Chapter Four: Snow's Demand
When I arrive in the Capitol, I am greeted by tons of really excited citizens. They are squealing and grabbing on to me and greeting me with nice words. I am more confused than ever. Since when did people get this excited to see me? Deep down I have a bad feeling about this trip, but I can not think about it for long because I am engulfed in the crowd of happy Capitol citizens and have to fight my way through the crowds to get to my building. Tatianna greets me at the entrance with a hug and escorts me up to my suite. I try asking her what is going on, but she just silences me and tells me it will be explained soon. I try to swallow the fear that is slowly building up inside me, and think to myself that I could really use some morphling right now.
Tatianna and I arrive to my suite, and a brown haired avox takes my suitcase and jacket to put in my bedroom. I sit down in a plush white chair in the living room, and try to calm myself. I ask another avox to get me some water and a cigarette. When he brings the stuff to me, I take a big gulp of the water then stick the cigarette in my mouth and light it. I take a couple long hits of it, letting the nicotene calm me somewhat. Tatianna takes a seat next to me, and when I exhale smoke she looks disgusted and waves her hand in front of her face.
"I don't see how people smoke those things without coughing," she says.
I ignore her comment and ask her once again to tell me what is going on. She tells me she would let me know if she could, but that Snow requested her not to mention anything. I beg her to at least give me a hint, and I promise her that I will act like I know nothing. She gives me a fake sympathetic look and assures me that I will know soon enough what is happening. I am due to meet with President Snow in an hour.
To pass the time and keep myself from bursting from curiousity and dread, I take half a morphling tablet and take a nap. I wake a short while later to Tatianna telling me it is time to go. I get up, fix my hair and makeup, and exit my room. I am escorted by two guards to President Snow's manor.
By the time we arrive, I am visibly shaking and a light layer of sweat has formed on my forehead. I casually wipe it off as we pass through the cast iron gates of the manor, trying to act like nothing is wrong. I try telling myself that this surprise is probably nothing big and that I have nothing to worry about, but I keep thinking back to that look Finnick gave me on the train and all my worries come rushing back.
I am asked to wait outside of Snow's office for a second while he is informed that I have arrived. A moment later, the guards come back out and escort me into the office.
The room is just as I expected: it is immensely big, and the floors and walls are made out of what I assume to be mahogany. There are several paintings on the walls of past political leaders, and a tv moniter on the far left wall is broadcasting the news that all of Panem sees. Snow has his back turned to me, and is looking out a window. When he hears me enter the room, he turns to face me.
"Good afternoon, Miss Byrne. I hope your travels went well?"
"Yes they did sir, thank you for asking." I reply, and give him a slight bow. I am trying to be as polite and respectful as possible, but the sight of him makes me slightly naseous.
"Take a seat, Miss Byrne. Can I get you something to drink?"
I tell him I would like some ginger tea, and he nods to an avox who rushes off to retrieve my drink. Not even a minute later, the avox returns and hands me my tea. I am impressed that it got delivered that fast, and I smile at the avox.
President Snow watches this interaction with an interested look, and clears his throat to bring me back to attention.
"I bet you are curious as to why I asked you here today, Miss Byrne," he says casually.
"Yes sir, I have been wondering that." I reply.
"It seems as if lately you have caught the attention of some very important Capitol members. Ever since you accompanied Adelfo on his Victory Tour, many eyes have been on you and your looks."
"Yes, it seems that way." But what does that have to do with why I am here?
"You are just one of many victors that are considered desirable by people of the Capitol, and when a victor is considered desirable I try to give my people what they want. I am sure you would agree that the body is a beautiful thing to explore, and to have the opportunity to explore the body of someone as beautiful as you is a wonderful gift."
My blood turns ice cold as I realize what he is asking from me. My heart drops, and all I can do is sit there silently and shake my head.
"I know this might come across as a shock," President Snow says, smiling, " but I think you will enjoy yourself. Many of the people here are very generous, and can give you splendid gifts and a wonderful time. Some of them can be quite rough, but I'm sure the payment you'll recieve will outweigh the pain."
"No," I whisper, "I can't do it."
The look on Snow's face suddenly changes. His eyes become dark and menacing while his smile grows even wider. He leans forward and looks me straight in the eyes.
"You can do it, Miss Byrne, and you will do it. I am not asking."
I feel faint from fear, and my eyes fill with tears. He seems to get some pleasure from this, and continues to talk.
"As you have probably noticed, many of our victors are showered with love from the citizens and have made the Capitol their home. This was not their decision, just like this will not be your decision. You will live in a suite designated to you, you will take in clients and make them very happy, and if I hear one complaint about you I will make sure you are appropriately punished. You will act happy and polite, and when you are mentoring tributes from 4 you will act like 4 is your home. Don't be fooled though, 4 is no longer your home. Even when you gain more freedom and trust from me and are allowed to go back to 4, your true home will always be the Capitol."
I suddenly feel extremely dizzy, and I can't think straight. I am terrified of what Snow just said, but I cannot focus on that for long. It occurs to me that my tea was drugged. I look up at Snow's now blurry figure and begin to panic. I hold on to the arms of the chair and try to stay focused, but I am not successful.
"It will be okay Miss Byrne, I'm sure you will have some fun."
The last thing I see before I black out is Snow's menacing gaze over me.