Stay Alive (A Hunger Games Fanfic)

Chapter 2

I step inside the train, and low and behold, it screams rich. It screams Capitol, and I immediately get angry and stomp off to find my room. I find it on the next car over. I couldn't exactly miss the gold lettering spelling HAYMITCH ABERNATHY on the large wooden door. I step inside, and again get another dose of richness. Ugh. It disgusts me.

I examine my room, after all, I will be staying here for a few days before I reach the Capitol. My bed is king-sized, and the cushions are soft and warm. I get my own bathroom and shower, both self-automated. I snort. Seriously? We get to be pampered up but then get sent to our deaths. This strangely seems similar to dressing food before it's eaten. Yay us. Well, I hate it.

I go to lunch to sit with Effie and the other tributes. Eloise has clearly been crying. No offense, she probably won't make it. Maysilee seems taken aback also, but she's better at holding it in. The other boy, who I learn his name is Lon Seeven, is stone-faced. I'm guessing that's probably how I look right now too.

I sit down at the table and say nothing like everyone else. I do, however, glare at Effie until she starts to look uncomfortable. I hate everyone from the Capitol, and that doesn't exclude her.

"So," and I'm surprised to see it's Maysilee who's talking, "what's the best way to get sponsors?"

She's probably talking to our escort, but I answer her anyway.

"Why does it matter anyway? It's not like we have a chance at any. We're from District 12, you know."

"Listen, Haymitch. I don't need your ego here. I'm hoping to return to my family, and if winning matters to you in any way, I think you should be asking for help too."

I realize she's right. What surprises me is her determination. I look at Eloise, who in fact is still sniffling, and Lon, who appears oblivious to it all. Obviously, they're not looking to win. I assume they've already accepted their fate. I don't know about them, but I'm not going down without a fight. I list Maysilee down as a possible ally, as she seems keen to survive also.

Effie starts to speak. "The first time the crowd will see you is in the Opening Ceremony. Your stylists will pretty you up. Make the crowd like you, and do everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, your stylist says."

We eat lunch together in silence. The meal is delicious, but I'm not that hungry.

"I'm done here," I say, and then I get up and walk to my room. I don't come out for dinner at all because I'm still not hungry, and I also don't want to see a single person's face right now for fear I might rip it off. The Hunger Games make me so angry at everyone, and it doesn't help that I'm in them this year.

Sitting on my cushion-y bed, I drift off. I start to think about Lark. I try to think about what she's doing right now, and I somewhat hope she's coping well until I remember that she's been cheating on me for a while now. No. I will no longer care about her. I no longer know her or love her. She probably didn't even love me in the first place. I don't care anyway.

Then I start thinking about my mom. She lost my father soon after he found out she was pregnant. I guess neither of them had planned on having kids, so he left her and never returned. She's been through a lot, and I'm not sure how she's dealing with me leaving, but she's probably not doing well.

I miss her, and promise silently to myself that I will come home for my mother. She needs me. I'm the only one there for her, so I have to outsmart 47 tributes and the Capitol. I have no doubt that I will.

I'm Haymitch Abernathy after all.