Getting Ready For The Games - Chapter 6

I woke up with my breath coming in short, heavy gasps. I looked around my room and then realized what today was.

Today, the Hunger Games was beginning.

I was going into the Arena.

I sat up and exhaled deeply. My heart began to race, and a panicky feeling was snaking its way through my body. The Games were starting today.

Death was starting today!

Forcing myself to remain calm, I got out of bed and walked into the bathroom. I splashed water over my face and took a shower.

When I stepped out, I looked around. My Avox had laid out some clothes on my bed. A simple turquoise v-neck. Brown fleece leggings. Heavy black combat boots. I pulled on my clothes and put my hair into a high ponytail. At the last second, I tied the gray ribbon from my mother's dress around my ankle and slid it down into my sock where no one could see it. Then I walked downstairs.

Downstairs, everyone is eating breakfast. Felix, Garrett, Letalia, Maia, Geisha, and Felix's stylist too. I cautiously sat down and put some food on my plate.

"Good morning, Asher!" Maia chirped brightly. I hated it. I hated that she was acting although nothing was wrong and I was not being sentenced to my almost certain death.

"Morning, Maia!" I mocked her high-pitched, Capitol-accented voice. "Remember what today is? Oh, yeah! It's the 39th Annual Hunger Games! I'm probably gonna die! Let's celebrate!" I flipped my plate of food in the air and syrup, bacon, and muffins rained down on the floor.

"Asher," Letalia growled, pushing her chair back and standing up. "Come with me."

"Fine!" I yelled, furious at everyone. When I looked into Felix's eyes, he was laughing at me, a smug look on his face.

For good measure, I took my knife and threw it. It whizzed past Felix's face, skimming his cheek. I grinned in satisfaction when I saw the shallow cut on his face.

"May the odds be ever in your favor, Jameson!" I beamed at him and turned on my heel, leaving the entire room shocked and Letalia furious.

We marched to the elevator, which Letalia pushes me in. She pressed a few buttons, and then we're descending.

We silently rode the elevator down until it comes to a stop at my former dressing room, where I had been prepared for my interview with Casser. Letalia pushed the door open and beckoned me in.

Inside, I sat down on a chair while Letalia remained standing. She shut the door and walked over to me.

"What was that?" She asked me calmly. I gulped.

"What was what?" I replied, trying to sound innocent.

She clenched her fist and spoke slowly. "Why did you throw a fit when Maia said 'good morning'? Why in the name of Panem did you throw a knife at Felix's face?"

I sighed. "Sorry. I got mad. We're going into the Arena today, Letalia. And I'm absolutely terrified. I'm gonna die."

Letalia blew out a breath and sat down across from me. "Look, Asher. I was in the same spot you were. Scared out of my wits. Thinking I was going to my death sentence. But look." She gestured around her. "You got an 11 in training. That's an extremely high score. And I think you may be one of the few tributes from District 7 who's ever gotten an 11."

Despite my panic, I managed to grin a little.

"Asher. Once you get in the Arena, survival instincts kick in. You'll survey the Cornucopia area, choose targets, blah blah blah. But I do expect you to make it through the first day."

I nodded. "Thank you. What do you think about Felix?"

She rolled her eyes. "That kid has way too much pride. I think he joined the Career pack. If my suspicions are correct, they're going to hunt you and Karis down. You need to be careful there, Asher. If Felix gets to you.. Well, it's not gonna be pretty."

I processed her words slowly. "So you're saying I need to… kill him?"

Letalia nodded. "As soon as possible. Getting him out of the Games is safer for you, and for Karis too. Remember, don't go for the Cornucopia. They're trying to pull you in. Get out of there. Try to get supplies. Karis's mentor and I will round up as many sponsors as we can and we'll try to send you weapons and things you'll need. Get food and water. Stay alive." She patted my shoulder.

"And one more thing," she added, lowering her voice. "I expect you to come home alive."

I smiled. "Thanks, Letalia. I'll remember that."

"All right. Well, enough with our chatting. You have an Arena to get to." She grabbed my hand and helped me up. I stood up and breathed in deeply. "You can do this, Asher."

I nodded and thanked her. Then together, we rode down to the ground floor, where Capitol escorts waited for us.

"Thank you," one of them said to Letalia briskly. "But we'll take her from here." They grabbed my arms and began dragging me to a hovercraft that waited outside.

"Remember my advice!" Letalia screamed at me. "Stay alive!"

I nodded frantically. I had to remember. I had to win. I had to stay alive.

We got to my designated hovercraft, where I was shoved in. The door slammed shut behind me. I glanced around and noticed Geisha and my prep team sitting down.

"Hi," I muttered quietly.

Geisha nodded. "If you want to eat, now's the time. The ride to the Arena will take about a half an hour."

"Okay," I replied. I went over to a large buffet table and piled some food onto a large plate. I ate it hurriedly and went back for seconds until I felt as though I couldn't eat any longer. I drank lots of water and went to the bathroom once more.

Then I sat down at a large mahogany table and drummed my fingers on its surface.

Suddenly I heard a 'whoosh' noise and realized that the windows were darkening. We must be nearing the Arena site.

I began to hyperventilate. My breath came in quick gasps and I began to rake my fingers down the table, leaving long marks in the wood.

Geisha walked over to me. "Asher," she said gently. "We're here. Come on. You'll be fine."

I shook my head but walked out with her anyways. We were immediately deposited into an underground area. The launch area. The slaughterhouse. Where we were prepared for death.

I breathed in and looked around me. It was a simple room filled with plants. I breathed in the aroma of them, trying to calm down.

Geisha looked at me and gestured to a chair, where my Arena clothes were awaiting me.

I looked them over. It was a plain brown v-neck. Simple black leggings, with thick pockets on the side. Brown slide-on boots with a thick sole. I undressed quickly and quietly and pulled on the leggings first. They were so soft and comfortable. And easy to walk and run in.

Next I put on the t-shirt. It was simple and loose, perfect for an Arena.

And finally I pulled on my boots. With a last glance at my soft cotton ankle ribbon, I slid the boots on with no problem.

These boots were perfect. They fit my feet wonderfully, and when I hopped around on them, they were lightweight and easy to jump and run in.

Geisha turned to me and undid my messy ponytail and re-did it more nicely.

I walked over to the mirror in the launch room. I looked like I was about to go into battle.

I guessed that was the point of the clothes.

Geisha walked over to me and hugged me tightly. "Good luck, Asher. I'll be rooting for you the whole time."

"Thanks," I murmured back. Finally, she let go of me when a voice interrupted our hug.

"All tributes must go inside of their launch tubes immediately," a smooth female voice said over the intercom.

I breathed in. One, two, one, two.

"Okay," I whispered. "Time to go now."

I waved to Geisha. She waved back, and I thought I saw a tear spill onto her cheek. I pressed my lips together and stepped into the tube.

All at once, glass enclosed around me. My eyes widened in fright and I pounded on the glass, yelling at Geisha. But she only smiled sadly and waved once more.

Realizing that my efforts were futile and that I was wasting precious energy, I stopped and allowed my tube to rise up. It was rising and rising.

Then I was in darkness. I counted to 15, until finally my tube pushed itself out into the Arena.

Author's Note:

Sorry for the cliffhanger! I promise, I'll be updating as soon as possible! I hope to write the Cornucopia scene tonight and have it up before the day is over.

BTW - have any of you seen the movie yet? It was amazing! I'm going for a third time today, haha