Whispering Fire
Chapter seven
Avox?
We were in our loft on the twelfth floor and when I saw the sofa, immediately I laid faced down on the leather interior. It was different from the other rooms we been to since we came to the Capitol. The floor was made out of cider wood, the furniture black or stained black while everything else seemed sheik. To sheik for my liking but I didn't say anything. Gale chuckled, before lifting my legs up and let them rest on his lap. Though when everyone starting having a short conversation in gratitude to our stylist. Effie spoke, talking coal turning into pearls. Coal pressurized into pearls. I'm okay with her now, simply ignore her idiocy compliment on our district unless, she starts talking about herself or previous tributes before Gale and I. Then I start loathing her. She doesn't understand the concept how it hurts to mourn and live our lives while they died. Anyway our appearances have made us a hit sensation.
I wasn't paying attention to anyone as I looked out the window to see the cities light. But frown for I couldn't see the stars. It pains my heart to see no stars, for it was how I can remember my father. Through the stars and know that he and mom are watching over for me.
". . . How you've both successfully struggled to overcome the barbarism of your district."
BARBRISM? Sitting up, glaring at the woman who picked our names from a bowl to send us to the slaughter house for her city entertainment. How dare she! She thinks we might as well be savages? Standing up and kindly excused myself to my district friends and stylist and marched over to my room. Or what I think was my room. It was big but I didn't care, as I stormed into the bathroom and looked at myself. The Lady of Fire stood in the mirror not Siobhan Underwood. Angry, I ripped off the garment and rushed myself in the shower to watch away the residents of the Capitol.
Leaning over the tile wall, I punched my hand on it hard. Then I grabbed my hand in my hair and yanked the clip out, letting dirty blond hair loose from it confines and am free.
"They don't own me." I muttered to myself. "They do not own me."
"You're right," Cinna's voice spokes out, "They do not own you. You own yourself."
I turned around to find his back turn from me to give privacy. He held out a towel from behind his back along with a black dress with a fire print on the hem. Turning off the water, getting dress, and then face Cinna, "I'm decent."
He turned around and gave an assuring smile. He offered a hand, which I accept and lead me out. "Why don't we get some fresh air?"
Confused by his statement till he took me to the elevator and press the top floor. We were on the roof, as it blow hard against out body, but I didn't care. To smell and breathe fresh air brought me some peace of mind. As I slouch down on the floor bringing my legs towards my chest and gaze at the cities light. Cinna soon follow and sat down next to me. We just watch the cities light.
"Question, are we allow on the roof?" I asked. "Would somebody try to, I don't know. ... Try and commit suicide?"
Cinna shook his head no as he grabs a pebble and tossed it over the roof. Well, somebody is going to have a hard headache. However not even three seconds the rocked bounced back. My mouth dropped.
"The building has a force field. So no one can hurt themselves if they have an irrational decision." Cinna said. He wrapped an arm around me. "Do you miss your home?"
"Not yet," I truly said. I was still overwhelmed in what just happen in the last twenty-four hours. Then I looked up to see a glow of orangey yellow mixed into the twilight sky. "I do miss the stars."
"Yes, I miss them to." Cinna agreed. "They hold wonders. Great balls of fires that linger in the skies."
I nodded and looked down analyzing my necklace; the red power substance. Just holding it as I felt the warm glass case become hotter than before. I miss my Uncle Mark; never have an experience a full day without him. Is he okay or worry about me? I know he has to stay strong for the miners, children of the Seams and also for Haymitch. Sighing, as a tear fell on its own. An arm wrapped around my shoulder as Cinna held me, either to keep me warm or for comfort.
