Charlotte POV
Surprisingly, despite the numbness and anger, I actually feel pretty comfortable. I'm not comfortable with having to watch my Games, but if it'll help me, the least I can do is try.
"If at any point you can't handle it, tell us, and we'll end the session. Today, we're starting with the Reaping. Are you ready?" a therapy tech asks. I nod robotically. The tech then retreats, I assume to hide behind the one-way glass window in the room. The screen in front of me activates, and I am greeted by the Capitol TV logo.
Suddenly all of the sensations come back to me. It's like I'm feeling the anxiousness all over again. Missy reads my name, and then I see myself make my way to the stage. The fear in my eyes is more prominent to me now than what I had hoped it had looked like. Silence for a moment as Missy walks over to the other Reaping ball. Daniel's name is called, and he looks as afraid as I look on the screen. We shake hands and are then led away - the screen shuts off after that.
The tech reappears, and asks briefly, "Do you feel well enough to continue?"
"Yes."
"Now, we don't have access to footage of the carriage ride in the Capitol, nor do we have footage of what happened in the Training Center. Do you remember your score?"
"No. Neither Dan or I bothered to watch the scores."
"Well, Charlotte, you scored a 7."
"I wouldn't expect much else. Gamemakers don't pay attention to the last tributes."
The tech stares at me, sort of like he's hiding something.
"What was Daniel's score?"
"He...scored a 10."
I say nothing, and the tech nods passively, leaving the room as the screen turns back on.
Dan POV
I'm discharged from the hospital wing the following day, and I am left with nothing to do but wonder. There is no more Command to go to, no more rescue missions. Charlotte is here, and to the rest of the country, she and I are dead.
As I get checked out of the hospital wing, I am given a sheet of paper for rations of medication, and my head bandage is switched. Before I leave, my nurse says, "Oh, Daniel, I was told to give you a message from the President herself," she hands me a small square device, and continues, "You've been granted permission to go to the surface each day for one hour. Both her and the doctors think it would be good for you to...adjust. Kind of get your mind off of things while Charlotte is a mile down."
I close my hand around the device. "Thank you," I nod before I leave.
I get up and exit with the device still held firmly in my hand. The surface. Fresh air. Open spaces. Maybe I could even find some honeysuckle or some wild berries to bring back to my family as a treat. I think that Maisie will enjoy it more than me - being that young and suddenly having your world turned upside-down isn't good.
Later, when I'm allowed to go to the surface, I take Maisie with me. A soldier guides me to an elevator that leads to a forest, and I step in with Maisie holding my hand.
As the doors close and the elevator begins to ascend, Maisie jumps up and down and squeals, "We'll be able to get flowers! Flowers!"
I smile softly and nod. The elevator is almost to the top. "Maybe we'll be able to find honeysuckle. You like that, right?"
"You know I love it!" Maisie smiles as the elevator doors open.
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I felt bad about not updating for so long, so I'm giving you the first half of this chapter. Whenever I find the time I'll write the second half and republish it on this part of the story. I'm sorry guys!!! Thank you for being patient!!!
