A/N: Sorry for the late update! Recently I have got writer's block disorder!
The alarm clock goes off and my hand shoots into the air to switch it off. I open my eyes and see a luxurious lamp hanging on the ceiling. I turn around and look at the clock. 7:00. Better get up. I pull the sheets away from my body and prepare myself in the bathroom. I pick up the shirt and skirt I've worn yesterday and leave the room, going for the dining room. I open the door and see that Harold, Eileen, Tobias and Diana sitting at the table. They all nod at me and I take the seat next to Diana. William and George also come into the room and we wait for Harold to speak.
"You'll still be able to see me after today, but I suppose that this is now the best moment to tell you all. Tonight would be the Opening Ceremonies and as I've said, assigned stylists will help you to get ready for the parade. Usually you all wear the same thing. No matter what they make you wear, don't resist. Just do as they say." Well, I suppose that our outfits won't be really embarrassing, just dull. Since the main industry developed in Abnegation is meditation, most of our tributes are dressed up as doctors and nurses, which is really that bad. However, I don't think that doctor outfits are actually that appealing to the Central's citizens, considering their colorful fashion.
"You'll spend several days at the training center. When you do so, don't show your strengths to them. Or not the others will think of different ways to break you during the Games." That's logical.
"On the Interview Night, when you are interviewed, don't try to show off or boast. This will break our Abnegation traditions and make yourselves a target. Be humble. Any questions?" Unlike this time, a question is asked by George. He timidly holds up his hand and Harold signals him to speak.
"How are we going to survive in the Arena?" Good question. Harold's face remains calm and cool. It's obvious that this question has been asked before. Everyone stares at him, waiting for him to answer.
For several seconds Harold's remains silent, but finally he opens his mouth. "Before the Games start you'll be required to stay still for sixty seconds. Remember not to move or the template will explode under your feet." Got it. "After the Games start, if you can, go and try to get some supplies there. However, it'll be safer for you to leave the scene and find a hiding place first. Don't forget to find water first. As long as you have water, you'll not die."
Diana raises her hand. "A lot of tributes are killed at the beginning of the Games. Should we stay and help them?"
Harold is quick to answer this one. "Follow your instincts. Analyze the situation before you take action." Diana nods. I suddenly feel a horrible sense of déjà vu. Follow your instincts. Think about yourself as well. Caleb's words echo in my head. The pin he's given to me is still in my pocket.
I'll survive. For my family.
The train stops and we can hear sounds of camera flashing, cheering and chattering outside. We've arrived. Harold and Eileen stand up, so does everyone else. We walk out of the train and cameras are immediately shoved into our faces. Eileen whistles and starts strutting down the red carpet on the floor as if she is a film star or something. We're going to die and they're acting like we're coming back from a grand tour. This thought irritates me. I clench my fists and look at my feet, determined not to be appealing to the reporters.
We enter a tall, modern building made of glass. The Training Centre. It will be our home for the following week. Harold turns around and announces, "We'll be separated from now on." Several Central staffs appear from nowhere and start heading towards to us. Harold nods to them. "They will take you to the Remake Centre."
"For what?" William looks alarmed.
"Your prep team will be there to get you ready for the Ceremony." Harold says flatly. "I'll see you later." Then he leaves without a word.
"No wonder why there aren't many victors in Abnegation." I hear William grumble, "All because of him and his indifferent attitude."
Deep down I know that William has a point. Harold hasn't told us much. It seems that he's just letting us try to figure everything out by ourselves. What is the use of having a mentor then? We'll all be dead.
What if there's something on his sleeve but we don't know? If then what's Harold thinking about?
Several minutes later I find myself sitting on a metal bed in a room in the Remake Centre. The centre is made of glass and looks very Central-y. However, it also looks like the emergency room of a hospital. This room has been divided into different sectors by the curtains and here I am, waiting for my own prep team.
The door opens and three people walk in. Their appearances make Eileen look somehow saner. The man has purple hair and his skin has been dyed orange. He is wearing a glittery purple suit and the woman next to him has piercings all over her body. I wonder how she sleeps with them on. The last woman has bright pink hair and she has golden tattoos all over her face. They introduce themselves to me. The man is Franklin and the woman with piercings is Olympia. The tattooed woman is Valonia. "Now, miss, just lie on the bed and let us work our magic!" Franklin chimes happily and they go to get their tools. I lie on the bed as they told me to and wait.
No matter what they make you wear, don't resist. Just do as they say. Harold's words appear in my head. I clench my jaw, and wait for the torture that's coming.
And other rip. Again some of my arm hair is torn away from my skin. My arms are sore from holding onto the bed too hard. "Last rip!" Valonia announces and I brace myself again. Rip! Done! I let out a sigh of relief. To be honest, I'd rather have someone to chase me down with a sword than having my skin being tested. My prep team look at me with a cheerful smile on their faces-obviously they are really proud of their work, me. "There now, dear, you look fabulous!" they say happily.
"Thank you…for all the work you've done for me." I manage to say, and try my best to put on a grin. Their faces brighten up at my words.
"No problem! Now stay here. We've got to go now and Cyril will come and get your outfit!" Flashing me another smile, they leave the room. I shake my head at them. If my prep team is like that, then don't mention my stylist. Suddenly I feel weak and worn out, probably because of the make-up treatment I just received. I sigh again.
The door opens and I look up at the sound. Diana walks in and a young man comes up after her. I'm shocked to see him. He must be my stylist, Cyril. Well, he doesn't look like he's from the Central at all. He's dressed in black clothes and his skin isn't dyed or anything. He could have been an Abnegation member if he wears gray clothes. Diana walks up and stands next to me and the man stands in front of us.
"Hello, I'm Cyril, your stylist." He nods his head to us and we bow to him. This gesture of his takes me aback. It's how people in Abnegation greet one another. How does he know it and why would he do that? Maybe he wants to pay us some respect. "You're Beatrice and Diana, right?" we nod again.
"My partner Paulina is in charge of the boys' outfits and as you know, we all have to wear something which represents your faction." It's true. As I've said before most of the Abnegation tributes have been dressed up as doctors. It might be dull but this is better than other factions. Amity tributes are always dressed up as plants, like flowers and trees. To me they look like the characters from the children programs. Erudite tributes always wear laboratory coats and gloves, like scientists usually do. Candor tributes often wear long black coats and white wigs, representing lawyers and judges. Dauntless tributes are always soldiers. Sometimes they wear rather revealing clothes just because they dare to. I remember that during the 60th Divergent Games they wore nothing but skin-tight bodysuits. I still don't get the significant meaning of those suits.
"The main industry of Abnegation is medication so as you know most of the tributes in the past wore doctor suits. However this year we're going for something different." Cyril continues. "Aside from the jobs the factions are in charge of, the main idea of having a faction is because a group of people all believe the same thing. The main idea of Abnegation is to be selfless. To help the needy. And based on this idea, Paulina and I have designed the outfits for you." His eyes glitter. "And I'm sure that it'll be unforgettable. For you. For everyone in this city." He smiles at the last sentence.
Diana and I look back at him. None of us speak. What will our outfits be like? I don't know, and I don't want to know.
All I know is that no matter what our outfits are like, Death is still waiting for me.
A/N: Sorry if you think this chapter is too boring or something! Now I've got a question for all of you out there. What should they wear for the Ceremony? Tell me in your review!