"Run, run, run away
Buy yourself another day
A Cold wind's whispering secrets in your ear
So low and only you can hear
Run, run, run and hide
Somewhere no one else can find
Tall trees bend their leaves pointing where to go
Where you will still be alone
Don't you fret, my dear
It'll all be over soon
I'll be waiting here for you"
Cinna sang softly into my ear. A common folk song back home that mothers would sing to their children when they've come of reaping age. It was practically banned to sing in the open, though in the Hob, a group of people would sing these songs to entertain the folks. Before he could continue Effie came up and told us it was time for dinner and that I'll catch a cold. Although she complained about how her wig was getting ruin do the winds. Right, she wouldn't want her tribute catch a cold instead of being murdered. So we went down stairs and gather around the table full of food. I sat between Gale and Cinna. So far they were the only too I can trust right now. A young man in white came up and offered wine but I kindly refused. He came back again with another wine glass but it wasn't full with wine but another liquid that sparked.
"It's sparkling cider," Cinna said. "It's like juice only bubblier."
This time I kindly accepted and took a sip. It was sweet and bubbly that I liked it almost as I like the hot chocolate. Soon Haymitch joined us for dinner was being served. He looked a little bit sober than this morning, except he doesn't reject a glass of wine. Buzzed, he's buzzed, or close to it. At least he's holding his end of the bargain.
Dinner went out well, having Cinna and Portia here balanced out the chaos with Effie and Haymitch. As we had our course meal, though I didn't have much of an appetite at the moment, so I ate half that was on my plate for each course. I notice how the servants were quiet and filling out every body's plate and wine glass. But I notice one of the servants tried to avoid our side of the table.
Soon dessert came out as a girl set a fantastic cake on the table and lights it. It blazed like sparklers on special if not rare holidays. Though what makes it burn, probable edible alcohol? Gale stiffens and stared at the girl.
"Hey, I know you!" Gale said. He was pale, almost green like he has seen a ghost as he stared at the red head girl, whose eyes widen. The young woman shook her head in denial, but if Gale knows her then.
The adults look at Gale with question from his outburst, watching him closely.
"Don't be ridicules, Gale. How could you know an Avox?" Effie snapped. "The very thought. Probably had too much wine."
"What's an Avox?" I asked concern and pity the girl as she left.
"Someone who had committed a crime. They cut out her tongue so she can't speak," Haymitch said. "She's probably a traitor of some sort. Not likely you know her."
"And even if you did, you're not to speak to one of them unless it's to give an order," Effie added. "Of course you don't really know her."
Gale stiffens and looked down ashamed. "It must be the wine? I'm going to bed."
"Okay Gale," Portia said in sympathy.
"Tomorrow morning is the first training session. Meet me for breakfast and I'll tell you exactly how I want you to play it."
Gale nodded and left for his room. I had a slice of cake, but unable to take a third bite. So I made another slice for Gale and excused myself. I headed up towards Gale's room and knocked. There was no response so I peek in and saw Gale by the window, looking down at the city in distaste. So walking up behind him setting the plate down on a table then gave him a hug from behind wrapping my arms around him. He stiffens at first and then sighs.
"Want to talk?" I asked and felt him nodded. So I grabbed his hand and lead him towards the roof. We walked up towards the railing at the edge of the roof. We watch the buzz life of the city, as you hear the cars, random shots, and other noises. "So what happen down there? I know you're not buzzed so care to explain."
Gale sighed, "It was a few months ago. Katniss and I were hunting when we saw two people running towards us. Thought they were peacekeepers but they weren't, yet they weren't from Twelve. Guess they were from the Capitol. They were running away desperately from something. We were going to lend them aid till a hovercraft showed up. So we hide under the rocks. . . They tossed a net at the Avox girl from dinner and reeled her in like an animal while her friend . . . . They just speared him and dragged his body back. And I couldn't do anything. For all that I knew . . . if I did something then they would do the same thing on Katniss and me. But I always wonder what happen to them . . . to her."
Suddenly he slammed his fist on the rail. "Now I hate this place even more. They just maimed her tongue. Make her a slave. That's what we are to them Slaves."
"Gale." I whispered almost scared. Just hearing his story and seeing the Avoxs, reminded me why I was here. Not to be a model or anything. But to die in a bloodiest death towards the Capitol savage entertainment. And if anybody tried to rebel again, the district would be just like District 13. Bombed and forgotten. I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him. We stayed like this for some time, holding onto Gale he went through his memories.
