The Quater Quell: 50th Hunger Games

Chapter 10

            After lunch we practice for a few more hours then are dismissed to go back to our floor for dinner. "So, did you guys learn anything today?" asks Waylon. "You mean besides that Larten is fraternizing with the enemy? Yeah, I learned a few things." I mumble. "Like what?" "Well, Im an expert on knots. I know the basics of swimming and im close to mastering plant identification." I say proudly. "Yeah, thanks to that boy from 12." Maziey says smugly. I wonder what's wrong with her? Shes always so cheery? "What boy?" asks Waylon. "Some boy from 12. The taller one. He taught me a few tricks on how to identify plants." Dean looks over to me and frowns. "What if he told you lies? He could be trying to kill you." "he's not, the simulation said so." "Yes and this is the Hunger Games where they want us to die. That's why I don't trust simulations." Dean spits the last part out through gritted teeth.

         "He's got a point ya know." Maizey says. "Well excuse me for trying to make small talk to help my slim hopes of survival!" I yell then run to the hallway. I step into the elevator and am carried down into the lobby. I sit on a fuzzy purple couch and sink down. I grab the remote to flip through the channels on the TV and doze off to sleep.

              "Hey 10. You eat any plants lately?" I voice says while kicking the purple couches leg. I wake up and and greeted by Haymitch. "Not lately." I laugh awkwardly. He sits down on the couch across for me and asks what am I doing here instead of my room. "Well, I got into an argument with my team and yeah...that's pretty much it." I shrug. "An argument about what?" "Nothing important. What brings you down here?" I ask curiously. "I come down here for the free coffee" Haymitch smiles and holds up his mug of coffee.

              I smile and shake my head. "You do know that they have that available in your room don't you?" "Yeah, but coming down here lets me get away from it all kind of." "I never thought about it that way before. That would be nice but even down here I don't feel like im away from anything." I say smugly. "Come on. I wanna show you something." Haymitch gestures for me to be quiet and we slip into the stair well of the training center.

          We climb and climb. The stairs seemed endless. We pass by the tribute form District 5 who was smoking something and giggling to himself like a little kid. Finally, Haymitch walks through a door at the end of the stair well. He leads me out of the door and onto the roof of the training center. we were so high up I could see everything. I could even see the small mountain far off in District 2 that I read trains our Peacekeepers. It was breath taking.

           "Do you feel like you still can't get away now?" he asks me while walking up close behind me. "This is incredible. Look at all the people on the streets. They look like ants!" I say giddily and lean over the railing. "Its Haymitch right?" I ask, playing dumb. "Yes. And you are...Raven?" "Yeah. Haymich, how did you know about this place?" I ask him. "Well, I overheard some girls talking to each other from District 11. Apparently, one tried to commit suicide last night, but she was bounced back onto the roof."

          "Oh my gosh!" Haymitch just nods his head. We make small talk and chat about our District, the Games, and what we will do if we actually win. We stand there for a long time and watch the city eventually fall asleep. "I think its time for me to hit they hay. Good night Haymtich. And thank you for showing me all of this. It's beautiful." "Anytime." He nods. I walk back to the stair well expecting him to follow me and go to bed but he stays behind.

           I follow my feet down the stairs and enterthrough the door painted 10 on it. I walk down the hallway and enter our suite.Larten was awake and watching TV. "You're up late." He says, not takeing hiseyes off of the screen. "And so are you." I point out. "True. Wanna head to myroom and not sleep?" "Ugh. I think ill pass." "Your loss!" he shouts as I headup the stairs to my bedroom. "Doubt it!" I holler back. I jump into a quickshower and throw back on my silk PJ's. I crawl into bed and darkness soonfollows me.