I wake in the morning with little sleep and different arena settings still imprinted into my brain. The remote slides around on the floor every so often from the train's pull and drag force on it's way to the Capitol. Soon my District Partner and I would arrive in the Capitol along with the farther distanced Districts before being dragged by our prep team. Paradise, I shudder, flipping off the television before stepping out into the main cart of the train.
Camelia and Leonard sat up straight in their chairs at the polished wooden table, sitting in silence while jamming their toast. I slide into one of the chairs across from Camelia with my hands folded in front of me as I examined the slight emotions on her face, she looked aggravated or annoying by the presence of the human race.
"Do you smell something odd, Ms.Camelia? Your face is all scrunched up like you're by a dumpster."
My mind was not on the fact that I would be forced into the Games soon, but that my plan had not gone as…well, planned. Not only have I decreased my chances of living till I was at least eighteen by ton, but no one allies with a small girl from Seven that might come off as a smart ass. Might as well have bright red targets painted on my face before I reach the Capitol. Lumber avoided my presence as much as I did his, what an odd name might I add poor boy must have District-Seven obsessed parents.
As the train pulls back and kick starts on the track, I slide into my room with a class of water. The military as well as Peacekeepers travel on their stomach, meaning the get more done with healthier, energy filled foods and drinks; something all tributes should try as soon as try figure out they’re being sent into a death trap.
Trees slide by through the window of my train cart, I watch them for a small amount of time while my thoughts calm down from their tornado. How will I survive? The one time my knowledge backfired on me as a weakness instead of a strength for my own good. My physical strength will become my biggest weakness, agility, speed, and intelligence will be fly by in training. The older, higher skilled tributes will be the ones who concern me although they may have no brains to match their brawn. With that thought, I flick on the television and start to make inner notes on the different districts' reapings; 'Know your enemy'.
Careers are the same as usual, buffed up egos and proud to be reaped into the Games. Then there's the few random career-looking tributes from outcast Districts, regular citizens confused by why they were most voted, and finally children like myself: young, helpless, with a spark of hidden talent that I could practically see through their eyes. There's not enough of them to form an army of youngsters, I need to stay clever and well minded if survival is one of my options. The best idea would be to ally with any trained career, but watch my back since the don't know the meaning of trustworthy.
The night goes on while I stay up recovering almost every Hunger Game before the current one and taking more mind notes. My mother or father never though I would need my raged book since 1: they knew I wouldn't survive anyway and 2: I never showed the two of them I had it. The more I knew about Gamemakers, arenas, Capitolies, and average tributes the more my chances of surviving longer would rise. Most people from the Districts wouldn't have the strength in their stomach to watch children die over and over throughout the night, but it is nature, the Hunger Games are the leading causes of death next to starvation in the Panem. It isn't cruel to watch them for my use, but more logical to prepare for the worst.
I dried my tears before getting out of the car. Soon my escort grabbed my hand and pulled me out to face the photographers and Capitol reporters before getting on the train. I watched my surrounding. The white walls of the train station, the clean floor, the metallic train, the colored flags dropping down the ceiling with a large colored 8 on them and the Capitol seal. My eyes swept the room. It already looked like the Capitol and I was still in District 8.
Hand in hand, Barberry pressed me against her for pictures. I kept a straight face looking at the strangers’ faces. I finally breathed again when the door of the train closed behind me. Hesitantly I entered the compartment where food was laid out on the table. Before I stepped towards the table, I walked closer to the padded seats and brushed my hand on the heavy textile. It felt like cashmere on my hands. My eyes widened when I heard the door open. I turned around to face a tall blond man. He looked at me as I looked back into his eyes. No one spoke a word. I opened my mouth to greet him but he put a finger on it silencing me before I even started. He walked away in direction of the table. Barberry entered shortly after him and smiled at me. “I see you both met. Cashmere this is your mentor Cormac Templeton.” She smiled and looked at him. He groaned while filling in his glass with a colored liquid.
“It seems like Cicero will be joining us later. He… hm… needed some time alone” She explained before sitting down at the table. “Cashmere come sit with us.” I walked slowly to the table and sat down. It felt out of ordinary. The surrounding, the food, those people… what happened to what I was used to? I kept staring at this man as if he would slowly transform into my father’s figure but it didn’t seem like it would happen any time soon. When the train started to move, I knew I wouldn’t see my home ever again. As if my district had only existed in my imagination. A tear escaped my eyes. Before I could brush it away, Cormac put his finger under my chin and raised my head so I watched him. “Crying isn’t going to help you. I’m not very glad your district voted off a 13 year old girl either but I ain’t crying. So suck it up sweetheart.” He said sternly as I pushed away his hand and swept the tear away.
