A True Tribute

Chapter 5:Train

"Just down this hallway" Fannia informs.

After we reach the end of the trimmed blue carpet,there is a door made of solid metal.

Fannia types in a code next to the door on a small numbered panel.and the door slides open with a sudden rushing sound.

"Do you like it?" Fannia asks.

"This is,.. beautiful!" I answer enthusiastically.

"Great because you will be staying here for the remainder of your train ride to the Capitol! Go ahead soak it in." she says.

I take a few steps forward to reach the luscious king sized bed. It has a shining dark green comforter. And two dark blue lamps on either side of the pillows.

On the walls are gorgeous small mirrors, beautiful flower paintings, and rhinestones.

The are two mahogany night tables, two dressers, and a giant flat screen across from the bed.

And another door in the far right corner.

"I forgot the best part" Fannia says.

She trots the door and this time the door opens automatically.

"Oh my Goodness..." I add in awe.

"This is your closet" Fannia tells with a smile wide as her face itself.

It's larger than the room. There are railings equipped with hangers and clothes of all kinds.

"Okay so there is also a private bathroom on the other side of the room so you can clean up."

I nod to assure her I understood.

" Get used to the room for about an hour or two then come to the dining car for dinner." And then Fannia leaves with her clacking heels behind her.

I turn on the television and plop on the bed.The remote is a clear piece of class that seems to have projected buttons on it.

When the screen flashes on I see Caesar Flickerman, the Hunger Games host and Master of Ceremonies. He mainly has glittering blue hair and heavily spray tanned skin.

He sits at a news table with Claudius Templesmith, the Hunger Games announcer.

They are discussing last years's games.

The arena was an abandoned ruin located in a desert.

"The use of the rubble..."

The boy in the arena carried a brick in his hand. the was another young man on the ground.

It took me a minute to realize that the brick was coated in dark, fresh blood.

"The moment when a tribute...becomes a victor..."

"Glimmer sweetheart! Dinner is ready!" I hear Fannia shout.

I shut off the television and process what I saw. When a tribute becomes a victor. when a tribute becomes a victor.

Will I have that moment?

Yes. I will. The games are weakening me, and I can't let that be.

I wander to the door and punch in the code Fannia gave me.

Once the door slides open, I trot down the carpeted hallway until I reach the door with the dining room.

The door opens on its own and I enter. Everybody is already seated, this is embarrassing.

"How lovely for you to join us, Glimmer!" says Amethyst. "Dinner is served."

As I steal a chair between Marvel and Fannia.

"I have a question To ask you guys to ask you guys." I tell Leather and Amethyst. " Can you tell is about sponsors?"

"We'll you see all you have to do is get people to like you during the time leading up to the games, and in the games, make them root for you. and If you succeed, during the games they can offer you things you need like water or matches. but you don't need to worry about that much, you'll already have everything you need since your a career."

"Oh. thanks. anyway, is there any other skills or strategies you can tell us?" I ask as I bite into a grilled piece of chicken.

"Of course, there always is."

I can't sleep. The moment when a tribute...becomes a victor. Those words burn in my mind. my brain throbs, and I obtain a headache. But all I can do is deal with it.

The sun wakes me up that morning. It's glare shining in my eyes. I sit up, and fall right back down, my blonde locks spread on either side of my head.

I slept in my reaping outfit. That was yesterday? It felt like weeks ago.

I just decide to force myself out of my bed and waltz to the bathroom.

I brush out my hair and let it flow.Then I choose to throw on a cream colored blouse and light blue jeans.

In the dining room, once again, I am the last one there. I peek at Fannia, and wonder how she got ready so quickly. her hair is in a bun once again,yellow. her dress is short and ruffles yellow and orange, matches her eyelashes.

"Lovely outfit" I tell Fannia with a smirk.

"Okay now Glimmer, I don't need your sarcasm." Fannia instructs with an upset orange eyebrow.

"When do we get to the Capitol, I wanna head to the training center" Marvel asks.

"We should be arriving almost any minute by now. So you won't be in the training center until tomorrow" she informs as she points her fork at us as she explains.

An avox merely sneaks up behinds as she lands a bowl of fresh berries before me. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and my personal favorite, blue berries. My mouth begins to water just at the sight of it. I look to my left at all my selective utensils and snatch the smallest fork. I pierce a blueberry with one of the prongs and place it in my mouth. As my teeth clamp down on it, the flavored juices fill my mouth with satisfaction.

Until I am interrupted by Marvel's jabbering that is.

"There it is" he says, as he peeks out the window. "The Capitol."