Chapter 16: Train Rides Part 1
Ladies and Gentlemen, I may present you the first train ride! Meet Wayne, Fen, Jeddison, Anya and Dimona on their way to the Capitol. The only thing I need you to warn about, could possibly be Dimona's part (trigger warning: drugs and self-harm). If you don't want to read something like this, then PM me and I will tell you what the part is about! This counts for the rest of the story! There is no need to be ashamed of if you want me to resume it for you!
Wayne Thompson, 17, District 1 male
With a slight jerking, the train moved further away from District 1. The crystal chandeliers of the wagon swung back and forth, the green landscape passed them as in the feature film. Wayne pushed past Fabulous, who was in a heated discussion with Sapphira Mooner. Lucretia was already sitting at the bar talking animatedly with his brother. Roger had a half-empty wine bottle in his hand and gave the 18-year-old a glass. "It's important to always smile. Remember that," said Roger Thompson, who admittedly didn't really look like a winner with his leather jacket, but rather like an insane fan who had sneaked into the train. The blonde nodded as if any advice she got was self-evident. Wayne did not know Lucretia until the reaping; both had been to different schools, had trained in other courses of the academy.
But he immediately recognized an arrogant personality. Lucretia reminded him of Mina's little sister Daphne, who boasted of successes that were not her own. It wasn't hard to be one of the two volunteers – you just needed the right contacts, money and a contract with the academy, which confirmed that they had been training there for at least three years. Roger seemed to have finally noticed Wayne and waved his little brother to him. "I thought you were going to retire," Roger said, as he slapped Wayne on the shoulder. "Why should I?" asked Wayne, astonished, raising eyebrows. On the contrary, he would not have been surprised if Roger had recoiled. It had to be admitted that Wayne was able to stab his brother in both skill and appearance, despite the age difference of five years. Five years ago, Wayne wouldn't have expected to see him again when Roger's farewell. The show he had pulled off had been just bad acting and simple sword fighting. In the blossoming cherry forests of the arena, he could have sat out his victory; the careers had been in control of the cornucopia again this year and thus also the majority of the food. The environment and the deadly butterfly mutations had accelerated the Games, leaving only the Karrieros to fight the victory among themselves. The girl of four fell first, then the female tribute from one. The two tributes from two switched off each other until Roger only had to bring the boy out of four to the line. There had been fewer than three blows until the applause of the Capitol spread in the arena.
Roger didn't have the talent Wayne had perfected. "Because of your girlfriend, what was her name again? Lina? Ina?" said Roger. Wayne's cheeks started to burn. Roger knew full well that she was called Mina. He just wanted to provoke him to prove to Wayne that he wasn't ready for the games. Roger should only wait two weeks, then Wayne would tell him what a real winner was.
"Mina had nothing to do with the decision. I don't know if she loves me just because of the money and the reputation," Wayne said in a firm voice, before taking the glass of wine out of Lucretia's hand. She winked at him conspiratorially, only to then fill another one. "I suppose one of us will find out as soon as the games are over," Lucretia said hypocritically, proselytizing. Wayne drank the glass empty with a few sips. "If you continue to fill up like this, I wouldn't put my money on you," said Sapphira, who had quietly bumped into them during the conversation.
"There are no cameras here, Sapph, come down. Can't they enjoy a glass in peace before all the fuss about their people really starts?!", demanded Fabulous, who stood insulted next to Lucretia's bar stool. He probably lost the discussion with Sapphira. But he wouldn't be Fabulous if he couldn't change his mood like a chameleon. He clapped his hands cheerfully, prompting several avoxes to come forward. "We can continue our conversation over the coming week over lunch. Sit down!" announced Fabulous. Lucretia muttered something Wayne didn't understand and drew Roger to the noble oak table. Well, there were two, thought Wayne, who settled between Sapphira and Fabulous.
It was served up big. First, cold cucumber soup was served, which clearly lacked pepper. Sapphira told us what to do next week. First, tomorrow, after arriving at the Capitol, a visit was scheduled for the stylists who would prepare you for the parade the next evening. "Hopefully, we won't just be on the wagon covered with gems," Lucretia said. On her face you could tell that she wouldn't settle for such an outfit. "After that, it's the training, isn't it?" asked Wayne, whose empty plate was immediately replaced with a bulging plate. "These three days are important. Get an overview of the competition, especially the two from District 2. They're probably going to be the biggest competition," Roger said, before turning over the stuffed turkey on his plate.
