Hey guys! So two people followed my story after I put up the first chapter, which I appreciate so much, I really do. But I would really love a review for this chapter? Doesn't have to be long but I really like getting feedback on what I can do to make my story better and I love knowing what you guys thought of it. So if you are even reading this A/N please leave a little review at the end of this chapter! Hope you enjoy chapter 2!
After a little while the beaches and palm trees drift away, replaced by open fields and clear sky. I stand up quietly and head down a hallway to where I think my room would be. I don't find my room, but hear voices behind a slightly open door. I peer in carefully and see our two mentors, Mags and Garric, in deep conversation. I open the door wider, "Mind if I join you guys?" I ask, "I assume you were talking about me anyway."
Garric narrows his eyes at me but Mags smiles, "Of course." she says.
I walk into the room and take a seat on one of the plush couches and look at my mentors. Garric won his Games about 5 years ago and is still in his early twenties but Mags was one of the first Victors and probably the oldest one left. Most of the Victors die before they reach her age or if they get anywhere close they definitely stop mentoring.
"So what were you taking about?" I ask, stretching back in my chair.
"Just making sure you were ready for this." Garric says.
"What do you mean?" I ask sitting back up.
"You're going to be one of the youngest ones out there." Mags says.
"And definitely the youngest Career." Garric adds.
"Who said I even wanted to be a Career?" I ask.
"Come on." Garric scoffs, "You're from 4. That's what we do. People would kill to be a Career and you get a free pass. I suggest you take advantage of it."
I stand up without another word and exit the compartment. I am fuming. The careers are killers and that's not who I want to be. I hate that I am probably going to end up joining them anyway because Garric is right. That's just what District 4 does. I don't want to be seen as one of them. I don't want to be seen as a killer. And I'm afraid that's what if going to happen if I join them. I hear footsteps behind me and whip around. Mags is standing there leaning on her cane.
"He's wrong." she says.
I raise an eyebrow at her, "I thought you'd be on his side. After all you are his fellow mentor." As soon as the words come out of my mouth I feel guilty.
She shakes her head, "I agree that it might be an advantage to join the Careers but it is not a necessity. I joined the Careers but only briefly. I lef about a day into the Games. Do you know how I won my Games?" She asks. I shake my head. "I only killed one person, in the final two. I spent the rest of the time hiding. No one could find me so I wasn't killed."
"Are you telling me to take off then. Leave the Careers?" I ask.
"No. All I'm saying is do what feels right to you. Based on your reaction to what Garric said you don't want to team up with them. If you don't want to then don't."
I sigh and sit down, "No I do want to team up with them. I just...I don't want to be labeled as a Career."
She nods, "Well think about it. And don't listen to Garric."
I laugh, "Thanks."
"The replay of the reaping should be on in a minute. I'll go get Caia so we can watch them."
The reapings are pretty uneventful. District 1 and 2 are the typical Careers. 1 produces an 18 year old boy named Mica and a slightly younger girl named Sapphire. Two has a slight dilemma when three boys volunteer at once. Eventually it is decided that an 18 year old named Nolan, then a 16 year old names Alexis. The rest produce mediocre tributes. Garric told us we didn't need to pay attention to them because we weren't going to be allies with them. In fact, he and Caia actually walked out of the room. Mags and I stayed for the rest but most of the names didn't stick in m head. What stuck was how emaciated some of them looked. Especially from the outlying districts like 11 and 12. I didn't know how good we actually had it in 4. Makes sense now why we are called the Careers.
"I'm going to bed." I say quickly after the reapings wrap up. Mags just nods and watches me walk away.
I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, thinking. Eventually I come to a conclusion. I'm going to team up with the Careers. I have to. I'm 14 and I probably don't stand much of a chance if I don't. Usually if you are from a Career district and don't team up with them, they target you. I can't afford to let that happen. But I do know one thing. I'm not going to let them change me in there. I'm coming out the same Finnick I went in.
The Games start now
The next morning we arrive in the Capitol and I have to admit, it's pretty impressive. The buildings are tall and they are all white and shiny. This is a stark contrast though to the candy colored tiles on the streets and, of course, the people. I see people with tattoos all over their body but the body decorations definitely don't stop with ink. There are people with jewels in their skin, whiskers, and even patterns that look they have been carved into their face. The outfits are even worse.
"Isn't it just beautiful!" Celestia sighs, "Enjoy it while you can children." she adds before walking out of the room. Caia and I remain at the window taking in the sights until we enter a dark tunnel. We emerge into an all white train station filled with people waving at us. I smirk and wave back and after a minute Caia reluctantly joins in. We are favorites after all, we have to play the part.
Garric and Mags usher us off the train and into the training center where we are released into the hands of our prep team. They cut my hair and put liquids and gels into it until it is shiny and perfectly styled. They take care of my skin and my nails but there isn't much else to do. Caia takes much longer because it feels like forever until my stylist comes in. He introduces himself as Septimus and gives me a garment bag. I open it and find and a pair of blue and green pants that are made of a material to look like scales. I notice that there is no shirt included in this costume. I get dressed quickly then Septimus hands me a large trident. But it's not like the normal tridents we use in District 4. It's longer than it should be, for show of course, but what really bugs me is that it's gold. Like bright, shiny gold. But I don't complain. I don't get a say in this.
I walk out and see that Caia is dressed in a mermaid costume made out of the same material as my pants. She looks great but I think the whole mermaid thing is a little overdone. Like me though she doesn't complain. It gets the sponsors. After a wish of good luck from Mags we step on the chariots. District 1 begins rolling out first and the show begins. When we roll out I put on my best smile and wave at the crowd. The are going crazy for us so I decide to shake things up a little. I turn my forced smile into an easy smirk and wink at the cameras. It seems to work so I keep up the charm until we roll to a stop. The President steps out and gives an introduction then we are rolling back into the building.
I step off the chariot and see that both Mags and Garric are looking at me. Garric is smiling but Mags looks almost intrigued. She has a plan and I am about to find out what it is. When we get back up to our floor she pulls me aside.
"What did you pull out there?" she asks, "Was that natural for you?"
I shrug, "I guess. Was it bad?"
She shakes her head, "No. It could be your ticket to get sponsors. But only if you keep it up."
"Keep what up? The flirting?" I ask with a laugh.
"I know you think it's funny but the women in the Capitol go crazy over that sort of thing. If you make that your new image, sponsors will be lining up." she says.
"I guess I could keep going. But I'll do better now that I know what's going on." I say.
She nods, "Good." she starts to say something else but hesitates and ends just saying, "You have training tomorrow. You should get to bed."
I nod, "Okay..."and head to my room. I can't help but wonder what she was about to say though.
I take a shower and get into bed. I'm trying to work out my strategy for tomorrow but my eyelids get heavier and heavier and eventually I fall asleep.
Alright so that's it for this chapter. So if you have any comments or questions please leave a review. And remember every review you leave will get a response so don't hesitate. It would mean a lot to me! Hope you liked this chapter :)