A/n: Hey guys! Here is the next chapter for Skye! It's a little slow moving at the beginning but pretty quick towards the end… Thanks to all those wonderful people who have reviewed!
Chapter 4
"Skylar Grey!"
I flinch into conciseness as Ebony screeches my name.
"We arrive in the Capitol in less than 3 hours! You should have been up hours ago, and I would have woken you then, but Seeder insisted on your getting rest." She snaps in disapproval.
I kick off the blanket and stumble over to the mirror. I'm frazzled from being shaken from a deep sleep.
"Your hair! This is unacceptable!" She cries and shoves me into the bathroom. She goes on and on about how horrible I look until finally I had enough of it.
"Ebony! How can you expect me to wake up and have my hair perfect?" I slam the bathroom door and lock it.
"Well then!" she huffs. I listen as the clicking of her heels fade, then I turn and examine my hair in the mirror. It's not horrible, but it certainly isn't attractive. I search for pins left from dinner the night before, I hadn't thought about taking it out before I went to bed. Still drowsy, I step into the shower, shivering as the freezing droplets hit my skin. Unlike before, I welcome the cold water. It wakes up my senses, and reminds me of home. I use the least complex soap, massage it into my scalp, and rinse it off. Subconsciously, I look in the mirror. Blonde wavelets fall to my shoulders, my pale skin is still drenched in cold water, and my blue eyes spark with annoyance as I turn away.
Surprisingly, I quickly find what I am searching for. Dark, flexible pants, a soft grey shirt, and some leather boots that come to my mid-calf with no heel. I instantly feel more relaxed as I walk into the main car. Everyone seems to notice the change. Relaxed, and confident, I must seem like a whole different person.
I climb onto the window sill and stare out. I am shocked by the view that greets me.
White buildings, reaching as high as the guard towers in eleven are everywhere. Then I start seeing people. They don't look anything like people. Every color skin; from light blue to deep violet, some have designs tattooed on them, and some have whiskers. But they are all doing the same thing. Craning their necks for a chance to see this years tributes. So, I can't help but wave. The reaction is priceless. I smile as the train slows to a stop. Seeder comes up to me with a grim look on her face.
"You're going to hate what the stylists are going to do to you, but let them do it." She instructs. I have no idea what that means ,but I nod. And the next thing I know, I'm laying on a steel table, my hair being massaged, nails being perfectly manicured, and flinching in time to my legs being waxed.
After a few hours that seem like a life time, I ride out in a chariot, waving and smiling and blowing kisses at the ballistic crowd. And when that nightmare is over, I see the careers in person for the first time. I look at them and smirk, roll my eyes and shake my head. They look at me curiously. The boy from one, Dagon, comes over sizing me up.
"Hey" He jerks his head up.
"Hi… Do I know you?" I say adding some sass into the last part.
"We're the careers? Of course you know us." He says bewildered.
"Whatever." I roll my eyes and walk off.
I gaze upon the woman speaking. She knows no one is listening, that everyone is itching to go, but it is mandatory that we listen. The careers stand in the back sniggering at the people. A small girl is listening intently.
Tenna. The girl from 10.
After we are dismissed I walk over to her smiling.
"Hey. I'm—" I start to introduce myself.
"Skylar. I know you," Tenna interrupts her eyes wary but welcoming.
"Your Tenna."
"Ya…" she says. I am trying to find some means of conversation when she looks over at the weapons.
"Do you have a favorite?" I ask smiling. Weapons are my thing.
"I'm ok with a spear…" she looks down.
"It's ok. I miss my home too." I say knowing that something about spears reminds her of her old life. She nods.
"I'm going to go look at the survival skills stuff… Want to come?" She asks timidly.
"Ya. But I have to do something first. C'mon." I Invite. She nods and follows me to the knife station which is empty.
I gently run my fingers over the selection of knives. I select a jagged blade, about 7 inches long.
I feel 4 pairs of eyes burning into my back. The careers. I stand on the red 'X' on the floor.
I know this is my one chance. The words chant in my head.
One chance. One chance. One chance. One chance. One chance. One chance.
I let out all of the air in my lunges.
One Chance. One Chance. One Chance. One Chance.
I breathe in and out again.
One Chance. One Chance. One Chance.
I block out everything around me. It's just me, the knife, and the target.
One Chance. One Chance.
Then, I throw.
One Chance.
A/n: So! Yes I do love my cliffies! So don't forget to review! Thanks!
