The Celebrity Games

Chapter 4

Running my hand along the patterns on the mahogany dresser that stood in the middle of the room, I reminded myself why I was there. I was there because I wanted to save my cousin, I didn't want to watch her die and I had no intent in letting her do the same. If I won this, it would mean I would never have to see her go through it.

Suddenly the door burst open and my parents ran into the room, a mingled look of sorrow and shock still etched onto their faces. Smiling sadly, I gave them both a hug, getting smothered with kisses from my mum.

"I'll be fine, mum. I swear." I reassured her, patting her on the back as she started to cry into my shoulder. I was seriously on the brink of tears, but I couldn't cry, not when the whole world would be watching when I walked out of the town hall.

"Oh sweetie, why did you do it?" She wept, shaking with the sobs.

"Because I couldn't let her do it. She wouldn't last a day.."

"But... I just don't want to loose you! I love you so much sweetpea!"

I gently prised her off and wiped her tears away.

"Shush, now. Ok? I'll be back. I promise." I promised, giving her one last hug before turning to my dad. Enveloping me into a hug, he didn't say a thing as we stood there, everything expressed in this rare gesture of comfort. He never was one for words, always preferring to be the listener rather than the talker.

"You're going to win, Ok?" He said, holding me at shoulder length, his blue eyes staring sternly into my almost identical ones. "You're a sure bet, honey. I'll be rooting for you."

I bit my lip and nodded, reassuring him that I would win, that I would win it for him and Mum, Jess, Matisse... Heck, anyone and everyone. With that, their time was up and I had a minute break to gather my thoughts before the next visitor was sent in.

"Fran! Why?" Jess cried, giving me a massive hug. I could tell she was trying not to cry.

"You know why, OK? You're like a sister to me and I couldn't bare to watch you die. Ever." I consoled, hugging her back.

"Well how do you think I'll feel if you die?"

"I'm not going to let them kill me."

We stood there in silence for a while, just hugging. Jess had started to cry now and I was comforting her, rocking her as she not-so-silently cried into my other shoulder. Soon it was time for her to leave and handing her a tissue, she slowly moped out of the room, looking over her shoulder at me as she went. I gave her a brave smile and slowly waved to her as the door swung shut.

I now had wet patches on both of my shoulders and was desperately trying to dry them with the air coming in from the window, but so far, no such luck. I was still standing there, wafting air onto my shoulders when strong arms wrapped around my waist. Turning round to face Matisse, I slid my arms around him and hugged him back.

"I'm Ok, Mattie..." I said, not sure if I was reassuring myself or him. Probably a bit of both.

"I know, Fran. I know." He replied, looking down at me. "You're going to be better than OK because you're going to win this for me."

"But can I?" I questioned him, looking up into his eyes, searching for answers. Answers to what, I wasn't quite sure of. Maybe answers to all my questions; reassurance to all my doubts. But whatever I was looking for, his eyes didn't hold. They sure were nice to look at though.

"Yes. I'm completely sure. I've seen you with a bow and I taught you how to use a blade myself. You always shoot the prey carefully, right through the eye. If you can't win this thing then I'll eat one of Big Baz's stew surprises. I'm sure we'll meet again shortly after that..." He praised, a slight smile appearing on his face at the last bit.

I laughed, a bit of stress lifting off me every second he was here. But soon enough he had to go; giving me one last hug goodbye, he walked out of the door, looking back once to smile at me then walk away. That would possibly be the last time I would see any of them.

Soon enough, Lizzie came strutting through the door, gathering Nicole and I into an expensive looking Mercedes Benz. I still couldn't cry-no-I wouldn't cry, but Nicole already looked like she had been and was still letting out a few tears silently.

"Right guys, you're in for a big treat, you know?" Lizzie started off, talking to both of us, but not really caring if we were listening or not, "Your mode of transport is the best the empire can offer! Velvet seats, soft comfy beds, closets the size of two whole rooms and five star catering! You'll have it all, even though it may be for only a few days..."

She trailed off when she saw weren't listening.

"Well, you'll just see when you get there." She concluded, huffing slightly.

Oh, we did see when we got there. How could you miss it? A great big zeppelin stretching across the ground, the travelling part at the bottom was four times as big as my house and that's saying something. My house is three stories high and has rather a lot of area to move in.

Stepping out of the car, we were met by a load of camera crews and news reporters. Ignoring them all, I walked steadily and straight on into the entrance and waited for Nicole. There, we waved at the sea of cameras, smiled and walked into the zeppelin.

Inside took my breath away. It was luxury to the limit, with its white and black marble surfaces with gold and silver trimmings. True to Lizzie's word, there were red velvet seats and from the smell, some rather delicious meal being prepared just for us! Padding into my room, I took one look at the place and started to bounce on my king-sized bed.

Yep, its springy enough.

"Hey, would you cut that out? I have the mother of all hangovers going on here!" A drunken voice drawled from outside the door.

"Geez, sorry dude. Do you want a coffee?" I apologised, getting off the bed and peeking round the door to see who the dis embodied voice belonged to. A red-headed drunk man dressed scruffily in a tattered looking suit was sprawled on the floor, holding his head and moaning slightly.

"That would be great, love. Make sure to irish it up a little if you would be so kind." He called after me as I walked to the living area which included a dining space. Sighing, I grabbed a coffee from the side and added some non-alcoholic lager to it. If he had a hangover, he didn't want to make it worse by drinking even more booze.

"Here you go, drink up." I chirped, handing him the requested drink. Sitting down beside him as he slurped the coffee gratefully, I realised I didn't even know his name. "Hey, so who are you?"

"The name's Damien Gregories, I'm your mentor. And you are?"

"Francesca."

"Ah, the one who volunteered. The first ever volunteer from our region, am I right?"

"Yeah, I had to save my cousin."

"Oh, so it was your cousin..." He trailed off, thinking a little, "so what makes you think you could do better than her?"

"Well for one, I'm pretty useful with a bow and arrow and I'm sure with your expertise I'm sure to at least get through to the final ten... Hopefully."

"We'll see. I like you, you have guts... And kindness. I'm sure I could do something with you, love. Not many people have managed to get a civilised conversation out of me in years. Even when I've been sober." He said, finishing off his coffee and getting up. "Listen kid, you'd best get some sleep now. You're going to need all you can get before the arena."

With that he helped me up and walked away to the living area. Deciding to take his advice, I went into my room, got changed and ready for bed and as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was fast asleep.

Man, today had been a long day; this was only just the beginning...