Chapter 5: Jed
Mum rushes in about 30 seconds after the Peacekeepers close the door. She throws her arms around me and holds onto me, not daring to let go unless I crumble into a thousand pieces in front of her. Her body shakes as she tries to hold back the tears; she's always had to be strong for people when they are weak, now it's my turn to be strong for her.
"It's a good thing you made me dress for the occasion; otherwise I would have been up there in my pyjamas". I say trying to think of at least one good thing that's happened today.
Her muffled reply comes from my shoulder, where her head is buried, "at least they would have remembered you".
"There's no way they would forget me, I'm a victor's son, the very victor who's mentoring...", for the first time I realise my farther will probably be training me, teaching me to how to survive like he did. To kill like he did. I know very little about Dad's games, his nightmares fill him with so much terror I'm afraid to ask about them. I don't even know how many tributes he killed.
"He'll do everything he can to help you. I know will, he'll bring you home." she sounds as if she's trying to convince herself as well as me. She removes her head from my shoulder, pushing her honey blonde hair out of her face, revelling her green eyes which are identical to my own.
"Why did he look at her like that?" I ask; she knows who I mean.
"Stella Grimeshaw's aunt was in the 44th Hunger Games with him." So in some ways he was looking at a ghost. History really is repeating itself. I want to ask her some more questions about this aunt but she quickly changes the subject.
"You're just like him, not just in looks, you're brave like him too", she says, seeming distant she remembers the last time she was in this room. She's a mixture of pride and sadness. I've never considered myself brave because I've never had a real opportunity to find out if I am, I guess I'll have plenty in the arena.
"I know you can win; that you can come home. Even if you don't know it yet, and I'm not just being biased because I'm your mother". The Peacekeepers enter, adding a sense of urgency and panic. Suddenly the fear that's been following me all day finally catches up with me, wrapping me in its paralysing embrace. But it all seems to evaporate when Mum puts something in my hand. I'm not surprised when I look at my open palm and see a bracelet that is made up of thousands of long strands of wood fibre all woven together. Mum makes these herself, it's a skill passed down the family for generations, she still sells them at the market every month. She once told me they contain the spirits of the trees they came from and that the wearer absorbs the tree's strength and wisdom.
"I know you say it's all a load of old gibberish but it's supposed to keep you safe and I'd feel better if I knew it was your District token." I slip it onto my wrist, it fits perfectly. The Peacekeepers are standing behind her now, silently willing her to go.
"Don't forget that whatever happens, whatever you do, wherever you go, you're my son and I will always love you", she holds me tightly once last time. I'll miss the warmth she gives more than anything.
"I love you too, Mum. I love you with every inch of my heart".
Too soon it's time to let go. When she walks out the door I see my old life walk out with her.