Chapter 2 – A trip to the Capitol
The next few moments are a sickening blur. Not knowing how, I walk up to the stage, trying not to lose my footing on the stairs. I swallow hard and take a deep, staggered breath. Inigo stretches out his hand to shake mine and I unwillingly oblige, desperatley trying to stop my hand from trembling.
I spot Josh, his face as pale as the boy's next to me. It fills me with pain and grief, I cannot bear to see him like this but I do not cry, I mustn't, not just for my own strength but for theirs. I think back to this morning, only hours ago we were in the fields, like normal. Now no matter what happens nothing will ever be the same.
I am next told to also shake hands with William and as I do our eyes meet with the same shock I feel pulsing through my body.
"So there we are, our two tributes!" Inigo announces, "As always I will now ask for any volunteers". Inigo doesn't wait long for reply from the lifeless cloud, and the deafening silence is of no surprise. Volunteers come but once in a lifetime in District 9.
I see the pain on Josh's face; I can't imagine how he must be feeling. Knowing there is nothing he can do but wait, and hope. But then I can hardly keep track of my own thought and feelings, trying to work out others is an impossible enigma.
A sickening sensation overwhelms my entire body, and my throat is becoming tighter with every second. I feel as though I am going to explode with a manner of emotions. I can feel my heart racing and fists clenching, I feel as though I am going to scream at the cameras that are confronting me, and at Inigo and all of the peacekeepers that are letting this happen. Encouraging it!
They have stood by year after year, and didnt even blink an eye a couple of years ago when two 12 years old were chosen, one with two younger siblings! Is this really the worst thing that could have happened? At least I have taken the place of what could have been someone much younger. I keep repeating this over and over in my mind trying to let it sink in and calm my nerves.
Pursing my lips I turn my head in Inigo's direction, but he is no longer standing proudly next to me, he is gone and so is William. I turn around to see that they are now leaving the stage and I am being instructed to follow.
A peacekeeper directs us to one of the market shops which has been embellished with banners of past games and victors. Me and William are separated and I am directed to a chair then told to await my family for a farewell, most likely my last. My head overflows with things I could possibly say, I don't know which to choose; but before long a peacekeeper enters accompanied by a tall boy with dirty blonde hair and emerald green eyes and a smaller but similar looking woman behind.
I stand up to greet them and turn to my mother first, her eyes are red and damp but she is no longer crying.
I think about my father, being too ill to attend the reaping he will not know about the events that await me. I hope that he stays strong, for my mother and brothers sakes as well as his health.
"It will be ok Mother" I tell her, but this seems to make it worse and tears flood down her cheeks as she flings her arms around my neck. I don't ever want to let go, my throat is raw with pain as I hold back the tears that are screaming to come out. I turn my gaze to my brother, who is still pale, I want to tell him not to worry but I know it won't help. "Water" he says. I raise my eyebrows with a look of confusion and he repeats.
"Water, that's your main priority. Find it and drink as much as you can. As for the cornucopia don't spend to long looking for weapons and supplies" his voice is shaking. "Grab whatever you can and get out; you can do this Evanna." I pause then nod with a faint reassuring smile.
He explains his other ideas, but most of it I do not take in. Everything is happening to fast. My mother manages a few sentences, but that is all.
My brother continues to speak, this time about sleeping. He seems panicked and this does not help my nerves at all. I don't ever want to leave them; how can they do this? Destroy lives and families. I begin to tell them not to worry, after all what is done is done - it is only the future that can change now. I tell my mother that all she can do now is be strong, even though I know this will not change anything. She looks as though she is going to reply but peacekeeper steps forward and insists that our time is up. I want to protest it but know that it will do no good. I hug my mother once more and as her grip loosens and I shout out my final goodbyes as they are escorted out of the dingy room into the bright square that seems so far away.
It finally dawns on me what my brother has said. I can do this. I could win; just because my name was picked does not mean that I have been condemned to an untimely death. A feeling of hope, however small fills my body, but it is short lived.
Twenty- three tributes will die over the next few weeks, either I will be one or I will be the cause of their death. The thought is intolerable, but I need to decide how far I will let these games change me, will I be a brutal as I need to be to survive? I'm sure that if the time came I could kill someone if I had to. But the thought of ruthlessly killing another child, a inncent victim of the Capitols hatred is sickening.
Another peacekeeper walks in, this time followed by William. Although his face has started to return to its peachy norm there is still a prominent white tinge about it. I look at him and give a faint smile which is not returned, I know he doesn't mean to be rude. I'm surprised I am able to move at all.
Yet again another person walks into the small and now crowded shop, this time someone who I recognise. A tall man of about 40, who I know to be Gerald Parchman, District 9's mentor. From now on he will play a big part in both mine and Williams's survival. He will aid us in training, tactics and perhaps most importantly sponsors, which can save tributes when they are just moments from death. I know it's important that Gerald's first impression of me is a positive one because without him I am on my own. I try to rid myself of all of my fear and stand up taller. We await his introduction but it never comes. Instead he looks around, as if inspecting us, his dark brown eyes searching for any glitches.
After what seems several minutes of silence and confusion, Gerald leaves the room and we are directed to follow. I hope to catch another glimpse of my family but a vehicle blocks anyone from view and we are herded inside.
The journey to the station is not long, I have never been here as it is forbidden for anyone to leave their district without permission, but it is not too different from what I had imagined. The trains are a magnificent silver with lines of maroon running down their sides; but the station does not reflect this and instead it has a run-down feeling that reminds me of home. The interior is just as spectacular and I let out a little gasp with our entrance. William stays quiet but he is certainly looking better.
