Forever in the Games- UNDER EXTREME EDITING

Chapter Five

I sit in the lounge opposite Katniss, staring at her, trying to make her feel uncomfortable, just for my entertainment. I examine her face carefully; she has straight long black hair, which she has pulled back into two braids braided together at the nape of her neck, olive skin, and grey eyes. She is quite small and thin for her age, probably because she's lacking nutrition with the district's poverty. Today, she's wearing a blue blouse, which tucks neatly into her blue skirt that falls down to her knees.

"Dinner is served" one of the attendants announces, and leaves immediately, as though too afraid we might say something to him. Effie told me we're going to be having fresh rolls, goat cheese, apples, and lamb stew on wild rice. One of my favorites. Much to my humor, Katniss looks at me, although not in the eye, and whispers.

"Where are we supposed to go to eat?" I stretch my arms back and lean into my chair.

"Just down the corridor" She nods, stands up, and leaves, but down the wrong corridor.

"The other corridor, Katniss" she can obviously sense the humor in my voice, because she scurries through the carriage again, her head looking at the ground, either ashamed, or embarrassed. Laughing, I walk to the dining room, looking forward whatever conversation we'll be having.

Time for desert, and still no one has said a word. Well, apart from Effie, who, of course, is talking about the sights of the Capitol, as though I haven't lived there for six years. But still, I don't complain. Effie always talks the usual clothing stores, which, without fail, seem to find the most ridiculous outfits anyone could wear. After dinner, we all sit in the lounge, watching the Reaping from each District. It turns out the competition looks pretty high this year.

 I always love a good fight.

 I turn myself in after the Reaping's have ended, and lock myself in my room. Yeah, I still have nightmares. I think every Victor still has nightmares, even the oldest of ones. I wash my face with cold water, and slip my pajamas on, before I slide under my covers, and let the night greet me.

_*_*_*_*_ 

"Don't worry Lucinda, you'll get used to it after the first five" the President said. I was tied to the top of the pool, it wasn't as easy as you think, believe me. I had tears in my eyes, I could still feel the buzz of the electricity going through me.

"Ready?"

"NO!" but it was too late, he had flipped the switch, and the water came alive.

I wake with a start; I bite hard on my tongue forcing me to stop my screams. The taste of blood fills my mouth. Whoa, I really do underestimate myself sometimes. It's still dark, which means it's still night. I climb out of bed, and make my way through the train to get some ice.

As I make my way through, I notice something, the television was flickering, meaning someone was still up. Standing up straight, I tip-toe in, and stand with my arms folded leaning on the doorway. There sits Katniss, watching recaps of some of the Capitols favorite games. One of them, I think, was the first ever games, the final battle was being played, and it was a very gruesome death. The boy picked up a big rock, and smashed the other boy's skull. Katniss gives a big intake of a breath, and turns her head so she couldn't watch, and I give a very quiet laugh, until I decide to speak up.

"If you're like this now, I have no idea what you'll be like in the arena" her head snaps up.

"Did you not see that?!" she exclaims, and I walk towards her.

"Yes, I did see that. But as you probably know, I'm used to it, and trust me I've been in worse situations than that."

"I doubt it" she mutters under her breath. If only she knew how easily I can snap.

I grab her by the hair, and push her against the wall. She feels pain, but is determined not to show it.

"You wouldn't know what it's like, to be in that arena, and face what you never expected; you have no idea what it's like, killing those innocent people, just to live. You don't know what it feels like, to be in the final battle. It's hell, that's what it is Katniss" I shove her again "I have been to hell and back for six damn years, so don't doubt me when I say I've been in worse situations, because really, you haven't got a clue." I release her from my clutches. She stares at me, not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think"

"Yeah, well now I know who to leave in the arena" She frowns at me when I say this.

"When you volunteered, what was going through your mind?" I ask, honestly just out of curiosity, I lean against the couch, and fold my arms

"I just wanted to save her" She answers with confidence, as though it was obvious.

"Yeah, just what I thought" I push myself off the couch "Katniss, you have no idea what you've let yourself in for" and as I whisper the last part, I walk away.

Now that, that was all I needed to say to Katniss, she gave me a horrid feeling. I wanted to scare her. Because I'm scaring myself with the thought that she might have a winning chance.