Everything is a blur. I can't process what's happening to me. I'm speeding on a train at a speed that I didn't know possible. When we first began to accelerate I thought that my bones might be flung to one end of the room, the rest of my body left behind. I quickly learned not to look out the windows. It's not hard to remain focused on the interior of the train. The decorations are bright, the smells are strong, everything is an assault on the senses. Weft guides me to a chair and I sit next to her, overwhelmed, just trying to remind myself to breathe. My feet hurt and I wonder if anyone would mind if I slipped off my shoes. Something tells me that they would. Food is already being brought out and my eyes widen at every dish. I cannot identify a bite of it, foreign textures and colors overwhelm my palate before I can even take a bite. My appetite is gone and I have not even tasted the nourishment that I should have been begging for. Standing slowly I am reminded by my toes just how pinched they are. "Not hungry." Is all I manage. I stuff my hands into the pockets of my dress, suddenly self conscious of my poor attire. I don't wait for a response before I dive out the nearest door. I'll locate my room on my own. I just need to get away. It doesn't take me long to find the car serving as my suite. I dive for the bed and squirrel under the covers still fully dressed. I tug off my shoes and toss them away. Grabbing every available pillow I surround myself. The ample blankets and cushions make it easy to build myself a sort of nest-fort hybrid with one wall of the car as the back. I curl into a ball, safe in my warm and soft fortress. The rocking of the train is comforting, and soon I am asleep. I dream that birds are swooping down pecking out the eyes of peacekeepers who chase me endlessly through mazes of factory machines, rusting in the sun.
My ears were still ringing and if I closed my eyes long enough I could still see the spots of camera flashes marring my vision. I’d survived Ioan pulling me through the crowd, his big body carving out a relatively safe path for me to follow. I hadn’t expected the insanity of the Capitol crowd. Sure I’d seen the way they acted from flashes of the Games I’d watched over the years but it was completely different to experience it firsthand. I think it was probably why dinner had been a silent affair; controlled simply by Daisy commenting about the next lush dish that was laid out on the table and what was expected of us during the parade. I’d given up on eating around course five, simply pushing around the mound of food on my plate while Daisy continued her lecture. She would wake us up bright and early, we would have breakfast and then we would be handed off to our stylists to be made over for the Parade. From the euphoric look on her face, I assumed she had heard good things about the designs this year.
I was well on my way to tuning her out when Calin’s chair scraped across the floor, excusing himself from any talk of strategy. He was still annoyed about the conversation on the train. I knew I’d need to pull him aside later to discuss his offer but now wasn’t the time. I didn’t want to hash out the details. I’d barely slept last night and the thought of getting into another argument was exhausting. Finally finished playing with my food, I turned my attention to my mentor who was nursing his third glass of amber liquid. “I’d like to talk strategy tomorrow over breakfast, if you don’t have plans?” Ioan looked up, studying me for a moment before he inclined his head in a nod.
“Of course, we can get the business side of this out of the way before Daisy escorts you to your Prep Team.” Ioan lifted his glass, gulping down the remnants of his drink before he pushed away from the table. There was no goodbye, no excuse me. He was simply here one minute and gone the next.
“It’s been a long day, if you’ll excuse me.” I stood, retreating even as Daisy struggled to keep up. Her fingers reaching out to halt my retreat as I spun around to face her. She was inspecting me, picking out my faults to see how she could sell me to the Capitol.
“You’d do well to watch the recaps, to see who your competition is and who you might find beneficial in the arena. I know it’s early but tomorrow is your first chance to interact, to begin to make meaningful alliances.” It was the first piece of advice she’d really given me that didn’t end in how I needed to act. It was actually sage-like. I nodded, shifting out of her grasp to weave my way down the hallway to the bedroom at the end of the hall. The door swept open and I was greeted by a large window that took up the majority of one wall. I could see every single piece of the city from here; the glowing lights across the lake and the train that was speeding towards the station with another set of tributes on board. I had to admit it was beautiful. I could understand why people spent their entire life yearning for this view.
Shaking my head, I kicked off my heels padding barefoot over to the closet to see the neatly hung training uniforms with a three emblazoned on the shoulder. But that wasn’t all that the closet held, dresses and outfits made out of expensive material were jammed inside in colours that didn’t actually make me want to gag just looking at them. No pink, thank god. Finally coming across a pair of pyjamas stashed away in the back, I slipped out of my dress and finally indulged in a shower. It was there that I reflected on the day that had started out innocently enough. Waking up this morning I’d thought that the worst of my worries had to do with being shoved into a wedding gown and being escorted down the aisle with a gun at my back. Now I had to deal with the weight of fighting for my life and killing those around me in order to make the return trip home. I didn’t want to think about Rurik, or Mama. They were where they belonged and now I had bigger things to worry about.
