Survive the Night - Chapter 4

The parade was a disaster. It was so bad that I decide to hurry back to the apartment the second I get off of the chariot. I won’t let Alexander follow me or call me back either. I need to get away. Fast. I’ll probably get in trouble for this. I’m sure the next time Wade and Keri walk through the door they’ll be screaming at me.

Everything having to do with the Games has to be a certain way; I’ve realized that. If everything doesn’t go as planned, the Capitol doesn’t like it. And they tend to take it out on certain people. I probably needed to have an escort up here or something.

I hope to simply march into the apartment, rip off this stupid costume and fall asleep. But once I step out of the elevator, my plan gets thrown out the window. All I want to do is stand and take in how beautiful it is.

This apartment is beautiful, better than anything we have back in District Five. The furniture is just like it was on the train, but more colorful. The seats are green; the table is a transparent blue color. I run my hand along its slick surface. No dust comes off on my fingers.

Walking deeper into the apartment, I find a living room with two large white couches facing a television screen twice the size of the one on the train. And I thought that one was big. The window opposite the television is the real beauty. I can see everything from here; President Septimus’s mansion, the many houses that the citizens live in, the square where the parade had just taken place.

Everyone is just clearing out of the seats, but there are still some people sitting in the stands, conversing with the stylists and mentors. I’m hoping one of them is Wade. Maybe he could talk someone out of counting me out because of my hideous outfit.

Really, all of the tributes had horrible outfits. Except for the tributes from District Two. They looked marvelous in their fur coats and fancy leather pants. Just because they make fabrics doesn’t mean they should be the only ones who look good during the parade.

“Well there she is.”

I whirl around to see Keri wander into the apartment followed by Wade and Alexander. I brace myself for the worst, but it doesn’t come.

“You missed a lovely time to meet the other tributes.” Keri says.

“Oh, yeah? What if I don’t want to meet them?” I retort. Wade looks at me curiously.

“Don’t you want allies?” he asks.

“No because, assuming that I win, I’ll have to break the alliance and kill them,” I say angrily. I flop down onto the couch and stare at the blank television screen. Is that what someone sees when they die? Nothing? Just a blank sheet of black? I don’t want any of us to find out. None of these innocent children deserve to die.

“I can’t kill a friend.” I say quietly, a single tear running down my cheek. I catch it in my hand and look at it. There’s not much to it from the outside, but I know what it represents; all of my fears and sorrows and frustrations, all bottled up into a tiny collection of salt water.

“You’re going to have to get a lot tougher by the times the Games start,” Wade says, walking deeper into the apartment. “Or you’re gonna die in the bloodbath.” He screams the last part and I barely hear it. Isn’t it great to know your mentor has so much faith in you? Keri must feel the same way because she leaves too. Now it’s just me and Alexander. I’m praying he goes away as well, but no such luck.

“Hey, are you all right?” he asks, sitting down next to me. I really don’t want him here. I don’t want anyone here, really. I push him away and race back to my room. There are a few knocks on the door, but I ignore them. I close my eyes tight and imagine being home. Maybe if I think about it long enough, it will actually happen. I will actually be home and this will turn out to be all a dream.

I don’t want to be preparing for the Games. I want to be home in my own house back in District Five. The Capitol is no place for a home girl like me.