Innocent Girl - A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Chapter 8: Let the Games Begin

Early in the morning, I get woken up by an alarm system installed be the capitol. Realising that today is the day I'm going into the hunger games,it hits me that I could be dead in a few hours. Yesterday, after the interviews, Alek and I had bid farewell to our mentors and Lara-Rose, because we won't be able to see them today.
"Don't make stupid mistakes, but be quick on your decisions too. Every second counts."
"Don't trust everyone. That's often the deadliest mistake."
"Good luck. I hope to see one of you come out as victor."
I go up to the rooftop with Alek, neither of us saying a word where the other tributes are waiting as well. Even the careers look a bit nervous. Soon enough, a hovercraft comes and lets down 24 ladders, one for each tribute. Glancing around, and seeing others do so too, we all grab the ladders and find that we are frozen to them, minus the cold. A better description would be stuck to them. The ladders ascend, and soon we're in the hovercraft. The people already on board gesture for us tributes to sit in the nearest chair and strap in. We all do so, unable to do anything else. The hovercraft starts to move, and the girl from 9, who I believe is called Mazie, shrieks loudly. Slate snickers, and Mazie looks down, embarrassed.
A little while later, the people come back, this time with syringes. I'd ask what it is, and why we need them, but I am too scared as well. When they inject it into me, I look away and grimace as they poke it into me. All around me, everyone is having similar reactions. Except for the pair from 3, who seem to be analysing the syringe or something. But then I hear a shout.
"What is this?!"
I see the 14 year old girl from 8, Skylar, looking at the syringe fearfully and shoving the people away.
" Continue to resist and you will be shot dead immediately." Says one of them, almost robotically. Skylar whimpers and they inject whatever it is into her. When they finish, the boy from 3, Osmo I think, pipes up,
"It's a tracker. So they know where you are at all times in the arena. It also keeps track of your vitals, so they know if you are dead."
I wince at his words, but at least I know what it was. After that, we all stay silent.

We get let off the hovercraft, and each into seperate underground rooms where our stylists are supposed to be waiting for us. But surprisingly, I find Lena instead of Adele there.
"Adele has unfortunately fallen ill, so I am here instead," Lena says, as if reading my mind. I nod, feeling my throat start to close up. It's all becoming a reality. I could be dead in five minutes. Or less even. Lena doesn't notice, as she hands me the tribute outfit. It's dark grey, like everything else. There is also a relatively light jacket, with your district number on it in large, bold numbers.
"Expect cold temperatures. This jacket is designed to keep you warm, but just warm enough in freezing temperatures that you won't die."
"Alright, thank you," I whisper weakly. She then must realise my facial expression, because she comes over and hugs me. I can't help but let the tears fall down, for no reason other than that I am going to die, and I won't see Julien ever again, or Willow and Haymitch and Katniss and Dean.
"Oh, Almond, please don't cry. Yo-I have full faith in you that you will make it out." Lena scrambles with her words to comfort  me, but I just cry more.
"Almond. H-have you ever been told a story, but have it left in a cliffhanger because you need to earn the end of the story?" I nod, trying my best to wipe away my tears.
"Well, I'm going to tell you one now, about myself," she hesitates for a moment, before continuing,"My real name isn't Lena. Rather, it's Lenara." I gasp.
"B-but isn't that..."
"A district 6 name, yes. Transport. Me, Cinna and my late older sister  are all from District 6."
"But then how are you here?" Lena, or Lenara, chuckles.
"I'm getting to that. See, when I was thirteen, my sister was fourteen, and Cinna was eighteen. And I was reaped."
"So... you're a victor...?" I trail off. That doesn't make sense. Lena chuckles again.
"No, I'm not a victor. This is the part you have to earn. I was reaped, but I'm not a victor, yet I'm still alive." It almost sounds like a riddle.
"One minute until launch," booms the loud speakers. I look to Lena fearfully, but she just offers me a small smile.
"It'll be okay, Almond. It'll be okay." I take a deep breath, and slip on the jacket.
"Thirty seconds until launch." With one last glance at Lena, I turn towards the tube on the other end of the room. Once I finally reach it, I hesitate for a moment.
"Don't worry Almond. Remember that you can make it out." I exhale, and step in. As soon as I do, the door slides shut.
"Ten seconds until launch." I frantically turn back, my eyes wide. Lena smiles again, and motions for me to turn back around. I don't, and she gives me a small wave, her eyes sad. The tube starts to rise up, and I wave tentatively back, and once she is out of sight, I do turn back around. After what feels like eternity, finally, sunlight seeps in through the narrow opening, and not too long after, I am completely above ground. Katniss told me during her games, the first thing that shocked her was the sunlight, and I need to be ready for that. Haymitch and Dean had similar experiences. But my first instinct is not to cover my eyes, but rather, to zip up my jacket as I start shiver. Because all I see is snow. White snow, covering the ground like a blanket, almost everywhere.