All the Glitter
Just as the sun began to dip below the buildings, leaving an orange tinge in the darkening sky, I left my house.
Cameras were shoved into my face, Reporters shouting questions about tonight's Opening Ceremonies. I waved them off, crossed to the sleek black car, and entered solitude. The ride was made in absolute silent. Only the quiet hum of the engine rang in my ears. The car only slowed when the stadium came into view. It pulled in behind the Training Center. I got out and strolled towards the stadium.
Capitol Citizens were crowded around the tall, brass Gates, trying to get a seat, pushing, beating, kicking. I tried to get through the mesh pit but I was elbowed in the ribs, and I think bitten in the ear. I fell to the ground. My vision blurred. Then a fat hand appeared from nowhere, wrenching me to my feet.
" President Snow warned me ya might try to get in early...He asked me to help ya." It was the hulking brute from before. Then, he yelled so loud my ears rang, spittle flying from his moist lips.
" Make way for Head Gamemaker...His highness...Seneca Crane!"
The crowd went quiet. One by one, the citizens separated, forming a long tunnel to the Gate. As we walked through, the Gate swung open smoothly. As I stepped through I heard a piercing scream.
" Jamie, NOOO!" A blue permed woman shrieked. It was of no use. Her small toddler ran up through the Gates. He reached for my robe, his tiny fingers out stretched. A loud CRACK!
The boy's sizzling, lifeless corpse lie on the ground, The Brute guard standing over him with a beam pistol.
As the crowd began leaving, the Brute said he had to get back to the President at once.
Men in white suits sauntered in, throwing the boy into a trash bag. Although Capitol citizens were given more leeway, there was a zero tolerance policy for breaking the rules. Still, did the Brute really have to kill him? What am I saying, I'm running the biggest child slaughtering massacre in all of history. Still, I got sick. Walking across the empty stadium, I did a mental checklist.
Just as the luminescent, silver moon began to rise, I pressed a large green button, and the back gates opened. People flooded into their seats, and I took my place next to the high throne. I sat there, watching the Citizens fight for seats. Just as the place filled up, I saw the annual Opening Ceremonies begin, what the Tributes never get to see.
A bright green chariot flew in from the back Gates. The black horses carrying it went mad, flinging it around like crazy. There was a puff of smoke next to me. I had prepared myself for this, still, I coughed and jumped. When the smog cleared President Snow was sitting in his throne. Instantly, The audience went wild clapping. President Snow pressed a golden button next to him. The Green chariot exploded, and we watched in silence as the Horses died, burning slowly. When all was done, nothing was left. Then, a puff of neon red smoke appeared, set in a strange formation of a number: 13.
Then, the Gates opened, and the Chariots rolled in. This years costumes were pretty good. I gave a loud snort as District 7 came by, trees, again! Angus Derfwood and Lana Spitzel put the District in Tree costumes every year.
Then came my favorite, and I found my breath taken away. Katniss and Peeta were on fire, fire, burning so beautifully against the night. The rest of the night passed in a blur.
When I fell asleep that night, my head was full of dreams of my favorite.
Dreams of Katniss, the Girl on Fire.