The Hunger Games - The Rise of the Phoenix

Chapter 10

    I awake to my mom rubbing my head. I look at the time and it's 5:00 AM in the morning. It looks as if she's crying.
    "I'm so sorry." She whispers. "You have to be at the train station by nine. I'm sorry I was so hard on you. I could just never imagine my baby going into that arena."
    "It's okay. I'll try. I promise." I instantly regret what I said. I don't want to try. But I realize something. My family needs me. Mom, dad, Haymitch, Rye, all of them need me. I need to win.

    This might be the last time I ever see my parents again. I give them both long hugs. They both look like they are about to cry. They also hug River. Peacekeepers grab us and head towards the train. "I'll try! I promise! I love you both!" I scream as the door shuts.

    We are almost to the place below the arena. The train finally stops and it takes a while before the escort River and I to different rooms. When I enter I see Aneen sitting on a couch. She gets ten minutes to dress me. She gives me black leggings, a white shirt, and a thick brown jacket.
    Once I'm done changing Aneen says, "Here let me do your hair." She puts it into a ponytail. Then a game maker walks in with this big needle for a shot. He in injects something into my wrist.
    "Ow!" I yell. "What is that?"
    "That's your tracker. It's how we see you in the arena." He says.
    "Well it hurt." I scoff.
    "It's not supposed to feel good." He says leaving the room.
    "They told me I have to leave early. Someone else wants to see you." Aneen says.
    "Who?" I ask.
    "I don't know but they will come and get me any second." Then she hugs me. "I know you will win Phoenix." She whispers to me. Two peacekeepers barge through the door. They grab her away from me and take her out.
    "No! Stop! Stop!" I scream. I want her to be with me. She's the only one who can comfort me. Then the door handle turns. The door opens revealing the person who wanted to see me. It's President Henry.
    "Hello Sage." He says, trying to intimidate me.
    "What? Why did you want to see me? Haven't you already done enough?" The words fall out of my mouth before I even have time to process them.
    "I sure hope your strategy works." What does he mean by my strategy? I know. He's telling me he wants me to die.
    "What have I done to you?" I yell at him.
    He takes a while to answer. "Nothing."
    "Then why are you doing this to me? Why do you hate me?" I yell even louder.
    "The rebels killed my family. Your mom and dad were both a big part of that."
    "I was not apart of that." I stare at him dead in the eyes. "You've just given me a reason to try. I'm gonna come out of those games alive and when I do you're going to regret ever putting me in them."
    "You have absolutely nothing to do with it. I'm just using you. As a punishment for them."
    "I am not your puppet and I'm not gonna act like a piece in your games. If I ever get the chance, you'll be dead in not even a second."
    "You're going to regret saying that."
    "I will never regret saying that to you. And you know what? I'm glad the rebels killed your family. You deserved it."
    He starts laughing. "Just wait until you're in that arena. I will make sure the gamemakers make it a living hell for you in there."
    A voice comes onto the intercom. "Tributes get into the tubes. Tributes get into the tubes. We have ten seconds until they rise." I step onto the tube shaking. I glare at Henry looking him dead in the eyes.
    "And this, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of Sage Mellark." He says laughing. Then he leaves the room.