Iris
I woke up and got a shower, washing my hair in a cinnamon scented shampoo. Today was the day; I would finally go into the arena and do what I've always wanted to do, win the hunger games. I dried off and went to breakfast in a towel. Morpheus was sitting in the corner drinking coffee so strong I could smell it from the opposite end of the room. Electra sat shifting food around her plate and sobbing.
"Morning," I called happily, grabbing a plate and filling it up with hot tea cakes topped with melted butter. Electra gave me a weak smile,
"Good morning Iris, dear. Are you excited?" I nodded, tearing a chunk of tea cake and popping it into my mouth. "To think, in only a few weeks only one of you will be here again with me. It's tragic." I hadn't thought too much about my brother dying in the arena, it wasn't like we were really close but I would be upset. I won't cry when he dies, I never ever cry at anything! I stood up and filled a cup with orange juice; Morpheus poured yet another cup of coffee.
"How much have you drunk this morning?" I asked curiously. Morpheus gave me a cheeky grin,
"5 cups, I couldn't sleep and this is giving me energy." I rolled my eyes and took a sip of orange juice. Once I had finished my breakfast Nemsi walked into the room and told me I had to get dressed. Nemsi handed me a bundle of clothes and I went into my room to put them on. I was really puzzled when I looked in the mirror; I wore a thin white jumpsuit, skin tight boots that went up to my knees and a thick black coat with a furry hood. Nemsi walked into my room,
"Why am I wearing this outfit, it doesn't make sense?"
"No idea, just make sure you wear it because what you've been given is for a purpose." Nemsi sat me down on a chair and started to brush my hair.
"I want a bun, but plait some strands of hair so it looks more foreign." I heard Nemsi sigh and he started plaiting tiny strands of hair.
I stared at Morpheus and gave him a small smile, he returned it.
"Trust you Iris, you're about to go into a blood bath yet you look just like a goddess, so beautiful." Electra swooned, gently touching my bun. I sighed and gave her a small hug,
"See you in three weeks or so,"
"If you actually survive Iris, someone could beat you-no, someone will beat you. Me." I turned and gave Morpheus a glare he laughed and walked with his mentor down the hall way to the launching room. ]
"Are you nervous?" Electra asked, I shrugged
"Nothing to be nervous about, I'm strong and I'm the leader of the careers, I can win this easily."
"I don't doubt that for a second, but if you do die then Morpheus will be an equally good victor." I laughed, a harsh laugh laced with sarcasm.
"Yeah, Morpheus will be an amazing victor. He won't win, I will." I turned around and stalked down the hall way,
"Good luck!" Electra called behind me, I ignored her. Nemsi walked into the launching room after me and we sat in silence for a minute. I pressed gently against the small lump in my forearm where a tracker had been placed. Now everyone will know where I am at which moment, when I pressed on the tracker it moved slightly sending a tingling pain down my whole arm. It felt quite nice.
"One minute till launch!" An electronic voice called, a buzzing feeling rose up in my chest and I jumped from my bench.
"So excited!" I squealed, Nemsi laughed
"That's what all my tributes say now, but then again, they don't seem as excited and happy as you."
"That's because there not me, I'm special in every way." Nemsi laughed again and gently sat me back down on the bench.
"Yeah you're special alright; just remember who you are when you're in the arena, a lot of kids come back changed once they've won."
"I won't change and I will come back, I have the gods watching over me." Nemsi rolled his eyes and I punched him lightly on the hip. He didn't expect it and slipped of the bench, hitting his arm on the corner.
"Opps, sorry Nemsi." I said, fighting back giggles. I love it when people hurt themselves, there so funny. Nemsi stood up and brushed invisible dirt from his sharp tailored suit.
"30 seconds!" The voice called, I stood up and walked to a golden plate on the floor. Nemsi crossed his arms and stayed in the shadows. He seemed really annoyed I'd punched him, but he forced a small smile on his thin lips.
"Iris you've been my worst tribute ever, you're snappy, rude, vicious and sarcastic. You lose your temper over the most ridiculous things and want everything to be exactly how you want it. I normally like all my tributes but I don't like you." Nemsi's dark eyes twinkled slyly. "Don't be expecting any gifts from me and when you die in the arena I'll host a party to celebrate!" I smiled,
"I love you to Nemsi!" I called before the glass cylinder came down and raised me into the arena.
The glass cylinder stopped shaking and I opened her eyes. I instantly felt sick and dizzy. The arena was a desert but the sand was bright blue, if that wasn't weird enough the sky was a burnt amber colour that suggested I might be upside down. A few cactus plants rose here and there along with some sand dunes. I looked around and saw the confusment on all the other tributes faces. One face caught my attention and I raised an eyebrow, Morpheus shrugged and nodded his head at the pile of weapons at the cornucopia. I spotted a silver sword and nodded, that's mine. An electronic voice called out over the desert,
"3
2
1
GO!"