Stepping out of the shower, I dressed in the black and yellow pyjamas that I’d pulled from the closet. Settling onto the edge of the bed as I picked up a data pad and pulled up Caesar’s coverage of the Reapings. With a few swipes of my fingers the plasma screen on the wall flared to life, the Capitol seal swirling before my eyes as the coverage began. I moved further up onto the bed, crossing my legs beneath me as I prepared myself for the first glimpse of my competition.
District One came into focus first and I expected nothing but two brawny brainless Careers to take their place on stage. I was pleasantly surprised when the chosen tribute took it upon herself to try and drag the chosen volunteer up to the stage by her hair. The girl was practically murderous, venom spewing from cherry red lips before the peacekeepers escorted her to the stage. It was amazing what a gun at one’s back could do for motivation. Her partner was the atypical career; big, brawny and not too bright. Elias was one to watch but it was the troublemaker with a gun at her back that had captured my attention. Mika was ballsy. The Capitol would love her.
District Two was much the same. Two tributes with volunteers but like District One there seemed to be a problem with the girl’s candidacy. A man who I now knew was North’s father stormed up the aisle, ranting and raving that it wasn’t her year but unfortunately for him the Capitol was all about protocol. He couldn’t do anything about his precious little baby leaving him. Both of them were pretty and from the look that passed between them I knew that this wasn’t their first meeting. They knew each other and had probably trained alongside one another since they were old enough to hold a little baby sword. Contenders and my biggest competition.
I skipped over District Three. I didn’t need to see it, I’d lived it. District Four was the last of the Career Districts and as a waif thin girl stepped up onto the stage I wondered what was wrong with the Careers this year that they hadn’t been chomping at the bit to volunteer for two girls who obviously didn’t want a one way trip to the Capitol. It didn’t matter though. One less Career meant that I had a better chance of going home. Roman was another atypical Career; buff and arrogant. He and Elias would get on swimmingly.
District Five brought a tiny little girl to stage, followed by a boy whose mouth had been open to volunteer when his name had been read out. Neither Arland nor Fay looked to be strong enough to handle the pressures of training and the arena, but I wasn’t one to write them off just yet. My own mentor had been like them and he had shown the whole world not to underestimate anyone. District Six followed the same recipe; a girl who held her head up high stepped onto the stage. She reminded me of myself and I actually admired how strong she looked up there. Elizabeth was joined by a volunteer, Rafaele who had volunteered for a sobbing boy much younger than him. I could tell just by looking at them that they were related and I understood his reasoning behind stepping out to protect his own flesh and blood. However, his partner didn’t look pleased with Rafaele’s decision to volunteer. The boy was going to be ripped a new one once they were alone no doubt. Oh to be a fly on that wall.
District Seven brought another familial volunteer. The girl was tiny and walked up to the stage with a grace that spoke of an artistic background. But it was the shock of a mayor’s son volunteering that outshone Kyera’s sacrifice. Eight volunteers. That was practically unheard of right? Everyone was clamouring for their chance to be reaped, hell if they were that excited about coming here I could gladly go home and let someone take my spot.
I was almost expecting District 8 to produce another set of volunteers but was relieved when a tiny young girl was pulled from the crowd. Bobbin’s mother through herself in the aisle, wailing and howling until the transmission was quickly cut away from her to the emotionless face of the male who willed himself to the stage. Both were normal, run of the mill tributes but District Eight was hardly considered a District of winners. District Nine brings another normal reaping. Nessarose has a pretty good poker face, but it’s the little boy that leaves the biggest impression on my memory. He cheers when his name is called. He’s barely old enough to understand what this means but the joy that’s etched across August’s face tells me everything I need to know. This kid is going to be a sitting duck. Fuck.
