Defiance: The 13th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter Eleven

My heart dances as I look down. Little ant-sized Capitol people scurry around below us as we rise in the crystal elevator that will take us to level twelve of the Training Center. Who knew that riding in an elevator could be so exciting?

"Well, I suppose you did okay in the chariot rides." Juniper breathes, adjusting her lavender hair that has tilted slightly to the side. "But, there's always room for improvement."

I sigh. I thought we did pretty good. Compared to last year's tributes anyway. I look at my reflection in the glass. We definitely look fantastic. We might have been the best dressed tributes there! Well, maybe not the best, but close to it.

Juniper pats me on the shoulder, to my disgust. "At least you look more presentable than yesterday! You actually look halfway decent!"

I roll my eyes. Juniper can be such a pain, and I've only been around her for two days! It's going to be a long road ahead.

My mind drifts to the thought of tomorrow, the first day of training. How should I act? Weak? No, I can't do that. I already look weak enough as it is. Strong and fierce? Maybe, I could pull off fierce, but definitely not strong. I couldn't lift over seventy pounds for the life of me. Mysterious? Well, that would definitely be the easiest of the four since I'm not fond of talking. Perhaps I could pull that one off. I finally decide to stick with fierce but mysterious. I won't speak to anyone unless spoken to, maybe not even then.

The elegant elevator comes to halt and its doors slide open. I can feel my mouth drop. This can't be where we're staying! And I thought that the train was magnificent.

A long hallway stretches down the corridor. At the very end I can see a seating area with a massive television mounted on the brightly colored wall. Rooms, which I'm guessing is where we will be sleeping, are down the hall as well.

"I'll show you you're living quarters are," Juniper squeaks excitedly.
She motions to a lime green door. "This is where you'll be staying, Blaze."
My fellow tribute opens his door and walks in. As soon as it's opened, its closed once again.

Juniper bounces over to a pale yellow door and turns the knob. My eyes grow round. Wow. It's so extravagant! This single room is almost three times the size of my entire house in District Twelve!

A huge bed is pushed up against a deep purple wall. A nightstand with a crystal lamp sits next to it. A massive oak wardrobe lies in the far corner, holding an uncountable number of outfits. Two plush chairs sit next to a large window overlooking Capitol grounds. Far off in the distance, I can see some trees. Oh, how I wish I could be there instead of here in the Capitol! But, however much I wish, it'll never happen. My days with Spruce out in the forest surrounding my district are over.

"I'll leave you to yourself for a few hours. Dinner is at 5:30." With that, she gently closes the door, leaving me to look at my room.

I spot a rather large door next to the wardrobe. My guess is that it's the bathroom. I push it open. An extravagant shower with innumerable buttons takes up half of the huge space. I can feel my legs grow heavy. A hot, steaming shower sounds quite pleasant at the moment. I close the door and let my clothes fall to the ground in a pile. I take out my precisely braided hair and let it fall around my shoulders.

I step foot in the shower and push a button randomly. Immediately, freezing cold water jets out from all directions. My breath nearly knocks out of me . I madly scramble to the buttons and press around twenty. One's bound to work, right? Finally, soothing warm water begins to stream out instead. I let out a sigh of relief. After about five minutes of figuring out what each button represents, I sit down and let the hot water sprinkle on me. It's so relaxing, that I jump to my feet, siding on the slick surface and crash to the floor on my side, as a knock on the door sounds.

"What?" I snap.

"Dinner is in five minutes!" Juniper calls through the slightly opened door.

"Ok! I'll be there shortly!" I reply, rubbing my now painful ribs.

I pour a purple lavender scented soap on my hands and lather it onto my hair. After it's all rinsed out, I hesitantly turn off the shower. As soon as I step out, warm air blasts me from all directions. Not a droplet of water remains on my skin. Wow, I didn't even need a towel.

I slip on a lime green robe and scamper out of the bathroom and to the wardrobe. I select a black tank top with camouflaged cargo pants. I slip on the long black boots I wore from the chariot rides and run my fingers through my hair. No time to braid it.

Knowing that if I waste anymore time Juniper will give me a firm lecture, I nearly run out the door and down the hall.

Blaze, Juniper, Isobel and the other members of our prep teams, and a strange man that I've never seen before are seated at a long white table. Juniper points a finger at me accusingly, "I told you not to be late!"

I pretend not to hear her and I take a seat and begin filling my plate with smoked pork, a pasta with a sweet smelling red sauce, and small round biscuits.

"So you're Annabeth?"

I turn to see the man looking at me. He has an oddly shaved beard and piercing blue eyes, along with snowy white hair; although he's definitely not old, the frost colored hair must be the in style.

"Yeah." I reply as I pop a biscuit in my mouth.

"Well, my name is Justus. I'll be your "mentor" for the Games." He says, "Of course, I've never been in the Hunger Games, but after many years of studying tactics and strategies for them, I'll do my best to coach you."

I grunt in reply and continue stuffing my mouth with food, being sure that Juniper sees me lick my fingers. I'm satisfied when she gives me a glare colder than ice.

It's then I realize the people scurrying around our table. My guess is that they're waiters and waitresses. One of them comes by and sets a finely decorated cake with coal colored icing. Black iced roses surround it, adding a nice touch. My mouth waters at the sight of it. I've only had cake once before, and that was a few days after Jade was born.

I remember Father bringing it home, a huge smile plastered on his face. That was when District Thirteen was still in existence. I swallow angrily and blink away the fury that's threatening to bring tears to my eyes.
"Who's ready for cake?" Justus shouts, cutting a large piece and plopping it on a crystal plate.

I ignore him and stare at the wall. Why couldn't things just stay the way they were back in District Thirteen?

I'm too lost in thought that I don't even notice that I knock over my glass of water. The crystal shatters on the floor and the liquid inside creates a mess.

"Darn it!" I growl as I bend down to pick up the glass.

"Annabeth! That's the Avoxes's job!" Juniper squeals.

Avox? Then I remember. An Avox is a person, usually a criminal, whose tongue is cut out so they can't speak. I shudder at the thought.

As I sit back up, I nearly crash into a female Avox who's bent down cleaning the mess I made.

"Oh, uh sorry." I stumble over my words.

As she meets eyes with me, my mouth goes dry. This can't be real- can't be happening.

An exact replica of Jade- except older, more aged, and hauntingly skinnier, stares back at me with tears brimming in her eyes.

"Y-You're alive..."