The locks of my golden hair now swept sidewards as I let the brush comb them softly. I stared at myself through the mirror; everything's all polished, cleaned. I stared at myself, my hands tracing the flesh on my cheeks. How much have I changed?
"Peeta, are you ready my son?" Father asked from outside the room, his knockings startled me a bit. "The trains are leaving in an hour, you'd best get yourself in one before they leave you behind."
"I understand." I said, putting the brush down on the drawer. I shook the thoughts before I took out my leather shoes. I put on a baggy blouse-like upper, complete with an amaranth bow, and knee-length trousers in a light velvety purple. I made my way to the hovercraft, peacekeepers and avoxes escorting me during the small walk. Father waited for me at the end of the hall, the peacekeepers and avoxes bowed in front of him.
"You may arise." He commanded "My boy, my son please be safe on your trip." He smiled, patting me on the head.
"Dad, I know." I sighed, looking up to him. "Have you taken your medicine?"
"Now, now, don't trouble yourself over me." He said, pushing me through the doors. "I'll be alright."
"Dad, take your medicine okay?" I screamed, the hovercraft's rotor blades beating the air making the noise inferior to its own.
Soon enough, it took to the air; I quickly looked down on the windowed panels. I waved my hand at my dad as he too did the same. The mansion fading away in the distance, I await as we arrive at the station.
"Mr. Coriolanus, the Gamemakers are requesting your audience." A peacekeeper announced from behind.
"I'll be there in a moment." Snow said, walking behind the peacekeeper. "Keep my son safe or else."
The peacekeeper swallowed hard and that was the only thing he could do before resuming his post near the walkway.
12 trains ready to depart, are waiting for my decision. I had to board one because it had become a tradition. The one I'd travel with are said to be granted luck but none of that was true just a mere façade to boost the tributes. Looking around me, I saw peacekeepers by the dozen near my side. They are probably going to follow me everywhere, I had to lose them. Having them around me would make me look, weak, fragile.
"Mr. Coriolanus, may I ask which train you are boarding?" The woman asked, smiling warmly.
"Please, I would appreciate it if you would refer to me as Peeta." I smiled in return, placing my index finger on my lips. My eyes travelled from train to train, the ones catching my interest were 2, 6, 7, and 12. Looking behind me, I saw a crowd of people gathering near the comfort room. "I would like to board train 11."
"I see, I shall contact the escort of District 11 to inform them of your company." She said before leaving towards the trains.
As soon as she was out of sight, I quickly turned my attention to the peacekeepers behind me. Putting on an aggressive face, I glared at each one of them. "I'm going to be boarding 11, you got that didn't you? You can go ahead before me, and take my things, they're too heavy for me to carry." I ordered, though only half of the peacekeepers followed, perhaps leaving me alone is prohibited by their code. I'll have to make a break for it, only mere minutes before the trains leave.
I made my way, slowly, watching my beloved peacekeepers every move. Once I got to the entrance way I turned around in shock, my eyes widening in fear.
"W-What is that!" I screamed, the peacekeepers quickly forming their strategy in a flash. Their guns were already poised at different directions but to their surprise, nothing was there. I had already made a bolt for train 2, adrenaline surging through my entire body. A single peacekeeper hot on my heels, as every second passes he keeps gaining on me. Almost there, just a minute more!
I gasped, a sudden force pulling the collar on my cloth harshly. Immediately, I struggled at his grip though it was obviously a futile attempt. He kept me at bay, before pulling me back to train 11.
"L-Let go of me!" I thrashed, slowing him down. "I said, let me go!"
"Mr. Coriolanus, I cannot do that. We are only acknowledging your father's request." He answered blankly. His dull, cold voice made tears form in my eyes.
Crack. A loud snap sounded at the peacekeeper's face, a woman slapped him fiercely. I looked astounded at first but made a dash towards the train's entrance. The peacekeeper was a second late, I had already board the train. I smiled at him playfully, waving my arm at his despair. The station disappeared from my vision within minutes; I stood my arms on my knees, leaning on them as I catch my breath before moving past the compartments to thank the woman for her intervention.
All I saw was that she had purplish hair and a lot of make-up complimenting her face in an odd way. After going through at least 2 compartments, I finally found her. She was hard to miss, with all the things going on with her.
"Are you the escort of District 2? I have to thank you for helping me." I smiled, bowing slightly at her. "You have my thanks."
"My name is Effie. Why, that was nothing darling. That man was ill mannered for what he's done to you." She explained, nearing me as she did. She smiled in return, brushing off my shoulders in a very posh manner. "May I ask for your name young man?"
"Oh, that's right. I'm sorry for not introducing myself." I put out my hand to shake hers. "My name is Peeta. Peeta Coriolanus."
The expression on her face turned from calm to panic and shock. In a frantic rush, she did a curtesy before taking my hand.
"Mr. Coriolanus-"
"Please, call me Peeta." I interrupted.
"Sir Peeta-"
"No... Just Peeta." I interrupted again.
"Peeta, dear, why are your bodyguards chasing for you? Shouldn't they be following you instead?" She laughed jokingly, before looking dead serious at me. "You... You did choose to board this train did you not?"
I looked down sheepishly and that was enough of an answer for her. She gasped before taking a seat and putting her hand on her forehand trying to cope with what was happening. I could only look down on my shoes, I knew what I did was sort of rebellious and father would most likely punish everyone who would try to help me, much less those who failed to catch me.
"I'm sorry for the trouble." I said breaking the silence. "Please don't tell my father." I begged, hands to together.
"But I… That would be dangerous for me. I'm sorry Peeta but I must contact your father if not…" She paused swallowing hard. "It would mean my head on a silver platter."
"I see. I'm sorry to have asked you such a request." I said lowly, eyes glued to the floor. "I would like to inform my father myself."
She nodded, leaving her chair to guide me to the phone. When we arrived, I asked that she would leave for a moment. Afterwards, I dialled in the numbers to the mansion, fingers trembling hard. The ringing flooded me with suspense, I knew my father would rant and I would yet again disappoint him. I began to tear up as I imagine his worried angry voice telling me how irresponsible I am. Click.
"Peeta, Peeta is this you? Are you alright?" Dad's voice just as I imagined it would be. The tears were uncontrollable now, I just let them fall.
"Dad… I'm sorry." I said, breaking down. Hands tightly clenched on the receiver.
"You can't just run away like that. You worried me." He sighed, worriedly. "Tell me what train you're on."
"Are you going to pick me up?" I trembled. "I'm on train 2."
"No, I'm not going to pick you up." He said. "I know you're grown up now. You can take care of yourself right?"
"Dad I-"
"No, no. Don't be sorry, it was my fault, for keeping you caged your whole life." He said with a slight crack in his voice.
"Dad, please don't punish the peacekeepers. It wasn't their fault." I asked him
"Alright, I won't." He paused, "Maybe just a little?" He joked.
We were both laughing for a while before he finally asked me.
"So are you going to be alright?" He asked.
"Yes, yes I am. Thanks dad." I said softly "I love you."
"I love you too, son." He said finally before I let the receiver hang up.
I leaned on the wall before letting myself slide down to the floor. I cried happily even though I fully regretted the things I had just done. I let my arms sling round my knees as I tucked my head in crying.
After a while, I finally got out of the room, Effie was quick to ask me what happened. I explained to her what happened between our conversation and she was happy for me.
"You asked him to not kill me did you?" She asked, smiling.
Opps…
A/N
Unfortunately, I had to discontinue my other stories because the plot just got confusing. Here's my new installation. Enjoy!
Review?.. I would appreciate them much. :D