District Ten was more of the same. Two nervous tributes stepping onto the stage. Azalea and Allistair. Neither seemed like they had much to offer the Games, but with the help of their stylists and mentor maybe they could prove that first impressions weren’t the be all and end all. District Eleven followed swiftly on its heels; a vibrant redhead volunteering and a guy who looked every bit the brawler. He was broad, his muscles defined even through his suit and I could tell he was going to be one I’d have to watch out for. Mondo and Dotev. They might be outliers but I’d need to watch them closely. District Twelve was the last and the most normal. Pachenko and Malia were normal looking. Both walked the short distance to the stage without cowering and sobbing on the coal dusted streets. I switched the television off just as Caesar started his own commentary on who to watch. I didn’t need to hear his opinions; I’d made my own. There was a short list of people I knew to be dangerous, others were firmly in a list that told me they weren’t worth my time. But there were a select few that I could see myself feeling out; testing their limits and just how useful they could be to my time here.
I shut off the lights, curling up underneath the quilt as I stared up at the ceiling. I half expected to stay awake half the night, but exhaustion tugged me quickly under. My last conscious thought was of my parade outfit being made up of conveniently placed microchips before I finally slipped into a dreamless sleep. No Rurik, no District Three, no Games. Just nothingness.
"Malia, darling, wake up."someone shook me awake not-so-lightly. Opening my eyes I blinked several times before I adjusted to the light. Slowly the face before me came into focus; the bright yellow skin and the contrasting red eyes. Pulling the cover over me I mumbled something along the lines of 'five more minutes'. Five seconds later the cover was jerked off me and I squealed. "you're already late." Again. Groaning I got to my feet and walked into the restroom. Sliding off my clothes I got into the shower and let the cold water wake me up.
I had slept for hours and I was still sleepy as I walked down the aisle towards the dinning room where I found that everyone was already gone. Not that I didn't want their company but I think I rather eat alone today. It seemed that instead of Patch getting the hangover, I got it.
I wasn't all that hungry so when Shamus walked in I was slowly sipping on my cup of coffee. I watched him sit down in front of me without a word. I was right about him not being a talkative one. I had heard that mentors were suppose to help us and so far I had not heard a single advice from him. Maybe he just needed a bit of pushing.
"Shamus, right ?" I began. "I was just wondering if you could give me some sort of advice because you know, you are the mentor."I try to state it as nice as possible. For a couple of moments he just sat there sipping on his own drink. Was this guy even going to say a word!
"Do you fight?"he finally asked, raising his eyes to meet mine. I shook my head in return. I guess one could say I was more of a lover not a fighter. "then I want you to spend some time in the fighting stations during training. Learn how to fight dirty."
It seem his strategy was fighting dirty. "I'm not a fighter, sir. I couldn't take anyone on. Isn't there any other way I can win the games?"
"You're small, use that. No, you're going to have to learn how to fight." he stated again as if he was a broken record machine. I guess he saw the look of despair on me because he then added. "I'll teach you if I have to."
"Sir, I don't think you understand. I don't want to hurt anyone. I just want to survive."
"and how do you think you're going to survive and make it out? By hiding out, that only last so long. What will you do when you finally have to fight someone to the death."
I didn't respond. I didn't have an answer for that. Thankfully Stardust entered the room saying something about how we had finally arrived at the Capitol. Everyone stood up and went to watch the capitol come into view but not me. I remain frozen in my seat, Shamus words echoing in my head. I didn't want to kill anyone but I also wanted to live. Would I take someone else life just so I could live? I remember Edens words; "You have a heart, your rational, you always do the right thing. Let that be your strength. Don’t lower yourself to everyone standards, instead show everyone you are not like your family. "
I remember reading somewhere that life was like a labyrinth. We spend our whole life stuck in it, thinking about how we'll escape it one day. But the sad part is that we never do it. We use the future to escape the past.
Right now I was stuck in the labyrinth of suffering and whatever choices I made in the next few weeks would decided if I was stuck in it forever or if I made it out.
Blood, Guts, and Chocolate Cake (Continuation) | | Train | | OS
After I eat my fill of sweets, I travel through the train in search of July and Mirage. It takes longer than expected, partially because I stop in every car to explore, peeking into the rooms that are surely not meant for our eyes, and also because the train is so enormous that walking the entire length of it takes both energy and time.
Finally I locate my mentor and escort. Mirage and July greet me with smiles and hellos. “Come sit,” Mirage beckons, “the Reaping recaps are soon to start.” I walk over to the couch, taking a seat in between July and Mirage
“Your Reaping went quite well. I’ve heard from some other escorts that other didn’t go so smoothly,” Mirage says as she smiles.
