Rising Flames

Chapter 4: Goodbyes

The room where I will say my goodbyes is beautifully furnished; two soft, red velvet couches sit in the centre of the room; lovely blue carpet lines the ground; a small carved coffee table stands next to the couches. I move over to one of the seats, sitting down, waiting for my last goodbyes to commence. I cannot cry. I cannot show fear in front of Rue - I must protect her from that pain for as long as possible.
The door to the room opens, revealing Rue, Archer, Marlo, Katniss - carrying Maya - and Peeta. In the doorway behind them stands Haymitch, watching our sorrowful farewell with pain in his eyes.
Rue speaks first, "Maysillee! You can't go! You'll die..." She has tears in her eyes, making them shine in the golden light of the room.
Mum comes up behind her, speaking to her, carefully, quietly. "Have some faith in her. She's strong."
"Rue, it's ok. Mum and Dad are going to be there the whole time. So will Haymitch. I've been taught many things, and there are those buttons around the arena, remember," she nods slowly, "I have a chance."
"But you'll try and win, right?" She looks up at me, pleading eyes. "Maybe you can." I nod. "You promise?" She asks me, begging with her eyes and her expression.
"I promise." I say to her, but not only to her, to all my family, especially to Katniss.
Katniss looks at me, then at Peeta. "Take the kids out."
Peeta ushers all my siblings out, saying goodbye to me as he goes. Katniss sits down in the other seat, looking at her hands for a while. Then, finally, she looks up at me, speaking clearly, making sure I understand. "You will try though won't you?"
"Of course, mum." I speak to her, truly believing that I could show her how sincere I was.
"Make sure you work hard. But don't let them change you."
"How would they change me?"
"It's just something that your father said to me before our first games, that he didn't want anything to change him." She smiles at the memory before continuing, "stay compassionate, stay strong. Try to survive, but don't let them change you." She smiles at me again, pats my knee, then stands up and leaves the room.
My mind keeps mulling over her last words, "don't let them change you."
I won't let them change me. I will prove to them I am not just a piece in their games. I am like my parents; brave, strong - rebellious. I won't let them change me.