The 62nd Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 36

I just said goodbye to my family and I feel like crying. I hate this tour already. We are on our way to District twelve. Ashton killed Grayson easily and I don't know about Juniper. Ali hands me the cards and a bowl of berries. I have to memorize all my speeches, I rather be at school. There are six cards. I read them out loud and begin to cry, not just a little bit, my crying has turned into an uncontrollable sob. Reed comes in to check on me, but I wave her away. This is the first time I have broken down about the games. So many other people deserve to be here. Five hours pass, I cried myself out, and am lying on the floor. Reed comes in now with a box of pizza. She hands me a box of tissues and pulls my hair out of my face.

"Look, Faith." She checks her surroundings as if being watched. "Follow me."

We walk outside into a cold, snowy blizzard. I half-smile at the weather. I follow Reed for a quarter mile at least.

"The Capitol. They use the Victors to" She pauses as if trying to find the right word, "Influence the districts. If you don't do what they demand they will punish you. Right now, you are doing fine on your own. The Capitol adores you, and the Districts don't hate you."

I stare at Reed.

"Don't get yourself or your loved ones killed."

I drop my jaw in confusion.

"He'll destroy you. Snow will."

I am afraid, not for me, but the people around me.

"What did he do to you?" I finally speak, my throat hurts from sobbing so much, and for so long.

She looks down. "My best friend, she was shot. My family was taken away, probably publicly executed. Maybe are they are living as Avoxes."

I hug her, and she returns the favor.

"The nightmares." I say softly. "Will they ever go away?"

She shakes her head and I follow her back to the train, deeply thinking about the words running through my mind.