I can't stand waiting anxiously in this room for my family to come. In fact, I find it a bit odd that we are allowed privacy for goodbyes considering the next month of my life will be broadcasted on the television for all to see. Suppose it could be a goodbye present from the Capitol. I sound ridiculous, paranoid really. That's no good.
"Clove!" Poix scrambles away from the guards and our father. I barely have time to turn around before he's squeezing me with a surprising amount of strength for a scrawny 13 year old.
"Trying to kill me before I'm even in, nice kid." I say scruffing his hair. With a squeeze and a punch to my arm he lets go of me. Dad smiles gingerly as he reaches for my hand. He's never been much of a talker, Mom said that's where I get it from.
"I expect to see you back here in a few weeks, no?" He knows just as well as I that Poix is watching us carefully, he can't tell me what he really wants to say. He wouldn't be able to anyway, no doubt there are hidden cameras in here. He pulls me into a hug, at first I'm startled but hug him back. "Raise hell" I barely heard him but his tone is serious. When we pull away he is smiling sadly at me.
"Where's Pollet?" The lack of my older brother's presence disturbs me but before I can get a answer from my father or little brother and peacekeeper comes to the door telling us the time for goodbyes is gone. With a last squeeze of my hand my dad leaves the room. Poix hugs me again, risking a lashing from the stern older peacekeeper who yells at him.
"Time to go, catch ya later?" Using the phrase he most often tells me makes him feel a little better and he hurries out of the room. Sitting on the couch I wait for my next visitor, that is if I have any. Pollet better arrive soon or we won't get to say goodbye.
What am I supposed to do, now that I've been officially reaped for the games? Most people from district 2 would be celebrating right now, probably thinking of tactics and plans, all their skills and who they'll ally with but my mind seems surprisingly clear. Or maybe it's buzzing because I am thinking of everything at once. Either could be a possibility. On the outside I always stay cool and collected, careful not to express my immediate emotions or I would be to easy to read.
Slowly I look over towards the door, still nothing. I do have some people in the district that could maybe be considered friends, but I have already said my goodbyes to them earlier. Although, they didn't really realize that they were goodbyes.
"Clo! Get up, it's your time to shine!" I glare at my brother for using that God-awful nickname.
"Nice of you to come, thought you may have skipped out." I saying rising to my feet. But even standing I still have to look up to make eye contact with him.
"'Course not." He's fiddling with the pocket of his jacket. "But I couldn't let you leave without a token." He pulls a vintage gold key that dangles from a small chain from his pocket.
"Great, so the other tributes can choke me with my own token."
"Put it in your pocket asshole. I know it's not a knife or anything but you know just as well as I do how important it is." he unclips the chain as he speaks. "Also I had to run to get it and be back here in time to give it to you so don't act like you don't care." I turn around and pull my hair to the side so he can latch it in the back without it tangling.
"Thank you" the words taste bitter in my mouth as I say them. "Remember to take care of Poix." I begin to embrace him "He doesn't know all of the back story, or that I'm most likely not coming back so be a good older brother."
Its not that I don't think I can win. I know I could win, if only it wasn't set up for me to die. That's a pretty shitty excuse, especially coming from the number one tribute pick for two years straight now. Even though I am most qualified to be a tribute out of the two academies in district two there is a strict rule that only 18 year olds may volunteer, or special privlaged 17 year olds. At the ripe age of fifteen I wasn't expected to go into the games until the 76th, although there was a possibility of me going in for the Quarter Quell if I still topped the charts next year.
I hear the door open but don't let go of Pollet. "You've got to go now Clo. I'll see you soon." I look up at him when he says this, what does he mean he'll see me soon? He knows I'm bound to be killed by the game makers in the arena so what is he talking about.
"I said it's time to go"
Pollet is ripped from my arms and for once I don't care to hide the confusion and fear on my face as I yell to him. "What do you mean! You better fucking not Pollet! You have to look after Poix!" My voice sounds angry and I'm thankful for that. Who would want a sad confused tribute from district two? That would be no good.