An hour passed as River and I sat in silence, acknowledging our decision to volunteer.
The chairs are softly cushioned, and the fabric is velvet with a violet hue. Sitting in them makes me feel almost royal, but we know that is not the case.
Mable was right; this train was silent, and the silence was deafening. My thoughts spiral, and only one comes out of this. I'm not underestimating myself; I know I can take on the majority, if not all, of the tributes, but I don't want my arrogance to get the best of me. I know how bad that could turn out to be. Arrogance is like a knife; it kills slowly but efficiently. I also have no idea what the other tributes will be like. Strong? Weak? Smart? All of the above.
"Excuse me..." River spoke, sitting in front of me.
I look at her curiously, wondering why she's pardoning herself. "Yes?".
"How are you going to kill me?". River abruptly asks.
I squint my eyes, confused about why she thinks I'd get her. "What do you mean?".
She chuckles. "You know what I mean...". She says as if she knew who I am.
"I'm not going to hurt you?". I question her as her smirk slowly fades.
"I'm not saying I'm not skilled; I'm just wondering how your attempt could end badly-."
My neck slightly jolts back as I can't help but laugh. Is she serious?
"How about we not turning on each other immediately? You two need to stick together while you're in there." A strong, womanly voice suddenly appears behind me. I hear the clicking of thin heels reflecting off the floor. River is glaring at the woman; it can't be Mable.
"And you are?". River asks her, raising one eyebrow and crossing her arms.
She stands in front of River and me, leaning against my chair with two of her arms, her hands holding the side of the chair. Her acrylic nails match the violet hue of the chair, her skin appears smooth like honey, and her heels match the shimmering gold color.
"I'm Aquaria Corlette". My eyes widen as soon as I recognize her—the victor of the 32nd game.
"Oh, I know who you are," River says, rolling her eyes and uncrossing her arms.
"And you are?". Aquaria ask.
"I'm River". She says with confidence.
Aquaria tilts her head, releasing her hands from the chair, walking a few steps closer to River. She makes River look like a little puppy; her heels make her much taller, almost my height.
"Listen, little girl; you think you're the first tribute I had with attitude problems?". She states.
"I know I'm no-." River attempts to explain herself.
"Buckle up, lose the attitude; you're too pretty to have a nasty one; having a nasty attitude will cause you to end up like the rest of the fallen that have eaten in front of me, told me about their families only to end up with their picture in the sky."
"So your lack of mentoring caused their deaths," River says with a nasty attitude.
Aquaria leans in closer. "No, their inability to view the games as more than just weapons, seemingly you act just them".
River relaxes her body, realizing Aquaria is right. But River's pride causes her to softly pout.
River turns round, facing me. She looks down at me as I glance up at her.
"And you seem to be quiet". Aquaria says as I chuckle.
"Oh, and you smile; what's your name, sweetheart?". She asks me.
"Silver". I respond back.
"Well, Silver and River, may I sit down and tell you all a little something?". She says, sitting down next to River, facing me.
"I guess". River responds.
"Sure". I respond.
The mood turns serious as her luxurious appearance turns dark; her perked lips frown as her face drops.
River and I look at each other...
"These games are no joke. Do not let the Idolization that District 4 tells you; this isn't for fun; this is real life."
"I don't know what your arena will be, but know this...I'm a swimmer, and my games were based on a volcanic island. I know you two are swimmers, I can tell, but when I was in that arena, there was no water except ocean water; the water was infested with bloodthirsty piranhas and electric eels. My District partner was the third to die due to his lack of awareness."
She says as I take a deep breath.
"I know it's easy to kill, but what are some ways we don't have to...". I say as River chuckles.
"How are you not going to kill anyone?". River asks me as I glance at her.
"Little girl, don't be fooled by your parent's encouragement; I know they told you you're born to be in the games; they want to be bathed in riches, as do all 12 Districts, but this isn't a fairytale, in fact you think the other Careers have your back until they turn on you as a pack". Aquaria says, glaring at each of us with her intense green eyes.
"If you learn anything from me, it will be, 'don't trust everyone.'" She tells us as Mable steps in.
"Oh, Aquaria, don't scare these children," Mable says in an annoyingly positive voice.
"They're already scared, my dear; they are awaiting this treacherous game." Mable huffs as Aquaria rolls her eyes at her.
"I'm not scared, lady". River states.
"Continue to have that nasty attitude, and you'll end up like the two" from last year. Aquaria responds to River.
This causes River to get up, stomping away to what appears to be a room.
"Little brat". Aquaria says, crossing her arms and looking at Mable.
"Uh! You don't have to say all that, Aquaria!". Mable shouts, rushing to River's cabin, tiptoeing like a cat.
"She's unbelievable." Aquaria comments.
"And air headed," I say as Aquaria chuckles.
"So, Silver, how are you feeling?". She asks as I'm slightly appalled.
"I'm not sure how to ask this, but aren't you supposed to tell me how to survive?".
She sighs, leaning forward as she holds my hand.
"I want to get to know my tributes before giving them any advice." She says as a slight smile appears on my face.
"Even River, though her attitude gets the best of her." She says.
"We're almost in the Capitol! We are passing District 1!". Mable comes running out, grabbing an apple from the snack bar.
"Well, how can I survive?". I say with a smirk as she leans back, releasing my hand.
"I'm going to grab you a notepad; you're going to study with me," She says, standing up and exiting the room, scavenging for pen and paper.
As she is gone, I take out the pearl necklace Malic gifted me. I worry about his safety, hoping he's released due to my sacrifice. I pray he's safe. I know he's not safe at home; he's not safe in prison. I hope my family took him in.
All I have left of him are the pearls.
I hear her heels click closer and closer. I quickly slip the pearls into my pocket.
She takes a seat in front of me, handing me a clipboard with a pen and a piece of paper
"I am going to give you a growth mindset of a victor." She smiles at me, not just with any smile, with a smile of a winner.
YOU ARE READING
𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐄; The Hunger Games
AcciónEighteen-year-old Silver Nereus, from District 4 participates in The 51st Annual Hunger Games... Silver was raised by a careful, and loving mother. She taught him well; as do most mothers. Usually the mothers of Career-Tributes are wickedly encoura...
