Tressa Alodia
The Arrival
Indigo. That was his name, Indigo. The boy tribute that I barely knew. I didn't talk to him. I couldn't face getting to know him. I would either end up killing him, or he would kill me. We all knew what happened to Katniss and Peeta all those years ago. They fell in love, and they threatened to kill themselves with some poison berries. Needless to say, President Snow had Seneca Crane blow them up.
There was no victor that year. Snow didn't care that there wasn't a victor. He just cared that people knew it was because of his doing. Rebels must be made an example of.
Would I end up killing this boy that I barely know? Who knows. Frankly, I don't care. I'm just trying to focus on looking like I'm actually listening to what Effie is telling me. Yes I have to listen to Rose because she's older and wiser and has been through the games and blah blah blah. I hope Effie knows that no matter what she says to us, I can't take her seriously in that stupid lady bug outfit. I just want to step on her and be done with it.
My sleep that night is restless. I keep having nightmares about the arena. In between fitful naps, the only images that pop into my head are those of death. Would I die? If so, would it be fast? Would I kill if I had to? I think of the amber pendant that my mother gave me. I also think of her advice. I need to be open to all possibilities. Are the odds in my favor? No. Could they be? Possibly. I just need to figure out ways to strengthen myself in the areas that other tributes are weak.
The next day is a big fuss. Effie is dressed like fire. I suspect it's because she didn't want to change the color of her red hair because it's too much effort and god forbid she get split ends. I also notice the slight strain in her smile. That's when I remember from watching reruns of previous games. Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire. how fitting.
I haven't seen Rose at all. She's been in her room for the whole trip. I don't care what she was doing. I cared that her top priority was not my life as it should have been. She is my only lifeline in the arena. Effie goes on about how I need to listen to her. How can I listen to one who won't speak?
Before I can muster up the courage to go to Rose's bedroom, the Capital comes into view. Indigo leaves and sulks. I move to one of the windows. People wave at me, with their neon colored hair and eyelashes and their animal decals, they look almost savage. They're waving as if I might not be dead in three days. As if they won't treat my life like a bug's. Meant to be squished when I become a nuisance. I don't wave back, I just stare.
That's when it comes into view. The training center. It's connected to my living quarters. The building is massive with at least fifty stories. It's made completely out of this shimmery metal and I see balconies with glimmer force fields. I know what those are for and I know why they need them. Given the chance, I would probably jump from one of those balconies. I would rather be dead than undergo this fate. Effie speaks just then, startling me.
"Welcome to your new home." Home? As if. They can shower me with luxury, fatten me up with greasy food and give me a comfortable bed to sleep in. No matter what they do, this isn't my home.
It's my cage.
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