Chapter Eight already. I didn't really realise I'd done this many chapters until now...
As I said in my last chapter, I'm super busy right now, so it might take a while for this chapter to be put up. Sorry, but I can't help it at all. I've got a got to do, and I can't focus all of my attention on writing, as much as I would like to.
So! Lets start then!
Chapter Eight - Home at Last
"Hunter, Raven, Ryan! Look!" I yell as I pull back the heavy curtains, recognising something very familliar to me, something close to my heart.
The ocean of district four. I'm finally here, I made it back home. I'm still in one piece, I'm not in a wooden box, I'm not dead. I'm not okay, but I'm not dead, and its a relief. I can see the place I love so much once again, even though my life will never be the same.
As Ryan and Raven run through into the lounge, and announcement sounds over the speakers, informing us that we will arrive at the station in fifteen minutes.
"I can't belive I'm actually here." I whisper, pressing my hand up against the window.
"Me neither." laughs Raven. "I still think I'm dreaming."
"You're not, I promise." I smile.
It's a beautiful day. The sun shines brightly, there is hardly a cloud in the sky.
The light makes everything look brighter, more vibrant, and more beautiful. The long grass blows in the slight breeze, the flowers growing inbetween it creating a blur of colours as we speed by them.
The sea is calm, I can see a few fishing boats out on the waves. The cliffs don't seem as intimidating on a beautiful day like this.
"Wow, it really is pretty." says Hunter, pressing her face up against the glass like a small child.
I dust off my white dress, running my fingers through my hair as another announcement sounds.
"Now approaching District Four, Station One."
I sigh, and help Raven up with a shaking hand.
"I can't believe I'm nervous about this." I laugh at myself.
"I think we all are, deep down." smiles Raven.
We wait at the door of the train as it slows down, and finally stops.
I can hear a crowd of people gathered outside, not screaming like the people of the capitol would be, just chatting amongst themselves. That reassures me. These are people I know, they're not monsters. They don't want to hurt me.
"Hey, remember when you were in that crowd? When I won?" asks Jonothan from behind me.
"Yeah." I smile, thinking back, "I was happy for you."
"These people are happy for you. They don't hate you, so don't be nervous."
I nod, running my fingers across the hairband that holds my hair in a side ponytail, keeping my hair out of my face, leaving me feeling exposed. I can't hide behind anything now.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of District Four, your victors, Hunter Rivera, Ryan Hocking, Raven Raina Hocking, and Phoenix Victoria Hocking!"
The train doors open, and we step out into the light. There is thunderous applause.
I smile, and search the crowd for familliar faces. There are Capitol cameras on us already..
I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder, and turn around.
I am met by a familliar face.
"Will!" I smile, burying my face in his chest, trying to keep back the tears forming in my eyes.
"Phee. Oh my god, Phee. It's you." I hear him whisper, resting his chin ontop of my head.
"It's you." I whisper, looking up into his eyes. "It's really you..."
"It's me." he smiles.
"You have no idea how much I missed you." I whisper, my voice cracking, making way for tears that fall onto my cheeks. Tears of joy. I'm on cloud nine right now.
Officials try to seperate us, but I keep my hand in his, apart from when I have to do my speech.
I make my way up to the microphone, watching the crowd.
"I know you all have things to do and places to go, so I'm going to try and keep this short." I say, pulling out the cards that Treasure gave me, cutting out anything that I feel is unnecessary.
"I would just like to thank you all for your support. This experience was certainly a tough one, but I've made some great memories. Met some great people." I pause to look over to Hunter, before looking back to my cards, and decide to say what I want to say.
"My experience has made me appreciate how lucky I am to be here. How lucky I am to be alive. I now take nothing for granted." this is true. The few things that I used to take for granted, like the beauty of our district, or the comfort of my home, I am now careful to appreciate.
"So, once again, thank you all for your support. I hope that I represented our district well." I smile, stepping back from the microphone. Raven takes my place. I can see her hands shaking as she looks out to the crowd. She's scared of them. That's a first.
She reads off of her cards, and everything goes well. When she steps back from the microphone, she clasps my hand tightly. I give hers a reassuring squeeze, telling her that everything is okay.
Ryan's speech is very short, and he reads nothing from the cards. He is obviously restraining himself from saying certain things. Although, the crowd probably wouldn't have minded if he had said what he was truly thinking.
I'm curious to see what Hunter is going to do. She keeps her face straight as she steps forwards, judging the crowd's rections.
