Chapter Three
The Train Ride
Quick Note: I'm usually only writing from Brook and River's point of view to make it easier for all of you. I always get confused who's who when I'm reading from twenty-four different points of view although occasionally, I might throw someone else in to add a little more detail, like Tjara down below. Let me know what you think of 'Till Death Do We Part' so far!
Brooklyn
I awoke slowly. For a second, I was confused. Why was I in a fancy bed in an unfamiliar room, the whole thing jerking slightly, as if we were moving? Where was Mom and River and District Four? Then everything came flooding back to me: the Reapings, my struggles, getting knocked out by a stun gun. Right. How could I forget?
I sat up, then groaned loudly as a bolt of pain ricocheted through my head. Who knew going unconscious and knocking your head against cement could be so painful?
There was a knock at the door. "Brook? It's River. Are you awake?" My wonderful, caring, undeserving of having to brutally fight to the death in an arena with twenty-three other kids brother.
"Come in," I said, my voice raspy. He entered, looking concerned. His hair was mussed and there were dark bags under his eyes.
"Are you okay? You fell pretty hard." River asked, coming to sit beside me.
Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, I barely sustained another groan. "I'm wonderful. It's not like I'm gonna murder a bunch of innocent kids next week."
He was silent for a long time, making me feel bad for my harsh words.
"Glad to see you're just fine." He's used to my sarcasm.
"Where are we?" I asked, glancing around my room. It was small, with wood paneling. Beyond my bed, the only other furniture was a little table with a lamp. It smelled of Capitol perfume, a flowery scent I despised.
"On the train to the Capitol," River replied. "If you're done sleeping, Tjara Max wants to see you."
"Fine," I mutter, moving to stand up. A harsh throb of pain, like a spike being pounded into my forehead, prevented me from doing so. I collapsed to the floor, my vision filling with black spots. The wood underneath my hands was cool and smooth, unlike the rough panels our home is made up of.
"Brook!" River cried, leaping to my side. "What… I thought?-"
"I'm fine," I grimaced, ruining the effect of my words.
"I'm gonna get you some painkillers and sleep meds," River said anxiously.
"No!" I nearly shouted. "I'm a Career tribute, Riv. I've gotta learn how to deal with pain!" He didn't say anything as I asked, "Now, where did you say Tjara was?"
River
I watched on worriedly as Brook staggered down the hall, stopping every few seconds to rest her head against the wall. She'd see me looking, glare, and start up her uneven gait every time.
All my life I'd cared for my wild, carefree sister. I helped her out of tough moments and taken the blame when she'd gotten in trouble. Brook was very anti-Capitol and was not afraid to say it. She violently disagreed with the Hunger Games and the Capitol's oppression. I knew what happened to people who didn't do what President Sapphire Darke wanted them to do and it wasn't pretty. I never wanted my sister to have to go through that, but in just a few short days, we'd both be in the worst punishment of all. Sure, District Four was a Career district and many did train for the games but unlike One and Two, no one wanted to be in them. It went against every instinct I knew to not help her, but I knew she was right. If the other tributes found out how she reacted to pain, Brook would never be taken as a serious competitor.
And what she'd said about being a Career? I hadn't really thought about it, but I'd always assumed we'd stick together, be our own alliance. But I guess she didn't want that. That thought hurt more than any words could've. Brook didn't want me. She wanted to be with the stronger, braver, better fighters. And who wouldn't? Brook had always believed in taking risks, going big or going home. So I guess joining the Careers would be the best way to do it.
I sighed and rested my head against the wall. Up ahead, Brook had reached the lounge area of the train car, where I could here Tjara and Elleston's muted voices. I knew they'd be advising her to stick with the Careers for a little while, then kill them all in their sleep and go loner, hunting down as many tributes as possible. While we'd both had fighting lessons in short and long-range weapons, Brook had excelled in them much more than I had. I figured my best bet was to use my survival skills, as well as learn something likes traps or poisons. I didn't think about what would happen if it came down to me and Brook. I couldn't, wouldn't think about it.
Tjara Max
I leaned against the back of my seat and smoothed my jacket, my fingers catching a little on the engraved buttons. To my left was fellow District Four mentor Elleston Ruby, although he'd never had and probably never would be much help to the tributes. I've been a mentor for five years, since my own games, yet I'd never mentored a victor. I'd watched ten tributes, most of whom I'd grown to love in just a few short days, get brutally murdered in the arena. And now, I would watch a brother and sister get set against each other, thanks to the whims of those in the Capitol.
Deep breath, I told myself. If I got thinking about little Alix and sweet Cove and everyone else, I would never be able to help Brooklyn and River. I focused on what was happening right now, pulling myself from the past. The train car smelled of sweat and antiseptic, masked by the scent of cinnamon and sugar rising off the pile of pastries on a table in the corner. A red cloaked Avox offered us a tray of fizzy pink Capitol drinks, which I turned down. Elleston accepted one before he went back to stuffing his face full of buttery pastries.
I shuttered and turned my attention back to the siblings sitting in front of me. We'd already decided Brooklyn's best bet was to stick with the Careers. She was brave, adventurous, and talented at fighting, especially with tridents and spears. River Cassidy was harder. He was smart and had a decent knowledge of how to survive in the wild, but lacked specialized fighting skills. The Careers would never accept him, so his only choices were to go loner or make an alliance. I figured he would have no problem making alliances, so that's what I suggested to him.
He nodded thoughtfully. "That could work. If someone else in the alliance is more of a fighter, I could be valuable for what I know about surviving. Also, I was thinking that during the training days, I could learn something like traps or poisons."
"That's a good idea." I agreed.
As the two left the room, I noticed Brooklyn was staggering a little. Almost subconsciously, River held out his arm, which she accepted.
"They'll never win," Elleston grunted, surprising me out of my reverie. "He's too soft and she's too crazy."
I looked at him. "I'm not so sure about that."