I was silent on the way to the town square. Daniel gripped my hand tightly; he reminded me I had to win, for his sake and mine. I looked at the other people of District Five, we all walked slow, keeping our realities close. We all knew two of us would be on a train to the Capitol before tonight and one of those people were me.
Soon I found myself waiting in line to get checked in. I turned to mother and embraced her. "Take care of Danny." I whispered in her ear.
She looked at me confused. Before she could ask I hugged Danny and kissed his soft, brown hair.
"I love you," I breathed into his hair.
He looked up at me with his big, blue eyes. "I love you too. Be safe."
Oh the irony, I was far from safe. I kissed his head once again and got checked in.
I stood within the roped off area with the other 14-15 year olds. I stood out like a sore thumb. The people of District Five either have brown, black, or red hair with either blue or blue/green eyes. I had my mother's fair hair and sea green eyes. I did not belong. I was the odd one out.
My mother was originally from District Four, where having blonde hair and bright green eyes was common. She came on a train from Four with goods and such. She met my father and fell in love. She slowly priced him back together the best she could and she never went back.
I blew a wisp of my bronze hair out of my face and looked around for Lee. I saw him and smiled, he smiled a sad smile then looked away. I looked down and awaited for the Reaping to start. For the first time in my life I wish it would get here already.
The Reaping started at exactly 12:00. The Capitol anthem played and Mayor Hanson came up on the stage. He welcomed everyone here and talked about the Dark Days and the rebellion, but I tuned it all out. My mind raced a million miles and hour. I was finally jerked from my thoughts when someone's thick Capitol accent said:
"Happy Hunger Games!"
I blinked my eyes a couple times and the voice had emitted from our escort, Claudia Duffield. I flickered my eyes across the stage and saw our Victor, Jasper Lede, had finally cared enough to show up.
Claudia went on about what an honor it was to be here and all that hullabaloo.
"Well, as always ladies first," Claudia said adjusting her bright yellow wig. It stood out just as much as her bright orange dress did.
She walked over to the big bowl on her left and picked the name on the very top. I took a deep breath and looked over to Lee. He looked my way tears his eyes were red. Claudia walked back over to the microphone and unfolded the piece of paper.
"Elise Wren," she said in a clear voice. I straightened my dress and walked up to the stage my legs stiff. I climbed the stairs slowly, wishing someone would say it was a mistake, but no one did. I walked over to the Capitol woman and she smiled.
"Are there any volunteers?" Claudia asked, scanning the crowd. No one volunteered, only the trees creaked in protest.
"Welcome our newest tribute!" The escort clapped and the crowd followed her lead. My stomach felt like lead. I looked out into the crowd and looked for Lee. I saw him, but he wasn't looking. I stared blankly over the crowd and I saw a mockingjay flying overhead. Someone will come along and end this madness. I know it, I can feel it in my gut. Someone will come around and bring the Capitol to it's knees.
"Now to the boys!" Claudia said with her thick accent. She walked to the other bowl and stuck he hand deep in and pulled a slip out. She walked over to the microphone.
"Harrison Briggs."
I saw a tall, muscular boy make his way to the stage. He looked about sixteen and he had short, black hair. I had seen him around town and such. Sometimes I would bump into him when I was in the cluster of trees a little ways from my house. We never talked much but I was saddened he was reaped.
He walked up the stairs and onto the stage. His jaw was tight and his blue eyes were stormy.
"Are there any volunteers?" Silence, not even the trees protested.
"Congratulations to our tributes!" The crowd clapped and we were guiding inside the Justice Building. I was put in a room with a couch, two cushioned chairs, and a table.
I ran my hand along these things. It has been a long time since I have had such luxuries. I sat down on the couch and waited. I didn't have to wait long until Lee came into my room. I stretched out my arms to embrace him, but he pushed my arms out of the way. He kissed me and smelled my hair.
"Be safe; you are strong, you can do it," he whispered into my hair. I leaned into him; he was my rock in the storm. I loved him so much. I allowed a few tears to escape my eyes, he wiped away every one of them.
Lee looked into my eyes, he had only seen me cry once. It was when Danny was deathly ill and I thought he would die. Lee held me that night and gave me peace, now there was no peace. There was sorrow and pain, others would see my tears as a sign of fear. No, these tears were a sign of love. I loved Lee, he was my soul mate. Even at fourteen I knew. We marry young in District Five and we planned on marrying when I turned seventeen. Through these tears Lee saw my affection and a promise that I would try with all my might to return to him.