.o0o.
Gale's POV
The weights on my shoulder lighten up when I told Siobhan this. I shouldn't have told her, yet she wanted to know. She has good examination including on someone state of drinking. But it scared her of my rage. I hardly snapped in front of anyone other than Katniss. We have our moments. I sigh and grabbed Siobhan hand, they were cold. So I turned around and put my coat over her shoulders. She accepted it and gazed out the city. She looked disappointed and yet amazed.
"How can something that looks so magnificent, be so cruel, and yet deviant at the same time?" She asked her green eyes in a daze.
"They just do." I said. She nodded and started humming some song that I've never heard before. The space between us was comfortable. But I got a few questions. "Hey Siobhan-"
"Yeah Gale?"
"Your uncle came and visited me."
"He did," she sighed. "What did he say?"
"He said that we should team up until it comes down to the final rounds."
"So he wants us to be allies?"
"Yeah, if that's okay?"
"We'll see." She breathed in her neutral state.
So I just blurted out. "What do you know about the Grim?"
Siobhan stiffen shocked as she heard me saw it. She looked at me wide eyes till getting the concept that Mark told me. She pointed her finger. "You drank the tea."
"Yeah, didn't know it could hold our fate."
She sighed, "The grim is the mark of death. However it's not just any death. It takes form of a giant dog, one of the darkest omens in fortune telling; an omen of death"
No thoughts or words when Siobhan said this. Mark gave his definition but to hear Siobhan said it made me shivered.
"So, I'm going to die by being mauled by a giant dog?" I teased, trying to make up a joke to lighten the mood. However Siobhan didn't respond. She was dead serious on the subject. But there was something else.
"It's not just the drinker who fortune is told." She said in monotone. "But also the teller: either you or I is going to die. And quite frankly…it's you I want to win."
Her words struck me hard as she said this. It was stupidly to hear her confess such words that I don't want to hear from a friend. She looked at me and then left. When she reached the door she paused.
"There's an electric force field so don't try to do anything stupid." The door closed and she was gone.
I stood there for a moment smacking my fist on the damn rail, only to slide off the other side and be stung shooting back hard at me. Smack down on my face. What the hell was that? As I examine my hand since it felt numb. Grabbing a pebble I tossed it over the edge and it was deflected again. I growled. The Capitol was treating us like animals.
So marching back inside back to my room to find the Avox girl picked up the damn costume. I wanted to apologize for possibly everything that got her into trouble. For a bruise rested on her cheek. But I remember I couldn't speak to her unless it was a command. This is stupid. They were treating their own people like animals.
"Hey, sorry," I said. "Was supposed to give that to Portia . . . Can you give that to her?"
She avoided eye contact, giving a small nod and headed out the door. I truly wanted to say sorry about everything. Sorry I couldn't help her in the wood, sorry for the loss of her friend. Sorry that I let the Capitol kills the guy and mutilates her without doing anything. Damn it!
I kicked off my shoes and sat on the bed in the dark. My head resting in my hands, lost in thought. I despised the Capitol; hate them to the very core of their sick and twisted ways. And I can't do nothing but follow along and play their games. I grabbed hold of the pin and traced the mocking jay on it. Remembering how jabberjay and mockingbirds breed together, and how the rebellion smack dab the Capitol, with lie.
I sighed again. I want to survive and go home, win the games and give my family a better life. But then what about Siobhan? She's willing to die for me to win, but not from my hands that's for sure. Her day in glamour was enough for her before she went back to the topic at hand. She has accepted death, but there was something else, I don't know what it is. She wants me to win, except me . . . I don't know what to call it. But I really like her; that I would die so she can win. She can scavenge while I can hunt. She knows plants and herbs while I know how to snare. She can throw a knife and I can shoot a bow.
"Damn it," I breathed lying down on my bed with a thump. "Catnip, I wish you were here."
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Wow I'm on a roll with Whispering Fire.
Song: Kingdom Come by The Civil Wars
