Chapter 2: Travel
I wake up in a soft comfortable bed. The mattress is as comfortable as a marshmallow, and it smells fresh. This is not my bed. I shoot up straight in realisation. Oh, god. I'm the female tribute from District 7. I'm screwed.
A note lies beside me. It's in Finnhley's handwriting.
"You passed out after we got reaped. We're on a train heading to the capitol. At 4'o clock the reaping will be televised. As you must know it's mandatory. I love you Avartisa.
-Finnhley
I glance at the clock. It's 4 right now. There's a knock at the door. Finnhley walks in and gives me a hug. It's time the watch the reaping.
I walk into the living room and see our mentors Johanna Mason, Aspen Woodwind, and Abigail Maple. Riley is also there. I hate him so much.
From District 1 is a beautiful blonde girl named Jade, and a handsome young boy named Onyx. Both of them are volunteers. The two tributes from District 2, Splice and Oakley, both look merciless and cruel. Two hysterical best friends are reaped from District 3. Koi and Cod from District 4 are a brother and sister duo. The tributes from 5 look very geeky and un-nervous. Both from 6 are very pale and are named the same but are spelt differently. Then there's us. They obviously cut out me jumping off the stage. Two tough looking kids from District 8. Calm 18 year old volunteers from District 9. A cruel girl and a chubby 12 year-old boy from District 10. A meek girl from District 11, alongside a tall dark-skinned boy. Finally, there are two twins from Districts 12.
I'm screwed.
Johanna looks sceptical. Aspen, who won the games last year, looks rather calm.
"They only look tough," he says. He can obviously sense my fear. "You only need to watch out for the girl from 1, the two from 4, the girl from 10, and the boy from 11. They're the only ones who will be able to kill you easily. The tributes from 3 will probably win." He looks to Johanna. "I bet you 2 thousand that the last two tributes alive will be the two from 3, and then the girl will slit her best friend's throat."
"No way," Johanna says. "It'll probably be either the girl from 10 or the boy from 11. Maybe one of these guys. You're on! BITCH!"
Great! Both of our mentors bet on our deaths right in front of us. You can really tell they care about us.
I look out the window and gasp.
Incredible stained-glass building tower above the clouds. The water is a strange turquoise colour. We pass through a dark tunnel, and suddenly millions of people are there greeting us. As I wave, I decide right there and then my tribute approach. I'll be sweet and sexy if it kills me.
And it probably will.