The Bender Games

Chapter Fifteen

The Bender Games

Chapter 15: The last Night.

    The bell tolls twelve, marking the end of the night. We finished off with fireworks, and then all of the contestants began to leave. I was one of the first few to make it out. It was a nice night, but now that it is over, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible. I meet Monica by our limo (which was a weird change, since I am so used to trains.) I hop inside, and discover Jo asleep on Dean’s shoulder. I give him a look, and he gives me a shrug that says “don’t ask, ‘cause I have no idea.”

    I crawl into the far end of the the leather seating of the limo.I cross my legs and put my hands on my lap as I wait for Monica to come inside.

    The door swings open, and in pops Axel, with Monica trailing behind. Monica sits by the door, and Axel sits on the opposite side of Jo and Dean. I examine Axel and see that his eyes are red and puffy. Has he been crying? Axel hangs his head and covers his face. I look away. I shouldn’t butt in. But when I take one more quick glimpse at Axel, I can’t help but wonder what happened in there to make him cry like that. Was it the woman wearing the X? Did another contestant confront him, like Eclipse did with me?

    I try not to think about it much longer. So I look out the window and watch the world go by.

    The limo stops in front of our building. We all get out and head for the elevator. Once we have reached our floor, Axel bolts to his room. Dean helps Jo walk to her room. So its just Monica and me. She smiles at me.

    “I hope you had fun tonight.” She says.

    “I did.” I tell her, and I mean it. Monica gives me a sad smile. Then she turns and heads towards her room, leaving a trail of gold behind her. Since everyone is gone, I decide to head to my room too.

    I take a quick shower. Then I spend some time trying to scrape the jewels off my skin. I dry myself, and dress into a nightgown. When I am finished, I look at myself in the mirror. The girl now and the girl in the waterfall dress are two different people. But I like the version in the mirror better. Its the real me, not the me that is being twisted and changed by the capital. I take a good long look at myself. It is probably the last time I will be able to see my reflection, so I want it to be a good memory. I take my hair out of the bun, and let the curls fall around my shoulders. Then I rip the jewels out of my hair. Now the only evidence of tonight is the blue nail polish on my fingers and toes. Some of the nails have little designs of drops of water. I wish I could take it off, but I don’t have any remover.

    I sigh and head over to my bed. I lay down and pull the covers over my head. My eyelids feel heavy, but I can’t sleep. I’m terrified. The realization of tomorrow has just hit me, and now I feel cold and numb. I tremble under my covers, not from the chill of the night, but from the fear that is slowly taking over me.

    Now I feel like I drank some of that fountain water.

    I twist and turn all night, but the only thing on my mind is the games, and the fact that I could die tomorrow.

    I spin my head around and look at the clock on my bedside table. Its only 2:45. I throw the covers off, and swing my legs over the side of the bed. My feet touch the cold floor, and a shiver climbs up my spine. I make my way over to my closet and grab a white wool sweater. I pull my arms through it, and make my way outside. I think I just need some food, or water, or fresh air to take my mind off things.

    As I head to the kitchen, something in the living room catches my eye. Axel is wearing his pajamas from last night as he sits on one of the gigantic window sills. His legs are curled up against his chest, and his head rests against the window. His eyes are still red and puffy, his nose is a light pink color.