2th chapter
My mother's been seriously concerned and so nervous all evening long; sure, Snow's ad schoked us all, but there's no point breaking down, I strongly believe that this is exactly what he'd like. Several times I try to suggest her to go to sleep, but she doesn't pay attention to me, tydin' the house. While I collaps into a chair, Andrew comes closer to me circumspectionaly. As if he's done something, which is probable.
Andrew what's wrong? I ruffle his hair while he gives me a sad look.
Keira, how many times did you tell mom you love her? his question catches me unprepared. I was expecting him to ask me to shield him for having damaged some vase mom cared about, or for having stained mum's favourite dress. Definitely not this.
honey, why do you say that? Mum knows we love her I assure him leaning out towards him.
daddy knew it too, and look how it ended up actually Andrew never recovered from dad's death, despite he was only six, cut still burns and it's like it dragged it into torpor and anxiety. He still has nightmares at night, I can hear him moaning or screaming , and honestly, I don't know how to help him. Probably, besides the painful loss, Andrew felt the blow of seeing him for first. Five years ago dad was run over by a sort of lorry, on a road close to our house. We saw Andrew coming back as a ghost, with pale face and cold sweat, and he's never been the same since then. It happens to a lot of people here to lose the loved ones, one reason or another, they're old stories, but when it happens to you, well it's different, it's quite like the Hunger Games: you don't realize the surrow they cause until your name comes out of the urn.
why are you askin' me that tonight, Andrew? Are you concerned?
tomorrow is the day, Keira, and I'm afraid I can't tell my mum ' I love you ' everytime I want to, I'm tired of losing people his eyes star to be filled with tears
Andrew, do you trust me, don't you? he energically nodes.
good, so you have nothing to be afraid of, it's going to be fine I finish, holding him tight. I strongly believe in what I said. Everything will be fine, one way or another.
Along the road to the great event, people keep their head down, some of them have a vacuous look, some other hold their children and their wives tight. Andrew and I go on slowly, mum will come to us when she'll have finished to work. Peacemakers star to group people, who were crammed together.
Trimphet comes over, dressed worse than usual, for what is a special occasion to her. She really seems a Umpa Lumpa in those clothes. Method's always the same. She welcome us like we were there to watch some kind of show, when we're all there waiting to know who will be sent to their deaths, because this is what we're talking about. There will be a reason why District six has never won an edition. This year, with the Victors, it will be a massacre for sure.
Welcome to the 75th Hunger Games, may the odds be always in you favour when someone tells you so in a moment like that, it would unleash everyone's killer istinct.
we already know The Quarter Quell is a special edition, that's why president Snow sents his best wishes to all of you. Good, time to get this started. we can not wait. Really.
ladies first, as always this is also a target, why does she have to repeat it every freacking year?
District six's female tribute is.. Gracie Hantman crowd shuts up, as nothing happened. But somethig did. They've just drawn for a not particularly young women, who'll have to face the most ruthless killers of the Favourites. She steps on the stage incredibly slowly, like she was dazed, she doesn't even cry. Andrew holds my hand, happy about mum not being on that stage. I shily smile at him and hold him closer.
clap you hands for Gracie, ladies and gentleman she's the only one clapping her hands. There's nothin worth an applause here. It's just a sort of rite before a human sacrifice.
let's go on with boys she moves slouchedly towards the other urn.
the District six's male tribute is.. Andrew Bradshow it takes a moment for me to realize what's just been said. But that's the moment that will change my whole life. My brother intensifies the grip on my dress, he's a marble statue, he doesn't know either if he's imaging this.
Andrew? Is it you? Trimphet locates him. My head stars throbbing, hurting, thinking about a way out of this. I'm searching gropingly , I feel in the dark, I'm so devastated I don't even realize when a Peacemaker is escorting by brother on the stage. A moment after I try to follow him, screaming, but he gets on the stage in a heartbeat. When the peacemaker is about to take me back to my place, a known scene happens again.
I volunteer, I want to be a tribute! crowd shout their mouths again, and Trimphet looks at me stragely.
oh my dear, I'm not sure we can do that, the tribute's already been choosen she tells me in a fake sad tone. Right now I really start feeling sick.
I think Gracie agrees with me, and I also believe no one up there cares so much about which one of us is going to end up dead, am I wrong? being desperate brings me to thoughtless actions. After what I said, people scream in wonder, ok, I'll admit it, perhaps it was a little bit rash.
well, they haven't squeezed their hand yet, so I guess we can switch! Shall you come on the stage? as I go, the blond women almost passes out on the steps, while she's taken to her family. On that stage I already feel like a different person, I try to find my mother's eyes, but I can't see her, my sight becomes blurred.
what's your name, darling?
