Chapter 17
Spanish Sahara
Forget the horror here
Leave it all down here
It's future rust and then it's future dust
Now the waves they drag you down
Carry you to broken ground
Though I find you in the sand
Wipe you clean with dirty hands
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Effie screeches through clenched teeth.
"I was just-" I say before I'm cut off. Again.
"Oh shove it Effie. What she did was brave. That's what they're looking for. Bravery. Courage. It's inspiring. She showed them something they won't forget! She's the spark of Panem. She actually caused sparks." Haymitch snaps.
What the hell is he saying? I'm pretty sure the Capitol would frown upon anything inspiring, brave, or courageous...rebellious.
"No. It's foolish! Her decision reflects badly on District 12. It was impolite." Effie responds.
"Not like District 12 isn't already known as the worst district in Panem." She mutters under her breath. But everyone hears it.
Haymitch and Cinna stand up, ready to mouth off, before I interrupt.
"It's not like she's saying anything we don't already know. Everyone thinks we're filthy, poor, the worst district in Panem. Effie, the Capitol, Cato." I say, looking around at everyone's faces.
Haymitch looks sad, but his body is tense. Cinna and Eli just look angry. Effie is smirking at Haymitch and Cinna proudly.
I stand up from my chair. "Maybe they're all right."
I walk past everyone, even when Haymitch reaches for me, I shrug him off and keep walking to my room. When I get there, I lock the door and crawl under the sheets.
I doze off and don't wake until morning, when I'm being woken up by Effie screeching down the hall, knocking on my door.
"A ten! District 12 has a ten! I knew it! Up, Up, Up! Time to practice the interviews!"
I groan and roll over.
...8 hours later...
"Ooh! Look at her."
"What an angel!"
"Inside and out!"
"Cinna's a genius."
"She'll be magnificent."
"Be careful, you might drown her from the fountain of compliments spewing from your mouths." Haymitch snaps at Bruce, Wanda, and Amelia.
His arms are crossed and he's glaring at everything.
"Yeah, you guys should be real ashamed of yourselves," I gasp in mock horror, "actually being nice. Sacrilege!" I slam a fist down on my thigh for emphasis.
Haymitch harrumphs, while everyone else is smiling.
"Okay, no mirrors for you. Cinna's orders. We're off. Bye love." Wanda says, kissing my cheek.
Everybody leaves, kissing my cheek, except for Haymitch.
When the door closes, Haymitch pops out of his chair and strides over to mine.
"Okay. I need to tell you-"
"We've been going over this all day! I know! Don't let on about the alliance with Cato and Marvel, only Rue and Thresh. Be myself. Smile. Wave. Blah, blah, blah." I say jokingly, popping a grape in my mouth from the table of foods.
"No. Well, yes, do that. But I need to tell you something important-" Haymitch is interrupted when Cinna strides in the room holding a black garment bag. Haymitch groans in exasperation, and I chuckle.
"Perfect. Exactly what I requested," Cinna says, smiling, looking at my face. "Okay now let's get you changed. Close your eyes, no looking."
I do what he says, and I hear the sound of a zipper being pulled, and then I'm suddenly being led behind the changing screen, and my robe is being taken off.
I step in the gown when Cinna says, and I hear another zipper coming from the dress.
"Keep your eyes closed."
I'm then being led out of the changing area by Cinna.
I hear Haymitch pull in a breath, and I'm antsy, wanting to see how I look for the first time in hours.
"Open." Cinna says softly from behind me.
I do, and I'm shocked.
I'm wearing a floor length strapless red chiffon dress. The bust is form fitting, with an intricate twist design that ends at the midriff, where it begins flowing to the floor.
My makeup is done lightly, with only black eyeliner on the top of my eyelids, and thick coats of mascara.
My hair is flowing naturally down to my waist, with soft curls instead of my wavy hair. Two strands of my hair from the front are braided, and meet at the back of my hair.
It's all beautiful.
I look fierce and strong.
"Perfect. No words, Prim."
"Then-" I begin to say, but, Cinna interrupts. "No words, Prim. It'll ruin it."
I smile, hoping my eyes express my gratitude.
Cinna smiles back through the mirror.
"All right. It's time," Haymitch speaks gruffly. He was so silent this whole time I forgot he was even there.
I look to him to see he's staring at me intensely. I smile. He returns it.
I walk over to him, and entwine my hand with his.
"Off we go! Interview time!" Comes from the door, which has Effie standing in it.
"Hurry, Hurry! They're about to start!" She shrieks, and turns from the doorway. I hear the fast click-clack of her heels.
"Guess it's time. Here put these on." Cinna says, holding out a pair of black flats. Perfect. They're not heels.
We leave then, and take the elevator down to the main lobby. When the doors open, I recognize we are in the same lobby area as the chariot rides. However, I can hear from here the sounds of cheering.
The tributes and their mentors are all standing around, nibbling on food and socializing.
Everyone turns and stares when I step out of the elevator.
I can feel his gaze on me too. Cato.
I had all day to think about what I would do regarding Cato.
