Chapter 36: Final Goodbyes

Our goodbyes this time around are much less frantic. Thankfully, the morning of the Games is less blindly confusing than it was last time, and we actually follow the proper protocol. I'm awoken at nine o'clock, and I'm ushered by Cressa to the stylists. The outfit I've been given seems to be some sort of elegant bodysuit. It looks more for show than for actual practicality - I doubt it would protect me from any sort of weather conditions - but I suppose most aspects of the Games this year are. I will admit it looks remarkable after I put it on. Surprisingly, it's lighter and easier to wear than it looks.

I'm allowed to see Daphne before we leave, and we gather in the dining room to say goodbye to everyone except our mentors, who are coming with us to the entrance site. I think this is the first time we've all gathered together in the same room since the Games began - Jasmine, Roman, Cressa, Daphne, and surprisingly, Georgina, are all present, along with Indigo, who's sobbing loudly.

I decide to move from the easiest goodbyes to the hardest, stepping up to Georgina first. She looks worse than the last time I saw her - she seems to have lost a lot of weight, and there are dark circles under her eyes. As we hug, I'm surprised to hear her speak.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here for you after you left the Arena," she says quietly. "Seamus' death took a toll on me that has been hard for me to overcome with my age. I'm incredibly sorry that your family has to be separated like this."

I thank her genuinely before stepping over to Jasmine. She embraces me tightly.

"You can do this," she says, her voice shaking a bit. "You did it twice. I believe you can win. You just have to be smart. Please win for me."

My throat constricts as tears blur my vision. I still remember when I was Reaped twenty-five long years ago, when Jasmine was so young she didn't even cry; she was too young to realize what was happening. And now, here we are. All of us are so broken. I need to win the Games for my sister.

Cressa, Daphne, Roman, and I wave goodbye to the two women before following Indigo into the elevator. The rest of our goodbyes will take place later.

"Cyrus and Penny wish you good luck," Cressa says as we enter the elevator. "They aren't allowed to see you before the Games, but they sent their regards. Jordinia and Jackson as well. Actually, most of the Victors are rooting for you both. Nobody wants the Careers to win."

We stand in silence as we descend in the elevator. Indigo leads us out of the building to a different compound. She stops at the doorway, sighing. She stopped crying on the way down, cleaning her makeup before leaving the elevator so that nobody would see her with everything smudged.

"This is where I'm required to stop," she says, her eyes on the ground. "Step through this door, and two separate hovercraft are waiting for you. Soren and Cressa to the left, Daphne and Roman to the right."

Why am I so emotional about saying goodbye to Indigo? Despite her Capitol ways, her devotion to District Four always stood out to me. I've known her for so many years; she's like an old friend who only became a friend by necessity rather than actual chemistry, yet I've grown quite fond of her.

"Thank you for being such a diligent escort all these years," I thank her honestly. "And for welcoming me into your home this year. You're a true friend."

Indigo is very emotional, trying to hold back her tears to preserve her makeup. "It's best you go," she says, trying to stay orderly. "I wouldn't want you to be late."

We say our goodbyes and head into the room. As promised, two hovercraft await.

I think the situation has begun to set in. The doors to the hovercraft open, and one of the pilots steps out of Daphne's. "Two minutes," he tells us. "We have a schedule to follow."

We nod. I turn to Roman first as Cressa and Daphne say goodbye to each other.

"This is it," Roman says simply. "Remember the day you got Reaped? When they had to drag me out of the visiting room?"

I chuckle. "You were mortified."

"Well, here we all are over again," he sighs. "I can't help but feel like this is my fault."

I shake my head but he continues. "Please, just win. I know you can. For us."

"I will," I promise. "I have to."

But what about Daphne?

I turn to her. Her face is filled with sorrow. I embrace her in her bodysuit, and we rock back and forth. Unlike the others, there's nothing for us to say. Everything has already been said. We stand together until the pilot returns.

"Time to go!" he calls.

I let go of Daphne. "I'll see you in the Arena," I call. "For real this time."

She smiles and nods. I wave to Daphne and Roman as I step into the hovercraft.

The ride is very short. The hovercraft has no windows, so I have no idea where we've been flown to. We're greeted by Peacekeepers, who escort Cressa and me into a small room similar to the one I entered the first two times.

Just like with Daphne, there isn't much for me to say to Cressa. I have so much to tell her, but right now none of it seems important enough to say.

"Stay alive," Cressa tells me. "No matter what it takes. I hate to say it, but if the others need to die so you can live, you have to make that choice. Nobody will hold you against that decision."

I nod, but we both know that won't happen. I've shown plenty of times that my sympathy for others is my greatest weakness.

"Take care of Daphne," she says quietly.

We're interrupted by the intercom. "Twenty seconds."

I offer Cressa a very short and very tight hug. "I have to go. The earlier I get in there, the more prepared I'll be."

She smiles and nods. "Believe in yourself, Soren. We all believe in you."

I enter the glass tube, and it shuts me off from her. After a few seconds, the tube rises.

My body shudders as I slowly rise. This is it - either I make it out of here alive, or I may never see any of my family again.