"Not all reapings are over yet, aren't they?" asked Lucretia, who tied her long hair back into a braid. Fabulous shook his head. "In the districts closest to the Capitol, i.e. 2, 5 and 9, they will now take place in the next three hours. However, only those from District 2 are likely to be interesting. Five and nine haven't brought home any winners in years, so they're unlikely to start this year."
Wayne continued to listen to Fabulous talk about her chances of winning. The turkey was far more delicious than the soup and the mashed potatoes was right on the spot. "Tell me something about Mina and your tantrums," Said Sapphira, who had bent over to Wayne. How was it possible that this woman could sneak up on everyone like a leopard?
Wayne put his cutlery on the empty plate. "How do you know about it?" he asked anxiously. Sapphira pointed to Roger, who was back in a deep conversation with Lucretia, with a head movement. "Could I have imagined," Wayne muttered. Sapphira looked patiently at him. "If you feel uncomfortable raising this issue here, we can go into another wagon," she said, looking at Roger and Lucretia, who seemed to understand each other well. Wayne shook his head appealingly. "If I can't even talk about it here, what do I do in my interview?" Sapphira breathed a serene breath. "I thought you were a sentimental version of your brother," she muttered, asking the next moment what exactly she needed to know about Wayne Thompson to help him in the arena.
"Sometimes I don't know exactly what to know about me. But I think it would be important to know that I really like my girlfriend Mina," he said, waving off the wine that has now been served to the cheese platter. "But it wasn't so confident before. It sounded more like a wishful thinking," said Sapphira, who looked out the window. 'Our relationship isn't always as perfect as you'd like. Mina just doesn't understand how important the games are to me. You know, I've had this goal of one day sitting on this golden throne and wearing a crown. My whole life was to train for it."
Sapphira nodded knowingly. "I'm sure you know about Fabulous and me. Even with us there are not always rosy times, that is quite normal. But if someone stands between you and your life goal, is it wise to continue to have an intimate relationship with that person? Didn't always put the happiness of others over your own, that's what my mother told me before her death," Sapphira said, and Wayne immediately realized why this woman was so popular in the Capitol and the districts. Sapphira Mooner was a real, approachable person who had as much experience as everyone else. "That's a nice last piece of advice. Do you think if I come back to one after the games, that I should finish with Mina?" asked Wayne, dipping his spoon into the still warm chocolate cake that had just been served. 'This decision is not mine. But now you have to focus on the games and not on Mina. If you want, I can arrange a call for you in the Capitol so you can do that before the games. They are now a top priority," Sapphira said before it went dark on the train.
Only a few minutes separated the train and the Capitol.
Fen Orta, 16, District 4
Fen admittedly didn't know how he felt. He was sick, but not so fluffy that he had to vomit. Mags called it emotional nausea. The woman in her mid-forties had received her two tributes at the town hall and for the first time held both firmly in her arms. "Should we postpone lunch?" asked Romulus Carréra anxiously, as he worked his nails until they looked like claws. Fen shook his head in shame.
He didn't like to be the reason for chaos. If Shasta could pull himself together, he would probably do it. The aforementioned had sat down on the armchair next to the window with her knees tightened and stared out at the passing sea. Soon you wouldn't see it again, but by that time everyone would be asleep. "I don't have an appetite either," she said softly, before desperately driving through her white-blond hair. Mags gently placed his hand on Fen's shoulder. Although Fen was much bigger than the woman, he felt very inferior to her. "We can really wait with the food. What do you both think of drinking a hot chocolate? It's always good for me when something bad happened," Mags said, waving an Avox to place the order. Fen could not disagree; he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and since the harvest he felt like he was hyperventilating right away. Romulus knocked on the cushion of the sofa and Mags pressed Fen to him.
"When I pulled your name out of the lot ball, I saw that Shasta was getting quite pale. How do you know yourself?" asked Romulus gently, quickly closing his make-up case. "We are friends. My sister is her best friend," Fen said with a thick lump in her neck. Friends, but no more than that. The two would not become anything else in the short time, but the situation was too tense. All his life he had done everything to please Shasta. She had never noticed how much he was trying or trying. For Shasta Vengari, he was just a friend and the little brother of her best friend. Actually, the main victim was Crystal: she lost either her brother or her friend, Fen thought bitterly, before he gratefully accepted the hot chocolate from the Avox. But what do I lose except for my life?
