Okay, so this is the second book to my Hunger Games fic. I highly recommend you read the first before you read this one, as you will be confused. This one, I've decided to dedicate to my air-headed blonde, who gave me the best review ever on If I Die Young. Like always, reviews and comments are greatly welcome!
Rema stood onstage, just barely listening to the mayor from District 6 give his speech. She was too busy staring at the young girl sitting on the left side of the platform in front of the stage. The girl was probably no older than nine, her hair and eyes the color of liquid chocolate. In no way did she resemble her brother, but the quiet determination evident in her demeanor, which was clearly Chelmot. The girl was alone; her parents had died before her brother. Rema couldn't help but feel badly for the girl who would live in a district home until she was eighteen. She had to tear her eyes from the small girl when the mayor had finished his speech. She gave the Capitol mandated speech, almost rushing so that she could say the personal part. When the scripted part was over, she took a deep breath and attempted to clear the lump that formed in her throat.
"I didn't know Chelmot very well," she began, looking back to the girl. "But what I did know of him, I was amazed. It baffled me how one person could be so caring that he would risk his life for complete strangers. And, even though I didn't know him for very long, I'm not ashamed to call him my friend, because in my mind, Chelmot proved his friendship to me day one. He was always there for everyone in our group, no matter what the situation. I only wish that I could've been there for him when he needed me the most. I'm sorry about your losses, and I can't exactly tell you that I know how you feel, because I don't, but I'll be the first to admit that I sympathize with you. Chelmot was possibly the best ally I could have found in that arena and I owe him my life. As a token of my thanks to him, I'd like to give his sister a small portion of my winnings to help her through the next few years. I know it's not much, but…" Chelmot's sister, who had rushed forward to hug her, cut her off. Rema's breath caught shakily in her throat.
"Thank you," Chelmot's sister said. "For everything you did for my brother." The girl walked back to her seat and Rema, having nothing else to say to the crowd, waved, thanked them, and walked off stage and right into Haymitch's arms.
"You did beautifully," he whispered into her ear as he rubbed her back.
She shook her head and sighed. "I wish I could've done more, though."
"I know," Haymitch led her into the District 6 Justice Building, where the banquet would be held.
The District 6 banquet passed quickly and soon they were back on the train again. Rema didn't worry about making another personal speech until she got to District 1, where she knew she would have issues expressing her feelings. The first night of their two-night trip to District 1, Rema fell asleep on the couch.
She was walking through the woods when suddenly, one of the venomous dogs from the arena crossed the path in front of her. It looked in her direction, but kept walking, as if it had something better to do than chew her to pieces. Rema followed it curiously and found that it led her to a very familiar cliff and a cave. Sitting in the cave were Kelid and Metyse, who looked at her with disgust.
"You let us die," Kelid accused.
"No," Rema protested.
"You did nothing to help us," Metyse pointed out.
"That's not true! I didn't know what to do for you," Rema whispered.
"You let us down." Metelle appeared, looking at Rema sadly.
"You promised my dad that you would keep me safe," Chirler told her, his voice full of anger.
"You could've done something to save me," Chelmot said from behind her. His wound was still open.
Rema's friends moved forward, shooting accusations at her and blaming her for their deaths. Rema felt herself falling to her knees as they got within feet of her. "You deserved to die, not me. I had a sister to take care of," Chelmot said angrily.
"I know, and I'm sorry," Rema choked out.
"We didn't deserve to die," Chirler repeated. Rema looked up and saw sadness in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't want it to end like it did." Rema felt like she could only apologize and make excuses.
"Rem!" Rema looked around frantically for the source of the new voice. The scene around her changed as she slowly woke up. Rema awoke in Haymitch's arms. It was early morning and the sun was just coming through the window. Sometime during the night, Haymitch must have brought her to her room, because that was where they were now, cuddled together. Haymitch was still asleep, which confused Rema. She had not imagined Haymitch's voice. He pulled her closer and Rema realized why she had woken up: Haymitch, too, was having a nightmare, one that centered on her.
She buried her head in Haymitch's chest and allowed him to draw her closer. She fell back asleep, but her nightmare did not come back. Instead, she was sitting on a sandy coast, staring out at the rolling ocean. The wind blew softly, bringing the slight scent of salt and iodine. In the distance, a bird squawked lightly. She felt someone brush against her and turned to see Haymitch sitting beside her in the sand, the wind blowing his loose-fitting clothes gently. Everything looked so surreal and perfect; she never wanted to wake up. The sun was just beginning to dip below the water, turning both the sea and the sky multiple shades of orange, pink, purple, and dusk blue.