“You did well, Nessarose. Very composed. A good first impression. Gus’ excitement will surely get him some attention,” July acknowledges.
Responding, I say, “Thanks. And you can call me Nessa.”
July nods. “Nessa,” she muses, “it has a nice ring to it.”
Suddenly, the Capitol anthem plays on the holographic television. The Capitol seal appears, and then Caesar Flickerman, the well-practiced host of the Hunger Games, gives a little introduction. The usual spiel. I would sometimes tune in at home for a chance to get a little peek at the other districts in Panem. Usually it would just be aerial views of one, two, and four, only because they’re the wealthiest, and the Capitol is always so hesitant to show poverty on screen.
But this is the special edition, for tributes only, and I get a look at each and every district. Seven and four are the most beautiful, in my opinion, one with a turquoise ocean spreading out as far as the eye can see and another with an endless sea of evergreen trees that seems to have no end.
The District One Reaping airs, and it’s entertaining to say the least. I watch with interest as the fight between the reaped female tribute, Mika I think her name is, and the one who was apparently supposed to volunteer. I make sure to remember her as the male tribute volunteers.
Next is District Two. Another entertaining reaping involving the girl. North, whose last name I can’t remember, seems to have not been the chosen volunteer. The camera cuts to a hysterical girl, and I can assume she was the one set to volunteer. The boy, Shaw is his last name, volunteers. Two volunteers is typical of two.
The girl from District Three is reaped. She looks pretty calm and collected, nothing out of the ordinary, until the camera cuts to her family. “Holy shit,” I remark as I spot her father. That man, Sloane’s father, is the most well-known dealer of weaponry in Panem. His empire is hundreds of times bigger than mine. Compared to his, mine isn’t even a state. There’s a lot more to this girl than what is shown on screen. Meeting her will be quite interesting.
Four isn’t quite that unusual of a reaping, except that a girl doesn’t volunteer. The chosen girl is memorable, that’s for sure. Her hair color rivals the intensity of the colors worn by the District Four escort.
Strangely enough, the girl from five looked not too upset about having been reaped. And it seems that the male, Arland, was planning on volunteering. Strange. I like the District Six female’s attitude. I think I’ll get along with her, but only time can tell. The boy volunteers, and I’m assuming it’s because the boy reaped is his brother. It makes me think of what I would do if Natalie were reaped. I’m honestly not sure of what I would do.
Another volunteer. The girl from seven goes in place of her sister. Very sweet of her. The aura emanating from her is one of kindness. The way the escort makes light of Kyera’s volunteering for her sister, as if it’s just another tidbit of information the Capitolites will gobble up makes my stomach turn.
Eight is relatively normal. More youngsters than usual are being reaped into this game. I can’t imagining them killing, although thinking back to Fay from five, there did seem to be a twinkle of excitement in her eyes. But who knows why.
Then comes our reaping. I like how I look on stage, and that I’ve kept my composure and my poker face never shattered or broke.
I watch a replay of Gus being reaped. The fact that he is so excited for the games eludes me. Something must be off. I’m not sure that I’ll find out what it is, though.
The Reaping for Ten is ordinary, except for the boy’s suit.
“Why so many volunteers?” I murmur as a girl with bright red hair from District Eleven saunters up on stage, barely saying a word. Three volunteers from outlying districts is very, very strange.
For District Twelve, the boy’s reaping is quite entertaining. I can tell that he’s drunk. I bet his escort isn’t too happy about that. I find myself unable to suppress some giggles, getting a stare from Mirage as a result. I brush it off without dwelling on it.
The reapings conclude, and I’m glad that I’ve gathered the information on the other tributes that I have. I’ve always been good at memorization, so I hope that’ll come in handy in training and in the arena.
I look out the window at the setting sun, taking in the array of pinks, yellows, and oranges painted like watercolors on the canvas that is the sky. The sunsets in nine are never this breathtaking. It’s when I’m marveling at it that I spot a ring of daunting mountains that the train is fast approaching. I was always told in school just how impressive these mountains surrounding the Capitol were, but I never thought they would look like this. Their snowy peaks reach up into the clouds. Some reach high above them. If I can remember correctly, they’re the Rockies.
Before I know it, the train is within this ring of mountains, and I can see the Capitol. I sit at a chair, looking out the window, as the train arrives in the station. Throngs of citizens dressed in repulsive clothing crowd the platforms.
