Chapter 2: Goodbyes and Trains
A flock of Peacekeepers escort us to the justice building where we will say our goodbyes. My heart is pounding double time and my legs are shaking. I think about what to say to my family and friends. I'm in a room and there's a knock at my door. My mom and dad come in. I run to them and we all hug each other.
"I love you guys so much!" I say, almost crying.
"We love you so much!" My parents respond. "We are so proud of everything you have ever done! Please try to win, for us! Try your hardest, come home! We love you!"
We sit down on the couch telling each other how much we love each other until the peacekeepers come in and tear us away from each other. Then Marissa flies in.
"Carly!"
"Marissa! I'm so glad to see you!"
"I'm not. Not here, not now. Please, please try to win! For you, for me, for your family!" Marissa cries. "Do you have a token yet?" I nod no. "Can you please take this?"
She hands me a pin. It is a gold fish swimming in a gold ring. It is beautiful.
"Yes, I will." I whisper.
We talk about old memories and how I'm one of the top students at the academy. I'll try to join the career pack, I have enough skills. A peacekeeper comes and escorts Marissa out.
"Carly! Try to wi-'' Marissa is cut short by the door slamming. I don't have to try to complete the sentence though. She wants me to come home. She wants me to win.
I'm taken to the station where I'm to wait on the platform until the train is ready for departure. I see a boy my age with the same shade of hair as me who is around my age. I've practised with him a few times in jousting, but I don't see him that much. All I know about him is that he's really good as fighting, just not good enough to beat me.
"Hello tributes! I'm Hana and I'll be your escort for the annual 80th hunger games!" Hana banters in a capitol accent.
"Hello, I'm Carly." I say, smiling. I want to show her I can win, can get the crowd to like me, and to get good sponsors, something I might desperately need.
We walk onto the train. I am greeted by shining chandeliers and polished furniture. This will be my home for one day.
"You may go to your rooms or travel the train or socialize with others if you wish. Dinner is at 6, where you will meet your mentors." Hana says so loudly that I convince myself that the chandelier just shook.
"Thank you." I say and quickly walk to my compartment.
I see a large bed with comfortable sheets, a dresser filled with clothes and a bathroom with so many gadgets I can't wait to check out. My hair is down, so I don't need to take out any hairstyles, I don't feel like taking a shower as I had one just an hour ago and I don't process emotions that well, so I feel weird and numb with nothing to do. I decide to wander the train and set off.
I'm near the back of the train so I start walking forward. I see a table already set and a window. Trees, mountains and grass whiz by. I suddenly feel an urge to be in water, to swim around and float. I'd be care free, even happy. I now know I may never feel that way again.
"So what do you think of this place?" A voice jumps at me from behind.
"So unreal." I whisper.
"I need to get my mind off something. Do you want to go on a walk?" James asks.
Without a word we wander into the compartments, finding new, unseen places. I see people dressed in all white standing by, silent. We soon stumble across a lounge.
"Do you want to sit down?" James asks.
"Yeah, sure." I reply.
I'm not sure what to think of James yet. He seems nice, yet I have this odd feeling. Like I can't trust him.
"So, do you have any siblings?" He asks.
"No, I'm an only child. You?" I question back.
"Two older brothers and a younger sister. My older brothers are 19 and weren't in the reaping and my little sister is 10." He replies.
"Tell me about yourself." I say, my head leaning sideways.
"Well, I fish and fight and I'm the best jouster in our year." He says and smiles.
"Really? Because I don't recall ever losing to you." I fire back.
"Are you sure? Because I don't remember ever losing to you!" He argues.
"Fine. We tied. Every single time." I suggest.
"Sure." He finishes. "Hey, what time is it?"
"Crap. It's 5:59." I answer. We need to get to the other side of the train in one minute.
"Race ya!" James yells and zips off.
We race down the compartment, opening doors, jumping over furniture. James is sprinting down the hall and I can see the dining room. All of a sudden the door slams shut just as I was about to step through.
I'm soaring through the air and land with a thud. My head is thumping really loudly and everything is fuzzy. I see three chandeliers circling around the room before everything goes black.