All to soon his time was up. The Peacekeepers came and took him out. No one should know about my relationship with Lee. They could use him as leverage, if the Capitol knew I would be their hand puppet.
I sat and waited. Soon my mother and Daniel came in. I stood up and opened my arms where Danny collapsed into them. He sobbed and tears fell from my face. Aside from Lee, this boy was my world. When his sobbing turned into whimpers I looked him in the eyes, "I love you."
Daniel nodded, "I love you too."
We embraced for a while longer then I hugged mother.
"Make sure he eats. Take care of him. I love you."
Mother nodded and kissed my head, "Be safe my songbird, be safe."
I smiled and Mother pressed something in my hand. I looked down and unwrapped the cloth from it. There in my hand was a tiny wooden fox, my fathers token.
Before I could react Daniel and my mother were ushered out of the room. I sat in silence until I was guided to the train. Flashes greeted me as I walked out of the building, people were shouting questions at me, but I ignored them. Harrison and I entered the train at the same time where our escort greeted us.
"Welcome! Welcome! I am Claudia. Your mentor is currently taking a nap, but you will meet him at dinner. Follow me and I will guide you to your rooms."
We followed her and she led us to a hallway.
"Elise your room is on the left and yours Harrison is on the right. Dinner starts at promptly six." With that Claudia headed down the hall, mumbling about dinner preparations and such.
I entered my room and shut the door. I stood in awe of it. There was a big, cushy bed, a mahogany closet, a big television, a bathroom and much more. It was about the size of my house!
I went over and opened the closet to find it filled with clothes. I looked at the clock and it read 2:37. I had about two hours to waste. I looked through the closet and picked out the simplest clothes I could find, which turned out to be fancier than anything I owned. It was a peach colored blouse with black vine designs on it and a pair of black pants and sandals.
I laid them out on the nightstand for tomorrow. I left my room and explored the train where I happened to bump into Jasper. He had close cropped brown hair that had a red tint to it when the light hit it at a certain angle. His blue-green eyes were dark with though he was only seventeen he looked very mature and he was very intimidating to normal people. But I'm not normal.
"Elise? Is that right?" He asked me walking around me in circles, examining me.
I nodded.
"Your not much," he said. "You probably won't make it past the Cornucopia."
I was filled with rage, this idiot had just said I was weak, not worth his time. I whipped around, put my arm against his throat and slammed him into the wall.
"News flash," I hissed, "I plan on winning these Games and even though you think I am not much, you have no clue."
Jasper just smiled, "Oh really, princess?"
He caught me by surprise and grabbed my arm spun me around and pressed me to the wall. He was pinning my arms to the wall and pressed me against it with his body.
"You think you have what it takes? Well you, my dear, have no clue."
I seethed, "Bite me!" I hissed.
He brought his face centimeters from mine, I could feel his warm breath on my face, he opened his mouth to say something, but he was interrupted.
Suddenly someone slams into Jasper and he falls to the floor.
"Get away from her!" Harrison growls, then turns to me, "Are you okay?"
I nod and glance at our mentor, well we certainly made a fine first impression. Harrison pulls me slightly behind him, as if to protect me from Jasper.
Our mentor stands and glares at both of us. He wipes off his clothes before returning his glare to Harrison. Harrison glared back and they seemed to be sizing each other up. I sighed and rolled my eyes, Men.
"What do you want?" Jasper growled.
"Claudia wanted me to come find you two for dinner." Harrison growled back, "Apparently I came just in time."
I sighed and pushed past Harrison, "Look it was nice of you to play hero and all, but I would rather eat before the food gets cold." With that I push past Jasper and head to the dining car.
The boys followed me to the dining car and sat down. Much to my misfortune Jasper sat across from me. The food was served and I tried not to gorge myself. The food was rich and fat and would upset my stomach if I ate too much.
As we ate Harrison was either looking at me or glaring at Jasper. I seriously resisted the urge to punch them. I swear, I mean what is it with guys and always wanting to fight?!
We ate as Claudia babbled on and on about tomorrow and how the train would stop later tonight to get repaired. I glared at Jasper several times through out the meal, but he just smiled.
I finally excused myself and went to my room where I took of my dress and slipped on a night-gown and curled under the blankets. Tomorrow was going to be a long day.