Mirage escorts Gus and I out of the train, ushering us into the tribute training center in which we will be staying. The architecture is so beautiful. Everything in the Capitol is, save the souls of those who watch the games as a source of entertainment, and those who created them.
As we eat dinner, Mirage explains to us that she’ll give us a tour of the District Nine suite. I politely decline, as I’m too tired, and want to go to sleep. I finish eating before handing my plate to an avox and heading off to my room. Once I change into come silk pajamas, I crawl into bed. Today has been a long day, and my room has been one of the only places in which I can drop the act of indifference and calmness.
Muffled sobs escape from my lips as I drift off into a restless sleep plagued by nightmares of what is to come.
The door shut behind us, leaving Keela and I alone. I walked over to the bed and sat down, giving her a smile and waiting for what she has to say next. Keela has the same skill set I had, so I'm sure that we'll both agree on everything in terms of strategy. Knives and weapons are our specialty, and from what I saw from her Games, she expects me to use seduction as well.
"First off," she began, "I want you to take your mind off my brother. Use him as motivation when you get into the Arena and when you desperately want to win, but right now, that lovey-dovey stuff has to wait." Her eyes caught site of my bracelet. "You took the bracelet he made you as your token. Sweet... but like I said, stop thinking about Troy. No offense to you or him, but he's a distraction right now from your real goal, and that's to win.
I nodded my head in agreement. She's right, it pains me to admit it, but love isn't going to get me out alive. I need to get my head in the game. Focus, have confidence and rely on my skills. Sorry Troy, but I'm going to have to let my bloodthirsty Career instincts take charge.
Keela then informed me that since she taught in the female side of the Career Academy, she doesn't completely know all of my skills other than the ones Troy told her. And so I explained to her my abilities, weaknesses and limits. She was impressed but told me I had to work on some things in the Training Centre, especially survival. Like Troy said, nature and the Game Makers can kill me just as much as a tribute.
Next, Keela handed me a tablet which replayed to all the other reapings. Like always, Districts One and Two had strong tributes. However, the female from One didn't volunteer which surprised me a little. Then again, Four didn't have a female career this year either. Oh well, we need to stick together. The six of us have a stronger chance if we worked as one. "Can you and Logan pair us up with the pairs from One and Two?" I asked her.
She nodded her head. "Anything for you," she assured me.
The other tributes from the Outlying Districts didn't make too much of an impact on me. There were three young children I only wish wouldn't have to get in my way. I promised myself to try and avoid them as much as possible. No one is innocent once they get in the Arena, but they'd be the last people I wanted to get my hands covered in blood for.
Once I finished with all the reapings, I set the tablet down on a drawer and sighed. I laid down on the bed and looked at Keela. "This is weird for me to ask, but... can you join me? I promise that it won't have any kind of intimacy, no hidden intentions either... I just want someone's comfort right now..."
Keela rolled her eyes and walked over to me, asking me to move over. I gladly did what she said and she got in the bed with me. Keela then wrapped her arms around me and gave me a faint smile. She's like a big sister to me. I'm glad Troy introduced me to her. The three of us had good times together. "No worries, alright? I'll protect this poor baby in front of me," she joked.
I laughed softly and closed my eyes. Before I knew it, I was asleep.
The countdown ended, and so begins the blood bath. Everyone rushed to get supplies and necessities, including me. I saw my other alliance members in the Cornucopia already. I turned my head to see where Pixie was. I'm glad she's doing great so far. The two of us got in the Cornucopia together.
I was about to grab a set out knives until someone snatched it out of my hands before I could even reach it. Fuck that. I reached for the nearest weapon which was a bow and arrow. As he ran away from me, I shot him in the back, and he fell to the ground. I fired a second time to make sure he's dead, my first kill. The number seven in his back indicated that he came from the Lumber District.
Nine canon shots fired. Nine tributes are dead. I looked up to the heavens to see the faces in the sky. My alliance bragged about their kills, and I laughed along with them. I guess we're sick freaks, but better them than us.
My eyes caught sight of another tribute who was trying to sneak her way around us to grab a pack. Sorry, but no. I shot another arrow through her head which pierced her skull. That's two for me. The male from One gave me a highfive. The Cornucopia's ours. Stealing is not allowed. We vowed to hunt down the other tributes from the Outlying Districts later on. After lunch of course. There were bags filled with fruits and other food. It'll have to do for now.
"Roman!" yelled a familiar voice in my ear.
