Thank you guys so much for the reviews. It makes me want to keep going. And about the questions... Well, I guess you are going to keep reading to find out.
Too soon the peacekeepers rushed me and my fellow district tribute in to the train station. Reporters surrounded us, trying to get the best photo for the Capitol. Those people are mad. Taking pictures of kids that have red eyes, and a defeated posture in their weakest moment makes me nauseous. I manage to use the older boy body as a shield between me and them, while a shoot some shy smiles to the cameras.
Aster start to talk about how great these games are going to be and how we will love the Capitol, "The best place in all Panem!", according to him. If I was shocked by the room, I said goodbye to my family in the Justice Building the inside of the train made it look like rubbish.
Mahogany furniture, velvet and a big chandelier made out of crystal. Things I knew existed in the world of before, but never really saw out of social media, they already look too much at that time. Now, I didn't think I ever saw such a good or intricate piece in the wood, the colors of the velvet are too bright comparing to the pastels and washed-out hues of the clothes people wear. And the chandelier… I can't take my eyes out of it, the light is hitting the crystals and making small rainbows all over the dinner room. How many families could be feed if the Capitol distribute its wealth? How many months of salary would be needed for someone in 12 or 11 to be afford it? Would it even be possible?
I knew I should be paying attention to whatever my escort was saying, but focus on something is hard, harder them it normally is. So, I don't notice at first when we stop in front of a door and Aster start giving me frustrated looks. My district partner, whose name I still don't know, is disappearing further down the hall. This must be my room. I need to say something.
"I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Lowtrop. But could you help me choosing an outfit? I don't know anything about the Capitol fashion and I am afraid I will look awkward."
"Oh! Of course, my dear!" The capitolian man burst into my room and went straight to closet, picking random clothes and tossing then again into it. Fashion, always a way to make people from the Capitol to like you. "You are quite small, so this dress from Centaurium… You do know Centaurium right? Biggest genius in fashion design ever! Would kill for his pieces. What I was saying? Oh yes, this dress is going to be amazing. And where are they? Pantyhose, you just need them. You, people from the district, are so hairy. So uncivilized. Well, your prep team is going to fix this. In the meanwhile, we need to hide this."
I try to ignore the annoyance and rage that comes within in my body. But I can feel my teeth grit while I keep smiling a tight lip smile. They force us to kill each other, but we are the uncivilized ones? Sure, in the life of before shaving my legs were a must. But in the district, there are other things more important to care about. I heard some girls from school do it with a really sharp razor that in nothing remember the disposable ones common in the before. These often result in cuts and scars.
"I separate two looks for you, my dear. One for today and another for tomorrow, when we arrive at the Capitol. Both of them match with your flowers. Cute thing you have."
I thank him maybe too much as he leaves the room, but there are not such things as too much for them. More important, I need to make a plan. Quick. I am small, and not pretty enough to win because of patrons.
And even with patrons… To survive I will need to kill someone. I can hide until the last minute, some guy from six won like that some years ago. Maybe I can do this. I need to check if I recognize some names, this can make everything better or worse.
However, for now, I shower, hot water came out after I tried to figured out the thousand buttons that the Capitol thinks is necessary to wash a person. We have running water at home. But not hot, if you want take a warm bath you will need to put the water in the stove first and then put in the bathtub, this take a while until its all fill up, and then the water is lukewarm. And with nine people living in the same house is almost impossible to this since someone will need the stove or bathroom during the long time it takes. Before I didn't think I could live without an almost burning douche, but we get used to everything with time.
With my muscles relaxed and the stress from before taking its toll on my body I am out as soon as my head touches the pillow. Thankfully I have no dreams, I don't usually get them, but I guess soon this is going to change. Is Aster knocking in the door that wake me up for dinner.
I am the last one to arrive, my district partner is already on the table looking pale at the window, my mentors this year is Noah Greenvale and Lyanna Ontarius. She is the only woman that have ever woman the Games in our district, she is middle age and more focused on the newspaper than in her tributes, Noah is the last victor we had, but his Games had been before I was even born and now, he looks like he is trying to break the world record of more donuts in a person mouth. Not impressed and for their actions they already gave up on us.
The food in the table was enough to feed countless families in the poor districts, the thought that most of this is going to a trash bin made me sure to eat as much as possible, I don't know when a couple more kilos are going to help me in the arena.
My partner stare at us and start to laugh nervously.
"We are going to die, aren't we? I mean look at us! I have no chance against the careers and she… are you even twelve?" He is having a nervous breakdown. Not that is not justified. But if he doesn't get his shit together soon, he will not survive past the bloodbath. Is not my business, I need to think as one minus to compete against. However, he is a kid and I am sorry for him, that should have lived such a long live and will never get a chance. And now he needs comfort.
"But you two did, right? Won it, I mean. So, you can give us some tips." I tried to act cheerful and hopeful, childlike, or how I supposed a child act, I don't remember this time in my past life and in this one I wasn't exactly your average.
"Who are you trying to fool? We are from 10! And you are just an unlucky tribute, that is going to die soon, just like me!" The boy screams at me as if trying to make me see the reality. Great, he is a pessimist. Our mentor only stare at us and exchange looks between each other.
"Is almost time to watch the replay of the reaping. After this Ophelia is going to train with me and Lark, with Noah." Lyanna say looking tired, as if she already did these a hundred other times, and maybe she did. "But first you need to know what waits for you when we arrive at the Capitol. First you will be taken by your prep team. Don't talk back to them, you are not going to like, but they are good at their job. Then is the Tribute Parade, I don't care what you do, you need to leave an impression so the sponsors are going to remember you. And the rest we can talk latter."
"Oh and it's going to hurt." Noah chuckles.