"It's a big, big, big day." Effie's high pitched voice breaks me from my sleep. Peeta's arms around me offer a sense of safety, but only for a moment. My stomach drops as it settles in that today we're going into the arena. Really, I could be dead in just a few hours. I try to shove the thought to the back of my mind with little success. Peeta's lips graze the back of my neck, his breath warm against my skin.
"Remember, I love you beautiful. Just in case we get separated for a while." I sigh and turn, so I'm facing him. His blue eyes lock with mine instantly.
"I love you too." I press a soft kiss to his lips before slipping out of his bed. I feel his blue eyes on my back as I exit the room. My hand reaches for the cold door knob of my room as thoughts of what could happen in the games hits me. I could easily be dead, most of the tributes were a lot stronger and more skilled than I was. Well, I sure as hell aren't going down without a fight. I twist the door knob pushing the door open as I force my legs to carry me forward.
"Are you ready?" Cinna stands from the plush red chair in the corner and walks towards me. I cross my arms a slight smirk appearing on my lips.
"I don't think you can really be ready for possible slaughter," I point out as he chuckles.
"Well, I didn't have a say in your uniform but," he pauses as he holds out my necklace from Peeta. "I know I haven't let you wear it lately, but I assume you want it to be your district token?" I just nod taking it from him, quickly clasping it around my neck. The cool chain hangs around my neck offering a small since of security. "Let's get you ready."
I nod and watch as Cinna pulls at a pair of pants and a black shirt. I quickly slide into the arena clothes a quiet sigh leaving my lips. I was pretty tired after an almost sleepless night last night. I couldn't shut my mind off from thoughts of the games, Peeta, District Twelve, my mother, Prim, and Peeta's family. I wondered how our families were holding up back at home. I feel a pang of longing to see them, to be back to normal, to not be here. I shake my head. I can't let thoughts like this weaken me.
"We need to get you to the hovercraft." I turn to Cinna and realize he has already braided my hair. I nod and follow him out of the room. I almost run into Haymitch as he walks off the elevator.
"Ah, I was just coming to talk to you. Now, sweetheart when you're in there you run and get the hell out of there. You go find water. Follow Peeta if you can. Got it?" I nod in understanding.
"But, what if the have a bow?"
"I don't care if they have a god damn bow, you get out of there." I cross my arms ready to argue, but he cuts me off. "Listen, you just do what I say and follow the boy. No questions." I let out a sigh deciding not to argue and nod.
"Alright." Haymitch gives me a stiff smile as he pats my back and walks off. I take a deep breath and straighten out, so I'm standing tall. Walking into this looking afraid isn't going to help much of anything. I follow Cinna into the elevator which we ride in silence. I follow behind him to the hovercraft where he tried to get me to eat. I pick at it, but can't seem to get anything down.
"At least drink some water." I look up as Cinna pushes a glass of ice water towards me. I nod letting out a sigh as I take a big gulp. Not eating, and drinking won't help me any in the games. The food just seemed to stick in my throat though when I tried to eat it, and my stomach was too full of butterflies. Turn. Run. Get the hell out of there. Find water. I repeat the instructions Haymitch gave me in my head. If there was a bow though, would I be able to resist?
The ride to the arena takes too short of time, and in no time we're landing. My breath hitches in my throat as I stand. I force my legs to carry me forward. In less than ten minutes I could be dead. I could have less than ten minutes to live, and Peeta...I stop the thought there. I can't think like this. I follow Cinna and a group of peacekeepers into a small room, that much be under the arena.
"Katniss..." I turn to Cinna to see him holding a jacket. I silently walk over to him and let him slip the jacket on over my shoulders.
"Thank you." My voice shakes when I speak and I feel my hands trembling.
"You can do this." I nod not completely believing this myself. "Just make sure you come out of there." I arch an eyebrow looking up, meeting his eyes.
"I don't plan to. Not without Peeta." I give him a sad smile which he returns. He gives his head a nod.
"30 seconds." A voice fills the room as my head snaps into the direction of the tube. My hands start shaking worse. Stop being so afraid. You can do this. I repeat this in my head multiple times. I needed some sort of motivation. Cinna pulls me into one last hug.
"Just remember, if I could I'd bet on you."
"20 seconds." Cinna gives me one last reassuring pat on the back and I slowly make my way towards the tube that will lead me to possible slaughter. The air feels heavy, almost like it's pressing on my shoulders trying to crush me. Though, I know that it's just the deafening fear making me feel this way.
"10 seconds." I step onto the silver plate as the tube encloses me. I turn looking at Cinna once more. I catch him nod just as the silver plate starts rising. I'm pushed into complete and total darkness, which only prolongs my fear and my anticipation. What if there's a bow? What if I don't find Peeta? What if I'm caught and slaughtered? All these questions and more run through my mind in the fifteen seconds it takes to be pushed into light.
First the world blurs, the light blinding as my eyes adjust. It takes a few seconds before I can begin taking in my surroundings. On one end is a field of wheat with tall grass that would offer great hiding places, but who knows what it's filled with. On the other end is the woods. Instantly I know where to go. My eyes do a quick scan of the circle of tributes desperately searching for Peeta.
My eyes stop on Peeta and I find his eyes already trained on me. I jerk my head just slightly towards the woods and he gives me nod. I relax only slightly knowing he understood. My eyes land on a silver bow in front of me. The seconds start ticking down.
60. 59. 58. 57. 56
Sixty seconds to make my decision. Sixty seconds to decide. If I had a bow I could stand a chance in these games, I really could. My eyes flit between Peeta, the woods, and the bow.
30. 29. 28. 27. 26.
I'm almost out of time. Peeta shakes his head guessing what I'm thinking. He knows I can run fast. He knows what I can do with a bow. I could save us with that weapon.
10. 9. 8. 7. 6.
Times almost up. I make my decision at the last second. The gong sounds and everyone runs.
Let the games begin.