Ok, I've finally uploaded the third chapter, sorry it took so long! Enjoy :)
For a few moments, I just stand where I am. Then BAM. Just like that, the words register. She means me. I'm Azora Burnfield! I force myself to slowly start walking over to the stage. I notice that there are cameramen everywhere so this is probably going to be televised and apparently the other tributes will get to see. If this is the case, then I can't let my fear show. I put on a brave face and act as though I couldn't care less that I might be dead in a few weeks. When I get to the foot of the steps, I walk up and Tallulah beckons me to the centre of the stage. "And here she is!" she says enthusiastically. "District 4's very first female tribute! Let's have a round of applause for Azora Burnfield!" Surprisingly, there's actually a little bit of applause. I scan the crowd for my parents but I can't see them anywhere. I see Skye and I think she might be crying. "And now for the boys," Tallulah continues. She walks over to the boys' reaping ball and draws a name out. Unfolding it, she calls, "Leroy Boneski" she says. I see a boy who I suppose to be Leroy come from the worst possible place; the twelve year olds section.
Unlike me, he isn't doing a very good job of hiding his emotions. He looks like he might be about to cry and his steps are small and shaky. When he finally reaches the stage and comes up, he's close to fainting. "And here is our first male tribute!" Tallulah says happily. There's another small round of applause and then Tallulah tells us to shake hands. His small hand is sweaty when I take it in mine. I give it one single squeeze and let go. "I might have to kill him soon", I think to myself. I sure hope it doesn't come down to that. "Oh, I almost forgot!" Tallulah exclaims. "Before our tributes are taken to the Capitol, are there any people that would like to take their places?" A deafening silence rings throughout the square. "No volunteers?" she asks disappointedly. You can tell that she's not very happy about being sent to such an uneventful district. "Ok then. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you District 4's first ever tributes!" There's a final round of applause before some peacekeepers march me through the doors of the Justice Building.
I am lead into an elegant room while Leroy is sent to a separate one. The doors shut behind me and I am alone. This is by far the fanciest room I have ever been in. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling above the velvet floor and furniture. I sink into a couch and stare in awe at the beautiful surroundings. Suddenly, the doors swing open and my parents come rushing in. My mother flings her arms around me and my father does the same. We just sit there in silence for a minute, hugging each other tightly. Once they pull away slightly, we spend the next few minutes talking about what strategies I should use in the arena. When the peacekeeper comes and tells them they must go, I tell them I love them over and over again until they're literally dragged out of the room.
I sit back down on the couch and then Skye comes in. She wraps me in such a tight hug that I actually start gasping for air.
"Sorry", she says and pulls away. "I should've volunteered for you, Azora!"she says. "What? No way!" I exclaim. "I would feel really bad if you did. No, it's a good thing you didn't."
"Yeah, probably, "she admits. "Listen, we didn't do all that training for nothing. So you'd better get your hands on a good weapon. I think you'll dominate because I bet none of the other tributes will know how to use weapons like you do."
"I know", I say. "I'll make sure to get a knife or a trident or something." The peacekeeper at the door says that it's time for Skye to go now, so we hug one last time and all too soon, the doors have closed and I'm alone again. I sit back down and I don't have any more visitors. The door opens again and two peacekeepers come to take me to the train that will transport me to the Capitol. I am led through the Justice Building and down to the station. When I board the train, I am stunned by how beautiful it is inside. Everything is so elegant and there seems to be a very large banquet set out on a long table. Leroy and Tallulah come in behind me.
"So, who's hungry? Feel free to sit down and help yourselves", she offers happily. Leroy and I sit down and I immediately start helping myself to some delicious looking stew. The lamb is so succulent and delicious. I have another bowlful, and then start taking some pudding with cream and strawberries on top. Once we are finished, a Capitol attendant shows me to my room. I shut the door and cross to the comfortable looking bed. I lie down and allow a few tears to slip out of my eyes.
There's a knock on my door and Tallulah is telling me that it's dinner time. I head to the dining carriage where Tallulah and Leroy are already seated. There's another man there though. He has slicked back blonde hair and a small beard. I take my place at the table and eye him suspiciously. "Oh", Tallulah says. "Leroy, Azora, this is Winslor Atcom. He will be your mentor!" "Mentor?" I say. "Oh dear, no one told you? During the games, in order to survive, you will need sponsors. They will supply you with food, water etc. Winslor is in charge of getting you those sponsors. He will also coach you a bit." Winslor holds his hand out to me. Hesitantly, I shake it. It's grimy and I resist the urge to wipe my hand on the tablecloth. "Nice to meet you", I say. There's more of that wonderful lamb stew again so I take that and a District 4 bread roll.
