Author's Note: Hey everyone that is reading this! I want to thank you for your support in this story, and in me. Like I said last chapter, YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!
Anyway, (I use that word a lot) I really wanted to thank two special people that are constantly there to read, review, and criticize this story. Elli1i01, thank you for reacting exactly how I want you readers too on every chapter. It makes me feel so great to know that people can understand how I want them to react through the chapters. And 13ASB, you are amazing at getting the inner workings of the chapters. I really appreciate you criticizing me so much because you make me a better writer in doing so. So, THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH!
Anyway, (I know another one) let's get on with the chapter.
OH!, and in the reviews please tell me if you like the cover, and Pearlynn's appearance. Okay, now on with the chapter!
I am SO sorry! I accidentally uploaded chapter nine twice, so I, apologize! Anyway, here is the real chapter 10!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games. That right belongs to Suzanne Collins.
I continue to crochet the same sweater that I have been working on for a week now. I would be finished by now, but I don't want to finish. I unravel the yarn, and redo the sweater's torso again and again.
"Mom," my little, grown up boy asks. I barely lift my head from my work. "Are you alright?" I lower my head. No, I am not alright. My granddaughter. My only granddaughter…
"No," I finally respond. My grandsons look to me. I can only give a wavering smile. I am not alright. They already know this though. I just got to see Lyle again, and now he is gone with Pearlynn.
I say nothing more, as I crochet. I will not cry; I will stay stong for my granddaughter, and Lyle.
…
...
"Paul, get to school," my mother says gently, shaking me. Every night, including last night I sit at the table and look to see if Pearlynn's image will light up the screen. In doing this I must have fallen asleep. I raise my head, and I can feel creases on my cheek from the cold hard edge of the table.
I go to the closet and pick out fresh clothes. Then I get them on in the dark. I don't have a room to change in, even though I live in the wealthier Bottom Feeder Houses. My parents share a room, and my sisters share the other. I usually sleep on the small couch that we own. I feel sorry for Pearlynn, she has a one bedroom house, so her parents take the room, and the rest are left to fend for themselves on matresses in the living room. It must be terribly crowded.
I grab my books and bag. My sisters are already tugging on my arm. I call goodbyes to my mother, and rush out the door to school. On the way over, I pick up Pearlynn's brothers. They look tired, but I can do nothing about that now. I wonder if they were dreaming about their sister like I was.
I drop off my sisters and her brothers, then hurry to take my place. I get there just in time to hear my name being called.
"Here!" I shout, and set my things down at my desk. Lessons start, and I am totally bored. No notes to pass. I see that Mr. Palmer my, as well as Pearlynn's favorite teacher is here today instead of the lady substitute. I wonder why he was gone the day of the reaping, the day of the parade, and yesterday. Maybe family troubles?
With nothing to do, I start drowning in my next few days are going to be tough. Eventhough I know that Pearlynn is safe for now, I cannot help but wish that I could see her once more. For the next few days, she will be training, but, selfish of me to say, I wish that the Games would start so that I may see her face again. I won't have to wait long though, today is her second day of training. Tomorrow will be the score showing, and then the next day the interviews.
I am snapped out of my thoughts as Mr. Palmer speaks to me. He isn't just calling me for a question, he is asking to talk to me in the hall. I look around and see that everyone else is staring at me. I walk out of the room, and into the hall. Once we reach it, the man's calm demeanor slips into a frown. He talks in a slow manner, evaluating his word choice.
"I am so sorry son about your friend. Pearlynn was a great student. I am so sorry." I only stare at him in disbelief. He is acting like Pearlynn is dead already. She is not, she has a chance still. She still has a chance.
"She still has a chance," I say, my voice cracking. He looks at me with sadness. He must know that the chance isn't very good; because he puts a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"I am so sorry," he says, and I let a few tears escape.
…
…
"Paul!" I scream. "Paul!" Why isn't he answering me? He was just here on the beach a second ago. Where is he? "Paul!" I turn around, and see golden eyes staring at me, from a blanket of darkness. I shift my gaze when I hear a sound. The whiz of a knife catches me off guard, and I can only widen my eyes, as it lodges into my heart.
