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Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Victor's Tour
Early the next morning, we were getting prepared to head out to District Twelve, our first stop on the tour. The truth of the matter was that I hadn't ever seen any of the other districts other than from behind a television screen. I ran into quite the culture shock in the outer districts as I saw individuals living in poverty conditions so extreme that I could hardly stand to bear those looking at me, cheering for my presence, but there was clearly something deeper hidden beneath the smiles. I couldn't help but think that there had to be some pretending taking place for I remember when the victor came to District Two the year my brother died and we were forced to play nice.
It wasn't until we reached District Eight when I felt the conditions were actually livable and the feasts were more impressive. There was something touching about the feasts in the outer districts, however, because I felt as though I was witnessing some of the residents first decent meals in a long time. It truly was enough for me to feel choked up over, but seeing as I was in front of cameras for most of the time…I tried to keep my emotions mum.
Whenever we traveled to the Career districts, I felt that the reactions were much more recognizable to me and I felt more and more comfortable. Still it was interesting to be toured around their different industries whether it be electrical plants or fishing. It was not what I typically saw around the confines of District Two.
When we reached District One, I felt that tensions were rather high. It probably had to do with both their tributes being killed in Games due to none other than myself and partially my fellow teammate. Their district was by far the nicest of them all and was clearly seeing the benefits of the Capitol directly. There was no doubt that they were, in fact, the favorites from their lavish homes and luxurious feast that they threw. I noticed Enobaria and Brutus fit in quite nicely with their people.
Again, we traveled to the Capitol for their sumptuous feast, leaving my home district for last. Honestly, it was my home district that I looked forward to the most. I would finally be reunited my family.
I remember the train ride from the Capitol to District Two very clearly. I nearly couldn't take my eyes from the window. As Enobaria and Brutus drank, chatting quietly I was glued to my seat.
"Looks like someone is anxious to be home," Brutus commented between sips.
I looked over, shaking my head out of my trance," Oh, yeah. It's just been so long since I've seen my family."
He nodded," Understandable."
Enobaria was quick to jump in on the conversation," Your trainer will be most satisfied."
Even after all this time, Enobaria still thought I just loved Zenobia, the woman who had "trained" me in the beginning. I couldn't help but think she was going to be more upset than anything; I had defeated her star pupil. Heaven forbid she learn that he, in reality, killed himself.
"I'm sure she will be," I said simply, yawning as I did so.
We would be arriving in District Two at nighttime and so many nights of late parties and lots of greeting made for a tired self.
"And your brother. Tell me is he still training for the Games, dear?" Enobaria asked as she took a long swig of her drink.
"No, Ostro has passed eighteen. He's training to be a Peacemaker," I answered, looking into my own glass of water that sat on the table beside me.
"Just like dad, eh?" Brutus asked, finishing his glass as he asked for another.
"I suppose so, yes," I answered, smirking.
"Has he found a girl?" Enobaria asked, always the one to pry into personal lives.
I blinked several times because the truth of the matter was that Ostro had plenty of girls who liked him and who I believe he liked, but I didn't see him getting married anytime soon. Plus, I don't see who would wish to get married and then bring a child into this world. Would anyone truly want to risk sending their child off to the Hunger Games each year until their 18th birthday. I know I didn't.
"Uh, no not yet," I answered, realizing that I had left an awkward silence.
"Speaking of that department, how was your dinner with Mr. Crane?" She asked, curling her legs in the chair beside her.
I nearly choked on my water in remembrance of the evening," It was…interesting. He's a pleasant gentleman."
"You know there are…rumors going around the Capitol," She added, sipping her drink all the while.
My eyes widened," That he and I-"
"Are a couple," She confirmed with a small smile on her face.
"Good lord, we've only been out to dinner and that was hardly a date!" I exclaimed, fidgeting in my chair.
"And you danced at the party together," Brutus added quietly.
"But that's not enough to accuse two to be together…is it?" I asked, genuinely baffled by this.
Enobaria shrugged," Rumors will be rumors. But you are being a little defensive…do you fancy the Crane boy?"
I sighed," He's a nice young man, alright? But there is nothing more at the moment. Right now, I have no benefit from a romantic interest."
There was another awkward silence as the train came to a halt. I noticed that I still needed the finishing touches on my outfit and therefore bid the both of them good evening before walking back to meet with Sage once more. Already, I seemed to not be able to get away from this Seneca Crane. It was as if he were following me into all aspects of my life.
"Ladies and gentlemen of District Two…please welcome to the stage…your victor Savera Stone!"