After dinner, I head back to my luxurious room to have a quick shower then get dressed in a green, silky nightgown. Looking at the bedside table, I notice a book entitled "The Rules of The Games". I lie down and start reading it. There will be no guns in the arena. The tributes will rise into the arena on metal plates and will stand there for one minute until the gong is banged. If the tributes step off their metal plates before they hear the gong, they will be blown up. I put the book away and fall asleep.
I'm woken up at 5:00am the next morning. Tallulah is shaking me awake, saying that we're at the Capitol. When she leaves I look out the window and I gasp. The Capitol is beautiful! It all looks so futuristic compared to District 4 where everything is drab and grey. I hurriedly get dressed and run into the main carriage. Leroy, Winslor and Tallulah are waiting for me. We get off the train and I am startled to see the number of strange looking Capital residents that are standing at the platform. They're all shouting and are very excited to see the tributes in person. "They look like they love us at the moment but they probably can't wait to see us die", I think to myself.
I am lead into a small building near the train station by Tallulah. We walk down a corridor. "What's going on?" I ask her. "Oh my!" she exclaims. "You mean, nobody's told you? We are going to be having a big tribute parade! All 24 tributes will be riding into the city square on chariots wearing costumes that will reflect each District's specialties! So you and Leroy will be in some kind of costume that's related to fishing." We stop outside a black door. Three very strange looking people come out. "This," she continues, "is your prep team." She motions to a woman with wild, blue hair. "This is Silvia." She points at another woman with a completely golden face and frizzy, purple hair. "This is Stella." She then gestures towards a man with green skin and black tattoos all over his body. "And this is Krakum. They will give you a makeover and do your hair and nails. Then you'll be introduced to your stylist who designs your clothes and is responsible for dressing you. Off you go! I'll see you after the parade!" she disappears down the corridor. Silvia, Stella and Krakum stare at me. "Well then, let's get to work", they all say in perfect unison.
By the time they are finished, I look beautiful. Since my District's specialty is fishing, I'm mostly blue and sparkly. I have blue tattoos stencilled all over me and my whole body is covered in silver glitter. They stand back and admire their handiwork. "We've done pretty well, I think" says Stella. "Yes!" says Krakum. "Let's take her over to Vala!" I am led into yet another room where an odd creature is standing. It looks like a creature but I think it might actually be a person. She has skin that sparkles, blue lips, blue hair, blue skin, blue everything. My prep team leave and I am left alone with who I'm guessing is my stylist, Vala.
"Hello, Azora", she says in a ridiculously high voice. "I am your stylist. I will be dressing you for all the big events that will happen. The parade, the tribute interviews. Yes, there will be interviews. Why, I'm even going to be dressing you for the games themselves!" She babbles on about what an honour it is that I've been chosen but I'm not really listening.
Finally she quietens and lifts a bag from a nearby chair. "This", she says, "Contains your costume. Why don't you put it on for me?" She pulls a blue scaly looking thing out of it and helps me put it on. When I'm in it, I look at my reflection in the mirror. My outfit is kind of like a wetsuit. It's silvery-blue and looks like it's made out of real fish scales. I look like a fish. "My dear, you look absolutely wonderful!" Vala says happily. "You're going to be knocking those sponsors off their feet! The parade will be starting very soon so let's get you out there!" She takes my arm and leads me out of the room then the building. We walk for a little while and then we reach another, larger building.
When we get inside I'm startled to see all the tributes there. None are conversing, everyone is just standing around looking a bit frightened. They are all with their chariots. Some of the costumes look good but no one looks as stunning as I do. Vala takes me over to what I presume is my chariot. Leroy, Tallulah and Winslor are already there. Leroy is dressed in an outfit similar to mine. The horses that draw our chariot are black and shiny with more blue glitter on them. "Oh my!" Tallulah exclaims. "Azora dear, you look beautiful!" "Thanks", I mutter. I board my chariot and so does Leroy. "Good luck out there", Winslor says. I hear a small bell-like sound and District 1's chariot leaves the building. I hear the faint noise of a cheering crowd and know that the city centre is right outside this building. Another bell and District 2 leaves. Then another and District 3 leaves. The bell rings again and my chariot starts moving.
As soon as we exit the building, I am overwhelmed by the deafening cheers I am hearing. Our costumes are so stunning that we make the crowd go absolutely wild. Even though I despise them, I need the sponsors so I decide to wave and put on a convincing smile. We stop outside the president's mansion to wait for the arrival of the other chariots. After they pull up, we are assembled in a kind of semi-circle. President Alcite is standing on his balcony, just as he did during the announcement of the Games.
"Welcome! Welcome!" he begins. "Tributes, we welcome you. We salute your courage and your bravery! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!" He sits down to the deafening roar of the audience.
May the odds be ever in your favour. The odds were certainly not in our favour.
What do you think? Once again, I'm sorry it took me so long to put this up. Reviews would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading :)