When we reach the square, we see people starting to mill about, but there aren't too many people there yet. We go as close to the screens as we're allowed, so we can get a front row view of Clove and Cato. A few minutes after we arrive, I feel a tap on my shoulder and spin around to see Leroy, Cato's older brother, standing behind me. We were quite close, and he used to come over with Cato to protect Clove and I if things got too dangerous at home. Leroy looks just like an older Cato and although isn't quite as big as him, I'd have to say he's got a bigger heart; after he came out of the Games, he sort of lost his killing instinct. Sure, he could still kill, but he just wasn't overly bloodthirsty like he was before he went in. He'd sometimes babysit me when there was no one at home, or if Clove had told me to run. He taught me heaps about plants and how to find water and making shelters and things like that. He's training to be a Peacekeeper, and is usually needed at events like this, but he isn't wearing his uniform tonight; he's wearing sand coloured trousers held up by a brown belt with a shiny silver buckle, a smart button-down long sleeve blue checked shirt underneath an open black vest, and shiny black shoes. He bends down to hug me and I hug him back, but recoil slightly as I feel a hard lump at his hip.
"I had to bring my gun, just in case," he explains.
"I see," I reply, smiling up at him.
He sighs. "I should be there," he says wistfully, gesturing to the screens.
"In the Capitol?" I ask him, still a little unsure of what he means.
"Yes, as a mentor. They decided against it though, since Cato's my brother," he shakes his head, clearly annoyed with their decision. "They didn't want him having an advantage having his brother there. Didn't want to give me another chance to say goodbye if something goes wrong in there."
"That's the thing people don't understand. They don't get that if someone in your family or one of your friends dies in there, you never get a chance to say goodbye. You can only watch the screens, and you never get a chance to tell them how much you love them just before they die."
He nods slowly. "The scary part is, in about two weeks, at least one of us is going to have to say goodbye to them."
"They each have their own reasons for coming back, too," I say quietly, not wanting to give away Cato's secret. "Cato wants to come back because it's like a family tradition for you, and Clove wants to come back to look after me."
"But both of them can't win," he says sadly.
"I know," I say, almost in tears, having the two people closest to me in a death match.
"Hey, chin up," he says, hugging me closer. "Who knows, maybe something will happen and they'll both come back." He doesn't sound particularly confident, and I'm pretty doubtful that they'll both come back too.
The anthem starts playing, and we all turn to watch the screens intently, listening first to Caesar Flickerman's incessant banter about how excited he and Claudius are, and then the doors open and we get the first sight of the District 1 tributes. They look extravagant in magenta outfits covered in feathers and jewels, with silver sprayed through their hair. Everyone in the square holds their breath as we anticipate our Tributes' outfits. Their chariot comes bursting through the doors, the jet black horses thundering down the road, and then we see them. Clothed in golden metal gladiator style outfits, they look fierce and confident, the make-up enhancing their features and the speed of the wind rushing past them blowing back Cato's hair, and Clove's has been left out and is flying out behind her. The entire square erupts in a triumphant roar, Leroy picking me up and hugging me before swinging me up onto his shoulders so I can see better. They each have one hand raised in the air, waving slightly to the crowd and are smirking, although nothing like District 1; their Tributes are showy, smiling and blowing kisses into the crowd. The other Districts are mediocre, and I'm not really watching them, until I hear a roar from the speakers and I look up confused as to what all the commotion is about. They should be up to District 12, and they're nothing special.
Except for this time.
They're clothed in shiny black jumpsuits with capes and headpieces, but that's not what's so special about them. The crazy thing is though, they're actually on fire. Not them specifically, but their costumes. They look incredible, and I know that the other tributes just can't compare with that. I can see Cato and Clove glancing up at the screens that line the street, and what they see clearly doesn't impress them. The chariots continue thundering through the Capitol until they arrive in front of President Snow's mansion. He makes his address, and then the chariots roll out to take away the Tributes. It's over that quickly, and now it's time to go home. Leroy gently lifts me off his shoulders and hugs me again, and then we're approached by two men, one holding a camera and the other holding a microphone. They have a Capitol look about them, and Leroy pushes me slightly behind him.
"Can we help you?" he asks them in his deep voice.
"Yes. My name is Rick, and this is Martin. We are here reporting on the reactions of the Tributes' families to the Tribute Parade and we heard that you two are related to some of the Tributes," the man with the microphone tells us. "They'll be broadcast in the Capitol and around the other Districts."
I step out from behind Leroy. "I see no problem with it," I tell both the Capitol man and Leroy.
"I guess it's fine by me," Leroy says, shrugging.
"Excellent! Martin, we're live," he says, clicking his fingers.
Martin flicks a switch on the camera and Rick walks over and stands next to Leroy.
"Now, young man," he says while clapping Leroy on the back. "What's your name son?"
"My name's Leroy, Sir," he replies, obviously trying to be polite.
"And what about you little lady?" he asks me, bending down to look at me.
"My name's Saskia," I say with my usual attitude.
"And how old are you Miss Saskia?"
"I'm ten years old."
He stands up straight again. "So what relation are you two to the Tributes in there?"
"I'm Cato's older brother," Leroy says confidently with a cocky grin. He knows exactly what the Capitol people like to hear.
"Ah, I thought I recognised that face from somewhere; you're a Victor!"
"Yes indeed Sir," he replies, shaking hands with him.
"Do you think your brother can continue your family's tradition?"
"I certainly hope so."
"And what about you?" Rick asks me, bending down again.
"I'm Clove's little sister," I say confidently.
"I thought you looked a little familiar. No Victors in your family?"
"Not yet Sir," I say, wanting him to know that just because she's small, Clove can win.
"You sound very confident," he remarks. "Do you think your sister can come home?"
I smirk at the camera, hoping Clove will get the chance to see this. "I know she can. Sure, Cato's a tough adversary, but Clove can win, and I know she'll come home." I pause for a moment, looking down at my shoes, just wanting to say something to her in the hope that she's watching. "I need her to come home," I say softly, looking into the camera.
"Well I'm sure you're going both to be very tense over the next couple of weeks," Rick says, "but I hope we'll get to talk to you again soon."
He shakes Leroy's hand and then mine before motioning for Martin to stop rolling. He flicks the switch on the camera again and they thank us before leaving, probably to go to the fancy house in the middle of town that we reserve for Capitol guests. Satari and Nalee find me then, so Leroy hugs me one last time and then I walk home with Satari and Nalee, since Gizella and Kalia have already gone home. Once we get home, Nalee and I set up my bed then put on our pyjamas. I pull on a pair of fleecy trackpants and a racer-back tank top. We go and say goodnight to her parents then go back to our room, and I slide into bed. Satari pokes her head around the door and sees that we're already in bed. She goes to Nalee first and says goodnight to her then comes over to me and says goodnight to me before giving me some words of advice.
"I know it's hard," she says softly enough that Nalee can't hear us, "but you just have to stay strong for the next couple of weeks, OK? Clove would hate it if she knew you were giving up without her here for you."
I don't say anything and she accepts that, and leaves the room, turning the light off as she goes. I roll over to face the wall, closing my eyes to sleep.
Dreaming of Clove coming home.