Inferno: A Hunger Games Fanfic

Chapter 10

Photo: Hazel (well me) on the train.
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Daylight swirls through the room bathing everything in it's soft golden light. Fluffy clouds dance along the horizon, the edges dipped in the pink of the sky behind them.

I open my eyes but stay in bed, stroking the luxurious sheets and reclining back on the voluminous pillows. Such procastination about getting up was never allowed in my household but I won't have anywhere near enough sleep in the arena so I'm sure my mother would allow one day of laziness, if she was here.

I am finally roused by Effie telling me to be ready for breakfast in an hour. Sleepily, I go to the bathroom and turn on the the tap, twiddling the dials until I get the perfect temperature. It fills up suprisingly quickly and I turn my attention to the arsenal of products that have been laid out for me. Bubble bath, and gel soaps I know from the excited chatter of some of the richer residents of twelve, but even for them, it was a rare thing. I put berry- scented bubble bath in the rising water, too much, as I find out when it cascades over the edge of the bath.

I mop up the mess with one of the brightly patterned towels that was left for me and strip before lowering myself into the bath.

At home we didn't have hot water very often as, even though twelve was richer the pipes broke a lot and we had to wait for the next train of supplies to come in. When I was about 6 years old the pipes broke and that time that just didn't bother. So we heated water in the stove and all had a quick bath, in and out, just scrubbing our selves clean.

But today I can sit in the water and appreciate the calming effect sitting half-submerged in a large ceramic bowl gives you.

I slide back so everything is underwater apart from my eyes, nose and mouth. The water in my ears blocks out noise and it's so tranquil, in the silence and the water with bubbles to cushion my body.

I'm at peace, I'm alone, I'm clean. After the games I won't be any of these things. I'll never be at peace, any peace will be shattered by the memories of the games. I'll never be alone, I will be followed by the presence of those who died in my bid to win. I'll never be clean for my skin will stained with the blood and tears of the games. Those may fade from other's sight but no amount of scrubbing will erase it from my mind. And this is only from what I know from interveiws with victors that we were shown at school. Odds are it will be worse inside.

And that's assuming I win.

Eventually, I get out of the bath and dry myself off with the full body dryers that transform you from sopping wet to as dry as a drought in just a couple of seconds . I wrap a towel around myself purely out of habit and chose an outfit out of the many in my room.

Breakfast, in the capitol, is a small thing as many citizens don't need energy to last them until lunch as they can eat any of the delicous delicacies that are stuffed in their cabinets whenever the want arises . So in the dining area there are only small plates and limited food types. I grab a roll and butter it like Effie has done then grab some watermelon on my way to the table with the others. No one talks much, Effie and Aidi are busy eating and it's clear to see Meir has only just woken up. We link eyes though, and smile our greetings.

Near the end of breakfast, around my 4th helping of fruit, Aidi tells us to look out the window. And we see it. The capitol. With its candy- buildings and electric lights twinkling like stars even in the daylight. I walk to the window with Meir on my heels and we press against the window to see it ourselves.

As we pull into the station, the press dazzle us with flashes of cameras, talking into microphones and scribbling notes onto large note books.

When the train finally stops we are escorted to a large glass building. I go alone up several flights of stairs to a room with my name on it. Three excited girls envelope me into a massive hug. I don't normally like hugs but there is something reassuring about these girls so I don't pull away. They remind me of the pixies from the old stories my mother used to tell me. Exicited, chattering in high pitches noises.

One of them leads me by the hand over to a surgical-looking table. Lying on it seems to mark the start since as soon as I do this they stop talking and get to work, they file my nails, pluck my eyebrows and cut my hair. Then finally smother me in a foul smelling paste that makes my skin tingle. One of the girls notices my screwed up face.
"This is nothing, we used to have to wax you" This is met with giggles from the others. I'm really sure what they mean. What on earth was waxing?

When they hose off the paste I find my skin beautifully soft and hairless. The attendants only give me a couple of moments before giving me a thin robe and leading me to a sofa to await my stylist.

"You'll love him!" One girl squeaks before shutting the door and leaving me alone again.

I hope you enjoy! Keep reading and following and voting and commenting and enjoying this book. I love all of you readers.

If you can think of an actress or actor to play someone in this book tell me in the comments and if I think it's good, I'll dedicate a chapter to you with a book of your choice.

Eg. Dedicated to Anne_Example221 who chose A great book. For choosing 'an actor' to play 'Meir'

Got it? Good. You have a week. Good luck.

Xxx