| " S H E ' S   A N   A L L Y . " |

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I step out of the train, and onto the capitol grounds with Stark, Elaina, Heredia, and Zach. Stark and Elaina are my mentors this year, mostly because our original mentors decided to take a break this year.

Heredia is our unusually dressed escort. I am currently heading into the living quarters building with Zach, my fellow District partner, who is eighteen. He looks confident, like he's made to kill in the arena. We are from District three, almost careers. Zach and I both volunteered for this. Well- of course I did. I know I can win this.

After I watched the reapings on the train, I had immediately spotted a girl that I wanted to kill. Katniss Everdeen. Watching her volunteer for her sister made me sick. The weaker and starving districts almost never have a chance to live through the games. It's surprising that Haymich Abernathy has won the Hunger Games. considering that he was only around the age of 15 years old when he won. But he won by default, I don't think that was fair.

"Be careful with your fellow competetors. Be consistent with how you train, and focus on the weakest links, they are your biggest chance of losing. They always have something up their sleeve, especially with their mentors making every move for them." Stark says, turning to Zach and I.

"Keep an eye out for the girl from twelve. She could turn on anyone in an instant. Group up with the careers, that'll help." Elaina adds. I nod.

"I think we've got this." Zach says, and takes my hand, leading me into the building. I look around at the screaming Capitol citizens. Wow, they really take Halloween to an everyday level.

"Cato!" He yells out, pulling me from my thoughts. Stark and Elaina are conspiring with Enobaria, Brutus, Cashmere, and Gloss. So yeah, I have a feeling we are career tributes this year.

"Hey. You joining?" Cato says, doing the man hug thing with Zach. I hide behind Zach, hoping Cato won't see me. He's actually quite gorgeous. But he scares me at the same time. He towers over me by about three feet. His blonde hair is wiped away from his face, and his ocean blue eyes are lit up. Clove and Glimmer are talking with a few other tributes, and Marvel is staring at me. When I meet his glance, he smiles. I cower away, and let go of Zach's hand.

I no longer want to be in these games. If these are the people that I will be fighting, I have no chance of winning. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Zero.

"Who's this?" Cato asks, his attention turning to me. A smile tugs at the corner of his lips. I back away slowly, shrinking in my space.

"I-I'm just gonna go talk to some other tributes." I stutter, and try to walk away. Key word, try. But Cato grabs my arm.

"Wait." He says. I gulp as I look up at him. I'm so screwed in the arena. "Who is she?" He asks Zach.

"She's my District partner. Cato and Marvel, this is Taylor. Taylor, these are our allies for the games." Zach introduces. Cato smiles.

"I'm glad she's an ally." He says. I yank my arm from his harsh grasp, and turn away from them.

"Where are you going Taylor?" Zach asks.

"Somewhere that's not here." I mutter, walking to Clove and Glimmer. Clove glares at me when I'm in her line of vision, and so does Glimmer. They are very intimidating. I stop walking for a moment, hesitating if this is a good idea, but shake it off.

"Hi, I'm Taylor." I say.

"What are you doing here?" Clove spits. I wince at her tone, but pull myself together.

"I'm your ally. I'm the District partner of Zach." I say. Their eyes soften, and they both smile.

"Okay. Let's go check out the competition." Glimmer says. I follow behind them as they talk to the different tributes. Not many people here look ready to slaughter others- especially not as much as the careers. Some, like Thresh and the girl from District eight, look like they could snap someone's neck at any given moment. I feel someone's eyes on me. I furrow my eyebrows as I see Katniss and Peeta look in my direction. I glance at the floor, pretending I didn't see them.

"So are you coming?" Glimmer asks.

"Where?" I question. She huffs, and slouches.

"Nevermind. You can just stay in the living quarters with Cato." Clove says, waving her hand as if to say 'forget about it.'

"O-okay. But I'm not gonna be alone with Cato, r-right?" I ask. Clove cocks an eyebrow.

"You're not scared of Cato, are you?"

"Actually, I am." I say quietly. Then the two girls burst into laughter. I look at them like they have two heads. "What's so funny? Is there something on my face?"

"No. It's just that Cato isn't someone who you should be scared of. Trust me, I've known him for years, and he's really just a teddy bear when you get to know him." Clove manages to get out.

"Don't worry about it. C'mon, lets get you to District Two living quarters." Glimmer chirps, and drags me into the elevator.

When we get to Clove and Cato's living quarters, I sit on the couch, looking around.

"We'll be back in a couple of hours. Glimmer, and I are going to search for a couple of extra career tributes." Clove announces.

