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

Chapter Six: A Parade of Puppets

I walk with Finnick as we head back in the direction of the District Nine car, and it seems as though there were so many things that he also wanted to know about me. But they weren't the kind of things I have already been asked about, like what skills I had that might be of use to me in the arena, or how I happened to know anything about knife throwing, coming from a district that officially forbade it. (I wasn't about to tell Finnick about how I really learned any of that).

What Finnick wanted to know about me was this, "Did you ever at any time in your life, hear about any Whitestones that are still living?" And I say, "If you mean Gordon and Teresa Whitestone's daughter, it's kind of dangerous to talk about, especially if it's someone like you who's asking. I don't know her personally, so I couldn't tell you much. Why the sudden random interest in a half-starved orphan from my district anyway?"

"Dude, this isn't some random thing, this is actually serious. Alyssa's still alive then? That's good. I asked only because I've heard stories about her parents, the people they were, what they tried to do for Panem, even as far away from Nine as District Four is. It's not so much a fleeting interest as it is something to hold onto. When you're a victor like I am, you may get around to developing a talent, not just to kill for the entertainment of the Capitol, but for collecting secrets. It's hardly a laughing matter my District Nine friend."

"Secrets huh? I guess if you learn about all the right kind of secrets, they can be turned into weapons." I reply to this revelation into the inner workings of the Victor so many other guys back home admired, many Careers now aspired to be like, and many girls, even in the school where I come from, considered something of a heartthrob, even if he was also dangerous. Especially if he was dangerous.

"Of a sort," Finnick says to me. Then, finally, we are at the train door to the District Nine compartment. "This is where I have to leave you Noah. Don't wander off from the District Nine cars again, I won't be able to bail you out if you get into trouble. I have a gut feeling about you already though, that you are a fighter, that you might even stay alive. We could use someone like you."

But before I can ask Finnick, "Use me for what?" he has already left me. The door to the District Nine lounge car is opened by Henrietta, who is looking differing shades of livid. "And just where in creation did you dissapear to? If anyone had caught you away from the District Nine cars! You, young man, are already cutting it very close! Thank God your younger sister at least knows how to behave herself and stay where she's supposed to be!"

And with that, Henrietta hauls me (painfully I might add, and WHAT THE FUCK?) by an ear into the dining compartment where the table is groaning with dishes of all the most mouthwatering looking foods in existence.

"Now sit down and eat your dinner." Henrietta snaps, "And don't even think about wandering off again under my watch!" While I rubbed my sore ear and mutter under my breath irritated, "Lady, why don't you just pull my damn ear off while you're at it?" While Henrietta looks at me suddenly and sternly from where she now sits and adds, "And mind your language, Mr. Linwood! I do hope you at least set a better example for your sister in the Capitol!"

"Where exactly did you even go anyway?" Amber asks me curiously as she adds some roasted vegetables to her plate, while I go for some of the meat. That fried chicken and juicy roast pork might as well have been calling my name. "I just decided to walk around to try to clear my thoughts, even though I might be doomed within the next few weeks. I kind of got lost, thankfully someone was able to point me back in the right direction. Someone who could have very easily reported me, but it seems he decided not to. I'm still not sure we can even really trust the guy but---"

"Who was he?" Amber asks, sounding alarmed. "Not a patrolling Peacekeeper?" And I say, "No, no, it was him. Finnick Odair." And suddenly, Amber looks at me with a mixture of both envy and suspicion.