Garden of Eden

Chapter 3

The ride to the train station from the Justice Building is short, punctuated by Evelyn's sniffling and Wendy babbling about the wonders of the Capitol. When we'd first exited the Justice Building, our hyperactive escort explained that since there is twice the amount of tributes this year, two cars will be provided. Wendy, Evelyn, and I went in one while Konrad, Adam, and Haymitch in another. I would've gladly traded with one of the male tributes had I known Wendy would talk as much as she did as something tells me our mentor isn't much of a talker himself.

All throughout District 12, Konrad has a reputation for being a heavy drunk, only ever interacting with the local liquor provider. Fortunately, he somehow manages to stay sober long enough during the Games to try and help his tributes. Although admittedly his assistance is of little reassurance seeing how he hasn't been able to bring home a victor as he so bluntly pointed out.

Our car arrives at the station first and is immediately encircled on all sides by cameras and reporters. Wendy leads us out and we are forced to stand in front of the train while cameras eagerly snap our photo. We remain there for a couple of minutes before a car not unlike the one we were in pulls up near the train tracks. Half the reporters and cameras instantly swarm the car as Konrad steps out followed by our fellow District 12 tributes. Wendy promptly calls them over where we are all forced to tolerate several more minutes in front of the unwanted public. After what feels like a millennium, Wendy finally gives the okay and we file into the train where the door closes behind us silently. The train moves without so much as a jolt.

"Right, I'm sure you'd all like to see your rooms. If you'll follow me, I'd be happy to escort you there," Wendy says with a bright smile on her unnaturally white face. She strides down the train carriage and into the next, where there are six doors; three on either side of the carriage. "Our gallant gentlemen with occupy the rooms on the right side of the compartment while our lovely ladies will occupy the left side. Konrad and I will be taking these two rooms." Our escort says, gesturing to the two doors closest to where we stand. "Adam and Maysilee will vacate the next two rooms down and finally Haymitch and Evelyn will take the last two down the corridor." As she finishes talking, the closest door on our right opens. Konrad stands by the doorframe, hands shoved in the pocket of his trousers. Casually leaning against said door, his penetrating grey eyes scrutinises each tribute forcibly taken under his wings this year.

"Congratulations," he says neutrally, "Twice the amount of tributes this year; twice the chances of winning; or, more likely, twice the amount of deaths on my hands. I suggest you take advantage of all this luxury around you." He gestures around as if we aren't already aware of how luxurious this Capitol train is. "This trip will last less than a day. We'll be at the Capitol tomorrow after breakfast. At which point you'll be placed in the hands of your prep team and stylist. They're there to make you look presentable for the night's opening ceremonies, so try not to resist them too much. I assure you, you will not like what they'll do to you at all but try to behave." With that said Konrad steps back from the door before closing it again.

"You heard your mentor. Enjoy everything this train has to offer until we reach the Capitol. In your rooms you shall find a draw full of garments which you are free to change into at your leisure. Supper will be in an hour," Wendy adds before disappearing into her own room.

Adam, Haymitch, and even little Evelyn walk to their respective rooms. I walk into mine and am surprised by how big it is. There is a bathroom through another door in one corner of the room and a huge soft looking bed in another by the window. After lingering in that room for awhile feeling the softness of the bed, testing the water temperature in the bathroom, and browsing through the draw Wendy mentioned, I decide to go exploring the entire train, wandering into the next carriage. This one appears to be the dining area where a massive table with six chairs surrounding it takes up the majority of the space. True to her word, the table is being set up for dinner by several Capitol attendants and looks to be ready soon. Not wanting to get in their way, I move along. The next compartment is what appears to be the viewing room; with a wide flat screen television hanging on the wall, a large cushiony couch, and an arm chair on either side of it. Between the couches and television is a coffee table with a remote control placed on its glass surface. Sitting on the couch I idly test buttons on the remote until the sound of a door opening causes me to look away from a scene of a previous game - where a girl gouges out an enemy's eye before thrusting a dagger in his heart - and look over my shoulder.