Peaceful Forever [Book 1]

Chapter 3

The next thing you remember was the door opening and Annie engulfing you in a hug.

"Oh Ams why would you do that for me," she cried, clinging onto you with all her might.
"Annie, you deserve it. You have been everything to me and I couldn't just sit back and let you go into those games. You deserve a happy life with a nice boy in a cottage by the sea." You state calmly and caringly.
"But Ams what about you?" she cried, "you deserve those things too."
"It's ok Annie. I'll get those things when I return from the games," you smile. Did you think you would actually win the games? No lol. But you couldn't let Annie know that.

"Here," Annie said as she took off her necklace. "Wear it for me. So I can be with you in the arena."
"Thanks Annie," you say as Peacekeepers let you know that Annie's visit is over. "I'll see you in a few weeks."

A sobbing Annie is quickly replaced by Mr. and Mrs. Cresta. Mr. Cresta spends their 5 minute visit thanking you profusely for saving Annie (clearly he doesn't think you're getting out either) and Mrs. Cresta whispers a few apologies to me about the circumstances. When they leave, you breathe a sigh of relief and prepare to head to the train.

Your relief is short lived, however, when Devon enters the room.
"Hey Devon what do you want?" You asked. Devon never came to you unless he needed something.
"Um I just wanted to say thanks I guess for saving Annie..."
"Ok well you are welcome," you annoyingly replied.
"Oh and um I talked with Dorian, he promised me he'd ally with you in the arena and help protect you," Devon said.

This left you kinda shocked as this may be the first non selfish thing you have ever witnessed Devon do.
"Oh um thanks Devon. I appreciate it," you smile at him. He nods and leaves and you finally get to board the train.

The train is absurdly extravagant, overwhelming all of your senses. Taking in a deep breath you try your best to stay present and in the moment. The worst thing you could do now is check out and miss all the important mentoring and training that could save you life.

Valencia guides you and Dorian to the dining cart where lunch is set on the table. Looking at Dorian, you notice that he looks more like an 18 year old than a 16 year old. Standing at about 5'10" he towers over you and has well defined muscles from his academy training. Just his appearance alone makes you realize why they let him volunteer two years early.

"Well you two are in for a week of luxury!" s
exclaimed Valencia as the trio sat down at the table. You had yet to build up the nerve to talk to Dorian, not because he was attractive (he was attractive by Annie's standards but tbh you didn't really find people attractive), but because he was intimidating. Would you be able to trust him to protect you? Or would he turn on you the second the games started?

You were pulled back to the present by the sound of someone clearing their throat and staring at you. Quickly realizing that Finnick had asked you a question you reply, "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"
"Oh I asked what your name was," he stated, clearly annoyed.
"Um my names Amily Tides and I'm 18 and don't really have any skills besides zoning out and having mental breakdowns," you state.
Dorian laughs and you get a sympathetic look from Mags who is sat across from you and Dorian.

"She's never had to work a day in her life," stated Dorian. "She lives at the mayors house and dropped out of the pre-academy when she was 11. I honestly have no clue why Devon even wants me to bother trying to protect you."
The table goes silent.

"Well for your information I was adopted by the mayor's family after I was orphaned at 7 and then dropped out of the academy to homeschool when I was 11 because I wasn't welcome at the academy and I prefer avoiding people all together," you state as you stand up from your seat, clearly over the conversation. Valencia excused herself and quickly showed you to your room so you could calm down.

A few hours later Valencia grabs you and let's you know that you are almost at the capital. It only takes around 5 hours to get from District 4 to the capital so you think it must be nearing 6pm and thus dinner.

Exiting your room, you find Dorian chatting with Finnick in the lounge, presumably about academy stuff. You quickly find a seat on the opposite end of the room and close your eyes again, attempting to block out any mention of reality. Your eyes flutter open when Mags takes a seat next to you and grabs your hand to wake you.

She starts in a quiet voice, "When we get to the capital, we are going to have dinner on our floor in the training center and then bright and early tomorrow, your prep team will come get you to prepare for the tribute parade. The prep is not the most fun thing in the world, but smile through it, and it will be over quickly."

Something about Mags brings you comfort and you quickly and quietly thank her for updating you. The train slows and you prepare to disembark.

"Amily you need to smile at the crowd and act excited to be here," said Finnick as you waited for the door to open. "I know you aren't excited to be here but pretending like you are will help with sponsors."
"Ok I can try," you annoyingly state.
"That's my girl!" Finnick exclaims.

My girl? Lol no but anyways I have to get off this train now.

The doors open and the screams of the crowd are deafening. You quickly follow Dorian and Finnick, Mags by your side, as you flash a smile and shyly wave at the crowd. It's absolutely terrifying, but you're quickly ushered into a car and taken to the tribute center before you can give the capital people much thought.

Dinner goes by slowly. Finnick tries to get you to open up more but you aren't comfortable with Dorian around. Mags gives your hand the occasional comforting squeeze throughout the meal. After dinner, Mags brings you to your room to sit with you. You know she can sense how uncomfortable the guys make you feel so she wants to chat where it's just the two of you.

"I'm sorry about the boys Amily," she said. "I could tell they were bothering you."
"It's nothing really. They just remind me a lot of why I left the academy. The people there weren't really nice to me," you sighed. Not really nice was an understatement. You remember them hurling insults at you daily throughout the halls and through whispers in class.

"You're so annoying"
"Nobody here even likes you"
"Just go kill yourself"

Mags grabs your hand.
"Volunteering for your sister was very brave," she stated sincerely. "You are a good person Amily and you deserve to go home to her."

The reality of the situation starts to sink in as you let a single tear slide down your cheek. To be honest you didn't feel worthy of "winning" let alone surviving the games. You were an academy drop out with no sense of purpose.

"Thanks Mags," you replied. "Do you think maybe tomorrow after the parade we could do a little bit of training? It would help me feel less nervous."
"Of course dear," she cooed. "Now shower and get changed into comfy clothes. I need you in the lounge at 8pm sharp so we can watch the recap of the reapings."

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AN: We love a caring Mags, but then again, when is she not caring? I promise Finnick will be a more fun person once he is able to drop his capital persona around Amily.