Chapter Ten: So Close

"Enobaria! Yoh!" I call out as Cato and I step off the elevator. There's no response.

"They must not be back yet," says Cato.

Fuming, I stalk to the dining room. "Well, they should be," I snap, grabbing two knives. "They're our mentors—" I fling the first knife at the wall, "and they should be here right now, because something huge—" I throw the other knife into the wall as well, "just happened, and we need to decide what we're going to do about it!" I look around wildly, hoping to spot more knives. This is the only way I know how to let my anger out: through weapons.

"I think that's enough, Clove," Cato says pointedly. I glare at him, but before I can respond the elevator doors open.

"What," Enobaria seethes, stomping off the elevator, "could have possibly possessed the two of you to leave without us?"

Cato raises his hands defensively. "It wasn't my idea."

I scowl at him. "Oh please. We're perfectly capable of being on the elevator for ten seconds without being babysat, Enobaria. It's not a big deal."

She glares at me. "Either way, you should have waited. We have a lot to discuss, in light of what just happened!"

"I don't see that it changes anything, really," Yoh comments. "I mean, yeah, Twelve might get a few more sponsors, but it's not going to make them any more dangerous. Cato and Clove just need to perform well at the Cornucopia tomorrow, and it'll all be fine."

"Excuse me!" I shriek defiantly. "Those sponsors might be the difference between winning and losing! They play a huge part in the Games!"

"Not as much as you might think," argues Yoh. "There have been plenty of victors who've had barely any sponsors at all!"

I'm beyond words at this point – I'm just staring at him.

Enobaria cuts in. "What matters is that many Capitol citizens are going to be very supportive of the District Twelve tributes this year. Which means that you need to do whatever it takes to get rid of them early on. Got it? Take them out at the Cornucopia. The further into the Games they make it, the more of a threat they're going to be! Make sure they don't get to that point!"

She continues to glower at Cato and me after she finishes her speech. "We'll do that," Cato says finally. I nod in agreement.

"Good," Enobaria growls.

The elevator doors open again, and we all turn to see Maio step off the elevator, closely followed by Cato's stylist. "Fantastic job, you two!" he shouts. The next few minutes are filled with hugs and congratulations, but the whole time, I can feel Enobaria's eyes on me.

"Clove," Maio says abruptly. "Let's go on the roof."

I meet Enobaria's eyes, but she just shrugs. "Be back in ten minutes. You need a lot of sleep tonight." I nod obediently.

Maio leads me back to the elevator, and then to the roof – but I don't even notice where we are because it's so cold. My teeth are chattering and my lips are probably turning purple.

"When you first came here, I noticed you didn't have a district token," Maio says quietly. "Why is that?"

I shrug at him, keeping my arms wrapped tightly around my torso in a futile attempt to block out the freezing wind. "What's the point? It's not like I'm ever going to go back to District Two. When I win, I want to live in the Capitol. This is my home, not Two."

He smiles. "I thought you'd say something like that." He reaches into his pocket and takes out a silver chain. From it dangles a small circular disk. Squinting at it, I see that engraved upon it is a representation of the Capitol: several tall buildings surrounded by the words Panem et Circenses.

"Turn it over," Maio says.

Four small words. Clove Flair, 74th Victor.

I try to speak, to thank my stylist for this amazing gift. But I can't seem to make my mouth work, no matter how hard I try.

"I've already cleared it with the review board," Maio says, oblivious to my dilemma. "It's not against the rules or anything."

"Thank you," I whisper. I throw my arms around him and grin. I never gave having a district token any thought, but this… is perfect.

Five minutes later, we're back on the District Two floor. Enobaria is waiting for us, tapping her foot impatiently. Yoh and Cato stand behind her, along with Sparkle Trix, who is humming mindlessly. Cato's stylist is there, too, of course.

"Finally," Enobaria says, but there's no malice in her voice. I know why. This is where I say goodbye to her.

The seven of us stand there in awkward silence before Maio speaks up. "We'll go," he says hastily, grabbing Cato's stylist's arm. "Clove, Cato… we'll see you in the morning. Yoh, Enobaria… tomorrow afternoon." The stylists leave the room quickly, and the silence continues for another minute.

