Sunshine - A Hunger Games Story

6| Sightseeing

"Eat something, kid. You're not going to have a meal until after the parade." We are all sitting at the small dining table eating a fancy lunch together.

"He's right. You're going to want to stock up, on carbs especially. Eat as much as you can before entering the arena, that way you'll have more energy to survive," Elouise states.

I cautiously spoon the unknown liquid into my mouth and am over taken by the amount of taste infused. "I get what she means, though," Fred adds. "We don't have anything this flavorful back at home."

"It's way different from the corn water and bread I eat at home."

It goes quiet as we continue to eat. I guess mentioning your poverty is not a good conversation starter. We eventually finish eating. After dinner we all go separate ways. I head to the back of the train again, Minnie heads up front to check on the conductor, Elouise and Humphrey head to the sleeping quarters to talk in private, and I'm not sure where Fred went.

We head through a few tunnels and in one I see a few district 6 workers repairing something on the side of the tracts. The three of them look up as the train passes, not with enjoyment, but with grief and sadness. I really am going to die.

Then, the tunnel opens up to the Capital. It's an amazing view, big intricate buildings and colors everywhere. Soon we came upon a train station with people gathered around the train. Everyone is in bright colors with fancy dresses and interesting hairstyles. All of them wave and smile at our train, cheering me up a tiny bit. I smile back and give a shy wave to the crowd.

When we all step out of the train, the Capital people all cheer. I feel my face heat up from all the attention. I start clenching and releasing my fist in order to distract part of me while we quickly make our way to the tribute center. Once inside, a group of who I assume are stylists or makeup people usher me and Fred into different curtained off rooms.

"Okay, we're gonna have you strip down so we can fix you all up, okay?" The short dude in a wizard gown says

I awkwardly stand still before slowly stripping down. I feel uncomfortable while he watches me, his face contorting into different expressions as I continue.

"Okay now," he states after I'm done, "let's get you to the showers first. Jannet! Yes, Jannet, can you scrub her down please. You too Jane." Two ladies scurry into my room and start doing as the man says.

They lead me under a shower head near the edge of the room with a drain in the floor. The two women turn on the shower and one of them grabs a hose to, presumably, spray me down with.

After three showers, a thorough waxing of my body hairs, a haircut changing my hair's length from hip length to just past my shoulders, and a lot of unidentified creams and lotions, I am finally free of their grasps.

That is, until a few moments later when my stylist strides in.

She is a short plump woman with a towering white wig that makes up for the height difference. She's dressed in a short sleeved collared shirt and a long plaid skirt. As she walks into the room, she grabs a light paper robe from one of the counter tops and checks a clipboard laying next to it before she finally looks at me.

"Eyesha? Ayshe Sandanta?" Her eyes glance over my exposed body before continuing. "I could work with this. A little on the small side. Make a few adjustments. Did they get your measurements? Ah, yes. Here they are. I'll be right back, put this on for now." She tosses me the robe and leaves before she can finish her thought.

I quickly put on the robe.

For five or so minutes I wait for her to come back. When she does, she is dragging in a rack full of dresses. Some I recognize from previous Hunger Games, some are brand new.