Hunger games. Clove's POV.

Chapter 5 - Goodbyes

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I'm lead into a room, where I guess I'm going to say my final goodbyes. My hearts stings when I think of Clary. I saved her. I can't help but wonder how she will do without me. But this was her last reaping and she is older than me so she would know what to do. I push my thoughts of Clary away and sit down on the fabulous couch. I'm just about to start admire the room I'm in when the doors open and my family comes in.

Dad has a blank expression on his face but I can see he's boiling with rage because I took Clary's place. Mom has almost the same expression as dad but I can see she's also mad at me. Then there's Clary. Her face is ruined by tears and she's sobbing heavily.

"Why...why...why did you do that..?" she manage to speak out between the sobs. I see the terrible pain in her eyes and I feel tears threatening to leak but I tell myself not to cry to make it easier for Clary. Before I can answer her she says:

"Why!? I'm the older sister! I'm supposed to protect you! How am I going to do that now?" Now I'm fighting hard to not let any tears escape my eyes.

"I had to...I love you too much...I want you to live your life..." I say to her slow to not let any tears fall. She starts crying hard and loud for that. Good job Clove, really good!, I think to myself. She mutters something about me having a life too but ignore it and turn to my parents who still looks extremely mad at me.

"How could you take Clarys' place!? It was her last chance! If you're going into the arena then hear this: bring pride to our family! I don't care if you die just bring us pride!" my dad screams right to my face. I'm taken back at first and when I'm ready to shout something mean back to him, he and mom leaves without another word. I'm literally boiling with rage now. But my anger disappears almost immediately when the peacekeepers come to bring Clary away. She slungs herself around my neck in a desperately needing hug. I try to hug her back but the peacekeepers grab her and start dragging her out of the room.

"Win!!!" is the last word I hear her scream before the doors shut and I'm alone again.

"I will..." I whisper and tears are burning in my eyes. I will win for her. For her I will turn myself into a brutal killing machine. For her I will kill without blinking. When I'm in the hardest part in the games I'll think of her and then I will stand up and continue untill everyone else is dead and then I'll come back to her.

Another peacekeeper come and lead me back to the justice buildings' center room where I meet Nicki and Cato. Ugh, I almost forgot, he is going into the arena with me. I sigh.

"Hello, queen." Cato says and do a little pathetic bow infront of me. I roll my eyes at him and snort loudly. Nicki seems confused why Cato called me queen but then she apparently forgets about it and pushes us out from the justice building. We jump into a car that takes us to the train station and when we're sitting in the cramped space in the back seat as close to Cato that our knees are touching, I let my thoughts wander to the Capitol and what will happen the next coming days.

We drive for about 5 minutes before we come to the train station where we enter the train that's waiting for us. When I get inside I stop, amazed by the beauty in the room. I've never seen such expensive things before, even though my district isn't poor. I see that Cato is also taken back, his jaw hanging wide open. It's pretty cute actually...No no no! I did not just think that! Oh my god...

"I know it's all wonderful and overwhelming, but why don't you wash yourself and change before dinner? We'll arrive in the Capitol tomorrow around 9." Nicki says and then suddenly 2 avoxes comes and show us to our rooms. I'm about to stop when I get in my room, because of it's beauty, but I hurry in to the bathroom and strip of my clothes. When I look into the mirror I remember I have no token. Nothing from home. Oh well. I jump into the shower and my eyes widen at the sight of all these millions of buttons. I press some randomly and finally hot water are pouring down on me, making me smell like apple.

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