I'm back with chapter 22222222222! Special thanks to ZiraGrace and Penguino35o- my first reviewers! Thanks guys! Luv ya more than pie!
~ JohannaRue702
Chapter Two
My world is ending. Harana lets go of my hand, and looks at me with terror in her eyes. I feel all the blood drain from my face. I walk onto the stage. I look down at the crowd and see Allianna and Sathen as white as sheets. They are watching their little sister be virtually sentenced to death, and there is nothing either of them can do about it. My eyes seek my mother and father, and at last I find them. My father looks like someone has slapped him in the face, hard. Really hard. My mother has tears streaming down her face. They will have to mentor their daughter, and then watch her be murdered by, or even murder herself, other children. They promised we would be safe. That we would all be okay and be able to go home tonight. Well, that was obviously out of the question. When Astoria asks for volunteers, the silence is eerie.
"Well this is sure to be a very interesting Hunger Games!" Astoria says. "Daughter of two victors! Very interesting indeed!" I resist the urge to slap that silly grin of her face. The Capitol is probably getting huge laugh out of this. Fine. I think. Let them. I am too angry that they are actually finding enjoyment out of this. Had the bowl been rigged? What if Sathen was the boy tribute? What would happen then?
Next thing I know, the boy tribute is being called and I cross my fingers it's not Sathen. "Rinnet Altron!" He has tan skin and long, dark brown hair that covers his eyebrows. He is muscular, and he has bright green eyes. Strange for District 12, but not unheard of. But that wasn't it. He has a familiar look about him. I don't know how, but I feel like I know him. Whatever. I'll figure it out soon enough.
As Rinnet walks onstage, I notice he seems not the least bit nervous. Maybe it's his strategy. To wipe is face of all emotion and act like he doesn't care. I know for sure if there was any chance of me using that strategy, it had flown out the window the moment the first tear rolled down my face. Or maybe he wants to show his family that he is strong enough to overcome the terror that is the Hunger Games. To show them that he will make it back to them. I see a small girl no older than 10 standing in the crowd. She looks exactly like him and can be nothing but his sister. For all I know, he could be the reason she is still alive. No one volunteers for him either.
After Rinnet and I are congratulated on our fine achievement, I am whisked away from the crowd, and led into a small room, to await the final goodbyes of my family and friends. I wait in the room for several minutes before they let my siblings in to see me. I jump up from the burgundy couch and run into Allianna's outstretched arms. I stand there sobbing into Allianna's shoulder, her arms wrapped tight around me. After I let go, Allianna looks at me dead in the eye and says, "You're going to win." "How can I?" I reply. "I'm not very big or strong. I can hunt okay I guess, but what else is there?" "You are the best Healer I know." I force a smile. Allianna is rarely this serious, so I try to make the best of this moment. "Well that's more of a defensive skill isn't it? I don't have any offensive talents." "That's what the training center is for. Throw a spear, a knife. Learn how to make a noose and try to hang other tributes. I don't know. Use your imagination." Sathen says with the saddest attempt at a smile. "I promise I'll try my best to win but-" "No." They say simultaneously. Then Sathen says, "You're going to win." As the peacekeepers usher them out the door, Allianna places the three fingers of her left hand to her lips and reaches out toward me. I do the same. Our final goodbye.
Next to enter the room is Haymitch. "Hey Little Mockingjay." Haymitch says, smiling ever so slightly. "Hey." I said before I hug him. He is like an uncle to me, and I love him. I am also fairly certain he loves me. He hugs me back, and when I release him, there are tears sparkling in his eyes. "Don't cry." I tell him. "Oh I'm not going to," he says. "It's just, you're the first tribute that the first time I met them, I wasn't drunk." "Don't I feel special." I say. I laugh for real this time. I hug him one last time before he leaves the room.
No one else comes to say goodbye to me. I hadn't really expected anyone else. My parents and Harana are going with me to the Capitol. Who else is there? Exactly. No one. For the first time in my life, I actually feel lonely.
When nobody else comes to see me, two peacekeepers come and escort me to the tribute train. I don't resist because I know that will get me nothing but trouble. I board the train knowing that this is probably the last time I was ever going to see District 12. I hesitate by the door of the train and reluctantly step in. I am shown where I will be sleeping, a small cabin with white walls, white carpet, and white bedding. Really? Is everything in the Capitol so clean and pristine? Even my house in the Victor's Village isn't this clean.
Just then, my parents walk into the room.