"This is a stupid situation," Romulus muttered, and Fen even felt remorse when he looked him in the blue eyes. "Yes...a stupid situation!" said Shasta loudly, banging her head against the windowpane. Her hot chocolate was steaming on the table, but Shasta managed to ignore it completely. Was Fen a bad person if he had already accepted the situation? He knew that his chances were not as high as those of Shasta or the other careers who, unlike him, were trained in the art of killing. In addition, Fen was only sixteen, most of the winners were older than him. The only thing that might give him an advantage was his ability to handle a bow.
Mags had sat on the back of Shasta's armchair and hugged the desperate girl. Her eyes shone protectively, as if to say that no one could hurt Shasta, because she would otherwise tear him to shreds. "I really can't tell you that I know how you feel. But I can listen to you and try to understand it. If you want to talk, Romulus and I are always at your disposal," Mags said calmly, as Romulus nodded diligently. Shasta buried her face in her hands before jumping up vigorously. She immediately dropped back on the armchair, but at least the desperate expression on her face had disappeared. "What do you think we should do?" Fen heard himself asking.
'I'd focus on accumulating calories. You will need a little fat pad. Believe me, in the arena, the kilos will fall off your hips so quickly that you don't even notice," Mags explained. After that, everyone was silent. Fen thought of the delicious crab rolls Crystal made on special occasions. They were certainly lonely on the kitchen table and no one touched them. Crystal had certainly made his way to the beach to listen to the waves and come down.
"How do we choose the allies, Mags?" Shasta suddenly asked, drinking the hot chocolate in a few sips. The woman continued to caress Shasta over her shoulder. "Traditionally, an alliance with the first two districts would be. I suppose that would be the closest solution." " I think that's good," Fen said. "No, definitely not," Shasta said. In horror, Fen looked at her. What else should they join in an alliance? There was no one to take in a trained person from District Four. Somehow, it was an unwritten law that forbids this. The career districts form the largest and strongest alliance, with the most winners. What could Shasta have against this alliance? "And why not, Shasta?" asked Romulus in amazement. "The careers are always the best choice at the beginning. Just think of the supplies!" he cried, shaking his hands wildly over his head. "I don't think the alliance is bad. I just think it's not suitable for all of us," she said, avoiding looking Fen in the eye.
The arrow that had just been shot down hit his target. The tip drilled deep into Fen's heart. That's how treason had to feel like, he was sure. Shasta and he have been fishing together many times, so why didn't she want to do it in the arena? His district partner finally managed to get up. Her facial expression was terrified. Did Fen really stare at her so badly? She deserved it, whispered his inner voice. She has rejected her closest friend, then it should also be her downfall. You just wanted the best for her!
"Please stop looking at me like that, Fen," she whispered softly, reaching out her hand to reach for his. Fen reflexively pulled her away from hers, as if he had burned himself on hot coals. Fen reflexively pulled her away from hers, as if he had burned himself on hot coals. "Then please explain to me why you don't think I'm suitable for the careers!" he said sourly. " Mags had stopped stroking Shasta's shoulders and looked at her questioningly. "Fen, I don't know how to say it... I just think you're not used to that much violence. This alliance could do you more harm than good!" said Shasta, reaching for his dislocated hand. Fen looked at her with a frown. Had she just really said that he was weak?
"May I remind you, who always smashes the skull of the caught fish? I watched you often enough at training, Shasta, I can stand it," he said, looking up again to Mags pulling up her shoulders. "Fen, these are the Hunger Games. This is not about how many fish you have already smashed the skull, this is about killing other people!" shouted Shasta with an increasingly shrill voice. Frightened by the sudden outburst of rage, Fen shrugged. He had never experienced Shasta like this before. Before he could answer anything, Shasta continued with her little speech. "The careers do just that, they kill. No matter who or what. I'm just worried that if the alliance breaks, I can't protect both of us. Do you understand that?" Breathless, the girl dropped back into the armchair. "I will join this alliance to make sure that nothing happens to you. I will convince the others that they ignore you in the cornucopia. Then you can flee and move on. Then you can flee and move on. When the alliance breaks, I will seek you and then we can fight together," she whispered with her eyes closed.
At that moment, Fen regretted everything he had thought about Shasta. She had not been selfish, she had just tried to stay away from the greatest danger to help him. "That's very noble of you," Romulus said honestly, to end the oppressive silence. The escort got up and walked toward the table. "But before someone flips over here, I think we should have something to eat," he said. "Come on, children, he's right," Mags said, waving to Fen to join Romulus at the table. Fen pressed Shasta's hand again and looked at her. Her blue eyes shone back.