As the voice echoed across the cheering fans, I took a deep breath in and stepped out on the stage taking in the glory from the bright lights directed at me. The other nights had been special, but this was by far the most impacting seeing my own home dressed up for something. The mountains in the background seemed to be a perfect setting for the party that was about to begin. It was at this time that like the other nights, I was expected to give a brief speech to address the district that was pre-written.
I approached the podium and as I cleared my throat, the raucous cheering came to a halt.
"Hello everyone," I said, my nerves lower than they had been previously.
"I am glad you all came out to see me tonight and I can't thank you enough for your support throughout the years," I felt as though I was lying through my teeth seeing as none of them supported me through the years. "Thank you for tuning in and watching my performance; I may not have been able to see you all, but the feeling of support was enough to get me through the Games. Personally, I would like to thank my mother and father…as well as my brother and those at the academy who supported my training. It has been nice to see the other districts, but there truly is no place like home."
"Now, I know the lot of you are ready to begin the festivities and with one final thanks to you…I say…let the festivities begin," I said with the biggest smile on my face that I could fake before stepping back and allowing the mayor to step forward and begin shouting out directions for the evening. It wasn't that I didn't wish to see the party, but I was much more anxious to see my family.
"Where is my family, Enobaria?" I asked as I walked back stage.
She looked at me with a blank expression," Um, dear I don't know. They never showed up…we did, however, invite them and give them instructions for where to be."
I blinked several times…why had they not shown up? This was very unlike them and I could only fear the worst.
"I want to go to my home," I demanded immediately, looking her straight in the eye.
"I'm sorry, but I can't-"
"Enobaria, I'm sorry that I must insist," I added not as politely as I should have.
Enobaria nodded and swallowed before turning to go off and speak to someone. I stood waiting impatiently as she retrieved the proper information and permission to allow me to go. After nearly an eternity of waiting, she came back and told me the specifics with a very unpleasant look on her face. Clearly, she wished that I would just follow the game plan.
"You've an hour to get there and get back, understood?" She said sternly looking at me. "Here's a cloak to cover yourself with. Don't draw any unnecessary attention."
"You mean…I get to go on my own?" I asked, raising a brow.
"This one time," She muttered, shoving the cloak into my hands. "Don't push your luck though."
At this, I slid my arms into the cloak over the dress that I was wearing and pulled up the hood. She looked at me very improvingly and even shook her head before looking down at her watch and pointing to it for me," Your hour starts now."
With that, I nodded to her before scurrying off through the mounds of people and pushing my way through the festivities that began.
I arrived at my home and took a deep breath in before pulling the hood off my head. I saw that Ostro was sitting on the front porch as the house sat, looking occupied with all the lights on. He was strumming his stringed instrument peacefully as I walked slowly up, slightly angered that none of them had attended the opening celebration. My mind was wondering just why they hadn't.
He looked up to see me and nearly instantly dropped his instrument to run and grab me before lifting me into the air, just as he did when I was a little girl. He squeezed me so tight that I nearly thought I would pass out as I laughed.
"Savera, I'm so incredibly proud of you. You have no idea how nervous all of us were and how absolutely amazing you were…it was just…terrific," He rambled on, smiling all the way.
"Thank you, Ostro. You've no idea how good it is to be back here," I added, looking at the house and feeling safe even if it was only for this hour. "Why weren't you all at the station to welcome me?"
He swallowed hard," You really think its that great to be back?"
I furrowed my brow," Of course, you know I do…why wouldn't I?"
It was at this moment that I heard heavy footsteps on the porch and my father's deep voice," We were informed of your choice, Savera. We were informed that you really haven't an interest in staying here anyways."
I blinked several times as I looked my father in the eye.
Someone must have messed up the facts. Yes, it was true that I had "sold" myself to the Capitol, but it was only to work because I had no other choice…not because I necessarily wished to. If they were under this impression, then it was no surprise to me that they had no been in attendance at the opening ceremony.
"Father, I had little other options, you see," I defended, saddened that he had been mislead.
"I can't see what would be worse than this. You chose them over us? Savera, I expected more of you than this. I expected you to be above their little games," He nearly growled as my mother stepped onto the deck.
"The only way I'd be able to stay here was if I went in to prostitution and I knew that we would never-"
"She's absolutely right," My mother chipped in, glaring at her husband as she came up to me and squeezed me close. "I wouldn't have chose that either and if you're asking her to then you-"
"Do you realize we probably will never see our daughter again after tonight? How hard would it have been for her to say to the other?" He asked, still too angry to say much of anything calmly.