I jump of the mattress and throw my arms around them. I cry and cry and cry until I can't anymore. "We're so sorry Laina." My mother manages to choke out. I didn't know what she is sorry for. It's not like any of this is her fault. I want to tell her that, but I can't say anything at all. My father wraps his arms protectively over us. I want to just stay like this forever. Forget about the stupid Games. But sadly that is not possible. I let go of my mother and sit down on the bed, rubbing my eyes. I have no idea what I am supposed to say here and I doubt they did either. I simply stare at them for several minutes, until my father says, "Laina, you're going to get out of the arena alive. We just need to find you a strategy." Can't anyone give me any other advice beside, "you're going to survive."? Because chances are, I am not. And there is no use trying to convince me that I am.
"But I'm not going to survive! Strategy or not!" I say. "It's completely impossible!" "Don't talk like that Laina! Don't!" My mother says and there is actual anger in her voice. "We are your mentors. We can control gifts in and out. We have plenty of money back home. Allianna, Sathen, Haymitch, Johanna, Annie. They're all betting on you! You can and will survive!" That is all true. They all have plenty of money to spend on helping me stay alive. "Okay but just because I have sponsors doesn't guarantee my survival. And one of you has to mentor Rinnet. How is that fair to him if you two are both focused on my wellbeing and not his?" I question. My mother sighs. She can't deny the fact that she cares more about me than she does Rinnet. She knows she will try harder to get me out of the arena. "You are right. That does not necessarily mean you will survive, but you are strong enough to survive out there. And your mother will be mentoring Rinnet." My father says. Well that surprises me. My mother, who will do anything to protect me, is leaving my father to mentor me. Maybe she just won't be able to bear it.
Attempting to fill the awkward silence that follows, my mother says, "So… um… have you watched the other Reapings yet?" I shake my head and my mother clicks the remote and the television screen flickers on.
The Tributes from 1, 2 and 4 are all giants. I have no clue how I was supposed win against them. But I had to try and win for my family. The peacekeepers from 2 have to break up a fight between two girls who are brawling over who will be in the Games. Idiots if you ask me. But the Career districts are screwed up, according to my mother. The two tributes from 3 are tiny. Both of them are twelve, like me, but even smaller. The girl from five looks fierce and elusive. She looks about 14. Her red hair flows over her shoulders like a waterfall. At the sight of her, my mother shrieks and my father let out a small gasp. I look at them quizzically. My mother hops off the bed and darts out of the room. I look back at the girl. She looks strong and agile. She also looks a bit like a fox, but in a pretty way. My father looks awkwardly around the room and then mumbles, "I should go… your mother…" He walks out of the room. I hear them whispering outside my door, and not wanting to be left out of the conversation, I tiptoe to the door to eavesdrop. I hear parts of their conversation. Things like, "Could she be her daughter?" "No she was too young." "Well you supposedly got me pregnant at 17 so…" "Maybe her niece?" I have no idea what they are talking about. Something about the District 5 girl, but what? I quickly get bored and return to the stupid white bed. I resume my watching of the Reapings. District 5's partner doesn't seem like much competition. He is not big, and is missing one arm. I actually feel bad for him. There are twin twelve year olds from 7, who are both bawling hysterically. I wish someone would volunteer for them. But no one does. Districts 8, 9, and 10 don't look very intimidating, but it could be very misleading. The next person who catches my eye is the girl from 11. She looks 15. She has a very intimidating and somewhat bloodthirsty, look in hers eyes. But at the same time terrified. I don't know what to think. I then see myself. They talk about the whole, "daughter of two tributes" thing. They show my parents, and even want interviews, but they refuse. Good. Next is District 13 tributes. That's new. The children are small, scrawny and weak-looking. Nothing to worry about as far as I'm concerned. The anthem plays, the capitol seal shows, and I turn off the television.
My parents do not reenter the room. I begin to wonder where Harana is. She didn't come to the Justice Building to say goodbye to me, so I assume she is somewhere on the train. Whether or not the peacekeepers will let her see me, well, I don't know. I walk around my room for a minute or so and then I hear a loud knock on the door. Upon opening the white (ugh) door, I see Harana.
She runs into the cabin and hugs me. She doesn't cry, which is one of the things I like most about Harana. She is rarely weepy and is very optimistic. "Laina-" she starts to say but I cut her off. "If you're going to tell me that I'm going to survive, save it. I've heard it too many times today." It comes out a little bit too harshly than I wanted it to. "Of course not." She says. "You just have to promise me that when you are in the arena, you won't find a new best friend. Got it?" I smile. A new friend? In the arena? Where we are being sent to kill each other? Highly unlikely. "Okay," I say. "So, you're coming to meet your dad?" "Yep," she says smiling. "I can't wait!" Then she gushes about how great she thinks her dad is going to be, and I try to tune her out. Not because I don't care, but because I don't believe anyone in the Capitol could be that great. The train suddenly jolts to a stop. We can't possibly be there already. I run out of the room curiously, Harana behind me.
