Before I know what's going on, I'm escorted out to the district building and locked in a room. Despite my current situation, I can't help but to appreciate the room I've been placed in. For some reason, the adrenaline coursing through my system has hyper tuned my senses and I pay attention to every detail. Its a fairly large space, about the size of our family room. There are two comfy looking couches, which face each other, and in between them is a glass table with a pitcher of water and some snacks. I don't know what that is necessary, because the last thing on my mind right now is food. On the wooden paneled walls, a variety of portraits seem to leer down at me, as I realize they must be the past mayors of District 7. Overall, it is a pleasant room, besides one fact that really bothers me; there are no windows.
Seeing nothing better to do, I take a seat on the couch and attempt to fix up my appearance. I dab at my eyes with the back of my hand and run my fingers through my hair. Some might think I'm doing this for the many cameras I know I will face in a few minutes, but really I want my family and Brooke to see me as strong. Maybe somehow if I look collected, this will be a little easier on them. With this in mind, I settle myself down and prepare for my visitors.
Unsurprisingly, my parents enter first, and rush over to embrace me.
"We are so so sorry Aspen," I hear my mother cry into my hair, "Oh my poor baby I'm so sorry!" she wails over and over again.
"Its ok mom, look, I'm ok right now, and I promise to do my best to make it back. Really I will," I try to reassure her.
"Oh honey, you are so brave, I know you can do it. You're strong, stronger than you know," my father tells me, but it sounds like he's saying it as much for my benefit as for his own. We go on like this for what feels like thirty seconds, but was probably around 5 or 6 minutes. Knowing that my time was getting short, I pull back and look at them, taking in their disheveled appearance for what is likely the last time, and say,
"Mom, dad, we both know there is a chance I won't be coming home, and I need you to promise me one thing, please take care of Brooke's family. No matter what they say or how much they protest, we have more than enough to help them, and loosing Boston is going to be too hard on them. They need help, please," I beg.
"Of course honey, of course! We promise! And don't say things like that, you're mother and I both believe you can do this. You just have to believe it yourself," My father tells me, looking at me with tears in his eyes.
Looking back at them, I realize how much I'm going to miss them, because no matter what happens, nothing will ever be the same again. Just as I am about to respond, A pair of large Peacekeepers enter, and tell my parents it is time for them to leave.
"No, please just a few more minutes, please you don't understand! My baby! Please!"
My mother cried, but their faces were impassive. They grabbed my parents by the arms and forced them out of the room.
"MOM! DAD! No! I love you!" I manage to shout as they are escorted out.
I stand there in shock, my brain feels like its going to explode, there is too much happening! I take a seat on the couch and try to catch my bearings. 'That was good,' I tell myself after a few seconds, 'just don't cry, be strong, like they wanted'. In a few minutes I compose my self, and prepare for my next visitor, I must remain strong until then.
The door opens and Brooke enters, and the moment our eyes meet I know this facade I'm putting up is useless. She rushes over and we embrace each other tightly, as the tears begin to flow. I can tell she has just been visiting her brother based on her tear stained cheeks and disheveled appearance overall. For what seems like an eternity we just sob and hold each other, conveying what we know words never could. I realize that Brooke has lost more than either me or Boston, since its likely I won't have to live the rest of my life haunted by this day. Brooke will though, and that thought crushes the little resolve I have left. Realizing this I make up my mind that no matter what happens, I will do my best to protect Boston, even if I die trying.
All too soon the Peacekeepers return and pull us apart. Before she is forced out of the door, Brooke reaches back and forces something into my palm, and closes my fist tightly around the object.
"Remember who you are, Aspen! I love you!" I hear her cry, then suddenly I am alone.
I look down and unclench my fist. Inside is a small jade greed stone carved to look like a leaf. Its attached to a silver chain, creating a necklace. I am shocked at the gift, this was BrookAe's most prized possession! Her mother gave it to her on her 12th birthday, and I hadn't ever seen her without it. I'm so touched she gave it to me I begin crying silently. I fasten the token around my neck, and mentally prepare for the train ride to come, feeling a little better that I am taking a piece of home with me.
A/N: Wow chapter 3 is done already! Honestly I didn't expect to write this much, but this story is growing on me and I really want to continue. Incase anyone noticed, I orginally titled this story The 65th Hunger Games, but those are apparently the Games Finnik won, and I want my story to play out a little differently, so now I'm changing it. Sorry for the discrepancies! I will probably upload the next chapter within a week, please review!