My skin is sweaty as I wake up from the dream. I can feel someone caressing my head, and I think of Paul, when he played with my hair in the sunshine, on the beach.
"Paul," I sigh. I know that he will keep me safe, but when he answers his voice is not the same.
"Pearlynn, wake up. It's me, Danny." I sit up, and find his face in the dim light. What is he doing here? I thought that he abandoned me for the muderers.
"What are you doing here?" I ask. He looks at me confused.
"You had a nightmare, and your door was open, so I just came in," he says. I am so confused now. Is he a Career or is he a nice guy? Why does he keep switching between the two?
"What are you doing here?" I ask again. "I thought you were a Career now." his face morphs again, into the face of a Career, not a person.
"Your right. Why should I try and comfort someone like you? Your going to die anyway," he gets up off my bed, and saunters to the door. I have tears in my eyes now due to the nightmare, my confusion, and to how everything is just happening too fast and he takes notice. "Go ahead, cry. Won't do you much good when we have you cornered in the arena. Better learn that now, or your death won't be so pretty." He exits my room, and slams the door shut. How could he be so cruel? I thought he was nice.
I start to cry, and bury my head in my hands. I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home. I want my parents, I want the twins, I want Nana, I want Paul. God!, I need Paul. What is happening? One moment Danny's waking me up, the next he's telling me that I'm going to die; What on Earth is going on?
I weep until the tears cannot come back. I wipe my eyes with my arm, and get out of the overly warm sheets. I slide out of bed and start walking. I don't care what time it is, I can't sleep anymore. I step into my bathroom, and strip off my pajamas. I press random buttons on the control panel, and step in the shower. The feeling of the water soothes me and I soon get to thinking about training again.
Today, I will try and use speed when I go to hand to hand combat. As long as I stay light on my feet, I may be able to catch the trainer off guard, and pin him. But then again, I didn't really see how fast the trainer was to begin with, so I might just fail again. I'm going to have to take the chance.
I scrape off the thick lather that smells sweet like fresh water, and just stand under the jets. I wish that they had a pool. That would be fantastic.
When I finally get out of the shower, my fingers and toes are pruny, and the air in the bathroom is muggy. Air comes to dry me off, and in seconds my skin is back to the satiny smooth texture. I dress in my training uniform, that was laid out for me on my bed. It's not time for breakfast yet, but my stomache growls. I order a basket of rolls, and a cup of coffee with sugar and cream.
When an avox girl brings it to me, I silently thank her, and begin to eat the rolls. The girl hasn't left yet though. She gives a dipping motion with her hand. I pick up a roll, and dunk it into the coffee. I take a small bite, and think it is great. I thank her again, and she finally leaves.
Soon enough, Jacci is knocking on my door telling me to get up, and join them for breakfast. I quickly pin half of my hair up, and leave the other half down, with my token. I leave my room, and walk down the hall to the dining room.
Today, I do not say anything to Marley. I can do nothing to win his favor now if he is not going to take it. A shame really, he seems so interesting. I load my plate like the day before. When an attendant comes though, I ask for more coffee and rolls. That was really good.
I eat, and after a while, people show up. I am actually surprised to see Lilias though. She never came to eat with us before. Onvin is there too, but I pay no attention to him. I do not dare look at Danny. I am afraid that I will start to cry, or I will go hostile, which I'm not suited for. I stare at my rolls, and continue to dunk them in the drink full of caffeine and sugar.
We finish the meal, and leave. I silently endure the elevator ride down with Danny, and sigh in relief when it is over. When we reach the Training Room, I head over to hand to hand combat. A line already started to form, so I have to wait for everyone else. With his newfound attitude, Danny joins the Careers at the knife range. Aventrine, the girl from One takes her stance, and aims. In her hand are not throwing knives, but ninja stars. I barely process this fact before she flicks her wrist, and sends them hurtling through the air, and towards the target. Right on the bull's eye.
I am nudged by the district 3 boy, to go take my turn. I quickly try to form a plan to take down the man opposite me. I don't have much time though, because the lesson soon begins.
