Chapter 2
I stopped in midway and I heard people start to whisper saying I was the very first District 2 volunteer ever. But all I heard was my heart pounding and the sound of my very uneasy breathing. I continued to walk up to the stage where the announcer was placed.
Once I got up to the stage, I took a moment to look at my entire hometown, friends, family. And stopped. I might never come back. I spotted Cato looking at me and I thought to myself, I will die in these games, I will be dead in less than a month, and the image cleared as I was asked a question over loud speakers, " And, What might your name be?" asked the announcer. She held the microphone up to me so I was allowed to speak, "Clove Fairsteed." I said, as plain and blankly as I could possibly be. "And, I bet, that was your sister?" she asked. I nodded. She took the microphone back to her and began speaking again. "Now, for the boys!" At least, I know it can't get any worse now, "Ah! Blair Baanier!" I stopped and stared in shock. I guess it could get worse.
Oh no! Blair, no. I can't let him die! Oh! Cato! No please! Don't! "I volunteer!" Cato screeched and came forward, pushing Blair out of the way and running up on the stage. Oh No! Once Cato got up to the stage tears were running down my face, 'I'm sorry' he mouthed to me. "Ah! Wow! The first two volunteers for District 2 ever, and they are both the tributes! And what's your name?" the announcer finished and turned the microphone to Cato. "Cato Baanier." He replied, almost as blank and flat as my name sounded when it came from me mere minutes ago. "Well, was that your brother?" she finished and Cato nodded. "Well! Siblings here!" she said and wished everyone a good day and made us shake hands. Cato was crying silently and we were put in a big room with one couch, one table, and a bookshelf. "You will have 3 minutes per person each time. You have 10 minutes before anyone will be coming in."
Cato looked over to me with sadness in his eyes, "I didn't have a choice." Was all he said "Cato, I know, but we aren't going to make it." I said, thinking for a moment. "Yes we will. We will make it. You and I can win." He said, grabbing hold of my hands. "How, Cato? One victor. Not two." I asked sharp-like. "We can. We can make them want to have us in their games, as victors. The two of us. I know it." He finished, "Well, then, you can try to make up that scenario." I pretty much spit in his eye not meaning to, dropping his hands and turning away.
The rest of the ten minutes we sat in silent and the first person came in, it was my mother, followed by my father and sister. "I am so happy Clove! And Cato! But I don't like the idea of you two being here, as two tributes, together. Clove, Cato. I love you both, but only one of you may win. I am hoping for the both of you." My mother said crying into mine and Cato's shoulders once we got up. "Good Luck," is all my father could say. He turned away quickly and turned back to quickly plant a small kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Please, Win." And he left, not able to hold anymore of this tense atmosphere. I couldn't blame him. All this sadness lingering in the air. Then it was my sister's turn. "Clove!" I hugged her tight and she looked up at me with her big blue eyes, "I'm sorry, it'll be O.K., and Cato has a plan." And with that, I hugged her, and told her I would see her soon, and then, their time was up, and that maybe the last time I will ever see them again.
The next round of people were Cato's family, his mother, father, older brother- Bane, and Blair, he was crying along with Cato and then their time was up. Since they were no more people to come, a tall woman in a gray, almost silver dress came in. "Hello children. I will be your mentor," My name is Enobaria; I won the 62nd Annual Games. I would love to talk to you more about this, and where your part in the games would be. Any questions before we go onto the train to the capitol?" I had watched her, from my TV in my home. I was only 3, but my mother had let me watch the games only a few years ago, when I would be able to watch it. She smiled at us and I caught a glimpse of her teeth. They were pointed and sharp like, almost, fangs. With gold on the tips. I thought for a minute to wonder why, but, as with every capitol personal- something has to be odd-. She looked to be about 30, she had long dark hair, pale white skin, and her makeup was done with shades of blues, and greens. Coming on from her eyelids to her hair line making wings. She looked pretty normal, except for one tattoo she had on her wrist. All I saw was a pair of teeth and something else I couldn't make out.
She led us to the train where we were to sit and wait for the coordinator to come in. "Clove?" Cato asked after we were sitting on a couch watching the 62nd games, Enobaria wanted us to watch them. "Yeah?" I answered slowly, not breaking sight with the TV, that year, which would have been tough for me. So many different types of tributes. "Didn't Enobaria rip someone's throat out at the end? How long are we into it?" Cato asked, I knew it! That's why, with the fangs and the tattoo. I needed to see this.
Wow, we aren't even to the part where she rips the throat out of that one person yet and stuff is starting to happen. People getting stabbed, ripped to shreds by swords, slicing in all different directions. And during my training for the games, before the reaping, I always wanted to try my work with a knife or sword. I did one day, and hit the bull's-eye set up almost 100 feet away. And I almost sliced Cato's hand off in the process. I knew from then I was one to work with knives and swords. And Cato is like a sword master. We both together are like a perfect match for the games when it comes to fighting. I could actually take lessons from Enobaria and then maybe, I could get better.
"Look! Here it is I think!" Cato is practically jumping with joy, I do watch as I see Enobaria approach a young guy. Maybe, 16. And she starts conversation," Hi!" she says, "Look, it's the end of the games, and I don't wanna' cause trouble at this very moment, but, please, come help me and we can kill off the rest of the group? Huh? You like that idea?" she finished. "What's in it for me?" he asked, deep voiced. "Me not killing you." She replied, very irritable. The boy nodded and it showed them going around and it time lapsed, and there was only the boy, Enobaria, and one other person and they were going to try to find them. Well, half-way through the search, the boy became loud and fell, Enobaria got irritated and the other person was near by. She had enough and he wouldn't be quiet. So, she chewed his neck off. It was very joyful to watch. I think I just puked too. Same with Cato.
She came in after we finished watching parts of the video and announced herself, "Hey! I brought your other lady-on-the-job, here is Silver Roxen!" she said, clapping lightly and holding a hand out for someone. A short lady, maybe, late 20's, came in the doorway and announced herself. "Hi! I am Silver, and I am your event coordinator. I schedule parties, and everything else you need. Once we get to the Capitol in less than 2 hours, you will be led up to the front hall where you all will meet your stylists, and then get ready for the opening ceremonies. Then after that there will be a short party, you don't have to go if you don't want, and then, sleep time!" she sounded overly cheerful as her blonde curls bounced as she would say something. She was indeed silver looking. Dark-olive looking skin and dark-dirty blonde hair. She was wearing silver makeup- eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, and her highlights in her hair were silver. Although, she was wearing a light blue, aquamarine colored dress with a big bow in the back and what looked like 7-inch high heels, matching. These people in the Capitol sure do know how to 'dress-up'.
After 2 hours of eating the most delicious food I have ever tasted with Cato, Silver, and Enobaria, we all were escorted to the front of the train where we could see a town come in. District 2 is the second-most richest district in Panem. But the Capitol is far number one in anything. I see its tall dome looking buildings, and small rectangular ones, and I see boats, cars, trains, buses, airplanes. Everything. Then, we go in a black tunnel. I feel disappointed I couldn't see the entire city right now, because now, I'm kind of excited. I let out a small chuckle as we come out and there are thousands of people, there, waiting for me and Cato. We both smile and wave and they are blowing kisses and throwing flowers. I really can't wait for the games now. Wait, No that was a false alarm. Cato grabbed my hand and turned to look at me. "It'll work." And as soon as I know what he's talking about and give his hand a squeeze as a door swings open and Silver and Enobaria are waiting for us and I step outside, letting the crisp warm air from The Capitol rush past me, and I know, I will never be able to go back home, back, to District 2.
