Chapter 3 ~ The Train Ride

The train started its journey, slowly picking up the pace as we left the station. It moved with such celerity that I wondered if this speed was even humanly possible. Moxie informed me, with a proud smile, that the train went up to 250 miles per hour and that we would be at the Capitol in less than a day. I glared at her and asked her why I would ever want to be at the Capitol just to die.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime, not many other kids get this chance!"

I sighed, it wasn't that Moxie was a bad person. It was just that she was raised in a way where the Hunger Games are an honor. Still, I muttered, "And that lifetime won't be very long, will it?" I wonder if this is how Finnick felt three years ago, being transported to the fight for his life.

At the thought, I looked up from fiddling with my dress, searching for Finnick, but he wasn't in my compartment. Moxie was the only one with me, and she was still prattling on about nonsense. "Oh, I can't wait to see Wynter again, and Effie! I hope their tributes are better this year, last year was just completely disappointing." I assumed that she was talking about the other escorts, none of which I knew. Seeing as there was nothing to do, I wandered around the train's halls till I found my room.

The first thing I noticed was its soft, luminescent glow. Compared to the flashing, harsh lights of the Capitol that I've seen on TV, my room was surprisingly warm. It was big - well, big would be an understatement. I've never had this much space in my room before. I sat on the soft bed, covered with a light blanket the color of pearls. My body sank as if I were sitting on a pillow of clouds. Next to the bed was a small wood table, probably from District 7, with drawers for my little belongings. The handles were bejeweled with scintillating, invaluable gems and the wood shined with the scent of pine. I gently tugged on the ribbon in my hair to loosen it. There was some sentimental value that was possessed in this length of ribbon, maybe that's why I kept it. After carefully tucking it in the container along with Annie's bracelet, my token, I closed the drawer.

I found that I was unusually exhausted from the morning's swim and the Reaping. I opened the closet to find stacks of clothes and more that were hung up. The Capitol had the budget to waste money on useless items, but not enough to help the poorer districts, a fact that just added to my growing hatred of the Capitol. I did not want to accept the Capitol's gifts, the copious amount of clothes that a single room contained, but my dress was getting uncomfortable. Quickly, I changed into a loose blue blouse and shorts, hanging up my mother's dress in its place. I crawled back into the bed, pulling up the covers and letting my eyes flutter close. I flipped back and forth, one second the bed was too cold, and the next it is too hot. There was a little remote control next to me, and I pressed a red button labeled "self-adjust." The bed immediately flooded with warm steam that quickly cooled to just the right temperature. I finally flopped back over and stared up at the ceiling, deep in thought. Peace filled the room, and soon I felt myself slipping away.

I was eyeing the Peacekeepers with nervousness, as they pricked my finger and pressed my blood on the paper. I winced at the sharp stab, but I had greater worries than that. I was twelve, at my first Reaping. Technically I had witnessed so many go before me, but watching others get reaped and having the chance of getting reaped had a stronger impact than many imagine. Annie led me over to the other fidgety twelve-year-olds and left me to stand with the thirteen-year-olds. Finnick was over by the fourteen-year-old boys, giving me a reassuring smile. My name was only in there once, but who knows what would happen?

Our Capitol escort stepped on the stage, Moxie as she introduced herself, smiling joyfully.

The moment that everyone's been waiting for finally arrived. She 'gracefully' stuck her hand in the bowl, deciding who would be sacrificed this year. Picking a slip, she opened it and announced the tribute. It wasn't my name, nor Annie's, so I visibly relaxed, like everyone besides me. The female tribute was a scared thirteen-year-old, and I felt my heart shatter as someone older pushed the Peacekeepers out of the way, someone with the same blond hair as the tribute.

"I volunteer!" She cried in a steady voice, racing to comfort what must have been her sister. She wrapped her arms around her sister, pushing her back into the crowd, but she fought with every step. The little girl looked at her sister with glassy eyes, begging for her not to go. But at last, her words were in vain when the older was harshly pushed onstage by the Peacekeepers.

Moxie had a wide smile as she stumbled to a stop, trying hard to stay calm. "What's your name?"

"Hanna Cooper." I recognized the last name and realized that the thirteen-year-old was one of Annie's best friends, Hailey Cooper. Annie ran out and wrapped her arms around the crying girl, gently guiding her back to the crowd.

"And that was your sister I bet!" She gave a subtle nod, her mind clearly on other things. Moxie also took this clue and went on to announce, "Now the boys!"

After I got over the fear that I, a helpless twelve-year-old, might have been chosen, I began to worry for Finnick. Moxie was opening the folded piece of paper, approaching the microphone.

"Finnick Odair!"

I was startled awake, sitting up rapidly when I remembered where I was and looked out the window. That dream felt so real. I could see my fright when Finn was called, hearing his name, my nightmares becoming reality.

