Out in the Battlefield

No turning back

I was led to a room which looked like it hasn't been used for several months. Everything has some dust wrapped around them. There were only few furniture in the room, probably because the sole purpose of the room was just to become a place where chosen, or volunteered tributes get to say their goodbyes. There was only a sofa, some tables, and some decorations that were placed at walls and some other tables.

But despite its condition, this room would be the most luxurious place I ever went to in my whole life. Well, next to districts one and two. But yet, I had never been in a room like this. With soft, deep carpets and soft couch and chairs. I'd never seen chairs like these in my whole life. Mainly because almost all the chairs here in district seven are made out of wood.

Realizing that the room had gone quiet, I turned around to see that the peacekeepers were already gone. It's not like they speak or something. It's just that maybe with their presence gone, the room felt quieter. Wait, had I ever seen them speak? No; the peacekeepers at the sign-up booth were some exceptions.

Deciding to relax for a while, I sat at the soft couch and brushed off some dust on it. I wondered what it would be like in the games. Who knows? I might be killed on the first day. My only strengths were swimming and handling an axe. I don't even know if I had enough willpower to kill a person. The only things I think I hit with my axe were trees and target boards. They don't even move.

My eyes suddenly darted around the room when I feel myself panic again. I don't want to get killed. I still have a long life ahead of me.

The door suddenly burst open and my parents came in, with the peacekeepers behind them to close the door.

"You have three minutes," one of them said as he closed the door.

Once the door closed, I looked at my mother. My eyes were starting to get teary again. Why would she ever want me to do this? I never actually thought about me getting killed in the games until now.

It was dad who moved first. He rushed to me to hug me tightly. We didn't say anything for a while, but out of his worry, dad was also the first one to speak to me.

"You can do this Lancy. I know you can," he whispered to me, trying his best to keep calm. I, on the other hand, was now sobbing on dad's shoulder as he tried to calm me down. I don't want to leave anymore. I'd rather train myself forever than be alone out there with other people wanting to kill me.

After I calmed myself down, I raised my head to look at mother, who has her arms crossed impatiently. All I wanted to do right now was to punch her straight in the face. She'll deserve it. My anger was rising as my hands balled into fists.

So I did it.

The sound of her nasal bone crack almost made me shiver, but I ignored it. My father looked surprised by my action, and my mother looked bewildered. She fell to the floor from the impact, with some blood flowing out of her nose. I never knew I could hit that hard to even make her nose bleed, but it's probably from training in throwing axes.

She opened her mouth to say something, but the door opened and the peacekeepers told them that they should leave and the three minutes is already finished. My mother stood up and walked outside, with her hands balled into fists. No doubt she'd want revenge when I get home. I didn't really regret it. She deserved it after all those years where she made me and dad as her slaves.

I looked back at my father who was now being pulled by the peacekeepers.

"No! Wait, don't leave!" I yelled, running to him. But the peacekeepers were faster. They blocked the way between me and my father. I tried pushing my way through them, but they didn't even budge. Sighing sadly to myself, I stepped back and sat on the couch and urged myself not to cry. I heard the peacekeepers march out the door so I felt free to bury my face in my hands.

I'm really gonna die.

My next visitor was Alacia.

Without even saying anything, she ran to me and collapsed into my arms. She sobbed loudly while I tried to tell her that everything will be okay. That I won't die. That I'll come back here safe and sound.

I didn't care that she was the reason why I volunteered. I need to volunteer, anyway. Even if she was the one who was chosen or not.

"Please tell me you'll win," she whispered shakily into my ear.

I nodded, "I will. I'll win... I'll win for you."

There wasn't really any other reason why I'd want to win except for Alacia and my dad. They'd both be my inspirations in the games.

She forced a smile as I wiped her tears away. She looked so pretty when she smiles.

"Calm down now. You can count on me, right?" I asked as I smiled back at her.

She nodded quietly, but suddenly jumped up when the door opened. Her face suddenly became nervous and panicked.

"I'll survive. Count on me, don't worry," I whispered to her quickly while hugging her, before she was pulled away by the peacekeepers and the door closed once again. I really don't think I'll come out alive, but I'll try... for them.

There are people counting on me to win; people expecting me to make our district win, people who expects me to come back home and be back safely in their arms, and even someone who wants me to win, just so they can get revenge on me. There are those people who doesn't really care, too, but right now, for me, there's no turning back.