The First Annual Hunger Games

by Callidora Medea

Following the Dark Days, the President of Panem announces the beginning of the Hunger Games. District 4 girl, Cass, District 1 girl, Silver, and District 7 girl, Oak, are all thrown into the turmoil that is the first Hunger Games, and must choose their alliances; decisions that can mean life or death in the arena. All intend to win. But there can be only one victor.

22. Chapter 22- The Avox Girl

Chapter 22.- Cass Oceansong

I can't sleep. I've been tossing and turning for hours in my bed. Where will I go tomorrow? What will the arena be like? I don't know what to expect. Do I run away or do I fight first? The basic rules with the Cornucopia and the supplies have been laid out for me. Do I go and get the supplies or do I run away? And how will I find Willow? We agreed to find each other in the arena. And most of all, I'm terrified of killing someone. I don't want to, ever.

I sit up and throw off the covers. I'm so glad it's me here, not Wave. I'd rather be here instead of my sister any day. And I will get home. I just don't know how. I get out of bed and go over to the window, looking down at the Capitol below. We're not that far up, since we're only on the fourth floor. I could climb out, could get down to the street below and run away. I shake my head to clear it. They'd catch me within minutes. A knock sounds on my door. I jump, then turn around. "Come in?" I say in a hushed voice.

It's a red clothed girl. It's probably against her rules for her to come in here, but she does anyway. "Hi?" I say, stepping towards her. She waves a little, then starts motioning with her hands. She points to herself, then to me, then cups a hand to her ear. "You heard me in here moving around?" I ask. She nods. She puts both hands over her heart, then extends them to me. She draws the path of a tear down her cheek. "You feel for me, you're sorry I have to go into the arena," I say, and she nods again. I smile. Then she puts her hands in a praying position then points to me. "And you'll be hoping I win." She nods again, a smile on her face. "Thank you. I feel better now, thank you," I say. And I mean it. I reach out my hand in friendship, and she takes it briefly. Then she shakes her head. "It's against your rules. I'm sorry." She nods and turns to go. "Wait," I say. "What's your name?" She thinks for a minute, then points to the ground. "Floor," I say. She nods, then motions to go on. She makes a lowercase A with her fingers. "Floor…A… Oh! Flora! Is that right? Flora?" She smiles broadly and nods. "Thank you, Flora. I'll be thinking of you in the arena." Then she leaves.

I sit back onto the bed. Flora. She risked punishment and broke a lot of rules to come and 'talk' to me. I wonder why she's an Avox, what she did. And what they did to her so she can't speak. Her friendship, the first true friendship here gets me thinking. I can't trust anyone else in the Capitol; Rigg is out to kill me, my prep team and stylist and Plinia are all shallow. Then I get thinking about home. About Tempest and my family. Thinking about them finally lulls me to sleep.