My decision is now- Cato does not exist until we're in the arena and are allies.
I lift my chin and avoid his eyes. I clutch Haymitch's hand tighter, and we begin walking over to the drink station together.
Everyone resumes what they were doing.
I sigh happily and get a drink of water.
"I'm going to go find Eli. He should be done with his team now." Haymitch says, and gives my hand a squeeze before disappearing into the crowd.
Okay, so I know what Cato's gaze feels like. And yes, I feel his eyes on me. But now I feel another pair. This pair is intense, burning into my back, and I tense, my muscles locking into place.
I slowly turn my head and scan the room. I skip over the pair of blue eyes quickly and keep searching the room.
The only eyes looking at me are his. Callan's.
When they land on him, he smiles, and dismisses whoever is talking to him (his mentor?) and confidently stalks- yes, stalks- to where I'm standing.
I square my shoulders, and scan the room for Haymitch. Nowhere to be seen. Yay.
"Callan." I say coolly when he reaches me.
"Ah, Primrose," he says, and he throws an arm around my shoulders, his hand landing on my bicep, squeezing painfully until I wince. "You look lovely tonight." He murmurs in my ear. I shrink into myself, away from his hot breath on my face. This results in him pulling me tighter against his body, making me wince from discomfort. He suddenly leads me into the hallway, and I can't resist. I can't even move, his grip is so tight.
"Nice score by the way. A ten. Same as me. You'll certainly be..." His eyes run up and down my body creepily. Ew. "...useful. I'll find you in the arena. Maybe we can form an alliance, you and me. Nobody would want to kill a sweet girl like you, so I'll be safe with you." I squirm against his iron grip on my body, but he just swings a leg in front of mine, trapping me.
"Go to hell." I spit. "I'd never form any type of alliance with you."
He chuckles, his breath fanning my face, "Ah, you see I figured you'd say that. I know about your alliance with 11, and even district 1 and 2." My eyes widen, and I increase the efforts in my struggle against him.
"You don't know what you're talking about. I don't even know what you're talking about." I lie.
Callan just laughs. "All right. Decline my invitation. But just know, when I kill your friends, it will be your fault. You will shoulder the blame for their deaths, which you could have prevented," He spits, squeezing my arm tighter. I know there will be bruises forming.
"You filthy piece of sh-" I choke on my words when he quickly spins me around, and his hand wraps fully around my throat. He backs me into the wall, and my head slams against it, causing black spots to fill my vision.
I focus all my strength on his words, trying to listen.
"They'll be killed first." I struggle against the hand at my throat.
Where the hell is everybody when you need them?
His intense green eyes are glaring into my eyes. His grip on my neck tightens, choking, and the air in my lungs freeze. His eyes move to my lips and they look hungry.
"You will watch them all die. Right. In. Front. Of. You. And then I'll save you for last." He eyes sweep up and down my body. "It'll be fun. Just you and me in a big arena. Plenty of time," He smiles menacingly before he leaves. And now I know. I know exactly what he's going to do to me in the arena.
I gulp in much needed air, and it soothes the burning in my lungs.
I remain in the hallway for a minute until I hear over the loudspeakers that the tributes all need to be ready to go on stage.
I take a deep breath and exit the dark hallway into the lobby.
I fix my dress as I'm walking, and rub my bicep where Callan squeezed.
I scan the room for the stage entrance, and I meet Cato's icy blue eyes for a minute.
I try to express indifference, no emotion, while I look into his eyes.
Results? Successful.
I see the hurt in them, which is how I know I succeed. I turn away and walk to the stage entrance. A line is forming, and I'll be in the back, since I'm from district 12. Eli sidles up next to me, and tucks me into his side.
"Nervous?" He asks.
I'm still shaken up from my run-in with Callan, so I only nod.
"Just be yourself, Prim. You'll do great."
I look up and give him a weak smile of thanks.
"Ladies and Gentleman! Welcome to the 74th Annual Hunger Games!" Caesar Flickerman shouts into a microphone. I take a deep breath. "I proudly welcome our tributes onto the stage!"
District 1 exits first, and the cheers from the crowd intensify. The rest follow, and then it's my turn. I walk threw the door, and the crowd is deafening and the lights are bright.
I reach behind me and take Eli's hand, squeezing tightly.
I plaster on a fake smile, and I wave with my free hand as I walk to the back of the stage, where 24 chairs are placed facing the audience. In the center are two armchairs, one of which is taken by Caesar.
As I make my way to the last two empty seats with Eli, I pass Rue and give her a warm smile.
I sit down and prepare myself for the next few hours.
A/N: Omg. Okay, so I'm back! And I am so very sorry it's taken a while. I've been super busy. And I'm also sorry this chapter is so short. I was anxious to post another! Haha. I'm already working on the next one. So this chapter is short, definitely not sweet. Cato was an ass and he deserves to be treated like one. For a little while anyways. I know I didn't end it well. I kind of have writer's block. But the next chapter will be way more exciting. And then they'll be in the arena! Thanks everyone for the reviews! (: