CHARADE | Glimmer (THG)

Chapter Ten

Trigger warnings: Death threats (Clove), Masking, Unwanted physical contact, Low self-esteem

Zoomed it on the cameras overlooking the city, I'm afforded a view of the sunrise that I could never see from this ground window, nor even from my room in District One. The President's Mansion, enshrouded in red and orange, looks like something out of the places of hell.

I'm getting more than a view, though. The number of guards hasn't changed but people have been approaching the mansion even though it's barely day. I focus it on one. He's dressed in a suit and his chatting animatedly to an exhausting-looking guard. Pale skin and dark hair in a funny-looking beard. He looks back as the guards let him in, and I frown, realising that I recognise him. Seneca Crane, the Head Gamemaker.

They show him during the Capitol broadcasts, where he talks about the new exciting twists he has coming up for the arenas. But what's he doing going into the Mansion so early? Do the Gamemakers have to work there or is this an early morning meeting with President Snow?

I watch the Mansion some more, but Seneca Crane doesn't make a re-appearance and I don't recognise any of the other people entering the building. After some fruitless time hunting, a knock sounds on my door.

"Glimmer, dear! Time to get up!"

I quickly grab some breakfast, relieved to find the room empty. Down the hallway, I hear Gwen repeatedly yelling Marvel's name, and Gloss and Cashmere don't seem to be up yet. I stuff the bread into my mouth and hurry back to my room where I get changed and study the President's Mansion some more.

When the time comes for me to leave my room, I'm faced with Gwen, Cashmere, Gloss and Marvel all standing expectantly outside my door. Gwen is beaming and Cashmere is yawning, whilst Gloss stares at me and Marvel looks like he really doesn't want to be here.

"I've gathered us all here," Gloss begins pompously, "Because we need a united front. You two need to apologise to each other for last night's argument."

Did he really need to ambush me outside my room? And when was the Hunger Games ever about unity?

I study Marvel. I never spotted it before now but he has a gold necklace on. He's touching it now, running the metal between his fingers. I know I hurt him. I doubt he'll forgive me.

But then he looks up. And his eyes are gentle.

"Shake hands," Gloss commands.

Slowly, Marvel outstretches his hand. I stare at it, at him. Has he really forgiven me? After I made him cry?

"Look," Cashmere sighs, "If you two don't cooperate with each other, then I don't see how this alliance with Districts Two and Four will work."

What kind of boy is quick to anger, to grief, but then is so ready to forgive?

"Glimmer," Marvel's voice is soft, pleading, "I'm sorry about what I said but we need to work together

Does he forgive me? Or does he just want to use me?

This isn't the time to figure him out or my emotions. I take his hand. It's cold but solid and he holds my hand tight in his. Then we shake, and he lets it go.

I take a breath, preparing to apologise, working out what to say, when suddenly Gloss speaks over me.

"Right." He slaps his hands together like it's a good job well done, "Both of you need to work together to create a strong alliance. Glimmer, you take Cato. Marvel, you take Clove and Marina. Get them to trust you and then maybe we can think about asking that guy from District Eleven. Understood?"