Rue's Song {A Hunger Games Fan Fiction}

Chapter 4: Welcome to the Capitol

I barely slept the first night.  I dreamed that I was in the arena alone with Cato.  I was in what appeared to be his lair.  I was tied up and he was on top of me.  He slowly dug a knife in my stomach.

I woke up screaming.  My palms were sweaty and my hands were shaking.  My side was sore and I had a splitting head ache.  I just started crying.  I was so overwhelmed I didn't know what to do.

Seeder, Loula, and an Avox girl rushed in.  Seeder sat on my bed and hugged me.

"What happened?" asked Seeder in a calm soothing voice.  Those two words calmed me instantly. 

"I had a dream the boy from District 2 was twisting a knife in my gut."  I said.  I easily remembered every little detail of the haunting nightmare. 

"I should have warned you."  said Seeder.  "You are going to have nightmares about the Games.  They can vary.  When I was a tribute up until even now, I have nightmares about this.  Would you like anything to eat or drink?"

"Could I have a glass of milk?"  I asked.

"Of course."  said Loula.  She glanced at the Avox and the Avox left the room.  In a minute, she came back with a glass of milk.

The milk was very thick and creamy.  It was deliciously warm.  I slowly drank it and Seeder rubbed my back to calm me down.  I was still shaking.  The milk seemed to act like sleep syrup.  My eyes felt heavy.  I said, "Thank you." and fell asleep.

The next morning, I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock.  The clock read 9:22.  I walked in the bathroom, brushed my hair and put it in a bun.  I grabbed the toothbrush and brushed my teeth.  I walked to the closet and put on a knee length denim skirt, a yellow top, and white flats.

I walked to the Dining Car.  Seeder was sitting by Loula and Thresh.

"Where's Chaff?" I asked.

An Avox came back practically dragging Chaff.  He had vomit down his shirt and smelled lime alcohol and drugs.  My guess is he got as drunk and intoxicated himself to sleep. 

"Woo!" Chaff huffed in a voice that sounded like someone who is drunk and high.  District 11 expects us to win listening to a drunk moron?  Good thing we have Seeder.  "I feel good this mornin' how 'bout y'all?"

In my opinion he sounded too enthusiastic.  How much liquor did he drink? 

No one answered him.  We all sat down and stared at the food laid before us.  I had eggs, bacon, ham, hashbrowns, oatmeal and berries, a strawberry banana smoothie, pancakes with chocolate chips, strawberries, and bananas, and a bowl of fruit and yogurt. 

I grabbed a lemon poppy muffin.  Loula chimed in, "Oh, I almost forgot, today we are entering the Capital.  Be on your best behavior.  Which as polite as you to are, I see there will be no problems this year."

"Rue, are you feeling better?" said Seeder.

"Yeah, I'm fine.  Thanks for coming in last night."  I said.  "Loula, what's the Capital like?"  I ask.

"Well now, it's somethin' to gawk at." Chaff said in his drunk daydream voice.

"I'm sorry, but I believe your name is Chaff not Loula.  So let me speak." said Loula sounding a little paranoid.  "Oh yes, the Capital.  It is quite a large city.  We are the most up-to-date area in Panem.  In fact, we will arrive in the Capital in about two hours.  So after breakfast, be dressed for success."

"Is this fine?" I asked.

"Oh darling, you look beautiful!"  said Loula.

We finished breakfast quickly.  I gorged myself because I don't know when I will eat next.  I walk back to my room.

I feel as if someone is behind me.  I turn around and see Thresh behind me.  "I've known you for years, you are really talkative.  You haven't said a word since the Reaping."  I said.

He lowered his head.  "I don't think I can do this."

"Do what?" I ask.

He spoke as if he were ready to burst into tears.  "I don't think I am cut out for these Games." 

"Are you kidding me!" I exclaimed.  "Did you not watch the recap of the Reaping last night?  You are the biggest one!  Your also strong as an ox and really fast.  If anything you'll live and see your family again!"  Tears started rolling down my eyes.  I had to realize I am the youngest.  I need to open up my eyes and see I won't even make it past day one.

I sat down on th  floor and huddled up.  Thresh lowered down beside me.  "Listen," he said.  "I'm gonna do my best to get you home alive.  I don't care if we are the last two.  I am determined to get you home alive."

I gave him a big hug.  I always thought of him as my older brother.  Before Mom was crippled, Dad couldn't work because of his health.  Once Mom fell out of the trees at the orchard.  Mom pulled me out of school at age 8 and I worked to feed us.  I had a hard time adapting at first.  I was barely paid and we had a big family.  I was starving during harvest and ate a peach.  A Peacekeeper saw me when I did it and ran at me with a club.  Thresh saw me and stepped in my place and said he gave it to me.  We were both beaten, and through the pain, he drug me home.  District 11 could care less whether you are alive or dead.  Since he contributed to th  fact I'm still alive, we are really close.

He sat with me for another hour then we had to get ready.  I washed my eyes from where they were red, and fixed myself in the mirror.  I need to look fierce and ready to win. 

I heard a knock on my door thirty minutes later.  It was Loula, Chaff, Seeder, Thresh, and an Avox.  I knew it was time.  I stood by Thresh and followed Loula through the train to the doors and stepped out.  We were greeted by Capital citizens dressed in the richest, yet strangest fashions cheering us and reporters and cameras.  The buildings were huge and had strange architectural features.  In the distance, you could see president Snow' s mansion shining bright.

We walked through to a building with a giant sign that said, WELCOME TRIBUTES OF THE 74TH HUNGER GAMES.  We walked in and went down in an elevator.  We went down several levels than left to a room that said, MAKEOVER CENTER.