Cada's POV
We got shoved into the train, my old blue dress ripping on the massive door handle. Everything suddenly went black, all I could hear was the slight roar of the engine starting, then everything going quiet, deathly quiet. I knew Luke wasn't in here with me, being the dumb shit he is, tried a runner, so he'd be put in a different cabin, probably to cop a beating.
I sat there, just thinking about how mum was gonna cope without me. I was the one who got the food, I was the one who practically ran the house, if I could even call it a house. I isn't much, just a run down shack with a kitchen and 2 beds. As I said, it isn't much.
There was suddenly a clicking noise, the door flinging open, an officer grabbing me and pulling me away. I was thrown into a really posh looking room, with velvet seats, expensive looking cutlery and a 5 course buffet on the mahogany table. I also noticed an older looking guy sitting at the table, drinking some alcohol, his long blonde hair ratty and gross, with big bags underneath his eyes.
"Your friend has a good right hook." He mumbled as I sat down, staring at the food in awe. Back in district 9 food is scarce, so this was like heaven on Earth. "Pardon?" I said, noticing a big purple bruise on his jaw. "I was the one that had to punish your little boyfriend out there, he has a good swing, that'll help in the games." I played with my fingers, looking away. "He isn't my boyfriend." "Well from your reaction at the reaping, it was pretty obvious you too have something going on."
I scoffed, not wanting to talk about this with this guy anymore. "I'm Hamich." He held out his hand. "District 9's winner of the 61st Hunger Games. Also your mentor, i'm going to help you train, tell you the basics." Well at least he's won before, he might have some tips I guess. "Oh, i'm Cada Lightwood, loser of the 74th Hunger Games." He looked at me seriously. "Don't think like that, it'll come true." Exactly what happened to Luke.
Someone came through the door, I looked around, seeing Effie, well dressed like always, and Luke, with bruises all over his face. "Ah, I see you've met Hamich, go on, sit down and chat, we'll be at the capitol very soon." Luke shuffled over, sitting down next to me, glaring at Hamich, who held his hands up in defense. "Hey, i'm not your enemy here kid." Luke scoffed. "That's not what it was like when you were hitting me before." He mumbled.
***
"So, how can we survie?" I heard Luke ask as I was staring out the window, seeing all the other run down districts. "Well, most of the tributes die at the Cornacopia in the first few minutes, the place with all the weapons. But if you survive that, the most common way to go is from natural things, even a cold can mean the end." "Well, how can we win?" Hamich sighed, looking at me for a brief second. "You need sponsors, which are people watching that like you, wanting you to win. They are your lifeline, some soup or medicine can literally mean life or death."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "So, that would mean people would actually have to like you to get sponsors." He chuckled, biting into his sandwich. "And that's why you two are lucky." "Why?" Luke and I said in unison, exchanging funny looks. "Everyone saw what happened at the reaping, people want to see what happens to you two."
He shrugged. "And besides, look at you two; Cada, you have long brunette hair, soft blue eyes, obviously a winner for the male population. And you Luke, with your dreamy eyes and fit body, obviously a hit for the ladies. People won't want you to die, you're too.. pretty." I held my head in my hands. "Not sure if I should be proud or ashamed."
"WE'RE HEAR!" Effie sing songed, jumping of her seat, Luke and I following. In front of us was the Capitol, with skyscrapers reaching the sky, technology i've never seen before and the people populating it dressed in ridiculous colours and strange big hair. There was a huge pack of people waiting at the station, waving, hoping to get a glimpse of Luke and I.
I glanced at Luke, who was pressed up against the window, waving at everyone, a huge grin on his face. Hamich looked at me, then Luke, then back at me. "Keep an eye on him Cada," He said, walking off down the long corridor. "He knows what he's doing!" I heard him shout, gulping at how right he actually was.
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Bit short for these ones but they will get better c:
