Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 13 - Last Chance For Regrets

I manage to get up and in to my room the moment Talon’s interview starts. I listen to it in the background as I tear off Lavio’s dress and almost throw it in the bin. I leave it on the bed though…for some reason I don’t throw it in the bin right away, I just sit on the bed looking at it. Tomorrow I’ll probably be running for my life, just wishing that I could just wear that dress to get away from it. You know how it is? These things…the supposedly smaller things mean nothing compared to when you actually have to fight for your life. From tomorrow on, when that gong goes off, that’s what I’m gonna end up doing. Run for my life, wishing my way back here and wear that dress if that’s all it took.

I hear a knock on the door as I get out of my maze of thoughts. Blight and Lavio enters the room. Lucky thing I’ve got Lavio’s dress neatly put on my bed and not in the bin…but thinking about it, it would make me feel so good to see Lavio’s face if I had done that. “Nice show, kiddo! The people of the Capitol actually liked you.” Blight then says with a special tone. I smile back sarcastically. “There’s a first for everything, isn’t there?” I then answer back with a gentle touch of irony. No feisty sarcasm, just good old-fashioned irony. Lavio takes a careful step forward and I look over at him. “I’ll be seeing you tomorrow, Mason. You have a good night of rest.” He says as he leaves without more than a handshake…no hugs. He has learned the Mason-way by now.

Blight sits down on the bed not too far away from me. “Well, this is it, kid. Time to do your thing in the Arena…” He starts, but then he starts coughing his insides out. I pat him on the back. I can tell he doesn’t want me to, but what the hell! He’s made me play this weakling-act against my own damn will. He can handle a couple of pats on the back for crying out loud. He finally comes to a halt. “…as I was about to say: it’s up to you to do the work with Talon.” He manages to say with a slightly weak voice. “For how long do I stay with him?” I then ask. “Okay, well, first you’ve got to find him.” Blight starts. You really think so?! “You won’t be placed together, that almost never happens, but Talon’s done a better job than you to stay invisible. He’s not considered as a threat like you, which means that he can get to weapons for you both. You on the other hand…you run!”

He adds. I nod as I look down. “One of you two has to make it out of there. I’m getting worse rapidly and I don’t think I’m gonna last till the end of the year.” Blight then says as I look up at him. “I know you agreed to be with him for two days only, but you need to keep your mind open to stay with him if the Careers are still a big group.” Blight adds. “And when do I get to put my feisty-face on?” I then ask him with a hint of a smile. He takes a deep breath and holds his thoughts for a while. “I know I told you to hold back, but I doubt you can. When you’re in the Arena, you do what you have to do. That’s what every victor has ever done. You have to be your feisty-self from the second that gong goes off.” He says with a serious look in his eyes. I get it.

Both of us walk out of my room and see Talon standing there with his own designer, along with James Dess. He’s probably been there a while as he’s changed into something more comfortable. He’s hugging his designer as the designer then takes off through the elevator. It’s just the four of us left now: the quartet that came to the Capitol. This is probably the last time any of us will ever see James though. In the launch-room we’re handed to our designers before we enter the Arena. James Dess’ work is pretty much done unless one of us makes it. Then there’s all that shit, but I’m not to think that far ahead. That’s not gonna be me, I’m almost sure.

“There she is…our Feisty friend. It’s been wonderful getting to know you, Mason. I can’t wait to see that feisty attitude in action in the Arena. I’m sure it’ll come in handy for you.” James then says with a friendly smile. I actually genuinely smile back at him. “I don’t think the Games will ever get enough of it, James.” I answer back in a smile as he extends his arms and give me a short hug. I return it, because honestly, I am going to miss him. He’s the most tolerable Capitol-man that I’ve been in touch with in my time here. Besides, it’s not like I will ever see him again so there’s no harm, right?