Noah Linwood: Tales from the 67th Hunger Games (ON HOLD)

Chapter Five: Meeting a Legend

I guess Amber would have much rather stayed locked in one room, as a prisoner than face the Hunger Games, where she would have to kill other people to survive. I understand on some level how she feels because when it really came down to my most hidden beliefs and values, there are  countless other things I would sooner do, of course there are. I would rather be made into an Avox than have anything to do with the Capitol's sadistic Games.

Unfortunately, I also realize that I have bigger things to worry about here than just myself. I hope to God Amber pulls her act together before we reach the Capitol. At least one of us has to go home. One of us has to win. There's just no way around it. It has to be done.

While I am looking for Amber on this train, I barely even realize how far  I've wandered until I find myself in a very different lounge car than the one reserved for District Nine tributes. This one has furniture with dark blue velvet, wallpaper of a deep sea green, and there are ornaments of pearl, seashells, and starfish all over this car, on old fishnets draped around as though they are supposed to be decorative. This lounge car is currently unoccupied by anyone from Four, which is a good thing for me.

What is it with District Four and their obsession with finding a use for literally every single thing that comes out of the ocean or is supposed to do something useful, like catch fish? Maybe it's just what these Capitol flunkies think that people in District Four are like. Most of the official district videos made by the Capitol that I've ever been shown back home at school were hilariously bad, or just plain stupid to the point of being insulting to the rest of us in themselves.

But I seriously had to get the hell out of here before I got caught. None of the tributes from different districts are technically allowed to even come face-to-face with, let alone fight with each other until we have even reached the Capitol, and we are discouraged from fraternizing with any official mentors other than our own. What was I thinking coming this far up the train? But as I quickly turn for the exit door to find my way back to the District Nine cars, I am met with someone epically famous who it is at once terrifying and exciting to meet.

"Finnick Odair?" Is what I barely manage to squeak out pathetically. I had heard many stories about Finnick, some now officially known all over Panem, like his being the youngest tribute on record to become a victor just two years ago, to name one of the well known facts. Like how he has all the looks, all the charisma, along with a deadly talent for using a trident like a beast---with human victims most frequently on the receiving end of getting speared to death. Which the 65th Hunger Games proved all too graphically. He can be no more than sixteen years old now.

"You're one of those Linwood kids. How exactly did you get all the way down our end when you don't even belong in District Four? Don't you have even the slightest idea how dangerous this is? My public persona may be all for living on the edge of danger, but even I know this could spell real trouble." Finnick says grimly.

"Yeah well, I bet you would know all about trouble, Odair, since it found you very easily two years ago. I'm looking for my sister and I kind of ended up wandering a lot further away from the District Nine compartments than I should have. A complete accident on my part." I explain sheepishly.

"A completely stupid accident on your part." Finnick says, "Your sister very likely went to her private compartment if you haven't seen her anywhere else. Hurry up, follow me, before the guards catch you here."