Their pact was agreed and no one would be able to oppose it.
Shasta Vengari was his heroine and would remain so forever.
No matter what happened.
Jeddison Ranger, 18, District 10
The cool air of the air-conditioned train immediately struck Jeddison. Horizon bravely kept her feet on her feet, even when she had to pull up with her lips pinched on the railing. His district partner had quickly recovered from her small bout of weakness and insisted on being treated in the same way as him, even though, according to Celestia, she had weakened the first impression for both of them.
"Do you need help?" he asked Horizon quietly, so as not to annoy Celestia, who would apparently focus on him for the next week. "No, it's possible. But thank you for defending me earlier in the town hall," she said, and with each word she became quieter. "That was a matter of course," Jeddison said, pushing past the joint mentor Penelopé Garcia. The mentor had once again pinched her eyes, as if she were trying to keep her closed forever. Jeddison did not know whether it was because of the migraine that Penelopé used as an excuse, or the two tributes. She had long since nibbled off her red lipstick, Jeddison remarked when he looked at her again. She's probably as nervous as I am. No wonder Penelopé hadn't brought home a winner in a decade, and no one mentioned the near victory of three years ago. It is rumored that she regularly had drugs delivered from the Capitol because she was suffering from the pressure to succeed. She could really feel sorry for you.
"Are you also coming for lunch, Penelopé?" asked Horizon kindly, who was as concerned as Jeddison was at the mentor. She nodded slightly and then shaved the two out of the hallway.
"Do you think she's had some kind of seizure?" Horizon whispered softly to him. "Wel,l possible. I feel kinda sorry for her," Jeddison replied, then dropped onto a chair next to Celestia. The train started to move, turning his stomach over for a short time. There was a reason that Jedd avoided taking the bus to school; He just quickly became nasty. Maybe it was also because I was so chosen for the Hunger Games, his inner voice muttered. Celestia looked at him anxiously. "You are completely green in your face. All right, Jeddison?" asked Celestia, then put her ice-cold hand on his forehead. "Travelling with fast vehicles doesn't get me so well," he told her, before pulling away her hand. "If it's nothing else," she said, putting on her false smile again.
Jeddison could not suffer such people at all. People like Celestia played small, mean games with their fellow human beings to profit from them. They didn't care if they hurt others, only their own profit was important. He did the same when he was still a member of the gang. They had taken advantage of him coldly and when he realized what a perfidious game had been played with him, they wanted to kill him so that he wouldn't make others doubt. Penelopé took Jeddison out of his thoughts as she sat next to Horizon. By now she had reopened her eyes and looked the way she was known on the screens. Another that has to play this game. No wonder she was so bad. Certainly, Penelopé wanted to leave the vicious circle just as Jeddison had managed. But to do that, she needed a winner to take over for her.
"As you will know, upon arrival at the Capitol, we will meet with the stylists who will prepare you for tomorrow night's parade. Please let them do it, they know what they're doing," Penelopé said, wiping his sleeve over his wet forehead. Horizon nodded approvingly and glanced Jeddison desperately. He could literally hear in his head how Horizon was giving up.
An uncomfortable silence arose that ended a loud growl of Horizon's stomach. Her cheeks were immediately touched in tomato red and Celestia understood it as a sign that it was time to finally start lunch.
They served up big. As an appetizer, a crisp salad with sweet tomatoes and a creamy sauce was served. Thankfully, Jeddison took him away from the Avox. For the entire appetizer, everyone was silent as best they could and spoke only when they needed something, they didn't come forward. The silence was very pleasant for a brief moment, especially after Jeddison still heard the enthusiastic cries of the citizens ringing in his ears. Finally, we could have a winner again!, an older woman had called. The people of the Tenth District relied on him, and he just didn't want to let them down. His desire to satisfy others had already put him in a problematic situation; Jedd had to make sure that this didn't happen again, mainly because he knew that no one in the arena would save him or that the word grace was known. If he let someone come in now, it wouldn't go well. His gaze wandered to Horizon, which tried to ignore Celestia's stings. She was actually a good partner, he thought, but immediately rejected the idea because he didn't want to think about how painfully she might die because of him. Jeddison could not allow such a thing. Although he had known Horizon for less than three hours, he knew he had to protect them. Sometimes this only succeeded if you avoided that person. Perhaps she would see it as a personal affront, but Jeddison could live with the idea that nothing would be done to her.