My eyes fluttered open and I woke up. Keela was standing in front of me. I yawned and stretch before sitting up. "I was having the best dream," I informed her.
"Now's not the time for dreaming. Vanilla wants us over to the dinning-cart for dinner. There's only an hour and a half left before we get to the Capitol.
I looked at the constantly passing background out the window. Pretty soon I'll be in the Capitol. My stomach growled. I haven't eaten anything since this morning. I needed food, so I followed Keela to the dinning-cart.
My whole team was there. I smiled at Pixie and sat down across from her. The Capitol cuisine was just divine. I'm way too hungry to start a conversation. And besides, food stuffed my entire mouth. Mom's proper table etiquette is going to have to wait, but Vanilla would have appreciated that I used them. No one else did, so why should I? All of us just ate and kept quiet.
Standing on the platform I indulge in one last look at the place I will always call home. Like many of my peers I’ve never stepped foot out of the District but I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement for the journey to come. It’s a chance to see and experience things that are far from our grasp out in the Districts. There I would have access to a wealth of knowledge and weapons that I’ve only ever dreamed of. I refuse to think of it as a punishment, I need to utilise what I’ll learn there to use if I end up making the return journey. Ioan reaches out, his hand on my shoulder as he pushes me forward onto the train.
I hear the sound of Daisy’s heels as she putters around the car and I turn to see Calin glancing around at the furnishing’s that are obviously new to him. I take a moment to really inspect my Partner, trying to sum up his strengths and weaknesses with just one look. I try to think of what the Careers would see when they watch the recap. Will they think we are simply a couple of outliers that should be easily overlooked this year like every other year that has gone before us? Or will they see some hidden malice that could turn us into fierce competition?
“Take a seat you two, our journey is relatively short and then we will be in the Capitol.” Daisy practically oozes excitement as she moves to pour the four of us some fancy yellow drink from a pitcher on the table. She holds out a silver and blue tipped goblet to me as she looks over her charges. “Come come, happy faces.”
The journey to the train station was depressing, to say the least. I'm missing my family and Troy already. In addition to that was us passing by the areas in my District were poverty was common. I've tried so hard to avoid places like this when I was little, and now I had to view them before getting into the ride to the Capitol.
Then there's Vanilla who sat in between us. It's like she just couldn't stop babbling about the splendors that await Pixie and I nor could she put down her makeup and lipstick. I can assume she had about fifty layers on her face by now. I guess the Capitol only believes in artificial beauty and tries to hide their natural appearances as much as possible. I wonder what Vanilla would look like if she washed everything away.
The thought kept me from paying anymore attention to the slum-houses we pass by where my mom said the peasants and rebels punished by the Capitol lived. God, if only District Four was a complete tropical paradise instead of having a small portion housing the privileged families. I thought the rich areas were I lived were big. They are nothing compared to the size of the rest of my District.
Finally we reached the train station. A large, technically advanced vehicle, with the Capitol insignia and our District's logo painted on its walls, awaited us. Vanilla led us in, with me walking alongside Pixie.
Once we were inside, my eyes glanced at everything. The Capitol furniture was beautiful. Chairs, tables, television screens, chandeliers. All made me envy the Utopian-like city of Panem even more. My mom often buys such luxurious house decorations made in the Capitol, but the amount at our house is nothing compared to the ones in the train.
I poured myself a pink-coloured beverage and sat down at one of the chairs. I took a sip which tasted divine. Never have I drank something so delicious. As I grabbed the bottle for a second drink, Vanilla stopped me.
"That's the last bottle of that wine, darling. Save some for the rest of us," she ordered politely.
I sat my glass down and sighed. I turned my attention to my District Partner, which I haven't spoken to nor have I interacted with since that handshake from earlier. "It's... nice to meet you," I said, trying to get a conversation started.
After my goodbyes we were quite violently pushed into a large car (the biggest car I've ever been in) and driven to the train station. It hadn't been very long since I was last here and I laughed a little, even though this really wasn't funny.
"Something funny sweety?" Daisy piped up far too excitedly and I just rolled my neck to look at her with the most bored expression I could possibly muster.
"Don't talk to me." I said back before turning to face straight again. What I didn't understand when I climbed out of the car was why there was a shit load of cameras flashing and people trying to touch me, like why? Why? As soon stepped onto the train I had to admit I was slightly in awe. Before I could even turn around to look at Blank I could feel her eyes on me. "So, I guess I should call you Elizabeth now."
