Allies

The Carriage Ride

I'm taken to a room where 3 people, Capitol citizens, no doubt, do whatever they are paid to do. I just tune them out. Then, my stylist, who introduces herself as Maria, comes in. She says she wanted to do something with fish, since district 4 is fishing. I immediately imagine myself in some sort of fish costume and cringe. But, She surprises me.  She puts me in a blue\green dress that shines in the light. It's actually quite beautiful, and nothing like I would have worn at home. I haven't thought about home since I got here, and the thought brings tears to my eyes. But, I hold them back. There is no place for tears here. Maria does my hair and makeup, it's simple, but I look nicer than I ever have. Once she judges me presentable, we meet Crystal, James, Chase, and his stylist, Mark. All together, we go down to the very bottom of the building, where the horses and carriages wait. While we wait to leave, I see the other competitors. Most of them have the typical outfits, peacekeeper uniforms for 2, trees for 7, and coal miner jumpsuits for 12. I silently thank Maria for not making my outfit completely embarrassing, like some. We finally get into our carriages and begin our ride through the streets.  At first it's a bit overwhelming, all those people staring at me and cheering. But, then I remember that I need sponsors, so I start smiling and waving, even though it makes me sick to give these people what they want. But, if giving them what they want means I get what I want, which is to survive, I'll do it. I'll play their game, if it means I live.  We stop at the city center where President Snow, the root of all evil, welcomes us, then we go back to the tribute center. This whole time I tried to ignore Chase, because he doesn't matter, but as we get off the carriage and into the elevator, he tries to talk to me. I ignore him, which highly offends him and Crystal, who seems to think good manners are what society is built on. She's wrong. This society is built on the murder of children in a brutal battle to the death. A battle I will soon go into. So, I see no need to be polite, as politeness won't keep me alive. Not fast enough, we reach the fourth floor. There, Crystal shows me my room. Tired from all of this day's social interaction, I immediately out on the pajamas laid out for me, lay down, and go to sleep, hoping to wake up back in district 4.