May the odds be ever in your favour (Book 1)

6

Ryan PoV

I wake up in the morning with the sunshine blazing through the windows of my room or compartment. Whatever the hell this place where I sleep is.  I try to keep my eyes closed, as if they're glued shut.  I try to lose myself in the bed, with it's humongous pillows and posh, satiny linen.  I am trying desperately to remember the dream I had. I am failing pretty bad, as I can only recall Lucy Gray singing a song, but instead of it being the song that we were singing yesterday, it's an older one. Something about a tree. 

I can't remember exactly.  I just lie there, hopelessly trying to remember the words of the song, but my stomach growls loudly. Over and over. Eventually I have no choice but to get up and dressed, in order to go for breakfast.  I walk out of my sleeping quarters and go to knock on Katniss's door, but ultimately decide that I will let her sleep. I doubt she fell asleep as easy as I did. 

She was probably thinking of ways to make sure we both survive. I only bother to think of her survival. My main strategy, get a bow and shoot anyone who tries to hurt Katniss. Even if it's one of the tributes I would prefer not to waste my arrows on. 

I walk into the living/dining cart, Effie is sitting on the couch, with her back towards the table. I sit near Effie and she looks completely different, in a nice pastel blue dress. Although I question if the 3D nature of the appliqué  is really needed? She also looks like she's been crying. 

"Effie are you okay?" I ask, hoping my presence won't startle her. 

"I'm fine Ryan, thank you," 

"Are you sure Effie?" 

She doesn't need to answer me verbally, the squeak she makes trying to stifle a sob. I pat her hand, awkwardly. 

"You'd think that after 4 years of escorting tributes, I'd be used to it all. But I'm not. What you and Katniss did yesterday, no-one in District 12 has done that. Not in all 74 years of the games. No-one."  She quietly cries.  

I don't really know how to respond to that, so instead I just pat her hand. Then go back and sit on the armchair, after offering her a tissue. Haymitch,  fell in and he looked ill.  He sits down on the table, and begins to have toast for breakfast.  I go over and force Haymitch to talk. 

"I'd just make a fire if I was cold,"  I say, although I know it probably wouldn't be the best course of action. 

"A sure and easy way to get killed," Haymitch returned

"What's a sure and easy way to get killed?" asked Katniss, as she walks through the door. 

"Good of you to join us sweetheart," Haymitch greets, slightly patronisingly.  "I'm just giving your boyfriend some handy tips," 

"Okay.  Will you share?"  asked Katniss, taking the seat opposite me and next to Haymitch.  There is a pause. Haymitch tilts his head the way a dog does when you confuse it.  He smiles, and I know where this is going. I should warn him, but I don't. 

"Could you pass me the marmalade sweetheart?"  he says instead, and Katniss picks up a knife instead, narrowly missing his hand, as she stabs the table. 

"That wasn't a request Haymitch," She hisses. Haymitch chuckles. I shake my head at him, warning him. Fortunately, Effie interrupts them. 

"That is Mahogany!" she gasps and I burst out laughing. It is truly remarkable to me how Effie can go from emotional like she was when I walked in and then to a genuine state of shock.  I choose not to respond verbally, however, I look at Katniss. She looks at me. We both roll our eyes. Katniss then calmly, takes the knife out of the table and lays it back down.