Chlea Glades (A Hunger Games Fan fic)

Chapter Six

The happiness of her tone made me suspicious. What is there to be happy about? She is mentoring two girls that barely have a chance of surviving the first day in the arena. No. Gracious will survive the first day, she is teaming up with Oak after all.

"What?" I asked eying her. She grinned even wider and I was thinking about just telling her to get out of my room.

"Come with me," She said and motioned her hand for me to get up. Warily I got up and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind me.

"What is it?" I ask and she looks over her shoulder to make sure I am following her. We are walking down the hall, farther and farther from my room. How big is this loft? "Where at the others?" It didn't make sense for her to just be giving me a surprise.

"You will love it," She said, not answering one of my questions.

I sigh and then she stops so suddenly I almost run into her. She opens the door and gestures for me to go ahead of her. I cautiously walk into the room and se it is really dark, so I automatically turn to find a light switch but her hand stops me, "No keep them off. You won't be able to see well if they are on."

See well? See what? I turn towards the room again and freeze, sure I am dreaming. I see Rye standing there with Laden laying on one arm, and holding Otto's hand with her other hand. Mother and Father are staying standing next to her. Mother is in a chair that I realize is our shabby old sitting room chair, where I normally sleep. Father is standing behind her right shoulder and I can see he has been crying. His kind face is deeply tanned, from working so long in the orchards. His hair, the same color if not texture of mine is messy, as if he has been rubbing his hand through it a lot.

"Chlea." Mother says and I jump, still not quite sure what I was seeing. I turn to Devina for an explanation.

"Gracious explained to me about your mothers condition, and how she and your father couldn't see you before you left. I arranged it so that you could see them," There is an unspoken "For the last time".

"Thank you," I say and squeeze her hand.

"Only ten minutes," She says and looks toward the door, "And don't say anything to Pod." Then she flees the room.

"Chlea I am sorry we couldn't see you," Father chokes out, "We should of been there for you."

I shrug as though it doesn't matter, but really tears are threatening to spill and I use all my will power to hold them back until I leave, "Its fine."

Mother vigorously shakes her head, "No its not. Your father and I didn't think about how you could of been picked, and now looked what happened."

I sigh and turn my attention to Rye and Laden (ignoring Otto), "Hey."

"You can do it, Chlea," And surprisingly its not Rye or my parents who speak, its Otto.

"Um...Thanks?" I say because I never expected him to be civil to me, much less encourage me.

"I am sorry about treating you badly when you where here."

I think Rye might of put him up to this, "Its fine, Otto."

By this time when I look over to Rye, she is shaking with sobs and Otto takes Laden again, like at the reaping. I suddenly know that she doesn't believe I can do it. There are kids that are stronger, better fed, trained, and most likely one of them is going to go home. Not the small, skinny 14 year old, and Rye knows it.

"Rye stop crying." I say because now I feel empty, knowing Rye doesn't think j can do it. I can't lose confidence in myself though, its going to be the only thing that keeps me going for the painful days--or weeks ahead.