When I'm out in the hall, my parents and Rinnet are also there. "What happened?" Harana asks. "No idea." My father replies. Astoria walks into the hallway standing tall and impressively. "Astoria," says my mother. "What happened?" "Oh just some lousy protesters. They're blocking the way of the train. I'd run right over them if it were up to me." she says indifferently. There is a loud bang! from outside that makes me jump. It can only be a gunshot. What else? I cannot believe that they are killing innocent people! For what? Protesting? Last time I checked, that was not against the law. "Well," says Astoria. "We've got to protect the daughter of two winning tributes!" She takes several steps before my mother explodes. She yells horrible things, including some impressive profanity. "She sounds like my mother!" whispers Harana and I can't help but laugh a little. The shouting continues for a few more minutes, and Rinnet, Harana, and I are either too afraid or entertained to go anywhere. I, personally, am entertained by my mother's shouting, mostly because it's at Astoria. My father eventually pulls my mother back into their room. I can still hear my mother shouting. Standing there with a horrified look on her face is Astoria. She glares at Harana, Rinnet, and I, turns on her heels, and stomps out.
Rinnet raises his eyebrows at Harana and I. "Well," he says. "that sure was something." I smile and he smiles back before returning to his cabin. I watch him as he walks away. I guess Harana notices this because as soon as we're back in my cabin, she exclaims, "You like him!" I look at her in disbelief. "What?" I say. "Of course not!" "No, no, no, Laina. You. Like. Him. Don't deny it!" I roll my eyes. "Harana," I say looking her in the eye. "I. Do. Not. Like. Him." "Whatever." She says but I can tell she's not convinced. What if I did like him? What would happen then? I try not to think about it anymore. Harana leaves to go to her own cabin at about 10:00 pm. The train still hasn't moved, which means there are probably still protestors blocking the tracks. I want them to leave. Not because I want to get to the Capitol faster, but because I don't want anymore of them getting hurt. I have heard several more gunshots and it makes me want to cry every time I hear one.
The roar of the train's engine wakes me up in the middle of the night. I guess all the protesters left. Well, there is another possibility, but I try not to think about it.
The train ride takes twice a long as it would've if we hadn't had to keep stopping for protesters. As we will at the Capital soon, I have to meet with my stylist. I enter a room with my mother. She insisted that she come with me, but I'm not complaining. Standing in front of me must be my prep team, but they don't exactly look human. One has vibrant purple spiky hair, and if that isn't weird enough, she has jewels imbedded in her skin. Another, her hands are tattooed with the word love a thousand time in golden ink. She also has long hair. Very long. It reaches the floor. It amazes me that she doesn't trip over it. The last one is somewhat creepy looking. He wears blood red lipstick and turquoise eye shadow. I'm actually a bit scared of him.
They go to work on me, ripping the hair from my body, putting some foul smelling cream that is supposed to make my skin smooth. They run a bath with different chemicals in the water. When I get out of the bath, standing in the room in a young woman.
"Hello, I'm Della, your stylist." The woman speaks in a quiet, intelligent voice. She's about 35, and looks like she could be from home. She has soft brown hair that falls to the small of her back. She looks so different from my inhuman prep team. Apparently, my mom finds her familiar. "Do I know you?" she asks. "No," replies the woman, Della, "but you might have known my father." "Who is he?" asks my mother. "Cinna Tyro." She answers. My mother gasps, turns on her heels, and flees the room. This seems to be becoming a habit of hers. "In Hunger Games past," she tells me ignoring my mother's run from the room. "the tributes were dressed in something from their district. However, since the districts don't really have set professions, this year, the Game makers decided to have the tributes dressed as what they remind their stylists of." She looks me over for a moment. "Now, tell me," she says circling me now, "what do you remind yourself of?" That's hard. I think she senses my confusion. "Well, what do you think is you favorite thing?" prompts Della. The thing I love most is… "Spring," I answer truthfully. Her face breaks into a smile. "Really? That's what you remind me of!" So, what's my outfit? "So, for your outfit, I designed a very springy dress," says Della, leading me over to the mirror. "Close your eyes." I close my eyes and she slips something silky and light over my head. There's some adjusting from my prep team and then silence. "Open your eyes," says Della. I open them and look in the mirror. I gasp. This being in the mirror looks like spring incarnate. I am dressed in a dress that comes down past my knees. It is made of what looks like oversized buttery yellow daffodil petals, and I am almost convinced that they are. There is a belt around my waist that looks like a vine with buds on it. My skin is pale, soft, and free of any scars and blemishes I have accumulated over the years. I look like a flower that has come to life. I look natural in this artificial candy Capitol. Like they'd appreciate it here. Oh well. I go out to see my parents and Harana. Harana gasps. "Oh, Laina, you look like…" she pauses, trying to think of a word. "…spring! That's it, you look like spring!" Della does some sort of happy dance. I decide to like her. My mother has returned and looks like she wants to hug me but is afraid of crumpling the petals. I squeeze her hand, hard. She smiles back with tears in her eyes.
