Storm: A Hunger Games Story {Book One of the Storm Trilogy}

Sixteen

Cael's dark eyes stared back at me on the screen. His parents didn't cry. In fact, they looked angry. At me, for killing him. At their son, for losing the games.

On one hand, it disgusted me that they didn't mourn for their child, and that they were disappointed rather than devastated. On the other hand, it made me somewhat understand why Cael was the way he was. It doesn't excuse his bloodlust and lack of compassion, but it gives me some insight. Still, I will never forgive him for taking away my friend.

Looking over at Maloh's platform, I did a double take. Enobaria looked just like her. Their skin was the same color, their face was basically the same, minus the eye color and shape. They were nearly identical, and it made me feel as though Maloh was still alive and ready to kill me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before speaking to the crowd, to the families. The cards were shaking in my hands, and each time I glanced at the faces of the dead tributes, I felt as though I may pass out.

When I was finished speaking, I locked eyes with Enobaria. She glared at me with such hatred, such anger. It sent a shiver down my spine. I stood frozen at the microphone for a moment, fear creeping in that she would leap down from the platform, run through the crowd, and attack me. But she didn't. She turned away from me, and I did the same, walking quickly on my wobbling legs into the building.

The doors shut behind me, and that's when everything went black.

———————

"Ophelia? Ophelia, can you hear me?" I heard a man ask, opening my eyes and shining a light into them. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, waking up.

"What happened? Where am I?" I sit up slowly and take in my surroundings. I was still in the justice building in District Two.

"You passed out. I have to make sure you're alright." The man told me, checking my vitals. Wes was sitting next to me on the cold floor, holding my hand.

I looked around at the building, and realized it's even more fancy than District Four. That was to be expected, since Two is the lapdog of the Capitol. The richest district. The one with the most victors.

After I was cleared, I was brought to a room Wes and I could stay in until dinner. I took to the couch at the center of the room and sat down, letting out a huge sigh.

"Are you feeling better?" Wes asked, crouching down and putting a comforting hand on my face.

"A bit. I think this tour is finally catching up
to me." We sat in the room for two hours, trying to take our minds off of the present situation.

Ozias soon came into the room with my dress for the evening, a charcoal gray, floor-length dress that hugged my body. It matched the aesthetic of District Two, dank and gray.

I prepared myself to meet Enobaria, knowing it could very well send me into a panic attack. I grasped Wes' hand for dear life as we entered the great hall, all eyes turning to us. People clapped, but not happily.

I saw her immediately, her eyes shooting daggers at me. She sauntered up to us, a glass of some kind of liquor in her hand.

"Hello, Ophelia. I've been waiting to meet you." She held out her hand for me to shake, and I took it.

"I'm sorry about Maloh. I can't imagine losing my brother." I reply genuinely. Something flickers in her eyes, but she shows no emotion.

"She should've fought harder to win. Instead, you did. I was shocked, really, when I saw your score. Then you killed Cael and won. Congratulations." she said bitterly, taking a sip of the liquor.

"I just wanted to get home to my family."

"Well, it was great to meet you, but I'm gonna go. See you around, Ophelia." She turned on her heel and swayed back to the bar.

"At least you didn't kill each other." Wes chuckles. I can't help but crack a smile as well.

The night was long, and I had never heard people so completely brainwashed. The people of District Two regarded the games as the highest honor, so the dinner was filled with slight jabs at me for winning over their tributes.

I kicked off my heels as we entered our room on the train, letting my feet rest for the night. One more district, then the Capitol, then home, I reminded myself.

———————

District One was pristine, and reminded me a bit of the Capitol in its architecture. It wasn't majestic like the Capitol, it was more subdued since it was a district. Their justice building was white, with glass doors and glass ceilings.

The crowd of people was massive, with lavish clothes on. Some of them even looked like Capitol citizens. Dyed hair, colorful clothes, it was the same.

I killed both Diamond and Eli. I killed Diamond at the Feast, and Eli during the finale. District One has a lot of reasons to hate me.

Just like in District Two, their families looked disappointed. Diamond's family all had her blonde hair, while Eli's family didn't quite look like him. They all stared daggers at me, a girl from the poor section of District Eight, who killed their children and won.

No one in District One clapped when I finished my speech, which was fine with me. I got to leave sooner and faster.

The dinner was magnificent, seated at glass tables with sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Everything was elegant, which is fitting, since they produce all the luxury items for the Capitol.

I met some of their victors, since there are so many. The ones I met were siblings, they won back to back games. Cashmere and Gloss, some of the most ridiculous names I had ever heard. They were tall and blonde, a seemingly common trait in District One. They were professional, greeting me with a handshake and congratulating me.

Ozias had dressed me in a glittering silver gown, fitting for this district. It was hard not to see me as a diamond, considering my Capitol-given nickname, but it was ironically sad to say the least, since I killed Diamond.

That night on the train, I didn't sleep at all. Tomorrow I was going to President Snow's mansion. Tomorrow I would most likely meet him. Tomorrow, I will know if he wants to kill my family or not.