The Hunger Games Rue's Point Of View

Chapter 3

The Peacekeepers lead me to the train where Thresh and I will be taken to the Capitol. I board quietly, noting all the cameras that surround me already. I feel a scowl coming on, but I fight to wipe my face completely emotionless. Why shouldn't I be angry, coming to the Capitol? My heart has been broken, shattered even, and stomped on by them.

I am ushered into my room, and I can't help but be a little bit awed. It's nearly as big as my entire house, a pale yellow bed adorning the white room. Is this what the Capitol is like?

There's a small closet full of clothes my size. I change out of my reaping outfit, trying to abandon the terrible memories already clinging to the. I find a yellow blouse and grey leggings to dress in, then I sit on the bed, my feet dangling.

"Rue! Come out dear, we're about to have lunch." An unfamiliar voice, but I hop down lightly and enter the dining room.

I see a small dining table, next to a longer table for food. Thresh already sits at the table with three other strangers, looking like a giant next to all the dainty Capitol furniture.

"Rue, you look beautiful! Are you ready to eat?" The woman who says this gestures to the table.

"Yes please, ma'am," I say. The woman gasps lightly, and the other two giggle and whisper to each other.

"Oh no dear, you don't have to ma'am me. I'm only your mentor."

It's then I recognize her as Cenia Jahnsen, a victor from just recently.

"A-alright." I sit quickly in the seat across from her. My mentor smiles slightly, and turns to the other two people at the table.

"Rue, this is Alex Colelan, Thresh's mentor; and Finley Jasper." I also recognize Finley as the Capitol representative that pulled our names. I have to bite my lip before I remember the odds are just not in my favor, it's not her fault.

Alex stands. "Let's eat, then." He's the standard District 11 man, tanned skin and dark hair, as well as calloused hands from working in the fields. He was the victor from the 54th Games, from what I remember. Age must have treated him well.

I stand and serve myself a small portion of the food, filling half of my plate.

"Rue, you can get more. We have plenty," Cenia says. I shake my head quickly.

"I'm not that hungry." It is the truth, but looking at the heaps of food makes my mouth water. I could gain a few more pounds before the Games, as my ribs still are very prominent.

I sit back down and barely have time to eat two bites, when Cenia begins questioning me.

"Alright, Rue, do you have any secret talents? Anything you could use in the Games?" I shake my head. 

"Nothing secret. I can use a slingshot, though."

"Good, good. That could come in handy," she says.

Not going to do much good against a 200-pound Career barreling at me, is it?

I refrain from voicing my thoughts, and take another bite of my food.

"We'll work with it," Cenia decides. She begins talking to Thresh and his mentor, and I try to listen, but there's too many thoughts weighing me down.

I finish eating, and I can feel my stomach repulsing at such rich food. I fight to keep it down, and cherish the feeling of being, well, full. It's a rarity in District 11.

Cenia gets my attention and tells me it'll be only 3 more hours until we reach the Capitol. Then I excuse myself to my room.

I sit quietly in thought, not tired enough to take a nap, but not enough energy to get up and explore. When the train begins slowing, Cenia calls my name. I warily get up to see what she needs, but she just invites me to the train window with her.

I need a small boost, and my eyes widen at the sight. The Capitol, in all its glory, is right here in front of my face. Then I notice the people gathered around the tracks, waving at a new tribute train. I wave back, with my nose barely peeking over the window.

"Never fails to amaze me, the Capitol does," Cenia says. "The architecture, the food, the Games - but the people, they are something else."

I nod, trying to understand. All I see are the brightly colored clothes, unnatural makeup, and gravity-defying hair. It's nothing like what would be in my district.

The train slows to a stop and Thresh exits his room, eager to get off. I think the motion made him slightly sick.

Cenia grabs my hand and pushes a button to open the doors. Already, the crowd screams and cheers - for me and Thresh.

A Peacekeeper comes to take us into the building, and I let him lead us through doors that open by themselves. My group of five: Thresh, his mentor, Cenia, and Finley, and I all ride up the crystal-clear elevator. I'm still in slight awe of all the Capitol and their people and all the colors I can see, expanding and still expanding outward.

Cenia explains we have a while to wait for the other tributes, from the farther districts. Later today I'll have to go to the Remake Center with the rest of the tributes.

The rooms are as great as the ones on the train, but bigger. The walk in closet, bathroom, and the shower all look just as amazing, and I actually get excited to shower later.

It's not until around 4 in the afternoon Cenia comes to get me, to take me to the Remake Center.

"The people . . . they might seem crazy, but believe me, just go along with them," Cenia instructs as we ride the elevator. "You'll be looking great by the time you reach the end of it!"

I can only nod in agreement, and wonder just what they can do to me that's so bad.