It was evening now, and my growling stomach told me it was time for dinner. Figuring that I should change into something more suited for supper, I selected a pink dress with white lace trim and a white ribbon hair clip.

Moxie and Danny, the male tribute, were already in the dining room, waiting to start, but the rest were still around the train. One by one, the former Victors and mentors for this year came in, first Mags, then Finnick. I inspected Finnick for a moment, but when he didn't meet my eyes, I turned back to the plates of delicious food. Mags, however, had noticed my staring and gave me an apologetic smile, which I returned.

Everything had overwhelmed me, most of all the various dishes that the Avoxes continued sending us, plate after plate. Even though I lived relatively well in District 4, only the Capitol had these feasts daily, never having to worry about the day that the food supply stopped.

We ate in silence, me glancing at Finnick every once in a while. Was he mad at me, mad that I was reaped like I had tried my hardest to land myself in this position? Or is he anxious, distressed, that I will be thrown in the arena in a matter of weeks? The truth sank in. I'm going to die. I'm going to die, and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. I'm going to die, and the last thing I will see is the smile of a cruel tribute as they draw the last bits of strength I have away.

The tension filled the room, and I immediately pushed my seat back when I finished, wanting to go cry in my room in private.

What were my odds of winning? Unless I quickly master a skill during training or the arena is water, my odds are low to none. My pillow became stained with my teardrops as I wished for my family and friends, to be back in 4 like nothing had ever happened.

When I had gotten tired from crying, I mustered up the strength to flip over and check the time. It was late, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get myself to fall asleep. My torturous thoughts kept me awake long through the night. We were likely at the Capitol now, seeing the flashing lights and hearing the booming music.

Deciding that trying to fall asleep wasn't worth staying in bed, I swung my legs off the bed, heading to the dining room to get a glass of water. However, someone was already in the living room when I passed by, curled up on the couch, staring at the sky.

"Hey," I said softly, making my way around the couch and sitting next to him.

"What are you doing here?"

"Let me see, Moxie called my name. No one volunteered. Peacekeepers took me to the tr-"

"I meant why are you up so late?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Couldn't sleep."

"Same." We sat in silence, gazing at the twinkling stars illuminated by the bright moon.

"Are you nervous, Cory?" Finn asked me. It was such an obvious question, but I still nodded yes.

"I mean, it's not every day you get chosen to die."

"You're not going to die. You're going to hide and watch everyone fight and kill each other. No, you'll run into madness and defeat everyone yourself! No, that sounds so wrong…"

I snorted, "That sounds very wrong."

"But seriously, you'll win if it's the last thing I do."

"We both know that's not likely happening. The Careers will hunt me down."

"I guess," he replied and continued fidgeting with his fingers.

"Are you mad at me? You've been ignoring me since I got reaped. I haven't seen you the whole day except for dinner."

"No, not at you. I don't think I could ever be mad at you. I'm mad at the Capitol, for creating these dumb games in the first place. You're too innocent, Cory."

"The Capitol is stupid."

"Absolutely agree. I mean, look at what they did to me. I looked so much more handsome back then!"

"I swear, you act more like a five-year-old than a seventeen-year-old at times, Finn."

"Maybe that's because I'm secretly a five-year-old inside," he said playfully.

"Well, I need a seventeen-year-old Finnick right now. You can be five later. As in much, much later."

"At your command. Cory." He bowed dramatically, then quickly looked at me. "What can very handsome, charming, definitely seventeen-year-old Finnick Odair do for the troubled Cordelia Raines tonight?"

"You imbecile. So full of yourself, aren't you?"

"Yes. Absolutely. But on a more serious note, it looks like something's bothering you, Cory. You can always share, y'know. I won't judge."

"You're my mentor, you shouldn't judge either way."

"That's true. But seriously, what's wrong?"

"Everything."

He laughed. "That's a little too broad. Be more specific. Everything could mean a wide array of issues: the Games, your life in District 4, relationships with Annie, relationships with me…" He held up an imaginary clipboard and pretended to scribble things down like a therapist.

"Finn, how am I ever going to kill anyone? It would break me."

He stopped pretending. "There's nothing you can do. It's kill or be killed. You're never the same when you come out of that arena."

"What can I do? I can't use a weapon, what do I show the Gamemakers? How to swim?" I asked hopelessly.

"We'll figure something out, Cory. We always do. Most of the time. And then we can go home to District 4, you, me, and Annie." I smiled, giving me hope for a second.

"I wish life could just be peaceful and simple. I wish the Games were never a thing, that I never got reaped, that I've never been here."

He smiled and looked outside like freedom was just a window away. "I wish life could just be peaceful and simple too," he whispered.

Finnick began stroking my soft curls and the train's gentle swaying made my eyes droop. "Go to sleep, Cory," Finn whispered. I gladly complied, letting my eyes close, drifting off to sleep.