Before I start this chapter I just want to say thanks for all the reviews, I really appreciate it, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
The next few districts fly by like they don't even exist. District 9's tributes were Hannah and Mitch. They were both 12, and they're district is mixture of tears and silence as their tributes died on the bloodbath. The most exciting part is when Mitch's dad punches a peacekeeper. I hear gun shots a few minuites later.
District 8 is also just as far under the radar. The tributes were Alice and Jamie, and they were twins, at just thirteen years old. Even if they were older they wouldn't have stood a chance. There isn't a patch of grass in sight, which puts them at a immediate disadvantage.
All us victors sit together as we skip past District 7. We watch as the lights get closer and then further away overnight. We stay up till well past midnight, sitting there watching reruns of old games. We finally turn it off when the 52nd games comes on, Blights games. We sit in silence staring at District 7 before curiousity catches up to me.
"How did you win your games Blight?".
He looks at me sadly. He begins to talk with a distant look in his eyes.
"On day four, I killed a girl. She was maybe 13, 14 at the most. I only had a little pocket knife. I was 18, I was strong. In my arena, the lights flashed on and off so you couldn't tell if it was night or day, and when it was dark, it was black, pitch black. She jumped me, and the lights went off. She had an axe, but I was so angry and frustrated I just stabbed. The lights came back on as the cannon went off".
"She was mangled Johanna. She was pretty, the prettiest in her games. And then, she just wasn't, and covered in blood. I took her axe and pack. I don't know what happened. Maybe I went unconscious or I just passed out from shock. Either way, I woke up on day 9 with two people left. There was a battle at the cornucopia. The girl from two killed the boy from one, and the lights went out. I swung my axe... It connected. The cannon went off and the lights came on and her head was rolling about on the floor by my feet. And I came home".
He sighs. "I only killed two people. But it feels like I killed 23 of them, ya know". His voice is filled completely with pain so I lean across and give him a hug. We sit in silence again when Charlie says "I guess it's my turn".
She stares at the floor. "My little sister Abi was reaped. She was 13, and I was 17. I could win. So I volunteered, took her place. And the Capitol loved me. Me and abi, we don't have the same last name, they didn't know she was my sister. So I played the ruthless killer card. It worked. The 59th games it was. I matured fast after it. And... I'm not proud of it but I got in with the careers. I'd take walks with them, talk to them and then stab them in the back-Literally. The girl from one of all people figured it out, told the only other remaining, the boy from four, and they tried to get me. Ended up accidently killing each other the idiots. And by then there was only this little kid from 8, and then I was home to Abi. They found out she was my sister of course, and snow hated that id got one up on him. Tried to get me in his little deal. I said no, and mum was dead before I got home. Dad lived, but cut of all contact with me. So yeah".
I let them think for a few minutes before announcing that I'm going to bed. They nod silently and both get up too. It's been a long night, and we're not even half way through the victory tour.
Puff wakes me up early the next morning for another 'big big day'. I laugh as I imagine a big group of people dressed like Puff all practising saying 'big big day' in their chirpiest voices. Maybe that's how they decide the escorts. Who can be the most annoying? I think that's it.
I don't eat much for breakfast and I don't look at the little i do eat. I just shovel it down in the hopes it will give me some energy. By the time I've got through one cup of coffee and two lots of hot chocolate I'm pretty much hearing colours and I can feel blood pumping in my head. Too much sugar is a bad idea I think to my self. My stylist finally turns up and I dizzily make my way into my room. They barely bother with makeup and my hair now because they know I wash off the makeup and run my hands through my hair. They throw some clothes at- who cares what they look like- and I get dressed quickly. This tour needs to be over soon.
We finally pull up in District 6. The first word that springs to mind is dark. The station is shaded in factories advertising car parts, make your own electronic trains and an advert for a baby sitter. We are walked- yes walked, isn't this the transport district?!- into the justice building to begin the speech. They mic me up and I am roughly pushed out onto stage.
The square is just as dark and grey as the rest of the District. The mayors speech is short, as is mine. The tributes here were Alicia and Jake. Alicia was 14 but part of the poorest family In the District, and Jake was 12, and the mayors oldest son. They both died in the bloodbath. I thought the mayor would show some emotion as it was his son, but he talks as emotionless and passive as all the other mayors. He doesn't even look towards the rest of his family- a wife, two sons and a daughter- standing on jakes podium. Finally, two young girls present me with a plaque and some flowers. Then the day begins to change from how it usually is. The mayor leads me inside and through the justice building. He is holding onto my arm so tight so that I can't resist. We go through mazes of corridors and finally we climb a ladder. I expect the room to be empty but it's not. It's full of people of all ages -the youngest maybe 14 and the oldest perhaps 60. They all look up hopefully as the mayor enters, and some of them cheer when they see me.
"Johanna" begins the mayor. "Here in six, we have been recruiting people for years to take part in the rebellion when it finally happens. And now we feel ready to begin recruiting victors". He pauses to let me take in the words. "You see, my son rigged the reaping, he was clever that way, so that he could get vital information from the Capitol. We can't tell you what it was, but we got it. And now we're nearly ready to use it. We just want you to help us. At 5:30, during the dinner this afternoon, we will storm the peacekeeper headquarters on 53rd street. We will have guns, and, because it's their day off, hopefully more people than they do". He finishes with a look of triumph mixed with a hint of sadness. "We need you to get out by 5:30. We need all the victors we can get. And if it ends I'm gunfire, we don't want you in the middle".
A man hands him a sealed envelope and he gives it to me. "Open this when the time is right. You'll know when. Now let's get down to the party". And he once again begins to drag me.
My thoughts almost consume me as we walk away. The rebellion. Recruiting. His son rigging the reaping, dieing for this cause. 5:30. This time is repeated in my head over and over again.
We finally join the party just after three o'clock. I force a smile and dance with the mayor, acting like I've never spoke to him before, asking about his family and the District. He dissapears at 4o'clock, winking at me as he tells me he has lots of work to do. In the attic of the justice building, people will be gearing up with guns and knives, ready to fight back.
At 5o'clock, I call blight and tell him I'm not feeling well. He looks at me and understands I want to go. He goes to convince puff whilst I find Charlie and pull her back with me. It's quarter past when we finally leave. Did I leave it too late? Or are we going to make it?
We round a corner when I see the station. I am filled with glory and then disaster, as I begin to hear gunshots. I look around frantically and see a sign. I run to it. It big black letters it says
'53rd street'
My fight or flight instincts kick in and I shout to the others to run. And then gunshots explode from every angle. I run for the station, pushing everyone in front of me. I'm nearly at the train, running level to blight, when there is a heart stopping pain in my side. I just manage to put my hand to it and see blood before I crash over and the world goes black.
