hope in our eyes || 37th hunger games ✔️

Let the Games Begin

Mackenzie

I force my eyes open and realize that for once I woke up on my own, without Knox barging in. I roll over and glance at the clock on my nightstand. It only reads 5:28AM, and I think we need to leave at 9:30AM, which give me like four hours to ponder my fate. I roll over, brushing the hair out of my face, and flop back onto the pillows, savor into the feeling of my warm bed since who knows if I'll ever live to sleep in one again. Fumbling with my necklace, I think of Devin. How he'll probably watch me die today. And Isabelle, she won't be watching since she's so young, but she'll find out eventually when I don't come home.

I wonder how my friends are holding up. Poor little Olive is probably scared out of her mind and Aspen will be trying to comfort her and himself. I bet Lily and the rest of the Careers are raring to go, and Hazel probably is too. I don't really know about River, to be honest I haven't really payed that much attention to him in training aside from a quick glance or two. I guess I should have payed more attention to him, what he can do, and if he has any allies, but I think it's better if we both just stay away from each other.

A few hours later I hear a knock at the door.

"I'm up!" I yell

"Alright, dearie," Knoxy's voice soothes. "Join us for breakfast in a minute, okay?"

"Okay."

I roll out of bed and slip on a pair of leggings and a tee-shirt from my dresser. Walking out of my room, I see Kalia and Knoxy at the table. I sit down in an empty chair next to Kalia and an Avox sets a massive plate of food and a glass of juice in front of me. I eat it all while Knoxy shoots me disapproving glances and the rest of the group makes small talk.

"Don't eat so much, love," Knoxy chirps. "You're going to make yourself sick!"

I shrug off her comment and continue eating. After all, this is probably my last meal ever. May as well enjoy it right? After I'm finished stuffing myself I retreat back to my bedroom to take a shower. I choose a rose scented shampoo and conditioner and proceed with the rest of my normal routine.

Back in the bedroom, I find my tribute outfit for this year. It consists of a navy blue tank top, tight black pants, a thick fur lined jacket that's black, and a pair of short black boots. Judging from the jacket I'm guessing the arena is going to be cold but I don't understand why they would give us a tank top instead of a nice, long-sleeved shirt or something. After I slip on the boots, pants, and tank top there's a banging on the door. Without waiting for an answer, Kalia walks in and plops down on my bed.

"Morning, honey." She says, opening up the caboodle next to her.

"Hey."

"I see you've found your outfit. A little weird this year, huh?" She asks while looking me up and down.

"Yup." I say, smoothing down the shirt.

"Have a seat."

I sit down in front of her and she gets to work on my hair. Ten minutes later, half of it is pulled up in a French braid and the rest is left down.

"Thanks." I say, standing up.

"You're welcome, sweetheart." Kalia says as she picks up my jacket and leads me out of the room.

Knoxy meets us in the living room alone, since the tributes are not allowed to see each other before the games and River and Ethan have already left.

"Oh, you look wonderful, dear!" She chirps, pulling me into a hug. "Well, this is goodbye." She says while doing that weird Capitol thing where they kiss you on both cheeks really fast.

"Bye, thank you for everything." I say.

Knoxy was never my favorite, but you've got to give her credit. Every year she spends a week with two young kids and then watches them die on live TV. I don't know how she does it, I guess after a while you stop caring. Stop seeing us as living souls and more like offerings. Stop thinking about the lives we left behind and start making bets on us. Stop caring.

Kalia leads me into the elevator and the glass doors close behind us. When they open again we're on the roof of the training center where a hovercraft is waiting.  Kalia steps in and I follow her and take the seat across form her.  A lady in a crisp white lab coat comes over to me, her heels clicking on the metal floor.

"Give me your your arm." I slowly reach it out to her and she takes it in her cold grasp. She pulls a big syringe out of her pocket and quickly inserts it into my arm before I have time to react.  I pull away, gently caressing the now bruising spot on my forearm "It's your tracker." The women says simply before walking away.

Kalia shoots me a sympathetic look as we lift off the roof and into the air.

About an hour later the lights go out and the windows darken as we start our landing in who knows where. The doors open and four peacekeepers are there waiting for us. They quickly pat Kalia and I down to ensure that I'm not trying to bring anything that could be used as a wepon into the arena before they lead us down a long hallway and after a few turns open a door for us. Inside the room is a simple red couch, a table with a pitcher of water, and of course the glass elevator-like tube that will push me out into the arena. Kalia and I sit silently on the couch as my shaking fingers twirl around my necklace.

"Are you okay, honey?" Kalia asks, breaking the silence we've been sitting in.

"I guess." I lie, knowing she probably won't believe me but will leave me alone.

"Okay." She says and gets up to get a glass of water.

Suddenly a voice calls out over the speakers, "One minute to launch."

I stand up and embrace Kalia.

"Good luck." She whispers.

"Thank you." I say, trying to hold back the tears. "For everything."

She pulls away and we exchange weak smiles as she offers me my jacket. I slip my arms through the sleeves as she fluffs it out and straightens out my necklace.

"You can do this." She says.

I know I can't, but I'll try, for Devin.

"Thirty seconds to launch."

I walk towards the tube and gingerly step in, brushing my hair out of my face.

"Fifteen seconds to launch."

I must be strong, I must. I cannot cry, I must be strong, for my friends, for Isabelle, for Devin.

"Ten seconds."

With one last look at Kalia the doors close and lock.

"Five..."

The metal plate beneath my feet begins to push me upwards towards the light above my head. I take a deep breath as my head emerges into the arena.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let the Thirty-seventh Hunger Games begin!"