"I'll be here." I murmer.

"Cato is on his way up right now. If you need anything talk to him, Cashmere, or Gloss." Glimmer says as they get in the elevator. "Bye!"

When they are gone, I sigh, and take off my shoes. I pull my knees to my chest, and rest my chin on my knees. I close my eyes, wishing I didn't volunteer. If only...

"Hey, Tay." A familiar voice says. I open my eyes to see Cato entering the room. He sits next to me on the couch, and I move farther away from him. I just don't trust this guy. He chuckles. "Are you really that scared of me?" He asks. I don't answer, instead, I look at the walls, pretending that they're interesting. When really, they're plain. Dull. Colorless.

"I see why you're scared of me." He says, looking at the floor. "But I promise, I won't hurt you. If I did, Zach and Marvel would kill me before we even got in the arena."

What? Well, I know that Zach would definitely kill him. Zach is my best friend, and I love him, only in a brotherly way. But why would Marvel kill Cato? I thought they were on the same team.

"Hello? Anyone up there?" Cato asks, tapping my forehead. I flinch at his touch, and move farther down the couch. He sighs. I'm terrified of him. He could snap my neck at any given moment, and I wouldn't doubt that he would. If that made any sense. "Will you at least talk to me?"

I hesitate.

"I have nothing to say." I say flatly.

"Well I have tons." He says.

"I'm listening." He smiles at my words. Great job to me! I finally said 2 words without stuttering.

"Who's on your kill list?" He asks.

"Who's on yours?"

"Katniss Everdeen." We both say at the same time. I raise an eyebrow.

"So you're gonna kill a girl?" I question.

"Yes, killing a girl doesn't scare me off." He shrugs. I really want to leave. Just picturing him murdering me is an unintelligible scene. Even in my mind, I can practically see the blood...

"You're scared again, aren't you?" I nod. "Why are you so scared of me?"

"You're huge, Cato. If you haven't noticed, you're like a skyscraper compared to me. It doesn't help that you're a killing machine." I say, looking him right in the eye.

"I may be a career, but I'm not who you think I am." He whispers. I shake my head.

"If you're so eager to kill Katniss, why wouldn't you be eager to kill me? C'mon Cato, I understand how bad you want to win these games. It's an indescribable feeling. It's a a feeling that reels you in, that makes you want to kill these people. To prove that you're worthy of holding the winning title.

"I had the same feeling before I came here. But when I saw you, I immediately knew that I wouldn't be going home to my family. After all of that, I regret my stupid decision. And I have to admit, congradulations on winning the seventy-fourth Hunger Games. Because I definitely won't be sticking around with the careers to get slaughtered." I spit, and stand up.

I walk into the elevator, and take one last look at Cato. His eyes are focused on me, and for once, Cato Hadley looks different. He looks... vulnerable.

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When I get to my living quarters, I see Stark, Elaina, Enobaria, Brutus, and Marvel. I walk past them, ignoring their existence.

"Wait, Taylor." Stark speaks. I look behind me.

"Yes?" I answer.

"Meet Enobaria and Brutus. These are Cato and Clove's mentors, old friends of ours," Elaina says. I smile at them. Enobaria is around the age of 30, and so is Brutus. They are some creepy characters, but I'm sure they're nicer than they look. Enobaria's teeth are sharpened so she can rip someone's throat out, and that, to be honest, is very creepy.

"Hi." I smile, shaking their hands one at a time.

"Marvel here will be protecting you throughout the games." Brutus says, nodding in Marvel's direction. I frown.

"What?" My eyes widen. "Why?"

"You'll find out soon enough. I hope to see you at dinner with us tommorow. Mind if we steal her from you?" Enobaria says.

"No, not at all." Stark says, a grin forming on his lips.

"Great." Brutus says with a smirk.

"See ya later." Marvel says to me. With one last wink from Marvel, all three of them are gone. I turn to Stark and Elaina.

"I don't want to be allies with the careers." I say loudly.

"Now, now, Taylor. You don't know them yet. Give it some time, and I'm sure you'll warm up to them. They're really nice people, and so are their mentors."

"Stark, they will end up stabbing me in the back. Literally. I don't want to go through with this," I whine.

"Go to sleep, Taylor. I'll get your stylist to wake you up in the morning." Elaina says. I sigh, running my hand through my hair, but nod. Sleep is exactly what I need.

After changing into pajamas, I slide into bed, and pull the blankets on top of me. Maybe Elaina is right.

"Give it some time..."

Yeah, time solves problems. Right?

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