Sea of Madness - Annie Cresta 70th Hunger Games

Chapter 9 - Goodbyes

I am woken early in the morning by my prep team, they rouse me out of bed so I can have one last touch up before the grand opening. I drowsily follow them into the prep room where they wax, brush and scrub my body bare. I am then handed a package of clothing, my outfit for the arena. I open it up my heart pounding with suspense, I am surprised to find a t-shirt and jumper, with pants made from rubbery, light material. This outfit puzzles me, I have clue of what it indicates about the arena. As I drift away from my puzzled thoughts I am ushered to a car that will take us to the airport where the hovercrafts are. I meet with Warrick again for the first time after our chat in the car. We are both silent throughout the trip, not muttering a single word we tightly grip each other's hands and vaguely stare into the distance.

The car pulls to a halt in the vast open runway of the airport and Warrick and I step out into the plain bare space.

"Warrick, Annie, over here!" I hear Reece's voice shout from somewhere behind us. We both turn around and move slowly towards her. "Okay you guys, remember what I said; stick with the careers until top 6, then branch off, or they will kill you." She advises in a stern voice, Warrick and I nod. We are about to leave when I turn and stop to say something to Reece.

"I know it doesn't look like I appreciated you much,but I want you to know." I sniffle, as I start to tear up, the heavy emotions flowing through my veins finally taking control. "I'm really sorry for the way I acted, you were just doing your best to survive, like I'll be doing. Your advice is g...gonna make the difference."

Reece pulls me into a tight hug and I stay there for a few seconds before I am stripped from her body by peacekeepers. "Good luck Annie, I knew you'd come around." She yelled waving goodbye as I walked into the distance, up into the hovercraft.

The decor of the hovercraft was silver, white and ultra pristine. All the other seats were full of tributes, I was the last. I went and took a seat next to Warrick, unfortunately it was also opposite Athena who death stared me the entire trip.

When we finally arrived the peacekeepers walked me out of the hovercraft and through a long dark underground tunnel that seemed to go on forever. As I walked each step it felt as though the weights on my shoulders were getting heavier and heavier. Finally we reached an opening, a small room.

The first thing I noticed wad the tube, the very sight of it sent my guts swirling into a bottomless pit. Then the sight of my stylist Tinna comforted me. Her long aquamarine hair flowing gracefully as usual.

"Hey beautiful girl." She said as I ran up to give her a hug. Although her presence made me feel better my insides were still burning with indestructible fire.

I looked into her eyes with a deep troubled expression."I'm scared." I admit. Tina begins to talk but is interrupted.

30 seconds

My breath get heavy and my teeth start chattering. "Hey, calm down." Tinna says " You have it in you if even the Capitol's most wanted manis in love with you."

10 seconds

I walk over and force each into the tube. Big mistake. The doors close around me and the air is sucked from my breath, I struggle to breath and my heart pounds fastly inside my chest. Then the plate begins to rise...