A Caged Bird: The 67th Hunger Games

Chapter 6

Author's Note: THIS CHAPTER IS FROM BRANT'S POINT OF VIEW. So sorry it took me so long to finish the next part. Now that it's summer, I should have a bit more time. Enjoy! :)

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          I sleep soundly with no nightmares knowing Piper and I have boosted our chances of survival with our first breakthrough in communication. In the back of my mind, however, there’s always the imminent thought that only one of us can win. I shove it further back in my mind and try not to think about it. Without Piper in my life, who do I have left? My mother back home? I just don’t want to think about it.

Dragging myself out of my bed to start my day, I pick a shirt from one of the drawers. Wouldn’t want Piper to walk in on me again if she decides to not knock before entering my room, now would we? I was a bit mad at first with that whole situation a few days ago, but mostly because I was confused and didn’t know her side of it. I shook it off after that.

But still, maybe I should wear a shirt more often since she’s around.

            As I leave my room, a thought enters my head. I know we only arrived at the Capitol yesterday, but where has Finnick been all this time? I remember Mags saying he would meet us in the Capitol, as he practically lives there now. I add it to my list of things I have to get Piper to ask Rami. This mute thing is a pain the butt.

            When I get to the dining room, Piper, Rami and Mags are all there already eating. Rami greets me joyfully.

            “Good morning, Brant! How are you feeling this morning?” I guess he forgets I can’t speak sometimes. Unsure of what to do, I just flash him a thumbs up and a smile. Sitting down, I realize Piper is clearly upset about something.

            “Really?” She asks incredulously, directed at Rami. “Are you serious? Anytime I come late to breakfast, you yell at me. When Brant comes late to breakfast, ‘oh it’s no big deal’! That’s it! I’m sick of you treating us differently!” She gets up and storms out of the room. We all stay silent.

            “Well she woke up on the wrong side of the bed…” Rami says under his breath as he keeps eating. I get up and follow the way that Piper went. Maybe I can calm her down.

            I wait outside her door, listening. I hear quiet sobbing. I knock, even though she never has when entering my room.

            “Go away, whoever you are!” she yells at the door. I let myself in anyway.

            She’s sprawled herself out on her bed with her face buried in her pillow. I sit on the edge of her bed, unsure of what I’m supposed to do. I can’t talk to her about her problems. Why did I even come in here? She must know it’s me in her room, as she hasn’t tried to hit me with a pillow like she would if it was Rami. She doesn’t look up, though she seems to have stopped sobbing and is just quietly keeping her face in her pillow. What should I do? In the past I’ve just grabbed her hand and held it, and she doesn’t seem to mind that, as she did it for me the time I was upset about the avoxes (which I’ve learned to live with). But her hands are up near her face so that doesn’t seem to be an option. I could…rub her back? Maybe that would make her feel better.

            I decide to try it and face the consequences later if that’s pushing our boundaries as allies. I reach out and start to rub small circles. She seems to relax a bit and I don’t know if I should stop. I continue for a few more minutes. Eventually she turns herself over onto her back and looks at me. Her eyes are puffy and her cheeks are red from crying.