In the first carriage there is a table already set. Covered in a beautiful silk cloth the table is piled with food beyond any dreams of mine. Trays of meat that would last my family weeks; piles of fruit bearing more colour than all of that in Ms Paige's material stall in the market; translucent flasks containing many liquids some I assume to be fruit juices, others of coffee. So this is the life of the Capitol I think to myself. If anything it has made my opinion of it worsen, something which I did not believe possible. We are directed to matching oak seats but are not joined by Gerald.
Little but polite requests and gestures are made at dinner and the atmosphere remains awkward. The arrival of Inigo is the only thing that seems to alter the mood. He seems cheerful despite today's events but I do not resent this as much as I thought I would, for some reason his happiness gives me hope I cannot explain. "So, your journey begins here." Inigo begins excitedly "I can tell you now that you are just going to love all of the costumes; and makeovers; and rooms; and food; and… and…" his naivety of our situation makes me feel strange and I don't know if I should be angry or just laugh it off. I smile politely but do not reply, and the silence resumes for a while.
"So, how much are you enjoying yourselves, so far?" he continues. I can't help but choke slightly on my mouthful of what I believe to be chicken. How could we possibly be enjoying ourselves? At least one of us will never see our families again; his cheerfulness no longer helping me. I want to shout at him; let him really know how I am feeling but something stops me.
I understand that he doesn't mean to be insensitive, how can he know what it's like? How can anyone until their name has been read out. I politely reply back with a quiet "Sure, thanks" and cast my gaze back to my plate which is almost empty for a third time. "Well" Inigo begins again, "it has been a long day, so I bid you good night" William and I both remain silent and Inigo leaves without a reply, to what I assume is his quarters.
"He's got that right." Startled I look up at William not sure what to say, I hadn't expected him to speak at all this evening. "Got what right" I say even though I am sure what he means. "It's certainly been a long day" he continues and I return my gaze downwards. I don't want to think about it, at least not yet. I need it to sink in first.
"I heard your brother" he continues, but I do not yet lift my head. "Telling you about tactics. I didn't get that from my parents. They don't expect me to return, I know they don't and to be honest neither do I." This time I feel it is important I look at him.
"You don't know that" I begin "None of us know; about the careers, the weapons, the training, the arena; no one but the people at the Capitol at least." I wish to continue but struggle to find the right thing to say.
"I guess" he mumbles and the silence resumes.
"Well I'm off to bed, good night, Evanna" William sighs finally, and what seems to be rather suddenly he leaves the carriage just as the others had done. I wish he hadn't spoken; now there's more for me to think about. I told myself that if I was ever chosen I wouldn't get attached to people, I was glad when William didn't speak, it made everything easier, but then he could hardly stay silent forever.
As for Gerald I had hoped for more. Without his guidance our little chance of returning will be lost. I can only hope that tomorrow will bring more conversation and leadership. I get up to leave before realizing I do not know where I will be staying. I follow the way that both Inigo and William left and hope I will come across a sign of some sorts. A compartment with a plaque reading District 9 tribute is empty and so I assume it has been left for me.
Inside there is a large single bed with a thick mattress and cover, a set of draws filled with clothes of all sorts lies next to it and I find something which looks to be comfortable. The bed is as luxurious as it appears. My head sinks into the soft pillow and it is not long until I am asleep. It seems todays' events have tired me out.
The next morning I wake but my eyes do not open. The soft cover has fallen slightly but I am still as comfortable as ever. I am reminded of yesterday's events and wish them not to be real, I want to keep my eyes closed forever, I want it only to be a dream. But I decide this will do no good. My eyes open only for me to find that I am in the same compartment in which I had fallen asleep.
After my first proper hot shower, a luxury I will gladly now get to experience more often, I look through the draws and get changed; finishing it with my usual tattered jacket. It is the only part of my old life I have left and I refuse to be parted with it. I find a comb and run it through my long blond hair; then quickly assembling it into my usual ponytail I make my way back to the dining carriage.
The oak table still takes centre but looks exceedingly smaller with now three people sitting around it. I feel annoyed that I am the last to join, but I do not let this show and I take my seat opposite William. I start to pile up my plate and pour a glass of the purest looking orange juice of which little I have seen. Conversation appears scarce once again and everyone keeps to themselves.
After about 10 minutes of almost silent eating, Gerald finally speaks, and it appears as though some of my questions may finally be answered. "There are many things you need to know about the Hunger Games." He starts, as all eyes gaze upon him instantly.
"Most importantly you should know that it is not just the strongest of tributes that win, but wisdom also serves extremely useful." Me and William exchange glances. I listen to every one of Gerald's words attentively; holding onto every word in hope that it will ready me for what's to come.
"Try to stay away from the careers whilst training, the last thing you want is for them to make you there priority victim, so don't do anything that may antagonise them. However just because they have had training for this do not let them blind you into thinking you have no chance, you should not fear them as much as you may begin to, after all they have had no experience of what it is really like, nothing can prepare you for what's to come, and they are tributes just like yourself."
Gerald's words seem wise, however I feel that some of what he is saying it not entirely true. After all almost every year a career tribute is crowned champion; it's not surprising, being trained from a young age and then volunteering; they must know they are likely to win.
My thoughts are interrupted as the carriage becomes darker. We must being going through a tunnel, and before Gerald is able to continue a large city comes into view as the carriage is once again flooded with light.
We have arrived.