"Have you thought about looking for allies?" Celestia asked casually, sipping another sip of brandy. "So, for my part, I'd love to have someone by my side," Horizon said, looking forward to Jeddison's direction. The 18-year-old felt it running down his back in a cold way. He would have to destroy hope in Horizon's eyes to keep their two chances of survival high. "I'm not sure I want to find an ally," he said, avoiding looking Horizon in the eye. On the eye-winkle he saw her turn red; Whether it was out of anger or embarrassment, he could not say. Celestia raised her eyebrows amusedly and tried to suppress her laughter by drinking another sip. Penelopé looked up in confusion, as if she hadn't heard the conversation. Unfortunately, Jeddison really could not count on her support. He at least needed Celestia on his side and as it looked, he had done it by canceling Horizon.
"Well, I'll probably have to pick one during training," Horizon said bitterly, before drinking the full wine glass of Penelope's. The mentor didn't even notice. With a rigid view, the passing landscape looked out of the window. "If you apologize, I'll now retreat to my compartment," she proclaimed, boldly reaching into the bowl of strawberries before getting out of the wagon. As soon as the door closed, Celestia burst into a laugh. Jeddison looked at her furiously, but he was skillfully ignored. "I don't think anyone can really deal with rejection!" giggled Celestia, grabbing Jeddison's arm. The 18-year-old even smelled her alcohol flag when she closed her mouth. "Then it's clear who we support, isn't it, Penelopé?" added Celestia, beaming at Jeddison. All he could cling to in the arena were a drug addict and a drunken, hurtful escort, Jeddison thought bitterly and tried to hide how disgusted he was with the thought.
Anya Hanzar, 13, District 8 female
For the first time in her life, Anya had enough time for herself. In her compartment it was quiet, not siblings who demanded attention, only the quiet rattling of the train on the rails. Anya breathed a deep breath. She had to pull herself together to avoid breaking down in tears on stage. Now she could do just that: crying.
The 13-year-old avoided seeing it out the window. Anya wanted to cry, but there was no single tear that wanted to take the path. She didn't want to see any grain fields whose ripe ears stood for her death. "Oh, damn..." she whispered, hurling the hairbrush against the door. Anya wanted to go back to her squealing siblings, who all cried at the farewell. Anne kept whispering that she should have volunteered. Anya hadn't taken it upon her heart at that moment to tell her that it was the only thing that could have saved the family. It knocked quietly on the door.
"Come in," Anya shouted, and got up to pick up the hairbrush. The door opened a gap wide and Anya recognized the face of her district partner Aramed. 'I don't want to be alone now and I don't think you either. Woolf is arguing with Monica again," he said calmly, brushing his hair. How old was this boy? He behaved like an adult, but he didn't even pass Anya's chin. But now Anya was kind of happy that there was someone who didn't pretend to be the biggest fool.
"What are they arguing about?" she asked, and then stepped out of the room. Aramed pointed to the next wagon. 'I think it's about Monica wanting a promotion. Her exact words were: "I don't want to have to present two weak children again. We both know they won't make it," the boy said, dragging Anya into the next wagon. The girl snorted furiously. How could Aramed and she concentrate at all if no one believed in them?!
