The Girl Who Sparked the Capitol - Book 2 - Peeta

Chapter 4

They slog back to the train in silence. In the hallway outside Alessia's door, Haymitch gives her shoulder a pat and says, "You could do a lot worse, you know." He heads off to his compartment, taking the smell of wine with him. 

In Alessia's room, she removes her sodden slippers, her wet robe and pajamas. There are more in the drawers but she just crawls between the covers of her bed in her underclothes. She stares into the darkness, thinking about her conversation with Haymitch. Everything he said was true about the Capitol's expectations, her future with Peeta, even his last comment. Of course, Alessia could do a lot worse than Peeta. That isn't really the point, though, is it? One of the few freedoms they have in District 12 is the right to marry who they want or not marry at all. And now even that has been taken away from Alessia. She wonders if President Snow will insist they have children. If they do, the children will have to face the reaping each year. And wouldn't it be something to see the child of not one but two victors chosen in the arena? Victors' children have been in the ring before. It always causes a lot of excitement and generates talk about how the odds are not in that family's favor. But it happens too frequently to just be about odds. Gale and Katniss are convinced the Capitol does it on purpose, rigs the drawings to add extra drama. Given all the trouble Alessia has caused, she's probably guaranteed any child of hers' a spot in the Games.

She thinks of Haymitch, unmarried, no family, blotting out the world with drinks. He could have had his choice of any woman in the district. And he chose solitude. Not solitude- that sounds too peaceful. More like solitary confinement. Was it because, having been in the arena, he knew it was better than risking the alternative? Alessia had a taste of that alternative when they called Prim's name and Katniss started to volunteer on reaping day and Alessia watched Katniss fight Prim to walk on stage to her death. But as Katniss' best friend and not even family, Alessia could take her place, an option forbidden by Katniss' mother who had talked to all three of them about.

Alessia's mind searches frantically for a way out. She can't let President Snow condemn her to this. Even if it means taking her own life. Before that, though, she'd try to run away. What would they do if she simply vanished? Disappeared into the woods and never came out? Could she even manage to take everyone she loves with her, start a new life deep in the wild? Highly unlikely but not impossible.

Alessia shakes her head to clear it. This is not the time to be making wild escape plans. She must focus on the Victory Tour. Too many people's fates depend on her giving a good show.

Dawn comes before sleep does, and there's Effie rapping on her door. Alessia pulls on whatever clothes are at the top of the drawer and drags herself down to the dining car. She doesn't see what difference it makes when she gets up, since this is a travel day, but then it turns out that yesterday's makeover was just to get her to the train station. Today Alessia will get the works from her prep team.

"Why? It's too cold for anything to show," Alessia grumbles.

"Not in District Eleven," says Effie.

District 11. Their first stop. Alessia would rather start in any other district, since this was Rue's home. But that's not how the Victory Tour works. Usually it kicks off in 12 and then goes descending district order to 1, followed by the Capitol. The victor's district is skipped and saved for very last. Since 12 puts on the least fabulous celebration- usually just a dinner for the tributes and a victory rally in the square, where nobody looks like they're having any fun- it's probably best to get them out as soon as possible. This year, for the first time since Haymitch won, the final stop on the tour will be 12, and the Capitol will spring for the festivities.

Alessia tries to enjoy the food like Hazelle said. The kitchen staff clearly wants to please her. They've prepared her favorite, lamb stew with dried plums, among other delicacies. Orange juice and a pot of steaming hot chocolate wait at her place at the table. So she eats a lot, and the meal is beyond reproach, but she can't say she's enjoying it. She is also annoyed that no one but Effie and her have shown up.