Chapter 4 – The Train
After dinner a luxurious dinner of roasted rabbit in a red wine sauce with an array of brightly coloured vegetables, I could barely fit desert, so I bring my carrot cake with me as we all sit in a living area and watch the recap of the reaping. Even though at home I did eat well, the food was nothing compared to the fine Capitol cuisine. I make sure I seat myself as far away from Reuben as physically possible, we wouldn't want another cat fight. He tries to catch my gaze a number of times but I turn a blind eye to it. The sight of my parents cuddling on the sofa puts a smile on my face and reminds me of cosy winter nights by the fireplace. When Rye and I were younger, we would both tiptoe downstairs from our beds and join our parents on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket. Even though we were supposed to be sleeping, they never seemed to object. I feel a pang of sadness at the thought of Rye so I try push the memory away and I settle down to eat my cake. The holographic TV is turned on and Caesar Flickerman is introducing the reaping alongside Claudius Templesmith. First up, is District 1. There are multiple volunteers which are very common for Districts 1 and 2 but in the end, an 18-year-old girl called Cicely and a 17-year-old boy called Duke are chosen. In District 2, a 16-year-old girl called Sille and an 18-year-old boy called Vince are chosen. I feel sick with dread and we haven't even reached district 3 yet. Perhaps I should slow down on the cake. Either way, these tributes already look much stronger, taller and faster than me. I'm not sure I want to watch this anymore, but I know I have to. I need a clear idea of what I'm up against. Only a few more tributes catch my attention, otherwise most of the tributes look quite average. A 15-year-old boy from District 3 called Akamai, he's bound to be smart; a 14-year-old girl named Anaya who seems very cocky; a 17-year-old girl called Elin from District 5, there's something about her than just makes me feel uneasy; finally, he didn't so much catch my attention as a threat but I felt sympathetic; a 13-year-old boy called Bai from district 9 who looks like he's about 8 years old.
"He won't last two minutes..." I hear my mum mutter under her breath. I can tell from the way she says it that he reminds her of Rue. Not only that, but the sad thing is, she's right. This year, a strong set of tributes have been selected, most are my age or older, and I doubt my own survival let alone Bai's.
The District 12 reaping is shown, and I cringe every time there's a close up of me, why do they feel the need to zoom in so much? My long nose seems to protrude from my face and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I look visibly sweaty, yuck.
"Oh Willow, you look like an absolute treasure!" Effie says, clearly choking up. I give Effie a smile of gratitude despite my thoughts, I'm not in the mood for yet another lecture about manners. At long last, the recap ends with a quick summary from Claudius and Caesar, and the TV is turned off.
That night, I lie in my bed and stare up at the ceiling. In the darkness of the room, I can see the diamond encrusted chandelier swaying gently from the slight motion of the train. I look over to the clock and see it is only 10 o'clock and sleep seems to elude me. Usually, I fall asleep within 10 minutes but it's been a whole hour and the most I've done is roll over onto my side. I guess seeing the other tributes from the reaping recap has given me an insight into what I'll be up against which only builds up my terror. Tomorrow we'll arrive in the Capitol and be greeted by the very people who'll cheer at our deaths: there's nothing that disgusts me more than the thought of that. The longer I lay here, the more I'll frustrate myself thinking about the Capitol. I can feel my temperature rising and my body breaking out into sweats. I suddenly feel suffocated by the weight of my duvet covers and so I throw them off of me and get out of bed, eager to be anywhere that doesn't make me feel so imprisoned.
I find myself on some sort of balcony above the room from the back of the train. I stand, leaning on the banister, drinking a hot chocolate given to me by an Avox, while the wind causes my hair to sweep into a tangled mess around my face. The cold air is surprisingly refreshing against my bare skin although, I regret not bringing a dressing gown or at least a pair of socks, I can already feel goose bumps prickling my skin. I'm half tempted to throw out my arms and pretend I'm a bird flying through the cool night air. I can only imagine the sense of freedom I'd get. If I were any kind of bird, I'd like to think I'd be a Mockingjay. It seems like such a turbulent animal, being something that the Capitol never intended to create; finally, something that the Capitol can't control.