The next door opened automatically and immediately Anya saw why Aramed had brought her here. "How many different varieties are these?" she asked, astonished. The whole wagon was a huge collection of the most delicious treats Panem had to offer. From the right wall a huge shelf stretched to the other side. Even in the smallest corner there was a candy. Anya recognized caramel from District 9, next to small donuts made of 1, which were covered with a reflective glaze. "That's how I imagine heaven!" said Aramed, grinning, sitting on a cushion stool. "How did you know about this room?" shouted Anya, still fascinated by the luxury offered to them here. "Monica showed me the room. Do you also want a piece of chocolate cake? It's supposedly a special recipe from District 10!" explained Aramed, cutting the small cake the next moment. Anya was fascinated by the various packaging's until she stopped to pull out her sister's favorite variety. "Do you think I can ask Monica to send her to my family?" she asked, throwing herself on the other stool. "If they don't give you that wish, I don't know," he said, pushing a bulging spoon into his mouth. "I've never eaten anything delicious before!" he exclaimed enthusiastically, and at the latest now Anya couldn't stop smiling. She was glad that she at least drove to the Capitol with someone like Aramed. Although he sometimes behaved like a pensioner, she had somehow loved him. "We always have a small bag of different sweets for Christmas. Do you know that?" said Anya, to keep the conversation going. At that moment, she couldn't bear silence. Aramed was right; She really didn't want to be alone. Opposite her, she shook her head and shoved another piece of the cake into her mouth. Anya raised eyebrows. "You don't know any of Sally's' miracle bags?! How did you grow up?" Said Anya indignantly, then looking at him with a grin. Aramed placed the now empty plate on a small table. "I've never really eaten a lot of sweets. My mother always thought it was too unhealthy for me and my brother. I always got a book at Christmas," the dark-haired man suddenly explained earnestly. "What kind of books were they? My sister also reads a lot when she finds the time to do so," Anya added, not feeling so uncomfortable when she felt his gaze on her and shoved a piece of cake into her mouth. In fact, Aramed was right; the cake caused a small explosion of taste on her tongue. Aramed folded his hands as if he were about to start listing bible passages, but he smiled, which reassured Anya immensely.
"I read a lot about Panem's history and the different districts. Sounds more boring than it really is!" he quickly added, as he saw Anya's astonished face and tried to hide his reddened cheeks from Anya. She could only shake her head at his reaction. "If you enjoy it, it's good! Anne reads a lot of romantic books," she said, also letting the crumbs disappear on her plate. "What are you doing in your free time?" asked Aramed, jumping up to watch the sunset. Were they really here for so long? "Most of the time I meet with my friends in one of the empty factories. You know, those in River Valley," Anya said, standing up to stand next to Aramed.
The sun just went down and painted his most beautiful garment in the evening sky. Radiant egg yolk, followed by an increasingly darker red tone, which almost appeared black near the ground. "Have you ever seen such a sunset?" she whispered softly, so as not to disturb the beautiful moment. Aramed shook his head in denial and put his head on the windowsill. "Sometimes I wish I could enjoy something like this every day," he whispered. "The sky in District 8 is always so dirty, there's never one of the stars," he said a little louder. "I like to look at the stars when it's possible," Anya said. "My mother is always almost mad when I am still outside after dark. From the old factories in River Valley you have a good view of the stars, so I love being there," she continued, feeling her eyes getting wet. Had she found a way to finally cry? Was this memory so special to them? Why were tears forming in her eyes now, not when she thought of her grieving family?
"Do you see this constellation of stars? That's the big cart. And beside it..." before Aramed could finish his sentence, Anya completed his sentence, ... the small cart". The two children looked into the night sky for some time without speaking. "I think we're like the stars in the sky," Anya said, gently pressing Aramed's hand. "We are like the moon and the sun. No one can live without the other, but you can never see them together."
Aramed pushed back. "At first I was skeptical. But I think we can both make a good team if we make an effort. Just because we are the youngest doesn't mean we should be forgotten," he said firmly, noting that even Anya felt a little stronger than before. "Then it's done. The eights hold together, even if no one believes in us," Anya whispered, looking out into the sky to face the moon, looking down on the two children. He would take care of her, Anya thought contentedly, and that was enough for a little eternity.
Dimona Summa, 18, District 3
She was trapped between the thousands of shards of glass of vases or glasses she had thrown against the walls to process her frustration. Each step reminded Dimona that she was just a human being. She was bleeding like one, she loved like one and hated like one. She had to be reassured after getting on the train. Dimona still felt the puncture point of the sedative syringe on her back.
All security measures, they said, locking the 18-year-old in her compartment. Were they really so scared that I could hurt them? Did they see me as a threat to their sick game? Breathing heavily, Dimona let himself slide down the wall. She felt the sweat leak from every pore of her body. Did they want me to make a cold withdrawal? It wasn't that she had unrestricted access to soothing drugs in the arena. Dimona buried her face behind her crossed arms. She didn't believe these people wanted to help her. Beetee had promised her to come by to look after her. As if I were an animal in the zoo that lives only for the fun of others, Dimona recognized bitterly. She looked to the door, which was still tightly locked, and to the soup that was on a tray. Surely it was already cold. Dimona had not touched it in fear that any medicine had been mixed into it. Her thin nightgown was so sweaty that it was almost transparent. If my friends saw me now, would they laugh? Would they help me?, Dimona wondered, crawling to the door. It was still bright that she saw at the beam of light that was shining under the door.