"Well… bye, then," Yoh says. I roll my eyes – he would come up with something like that. Cato walks over to him, and Yoh bends down to whisper in his ear.

I turn to Enobaria and raise my eyebrows. "So…"

"You know what to do," she says brusquely. "Find your allies. Kill as many as you can at the Cornucopia. Especially Twelve, if you get the chance. Then… win."

I take a deep breath. "I will. I promise."

Enobaria gives me a half-smile. "Good. I'll see you in a couple of weeks, then."

Yoh moves away from Cato to stand awkwardly next to Enobaria, and I back away from them. "Bye," I whisper. Cato just nods. Neither of the mentors say a word – they just turn around and walk away slowly.

Sparkle is last to leave, surprisingly. "Bye!" she says, then gives us a cheery wave. "Maybe I'll see one of you soon!" Then she leaves too.

I roll my eyes at our eccentric escort. "What a freak," I mutter.

Cato nods, staring after Sparkle as if she's crazy.

"I guess we'd better go to sleep, then," I say haltingly.

"I guess so," he replies. "Um… see you in the morning."

"See you."

I walk quickly back to my room and climb in bed. There's no way I can lie here awake all night. I need rest. Tomorrow I'll be in the arena, I think. Grinning to myself, I force my eyes to shut…

"Clove! Come on, time to get up, it's a big day!"

My eyes open as fast as though I've been doused in ice water. I throw the covers off of me and scramble out of my bed, nearly falling to the floor in the process. I hastily get dressed in the casual outfit that lies on my dresser, and then I meet Maio in the hallway.

The morning goes by in a rush. I honestly can't say exactly what happens – I eat a quick breakfast, but don't pay attention to what it is. We – Maio and I – are suddenly on a helicopter – and a woman pierces my arm with a sharp needle, inserting my tracker.

Another new outfit. Green shirt. Tan pants. Black jacket. Brown shoes.

Time slows down again and I find myself sitting in a small room with Maio. There's a circular plate next to me – oh my God – we're here already?

I bite my lip.

"Are you excited?" Maio asks. I nod and bounce up and down in my seat.

"Do you want anything? Food, water?" he presses.

"Sure," I say, and accept a large glass of ice-cold water. I drink it in large mouthfuls, savoring the flavor.

"Don't forget anything Enobaria told you," Maio encourages me. "You'll be great. You'll win – I can feel it."

I smile at him. "I know."

"Will all tributes please step onto their plates at this time. The Games will be starting in precisely three minutes." It isn't Maio speaking this time – a cool female voice has just informed me that the best day of my life will officially begin in just a few minutes.

I jump up and stand on my metal plate excitedly. I'm so close…

"Oh!" Maio exclaims. "I almost forgot – I'm to wish you luck from the prep team. Not that you'll need it, of course, but…"

I smile gratefully. "Tell them all that I can't wait to see them again."

He nods solemnly. "I'll do that."

"Thanks."

There's a loud noise right above me, and I look up to see that I'm being incased in a large glass cylinder. I raise my chin and throw my shoulders back, determined to look confident and proud as I enter the arena.

The ride up is very short. My heart is pounding – but not from fear. I close my eyes for a brief moment, and when I open them again, the cylinder is gone, and I'm in the place I've been dreaming of for years. The arena.

The moment is made perfect when I hear the voice of the legendary Hunger Games announcer, Claudius Templesmith…

"Ladies and gentlemen, let the seventy-fourth Hunger Games begin!"

I have no idea why I'm posting this. I updated two days ago... oh well. Anyway, I would love it if you guys would review this chapter. It's not one of my best, but I had to get through it so the Games can begin! And yeah, it's short, but I really wanted to get this part over with.

Please, please review. It would mean so much to me if I wake up tomorrow morning and have some emails telling me people reviewed.

Chapter 11 will be up in a few days... not sure when exactly. (If I get lots of reviews, maybe I'll post it sooner!) ;)

~What the Quell