I feel two heavy arms drag me up. Without protest, my eyes still squeezed shut, I allow the arms to lead me into a room that smells musty and old. Then it begins to move. My eyes smap open, but it's only the elevator. The very empty elevator.
I turn my head around and see the Peacekeeper that is holding me up. "Where is my sister?" I ask, my breath reeking of stale vomit. The Peacekeeper looks me over once, then responds through a set jaw, "She's in her room."
"But she needs to be with me."
"I'm sorry, Miss Deaper, but rules are rules and--"
"I don't care!" I say with more force than I intend. The Peacekeeper's grip on my falters, but still stays strong. I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry," I say, trying to relax, "but she has three tributes she's like to see, and I'd perfer if my sister was with me so that my mom won't need to make another extra trip." I pause, trying to look through the Peacekeeper's helmet and into his eyes. I can't see them.
"Please?"
He frowns. I can tell that he frowns when he speaks. Because it is strained; unamused when he says "Yes."
***
Soon, I'm in a plush, velvety room with my sister on my lap. Her blonde hair flutters when she turns her head towards me. "Can I read a book?" she asks, looking across the room to an old-looking bookshelf. I nod, and she hops off of my lap, heading for the books. I make myself more comfortable on the purple couch. Even though I'm saying goodbye forever, who says I can't lie down?
My head throbs behind my eyes with every slight move. It's either my sister, my boyfriend, or me. Nobody else is permitted to win. And since I know my sister won't survive, it must be my boyfriend. I'm not strong enough to win this; to go on without him.
My stomach lurches as the door flies open and my mother walks in. I steel myself for Claie's sake.
"Mommy!" Claie cries, throwing herself around my mother's neck. I see a Peacekeeper poke his head in.
"You have five minutes," he remarks. Then the door closes and I'm left alone with my sister and my mother. I throw myself onto my mother's neck, as well, and soon we're all toppling over into a heap, crying and laughing and trying to speak all at the same time.
"Mom, Mom," I begin, unable to get the words out as I cry into the carpet. "I love you, we love you, don't... don't forget it..."
Claie's tiny body moves near mine, and I snuggle her near me. From years of experience, I know the exact crook in my neck to cradle her in. She doesn't cry. She just lies there.
I cry harder.
Is this what her frail, cold body will feel like once it's gone? Or will it be much bigger, plumper, older? I hope the latter. As much as I love Jayce, I love Claie more. I still hear Annie caling him up, along with another boy. What was his name? Jos? I think so. Jayce, Jos. Jayce, Jos. The thought continues to haunt me, having an odd familiarity.
Then I remember watching Katniss Everdeen's 75th Hunger Games and hearing one of her allies begin to sing a "Tick, Tock" melody. Katniss Everdeen. I hate her.
"I hate Everdeen," I mumble into Claie's hair. My mother's light hand reaches out to stroke my head, but in a demanding way. I look up at her, abandoning my tears.
"It's Mellark," my mother reminds me lightly. I scowl.
"She never loved him, you know," Mom says. "Not at first, anyways. He just manipulated her. He made her think she loved him by exposing her. To the nation. All boys ever want is a bed buddy. That's all. Okay, Emra?"
I look up at my mother. She's just upset because Dad left her after he got her pregnant with Claie. Not all boys are like that. Look at Jayce.
"Jayce loves me, Mom," I say with a frown. Claie snuggles closer to me, prepared for the argument.
"No, Em, he doesn't," Mom says sternly. A white hot rage fills my chest and expands until it reaches my mouth.
"He does!" I demand. "You just don't know him! Nobody does! Not even he does! Because of people like you!"
I didn't realize I was standing until Mom's slap knocked me to the ground. I feel tears well up in my eyes, but I will them away. Not now. Not ever.
"You're horrible," I whisper. I know what I'm doing now. It's pretty clear.
I'm going to make sure Jayce wins these games.
