When The Canary Sings

They're All Rich

First Person Point of View: Becca Blue:

* 

The train is moving, faster and faster as it tries to reach its top speed. Here we are, on the road to hell. The train to hell.

Katniss and Peeta are both off exploring the train somewhere. Effie is sitting by a window and Haymitch is nowhere to be seen. I think I saw Katniss head to her room, and Peeta is somewhere aimlessly walking around. I take a seat on one of my lounge chairs that I frequent every time I have to ride this damned thing.

Eventually, Effie pulls Katniss and Peeta into the dining hall for supper. An avox comes and motions me to follow them into the room. I take a breath and walk in. How hard could mentoring be?

"Katniss, Peeta," I say, sitting down in a chair across from them. "I'm your mentor, Becca Blue, but I think both of y'all have already heard." I smile, and although she doesn't smile, Katniss relaxes a bit. "I know both of y'all are older than me, and it'll be hard taking me seriously, but I promise, I'll help you." I say.

"Thank you," Peeta says, "we'll need all the help we can get, and I don't think Haymitch will be helping."

"Where is Haymitch?" Effie asks lightly, sitting down and sipping a glass of deep red wine.

"Last I saw him he was going to take a nap." Peeta says, and I bite the inside of my cheek.

"Well it's been an exhausting day." Effie comments. Soon enough, the dinners come out, and both Peeta and Katniss's eyes light up, so bright they could almost be the sun. Stew, chicken, meat, vegetables. I remember the first time I saw a meal like this, when Picker and I ate together. I look at the two tributes in front of me, and I decide to say a silent prayer that they won't end up like Picker and I. Or Chip and I. Effie comments on their manners, and I can tell Katniss and I are thinking the same thing. Katniss eats the rest of her meal with her fingers and wipes her hands on the table cloth. Petty, I think, I like it.

After dinner, we all gather around on the couch and watch the reapings, and I can't help but think it's almost a repeat from last year. Well, almost, same characters, you know, the scary and the sleek, just different districts. This time, the monstrous boy does not come from District One, like Valor did, but comes from District Two, and goes by the name Cato. The girl from One reminds me of Gemma, it's just the way she carries herself. The red-head girl from five reminds me of myself, and Trixie. The way she makes her way up to the stage without making a sound, and the way she moves in general proves she is sneaky and agile, like me. Then, there is a small 12 year old from Eleven. She has dark skin like Ophelia's and big, doe-like brown eyes. In a way, I see myself, Trixie and Chip all in her. Doomed. Finally, it's District Twelve's turn. Caesar Flickerman and Claudius Templesmith rage over the bravery of Katniss, and wince when Haymitch falls off the stage.

"Your other mentor has a lot to learn about appearances and manners!" Effie chides, speaking to all of us.

Peeta laughs, "he was drunk," he laughs, "like he is every year."

"Everyday." Katniss adds, laughing along with Peeta.

"Not everyday," I say, but no one listens.

"Yes!" Effie sneers, "how odd it is you two find it amusing. He–and Becca–are your lifelines in these games, They arrange everything!" She says, and Haymitch takes this as his cue to stagger in. He slurs something that I don't catch, and then vomits all over the place. "So laugh away!" Effie yells, and storms off.

All three of us just stare at him, and then we all stand up. Katniss and Peeta take him by the arms and help him up.

"I tripped?" Haymitch slurs, "smells bad." He comments, wiping his nose and smearing vomit all over himself. I almost gag, but no one catches it.