The crowd touches their three middle fingers to their lips and raise their right hands. It is our peace sign. The peacekeepers take us to a private room. There we will say farewell to those we love. My first visitor is Lil. She runs in and holds me tight.
"You have to win," she whispers. "I know you can."
She pulls away and I shake my head. Suddenly the tears just come out.
"You said I wouldn't be picked," I say.
"I didn't want you to freak out," she replies. Her voice is wobbly. "I'm so sorry. If I could compete, I would volunteer for you."
The peacekeepers start to take her away.
"No!" I yell.
"I believe in you," she says. Her eyes are teary and her voice is shaky.
She is taken out of the room and the doors are closed. I sit down on the wooden chair and bury my face in my hands. I'm surprised when the door opens and my old guardian comes in. She runs up to me and wraps her arms around me.
"I'm so sorry," she says, "for everything. I should've stayed with you. I shouldn't of left you and Lil. I should've been there for you. I'm so sorry."
"It's alright," I whisper.
She wishes me luck before the peacekeepers take her away. The doors close. I sit back down. I didn't expect her to come and say goodbye. Now I wait for the peacekeepers to take me to the train. They have to wait for Nicholas to finish his farewells first.