How long have they been on the road? Dimona tried to push the doorknob down, but without any success. They had really been locked up here. Did these people really deal with their tributes like that? Did the annual torture start on the train, where you couldn't watch? That would be boring. Dimona listened to the train's quiet rattling until steps approached. Like a terrified animal, she bounced back, ignoring the wounds on her feet that were to blame for her confrontation with the glasses and vases. She tried to hold her breath. In fact, she heard a key pushing into the door lock. Had Beetee finally come to look after her?
The door opened silently and the person who wanted to see Dimona the least came to light. Hyperion Jackman had really ventured close to his daughter. How could he dare? Did this man not have a spark of decency?!
"I don't want to see you," Dimona said with a firm voice, burying her fingernails in her palms to avoid going out to the man. Hyperion Jackman exhaled as if he was dealing with mentally injured youths every day. He opened the door until the attack. Bright sunlight flooded the small sobering-up cell, as Dimona had baptized it by now. Her eyes were aching from the light. In fact, she hadn't seen any real light for a long time, Dimona thought, and stood up cautiously. "The doctor says you're back in the constitution to think clearly and behave," Hyperion said. Dimona looked around the room confused until she discovered a camera in the upper left corner. "I behaved accordingly," Dimona whispered softly but firmly. Her neck was like dried up.
"You attacked me in the town hall! I wouldn't call it proper behavior!" Hyperion shouted indignantly and came threateningly to march on her. "I don't know if you understand the consequences of your actions for all of us. If you don't realize, you've embarrassed us and the district!" he yelled in her face. Should she now weep with remorse and beg for forgiveness? Dimona Summa would not be humiliated by an adulterer, a lost soul. It may be that she did not have the most stable mental state, but her honor was still there. "You have humiliated yourself to the bone! You know, everyone gave you up after your name was called out. Everyone except me. But when I see you sitting in front of me and being too proud to admit a mistake, no one can help you!" her father continued. His face had already turned red, Dimona noted amusedly, and made an effort not to break out into resounding laughter. Did he really want to make it clear to her that she was a disgrace to the District? He was supposed to look in the mirror before talking to her about humiliation.
"How proud do you have to be then? You have left one mother and her eight-year-old girl for another, whose daughter sleeps through half the district! You never signed up. There was no explanation why you had left, nothing. It was as if you had been swallowed up by the ground!" she replied, furiously. Dimona saw his defensive line begin to crumble. Apparently, she had hit a sore point with her answer. "If you really think that I am reliant on you, a cursed sinner, then you are damn wrong! I am the only one who can determine their own destiny, and I will. I don't care what a ridiculous district thinks about me. The only person who has to believe in me is myself and I certainly don't need you to do that!" she shouted at him. Tears rose in her eyes and then made ways across her cheeks to the ground. Hyperion went into the squat to look his daughter into the blue eyes. "I don't know if it's such a good idea not to be helped by anyone," he said, looking at her forcefully. What a pathetic idiot.
"I will seek help from people I can trust. I want Beetee as a mentor and I'll just warn you again: If you get too close to me, I'll slit your throat at night in your sleep and make it look like an accident," she whispered. Her voice was shouted with hatred and contempt. She was bitterly alert.
Hyperion patted his knees in disappointment before turning to the door. "I really thought you wanted to survive. If you can't finish with the past and focus only on your hatred of me, you'll be the first to go under. Just because I've become happy with someone other than your mother doesn't mean I don't feel a bit of love for my daughter. I really hope you will understand one day," he said, then closed the door behind him.
Dimona jumped up and hammered like wildly against the door. (I don't want to list the insults she threw at his head now). After an hour, she finally gave up her fight. Hyperion Jackman wouldn't come back to confess to her that he was a dirty liar. She didn't need anyone to tell her lies, damaged her mind and kept her from the goal of surviving. The only thing Dimona needed now were freshly baked biscuits and a decent shower.
How did you like this chapter? I'm actually really satisfied with it and think that it showed a different side of many characters. We have the first alliance between the eights, a promise of protection in district four's team, an upcoming plan for Jedd, a relationship that's maybe about to break Wayne's heart and the first conversation between Dimona and her father! I will start summarizing the alliances when we start with the training and the death list when we enter the arena.
Next chapter will be the second train ride with Pov's from Amber (D9f), Rolan (D6m), Diana (D2f), Hal (D3m) and Alisha (D5f)! See you next time! Until then, love Athena