The 73rd Annual Hunger Games

Chapter 2- To the Capitol

I woke up and my entire house was shaking. Earthquakes are a rarity in District 4, but they still happen sometimes. I sprung out of bed, then realized that I wasn't at home, and it wasn't my house that was shaking. I was on the DIstrict 4 tribute train, on my way to the Capitol.

I looked down at the floor. THe fancy Capitol clothes were strewn across the room, the blankets on the floor, too. A couple of windows were busted. Right. Yesterday, after the train took off, I skipped dinner and threw a fit. Now, it's the next morning, another day closer to my death.

A knock at the door made me start. "Caspia? Are you coming to eat breakfast?" Cherry asked.

"Go away!" I said, on the brink of tears. I was suddenly happy, remembering that last night, I locked my door so CHerry couldn't come in. She still can't. I threw a pillow at the door.

"Well, I say!" She said. She stomped off down the hall.

"Good riddance," I muttered as her footsteps grew quieter and quieter the farther away she got. I slumped onto my bed, and buried my face in the pillow that I didn't throw at the door. It blocked out some of the sounds, which was good, because If I kept geiing bugged by more noises, I'd probably start throwing things again.

I started to feel bad about the mess so I got up, and started to clean. I folded shirts and pants and put them into drawers, but kept jeans and a white T-shirt out. I finally changed into the jeans and T-shirt, leaving the green satin dress on the floor. I gasped when I noticed that I was still wearing my shark tooth necklace. I kissed it, tasting the fading saltwater on it. I sat back down on the bed and ran the leather rope of the necklace between my fingers, until I heard another knock at the door.

"Cass? Are you okay?" I heard an unfamiliar voice.

I hid my sorrow. "Yes, who am I speaking to?"

"It's your mentor, Finnick. You know, it'd be easier to talk to you if you'd open the door."

I walked numbly to the door and opened it, seeing FInnick's athletic frame waiting in the threshold.

I sat back on the bed, and FInnick sat beside me. "What's up?"

"Oh, you know. The usual. Just mourning over my own death." I said.

"Nonsense. You're still alive, aren't you?" he asked.

"Not for long," I muttered.

"Come on. You're stronger than that. There's got to be some other reason as to why you're gloomy,' He said.

I looked into his startlingly green eyes. "I never got to say goodbye to my father, or my mother, or Ray..."

He put his hand under my chin. "It'll be okay. You'll get a chance. There's always second chances." He smiled, then frowned. He got a distant look in his eyes. Then, it passed. "Come eat. Their food here is delicious."

I reluctantly parted with my comfortable bed, and followed him through the train corridor until we got to a room alive with the smell of food. They had every kind of food imaginable, from raspberry soup to clam chowder, to chicken in orange sauce. Seeing the food made me realize how hungry I really was. Kyle, Cherry, and Finnick sat at the table, and I took a seat between Finnick and Kyle.

"How splendid it is of you to join us," Cherry said distastefully.

"Sorry," I muttered.

She tilted her chin up poshly. I rolled my eyes and ate some raspberry soup, which was surprisingly good.

"We arrive at the Capitol in the morning, and we need to get acquainted," Finnick said. "What are your strenghts and weaknesses?"

Kyle spoke first. "I can choke people, strangle, use clubs, knife, mace, and use the trident and net."