Chapter 4 – Hell no
Katniss' POV
"Hell no! I'm not going in the arena with… this!". Rose raises her voice, while pointing at her stomach. I can see the panic in her eyes. "I-I cant.. I just cant!', she whispers and softly starts sobbing. The only thing preventing her from falling down is one of the black horses she's leaning on.
I know I should be saying comforting things as her mentor, to calm her down, but I can't. One, I'm not good at dealing with feelings and stuff. That always was more Prim's talent. Just like all the other things that involve talking or just being around other people. Two, I can't tell her it is going to be ok, because it's not. She's completely right. And there's nothing we can do about this awful situation. How can you make someone feel better when a nightmare – probably her worst – is coming true? I look at Peeta, in hope he will say something, but he is just as shocked as we all are. – Maybe I can try talking about paint.. No, bad idea. - Effie's eyes are becoming glassy with tears and even Haymitch, Cinna and Portia don't hide their discontent with the Capitol. And Maron just seems angry, just like I'm feeling.
A short glance around the room, shows me that most other tributes, and their mentors, have heard all we said. Some look at us as if they actually feel compassion, as if they believe this is no more than injustice too. But others, like the Careers, are staring at us with an arrogant smile – to them this just means more action or a weaker victim. I really want to strangle them…
Damn it, Katniss. Do something!, I yell in my thoughts to focus on Rose again, Just think. What would Prim do? And then I remember. Without giving it a second thought, I uncomfortably walk to Rose and carefully wrap my arms around her. She doesn't fight it, she just lays her head against me and let's go of her tears. That's positive, right? My mom did it once, when someone was having some sort of panic attack. She embraced her, saying something about the rhythm of her breathing. Prim didn't hesitate and immediately clamped her little arms around the woman's legs. I was so surprised by it, that I just stood there, watching from a decent distance. After a few minutes the woman had completely calmed down.
It seems to work, a little bit, I think. Her sobbing slowly stops, but she doesn't let go of me. I look over my shoulder, at the others – who haven't moved at all – as a small cry for help. But Haymitch just has a stupid grin on his face - he must be enjoying how uncomfortable I feel right now, although I see there's another feeling hiding in his glance, I can't really recognise which. The others are looking at me with a smile that states I'm doing the right thing.
Right that moment the large doors that lead to the ecstatic audience open, revealing the loud noise of cheering and applause. The first chariot, the one from district 1, leaves our large stable-looking room, already followed by the next. The signal for Maron and Rose to get ready and as if she realises the same things, she let's go of me and walks to Cinna.
"Is my make-up still good?"
Rose's POV
I don't really know what just happened. Just begin with the simple things, I tell myself.
You're name is Rose. You're 17 years old. You're currently 8 months pregnant and are going to have to fight for your own life and your baby's. Katniss Everdeen just hugged you. You decide you trust her. You can't give up.
Cinna smiles and nods. "You look absolutely stunning. You both do.". After which he looks at Maron who has come to join us. He's right though, Maron looks handsome as ever, even when he's totally covered in black.
With Maron's help, I take my place on the chariot. But I'm overwhelmed by dizziness and forced to lean on the thing closest to me, in this case, him. You can't do this, an inner voice keeps repeating, but I keep telling myself that I need to be strong, or at least, look strong.
"You ok?" Maron looks at my hand and then at me.
"More ok than I'll ever be today."
He nods and looks forward again – District 8 has just left -, but he doesn't remove my hand, for which I'm grateful. Everyone around is finally wakes up from their daydream as well. Peeta embraces Katniss and then the both of them come stand next to us, but remain silent. Effie is looking at the other tributes, while peeking outside. Cinna and Portia quickly climb on the chariot and switch on our magnificent, glowing outfits, while Haymitch joins his fellow-mentors.
"You want them to like you.", he says, "Smile, wave, blow kisses or whatever you can. Don't let them notice you hate them. Alright?"
We both nod.
"And hold hands. You're a team, they need to see that."
What? Hell no. I hesitate, but Maron immediately takes my hand of his shoulder and firmly grabs it, as if he has no intention of ever letting it go again. In a way I'm glad he's by my side. But a part of can't stop thinking that he's just doing it to get Haymitch' liking. He wants to win, I can't ignore that.
Slowly, but surely our black horses start walking and after a few seconds, I'm completely overwhelmed by the quantity of people around us. All in bright colours, cheering and waving, until they look at us. Every head turns our way, while the clapping becomes less loud, and makes places for the noises of people who are both amazed by our looks and shocked – probably by me. They point, starts to talk and forget all about the other tributes.
But when I see a small glance of myself on the large screen hanging above us, that changes.
The girl I see there isn't afraid, isn't weak, but a real fighter. I raise my hand to the sky and a deafening applause follows. They start throwing roses and blowing kisses, eventually even Maron starts waving back at them. But I only focus on one thing, becoming what I need to be, determined to win.
Note: Here it is, chapter 4. Sorry it took me so long. Thank you for your sweet reviews and please give some more. I'd really like to know your opinion about this. :)