My trainer comes forward, in a somewhat slow manner. I easily dodge him, and he finally sees what I'm doing. He speeds up his pace, so I speed up mine. He comes forward to meet me, and I fake him out, by running straight to him, then bouncing to the side of him instead. He turns the heat up more, and runs swiftly towards my body. I am on the edge of the mat, so either I step off, or I try and get around him. He leaves me just a bit of room, and I finally make my decision. I run at him, with all the speed I can; he looks stunned. Must think that I'm going to run into him or something. His legs are opened the slightest bit, so I take one last stride, then slide on my knees through his legs. I lean back my upper body, so that I may be able to get through effectively. Once I'm through, I turn around, wrap my arm around his neck, and kick his legs from under him so that he's on his knees. I stay that way, until he makes me let him up. I finally did it.
I glance around and see that Danny and some of the Careers are staring at me. Almost everyone is. I blush against my will, and step off the mat. My cheeks are flushed, and my throat is dry. I walk across the room, and get a drink of water. When I finally look up again, none of the other tributes are looking at me, but I feel one pair of eyes still fixed on my back. I turn around, and find that I have caught the Head Gamemaker, Henlis Starke's attention. His black beady eyes watch me carefully as I turn back around and head to camouflage.
With the berry juice, clay, and leaves, I make a very unsuccessful forest floor, on my arm. It doesn't look like a forest floor, it looks like a pile of garbage. At least I can disguise myself in a slag heap.
The trainer keeps trying to help me get the shade of the ground right, and I make a little progress but not much. Someone comes up beside me, and I can feel their gaze. I am starting to get uncomfortable.
"Look," Danny starts, "the other Careers have been asking about you. They want to know if you would like to join the group. They say the more the merrier." I continue swirling around the wet leaves, and berry 'guts'.
"Why would they make that decision?" I ask in a soft voice, to mask my shock. I look up at him, and his face is stony.
"Look, do you want to join or not?" I do not react right away. I place some dark clay on my arm, and mold it between the leaves. It actually looks okay. Mediocre at best. "Well?"
I gather my courage, and reply with the most force I can manage. "No." Danny breathes deeply, and turns away to join his group again. We are called to lunch. I sit alone. I eat.
After lunch, I move to the throwing knife section once the Careers have moved on to archery. I crown my fingers with the cold blades, and aim at the target. In seconds, I send the knives flying. I gasp as they all hit the target, but sigh, when I see that they are nowhere near the bull's eye. Throwing knives definitely won't save me in the Games. I practice along with the tributes of 8, but find that they are better with them than me. How does making textiles help you throw knives?
At the sword section, I try to use a gladius, but the District 10 kids are dominating the mat with their kukris. If I were to face one of them in the arena, I'm as good as dead.
The day's training mixes into the next day's and I am now anxious because of my private session. Today, after training, they will call us individually into the room full of Gamemakers and see how well our training has equipped us with the strategy for survival.
Through these three days of training, I have learned quite a few things; I am terrible in throwing knives, spear throwing, sword training, and edible insect tests. I am mediocre in archery, wrestling, and camouflage. I excel in trying knots, making fires, building canopies, hand to hand combat (with speed), and edible plants. So, I don't have much to show the Gamemakers. I'll be lucky if I score a five. With so few things that I am well at, I am going to have to go with hand to hand combat for my session.
We are seated in a line outside the Training Room, and wait. One by one, tributes disappear into the room and never come out. When Danny is finally called, my blood starts pumping, and I start breaking into a cold sweat. Finally my name is called,
"Pearlynn Fisher, District Four." I walk into the Training Room, before any of the other tributes can see how shaky I am. When I get in, I see the Gamemakers are eating and drinking, but are watching my every move. Am I suppose to introduce myself? I don't want to make a fool out of myself, so I head over to the knives.
…
…
The girl doesn't say anything today at breakfast. She didn't yesterday either. She finally gets the point, I hate her. The District Four team including the stylists, eat and head off in their own directions. Today is the last day of training, then I can sit back, and watch my tributes die. I will relish the girl's death. I will watch it soberly, so I may enjoy.
Hours pass, and I know that our tributes will just barely be whisked into the Training Room for their sessions with the Gamemakers. I have nothing else to do, Mags is off somewhere, so I just sit at the dining room table thinking of the possibilities of the arena's design. Maybe a desert? A mountainside? A series of sheets of ice? A forgotten city?
