Will you forgive me for taking so long to update Chapter eleven? XS I promise I won't forget about this story anymore :)
Orchid
District 5
I've always had a certain fascination with the world around me. People have told me before that I am very observant, and I am. I see things no one else bothers to. Maybe it's to make up for my lack of hearing.
If I close my eyes and stay absolutely still, I can make the world around me disappear almost effortlessly. I try this now, leaning against a tree and taking a last look at the world as my eyes close. It's dark as night in the new world I've created for myself, and absolutely silent. It's kind of nice there, but it can't last forever. I'll have to leave eventually.
I open my eyes and blink a few times, readjusting to the bright sunlight. Something moves, in the distance. Shifts a low-hanging tree branch and sends leaves flying every which way. I tense, going into a defensive position and holding up my small knife at a threatening angle.
A mutt would have attacked me by now. Maybe, rather than something, it's someone. The toe of a boot and a bit of dark hair confirms my suspicions. I debate whether or not to call out to them. But still, they may not have noticed me.
Suddenly, the tribute steps out into the open. I exhale a sigh of relief when I don't recognize him as a Career. It's one of the boys from the outer districts, standing tall and lean, with an untidy haircut and eyes of an indefinite color. I can't tell from this far away. His mouth moves, and I realize he must have been calling out to me from behind the bushes. Whoops.
I wave to tell him I can see him. He gives me an incredulous look as he walks a little closer. His eyes, which are the same hazel color as my own, travel to the knife in my hand. He is weaponless, as far as I can tell, but I don't want to take chances. I shake my head.
"Don't you talk?" I read the words on his lips and nod.
"Yeah, I do."
"You have a weird way of speaking," he says bluntly, "Can you hear?"
"No." I say. He's observant, too.
"But you can read lips, at least." I nod.
"What's your name?" I ask him. He says his name, a word I've never head before. It's easy enough to guess how it's pronounced, though.
"Cameron?" He nods. I spell it out in hand signals as he watches. I learned the signals back in District 5. He seems interested in this, so I start to teach him how to spell with his hands.
"How about you?" he asks. I spell it out a few times for him.
"Orchid?" he guesses. He's a quick learner.
"Orchid," I confirm with a nod.
"Pretty name," he says.
"Thank you," I reply, and then spell out his name again. Cameron smiles. I spell another word for him, once he doesn't quite understand.
"Allies?" I ask.
"Yeah," he says, nodding, "Let's be allies."
FATE: Orchid did not go on to win the Hunger Games, but Cameron did, resulting in District Ten's first victory in the arena.
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