Chapter 3-
The longest train ride in history
Jans and I are shoved into the train followed by the Pink bird and Peeta who instantly turned to Jans discussing something as they walked off.
I stood at the door watching 12 fade from view. The pink bird looked like she wanted to tell me but decided against it, good move on her part I probably would have chewed her out.
I don't move at all instead I sit in front of the door looking down to the ground, I pull the pin off of my dress and trace the mocking jay with the tip of my finger humming an old song I learned from my mom she told me she learned it listening to an old tribute Wiress about a mouse and a clock.
"Hickory Dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock.
Hickory dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one, the mouse ran down
Hickory dickory dock."
I start singing trying to just get a grip on my situation when Jans sits down next to me so I stop humming.
"No don't stop singing on my account." He said, "Who said I was stopping for you?" I reply coldly and he laughs "So your still avoiding me." I looked at this guy confused I avoid him for two months and he thinks it's just a game.
"Yeah but apparently it's not working cause you can't take a hint." I stated standing up trying to walk off but Jans grabbed my hand to stop me as a natural reflex I grab his wrist twisting it back not breaking but enough so he released is grasp and I turned walking off.
I didn't bother looking back, well more like I couldn't handle looking back I don't know him but if I did hurt him I don't want to see it.
I retreat to my room just wanting to be back in District 2 with Clove and Mace with her Father sitting at his window paranoid and my mom I don't even want to think of her but ever since my name was called she just keeps invading my mind.
"Mom how did you handle this, I wish you were here." I call out finally letting my emotions take over and cry my eyes out into my pillow on everything that happened today.
An hour maybe three passed since I locked myself away, I hoped they just leave me be but that Pink bird came and banged on my door "Come on young lady we have Reaping's to watch." "Do I even have I choice." I call out slowly walking out of my room and following her down the hall to the viewing room.
Peeta and Jans were already here, Jans sat on a big red couch while Peeta stood behind him pouring from the smell of it his fifth cup maybe sixth cup of alcohol. "Come on Peeta put the drink down and let's watch." The pink bird insisted "I can see perfectly fine right here." He replied downing his drink with a smile I couldn't help but chuckle at him but I stop when I think he winked at me.
I sat straight down not wanting to know, Jans smiled over at me obviously me almost breaking his wrist hasn't derailed any idea of his that we can be friends. "Fine if you want to be a drunken dog then enjoy yourself, are you always this uncivilized to everyone." The pink bird retorted sitting between Jans and I, "Only to you sweetness." Peeta half slurred at her causing Jans and I to laugh.
"Shhh…. It's starting." The bird silenced us as we watched the Reaping's of a Tall 17 year-old boy with blonde hair and brown eyes, a Cousin to two past Victors Gloss and Cashmere, then a girl with dark brown hair she was related to Marvel a tribute that my mom personally killed.
I didn't really care about District 1 but when it came to 2 I sat on my edge waiting to see shots of my old home.
"You were originally from 2 aren't you, maybe if you're lucky you'll face someone you know?" The bird squawked pushing my last nerve I shoot up letting pure instinct takeover "You FRICKEN PHYSCO!" I lung at her preparing to break something or everything of hers for wishing Clove or Mace death, but I was stop by Peeta who moved to quick and smooth for how drunk he seems to be and Jans stood in front of me blocking my view of the bird.
"I'd move Diamond before you lose an eye." Peeta warned as Jans blocked all my lunge attacks, "Now you calm down." Peeta yelled at me sitting me down between the two of them, Peeta smelled twenty times worse this close but i wasn't in the mood for a fight i knew i'd lose.
I sat in silence and breathing through my mouth as I watched shots of my old town, the Quarries, mines, school house I use to attend and then the town square.
The Square was cleaned up from when I was last there and then came the shot of the kids in the pins, Clove and Mace were in the front of each of their pins Clove surrounded by girls holding her in place stopping her from running.
Mace stood alone a big gap since no one wanted to be near him but I guess if he gets picked this will add to his image.
The bird called the crowd to order and the same video we saw played almost played out the same till it came to the drawing, LADIES FIRST we had four surviving Victors who use to tell us old stories of their time in the ring and were the main teachers at the school, The girl drawing seemed to be drawn out till finally
"ECHO ROSS!" I let out a sigh of relief and pure torture as Echo my own personal bully climbed the stage with a smile on her face, something I over looked a lot was the fact she was Cato cousin and just like her cousin she was cruel probably even more so.
Then it came to the boys, this time the past victor didn't draw it out no I guess just like everyone he wanted it over with, but the name he called made me scream "NO!" at the screen not because it was Mace but because it was Chandler, Cloves baby brother.
Chandler didn't even recognize his name being called at first but before he could even leave the pin Mace shouted "I VOULNTEER!" followed by the rest of the pin almost all shouting it at once.
The bird smiled happily at the pin of boys and decided they had to do another drawing since everyone volunteered again, this time I felt like it was drawn out for hours till Mace's name was called and I fell out of my seat.
"It's okay Shaylee." Peeta reassured me helping me back up on the couch as the reaping of three played, "No it's not I have to go against my best friend in a weeks' time." I reply through my teeth just wanting to run off and be alone forever but I had to wait out the Reaping's.
Finnick Jr. a boy from 4 who looked a lot like his grandfather was reaped.
Terizi a girl from 6.
A brother sister set from 10 and a sweet baby faced girl from 11.
District 12 finally played and just seeing shots of the town didn't make me ache like 2 did but it did make me miss my father, though I didn't take in how this was effecting Jans who I felt clench up next to me after all he grew up there his life was there much like mine was in 2.
The scenes of our Reaping was just to fresh in our minds especially when I re-watched my mother's death and my reaction to the clip was just too horrible I couldn't handle it I ran off to my room and boarded up my door. Peeta came and tried to talk me out, same with Jans, and even that Rainbow bird called Diamond I think came and tried but eventually they gave up.
I sat up for hours till finally sleep came but I didn't find any comfort in my dreams.
I was standing in the blinding sun as it just reminded me of my dying thirst that ached my throat, my eyes lowered to see Mace's face inches from mine as he held me close his face badly beaten and scared he was speaking to me but I couldn't make out what he was saying and his expressions got more panicked as he tried to pull me way but my feet were planted in place.
I looked down I saw that girl from 11 lying dead at our feet finally the first word I heard from Mace was "SHAYLEE!" then something hit me in my back and everything went cold as I coughed I stained his face with my blood as he started crying trying to calm me.
I looked down to my chest to find three spokes of a trident poking through my chest this was the end of me as Mace laid me gingerly on the grassy floor I looked up to see my killer the boy from 4 just before he tackled Mace.
I shot up in a scream quickly grabbing at my chest and looking around worried it wasn't just a dream but reality, I sat up shakily it was just a nightmare brought on by the thought of what awaits me in the capital but something inside me knew it was more that this just wasn't a dream
it was a warning.