"John," My mother gasped, looking at him with wide eyes as she shook her head and looked at me. "Dear, we wanted to come to the ceremony tonight, but father hadn't any interest in it."
"I have interest in you, but not anything that they are putting you through, Savera," He grumbled, turning away to run his fingers through his hair.
"You haven't much of a choice now do you? If this is the last time you'll see her, then you should be making the best of it for there's nothing you can do to change it now," Mother shot back at him as he stroked my hair.
With that, I approached father slowly and placed my hand on his arm before he pulled me into a hard embrace. I could hear him crying and felt his tears roll down onto me as the reality hit him. He held my face in his hands as my own eyes filled with tears. He hadn't meant any of that before; he was just upset at how this had to be. I, too, was upset, but I accepted that reality when President Snow presented it to me.
And with that, we entered the home for what may have been my last time for a long time before enjoying the rest of that hour together as a family. I couldn't help but hold on to every moment from sitting and talking to going out to the backyard to see my collection of creations that I had made as a child. I even was so bold as to enter Titus's room for the first time in a long time to look around and see his belongings that appeared to have actually been cleaned.
However, upon entering my own room, I noticed nothing had been touched since the morning of the Reaping. I ran my hand along my dressers and touched some of my old clothing that Sage probably would have cringed at the sight of. I even saw the old purple gown I wore the day that Titus was sent off to the Hunger Games.
Thinking of Titus made me think back to the party taking place back in the town square for me. I thought of how much grander it would have been had they been celebrating my brother…tears came to my eyes at the thought of this. As I heard my mother's voice behind me, I turned and wiped the tears.
"You've fifteen minutes to get back to the square," She said quietly, putting an arm around my shoulder.
"Alright," I answered, wiping a tear from my eyes. "Are you all going to stay here?"
"Yes, sweetheart," She answered, kissing the top of my head. "It'll be best for your father."
"Did I make the right choice mom?" I asked, looking straight at her.
"Given the circumstances…yes you did. I respect you for that, dear. The Capitol will be very lucky to have a sharp mind like yours working for their security," She said smiling. "Perhaps, we can work something out."
"That's what I thought. President Snow says that he likes me and I thought that perhaps he would give me more leeway. I can't make any promises, obviously, but I will come back sometime," I answered as we left my room and walked toward the front porch again.
Father approached me as we entered the living room and gave me another hug before placing his hand on my shoulder and saying," Blow them away, sweetheart."
I smiled at this, seeing that he was finally coming to terms with everything," I will dad. Don't worry…I'll make my way back. I promise."
He kissed my temple," I hope so, Savera."
With that, I squeezed him once more before walking toward the door where Ostro was sitting once more on the front porch. Mother and father waited a couple moments as I took a seat beside my brother and looked straight at him.
"Don't let them change you, Savera. You're not like these other victors…you're not just going to be one of their pawns; they're turning you into one of them. There's no living in your district, seeing family…they're taking all that away from you. Don't turn into one of them," He said sternly, looking straight at me. "Stay who you are."
I nodded before embracing him. I whispered in his ear," Don't worry…I'll always be your little sister and this is not going to be the last time you see me."
He took my hand as I pulled away and squeezed it," Goodbye, Savera. I love you."
"I love you too," I answered and as mom and dad came outside I embraced both of them for the last time.
With their warm embraces still in the back of my mind, I strolled away with a little wave one last time. I looked at the image of my father with an arm around my mother and my brother seated at his spot, strumming the instrument as I left. Inhaling deeply, I turned and pushed the image out of my head, trying to put on a happy face as I traveled back to the backstage area where I imagined Enobaria was pacing nervously back and forth, regretting ever letting me go.
I rolled my eyes at the thought of that, but kept on walking nonetheless.
Had I made it back to the backstage area with no trouble, I would have been lucky for just as I was reaching the area I had to pass the academy.
In the shadows near the training academy, I heard a voice and saw a figure step in front of me.
" Hello, Savera," The voice said darkly, sending a chill down my spine as she spoke.
I said nothing, but merely watched as the frail figure pulled the hood off of her head. I nearly gasped as I saw the face in what little light was left in the shadows. Her pale skin was scarred with all sorts of rugged scratches that appeared to have once been gashes cut to the bone. One stretched across her forehead while the other down the side of her face. On top of that, it seemed that she hadn't slept in years by the size of the bags under her eyes. The rest of her visible body was battered with bruises.
"Hello, Wren," I said greeting my old friend whom I had suffered through the academy years with.
A/N: Thanks everyone for your support thus far! Please let me know what you think. I'm going to start to try to update these stories more frequently :D
