Chapter 2 ~ The Tributes
It took a minute for my brain to register the news. I closed my eyes, replaying the event in my mind. I could see Moxie on that stage, calling out the name. Cordelia Opal Raines. It's me this year. There's no way.
"Cordelia?" Moxie looked out into the crowd of girls of all ages. Obviously, she didn't know who to look for, because I saw her gaze pass over me twice. "Honey, where are you? Come on up, don't be shy!" I want to scream that it's not because I am shy.
It's because I'm scared.
I don't have to do it, I thought. If I snuck out, I would be safe for another year, safe until the next Reaping, when my name would have greater chances of being drawn. And I would have if it weren't for Ashlyn. She was a courageous friend, who always knew right from wrong and never crossed the line between good and bad. She gently pried her hand from my grip, her eyes telling me that everyone would miss me, miss my laugh that brightened up a room, miss my beautiful words that brought hope to those in despair. Nevertheless, I was powerless against the Capitol's power; we were all powerless.
Brianna was on the left of me, tears forming in her eyes. I let go of my tight grip on her hand and walked out, distinguishing myself from the sea of girls. Her fingers grazed mine, but I pulled away and kept going. I did not doubt that if I let my fingers intertwine with hers, there would be no chance that I would make it on stage. As soon as I moved, everyone within 5 feet of me backed away, like I had some contagious disease.
Over a hundred thousand pairs of eyes fall on me. Through the sea of people, I see my parents in the back. But I don't dare to make eye contact for the fear that I would break down right then and there.
This made it easy for Moxie to find me, giving me a clear path to the stage. "There you are! Come on up now!" Her words were bright and cheery, making me wince at how anyone could enjoy the horror of having to take away 24 innocent children and forcing them to kill or be killed. It's completely barbaric.
My feet moved subconsciously. Every step I took felt like an eternity. Every step I took, I was inching toward what would surely be my death. I have to continuously tell myself not to look down at the ground as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. Once, I looked back and found Brianna and Ashlyn hugging, clinging onto each other as if their life depended on it, rivers streaming out of their eyes. The mere sight of it tore my heart out, and I practically had to force myself to face the front.
Still, I continued walking, my steps barely resting on the ground. I step up to the stage, next to Moxie, who smiles widely at me. "Very good! Any volunteers?" I caught my friends' gazes, silently willing them not to volunteer, telling them not to do it. I don't think I would be able to handle them being in the arena because of me. The district was silent, they all felt bad but at the same time, didn't want to be in my shoes. This was my community, and not a single soul had enough courage to save me from this terrible fate.
District 4 is a Career District. But I know for a fact that this year, everyone is too young. No female is 18 years old who is good enough to volunteer for the Games, not this year.
"No volunteers? Right then, and now onto the boys!" I hear her footsteps as she walks over to the boys' bowl, picking the name that will change one boy's future. As I stand on the stage for the whole country to see, playing with my fingers, I hear her announce the name, but I tune it out. Instead, I whip my head around to where I know Finnick is standing, dreading his reaction to me being chosen. Surprisingly, I can see that he is emotionless, clearly playing an act that the Capitol has forced him into. I know that later when he is away from the cameras, he will allow himself to break down. And it hurts me to think that I am the cause of his suffering. He meets my eyes, and I can see the pain flooding in them, the worry, the terror. But his eyes snap to someone beside me, and I turn to face the front again.
"Shake hands you two!" I turn back to see District 4's male tribute, Danny Garrison, from the 18-year-old pool. I was easily frightened by how tall he was, knowing he would likely be part of the Career Pack. Next to him, I must look like a little weakling with no chance.
His hands grasped onto mine, and I am shocked by how soft they are. His eyes are kind and contain the same fear as mine.
The Reapings will be shown later. I can't give up, not this early, not yet. If I do so, I would be marked as an easy kill, and that's the last thing I want. None of us were giving up that easily.
They took us away for everyone to come in and say their goodbyes. I was still slightly in a daze as Peacekeepers led us off the stage. The first to come in was my solemn parents.
"Mom," I choked out as she wrapped me in a death-crushing hug. "I know you don't have a lot of time," she only cried harder at the reminder, "so I'll make it quick." I stopped, unwilling to say what had to be said. "I'm likely not getting out of the arena. But I love you." She shakes her head violently, muttering under her breath.
"No… no… no…" I struggle to hear, but the volume increases exponentially. "No… no… no!" My dad has to pull her back when she begins to grab onto me as if she could pull me away from going into the arena. Finally, she accepts my fate and lets her arms drop in resignation.
"Goodbye, little Cordelia." I smiled softly through my tears. Dad lets go of her to face me.
Out of all the things he could say, the thing that comes out of his mouth is, "Who will help me catch the fish now?" Despite the circumstances, I give a shaky laugh: something about that statement fills me up inside.
"You're the best fisherman I know. I'm sure you'll manage."
"But how will I manage without you?"
"I don't know. You have each other to support and care for. I'm lucky that I've been blessed with the best mom and dad." There is silence and the Peacekeeper outside warns us that there are only 30 seconds left.
