"Was it around the same time as the lab?" Cato asked again about it. "They both went up at th same time on the same day. It wasn't very pretty because the mining accident was much deadlier than the lab was." I said about the disasters of 12 and 14.
The heavy wooded part of district 12 before District 12's train station and their Justice Hall to get ready to see the people and the tributes' family of District 12. Cinna, Portia and Amaryll had dressed Roy and Cato in a gold or blue suit with a black tie and I'm in a black dress with gold and blue shoes/ jewelry. The Mayor of District 12 started the tour with them. We walked out of the Justice hall to see people of 12 and we were greeted with applause from district 12.
I make my way to the middle of a stage I actually recognize: the same stage they hold the reaping ceremonies on. My heart lodged itself in my throat, and I swallowed, squaring my shoulders and jutting my chin out. The mayor gave his speech for me, praising me for my strength in the face of trial. A couple of rows back there were two platforms that were made for the families of the dead to stand on. One Patrick's side there was an older woman, a 19-year-old girl and triple brothers. On Kelly's... I was totally unprepared. Her parents whose grief was still evident on their faces, a younger sister and twin baby brothers. The mayor handed over the microphone to us and Cato spoke for a bit then Roy. I was next to speak but I couldn't think of anything until the last minute. "I want to say I'm sorry to Kelly's and Patrick's families for what happened in the games. They didn't deserve to be in them, no one does. In the time I knew them, I found that they cared for their families and friends. They were sweet, caring and kind. I should have protected them at least in the games when I could have. They loved their district and their family with everything they've got. They were too young to die in this horrible world and they would have gotten to have the chance to fall in love, have kids and grow old with someone. They didn't care that they were facing a victor in this past game but they talked to me and weren't afraid. They had more strength than I did to accept what they were given, and they knew that one day they see their families again in a better, more beautiful place. If there's any forgiveness on their families' part to me, I will accept it even if you don't I'll still accept it." I said looking between both families who sadly smiled and nodded.
The audience stopped and the Mayor gave a speech in Roy's, Cato's and my honour. Two little girls came up with bouquets and the plaques. We were escorted by our Capitol escorts back to the train to go to District 11 next. Huge open fields with herds of cattle grazing on them. Totally different to heavily wooded 12. The train slowed slightly, and I thought they were going to stop again when a fence rose above them. At least 10 metres into the air and it was topped with coils of barbed wire, it made 12 look childish. I inspected the base that was lined with metal plates. There was no escape. Then I saw the watchtowers, placed evenly, manned with armed guards, so out of place among the fields of wildflowers around them.
"Well that's different." Cato said as he and Roy came into the room I was in. Roy and I knew that 11 were more harshly enforced but I would never have imagined this. For some reason I didn't remember it from my old tour and the whole tour now seemed like just a blur to me. The crops stretched as far as I could see. Men, women and children of all ages were wearing straw hats to keep off the sun, turned towards the train and watched it pass by. I saw orchards and wondered if Rue had worked there. Every so often they would see a small community of shacks that were all deserted. Every hand must be needed for the harvest as it went on and on. We couldn't believe the size of 11.
"Do you know how many people live here?" Cato asked me as I shook my head. At school they referred it to be a large district but no actual figures. I thought back to the reapings, there didn't look a lot of people. Had they already picked the tributes and made sure they were there? I was angry at the fact there was no one who volunteered. When Clive came and told us to get dressed we didn't objected. I went into my compartment and let the prep team do my hair and make-up. Cinna came in with a beautiful blue dress. And I couldn't help but think how much Cato and Roy would love it. Clive and Jasmine (the district 2 escort which I had only just learnt) got Roy, Cato and I together for our last go through of what would happen. In most districts the victors would ride in a car while the residents cheered.