"So, Hello. My name is Hunter. In case you didn't know, my family and I have moved here from District Eight. I hope you don't mind.
We can't wait to start a new life here. I haven't had the best upbringing,and starting from today, I'm going to try and put the past behind me.
"I would like to thank you all for your support in the games. I know I'll never really be able to repay those of you who sponsored me." she adds, glancing to the mayor and his wife. "But I'm going to help the community as much as I can. Thank you." she says, stepping back.
The mayor stands up, and says a few words, before two children make their way onto the stage and present us with flowers. I recognise them, from the meadows.
I am about to thank them, and comment on the beauty of the colours, but they have darted away from us already.
After a few last words from the Mayor, we are presented with the keys to our houses. Hunter and her family have their own home, Ryan, Raven and I have our own home, and Will and his family have the last remaining old house.
I do appreciate that they were allowed to move into the old house. For once, someone, somewhere, whoever is in charge of housing, showed some generosity.
We pass our old hut on the way to the Victor's Village. It is parcially destroyed, presumably by the storm that hit before the reaping.
I look away as soon as I see it, wiping away a tear. My childhood home, gone.
"Phee, come on. Don't look." says Will, wrapping his arm around my waist and gently pushing me forwards.
I don't resist, I don't want to upset myself any more today.
The Victors Village sits on a hill, giving a view over the whole town. Beyond that, the ocean. I'm glad I can see the ocean, it's comforting for me. If I couldn't, I don't know what I'd do.
The only other people living up here are Jonothan and his three brothers, Donna, who lives on her own, and a past victor, who Donna knows well. Eric. Eric acts like a father to Donna, apparently.
We approach the houses. This is going to be a big change.
They are two floors high. The windows are large, letting light in. The walls are a cream colour, the roof is sloping, covered in beautiful tiles. No more leaks in the roof then.
We split up, allowing eachother to get used to our new homes.
I see Natalie, standing by the door as we make our way towards our house. I greet her, still in a state of shock.
I push open the door to the glass porch, turning back to Ryan and Raven and I look around. It's warm, the result of sun shining through the glass.
I open the second door, and take my first look.
It's amazing, yet strange. I would far rather live in my hut, but this is what I'm stuck with.
The floor is covered in large tiles, smooth under my feet. Everything is very sleek and smooth, reflective. The living room is straight ahead of us. There are two couches, and a plastic table with matching chairs. We even have a TV.
Glass doors lead to the garden. The grass in straight, green, all the same length, unnatural. I can't wait until it grows. I could even plant some flowers. Wildflowers, not like ones from the Capitol. I could create my own meadow, my own paradise.
The kitchen is around the corner. We have a fridge, and an oven, meaning we must have electricity. This is absulutley unreal. My life has changed, and I'm not sure whether it is for the better, to be honest.
Upstairs, there is a bathroom, and three diffrent bedrooms, and a spare room, all leading to a balcony. I have a feeling that this is where I'll spend most of my time, out here on the balcony. Looking out to sea, thinking.
I'll make the spare room into a room for Natalie. I promised her that I would give her a chance to start over here. I try not to break my promises.
I stand, leaning over the railings, letting the cold air hit my face as I watch the sun setting over the cliffs, casting shadows on across the ground, and turning the sky a beautiful shade of orange. The birds have stopped singing, the warmth of day has gone. Night is approaching.
I'm on my own now. Everyone else is trying to get some sleep. I would be doing the same, if I could. I just can't though. I need time to think, I need space. Just for a few hours.
I have so much to think about. Sleep just doesn't seem to matter anymore, in this chaotic world. If I was asleep, I would be missing out on life. I need to make the most of every moment, because life is short. I may be young, but I don't have much time left. How many more summers will I have before I'm gone? How many more memories can I make before I'm left thinking back, wishing I had done more?
I need to leave my mark on this world.
Yet, I wish I could just go back to living normally. I don't want all of this. I don't need the glamour, all of this is unnecessary.
I just want my life back. My simple, ordinary life.
That's not possible when you want to save everyone though. I can't lead a double life. I can't be the hero, and the person who needs to be saved.
I guess, right now, I'm stuck in the middle, being torn apart while time ticks away.
So, that's the end of chapter eight. I'm so sorry for the ridiculously long wait, I try not to let things like this happen, but I just couldn't update for a while, I have so much to do. I'll try not to let that happen again.
If you're still reading, thank you for your patience.
BethanyDee