In chapter 2, Cleo wakes up in a unfamiliar place. She is traumatized from her experience.

2.

I fight to regain consciousness. My thoughts are foggy, my entire body is numb. I feel a sudden pinch in my left arm. Soon I finally seep back into consciousness. I realize I'm in a unfamiliar room, I lay in a soft white bed in a drab room. I see tubes in my left arm, I'm hooked to a beeping machine near me. My right arm is bandaged and the entire left hand is wrapped in gauze. I can't move freely, my limbs are stiff. All I can move is my eyes and head.

My mind races with questions. I just want to go home, I never been so confused in my life.

I feel a pang of apprehension. I feel a sharp sensation of nausea in my stomach.

I force myself to squirm, my left arm regains little motion, I struggle to fight my numbness.

I somehow manage to swing my left arm hard enough to rip the tubes out, I feel a wave of weakness that drains my body immediately. A sharp pain punches my stomach. The dinner I ate before rushes out of my mouth and on to the floor. I hear a loud beeping sound but I'm already in darkness before I can see what was going to happening next.

I feel myself waking up but this time I don't want to. I'm too scared. My fear escalates when I suddenly hear voices.

" Why are you doing this? Just let the girl die!" yells a angry woman. A harsh male voice snaps at her. " Johanna, no! You think we're just going to leave the only survivor to die? We couldn't leave her there."

Johanna lets out a annoyed groan. " She's from the Capitol." She growls.

" She's a little girl," The man says urgently. " Besides maybe she knows what the hell happened."

" A little girl? She doesn't know jack, Haymitch!" Johanna screams.

Finally my eyes open out of curiousity, above is a firece looking woman and a blonde man. They didn't seem to notice my consciousness their eyes burned into one another's.

Johanna rolls her eyes. " You already know what's going to happen. We voted." She says.

Haymitch's eyes flashes with anger. " You voted! I said no! It doesn't make sense to put the Capitol's kids through what we did."

What is he talking about? I ponder. The two looks so different, almost like aliens. They don't sound like they're from the Capitol. They must be from the Districts.

I rigid with fright when Johanna shoots me a deadly glare and I'm locked in her simmering eyes.
" What are you looking at?" She hiss. I'm too timid to answer. Johanna rolls her eyes in disgust and narrows her eyes at Haymitch. " You think you'll get answer out of her? She can't even talk!" Johanna snaps.

" She probably would if you didn't make her think you're going to knife her." Haymitch argues. Johanna finally gives up, tossing her hands into the air. " Fine! I'll get Peeta and then I'm done!" She fumes as she storms out. Johanna makes her anger clear as she slams the door hard enough to shake the room.

" That girl.." Haymitch mumbles. I become impatient. " Where's my Mom? Where's my sister?" I inquire. Haymitch is visibly taken back abit by my sudden ability to speak. He has a odd look of his face. It reminds me of Jazzy when she's nervous about something. Her face becomes pale and tight with anxiety. His voice even falters like Jazzy did.

" I'm sorry, kid. But..." Haymitch speaks haltingly. He's probably thinking of the right words to say. Sweat begins to drip from his forehead.

" Where are they?" I ask again this time more demanding. My fear quickly transform into anger. My voice is shrilling and loud, tears begins to pour without warning. My mouth is storming with direct questions.
" Who are you? Where is my Mom and sister? Why are you here? Why am I here?" I shriek.

Haymitch still looks conflicted I stare him in the eyes indignant. Suddenly the door open again, I turn my head to see another man. Immediately I realizes who it is. Peeta Merlark!

I remember him from Jazzy's posters of him in her bedroom. She was obsessed with the romance of Katniss and Peeta and just them in general. When the 74th Hunger Games aired, I was only allowed to watch half of it, Mother disapproved of the kissing they did. Viewing it as too "adult" for me and Jazzy to see. When Mother was about to turn off the T.V., Jazzy is quick to argue and I start to protest soon after. Long story short, I was unfairly sent to bed and Jazzy watched the entire thing. I wasn't mad for long Jazzy was rambling loudly on her cell phone to her friends recapping the whole thing. A week after the Games, Jazzy's birthday came up, she got plenty of posters, clothes, and romantic novels. I didn't understand why, my Mother said she was very boy crazy. But I didn't understand what she meant by that.

I miss her so much. I gaze at Peeta. He was slender with ashy blonde hair, his skin was pale, but his eyes were livid. He seems angry at something all I can hope is its not me.

" I'll talk to her, Haymitch." Peeta says with an edge in his voice. Haymitch's eyes widen with concern. " Peeta, you may need to sit...sit..this. one out." He falters. Peeta glares at him. "I am fine, Haymitch. I will talk to her." He insist. Haymitch doesn't argue anymore, he hestiantly trudges out the room.

I'm soon alone with Peeta. My fear returns quickly. I begin to shake. I look at Peeta and I'm taken back. His tensed expression changed now he looks mellow.

" Don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." He assures me. I like the tone in his voice, its soft and nice. I feel less weight on me.

He walks to me with a smile. " Are you okay?" He ask me.

I shake my head. " I..I..don't know where my Mom and sister is." I whisper, tears pouring again.

" I'm sorry." Peeta sighs. " Where were you and your family at?"

" The City Circle. My sister ran off and my Mom..." My throat becomes dry. " I...think she..she got really hurt."

" Its going to be alright." Peeta looks away for a moment. He tries to change the subject when he finally look at me. " What's your name?" He inquires.

" Um...Cleo. Cleo Velvet." I stutter.

" That's a pretty name!" He praises, flashing a broad smile. I don't have the energy to smile back.

" Thank you." I say.

" How old are you?" Peeta ask.

" Nine." I reply. Peeta's eyes widen with alarm.

" I'm sorry but I don't know where your family is. But you're going to be fine, I promise." Peeta say gently.

I suddenly feel a pang of anger. " MY FAMILY IS DEAD!" I scream furiously. " I AM NOT FINE!" Peeta isn't unfazed and keeps his mild expression. " I'm sorry, Cleo. I'm sorry about your loss." He becomes quiet for a quick moment. " I lost many, many people too. But it will be fine."

Peeta then has a serious expression. " Cleo, please tell me what happened." He pleads. I open my mouth to speak but that's when a woman in all white scrolls in. She sees me and looks down the dangling tubes. She sighs annoyed. " Peeta, I'm sorry, but she needs to be down." She say bitterly.

Peeta protests alittle, but the woman proceeds to hurry towards me. I panic when she pulls out a needle. I'm helpless when she sticks the sharp needle in me. Immediately I feel like I'm going to pass out, I glance at Peeta as if he could help me. His eyes were pitiful and upset. I try to say something but I black out before I can even open my mouth.