Tridents, butterflies and absolute freedom. (Book 5)

First degree

Lily

My pre-trial hearing was tomorrow morning. As I sat amongst the over-the-top flamboyance of the Capitol train I couldn't even take in my surroundings, or think about what was going to happen once I got home. I was struggling to think about how Fliss's birthday was the day after tomorrow. My only focus was worrying about where I was going...and this re-enactment I'd been asked to mentor for. That frightened me...but prison was frightening concept too- and if Casper thought this would help me gain more favour with the people on the jury panel then I suppose I had to. I didn't want to go to prison. The week or so I spent in mental rehabilitation were enough. Those few hours chained to a bed after the games were plenty of imprisonment to tell me that I'd crumble as a human being. It was different being held captive by the firing mutts because Finn was with me.

On my own I couldn't cope.

I wouldn't cope.

I don't think me and dad had spoken for at least the last couple of hours. It turns out on his way back to his mansion Casper had dropped in on my mom and dad. They'd been asked to take part in the re-enactment too. Part of me didn't trust Casper and if he dared reap any of my children for it I would make my views on the subject pretty well known since the handbook explained how the the kids we would be mentoring would be the children of past tributes or victors apart from the odd few.

"Dad,"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think they'll ask Charlie or Fliss to go in?"

"Probably."

"I suppose I just have to hope they don't?"

"I know you said no- but they might say yeah." He warned

I paused and mumbled "I know: I think Fliss would say no but-"

"That son yours, huh?" He chuckled

I smiled slowly "Yup." I paused "I hope this hearing thing goes alright?"

"All they said they'll do is outline what evidence the prosecution think they have."

"You sound like you know a lot about it?" I giggled

"Not really, your mom explained it to me."

"Ah right."

"So you have nothing to worry about."

I sat up on the velvet and mahogany lounge I had been trying to sleep on and muttered "I hope not."

"Lil, stop talking like that."

"I will, I'm gonna try and sleep?"

"Alright, I'll be here."

"Good, although, for the record- my house is a little overcrowded still?"

He chuckled "Blame the council for not dealing with the rats faster?"

"I will- ok- night?"

"Night sweetheart."

Black. Everything in my dream was black. I saw nothing but darkness. A spotlight blasted above me. I was covered in blood, shackled by my wrists to the floor. Nightmare. A tannoy came on.

"Three, two, one."

As the axe swung towards my neck I woke sharply in reality. I wanted to scream but I was verbally choked as the tannoy in the passage way outside our room continued on.

"Lil?"

My dad switched the lamp on and I must've looked how I felt because he scrambled over.

"Hey kid, you alright?"