Rinnet comes out into the lobby, looking handsome as a... I think it's the night sky. He has on a navy blue-black suit that has tiny twinkling lights all over it that can only represent stars. He has on a silver tie that shimmers when the light hits it. "You look great!" I tell him smiling. "Thanks," he says returning the smile. "So do you." For some reason, this compliment fills my stomach with butterflies. I have never really had the best self confidence in the world, so maybe it was just nice being complimented. Or maybe not. Maybe I have a crush on him, like Harana said. That's dangerous. What if we're the last two in the arena? There can't be any compassion then. But I wipe that possibility away. There is no way I will be one of the last two. I am swept into the elevator by my parents, the stylists, and the prep teams. The butterflies multiply in my stomach as the elevator shoots downward, bringing me closer to the chariots, the president, and the crowds who are betting on my life. I know they're my source of life in the arena, but for a moment, I can't help but hate them. Are all of them as styled and as artificial as my prep team? If so, I hate them even more. Then the door opens and I am being ushered out.
The horses, magnificent and strong, stand proudly, paired up, two to a chariot. There are thirteen chariots. One for each district. We go to the chariot inscribed with the number "12" and get in. It's an amazing chariot. Sleek and black as coal, it looks aerodynamic, even though we won't be exceeding 5 M.P.H. 7 tops. Rinnet and I climb the chariot. Our horses are black as night. They stand proud and aloof, whinnying, ready to be off. I have always loved horses. I reach up and pat one's back. He arches his neck to try and get a good look at me. I notice Rinnet has been staring at me. I look up at him; his gaze darts away. "What?" I ask, feeling curious. There's a pain in his eyes that is hard to describe. "Nothing." He says quickly. "Well, oh, I was just thinking that well… it's too bad you got reaped, or whatever. You don't deserve it." I look at him incredulously. Do any of us-" I indicate to the other tributes lined up. "Deserve it?" He sighs. "No. Just forget I said anything." I roll my eyes, looking to see what the other tributes remind their tributes of. Then I gasp.
"Oh Rinnet look at her!" A girl, I think it's the one from District 5, floats in from the elevator. The buzz of conversation stops abruptly. She glides down to her chariot, which is shining like the sun, and gracefully steps in. Her dress is amazing. It is easy to see that she is the very essence of fire. There's a simple purple shift with wide, swooping sleeves, with gold lining the edges. Then comes the shining robe. The bottom is a deep scarlet red, which melts into dark orange, growing lighter until it is pure sunlight at her shoulders. Her long, flowing, fire red locks have little braids running through them, along with many glowing jewels. Her bright blue eyes flash dangerously as she sees everyone watching her. I don't care. She is possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
My parents return, staring at the girl. "She looks almost as beautiful as you do in flames." I hear my father mutter to my mother. What? Then a shiver of fear hits me. Will anyone notice me? Can anyone see the innocent spring after this deadly beautiful thing of fire? I know how important the parade is. So the sponsors can get to know the competitors. What if no one sponsors me? Who cares? I'll be dead soon anyway. There's a call of starting the chariots. District 1 pulls out and the crowd roars. My mother pats my hand. "Just smile and wave. They'll love you!" The peacekeepers begin to drag her away. "I'll come right after you get back to get you. I nod and she disappears. By now, District 4 has already gone. I look at Rinnet. "So should we hold hands?" I ask, trying to keep my voice calm. 5, (the roar gets louder) 6, 7, 8. He considers. 9. "Sure." He finally decides and takes my cold hand into his large warm one. 10, 11. I brace myself, wondering what the crowd's reaction will be. The horses start forward. I grip Rinnet's hand. I feel the screams of the crowd vibrate through me. I get some of the flowers from my basket to squeeze to ease the tension. We turn the corner. The lights glare down, blinding me. And the crowd? Well, the crowd is silent.
Soooooooooo what will happen? Do you like it? Hate it? I'm always open to constructive criticism, but please be nice. Or i might have to go cry :( JK i wont cry but still...