Thanks to the anonymous reviewer- that inspired me. And to the one person who subscribed to the story. You guys are inspiring! Also- sorry my update took so long, I was at camp. So, enjoy!
CHAPTER TWO
After the boy tribute volunteers, an arrogant looking 18-year-old named Marvel, the Peacekeepers escort us into to the Justice Building for the customary hour for goodbyes. The room I am placed in is big, with stained glass windows, which bathed the room in colorful light, couches with velvet pillows, and a mahogany desk with ink, feather quills and paper, probably for writing goodbye notes to family and friends. I won't need that, however. I'm coming home.
Soon, my family arrives to say goodbye. My father comes in first, rage shaking his bones.
"HOW DARE YOU!" he bellows. I gasp in fear and lean back.
"How dare I what?" I ask, because I have no idea why he is reacting that way. What have I done?
"Your marriage contract is signed. How could volunteer? I will lose the small fortune I invested in guaranteeing you a happy marriage. I did this small favor for, and now you will die in the Hunger Games. You're not even trained."
Rage fills me. How could he not notice the hours I spent each day, training in a mentally and physically trying program? And getting married? He never told me that. How was I to know?
When I can trust myself not to scream in rage, I say slowly "One, I didn't know I was to be married. You never told me. And I am trained. I've been training since I was five."
Shock registers on his face, quickly replaced by a cruel smile. "And you'll let all that money on your marriage go to waste. You won't marry him if you win, will you? I spent that so you would be happy, Glimmer."
"Be happy? More like so you can borrow money from him, and get your money back by gambling. And you're right- I won't marry if I win. Which I will."
He glares at me. "You're not my child anymore,"
"I know- I'm a woman."
"I disown you."
With one last glowering look, he leaves me alone with the rest of my family, who came in somewhere in the yelling.
Sparkle immediately comes over and climbs onto my lap. She buries her head in my shoulder, and cries while I stroke her long, silky brown hair. When she's done crying, she sits up and I hand her a tissue.
Then I look at the rest of my family. Marcus looks furious. I push Sparkle off my lap as he aims a punch at me. I manage to catch it on my left wrist and give him a black eye with my right hand. He yells in rage, but backs down. I've gotten better since last time he tried that.
Him and Colton then leave, and Aurora, who I barely noticed up till then, says to Sparkle "Leave, please, baby. I need to talk to Glimmer." She nods and, with one last hug, leaves me with her.
She sits down on the armrest of the other couch. "Glimmer, Glimmer." she purrs, twisting a strand of her long brown hair around her finger. "You know this is dangerous."
"Of course, but I'm gonna win."
"Going to, not gonna. And you will. With this." She holds out a small box. "Open it."
I do. Inside there is a ring. The gem is a blood red ruby. "What help is this?"
"You'll find out. Now, darling, you will win. I tried to volunteer, but I was beaten. Now my…" her face contorts slightly at the word "daughter will win for me. You are my victor."
Fear fills me. My real mother said those same words to me. But her voice didn't have a menacing edge; her eyes didn't have a hungry look in them. Aurora wants me in the games for a different reason. She wants me dead.