Chapter three – the journey
After that time seemed to move in fast forward. In what seemed like seconds I was bustled out of the justice building and into a shiny black car where Althea chatted merrily until I was once again shoved and pulled into the train that will take me to the capital.
The train was the most exquisite thing I had ever seen. It was outstandingly beautiful with more space that would seem possible on a train. This however did little to stop the sinking of my heart when I felt the train pull away from the station; I stared out of the window and watched my home become a small spec in the distance and then disappear altogether.
As I looked out the window I felt an arm snake its way onto my shoulders "cheer up good-looking, we're partners now and I have a feeling me and you will have lots of fun together" Marvel laughed and moved his lips dangerously close to my own, which resulted in a swift elbow in the gut by me.
Being one of the prettiest girls in school I've learned a few tricks on how to defend myself against arrogant boys trying to touch me up.
"Owwww hey you little –" Marvel grabbed my wrist and shoved me so my back was pressed against the window and his face was just inches from mine "you should watch yourself little girl, don't want that pretty little face of yours all smashed up before we even get to the real fun" he chuckled darkly and left the room, as soon as he leaves tears begin to prick my eyes.
Great, the one thing I was supposed to do, the one bloody thing, team up with Marvel so I could get in the career pack but I couldn't even do that right. No way will the rest of the careers want me instead of him. I've seen him throw a spear; he has the strength of a raging bull and never misses, ever. If the careers don't team up with me then im on my own with nobody what's so ever, sure I could probably survive for a few days but I haven't got the skill to mend any wounds I may receive or the hunting skill to feed myself properly, I need supplies and being in a careers pack is the only way I can be guaranteed any.
I rush to my room as the tears have begun to fall thick and fast, I barely notice the grandness of my room as I fling myself onto the wide bed and begin to sob. I've ruined everything; some of the last words my parents ever said to me were a waste. My despair was then interrupted by Althea knocking at the door telling me dinner was in five minuets in her chirpy, bird – like voice. I get off the bed and walk over to the bathroom to asses the damage all the crying has done to my face. Apart from some hectic red splodges across my cheeks I seem to look okay, I splash some cold water over my skin to get rid of the redness which instantly calms me. I take some deep breaths as I try to figure out my next move, so far I've done nothing but smile at the audience then break down back stage in tears which does absolutely nothing to help me. I look up one again at my reflection and it finally dawns on me.
In order to get in the career group and also get sponsors I must use my greatest weapon, my beauty. Using my beauty on the capital should be easy; they will go mad at anything remotely pretty or shiny but Marvel and the other careers will be my biggest issue, how will I use my beauty without appearing like a stupid dumb blonde that will just get herself killed…? My thoughts are interrupted by another sharp knock at the door "Glimmer dinner is here and everybody is waiting for you, be a dear and come along now" I begin to change into another outfit for the evening, whilst grumbling beneath my breath.
I have a feeling Althea is going to get on my nerves more the once with her annoying squeaky voice and perfect schedule. I take a quick glance in the mirror before I leave; my skinny black jeans and my tight midnight blue top with the low cleavage area gives off just the look I was going for, a flirty sexy yet still slightly mysterious. It helps that my outfit looks good because the thing I have to do next is positively repulsive…I have to sweet talk my way back into Marvels good books even if it means loosing a big chunk of my dignity. I sweep out of my room with a quick flick of the hair.
When I reach the dining room everyone is sitting politely and enjoying some small talk while a load of waiters surround them, trays at the ready so they can smother the table with food the second I am seated. I take my place next to marvel and am about to start sweet talking when I realise there are two more people I have never met, yet know all about sitting at the table with us.
Gloss and Cashmere. Our mentors in the games, the people who can quite literally be the difference between life and death. They sit at the head of the table sipping wine, both have sun-kissed skin and blonde hair although the male, Gloss, has short-cropped hair and the woman Cashmere, has long ruler straight hair that falls across her shoulders.
They don't just look-alike because they are from district one, they are bother and sister who won is consecutive years, making them the most unique two victors alive today and this shows as even though they do not look unusual, they have a certain way about them that makes you feel like you are staring upon royalty. As I sit in the dining room, staring at them like an absolute moron I feel the need to curtsy or call them "your majesties" but before I can do something to make me look even more stupid, Gloss speaks. "Ahh Glimmer, pleasure to meet you at last, sorry me and my sister couldn't get acquainted with you earlier, we had a photo shoot for a capital magazine that really couldn't be put on hold" he gives me a warm smile before continuing "now since district one is close to the capital we should be arriving early tomorrow morning so it's not worth even beginning to discuss tactics and all that lot, just enjoy yourself as much as possible".
As nice as the speech he gave us was, I cant help feeling this is just another scripted speech, it's too smooth, too rehearsed as Cashmere continues the other half of it, "yes, all the facilities on the train are here for you to make the journey as smooth as possible, its been a very hectic day; now then, I bet you both starving" right on cue the waiters engulf the entire table with the richest most delicious smelling food I have ever witnessed, it spills over the table in all manner of glorious shapes and sizes. I glance over at Marvel and see he has had the same reaction in fact; he's practically drooling at the sight of all of it. I then look over at Althea who is chattering merrily to Gloss and Cashmere, she looks slightly tipsy which explains the large empty wine glass in her hand; I see Cashmere is nodding along with her jumble of words but at the same time is trying to get a glass of water down her, while Gloss looks on understandingly.
Huh, I guess Althea getting drunk is not a new occurrence, explains why she isn't the best, most organised of mentors and it also explains Gloss and Cashmere's speech, it was probably her job to settle the tributes in but she clearly can't be trusted to do such a thing.
I only think about this for a moment though as the smell of the food suddenly draws me back in. I take a proper look at the food this time, tiny little pastries filled with goat's cheese, peppers and other wonderful ingredients; small pots of baby salad filled with purple and blue lettuce in the shape if flowers; millions of savoury bite - sized dishes all for our pleasure.
Once I've eaten about a hundred of these the table is cleared and another part of our meal comes along, a rich creamy tomato soup with small pieces of bread in them called crotons. This pattern continues for a good part of our evening, steak in a peppery sauce with potatoes and other vegetables, a sticky toffee pudding with thick cream, individually decorated fairy cakes and finally a selection of cheeses with an array of multicoloured fruit. It's the best thing I've eaten in my entire life, even better than the wedding cake I had at my aunties wedding which was so good I have five whole slices.
I lean back on my chair, im pretty sure I just ate half my body weight in food, lucky I don't put on weight easily. "Now everyone, its time to watch the recap of the reaping" Cashmere guides every one to the wide sofas that point to the flat screen telly in the next room.
She practically has to drag Althea with her as throughout the course of the meal she drank about five or six large glasses filled to the brim, as we moved she giggled excitedly "oh yes the reaping! I – I looooovvveee the reaping!" she suddenly grabs Marvel by the shirt "you! You were in the reaping! You were – you were the big boy at the front, so big!" she laughs again, delighted by her discovery. An attendant then comes in eyeing Althea worriedly "excuse me do you need any help?"
"Oh yes please could you take Althea to her room for me, I think she needs a lie down" Cashmere says quickly as she gestures to drunken Althea. The attendant nods knowingly and manages to untangle her from Marvel and guide her away. As this all goes on I realise that I have made no move to sweet talk Marvel, with all that has gone on it completely slipped my mind. As Marvel straightens out his shirt, looking quite pissed off that it was crumpled in the first place; I walk over to him and raise my eyebrows slightly as I look in the direction Althea went
"Well….that was fun; do you think they could just ship us off to the arena now? You would probably get less hassle there" to my surprise, Marvel chuckles lightly "yer probably. Say, you don't sound like I thought you would, when I saw you coming up on stage at the reaping I though great, a snivelling wet girly girl who isn't even a volunteer. When you see most tributes they can barely even say the word arena there so scared. Say, does the area scare you..?" as he leaves his words hanging I realise this is it! This is the moment I show him im not just a silly little girl, if I play this right I could completely mend whatever damage I caused earlier. I look at him, arms folded with a slightly cocky grin on my face "the arena, what's to be worried about? Iv got a few tricks up my sleeve" I say as I refer to the frankly, non-existent tricks inside my sleeve. Marvel raises an eyebrow, intrigued by my words but before he can say anything we hear the TV come alive so we quickly take our seats.
The main things we look at are our fellow career tributes, when there are poor pickings of careers it usually means a tribute from another district will win. Thankfully this year's careers did not disappoint. We watch as a huge boy takes to the stage as a volunteer for district two; his muscles seem to roll in waves of pure brute strength and he has a glint in his eye that promises a painful death to those who cross him. The girl volunteer from two also does not disappoint, with a cruel smile spread across her face and a strong, muscled body. The two tributes from district four are also impressive, not as big and scary looking as district two, especially not the boy, but certainly not weak. We all looked round at each other with a new glint in our eyes; with these people with us we cannot lose, a career will once again win this year, I know it.
The rest of the tributes are as boring and predictable as ever, all of them looking shit scared. The boy from twelve looked like he was going to burst into tears right in the middle of the stage! The girl from his district however was a volunteer; both mine and Marvel's eyes narrow slightly at this, any tribute that is not a career and volunteers is an immediate threat. We watched as she detangled herself from a little girl who was originally reaped, she cried and clang onto the girl until someone took her away. However much of a threat she was it didn't stop my chest tightening when we discovered the little girl was her sister. If that had been calico….
I glance over at marvel as he stares at the screen in full soldier like concentration mode. I can tell he is already analyzing her for any kind of weakness she may have.
The seal of panem is them shown and the screen goes black. There is a heartbeat of silence before Gloss speaks up "okay you kids, of to bed so you'll be ready for an early start tomorrow"
Marvel rises first, obviously annoyed at being referred to as "kid". I quickly follow his lead as I head down to the rooms. When I get there I see Marvel leaning against his bedroom door which is opposite to mine "so, what do you make of the competition?" he asks and I shrug my shoulders in a 'I don't care' kind of way "well most of them are boring same old kind of stuff, not many surprises this year"
"But what about that twelve girl, she looked far too comfortable"
Marvel leans close to me and I resist the urge to step back "I bet she's just another weakling when it comes down to the actual fighting I mean, she's tiny!" I say. Marvel smiles and leans a fraction closer "so… recon you could take her then?"
"Of course I could" I say trying hard not to sound like a whiney child "well then, I'll make sure to tell the rest of the careers to leave her for you, I do like a good girl fight"
Before I can respond Marvel goes into his room and shuts the door in one fluid motion. I'm left standing alone in the hallway, my thoughts consumed by the girl who I have unintentionally made my first victim.
Well that's chapter three! What did you guys think? Please review so im not an internet loser, it would mean a lot to me! Also, just to let you know i upload chapters every sunday
xxx wacky rose xxx