Fair Fight

Chapter 6

I clench my fists together and make my way up onto the stage. The Square is quiet, apart from mournful sobs which are coming from poor Annie, and the lap of the waves against the rocks.

"Well hello dear, what's your name?"

"Emma Odair," I say in a reserved voice.  I can't appear cocky and arrogant like other career tributes from District 1 and 2.

"Oh my! You're not by any chance related to the youngest ever victor of the Hunger Games, Finnick Odair?"

"As a matter of fact I am! Don't want him to steal all the spotlight," I reply with a shaky laugh. I have to give an indication of my personality and how I am going to play the game. Finnick's strageties do often work, I am relying on him here.

I get quite a few laughs from Ms Dreezey and a few of the snobby ones from school who don't like me much. I am trying to put on a brave and lively front, but inside I'm shaking like a leaf on an autumn day.

Emerald Dreezey takes a few steps and dips her fingers into the boys' ball.

"Reid Trawler."

My heart pounds, as the strapping figure of Reid Trawler swaggers onto stage. He is exactly what a Career tribute is like. Pushy and boastful.  He especially hates me. Not because of something I did, but of what Finnick did in his Games. My brother killed Reid's sister, and Coraline Trawler was one of the favourites to win. Ever since, Reid has singled me out anywhere we cross paths. In school, market days, even at my serene beach. I can't think what he will be like in the arena, where he has the chance to actually kill me. I look over at his weather beaten face and I see a gloating smirk plastered over it. He wants revenge and he knows he is going to get it.

Still clenched in my hand is the item that Annie pressed into my hand before I left her house earlier on. It seems like ages ago, even though it was about an hour ago. I turn the little pink shell over and over in my fingers, while waiting to say goodbye to loved ones. Only Mags and maybe Annie will show up. I have no idea what state of mind Annie is in after the reaping.

A knock on the solid oak door sounds and I jump to my feet from the window seat I was perched in. In comes Mags, the sweetest woman I know and probably ever will know. My eyes well up with tears as she embraces me in a hug. She just nods at me and gives me a thumbs up, with tears dripping down her wrinkled cheeks. Mags. Who cared for me when no one else could. Who taught me how to make the best fish hooks in District 4. This could be the last time I may ever see her. We sit in silence until the time is up. I have no more visitors. Sofia and Annie are probably consoling themselves. I cannot blame them.

When Finnick was in this position, he was probably feeling confident,  inside and out. My confidence only reaches me on the outside. Inside I am dreading what I have got myself into. The thing that is keeping me going on, is the fact that I most likely have the most relient and trustworthy mentor there is. If Finnick can't get me through it, nobody can.