"Isn't it a tad cold to be wearing a flimsy nightdress outdoors?" A familiar yet unpleasant voice says, interrupting my thoughts. I don't bother to turn and face him for Reuben has already appeared by my side and is now also leaning over the banister. "I mean, I would give you my dressing gown but I'm stark naked beneath and I don't intend to give you the satisfaction of seeing my glorious co-"
"God you are absolutely vile! How the hell did you even find me up here? And more importantly, who the hell sleeps naked?"
"As interesting as these questions are, might I suggest you not waking up the whole train?"
My cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"And on the contrary, I'm most certainly notvile and in fact, find myself to be quite delightful."
"Ha. You're most certainly not."
"I believe that's a matter of opinion."
"I guess you are entitled to those beliefs but then again, roughly 80% of people who have a mental illness don't actually know they have it so perhaps that's why you have no recollection of your unpleasant nature."
"You know Willow; jealousy is a very ugly sin..."
"In what way am I jealous?" I laugh.
"Well, bullying usually occurs because a person is jealous of another."
"I am not a bully. If anything, youare the bully."
"Since the incident from this morning, I've done nothing particularly brash towards you."
"You were snarky towards me just now!"
"That was actually just humour, you need to lighten up."
"Did you seriously just tell me to lighten up?"
"Would you rather I said the word brighteninstead of lighten?"
"Oh stop being so unbearable for just one moment won't you?! We are on a train on its way to the Capitol where we are about to be put into an arena and slaughtered, and you're asking me to lighten up?Give me a break!"
"There aren't many breaks I can give you unless you're suggesting I break a bone of yours, in which case I'd be happyto comply-."
"Oh just shut up! Stop!"
"Stop what?"
"Whatever this is you think you're doing!"
"Well before you rudely insulted me, I was planning to apologise."
"Apologise? What's the point? We are going to have to kill each other in the next few days, I don't think it's wise to be making friendships."
"Well if not a friendship, why not an alliance?"
"Are you joking?" I scoff.
"Well, why not?"
I glare at him.
"Ouch. I'm guessing you really hate my guts then?"
"I don't hate you. It's just, if you happened to get strapped to a whipping post, I'd ask the Peacekeeper if I could have a turn of flogging you."
"Well, I've been told I have a nice curved and muscular back so at least you'd enjoy the view." He says with a smirk.
I can't help but roll my eyes.
"Tell me you'll at least think about it?"
I scan his face to debate whether or not to trust him but his expression is inscrutable.
"Fine." I huff, "I'll think about it."
His face changes into coy smile. "Well I guess I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Well there isn't really a way for me to avoid seeing you is there?"
With that, he smiles to himself and turns his back to me. Just before he walks away, he undoes his dressing gown and flings it over his shoulder, revealing his indeed, curved and muscular back, but also his bare buttocks. I take a sharp intake of breath and almost spill my hot chocolate down my nightgown. He notices and his shoulders shake as he laughs. I don't realise I'm holding my breath until he disappears from sight and I feel faintly breathless. I stay outside for a while longer hoping that the cool breeze will calm the redness of my burning cheeks before returning to my bed. I twist and turn trying to get comfortable and finally find an acceptable position. Honestly though, who sleeps naked?
Author's note:
Hey! Thank you for reading this chapter, as you can tell I really like humour and I seem to find myself really funny? If you don't like humour then unfortunately for you, there's more coming lol! Reuben is literally my humour 'weapon'…if that's even a thing. So yeah, I hope you enjoyed reading it! I always appreciate any comments, advice or future chapter ideas, so please feel free to drop me a message or review!
Thanks again!
- Liv