Chapter six. I think I've finally got the plot of this story figured out!

I'm going to be super busy this month, but I'm going to try and write when I can. I'm also developing a new story, which I will hopefully start soon. After this story is finished though, as I like to focus on one story at a time. You'll have to wait a while! I might start on it if I have spare time...

I will continue to update, so don't worry! Again, thank you for reading. Your continued support is amazing.

Chapter Six - Heading Home

I'm thankful when my eyes open, once again revealing the bright, vibrant world that my own brain was keeping me from. I went back into the shadows, trapped in the dark, suffocating in the thick, dark smoke. My screams muffled.

I just want to forget about last night. Pretend it never happened. Although, deep down, I know that it did. I find it hard to lie, even to myself. It's not necessarily something I want to get better at.

Today is the day that I can finally leave the Capitol. Hunter, her Mother, and her Grandfather are coming to live in District Four with us, as the rules stated. In the rare case of a mixed district team winning the games, the team must live in one district.

Hunter said she wanted to come back to District Four and leave all of her bad memories behind. She wants to leave her brother behind too. I don't blame her.

I can't wait to get home. I can almost smell the salty sea air, hear the ever present roar of the waves, and feel the golden, sun warmed sand running through my fingertips.

My own personal paradise. Compared to this place at least.

All I have to do is get out of bed, get dressed, and get onto that train. I'll be on my way home.

It's such an unusual thought. Home. The place I haven't been to for months. The place where I spent all of my life before this mess.

Home.

I miss it so much. Every pathway I walked, every little cove, cave and meadow. I can see them vividly.

The more I think about it, the more desperate I am.

I push off the blankets and try standing up. My head hurts like hell, but it's my own fault, and so, I have to get over it.

For once, I can dress myself, and not be treated like a baby. Just like old times.

I open up the walk in closet, and try to pick out a normal looking outfit. I can't imagine turning up at home wearing something like Treasure wears.

It would be pretty hilarious though.

I come across a shapeless short dress, made of a comfortable looking, soft, white material. I guess it'll do. I struggle to put it on, but eventually, I manage. Every single pair of shoes in the closet are heels, so I try to find the lowest ones. They are still ridiculously high and extremely uncomfortable.

I walk through to the bathroom to brush through my hair and brush my teeth. The whole place is ridiculously clean, every single surface is reflective. It's scary, seeing myself from so many angles. My hair has grown way past my shoulders now. Great. It's going to be even harder to brush.

I push it to one side, brush my teeth with the horribly minty toothpaste. It seems to burn the insides of my mouth.

I begin to pack up my few belongings. My already empty room seems even emptier after all of my stuff is gone. I can't resist picking up the songbook, the original one.

There is one thing I was planning on leaving behind, but I can't help slipping it into my bag at the last minute.

The bottle of morphling pills.

I also begin to write a letter, to Natalie.

Dear Natalie,

I'll see you when I come back to the Capitol, I'm sure I will...

I'm interrupted by a knock on my door. That will be Treasure, pulling me out of my room. I quickly sit on my notepad, and throw my pen away, before shouting,

"Come in!"

The door opens, and Natalie reveals herself.

"Hey Natalie. You scared me! I was just writing,"

She interrupts me by handing me a note.

I managed to get the job as your avox! I'll stay at your house, and be there any time you need me.

"Natalie! That's great! I'll look after you, you desrve more than this." I say, pulling her into a hug. She smiles shyly, before hurrying out of my room.

I know why, I can hear someone approaching, most likely, Treasure. Unless anyone else has taken to wearing heels.

I guessed correctly. She barges into my room, and a look of shock momentarily crosses her face. She disguises it well though, and turns to face me.

"I see that you're ready to go. That's brilliant. It will be strange, not having you here. You'll come back soon, won't you? We're trying to get you your own apartment here. So you can visit whenever you want. Won't that be great?"

Ugh, now I'm inspected to come back to the Capitol because I want to? I hold back a look of disgust, nod politley, and pick up my bag.

She leads me out of my room, and I can't help looking back as the door closes. I don't like to admit it, but this place has become a second home. I'll miss it, for sure.

We meet up with everyone travelling back into District Four. Ryan, Raven, Hunter, Joel, Megan, Emily, Rebecca, Lewis, Hunter's mom Elanor, Hunter's Grandfather, Donna and Jonothan.

Natalie will be in a diffrent part of the train.

Elanor is just how I imagined her. A frail looking woman, with mouse brown hair that falls just past her shoulders, framing a boney face. Her eyes have a certain quality to them though. They're a warm brown, with a friendly quality to them. Without the stress of her son to deal with, she'll come out of her shell.

We say our goodbyes to our stylists, who are crying yet again. I never thought I would, but I'm actually going to miss them too.

Treasure gives each one of us a hug, and makes us promise that we will see her again soon.

The doors are pushed open, and it seems like the whole of the Capitol are there to see us off. After the intital blinding flash of cameras has calmed down, Treasure advises us to go and say goodbye to some of the crowd, before we get into the cars and head off towards the train station.

I try not to look tok reluctant as I walk over to the barriers, where thousands of hands reach out, as if the security would let them touch me.

I'm unsure of how to start.

"I'd just like to thank you all for your warm welcome, and equally warm goodbye. I promise that I'll come back here sometime. Your support has been amazing, so thank you, every single one of you." I smile, making it up as I go along

People begin screaming and chanting our names as we make our way to the awaiting cars. The door is opened for me, and I get in, pleased that I get a chance to rest.

The door closes, and the noise is immedietly muffled. I can hear people banging on the windows.

I give one last tentative wave, even though they can't see me through the glass, before the car sets off.

I'm all by myself, everyone else is in seperate cars. All I can hear is the muffled noise of the engine, all I can see are the streets if the Capitol flashing by, people lined up at the sides of the road.

We arrive at the station, and my door is opened for me. I am met with the usual cheering and screaming.

It's not long before the others join me, and we are walked to the train doors, guarded heavily by security. We give our last waves to the crowd, and begin to get onto the train.

I wait until last, and help Emily, Megan, and Raven up.

Everyone remembers this getsure from before the games.

I'm last still on the platform.

I turn around, and give a small smile, before climbing up onto the train, the door closing immedietly behind me.

I can still hear the screams.

"Goodbye Phoenix, we love you!"

I feel immensely lived and important, which is strange. To think that I acually mean anything to anyone besides my family... Its just not something that happens every day, to me anyway.

That was chapter six. Chapter seven should be up soon. As I said, I'm going to be really busy over these next few weeks, so hopefully, I'll write chapter seven before things get too hectic.

As always, thank you so much for reading.

BethanyDee x x