Hiro Kuromori, 18
District 1 Male
I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I knew I was trained Career. I'd spent my whole life preparing for this moment. I'd even killed before. And despite that, I was terrified.
I could die. I might never see Hide or my friends again. The thought scared me more than I'd like to admit.
I laid awake in bed, listening to the sounds of the apartment. Seraphine's room was completely silent, but I could hear Philomena snoring loudly from down the hall. With shaky hands, I pushed my blanket down and slipped out of bed.
I crept down the hall and into the kitchen. A tired-looking Avox raised her head, her graying hair slipping out of it's bun. She smiled sadly when she saw me.
"Excuse me, but could I have a cup of tea?" I asked quietly. She nodded and turned to begin boiling the water.
I sat down on the counter and ran a hand through my hair. My eyelids were drooping, but every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Chocolate's sad eyes staring back up at me. Tears pooled behind my eyelids.
A gentle tap on my shoulder startled me from my thoughts and I blinked in surprise at the mug of tea being held under my nose. I accepted the cup with shaking hands and smiled at the Avox.
"Thank you." She bowed her head and slipped out of the room. Soon, it would be time.
Pascal Glenn, 17
District 5 Male
Candela and I sat together on the roof, wrapped in blankets as the wind whistled around us. I played with a frayed thread and glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.
"Do you think Millie's mad at me?" I asked quietly.
"I think she's probably furious," Candela said bluntly. "Why did you listen to Limerick? Why did you volunteer? I still don't get it."
"I trust Limerick," I told her. "He's smart and he knows what he's doing."
"He doesn't!" Candela protested. "He's so blinded by hate that he can't see how badly he's hurting us. And what is Millie supposed to do if you die?"
I frowned at Candela.
"I won't die. I thought that's why you volunteered." Candela's jaw dropped.
"You thought I volunteered to sacrifice my life for you?"
"Well, didn't you?" I prodded. Candela squeezed her eyes shut, a tear trickling down her cheek.
"I don't know. I volunteered to protect Millie. And if it comes down to you and me, I don't know what I'll do."
I reached out and took her hand. Candela rested her head on my shoulder and we sat together in silence until the sun rose. It was almost time.
Hesper Monad, 15
District 10 Female
I was up right as the sun rose, watching the bright rays move across the floor. In about two hours, we'd leave for the arena. I was petrified. In less than a day, I could be dead.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Come in," I called quietly. Arian stepped inside, his face pale with worry.
"Hi… I just wanted to say that breakfast is ready…" he stammered. I nodded slowly.
"Thanks Arian. I'll be out in a minute." He nodded and scurried out of the room.
I took a quick shower and braided my hair into two plaits before dressing in a comfortable gray sweater and jeans. Then I made my way into the dining nook, where everyone was digging in.
I nibbled on a few bites of bacon, but my appetite was non-existent. Arian seemed even less hungry than I did. All he did was sip from a glass of water. Finally, Rhoda stood up.
"Come on you two, it's time." Lorcan gave us both a small smile as Rhoda led us to the roof.
A large hovercraft sat on the roof, ramp open to allow the tributes to board. Seraphine and Hiro were already gone, and Cloelia and Kalmin were disappearing into the belly of the beast.
When it was finally our turn, I forced myself to smile at Arian.
"Good luck," I whispered. He nodded solemnly.
"You too."
We sat in our seats and attendants fasted our restraints. The door slid up and a woman came around the small room, injecting something into everyone's left arm. I winced as the needle entered my skin and felt an odd, cold feeling weigh my arm down.
The windows went dark, and I closed my eyes. There was no denying it. It was time.
Martin Blayze, 17
District 6 Male
The windows stayed dark for nearly two hours, or at least that was my best guess at the passage of time. Finally, the hovercraft began to descend and I stretched my sore muscles.
When everything stilled, Peacekeepers boarded the hovercraft, and began taking the tributes away. Two of them approached me and unbuckled my restraints before grabbing my biceps and dragging me away.
I let them manhandle me, letting my thoughts run wild. What would the arena be? Would I get any bloodbath kills? How many tributes would go down on the first day?
The Peacekeepers shut me in a room, where my stylist Jamieson was standing, sorting through clothes.
"Hello Martin," he said, not turning around. "How are you this morning?"
"Sort of nervous," I admitted, looking around the room. It was a solid concrete room with a metal closet and a metal circular plate in the corner. I assumed that was where I'd stand to rise into the arena.
Jamieson turned around, holding my outfit.
"Get changed," he ordered coldly. I stripped out of my t-shirt and shorts and accepted the tight black pants and thin black shirt. Then I put on thicker pants over the leggings and wool socks with heavy boots. Finally, Jamieson helped me into a thick black jacket that looked like it could repel water fairly well.
A woman's voice sounded from a hidden speaker.
"1 minute," it said. Jamieson gestured towards the plate with his head. I took a deep breath and zipped up my jacket.
"Wish me luck?" I half-joked. Jamieson nodded.
"Good luck."
I stood on the plate until a glass wall closed around me. Then the plate began to rise. It was time.
Author's Note
Originally, I was going to have this be two chapters, but they were both so short that I combined them. But tomorrow, the bloodbath comes out! I'm so excited! The prologue for Pillars of Salt will come out tomorrow too!
Please tell me what you thought of this chapter in a review, and post your bloodbath predictions! I'd love to see them. Thanks for sticking by my side throughout this journey. Your support means so much to me.
Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
- Fiona