AN: Sorry I took a while to publish this. School and homework don't give me much time to write. This one is much longer than the previous chapters. Please review! Thanks.
We're taken into the Justice Building, and placed in different rooms, ready to face our families and friends who are to say goodbye. Although in my case, it's not a goodbye, but a 'see you soon'.
I sit on the regal couch and run my fingers through my hair in frustration. Before someone is sent in, I reassemble myself- mentally. In my mind, I go through the case and come to the conclusion that there's no way out of this. I'm going in with Cato and there's no way of changing it. But the thing is, is that I'm coming out alive. I will be the victor.
My thoughts are interrupted when the door swings open and I'm in my mother's arms. She holds me for a minutes then looks at me, smiling, "You will win this. I know you can."
The thought makes me smile, knowing my mother believes in me. She backs away to reveal my father, who had just came from work wearing his peacekeeper uniform and my brothers who are sitting on the couch across the room.
Dad smiles and places his hand on my shoulder, "I'm proud. Now you go make me prouder by winning this thing."
His words don't mean as much as my mother's. All he ever wanted was for his children to go in the games and win. His words mean nothing.
It's all he decides to say, then leaves the room but my mother stays along with my brothers.
My younger brother, Liam looks at me, his face solemn. Unlike the rest of my family, he doesn't support the games. So it's obvious he's not happy with these arrangements.
"Try hard to win," he says and I smile, telling him that I will.
"What's with the doubt? I will win," I reply and he lowers his glance.
I walk over to him and join him on the sofa, "Listen. I will win. You just have to believe in me. Then we can all be sure that I'm coming home. Do you believe in me?"
He nods, his breath rugged.
"Good," I say and approach my other brother, Nelson who is smiling, believing that I can do it.
"Get me something from the Capitol before you come back," It's all he says. But it's all I need.
"Count on it."
We share one last laugh when the peacekeepers are dragging my family out the door.
It seems too soon when they're gone, and something inside of me tells me I had more to say. But I honestly don't know what.
I'm left in the room with no one else to come. I was friends with only a few although it's unlikely they'd show up. But I'm fine with that. Less to think about.
I'm about to summon the peacekeepers when the door abruptly opens. In walks Alyssa, a girl who I'd sit with at lunch. No, a friend. I'm lucky to have someone and I can't keep pushing her away.
She smiles and steps forward, "Clove. I know you may not want me here but I brought you this."
She hands me the small locket which I'd usually keep around my neck. I grasp it and thank her. I open it and the picture of my parents on one side and a picture of me and smiling Cato on the other comfort me.
The thought brings me back to the moment.
"Thank you," I whisper.
We stand in silence for a few moments when she says, "Good luck. I know you can win this. I believe in you. Everyone does. You will win."
That's all she says then walks out of the room.
It's not long after that when the peacekeepers march in to escort me to the tribute train.
I've heard things- apparently it's extravagant, as is all things from the Capitol.
I join Cato at the train station along with Anika. She gives me a welcoming smile and gets onto the train.
"Come on in," She extends her hand, waving us inside.
No one has exaggerated the extravagance. Crystal chandeliers hang from the roof and couches were covered in an arrangement of fabrics. Tables covered with foods that I wouldn't think possible. Amazing.
Apparently Cato was amazed too. He stands in the doorway, his jaw dropped, observing the room.
Once the train starts, we sit down on the velvet couches and discuss the weeks to come. Anika tells us about the tribute parade, the interviews and the training. Only briefly but it gives us a quick idea of what's going on in the next few weeks before the games.
"Just a second," Anika tells us, "I'll go and get Enobaria. She's in her room, I think."
We sit in silence for a few minutes, when Cato speaks up, "Clove, listen. I'm sorry. I didn't know that this would happen."
I look over at him, his eyes forgiving and sad, "I know," I sigh, "It's just that it's too much for any of us to handle right now. We weren't intending for both of us to be here. Together. It's hard to accept. Do you know what I mean?"
He nods then looks at me, "I do, actually. I feel the same but we have to co-operate if you're going to win this."
I pick up something, "Wait. 'You're going to win this'? No. Don't think like that. It won't me be. It will be you. I'm making sure of it. But we will try, both of us."
"Of course. Now back to Enobaria. Have you ever met her?"
I shake my head and he does the same, "Never. But I have heard things. You know she won the games but ripping out flesh with her teeth? She must be..."
"Lethal? Yes, I've heard that before," the lady smiles and sits down next to me, "As you can tell, I'm Enobaria. Cato and Clove, right?"
Cato nods, smiling while I just sit there, observing my mentor.
"I see," she says, looking at me, "Clove. I've heard things from your trainer, you know?"
"No, I haven't. Although it would've been nice to know something,"I grit my teeth. I don't know what to do. Whether to talk cooperatively or sit there and listen, with the attitude that I have.
"Well, if you come back, I'm sure you'll be informed of everything right away."
I smirk but she just smiles back. When doing this, I catch a glimpse of her teeth. The tips are pointed with gold. And they seem sharper than the average tooth.
"We'll start with everything tomorrow. It must have been a tiring day. You're bedrooms are in the next car." Without saying anything else, she gets up and strolls out of the car.
Like before, Cato and sit in silence. When he gets up, he pulls me up too and beckons me to walk with him.
"You're right, you know? We'll try as hard as we can, and one of us will win. I know it."
When we get to my door, I give him a small smile- the first in months- , and he gives me something totally unexpected back.
He kisses me.
