--» 𝔡𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔢𝔩𝔦𝔬𝔫𝔰 «--

Chapter Twenty One

I admire all of the beauty of the room, which is very similar to the one I'd had on the train but has to be at least ten times larger. The feeling of hatred and pure anger towards the Capitol returns, the only difference being that this time, sadness is in the mixture. And that sadness only brings one thing to mind: my family. How much I already miss them. How much even though my mother is a witch and genuinely hates me, I miss her nagging at my every move. How much I long for my father's large, warm arms embracing me. I fall into a trance, crying and beginning to throw things across the room, some shattering and others not. After a while, Effie opens my door and approaches me slowly after seeing the broken and dented objects scattered on the floor. Her nervousness fades once she sees my face, which is in so much pain and has tear stains all along my cheeks. Broken; that's what I am.

Effie comes over and sits on the bed beside me, hesitant for a moment, but then starts rubbing my back in little circles. Somehow, she knew what exactly I needed. The small circles that my father would use. But this triggers more tears; because I can't bear another minute of being reminded of my family. I get up, storm away, and lock myself in the restroom. Effie's little footsteps grow louder as she walks over the bathroom door.

"I know it's tough. I do," Effie says, her head now leaning against the door.

"Really? Because have you ever been ripped from your family only to meet your guaranteed death without even a proper goodbye?" I reply maliciously. She goes silent for a bit but then finally speaks up.

"Yes."

Her response stops me short. I want to know more, but poking at the subject would only make it worse.

"I'm sorry," I say as a final tear rolls down my cheek, this time for her.

"It's fine; I just came to tell you supper is ready," she replies, walking away. I wash off my face, ridding it of the tear stains and unnatural redness. I can't stop thinking about what Effie said. Why would they ever take a Capitol citizen from their family? I thought you were safe if you lived in the Capitol.

No. As long as you live in Panem, you will never be safe.