Blye's POV #3
The air grew heavy as I am escorted down the long corridor to the room where I will say my last goodbyes, like I once did five years ago. People say if something happened so long ago you can finally let go of it and eventually forget that memory but in this case I can't. I'm 18 now and this was supposed to be my last year but it seems that it won't ever be that way unless I die but even if I do win, I will have to be a mentor for the new tributes years after. I tensed as I felt the peacekeeper get a little closer beside me when he opened the door to my room. After a few seconds I walked in and take my seat on the well furnished bed in the middle of the room, my legs swung back and forth as I looked to the ground, seeing what looks like an expensive rug. Worry fills up inside me as I realize i don't know how to use a weapon and I don't have a lot of skills to live on my own. I don't know how to make a fire or even fish. The thoughts bring my mood down and I frown at the ground, how am I suppose to survive this? A body jumps on me and when I look up, I see that it is Lily. My face broke into a smile and I wrapped my arms around her small body.
"Do you have to go?" She mumbles. He small hands rub my back but I only stare at Jessamine who stood beside Kellin with tears in her eyes as she watched us. I didn't want to leave, I was just starting to feel like I actually fit in. I cringed as I thought of Lily being taken away from me like Gerrick once more and feel the tears beginning to fall.
"Yes" I croaked. "I'll be back" She hopped down letting everyone take their fair share.
Jessamine explained that I am the second best thing that has ever happened to her and that I will always be a part of their family. Kellen promised me that he will go out of his way to try to help me in any way, shape or form. But before they could begin to talk, the door opened revealing the Peacekeeper that escorted me earlier and says that their time is up. Kellen bends over and whisper "Come home." before going out. I stare at Lily who is being dragged out of the room and I quickly look away not wanting to remember anything. To my surprise Isabella comes through the door next and tackles me into a hug. I have had school with her but she never really seemed to like me until we had to take our fair share with the lumber business. I punched Isabella in the arm and shoved her back playfully. "You got some spunk" she says flipping her hair over her shoulder. I chuckle, our friendship is conflicting. Sometimes I really want to beat her to the ground but I like her being around at the same time. Her brown hair hangs to the center of her back and her eyes glance around the room. I pick at the loose thread from the blanket and look at her curiously.
"Why are you really here?"
She moved towards the curtains and closed them a little. Her face is stern but it soon turns to happiness." I can't wish my friend good luck in the games?"
I did not give her an answer as I did not know how to answer that. We never really did talk that much before we started working together, half the time I think it's because she wants me to do her portion of her job but Andrew always put her in her place. Travis never really liked her, whenever Isabella would come to try to work with Andrew and I. He would always back sass her and storm off but recently he has gotten sick because of the poor conditions we live in and we also don't have the best medications either. Isabella takes the empty chair and taps her fingers lightly on the chair before opening her mouth and closing it quickly. "Jugo." I tilted my head as I stared at her but she seemed not too pleased to talk about it.
"He's dangerous Blye. Remember that killing that happened in the woods a couple months back, the one that nobody caught the murderer? His older sister came running to me saying that he admitted he committed the murder of that 12 year old boy. If you decide to get close with anyone during the games, don't go to Jugo. Hunt him first."
If anything, it will be the last idea on my mind to kill someone. I took the information she gave me and the door opened once again. "Next person is coming in." Isabella looked at him before standing, giving me a slight smile before heading out the door. I looked back to the floor as I felt my head begin to throb, should I feel threatened? I don't know what to feel. The feeling of being stared at returned quickly and I finally had enough with him or her. I glared at the Peacekeeper that still remained in the doorway.
"What are you staring at?" I spit at him.
The person takes a step back and Andrew walks in and brings me into his arms. I hug him just as tightly and rest my head on his chest looking out the window and seeing everyone beginning to return to their homes, unlike me. I'd feel a sort of comfort if someone I know would be going through what I am with me, to depend on them. I always have depended on Andrew, as much as that seems stupid. I have. He has always been there and he still continues to be. He mumbles my name in my hair and looks down at me.
"You can do this you know." He whispers.
I stared at him not believing a word that he says. Even if I say that I can win, I would not even believe the words coming out of my own mouth. I lightly pushed him away and sat on the bed glancing at him. "No I can't"
"Yes you can. Blye you are the most talented person I have seen with an axe yet."
I briefly relive the memories of everybody getting taken away and I hold my hand to my mouth. I imagine the same thing happening again, curling up on the bed I shook my head violently.
"I can't do this Andrew"
A weight shifted beside me and I felt his arms snake around my waist once again and feel me getting pulled onto his lap. His lips pressed against my forehead. "Yes you can. I'll look out for Lily and Travis if you promise me you will give everything you have to offer in these games." I froze. Looking into his eyes reminded me of how sick Travis is.
"He's not dying is he?"
He pursed his lips and shook his head.
"No, he just needs another week then he should be back up on his own feet again. Don't worry more than you need to Blye. He told me to tell you that he wishes you luck during this whole thing. Make smart choices."
I breathed in through my nose and nod. Andrew fixed his shirt with his other hand as he set me down to ground, he always that over shirt, the one I made him for his birthday. I laughed a little as I remember Travis shoving Jessamine's homemade pie in his face and her ordering him to clean up the mess afterwards. He tugged on it before putting it in my arms and laughed.
"It's something to keep your mind clear with good thoughts."
I smiled lightly as I held it closer to my body. Andrew patted my back and stood up and walked to the door. "At least you will be nineteen by the time you get back, think of it that way" He gave me a smile before he closed the door behind him.
I stare at the mysterious Peacekeeper as he says "Its time to go.".I followed him or her down the hall, turning right before going down a set of stairs. The platform is a gray colour like everything else seemed to be in this world before a train speeds past us making me gasp and fall back a step. These are the fastest things I have ever seen in my life, how on earth do they move so fast? Jugo soon appeared with Winnow by his side, leaving the other Peacekeeper who escorted him.
"Come along dear, not time to waste!" Winnow says smiling.
She nods at the Peacekeeper behind me and it slowly moves away and I walk inside the train last. The fresh lumber smell cut off just as quickly as the wind that was once there. What happened? My palm rested against the wall as I looked out the clear window seeing District 7, my home, get smaller and smaller as the train begins to pick up speed.
