In the middle of the night, I couldn't sleep with the distracting thoughts of the games lingering through my mind. Waking up, still a bit groggily, I felt a little restricted in movement, thinking that I just needed to continue my physical therapy. Eventually I tilted my head to find the real reason I couldn't move; Toffee was holding me in his grasp! If I were fully awake, I probably would've squeaked out of embarrassment, but being half asleep I felt a sense of security in his arms.
His grasp on me was firm yet gentle enough for me to breath (No surprise there since he does have muscles). His desire to keep me close was so strong, even his tail had wrapped around one of my legs. Despite this much use of his body, he was still at peace in slumber.
I wished this moment could last forever, but I knew that could never be; I was a tribute and he was a sponsor of the Capitol. Two different people with different roles; roles we know we can't avoid. With fatigue finally catching up to me, I fell asleep with a single teardrop falling onto the pillow.
To my discomfort, morning had arrived and Toffee was no where to be found in the room. He must've gotten up earlier to make breakfast for us. I got out of bed, grabbed the quickest outfit I could wear before changing into another outfit for the games, then walked to the dining room, finding the stoic lizard man sitting at the table drinking his coffee.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," I answered as I seated myself in front of a plate with an omelet and a side of hash browns.
"Do you remember the instructions I gave you?" he asked me.
"Avoid the bloodbath, don't form alliances with anyone, don't try to eat anything until I know what it can do to the body and avoid areas that seem suspicious," I listed while cutting the omelet on my plate.
"And the most important instruction?"
"When I encounter another tribute... Show. No. Mercy." I answered so coldly, even I felt terrified. Staring down at my omelet, I couldn't help but feel sorry for destroying it, but at the same time, sickly satisfied by the destruction on my plate.
"The training has taught you well Miss Stratosphere," he praised.
"I had an outstanding mentor," I praised back, hearing a chuckle escape from the lizard man's throat, making me wish I could freeze time and be stuck in this loop forever.
Breakfast was also short lived as me and Toffee walked off to the airship. Most of the tributes were already strapped in their seats and getting the tracking devices into their bodies.
"Alright Stratosphere, time to go," said a Peacekeeper as he lead me away from Toffee and into the ship.
"T-Toffee?!" I yelped, turning my head to see him getting ready to leave.
"My apologizes Ms. Stratosphere, but you have no time for farewells," he responded.
I wanted to fight against the Peacekeeper so I could make time for goodbyes, but I knew that would only get me and even Toffee into trouble. Given no choice, I followed the Peacekeeper into the ship and got strapped in. Once I was buckled up, a woman pricked a tracking device inside my bloodstream. It didn't hurt that much, but it wasn't painful enough compared to seeing Toffee leave before the airship launched.
After getting below the arena, I was dressed in a black jumpsuit that's enough to allow swimming capabilities and provide little warmth.
Despite seeing many tributes as depressed as I was, Delilah could tell I was in the worse condition. "What's ailing you Nova?" she asked.
I felt myself crying as soon as she asked me what's wrong. "I-I didn't get a chance to say good bye to him," I whimpered.
"Looks like the sheep is ready for slaughter," We both heard, and to our surprise, Toffee was at the doorway!
Not hesitating nor questioning how he got here, I ran towards him and tackled him into a tight hug, not caring that Delilah was watching. "I thought you said I didn't have time for goodbyes," I whimpered.
"Let me rephrase that; you had no time for farewells when you're boarding an airship," he informed.
I couldn't help but laugh at his witty remark, something I'm going to miss when I'm in the arena. Looking up into his bright yellow eyes and feeling his soft, smooth hands on my face again made me feel better about my situation. I knew he had train me to the best of his abilities, now it's time I put them into action; no more little lamb. The next thing I knew, he brushed my right strand of hair out of my face, then heard a clipping noise.
"I think the Spade mark fits you well," he remarked, directing me to a mirror where he had placed a yellow spade clip in my hair.
"The death card symbol," I muttered, "You really think I'm worthy of a symbol so feared?"
He lifted my face towards his, looking into his bright yellow eyes once again. "Learning about your capabilities Nova, I believe so," he assured, later pulling me closer and holding me close. Then and there, I was lost in the lizard man's eyes once again; feeling as though no one was there but us. If this was the part where the girl is suppose to kiss the guy, I missed my queue.
"TRIBUTES TO YOUR TUBES." Announced a voice from the speakers.
I looked at Delilah, who was waiting for me to say my final words. Reverting my attention to Toffee, I felt heartbroken to say what I was going to say. "I guess this is goodbye," I mustered to say, but Toffee just held on to me tighter, and held me in his tight embrace.
"Don't think of it that way Nova; I know you can survive. Just, please, get out of there alive," he whispered, eventually letting me go and into the guiding hands of Delilah.
Once I was in the tube, I looked at Toffee one last time, before ascending into the arena, hoping that the odds will be in my favor.