This chair is getting uncomfortable. I pace around for a while, imagining the girl bleeding to death in every environment. Either way she will pay.
After another long period of time, I sit on the couch. I have a bottle of whisky next to me, on a crystal table, as well as a glass. I pour myself some of the alcohol, and chug it down. High heels click on the floor, and I look up to see our escort, Jacci whatever come in with that stupid pink coral headdress. She sits down in a chair opposite me, and I pour myself another glass of the drink. I take gulps, and it burns all the way down my throat to my stomache. Just what I need.
"Our tributes are having their private training sessions right now," Jacci tells me through putting a tenth coat of lipstick over her misshaped lips. I grunt to show that I am listening. She pats makeup on her blue skin, and I want to tell her that she is not going to look any better. She is hideous. "I bet that they are doing quite well, well the boy will. The girl…"
"The girl is going to die anyway," I interrupt her. "There is nothing we can do for her. Probably score a three." Jacci huffs, and snaps her makeup compact shut.
"Well I know that. She has barely listened to a word we have told her. She said that she made up her own angle already, so we couldn't help her there. She wouldn't even tell us what it was, stupid girl. I just hope that her death is painless, when the time comes." Listening to her comment, I suddenly feel like I need to defend the girl, from this Capitol woman.
"She still has a chance. Don't get caught up in yourself Perry-winky," I say. I have no idea why I want to defend the girl so badly. I feel like only I can hate her, not this imbecile.
"Periwinkle. Jacci Periwinkle," she scoffs at me. She crosses her seaweed tattoed arms. "And you just said that she is going to die too."
"But she still has a chance, you witch," I spit out. How can she say this about such a sweet child?
"All I am saying is that I have heard from her trainers, and the only offensive thing that she excelled at was hand to hand combat. Other than that, she is a disgrace to our district." I am taken aback. I set down my glass, and rise to my feet.
"Our district? You are nothing but a snobby Capitol wench," I say. She knows nothing about living in a District. She bulges her eyes, just like goldfishes. Is that why she had those stones placed in her skin?
"Excuse me, Marley, but you have no respect for the heart of Panem, or me! You know nothing about the stresses of being an escort." She is on her feet too.
"But I have it worse as a mentor! Every year, I watch at least one of my 'students' die. Believe me I don't care about the tributes, but it's terrible having to see their lives be snuffed out by their allies (Districts One and Two, usually)."
"Then why do you care about the girl?" she asks. "You just said you didn't care!"
"I don't!" I argue. "I don't care if she dies!"
"Then why do you keep saying that she has a chance? You are defending her! Do you really think she can win?" My nerves are really starting to get away from me. I have to defend the girl.
"I bet she can last longer than that pretty boy of yours! She can win this, I tell you! She is going to win!" I scream at her with a deadly seriousness etched in my words.
"You are completely contradicting yourself Marley. If you say something, at least mean it," she huffs, and walks out of the living room, and to her quarters. I am filled with rage. Of course I hate the girl, I have a reason too. Pearl-whatever, I'm not good with names, pretended to be my love; but she has been nothing but kind to these disgusting people, so they have nothing to complain about. I need to prove my point; she has a chance. I need to prove these Capitol types wrong. I need to take Jacci's words into account, 'If you say something, at least mean it.'
I am going to help her win.
…
…
The final bell of the day rings, and I rush to gather up all of the kids. I start for my sisters first. The littlest one, Oceanna waits patiently by her classroom door to meet me. My middle sister, Clara jumps up and down when she sees me. My oldest little sister, that is only a year older than the middle one, Marisol rushes to meet me. Sherman and Herman share the same class as her, so they are waiting with her. Once I double check, tomake sure all of them are with me, I head out.
My house is blocks ahead of my best friends, so I drop off my sisters. The twins wait outside, as I drop off my bag and books. I am about to leave, when Marisol calls me back.
She cups her hand around my ear, and whispers into it. "Paul, can you ask Sherman is he likes me, for me? Please?" I laugh at her request.
"Why?" I ask her. She shrugs.
"He's cute." I laugh again, and Clara comes up to me,and asks me the same thing for Herman.
"Your only ten!" I tell her. She shrugs her shoulders too.
