Sunshine - A Hunger Games Story

7| Salty

When our chariots come to a halt, mentors come up to congratulate their tributes on their great performances and guide them to the elevator. Humphrey is nowhere in sight. Elouise comes up to Fred and quickly leads him away. Looking around, I finally catch a glimpse of my own mentor crying next to two other mentors.

I walk over to him, slowly just to give him time and space before I task him with my tribute needs. He's talking to an older lady who signs back to him. I weave through the small crowd of tributes before I see the woman hug Humphrey and rub his back comfortingly. Not wanting to intrude, I stop walking and look around at where else I should go. Where did Elouise go again? My hands automatically cross in front of my exposed stomach.

While I am looking around, my eyes meet with the young male mentor and I quickly avert my eyes. When I glance over in their direction again, his eyes are still on me and he smirks. Oh god, I'm making such a fool out of myself.

I spot the boy from eight being guided by a tall motherly mentor. The Parkers, or so I've heard others talk about when referring to the siblings from district 4, stand off to the side leaning up against a wall chatting with the girl from 5. I decide that talking to them will be the least embarrassing out of all of my options of what to do.

"-with water too? Well, look how much we have in common, don't you think cupcake?" His sister nods. "Hey 9. Come to join the party?"

"I thought it wouldn't hurt," I answered honestly. "What are you guys talking about?"

"I was just talking to five here about all the things we have in common. Trying to have some fun before I die." The older boy certainly has more confidence than I do. "You might not know what that feels like. With you volunteering and all. What, you think you're going to win? That you're better than us?"

"No," I avoid his eyes as I speak, "just stupid."

"Well, that's a relief."

The girl from the district of power, who'd been watching the whole interaction, speaks up, "My name's Faith, this is Rhett and Sydney. What's your name?" The girl extends her hand to shake.

"Ayesha, pleased to meet you." We shake hands. "I mean, given the unfortunate circumstances and all. That- That part is not so pleasing."

"I'd agree with that. But you know what is pleasing, that outfit." Rhett's sister smacks his arm. "You seem to be loving it as much as Faith's enjoying her costume."

An older woman walks up to our group and takes the girl from district 6. "Catch you later Rhett!" she hollers.

"That's 4 to you," he responds quickly. "And here comes our escorts." I looked up to see Humphrey and the two mentors he was talking to walking up to us. That includes the young man who's still smirking at me. The strong scent of sea salt and ocean water wafers off of him.

"Seems as though we have some social butterflies," he points out, his smirk widening.

"Just following your advice ...sir," Rhett comments. I believe he is making fun of the fact that his mentor is so young.

"Rhett, Sydney, met Humphrey Stewart, one of district 9's mentors. I assume you've met Ayesha here. Ayesha, this is Mags and I am Finnick. We're district 4's mentors. I think that covers everything." Humphrey nods in response. "Then we should be heading to our living quarters. A good night's sleep will be good, I suggest the same for you as well."

As the district 4 residents head off to their floor, the woman named Mags signs a quick 'thank you' in my direction. What did I do to deserve her appreciation?

Humphrey and I head up to the 9th floor where we will be staying. As soon as the doors close, my mentor speaks.

"I wanted to thank you again. What you did, volunteering for my little girl, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your sacrifice. I also wanted to tell you, I'll- I'll try as hard as I can to get you out alive."