of the room. They obey and I circle them checking their muscles, examining their faces.

"Well, you're not entirely hopeless. Seem fit. And once the stylists get hold of you, you'll be attractive enough."

They don't question this.

The Hunger Games aren't a beauty contest, but the best-looking tributes always seem to pull more sponsors.

"All right, I'll make a deal with you. You don't interfere with my drinking, and I'll stay sober enough to help you," I tell them.

This Is a big thing the drinking keeps the demons away.

"But you have to do exactly what I say." I explain to them.

It's a pretty good deal

"Fine," says Peeta.

"So help us," Katniss says.

"When we get to the arena, what's the best strategy at the Cornucopia for someone -"

"One thing at a time. In a few minutes, we'll be pulling into the station. You'll be put in the hands of your stylists. You're not going to like what they do to you. But no matter what it is, don't resist," I tell them.

"But -" She begins.

"No buts. Don't resist," I say And I take the bottle of spirits from the table and leave the car.

As the door swings shut behind me the car goes black. we are in a tunnel. I shiver I hate being underground it reminds me of the way my father died.

The train comes to a stop and I watch through the window as Katniss and Peeta are herded out of the train.