Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 4 - The Very Long Train-Ride

I follow the peacekeeper down the hall and when I get there, I see Talon and James Dess are waiting for me. This ought to be ‘fun’. The two boys whom I can’t really stand for less than a minute…I’m supposed to be spending what will be the rest of my life with these two and our mentor. Let me just say I can think of the many topic we’ll be talking about…none. Just before they push us out the door to the transport to the train station, I look back and I see my family standing there next to Axel. He’s holding my little brother’s hand. I only wished that I could run over to them and just give them one last hug: little Sharp and my dear friend…Axel.

“Time to get going, you two…the train won’t wait forever.” Dess says as I turn back around. What a shame about that. That train could just leave us here. That wouldn’t do me too much harm if I’m honest. I like it here in District 7. Anyways, we get going to the transport. As it takes us away, I look back once and twice more. I catch Axel looking at me. I sense a little tear making its way down my face, but I get rid of it quickly. The minute they disappear out of sight, I can’t show anybody my vulnerable side. I’m the feisty-kid of the District. I’ve got to act like it!

We get on the train a few minutes later and I don’t really notice much inside the main room. I walk straight to the window as the train starts to move as I want to keep my eyes on my home for as long as possible. It just gets tinier and tinier in the distance, and in the end, it’s all gone. I take a deep breath as I then turn around to see the rest of the room. Wow! I’m literally stunned. Not like when I was reaped, because that was just some crazy, unfair crap right there. No, this was actually more like admiration. I just feel like I’ve stepped inside a whole different world. Back home we barely have anything, but when I look at the table of food right here, holy crap there’s all kinds of things to eat!

“So, I’ll go and get your mentor, Blight. He’s probably waiting to be called in from the bar. In the meantime feel free to eat whatever you’d like.” He says as he takes off. Well, there are no limits here, are there? I don’t see any. “Whatever we want, huh? That’s got to be a first.” I mutter as I walk closer to the table. It’s like I’m too damn scared to touch what’s in front of me. It’s like I feel like this is too good to be true. This can’t all be possibly for me, I mean, us? Talon on the other hand isn’t too shy at all. He grabs a plate and he starts picking.

“It’s kind of ironic, don’t you think?” He then asks. I’m shaken out of my thoughts as he speaks. “Ironic?” I then ask him as I grab a plate. “Yeah…that we got reaped to the same Games I mean.” He then explains. Oh, you think that’s ironic, do you? “Ironic, you say? I thought it was happy fate when a jerk was reaped with me.” I answer as sarcastically as I possibly can as I make my way about the table in front of me. I hear him slightly shrug, but I’m not bothered with it. He knows who I am. He knows what I do to his kind. “Do you think you even stand a chance in there?” He then asks me. That’s my turn to shrug as I smile over at him. “As long as I outlive you, I don’t really care what happens regarding the rest.” I answer before I can hear the door in the far corner of the room open.

Here comes Blight…well, what’s there to say about him? Well, for one he is our mentor, so he should know a thing or two about how to survive in the God forsaken Arena they put us in this year. Second thing, he likes his liquor. I’ve heard he’s got that from the victor from 12. Those from 12 never really stand a chance in the Games. I’ve barely seen them because they’re usually dead before five minutes have passed. The poor man is barely sober when he mentors them. Blight doesn’t strike me as quite the same type. Our District can stand a chance if mentored correctly, but then again, that all depends on him being sober through the whole thing.

“So…you are my tributes this year…” Blight says as he walks over slightly shaggy. Oh yeah, he’s been drinking alright. “Do you for second think we would be sitting here if we weren’t?” I then answer sarcastically back as he sits down on one of the more comfortable chairs in the room. Talon and I sit down in front of him. Can’t say I’m impressed by my view though. He looks like crap. “Well, aren’t you a feisty one?” Blight says after pouring more drink into his glass. I’m actually impressed he didn’t spill any of it. “What’s your name then, Feisty?” He then asks me. I shrug at him. “Sylvia Mason…perhaps you can start calling me that when you sober up.” I answer. “Ouch…” I hear Blight say as he turns towards Talon. “A less feisty Talon Branch, sir.” He points out. Oh boy, he’s already started to suck up to the mentor. Pathetic!