Hunger | A Jikook Hunger Games AU

̶̶̶̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ «̶ ̶̶̶ Chapter Five ̶ ̶ ̶»̶ ̶̶̶ ̶ »̶ ̶̶̶

The train ride to The Capital wasn't too long all things considered—a couple hours, but nothing more. The reaping was in the morning, they left around noon, had lunch and a couple free hours after, but it wasn't an overnight trip. They gave the tributes rooms to make them comfortable, they accommodated them with all things necessary, but there really wasn't time to use most of what they were given. There was time to eat, to get some of Yoongi's training, to maybe rest a little bit if they so wished, but that was about all.

Jimin looks through one of the train's many windows, slightly in awe. He knew The Capital was absurd in many ways—that much he could gather from what he saw on TV. But he didn't realize the absurdity was at a level this extreme. It was more than Jimin felt he could comprehend.

The average Capital citizen—appearing in droves in front of the train station—made Hoseok look extremely normal somehow. District 10's escort only wore bright clothes and dyed his hair flashy colors. Most other Capitalites, on the other hand, had big, bright hairdos, and ostentatious, over-the-top clothes. Some of them had even dyed their skin various colors. They were flamboyant and jovial. The way they acted made it seem as if they didn't have a single problem in the world.

Jimin couldn't imagine living this kind of lifestyle. He was content with his plain clothes, and his normal hair color. Sure, he had his hardships, but he liked his life enough.

Or...he used to anyways.

Would he have been happier if he were a Capitalite? If he were born here, would he come to know any feeling beyond utter contentment? Maybe...maybe if this were the only life he had ever known, he'd love those clothes, that hair, their high-pitched voices. He'd never have to worry about getting taken from his home and sent to kill his peers. He'd never have to worry about his brother, or his best friend—the one he loves—being ripped away from him to be killed for entertainment.

For the first time in his life, Jimin wished he was one of those Capitalites. He wished he loved those absurd styles, and foreign mannerisms. He wished The Capital was his home.

But it wasn't, and he wasn't coming here to return home...he was coming here to die.

The train comes to a stop and the doors open. Jungkook was by his side the second they did, his face coming close to Jimin's ear.

"Remember to smile, Mimmie," Jungkook whispers. The nickname alone causes him to ease up, just the tiniest bit. He knew Jungkook was right—he needed to get people to like him. He wasn't going to get sponsors with a permanent frown on his face.

And so, with a deep breath, he smiles big, his eyes bright. He has to pretend to be proud. He has to think from the mindset of a Capitalite. He thinks in his mind...if he were to act as such, what would he say? 'I am proud to be a part of this event. I am part of an event to entertain people. I am a cute doll. If I smile, people will love me.'

That made Jimin sick to his stomach.

He surprised himself with how big he could make his smile. Because right now, there was nothing to smile about.

The crowd cheers at them. Behind Jimin's smile was anger. His Capitalite mindset was gone. How could they be so heartless!? These people—these children—were coming to The Capital to get slaughtered, and they're ecstatic at the thought.

But...it wasn't really their fault, Jimin realizes, not on a personal level. These people were so out of touch from reality. They were raised this way...it was like the districts were a different species. They could watch children of another species get murdered for their pleasure, in the same way Jimin was okay with livestock getting slaughtered for food. That was how they saw the districts...animals. Nothing more.