I hadn’t spoken a word since yesterday night. It all felt like a dream. I just wanted to wake up in my small bed in our one room apartment back in district 8. Barberry handed me a filled plate. I hesitated to grab it but my stomach growled at the sight of the food. As both adults started to talk business, I ate around my plate tasting the different delicacies. The conversation between them was filled with wooing words from Cormac and denying comments from Barberry. They didn’t look like they were going to get along. Cormac shrugged with a small laugh every time Barberry denied him. “So what are we going to do with the both of them? They both look like they want nothing to do with this. Another stupid year for me I guess.” Cormac started. “Look at her, she doesn’t even talk.” I raised my eyes from my plate. “I do.” I answered slowly locking eyes with him again. “I do talk.” He laughed. “Barely.” He added to my sentence and concentrated back on Barberry. They started talking again ignoring my presence. I thought Cicero had been right about sticking to his room for the travel.
When I stood up, they both looked at me. I watched Barberry for a second, grabbed a scone and left the room wanting to explore the rest of the train. I didn’t feel like I had to say anything as they were both in the middle of their conversation and I just needed to be alone. The next compartment was a TV room, the screen showed the Reapings in other districts. Some of them looked so different from District 8. 22 other kids had been voted off to the Hunger Games just like me. 22 human beings would be forced into fighting for their life. I felt my stomach turn up for a second. I walked through the room to the next car finding a small corridor with two rooms. The one on the right clearly had a small sign “Girl Tribute” written on it. I turned the handle and penetrated the room.
I laid myself on the bed brushing my finger tips on the bed’s textile and looking up at the white ceiling. Before closing my eyes and allowing myself to take a break from everything, I started listing the things that I had done wrong in my life to deserve this as a punishment.
After watching my parents and sister leave I still have a long wait in front of me. But I wait patiently until two peacekeepers open the door and take me outside and then to the Train that awaits both mine and Abigail's presence. Walking in, I immediately feel the Capitol like comfort and wealthiness. It's a rich place, I have to admit, but not that different from what I'm used to.
My sight lands on a bottle of whiskey and I quickly decide to pour myself some of that precious alcohol. Turning around, I find Abigail standing right behind me. "Oh look who finally decided to appear." Nonchalantly, I let myself fall on the couch. It's even nicer than I what I imagined.
Keep Moving Like a Bullet Train. || Train Para || Lyra&Talon
The cold air venting throughout the entire train made me shiver. The whole ‘being betrayed by my own blood’ made my tempature lower. Laelia continued to sit in the blue velvet love seat unphased by the whole Reaping, looking out the window as if we werent real.
The train was moving faster than the speed of light, and we couldnt feel a thing. I grabbed a strawberry muffin off of the many food carts. After taking a bite out of the muffin i quickly put it back down. The taste was so unreal from the District Five food. I spanned my head towards our Capitolite Escort.
“Um Laelia, where is our mentor?" I asked unsure if i even should talk to her. Her eyes darted towards me, “He’s in his room," She stood up and grabbed a drink from the table. “I’ll go get him." She walked over to the door and soon after she was gone.
I walk over to where Talon sat—taking a seat next to him, i begin to look at the scenery fly by outside the window. “Did you know, the train travels at a speed of 200 miles per hour? I read about it in a book." I turn towards Talon, “Are you okay? I mean, well, about the whole ordeal. I’m still a little phased about the Reaping, but we cant look weak infront of the others. We cant hope we will make it out, because hope is a sign of weakness." I place my hand ontop of his, but i quickly retract. Hoping this act didnt make him feel uneasy. “Talon, you know you can always talk to me."
Soon after i finish speaking the door slides open, then Laelia walks in with our Mentor.
“Congratulations on getting picked. I’m here to make sure you live long enough to make it out of the arena. But only one of you will make it out. Hello, my name is Dano Jules, Victor of the 11th Hunger Games." His voice sent a shiver down my spine. I watched him take a seat infront of Talon and I, “My name is Lyra Stone. Nice to meet you."
