Deceived: The 500th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 60 - The Capitol

LANCE FORGRASS' P.O.V

I felt the wind hit my face as the metal doors of the train parted, allowing us to leave the cramped train.

I smiled at Ostro, seeing as he looked super worried, as if the Capitol citizens were about to tear him apart. Ostro gave a worried glance in my direction, not really knowing what to say or do.

I felt my palms begin to sweat as I stepped onto the floor of the train station. It fells as if I'm trespassing on the grounds of every important person who has ever ruled Panem.

Bright and colourful citizens screamed at us all as we were forcefully marched towards the Remake Centre. What if I don't want to lose all of my hair?

The citizens screamed at different tributes, trying to grab our hands. I feel famous.

Well, I am famous, aren't I? I'll probably be even more famous when I die. Unless I die in the bloodbath.

I don't want to die.

"Lance!" A man bellowed my name, waving and jumping. I turn to the man, who happens to look a lot more normal than the average citizen. "I love you!"

I feel myself blush slightly. "Thank you," I yell back towards the blonde man.

Is this how I get sponsors?

The other citizens obviously notice that I am replying, unlike some people. They start yelling for me, wanting my attention. I blow kisses to the ladies, even though most of them look horrendous. I catch one person's hat, yelling thank you in the direction it came from.

Hazil stares at me as if I'm mad. I thought she was a Career, why isn't she acting happy? Is she going for the 'cold, bloodthirsty and heartless' act?

Eunia looks slightly disheartened as her brother waves and smiles to the crowd. It saddens me knowing how easily it is to tear a family apart.

I notice Pleione, the most anti-social kid at school, make her way over to Eunia and pat her on the back.

It's weird - Pleione has made friends and I haven't. What the heck?

A small boy from District 12 made his way over to me, his head bowed and his face bright red.

"I like you and I want to ally," he mumbled.

"What's your name?" I ask him, trying to show I'm friendly.

"Iberis Skeeter. I'm thirteen. I can use a sword," he replied, looking up at me.

"Your sibling," I say, trying to remember his name. "Alter Skeeter."

"All of my siblings are victims of the arena." He looked angry.

"We have to get you out alive then, buddy," I say.

"What's the point?" He moaned. "I'm here to do one thing."

"What is it?" I question.

"I watched the Reaping Recap. Remember Alter's ally? The victor? The one who stabbed him in the back?"

I think back to the bloody sand smothered over Alter's body. A girl, beautiful and confident, stood triumphant over the bodies.

"Sin...sin," I say, unable to remember the last part of her name.

"Sinshuke," he whispered. "Sinshuke Frustlock."

"Isn't her sister here?" I gasp.

"Yes. My one and only goal is to slaughter her. Make her pay for what she did to my brother. The only family member left."