Predator

Chapter 5

When the first chariots began to move out, I was overwhelmed at how loud the cheers were from the crowd. It was louder than the inside of the mines back in 12, and that was saying something.

I supposed that the cheers wouldn't get any louder, and only get quieter after the careers' chariot had passed, with the audience knowing that the other districts didn't have a chance when the games came around.

They probably didn't think it was even worth it cheering for them, knowing that not one of them was going to sponsor them.

I guessed it would've helped if the tributes from the lower districts looked unique from the careers, but they all looked like they were wearing cheap, unoriginal outfits - just like every year before them. I hoped that Michelle and I could change that from being the normal in the future games.

Speaking of us, Michelle and I didn't have to wait long before our chariot also began to move, and soon enough, we were exposed and faced with the whole audience staring at us - probably excited to make fun of us.

The cheers remained the same, as they were anticipating what we were going to look like dolled up. The noise was constant until the big screen showed a close up of our chariot.

Suddenly the cheers deafened my ears as I saw the camera zoom in on me, and go up and down my body. Embarrassed, I tried to take the attention off of only me, and instead put it on both me and my district partner.
I suddenly remembered what Saphina had whispered in my ear before I climbed in the chariot.

Something about clapping my hands when halfway down the runway. As we crept up to the imaginary halfway line I had drawn in my head, I leaned over to whisper the instructions Saphina had set for me to do into her ear.

I saw that the camera switched back to us after only a short view of another chariot, probably trying to catch what we were talking about. As the camera was back on us and we had the whole Capitol's attention, I gave Michelle the signal to play out the plan.

We both slowly raised our hands above our heads, and clapped the hardest we could.

It seemed as though nothing had happened at first, until I heard the screams grow louder, if that was even possible. Curious as to what had happened to us, I looked up at myself on the big screen, and I could just barely hide my shock after what I saw.

A mixture of blue and orange flames has burst out from the back of our chariot, displaying a beautiful dance of the two colours. They curled and fought against each other like a painting came to life.

Flames swirled from the hem of my clothes, up the outfit and around my shoulders, displaying a beautiful pattern that was certainly a spectacle to watch.

I got myself ready to feel the burn of the flames surrounding me, but instead a slight warmth graced the edge of my face. It looked pretty cool, I had to admit. I made sure to remember to thank Saphina profusely when I next saw her.

I glanced over at Michelle on the screen, and noticed she had also managed to hide her shock. Like myself, Michelle also was a sight to behold. Flames flowed out from the edge of her dress and up her legs, stopping to form a belt of fire at the end of her torso.

I wondered if my sisters were at home watching, looking as their brother took the Capitol by storm. I wondered if they thought the flames were real and were freaking out. I wonder if they looked at me and thought I looked cool.

We finally reached the end of the runway, Snow tapped on the microphone and everyone in the audience was silenced in a second.

Snow began to give his speech, which I could almost guarantee was going to be boring. Only near the end did I realise that I hadn't listened to a single word that was said, other than the ending words of:
'Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour'.

I just hoped that he hadn't said anything too important.
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After the chariot ride, all my energy had depleted. I figured that I had been running off of adrenaline being in front of all those people who could potentially be the difference between life and death in a couple days time.
I just hoped that people were impressed enough by my performance to sponsor me.

I couldn't keep focus on anything going on around me, and before I knew it, we were at the place where I would be both sleeping and training for the remainder of time up until the games began.

As we entered the building after pushing past a hoard of reporters, I caught a glimpse of Aria looking at me again. I was going to make a gesture to her - wondering what she wanted - but before I could, I was pulled into an elevator.

My mood changed from annoyed at being pulled quickly changed into excited as I was informed that as we were district 12, we got the penthouse. The elevator quickly began to rise, but the only thing that I was really thinking about was getting to bed and going to sleep.

When we entered the penthouse, I immediately went to claim a room, ready to shut down for the night. We had training tomorrow, and I wanted to be well rested so I could pay full attention. But when I changed into pyjamas, I noticed a small remote sitting on the nightstand.

Curious, I played around with it, and suddenly a projection came up onto the wall beside me. It started off as a beach with the sound of the waves playing, but as I pressed buttons on the control, the scenes began to change.

Fascinated, I kept pressing until the projection changed into a familiar scene. Displayed before me was a forest, and the noise of raindrops carried around the room.

It felt like I was transported back to only a couple days prior, when me and Katniss had our last adventure in the forest.

It almost made me feel sad, but I recalled her last words to me, and kept the memory for motivation, and not as a reason to break down.

Feeling calmer with the familiar scene and noises, I got into bed with the quietest mind since I had left district 12.
My body loosened from the tension that had built up throughout the day, and soon enough, I was out like a light.