*DISTRICT 4*
*RIVER CLARKE*
*FOURTEEN*
River sits with an impassive face. She doesn't want to think about her brother, so she focuses on her training. Taking a deep breath, River grits her teeth and focuses on the feeling of a sharp knife in her hand. She knows that knives are most commonly used in the Hunger Games, and that they are usually the weapon of choice for the District 2 tributes, especially the girls. For some reason, District 2 encourages gruesome death. The thought makes River shudder. She isn't scared, exactly, but at the same time, she knows she's about to die, and she isn't sure there's even a word for that emotion.
The minutes tick by as she waits. She's not sure what she's expecting. She knew from the second she was Reaped that Aquarius wouldn't show up. Even if he did have the presence of mind to try to say goodbye to her, the Peacekeepers wouldn't have let him.
River allows herself a moment of silence for her lonely, disturbed brother. She remembers, barely, when he was always laughing and fun to be around. She's never forgiven the Peacekeepers for murdering her parents and taking Aquarius's entire personality away from him.
*DAX HEARTH*
*FIFTEEN*
"Oh, Dax," Mrs. Hearth whispers, running a hand over her son's muscular shoulder. "I'm so . . ."
"It's okay, Mom," he replies.
"Are you . . ."
There are so many things she could be trying to ask, but Dax doesn't want to push her. It's possible that she wants to know if he loves her, if he wanted to be chosen, if he's feeling okay, so many things. But the most probable is whether he's going to try in the arena.
"Of course," he responds, not exactly knowing what it is he's answering.
::
"Hi, Devil!" Hayley announces, bouncing into the room.
"Don't call him that," Dax's aunt hisses, placing a hand on Hayley's shoulder.
"It's okay." Dax shrugs. "She doesn't know."
"She should be more tactful." The older woman's face is prematurely lined, full of wrinkles and sagging skin. Being poor in District 4, where everyone is constantly working in the sun, is fatal.
"It's okay," Dax repeats, because it's not worth getting angry over, not when he's going into the Hunger Games in less than a week. He opens his arms, gives Hayley a mini hug, then embraces his aunt. "I . . . "
"Good luck, Dax," his aunt says gravely. "We're praying for you back here."
He swallows. "Thank you. I'll miss you."
Dax doesn't understand why this is so awkward. He's leaving for the Hunger Games! This should be a time of love and kisses and deep conversations. And instead he's standing stiffly, trying to be polite to people he's never cared about a day in his life. For once, can't something be about him?
*DISTRICT 4 TRAIN*
"I sure hope the Hunger Games go well for you two," Glory Green prattles as she leads River and Dax into the train. "Remind me what your names are?"
"Dax," he mutters sourly.
"I'm River," the girl says.
"Well, it's very nice to meet both of you! I'm Glory. Glory Green." She beams. "It will be so amazing getting to know you as we embark on our journey to the Capitol. Ah, you both will find it so gorgeous; I'm sure of it!" Glory sinks into a stuffed armchair. "Gosh, isn't this train so comfortable?"
"Excuse me." River stomps out of the room.
Dax desperately wants to follow suit and book it out of there. He wants to run and run until he escapes Panem, but he doesn't know what's out there. As much as he hates, despises, detests, loathes it, Panem has always been his only home. So he might as well make nice with his escort. That should get him somewhere. He looks at Glory. "Your dress is very pretty," he mumbles.
"Why, thank you!" Glory looks relieved that one of her tributes is cooperating. Glory spent years as an escort in District 9, where the boy and girl were always sullen and underfed. When she was (thank God) moved to District 4, she had thought things would be different. It surprised her that even in this District, the tributes weren't eager to participate. She would have to wait until she was promoted to Districts 1 or 2.
"You're welcome. Um . . . when are we having dinner? What do you like to eat?"
"There's some amazing lobster, I think," Glory answers him. "From your District, you know!"
"I know." He takes a deep breath and leans his head back. "How many years have you been an escort?"
"Oh, a long time," Glory says breathily. "Why?"
"Just wondering," Dax says quickly. "Never mind."
If he could burn down the entire Capitol, he would. That's one thing he has in common with River, anyway.
i am a horrible person. i haven't updated and i know i'm terrible. i haven't yet completely abandoned a story (and i have finished about four multi-chaps to date), so just please hold out hope and bear with me. i hope this lives up to your expectations. thanks so much for sticking with me, guys! you're amazing readers.