When Rema awoke again that morning, she was placid. Still wrapped in Haymitch's arms and unable to move very far, she stared out the window for a few minutes before attempting to slide out from his grip. His arms tightened around her. "I don't think so," he breathed. She sighed and allowed herself to curl into his chest again. After the obviously horrible dream he had had last night, she didn't want to deny him. "How did you sleep last night?" he asked softly.
"Before or after I woke up here?" she rebutted.
"Both."
"Before was horrible. After…wasn't." He said nothing, prompting her to continue. "I think having you here helped," she admitted, mumbling into his chest.
"Glad one of us slept well," he sighed and kissed her forehead. "I don't want to get up."
Rema mentally went through the day's schedule in her head. "We don't necessarily have to. Today's just a day of travel."
She felt Haymitch smile slightly. "Thank God. What do you want to do today?"
"Eat, sleep, mope a bit, eat some more," Rema mumbled.
"I like the way you think. Shall we get up?" Rema nodded into his chest, but neither of them moved. "So, what did you dream about?"
Rema thought about which dream to tell him about: the nightmare, or the beach. "I was back in the arena, and I saw them."
Haymitch pulled her tighter. "And?"
"They all blamed me for their deaths."
He kissed her forehead. "None of their deaths were your fault."
"Then why does it feel like they were?" Rema was near tears.
"You cared about them. Even Chelmot and Metelle, even though you knew them for less than two weeks."
She smiled slightly. It was nice to have Haymitch around, even though he had started drinking again. "So, what did you dream about?"
His face clouded over and he was silent for a few seconds. "The Capitol made your life hell," he said simply. After he didn't continue, Rema dropped the subject. "So, what do you want to do now?" he asked after a few minutes' silence.
"Breakfast!" Elaina said ebulliently, knocking on the door. "I've tried waking Haymitch, but he refuses to answer!" she complained, causing Haymitch to laugh.
"I'll get him, Elaina, don't worry," Rema managed to say, holding back laughter.
Rema squirmed out of Haymitch's grasp and stood. She was still in what she had been wearing the previous day. She sighed. "It's all wrinkled," she complained to Haymitch. "Elaina would kill me."
"Then change," Haymitch said simply. As if it were that simple.
"Leave and I will."
"I'm comfortable."
"Then I'm not changing."
"Then go face Elaina's wrath."
Rema sighed, realizing the efficacy of his argument. "I hate you so much," she told him angrily, pulling open one of her drawers. She pulled out a sleeveless green shirt and a pair of loose fitting pants. She sighed and pulled off her shirt. "I hate you so much," she repeated, pulling the sleeveless one over her head. She hopped around frantically, pulling on the loose pants. "I still really hate you," she said pointedly.
"Keep going, gorgeous," Haymitch said, wiggling an eyebrow. Rema threw a shoe at him. "Hey! Watch where you throw those things!"
"I hate you so freaking much," she told him, slipping on a pair of socks before walking to retrieve her shoe.
He laughed maniacally and pulled her back onto the bed. She shrieked as she fell, making him laugh harder. Elaina burst through the door, and upon seeing Rema lying on top of Haymitch, both of them laughing so hard they were beginning to cry, shook her head and walked back out. Once the door clicked shut, Rema and Haymitch began to laugh even harder.
"Can't… breathe," Rema gasped, holding her sides.
Once they regained composure, Haymitch stood and helped Rema up. They walked to the dining room and sat down across from each other. Elaina coughed. "So, how did everyone sleep?" she asked timidly.
"Alright," Haymitch lied. Rema just nodded and grabbed a raspberry muffin.
"That's good." Elaina settled into an awkward silence. "Did you ever go to your room last night, young man?" she asked, bringing out a tone of voice Rema had never heard her use before. It reminded Rema that even though she and Haymitch had both been through many trials that forced them to grow up quickly, they were still the children in this situation.
"Yes, for a little while," he replied. "But when I couldn't sleep, I went for a walk. Rema was asleep on the couch, so I took her to her room," he explained defensively. Elaina's expression made it clear that she didn't believe him, but she dropped the subject.