"Bye Dad." I hugged him tightly, feeling his warmth, and it was only then that I realized how cold I was.
"No, Cory, don't talk like that. You'll try to get out, right?"
"Of course, I will. I'll try with all of my might. But the odds aren't in my favor."
"Listen, Cory, you have a personality that will draw in sponsors. You know how to work with a knife, you helped Mom clean the fish often."
I nodded, taking in his words. "What if there aren't any?"
"There will be," he says, but there's no way to confirm it.
"I love you guys so much." It was a very tearful moment that only broke when the Peacekeepers led my parents out.
"No! Goodbye, Cory!" my mom shouted as the Peacekeepers closed the door behind her. I heard her shriek my name until she was out of earshot. Holding back my sobs, I awaited my next visitor, and it wasn't long before the door opened again. This time, I saw Brianna and Ashlyn, who rushed in and hugged me tightly.
"Cory, how could this happen?"
"The odds weren't in my favor," I joked, although it was pure luck.
"Hey, you do not joke about something like that right now," Brianna warns me, glaring at me. Her eyes are tinged red from crying. I understand where she's coming from and agree. "And don't worry. I'll still be around to punch anyone who bothers us about you. Anyone you don't like?"
"No, but thanks for suggesting," I shake my head, smiling at her threat.
"I should have volunteered, I should have done something!" Ashlyn cried.
"No, Ash, it's not your fault. Neither of us would have lasted long in the arena. Remember our pact?"
"We don't volunteer for each other." I nod softly. She sits next to me for a while, then says, "Screw the pact. I should have volunteered, I should have done something!"
"What happened, happened. It's not your fault," I repeat earnestly. "I promise I'll try my hardest to come back. I'll practice all of the survival skills and figure out how to use a weapon. And if I want any chance of winning, I'll need some massive help. So let's hope for those sponsors."
"Good luck, Cory," the two of them chorused.
"Thanks." We did our secret handshake three times till the time was up.
It was a few minutes until the door opened again. She didn't come in immediately, but I got a glimpse of her flowing long brown hair. "Annie?" I said quietly, asking her to come in.
It seemed the mere sound of my voice set her off because silent tears ran down her cheeks as she came in to hug me. "Finnick did it before," she said. "So can you. He's mentoring you, right?" I nodded, pulling back to look at Annie. "If he lets you die, I promise I'll kick him where it hurts." I looked at Annie, shocked, but then burst out into laughter.
"Everyone's getting violent these days, aren't they?"
"Will you win? If not for me, then for the life that you left behind."
"I'll try to come home."
"Don't try. Do." I promised her what couldn't be promised, but she was content with my answer. "Will you wear this?" Annie slipped off her bracelet, with little shells and a sea-green rock.
It was my birthday present to her all those years ago. I found the rock and bracelet in a little shop in town where they sell small trinkets for cheap prices. The shells I collected at the beach, washing the sand off each one and threading it on the chain.
"You kept it?" I asked, surprised.
"Never lost it. I had it in my drawer for a while but I found it today and figured it wouldn't hurt to bring it. I was twelve when you gave it to me."
She handed the accessory to me, but I drew my hand back. "Oh, I couldn't possibly take it. It's yours, Annie. Keep it, it'll remind you of me."
"No, you take it. It'll remind you of me and District 4." She put it in my palm and closed my fingers around it.
"Thanks," I whispered to her, putting it on. She nodded softly, then left after my last lingering word, leaving me feeling uncomfortably alone.
No one else came in, so I assumed that was the last of my visitors. Finnick would be able to visit and talk to me on the train or at the Capitol.
There was a quick car ride to get to the train. I've been in a car once or twice in my life, so the form of transportation was still a foreign idea to me. The metallic and shiny door had a handle that I couldn't figure out, and a Peacekeeper had to assist me. Inside, there was a row of padded seats covered in cool, gray leather. The entire ride, I kept my eyes on Danny, scrutinizing him for every detail I could remember; doing so may just help me in the long run. We cruised down the roads, a zephyr coming in through an open window, before coming to an abrupt stop at the edge of a metal platform. The Peacekeepers pushed me onto the train that would transport me to the Capitol. I looked around frantically, wanting to take in the sights of District 4 one last time.
The people were slowly going back to their daily schedule, fishing, and cleaning. Children ran and played, and I envied how the younger ones wouldn't have to be subject to this misery. At least, not for now, although I supposed it was for the best. They were still young and naive to a certain point, they didn't know the difference between only watching the ones from their district go off and being eligible to be the one chosen yet. The sea was a few miles behind the town square, endless blue that melted into the cloudless sky. The view never ceased to amaze me, especially at a distance. The water rippled and splashed as the fish swam and the dolphins jumped.
"Cordelia, hurry it up! We're on a schedule, and now we are… twenty seconds behind! Get on!" I ignored Moxie's call as my eyes rapidly finished their scan. The silver mast of ships floated out into the undulating sea. It was heart-wrenching as I silently said goodbye to everyone, to everything. It may be the last time I would see these familiar sights.