Chapter 8
As soon as I'd say those words, I know I've got the reaction I wanted. The gasps from the audience are evidence of that. Caesar is rushing to get me off-stage, I've made quite the commotion. I meet up with Jess back stage.
"Rowan, I can't believe you actually said that, it was brilliant" voices Jessica.
"Thanks Jess, I hope that there's a nasty backlash for the Capitol" I whisper.
We're suddenly joined by Haymitch, Effie, Cinna and Portia. Effie looks shocked and Haymitch looks absolutely seething.
"What the hell did you say that for boy. You just had to go and open your snarky little mouth didn't you!" spits Haymitch.
"I just wanted to get my point across, show the Capitol that we're not all just pieces in their stupid games!" I reply.
"You do realise that that's the same Capitol that controls what goes on in the arena? You may well have signed your own death warrant" shouts Haymitch, before storming off towards the elevator.
That gets my attention, I didn't consider that but now that he mentions it I dread what I might have set myself up for. Will the gamemakers now send mutts after me at the earliest opportunity? Effie must read my face as she tries to calm me.
"Don't worry Rowan, I'm sure Haymitch is just overreacting. Let's head back up to the apartment and get you and Jessica some food" she says.
"Sounds good, come on Rowan" responds Jessica, grabbing my arm.
Jessica and I make our way back to the twelfth floor with Effie. I make a bee line for my room as soon as we step off the elevator, I want to get out of this suit as quickly as possible. Once I've changed, I make my way to the dining area. I met with the sight of Haymitch slumped over on the table, hip flask in hand. I kind of feel bad, have I thrown all of Haymitch's help away with my outburst in the interview?
"Haymitch, I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking, I hope that I haven't blown any chance I had" I apologise.
Haymitch startles up. "Don't worry boy, I understand why you said what you did. I feel exactly the same. You've got to start using that head of yours though, or you won't last through the first day in that arena" he replies.
"I will. Any last advice?" I ask.
"Get away from the cornucopia as soon as the canons go off, you don't want to get involved in the bloodbath. Oh, and stay alive" replies Haymitch.
I nod in agreement, there's no way I want to get involved in a brawl with the careers. I grab a plate sit down to eat. Jess joins us a few minutes later and Haymitch gives her the same advice. Run and stay alive.
I'm aware that this could very well be my last ever proper meal, so I savour it as much as possible. It's less than 24 hours now before the games begin. I wonder how Katniss and Prim are dealing with everything, they'll be watching the start of the games live tomorrow. I doubt Prim will sleep much at all tonight.
Eventually Jess and I are ordered to go to sleep by Haymitch, we need to be well rested for tomorrow. I make my way towards my room with Jess in tow.
"Good luck tomorrow Jess, and remember Haymitch's advice" I say.
Suddenly, she flings herself into me and wraps her arms around my waist. I respond and wrap my arms around her, it's comforting.
"You too Rowan" says Jess.
We stand there hugging for a few minutes before we step apart and start towards our rooms.
"See you in the arena" says Jess before closing her bedroom door.
I step into my room and head towards my bed. I can't be bothered with a shower, I'll have one tomorrow morning to wake myself up properly. Surprisingly, I manage to find sleep pretty quickly after my head hits the pillow.
I am awoken by Portia after what seems like no time at all. I'm suddenly drowned by the thought that I will be in the arena in a few short hours with the high possibility of never coming out. Portia must see the worry on my face as she pulls me in for a hug.
"Oh Rowan, you're so brave. Come on, let's get you in the shower, I always find it relaxing" she says.
I stay under the warm water for an eternity, it's as if I'm trying to wash away any worrying thoughts about what is to come. Portia finally drags me out. I don't even care that I'm completely naked, what's the point in caring about that now?
I see that my attire for the arena has been laid out on my bed. It looks fairly thick and waterproof, that's good I wouldn't want to freeze to death in there. I get dressed and pull the jacket over my shoulders. Just as I'm about to zip it up, Portia stops me.
"Here, let me put this on you underneath" she says, while pulling a pin out of her pocket. It's the mockingjay pin that Madge gave me, I had completely forgotten about it! Portia must see the surprise on my face.
"I found this in your room on the train and thought I'd keep it for you. It's your district token right?" she asks.
"Yes. Thanks, I'd completely forgotten about it. Madge would have never forgiven me" I answer.
"Madge. Is she the girl that you mentioned in your interview?" smiles Portia.
"She is, this is her Aunt's pin. She wanted me to wear it" I say.
"How sweet of her, she really is a lucky girl to have your heart" Portia replies.
I don't say anything, but just smile at her in response. Once I'm ready, Portia and I make our way up to the roof where we're to be boarded onto a hovercraft. I'm hoping that I'll see Jess up here but she must be going separately.
As soon as I'm on the hovercraft, a woman comes over to me with some sort of device and asks me to hold my arm out. She uses it to inject something into it, there's a vague tingle but it doesn't hurt. Maybe I'm already starting to become oblivious to pain?
"That was your tracker" explains Portia. Of course, the Capitol wouldn't want to lose any of the precious tributes I think bitterly.
It must take about 20minutes to reach the arena location. I'm lead off the hovercraft by Portia into a building and then into a side room. I immediately notice the pod that I'll be raised up into the arena in and get a lump in my throat.
"Would you like anything to eat?" asks Portia. I shake my head, seemingly incapable of speech. "Water?" she tries. I agree to water, it's a good idea. I'll last longer against dehydration. Portia and I just sit in silence, me holding her hand. Finally there's an announcement saying that the tributes need to be led into the pods.
I stand up and head towards the pod. I stop just in front of it and turn to Portia. She gives me a hug, it's what I need right now.
"Remember what Haymitch told you Rowan, you can do this" she says.
"Thanks for everything" I say before releasing myself from Portia and stepping into my shoot. I look at Portia and see that she has tears in her eyes, it almost brings me to tears myself but I have to be strong. Strong for Prim, for Katniss, for district 12. There's a mechanical noise and all of a sudden I'm being elevated up. This is it.
I can feel the air before I get to the top, it smells like pine. I'm momentarily blinded by the sunlight when I get to the top but my eyes quickly adjust. The arena is perfect for me, I can see thick woods to my left that stretch around more than half the arena and a small lake to the right just the other side of the cornucopia. There's also what looks like a small mountain behind the lake, this arena must be huge.
All of the tributes are all in a circle on our podiums surrounding the cornucopia. Nikon is to my right, that's good we have a truce so I know he won't come for me. We lock eyes and nod at each other. To my left is the small girl from district 10, Zara. She looks petrified, but she needn't worry about me.
I begin to look around for Jess but I can't see her anywhere. My eyes, however , do fall on a silver bow and quiver right in the mouth of the cornucopia. That's meant for me, it's mine. There's no way that I can get to it and out again without being involved in the bloodbath. I immediately discount the idea of going for it, Haymitch said run, so I'll run.
I notice a backpack fairly close to my podium and decide I'll grab that and run for the woods to my left. There's a timer above the cornucopia that's now down to 15 seconds, I set myself to run.
10 seconds.
All the tributes are getting ready to make their move.
5 seconds.
I see Jess just round the edge of the cornucopia. I hope she runs.
3, 2, 1. The cannon sounds to signal the start of the games, and that's when the mayhem begins.
