Torn: Sequel to Ruthless

Chapter 3

Octavia

I wake in an unfamiliar setting, sharp pains jolting through my body. My eyes snap open, and I quickly scan my surroundings. A white room. Empty. Silent. My heartbeat picks up as the sterile smell of roses fills the air. At least nothing's restraining me. What happened? Why am I here? I wonder, and I must've voiced it aloud because I get an immediate answer.

"Miss Meyer," a voice crackles from the wall, smooth but distant, "you're here because Miss Parker was unfortunately killed in an accident. The Capitol is all about efficiency, so District 2 will not reap another female tribute. As a result, you and Mr. Leigh will represent District 2 in the 76th Hunger Games."

Mr. Leigh. Apollo Leigh. So he's alive.

"How long have I been out?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

"Only a few hours, Miss Meyer. Don't worry, you won't miss the chariot parade."

A door—hidden in the wall, no less—swings open, and three Peacekeepers storm in, grabbing my arms roughly. They drag me out of the room without a word. I shout in protest, pain shooting through my body, but they ignore me as though my discomfort is nothing. They throw me into some kind of lavish vehicle. The ride feels longer than it is, but when I finally arrive at the Training Center, I'm quickly yanked out and shoved into an elevator. I press the button for floor two, or at least I think I do.

The doors open to reveal a group of four, sitting and eating lunch. A boy, a girl, a man, and a woman. My heart leaps when I spot the man. Finnick Odair. The woman looks familiar, but I can't place her name. If Finnick Odair is here, then this must be the District 4 apartment!

"What are you doing here?" a voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

The salty scent of the ocean fills my nose. Then, a face appears in front of me. A gorgeous face. A boy's face. My gaze flits instinctively to his eyes. Teal. Lighter than Finnick's, but darker than Missy's. Not Finnick. His eyes are stunning. They're the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. My heart races, and I instinctively step back, my face burning in embarrassment.

"Uh—"

The sound of two chairs scraping across the floor pulls me from my trance. The boy speaks again, his voice rough but curious.

"Who are you, anyway, pretty girl?"

I blink, gathering myself. "The female tribute from District 2," I say, trying to sound casual, but my face betrays me.

"No, you aren't!" the boy exclaims, shaking his head vehemently. "I watched every single reaping, and you weren't in there."

"I am," I begin, but I'm cut off.

"Enough, both of you," Finnick interjects, his voice firm but not unkind. "Kai, take the pretty girl back to her apartment, and don't dawdle! You still have to get ready for the Tribute Parade."

With a sigh, Kai shoves me gently in the back. We both step into the elevator. He presses the button for the second floor. As the doors close, I take a long look at him. Dark blonde hair, almost brown, tanned skin, and a body that's as striking as his eyes. He wears a dress shirt and shorts—his Reaping clothes, I assume.

The elevator dings, and it's then I realize he's been staring at me too. I glance away, suddenly hyper-aware of the way I'm feeling, especially in front of a boy I barely know. I've never cared much about how I look—Missy always had that down. But now, standing in front of Kai, I feel self-conscious for the first time. What's wrong with me?

"Uh, see you later, I guess," I mutter, stepping out of the elevator quickly.

Enobaria, my mentor, is standing there, waiting. Her expression is unreadable.

"Why were you with Kai Sanders?" she asks, eyebrow raised.

Kai Sanders. His last name is Sanders.

"It's a long story," I answer, my voice shaky. "Don't I have to get ready for the Tribute Parade?"

"Fine," she sighs. "You're off the hook for now, but I expect a full explanation later."

A man with a powdered green wig bursts into the room.

"That's not Elsie," he remarks, his voice a little too high-pitched.

"You're right," Enobaria snaps. "This is Octavia Meyer, the girl Elsie volunteered for. You need to get her ready. I'll explain later."

The man doesn't even introduce himself before dragging me into another room. My body is cleaned, waxed, and scrubbed again. My hair gets washed and trimmed, and my prep team works their magic on my face and nails. I don't say a word. Instead, I block them out, my thoughts consumed by Kai.

I'm drawn to him—his looks, his body, his eyes, his smell. Everything.

The green-haired man rushes back in, holding what I assume is my parade outfit. He forces me into a two-piece gold ensemble—crop top and flowing skirt with a slit. A crown of gold leaves is placed on my head. I stare at my reflection. The entire outfit is made of leaves, and my face is caked in makeup. The prep team touched up my curls, but nothing drastic, at least. Apollo is waiting by the door with his team and stylist. He wears a similar outfit to mine, crowned with leaves. I catch his eye, and he mouths to me:

"I look ridiculous."

I can't help but smile. When we finally get to the Avenue of the Tributes, our prep teams scurry away. Only six people remain: Apollo and me, Brutus, Enobaria, and the two District 1 tributes, who soon disappear into the crowd.

I wave and smile during the parade, not caring what the Capitol thinks of me. When President Snow's speech is finished, the chariots roll back into the Training Center. The District 1 tributes return moments later, followed by three others. Kai is one of them. He's barely covered by some blue fabric.

"Apollo, would you like to join our alliance?" the girl from District 1 asks, batting her eyelashes at him.

Not "Would you both like to join," just Apollo.

Before I can stew in my frustration, Apollo cuts through my thoughts with a sharp reply.

"No."

"Why not? The Career pack is traditional," the girl protests, cocking her head.

"Why would I?" Apollo's voice rises, sharp. "You'd be a liability anyway."

The girl jerks her head toward me. "More like she's a liability."

"Just because she's younger than you doesn't mean she's a liability," Apollo snaps. "At least she has a brain!"

"We're out of the alliance," a female voice cuts in.

I turn to see Kai and his district partner walking away. Behind me, the girl from District 1 punches Apollo in the face.

That's the end of the chapter! So, did you like it? If not, tell me what I could have improved. I'd also like to know whether you guys want to hear Kai's perspective of the story or not. I'm considering it, but I'm not sure yet. Thanks for reading!