Keira Bradwhow I answer in a hearbeat. I have no idea whe she's giving me a nasty look.
so, you are his..
sister, yes my voice is lower. I'm short-breathed.
alright guys, so press your hands and take a bow while the crowd gives sign of shy applause , I look at Andrew give him a sign of agreement . To be honest, I have no clue of what I'm doing right now, I'm just listening to my istinct. Thrimphet brings us straight to the train; another rule changed: you can't talk to people before leaving anymore. Thank you, Snow. No one says a word along the way, we get our coulour back just in the very moment Trimphet shows us our mentor.
guys, this is Ethan Northern. Obvoiusly he comes from District 5, not 6 a grown up man shows himself in front of us affably. He seems a little weird to me, honestly, and I do hope he's not another Capitol's pompous soldier, or we won't go anywhere.
hello kids, I'm Ethan, you are Keira and Andrew, aren't you? I mechanically nod for both of us since Andrew's too busy hidind his dark look.
how old are you, little boy?
he's young, too young I comment bitterly.
no one volunteered to take the place of a child? he asks scornfully. Yes, that's what I asked myself too, but appearently the Hunger Games are more frightening than I thought.
she did.. says Trimphet twitting.
yeah but she's a girl
he's my brother I immediately get things clear.
is he? why does it seem so weird? We even look a bit like each other.
Keira may I talk to you for a second? definitely not a good start, I already have enough problems.
is there something wrong? I ask him in concern
of course there is! A barely twelve years old kid sent to his death in a swarm of professional killers!
I wasn't the one who drown for him! And that's why I'm here anyway, to protect him
well Keira, I can tell you it's has not been a wise decision, more than one reason I grow irritated and cross my arms, waiting for him to go on
first of all, worst case in area you'll leave your parents without children, second of all, they will focus on him to get to you
I know he's right, but I won't certainly tell him right now.
what was I supposed to do, huh? Leave him in the lions den while I was at home embroiding?
ehi Keira, calm down, I said your choice wasn't wise, not that you didn't have to make it I sigh and sit down, grabbing my head in my hands.
I just want to take him away from there, Ethan. No matter what
and we will try.. but now Trimhpet and I are going to show you these lions for first I can't wait to see the faces of the people I'll have to kill in these days. Killing in self-defence is a thing, a game is something different. No one derves to die in the name of a stupid game.
so, let's get this started Andrew laid down on the couch, he didn't say a word until now and he doesn't seem willing to do it.
so, District 1, Cashmere and Gloss I know they seem the name of an expensive Capitol's ornament or animals accessories, but trust me, they're like robot soldiers, perfect and impecable, I'd dodge them at first, if I were you
even after, I suppose
you could always wait someone to kill them for you that's an idea.
and again, District 2, Brutus and Enobaria. Brutus is an excellent fighter, almost like a troian soldier. Enobaria could be the latest version of Dracula. She's scary enough and she had her teeth done to carve meat. Lovely person well, these two really look like worst children's nightmare.
District 3, getting better. Wiress and Betee, they're definitely not born to fight, but they have a brilliant brain, above all they're short of homicidial fury. They're kind of civil. Just be careful to electric traps or something. They love to play with phisics' lows.
That's amazing. You can win again swords, but you can't when it comes to phisics'lows.
ok, pay attention now, District 4, Finnick Odair, don't let yourself be enchanted by his angel face, he's quite terryfing terryfing? Yes. Angel face? Definitely no. He looks like the classic moron just stood up from Capitol's white-made up – armchairs. Let's erase him from alliance's list
it seems that he's honouring us with his presence. I say sarcastically.
well, what can I tell you? Modesty is not his strong point.. with all the rage from District 4.. Mags, his mentor, she offered herself to replace a girl
what? I snap. What person with a little sense of morality would send a old woman in the lions arena?!
yeah well, your choice hasn't been any different
yes, but I did that for someone I know and love, not for a stranger. And most importantly I'm not in her conditions! Is that possibile than no one opposed? clearly it's possible.
Mags saved Finnick's girlfriend, Annie. So now he has to protect her, she'll be his weakness
hang on. Are you suggesting me to take advantage from and old woman to get to him? I ask him, trying to hold back the rage in my throat.
well I didn't say that exactly, but between the lines..
then forget it! I'll kill him if I have to, but I won't hold onto her I'm not that heartless, neither that cynical.
whatever.. District 5 has nothing interesting, they're in your situation. District 7, Johanna Mason. I'd consider her as an ally, she's forceful enough, but not that conscientious
so that she can kill Mags for me? I respond ironically, giving him a grim look.
who knows, maybe. Look Kiera, on paper I wouldn't give so much credit to you, and if you want to pull your borther out of that arena, I suggest you to take shortcuts into consideration no, and no, did I mention no?
I'll play as fair as I can. That damn arena won't change who I am he puffs turning around. I'm sorry for him if he's used to serial killers!
what about Katniss and Peeta? Between sponsors for the marriage and their skills, they can really be a good match. I nod absent-mindedly.
look, Ethan, I'll be extremely honest. I don't think I can make it in the arena, what if I die before Andrew? He's just a kid, there has to be something we can do, I can't leave him in the unknown.
I'll se what I can do
I can go in there alone, there's no need for him to come with me. Johanna is alone after all.
yes Keira, but Johanna is a winner he shuts me up with that, and goes back to Trimphet for coffee leaving me there eroded by the fear that that arena could be my last Andrew memory.