Out in the Battlefield

A Weird Excitement

Calix made me wear a dress in which Johanna definitely had a part in thinking of a design. She obviously didn't want it to be another tree, as every district seven's tributes in the last 73 years were made to wear. I was in a dress again, but instead of last time, which represented a tree, this one represented an axe.

The upper portion was the color of a metallic silver. I was surprised that it reflected light that shines upon it. The right side of it was sleeveless, but on the left side, the sleeve started from my shoulder until my elbow, representing the blade of an axe. The lower part was just a normal long dark brown skirt. It was flowing and was made of silk. I was enjoying running my hands through them.

"You know, we should include something in front that says 'I hate the Hunger Games' or something like that," she had once suggested. I know it's kind of a weak statement, but at least now I know that she's not willing to let us go and die in the games.

As I waited for my turn to be interviewed, I spotted Johanna making her way through the tributes beginning to be cramped backstage as more tributes arrived. She craned her neck as if she was finding someone. Then her eyes landed on me and Webster.

"Hey!" she called, walking over to us. "Chins up and smile, but be careful, you should keep in mind not to look over confident or you might pose a threat. Just impress the crowd."

We nodded, eventually checking the large screen backstage which showed the live interview of the girl from three, Analilia Wiry. She wasn't all smiles and happiness, but I can tell from the look in her eyes that she shouldn't be one to be underestimated.

"Who's the lady?" Webster asked, referring to the new interviewer. We didn't arrive early enough to see the opening, so we didn't quite catch her name.

"Her? Oh she's Jessica Maldiva," Johanna replied with a shrug.

"Where's Caesar?" I asked, but she just shrugged again.

I looked back at the screen where the interview with the district 6 boy was still taking place. The mood of the first part of his interview was quite sad. They talked about the boy's dead lover who died because of last year's games. Then the most surprising–and amazing–thing happened.

As Jessica was about to ask him another question, he suddenly stood up from his seat and walked to the front of the stage, saying things about the districts rebelling against the Capitol and about the Capitol people enjoying luxuries while we starve to death.

I watched him as he spread his arms out. I chuckled. "He's a good one."

Johanna laughs. "I like him. He's got the spirit, you know?"

I nodded and smiled. I have no idea how my interview can be as good as his. I wondered about what kind of questions Jessica will ask me. Either the dramatic ones about our lives back in the district or the quick and light questions about what's happening now.

Suddenly the boy from district 6, Finn, lowered down his arms and left the stage, leaving the audience in silence as what he said seemed to sink in their minds. I thought they would remain quiet, but then they started clapping, so softly that it felt like there were just a few people clapping.

Jessica's eyes were still on the spot where Finn exited, but she quickly recovered from the shock and looked at the audience, her smile coming back. "Well, that was surely interesting, but now we have to move on to our next tribute! A round of applause for Delancy Lesyk!"

The crowd clapped, and for a while I stood there, looking at Jessica. My heart suddenly started to beat fast as I realized that it was my turn. I brushed my fingers on the dark red curtain beside me as I walked across the stage to Jessica. When I emerged the curtain, and the crowd saw me, they clapped louder. I ran out of something to run my fingers through, so I started to brush them on my skirt.

When I reached Jessica, she motioned for me to sit down on the seat across from her. As I sat down, I realized that she was young even up close. I also realized that she was wearing a fake smile, which I doubt the audience would even notice.

She smiled at me once I settled down. "Hello, Delancy. I heard that you looked wonderful last night at the parade. What do you feel about it?"

I stiffly smiled, suddenly becoming conscious of my movement now that everyone's eyes are on me. "Hello, Jessica. Well I have to say, I felt wonderful too last night. I'm glad that I have a brilliant stylist, as well as my mentor and my prep team."

She nodded, her smile momentarily fading before appearing again. "So everybody's heard it–the incident during your goodbyes to your family. What was the reason you did that?"

I bit my lip. "You knew about that?"

She laughed, but it the pitch was too high that it sounded like a squeak. "Of course we do! So what was the reason?"

"Well..." I pressed my lips together and stared at the floor. It was made of glass, reflecting the lights coming from the ceiling. I ignored it and kept staring. "She was a jerk."

I heard the crowd go silent. I continued, still staring at the floor. "She forced me to volunteer into this stupid game. She deserved it."

I stopped to look at Jessica. Her smile was gone, but it quickly appeared again. "Would you mind to tell us why she forced you to volunteer?"

I snorted. "I told you, she was a jerk." I leaned back in my seat, propping my chin on my palm. "She said that I'd make them proud if I volunteer."

"So now that you're here, do you think you have a chance of winning?"

My hands found their way onto my skirt again, brushing through the soft and slippy fabric. She caught me unguarded with her question as I, myself, don't know the answer to that. I looked at the audience and forced a smile onto my face which I think looked natural. "I'm pretty confident."

No I'm not.

She lightly laughed. "Okay, then. Give it up for Delancy Lesyk!"

The audience cheered again and Jessica gestured for me to stand up. I shook her hand then smiled at the crowd. After waving a short goodbye to them, I walked towards the backstage, with Johanna waiting for me.

"Did I do good?" I asked. I could not describe her expression. Her mouth was in a straight line and her eyes held no emotion. But when I approached her, she smiled at me.

"Yeah, it was...fine," she said.

I looked at her and frowned. "No, really?"

She sighed. "It was fine. It's Webster's turn."

I pouted, thinking about how easily she could change the subject. I turned back to the screen as Webster sat across Jessica. He had a tensed look on his face and I could tell how nervous he was. His eyes kept going from Jessica to the floor, then every once in a while, he'd glance at the audience, then look back at the floor.

For a while I felt heavy, like I would fall through the floor, deep underground. I felt like something was on top of my shoulders, making them sag with the heaviness. Maybe it was because of the fact that the Games would be starting in less than 8 hours. In less than 8 hours, I'd be thrown off in an arena with other teenagers who wants to kill me.

Yet somehow, the heavy feeling lifts off me and a weird excitement started to build up inside me.

And I don't know why.