Chapter 4
I'm awoken by somebody sitting on the end of my bed. It's Curtis, Curtis Greene, The victor of the 43rd Hunger Games, also the last person of District 6 to win the Games. He will be my mentor for the weeks to come, telling me all about the arena, what it's like being in there for real. He is also the person in charge of my sponsors, when I have some. I will have many, a handsome, strong, 17 year old, who wouldn't put money behind me. Not to mention how much better I will look when the stylists have worked their magic on me. He looks at me for a few seconds, taking in my size until he speaks.
"So why did you volunteer?" he says.
"Why not? I have no meaning in the District" I instantaneously reply. He says nothing, but I can tell that he is judging me. Let him, I used to being looked down upon. He leaves, but before I hear the sound of the door closing, he says a few more words.
"It's not that great being a Victor just so you know" he states. I then hear the sounds of screeching, signifying that we are slowing down and approaching the Capitol train station. I quickly get dressed in some clothes that are provided for me, courtesy of the Capitol. They're not so bad, just some dark green cargo pants and a black top. I leave my room and head to the area of the train that I boarded. Rosee is waiting already. She's looking pretty strong today, well at least stronger than she has been all since her name being called at the reaping. Maybe she has finally got her act together, she doesn't want to be looking weak before the Games, if she did, nobody in their right mind would sponsor her, even if she is quite beautiful. What am I saying? The last thing I need is to have thoughts like that. She makes no eye contact with me, probably still embarrassed from her visit to me in the late hours last night.
We're standing next to each other about to leave the train and I feel something brush against the top of my hand, hers. We look at each other at the same time, and both surprised clearly an accident. Though as soon as I felt her touch, dozens of images flew through my head, memories. Of when we used to hold hands, we did it all the time, it was an act of trust, though for me, it was also love. Love. What a strange human emotion, one minute you would do anything for them and the next, you're thinking about whether you should kill them or not. Her visit last night shocked me and played with my mind. I know she was apologizing for leaving me and as much as I actually appreciate that, it doesn't change a thing. One of us will die soon. She will. I have to survive. I want to survive. I need to survive.
Suddenly we are split up and in the stylist hands. Now these are freaky looking people, if you could class them as people. Some of them have even altered the colour of their skin completely, one of them, a young girl that must be new has green skin. They go right ahead and improve the look that I have, shaving my beard, trimming my hair and cleaning out all the dirt under my nails. When they are done, I'm taken back on how much better I look. Yes, I will have many sponsors. They then leave as a tall women enters, She looks more humane than the others but is still stinking of the Capitol. She is holding my outfit for the Chariot Rides. Really? Am I seriously going to have to where this as we ride through the city. She holds up a black overall which looks like the headlights of a car. But obviously is has to be something to represent District 6, and a car certainly is suited in the Transportation category. I let an image of Rosee wearing a similar outfit and let out a little laugh, the woman looks confused but then proceeds and dresses me. Damn it, it appears Rosee has gotten to me, already taking over my thoughts. I miss her, but I also hate her.
We are both now standing on our Chariot, waiting to proceed with the presentation ceremony. Even with the silly outfit she is wearing, She looks stunning. her long blonde hair flowing behind her back, all the attention has been drawn to her face. She has never looked so, bright. I have to give the stylists credit, they know how to even make dirt shine.
The ride begins and a boom of screams and applause overwhelm us, the cameras point to us and we are both on one of the giant screens, but all I can see is Rosee, her skin looks so smooth and her lips soft. It makes me want to brush my hands against them. Oh god, my worst fear is happening, I'm becoming attracted to her again. The cameras then glide over our heads to focus on District 7, then 8 and so on.
The Ride is over and before I know it, I'm in my new room where I will be based for the next few days. Training starts tomorrow, the best thing for me to do is to learn some new things that will help me in the Arena. I will also be taking in my competition. I've already seen what the Tributes from the career Districts look like but only one really concerns me, he is the same age as me, though he is something entirely different. He is a Monster.