The Hunger Games: The Flight of the Sawbeetles (male reader x josh hutcherson)

Chapter 2 - White, Finite

    Shock, astonishment, surprise— such a strange yet horribly powerful emotion. The entire carriage ride on the way to the capitol train station had me drowning in it— helplessly struggling to breathe without making a sound. I found myself twisting my fingers together in strange maneuvers to help the rising anxious feeling inside me with no use. How the hell did I get here.

——————

Chapter 2 - White, Finite

——————

    My eyes wandered around the interior of the small vehicle— our escort, who's name I had the pleasure of figuring out was Envia, sat uncomfortably close sandwiched between Nancy and I. The seats were hard, polished wood along with the walls and back of the seat in front of me. The thinly carved windows allowed for a very obstructed view of mainly trees and houses as we trailed along farther and farther.

As I wiped my moistening hands dry of sweat onto my pants, I glanced outside and realized this could very well be the last time I ever see my district. The district I grew up in, had all my first life experiences, and learned every single thing I still hold onto. I still found it odd that my emotions weren't as strong as I thought they should be.

"The train ride is lovely if I do say so myself, it is the height of luxury compared to this chum wasteland," Envia said, dramatizing her words with funny hand gestures. Her silk-gloved fingers danced in the corner of my eye, her voice merely background noise to the volcanic blast of my impending doom.

"Well, were here! Let's hop on the train to the training station and get you two settled, shall we?"

Envia tugged along her puffy dress out of the carriage as I followed behind. Nancy trudged behind me, her eyes never leaving the ground in front of her. I wasn't sure how I could even speak to her in such a situation.

    The three of us boarded the train, and I had to admit— Envia was correct. It seemed very luxurious to the rather plain architecture of district 4. The metal interior walls had modernized lines and patterns, with the windows stretching widely to allow as much room for viewing as possible. As I began exploring the first car, the train started to move— but it so smooth it was as if the floor wasn't moving at all.

    Envia sat us down in the dining car before sitting across from us, waiting for our mentor to arrive shortly. Nancy was next to me on the seat closest to the window, still keeping her eyes anywhere except from mine.

    "Oh, just you wait until you two meet your mentor. He is just such a darling," Envia said as I giggled and brushed a strand of her golden-like hair off her face.

    "Well, He will be here soon. Feel free to enjoy the complimentary pastries, the best in all of Panem," She said before standing up and strutting along to the next car.

    I exhaled softly as I looked down at my fingers resting on the wooden table in front of me. I didn't feel fear as much as I felt uncomfortable. I had finally felt the cold touch of reality swallow me whole— I was not going to make it out of this alive. This was it.

    What a shame that I had gotten into this. Having a shot at being a career victor for the games didn't sound nearly as exciting as they had made it seem. I don't even know who the past victors were because I frankly didn't care. The entire idea of the games was so strange.

    I never wished so desperately that I was out on the dock working with Mary like we did just yesterday, free and reckless. God, why did this have to happen? I was living such a content life in district 4. Well, content for the most part.