Hey guys, is anyone reading this? I have 21 views but they're all from the same day the first chapter was published. Well, no one reviewed or even tried to guess so no winner. I guess you'll see this chapter what's different but now it's undeniable. This chapter is very short for us though. About half of our usual length but I hope any of you readers like it. START THE STORY!
A few hours later we began to slow. I sighed grabbing the magic book realizing we were about to land in the Capitol. Curious I opened it to see if it had a hint of what I was headed for. Seeing it's descriptions it had proven temporarily useless though. So I sighed and waited.
It came to a stop soon enough though. It was...well depressing. It's hard to fathom that this is the place that has kept an iron grip on us for so long and is sending us to fight to the death as I step out onto the rough dirt road looking around and the small barely standing shacks. 'How have we not overthrown them? I mean, really the only advantage I could see them having is geological.' I thought looking at how it's completely surrounded by high mountains.
Still even so we were the stronger force here weren't we? Maybe we could, if I win at least. I stepped off carefully. It's almost hard to decide whether to hate them or feeling sorry for them but then you remember where they're sending us and hate always wins out. "Filthy." I muttered. I tried to shake it off and pushed forwards.
It was just so, eerie and disgusting. Katniss, stop. They are the enemy. You know that. I just wished I wasn't stuck there for the next few days. "Stay where you are." Haymitch said. I nodded and did, not knowing what I'm supposed to do.
Then two dirty looking men walked up and asked us to follow them. Even though I didn't like it I listened and followed them to one of the shacks Peeta having been lead to a different one.
Then they told me to strip. "Why?" I asked looking around.
"We need to prepare and properly measure."
"So, why do I have to be naked?"
"To get accurate measures." I sighed but did anyways. They measured everywhere.
Luckily when that was done I was allowed to put my own clothes back on. "Thank you please uses the bath house while you clothes are fitted."
"Um… okay…"
"It is off to the right." The man said.
"Got it." I said and head there.
It was a small but mercifully clean black hut there were a few of what appeared to be long barrels and what looked to be a changing room off to the left. "That's interesting." I said examining the tubs. I noticed there was an open fire nearby though and wondered what it could possibly be for, "Warmth maybe?" I thought.
I went to put my hand in the water in one of the tubs but immediately drew it back. It was ice cold. "What the heck?" I looked back over at the fire. Maybe that's what it's for. I pulled one of the torches out. I held it near the bottom of the tub hoping it will help. Slowly it warmed. 'Is this really the only way here?' It was likely so I sighed keeping the torch by the water.
It was an odd way to heat water. Then again I'm used to just pushing a few buttons and having the water come out warm. So, really it was how you looked at it. I wondered if more torches would heat it faster. So I went to get a second one. I got one and set it under it was easy. "That should help it go faster." Soon it was nice and warm. I took that away and just stuck my hand in first.
It was nice and warm. The door opened though before anything else could happen and there stood Peeta. 'Great, just the person I need to see right now.' I thought sarcastically. "Why are you here?" I asked.
"I was told to." He answered.
"Great, so we have to share?" I asked.
"I guess so."
"Well, look away." I said. He was luckily cooperative on that so I stripped down into the tub. It was warm but still rather awkward to say the least but most of that might be Peeta being here though he isn't looking. "So how was it?" I asked.
"How was what?" He asked.
"Your measuring." I said rolling my eyes what else would I be talking about.
"Oh, it was okay. Nothing too bad."
"Really? You enjoyed being naked?" I asked.
"What? Were you naked?"
"Yes I was." I said. "You weren't?" I asked now getting mad at them. Well, more than I was before.
"No, why would I be?"
"They made me be."
"Really?" He chuckled.
"Not funny," I said with a glare.
"No it is."
"No, it's humiliating."
"Well, it's your own fault."
"I tried to fight it." I said defensively.
"You lost?" He said.
"I assumed it was normal. It was in the…" I started but stopped myself figuring best he not know about the book which I tucked on the other side of the tub… obviously outside of it.
"In the what?"
"Never mind," I said looking away.
He shrugged and went to the torches. "What are these for?" He asked.
I smirked. "Figure it out. Maybe I would have told you if you hadn't laughed."
"Oh come on." He whined.
"I told you it wasn't funny." I said with a smirk. He grumbled as I sank lower into the warm water. I let out a chuckle more out of spite. He deserved it. "Still haven't figured it out?"
"I will." He said.
"Okay, have fun with that." He huffed and went back to it.
Peeta went over to a tube examining it and I had an idea quietly getting out I wrapped myself in a robe and walked over to him, "Something wrong?" I asked going over.
"Just looking to see if the water is warm." He said reaching for the water slowly. I'm not a hundred percent sure why but I pushed him right into the icy water. He flew out fast and hit the floor yelling and shaking. "N-no it is not." He stammered shivering but still managed to glare at me.
"Oh good," I said.
"W-why did you do that?"
"I needed something to laugh at."
"Not funny." He glared only causing me to laugh harder.
"Yes it is." I said imitating his voice.
"Alright, I guess I deserved that." He sighed.
"You sure did." I said happily.
"You are enjoying yourself way too much now."
"Hey, I needed a laugh." I said.
"How was yours warm?"
"Think about it." I said.
He looked at it for a while then back at the fire it finally seeming to click. "You use those to warm the water!" He said.
