*Chapter 3 did take a lot of time up, I know, but as I said, I'm back at school with GCSE exams just round the corner, so...hey. Hope you like this chapter, though. Favs, follows and reviews are much appreciated.*
Chapter 4: A Day on the Death Rails Part 2
I am glad when the reaping of district 12 has finished, for the children that appear on screen are beyond my ability to kill. I have no idea who in the right mind would have a conscience clear enough to slaughter these young people. The people in the Capitol might be the lowest form of life on this Earth, but surely, surely if they were left in such a position, they couldn't even consider such a horrific action. If only I could protect them instead of having to kill them...but they cannot be my priority. Only Kenny can. So instead of expressing my feelings of sympathy, I grit my teeth and acknowledge my party with my usual stony expression. Oddly enough, Shelane notices this, and gives me a sympathetic pat on my left shoulder, sending ripples of uncertainty up my body. Can I really place my protection and therefore Kenny's with this haggard old wasteland, who, while she seems to understand my emotions, finds herself fighting her own distant battles instead of ours? Jonathon seems unreachable, though. So at least I know I have someone to understand my goals. Perhaps she even knows what I must do. And how to do it.
I find myself in my compartment, my mind flickering elsewhere. Only now do I realize just how much the people of district 7 cared for me back then. That when they stared at me as I walked down the forest path it was because they noticed the lack of fat on my body. That when they refused to let me eat some scraps the peacekeepers put in the bins for me, it was because they had cruelly filled it with deadly poison that could have proved fatal. They truly cared about me, all along. This makes me smile slightly for the first time since what feels like forever. Of course, one woman remains planted in my mind: Maria. I will never forget what she did for my family, and I know not even Lissa will, either.
It was several years ago, in the dead of winter. Trees were fast dying of some sort of infection, and all of the other plants were frozen up by the ever-increasing layers of snow. As far as we knew, district 7 was in such an inland location that climates like these hardly ever appeared. We were all completely and utterly unprepared for the next few weeks. Food shortages didn't help. In fact, for my family, we found ourselves snowed in and unable to forage for food. We had only what was in our cupboards; barely enough to survive more than three days. No amount of rationing could possibly help us persevere until the weather cleared, so ended up starving to death. The peacekeepers made no attempt to clear the snow, to deliver food to the hungry, which was of no surprise to us. Two days had passed, and a scrawny Lissa had finally broken down in floods of tears; it was clear we could not hold on any longer.
A knock on the door initially alarmed us, for the snow extended far above our wooden door. Our aunt rose slowly off the floor, weak with hunger, and opened the door. A single, weather-beaten woman entered our home with a basket in her hand. She didn't say much, only her name. Maria Cartiss. And then we were all hit with tremendous shock; this was the wife of the famous Oak Cartiss, winner of the 57th Hunger Games. What's she doing here? I remember seeing the look on Maria's face as she took in the sight of four starving people, her basket as it dropped to the floor. Seeing us had clearly changed her mind about something. Then, before we knew it, she'd opened up the contents of her basket and extended them to us. We all stared in shock as we took in the list: food, water, medicine, even some luxuries such as soap and money. We never did find out why Maria had decided to come in, but after this event, we thanked her, and she soon became a close family friend. She did save our lives after all. And she taught me the importance of making sacrifices for others. This may not be what she meant, but my sacrifice will be used, to protect Kenny White with all my strength.
A light knock on the door brings me to my senses, clearing these thoughts from my mind for the moment. I hear Dandy's impatient, high-pitched voice telling me to settle down for the night, saying tomorrow will be a "Big, big, big day!" I give a huff. I have no interest in entertaining the people in the Capitol. The thought of visiting their place of origin fills my veins with rage. They have nothing to worry about. As far as they're concerned, the contestants of a lovely sports event will be visiting their city, dress nice and be nice. I know Shelane will be on my case about how to act (if she's not wasted by the time we get there) but if I can, I want to shun these people, hold them accountable for just a moment, just long enough to make them realize how wrong this whole idea is. The Hunger Games is no winners, followed by losers at the end. The rules are simple: if you win, you get bucketloads of money and excused from the reapings from the rest of your life. A great reward for those with barely any money. There's one catch though; if you lose, you are guaranteed certain death. And I will be on this list.
I curl up on my bed, which is silky and smooth compared with the old, rotted sheet I once slept on. I cover my head with the pillow, for I know this will be my last chance outside the Capitol where I will not be tracked down. I let the emotions fill me until they are released with hysterical gasps, streaming tears and a closed throat. This is it. My last night of freedom from the Capitol and it's waiting people. Tomorrow I will end up in the very place which weaves itself in my nightmares, even before it hits me the real place of fear is yet to come. Tomorrow I will be watched from all corners and audience and camera crew sneak my pictures, eagerly preparing us for slaughter. Tomorrow, I will not be able to turn back from my dying ultimatum, which guarantees my death.
*This chapter was shorter than the last ones, but I hope you enjoyed it regardless. Feedback is much appreciated, so please tell me what you think of it. Thanks for reading!*