In which sixteen-year-old Barley Miller from District 9 is thrown into an arena to fight to the death with not only 22 other children but with her younger brother as well, Barley has to figure out how she can keep both of them alive as well as deali...
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THE NERVES WHERE setting in, as Barley leaned her head against the car window, her heart pounded against her ribcage like an animal trying to escape a cage. Barley was starting to realize this wasn't all a dream she had really won the games and would be going home.
The car that Barley was in raced down the Capitol streets, the world around her blurring as she looked out the window, the car soon stopped outside The Academy building which Barley had been in just a few days ago preparing for her interview, how things have changed.
A peacekeeper opens the door for Barley an act which confused her, why were they suddenly acting like she was something special, long gone were handcuffs and dirty looks, the peacekeeper took hold of her shoulder gently and escorted her inside, the inside of the building was much more grand than Barley remembers it being.
She is taken to the office of Dean Casca Highbottom the creator of the games and Dean of the academy, when the door to the office is opened Barley sees the Dean standing there she remembered him from the Mentor-Tributes first interviews a few days ago and to Barley, it felt like a whole other life. Along with the Dean was Apollo the boy dressed in his blood-red uniform, he speed walks up to Barley and engulfs her into a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry"Apollo whispers his voice full of sadness.
Much to Barley's surprise she hugs him back, enjoying the warmth of genuine human contact, the last person she hugged being Coral's corpse, she rests her head against his chest Barley being shorter than Apollo. "It's okay, it's not your fault,"Barley tells him her voice muffled by Apollos's shirt.
The two soon pull apart, Apollo takes hold of Barley's hand and the pair walk over to where the Dean and a photographer are standing, Barley gives as best of a smile as she can manage.
"Barley, this is Dean Casca Highbottom, the dean of the Academy and creator of the Hunger Games"Apollo announces as they arrive, the Dean extends his out to Barley and the girl from Nine accepts it shaking his hand gently.
"Congratulations, Mrs. Miller, we'd like to get a photo of you and Mr. Ring to mark this historic moment,"The Dean tells her.
Barley nods politely, she stands next to Apollo the older boy placing his arm around her, Barley notices how pristine and put together Apollo is while Barley looks like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards nevertheless, Barley puts on a wide smile trying her best to act like she happy and not slowly drowning in a pit of sadness.
The photographer takes a few photos of the Mentor and tribute before exiting the room, Barley turns to the Dean. "What happened now then, sir?"Barley questions praying to whatever is out there that she can go home soon.
"Mr. Ring and his sister have generously agreed to allow you to clean up in their home before you are escorted to the train station and sent home,"Casca tells her.
Barley turns to Apollo with a snarky smile on her face. "I'm sure your parents will love that,"She tells him teasingly.
Apollo says nothing and the pair begin to walk out before Barley stops and turns back to look at The Dean. "Sir. can I ask you a question?"Barley asks.