"Now he gets it!" I chuckled.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because it was fun to watch you squirm."
"You are cruel."
"Sometimes," I shrugged.
Then a man came in. "We are ready for you both." Peeta sighed and we both headed out.
They lead us to a small hut and showed off a plain black dress for me. It of course seemed very cheap but they didn't have any other options and at least it seemed better than most of the others I've seen from the actual citizens. "Nice." I said hesitantly.
"Well, we couldn't do much better." He said giving it to me.
"Thank you." I said.
"Do I have to change here?" I asked thinking to how the styling went.
"No."
"Good, where then?"
"The measuring hut."
"Oh, right," I said and headed back there. I swear the man rolled his eyes at me. I ignored him though and walked on holding the book protectively.
I almost wanted to switch with this Katniss just so this place would be more familiar. Then again, it is just as different to her as this is to me. Just the other way around. That may be odd for both of us then.
I glanced into the book only to confirm that. Of course. It was odd for her. I sighed closing the book and heading in. We're still the same right? If she can handle it so can I.
I changed quickly as I could. The fabric felt incredibly rough and uncomfortable. 'Just deal with it.' I thought.
I just took a deep breath and headed back out. They approached me with black coal dust.
My eyes widened but said nothing, 'Oh no.'
"Hold still please." The woman said. I did with a sigh. "Thank you." She said.
"You're going to cover me in that?"
"Yes is that a problem?"
"Then I'd be all dirty." I said. Usually I'd not mind but here it would be very hard to get clean again.
"It completes the look."
"Surely you can't be serious."
"I am very serious."
"Why?"
"It is the theme."
"Seems like an overkill."
"Well, you do not have to do it."
"I don't?" I asked honestly surprised.
"No, it just completes the look."
"Then I don't want the look completed."
"Fine." She sighed.
"Really?"
"Yes, really you will look out of place and maybe a bit stupid." She said.
"That doesn't matter."
"Fine whatever you say."
"Thank you, that wasn't funny by the way."
"What?" She asked.
"Having me strip like that."
"That was the men not me."
"I figured." I sighed.
"Yes, they do that."
One of the men just bursted out laughing, "I can't believe you fell for that."
Without second guessing I walked over and kicked him right where no man likes to be kicked "It's not funny." I hissed. He did not respond just lay rocking back and forth. "Anything you have to say?" I asked turning to the other man with a glare. He shook his head rapidly. "Thought so, now what then?"
"You wait."
"How much longer is there?"
"Not long."
"Okay, I can wait." I agreed. After all, hunting takes a lot of waiting. Just lying in wait for an animal to show.
"Well you have no choice really."
"I know."
I sat on the ground and waited.
It was a short while before I was told it was time. "Please follow me." A man said. I nodded getting up. They lead me through dark and dreary streets to a parade float. It was just a small black sheet of wood on wheels. "Climb on."
I got on with Peeta who apperently didn't refuse. "You look weird." I said.
"How come you're not?" He asked expectedly surprised.
"I said no." I said simply.
"You're allowed to do that?"
"Yes you are apparently."
"Well, if I had known that." He sighed.
"You didn't." I said.
"How did you?"
"I didn't. I am just stubborn."
"Says the girl the got naked."
"Well that has been taken care of."
"What did you do?" He asked awkwardly.
"Made a statement." I said then added. "You don't want to know."
"Okay..." He said.
"This whole thing is so awkward though."
"Yeah it is."
"How does this thing move anyways?" I asked looking around it.
"Just push with your foot." He added.
"You're kidding?" I asked.
"I am not."
"Why can't someone push it?"
"You make them move."
"Just push with your foot." He added.
"You're kidding?" I asked.
"I am not."
"Why can't someone push it?"
"Because that's not how it works."
"Well that is stupid."
"Well, you'll have to deal with that."
"Why should we?"
"You have no choice."
"I could not be in the parade." I said.
"Then you will be executed." I shut up knowing I have to at least try to get home. "That is what I thought."
"It's still stupid." I muttered.
"Well, deal with it."
"I will." I sighed.
"Good, now get ready to go." He said.
I sighed looking forward. The others started to move. I put a foot on the ground and waited to be up since being from 12 we were last. Eventually we had to push forward. It was exhausting and frustrating but we got it done.
My feet hurt by the end. "That was stupid." I said trying to catch my breath.
"Agreed." Peeta said.
"At least that's over though."
"Yeah at least."
"Still more things to go though." He added.
"Oh joy." I said.
"Yeah, it's almost going to be worse than the actual games."
"No, not close."
"I guess we'll see."
"Yes we will." I said.
"What now?" He asked getting down.
"Sleep, I imagine." I said.
"If even possible." I added with a sigh.
"We have to try."
"I know. Where do we go for that?"
"There are separate huts."
"Lovely," I sighed.
"Well we do not have to share." He said.
"I guess that part is good."
"Yeah it is." Said Haymitch's voice.
"So, are we going there now?"
"Yes we are."
"Okay, lead the way." He nodded and we set off.
See? I told you it was a short chapter but hopefully good. Marcus and I both actually like this version of Peeta a lot better than canon Peeta so who knows, maybe he'll live. Maybe not. You'll just have to keep reading and see. Review and you are welcome to flame because it's getting to be obvious that this story sucks so back to my old tag line: flames are accepted and expected!