❛ 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑺 𝑳𝑶𝑽𝑬- 𝘵𝘩𝘨

CHAPTER 4

Arya leaned over and vomited up bile. Almost at once all heads in the square swiveled to her. She had to go into the dreaded Hunger Games, not once, but twice!? There's no way she could be as lucky as she was the first time.

Johanna glanced at the puddle on the ground next to her shoes, at Arya, then finally at the stage.

Johanna squeezed her hand once more, then stepped forward and said while staring straight at the escort:

"I volunteer as tribute."

Arya's jaw dropped as Johanna confidently walked to the stage. The only thing that would make you think twice about Johanna not being confident were her eyes, which had a slight scared hint in them.

Arya stared at her in disbelief as she watched Johanna stand up there with that defiant look that had resided her face for the past couple of weeks while training.

Arya could fill tears beginning to form in her eyes, so she barely paid attention to the male tribute getting called up on stage.

No one volunteered, so a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and a beard walked up to the stage. He was visibly shaking.

Even though Arya didn't pay attention to the name, she recognized him as Blight, a man she had seen around Victor's Village from time-to-time, out drinking with several other victors.

Arya didn't listen as Johanna shook hands with Blight. All that was going through her head was:

Why would Johanna volunteer for me? Did this have something to do with Johanna's feelings for her?

As peacekeepers walked next to Johanna and Blight to the train, Arya mindlessly followed, along with the male mentor. She didn't know his name, but she didn't ask for it.

As soon as they were in the train, and the vehicle started moving along, Arya grabbed Johanna's hand and pulled her to her bedroom.

"What were you thinking?" Arya hissed. "You could die!"

Johanna stared at her. "What, and you don't think you would? If it were between the two of us, honestly, I'd rather myself die. You're too innocent and sweet."

"Well, I survived once, didn't I? I could've done it again!"

"Yes," Johanna stared straight into Arya's eyes. "But you'd be going into an arena with all experienced killers! You've never killed or hurt anyone, and I care too much about you!"

An awkward silence began to fill the room, and tension like the night that the Quarter Quell was announced creeped between the two women.

Johanna finally broke the silence and turned her back, exiting the room. "What's the point about arguing about this anyway? It's done now. Get some sleep before dinner, Arya."

Arya shivered as she was left alone in her room, but not because she was cold. The way Johanna had said her name made her feel all torn up inside, and she didn't know why.