"So. Love doesn't tell age." I chuckle and walk out the door. My eleven and ten year old sisters have crushes. I am so glad that my littlest sister is only eight, and that Pearlynn only has two brothers.
I escort the little boys all the way home. I am welcomed inside, and I see that the usual merriment of the house is gone. That sweet old lady, Nana just sits in her chair and crochets a sweater that looks oddly familiar. Her mother is washing clothes in a tub, and her father isn't home yet. Probably still at work.
I leave a polite fairwell to the grief-stricken family and walk home slowly. I stand on the porch for a few minutes when I reach home, and see that the sun is slowly making it's way down below the horizon. It's going to be beautiful tonight.
I eat dinner with my family, and ask permission to go to the square today. I want to watch the review of the Training scores there instead of staying at my house, because Mr. Palmer asked me to meet him there tonight for them. He wants to support me, I guess.
I finish early, and slip out of the house, and take my time going to the town square. People are already starting to gather around the huge screen that will display the tributes scores. I spy Mr. Palmer alone, and walk over. He nods to me, and places a hand on my shoulder. I brace myself as the program begins.
Caesar Flickerman is going on about how the tributes have been training brutally these past three days. Finally they show District One. Both the girl, Aventrine, and the boy Cade score nines. Distict Two's girl Jamari scores a ten, and Virgil scores an eight. District three doesn't do so well with low fours.
Danny's face lights up the screen, and under his face is an eight. People around the square cheer, and chant Danny's name, but I don't care what he has, I want to know what my girl got.
After Caesar and rambles on a bit about how well Danny did, the screen finally changes. Pearlynn's face pops up, and I expect the worse; so does Mr. Palmer. His grip gets tighter on my arm, and then her score pops up, and I freak out. Pearlynn, my Pearlynn scored a ten! Ten!
People around the square cheer even more. A few people pat me on the back, and say congratulations. Mr. Palmer's face breaks into a smile, and I am grinning like crazy. Oh my God! I just can't wrap my head around it. I don't even bother listening to the other scores, I can only think about her.
What did you do Pearlynn? What did you do?
…
…
We sit around the T.V., and watch as the scores appear one by one. I am terrified when the other Careers score eights to tens. I glance around, and see that Danny is grinning, like a Career; like the Career he is. Jacci Periwinkle squeals when Danny scores an eight, and I see Marley curse. What's wrong with him? I mean, I thought an eight was a great score. Mags pats Danny's shoulder saying he did great. Onvin beams, and Lilias stays firm.
"What did you do?" Jacci asks excited.
"Just some sword swinging." He laughs, and I freak out. If Danny's sword swinging only got him an eight, than what will I get?
My face pops up on the screen, and my blood goes cold, oh no. I am suddenly put into shock, when I see the number ten under my face. Ten?
"Yes!" Marley shouts, and shoots out of his seat. "Yes!" I am a bit confused, maybe he never hated me, but then why did he glare at me? Mags gives me a smile, and Lilias pulls me into a hug. I see Jacci Periwinkle has her mouth wide open, and her eyes popping out of her head. Danny looks at the screen, with a stony expression, but I don't care. I am shocked, and mortified.
"What did you do?" Jacci asks, and every eye is on me. I don't answer though. I just stare at the screen.
"I-I… I have to go," I say and rush out of the room. I run down the hall, into my room, and into the bathroom. Once I get in there, I throw-up my dinner into the porcelain toilet. I feel hands holding up my hair, and I assume that the motherly Mags is doing it for me. I flush the vile down, and wipe my mouth. I turn to the sink and rinse it out with water to get the taste out. When I turn around, it is not Mags who is standing there, but Marley.
"Thank you," I say, and dry my face with a towel. He shrugs.
"Can't have my pretty little tribute puking on her hair can we?" he says. He leads me out of the bathroom and onto my bed. We sit on the edge, and he finally speaks.
"Look, kid, I want you to win this thing. That stupid Capitol woman doesn't think you can, and I want to prove her wrong. Now I know I haven't been much help so far, but this is me making up for it. You want my help or not?"
I am a bit stunned, but I know that in the arena, I am going to need help, so I nod and say, "Yes." The man grins.
"Let's talk strategy." He closes and locks the door, and we get down to business.