Into the Flames [Watty Awards 2012]

Chapter 5

“I was wondering if you were going to come to dinner. We are about to start.”

I nodded and stood up. I followed him through the train until we got to the dining room. “I know you.”

“Yeah, I’m the one that talked to you before the reapings, the boy from the warehouse. My first day was the day of the hurricane.”

I nodded, “What is your name?”

“River. Yours is Waterlily right?”

I nodded again. “Why didn’t you check in with me that day?”

“I didn’t know I had to. One of the other boys just gave me a net and told me to fish, so I did.”

“Hmmm…So you’re only thirteen?”

“Yeah, how old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“You two going to sit down and eat or are you going to chat it up all night?” I looked over to the table to see our mentors May and Finnick. May was obviously ready to eat, which was not too surprising since she spent all her money buying food.

“Sorry May.” I sat down in the open chair next to her, River sitting down on my right.

“So, what are you two good at?” asked Finnick.

I shrugged. “Fishing.”

May smirked. “What weapon girl?”

“I don’t know. I normally use a net to catch fish, but sometimes I use a trident or spear to get the big ones.”

“You any good with it?”

“I guess.” I took a bite of the meat on my plate. It was very moist. It tasted sort of like fish, but much better than what we had at home.

May nodded and turned to River. “And you?”

“Nothing ma’am. I don’t fight on a regular basis.”

“You fish?”

“Only one day ma’am. My first day was the day of the hurricane. There was no fishing after that.”

“I see.” She paused to take a bite of the fish like meat. “So, I guess I have some work to do with you guys.” Finnick nodded then took a bite of the meat.

We ate the rest of our meal in silence. When I finished, I scooted my chair back. It screaked across the floor.

“Please do not slide you chairs against the floor Waterlily. It will leave marks.” Said Coelia as I placed my chair back in place. May glared at me, but quickly went back to eating.

“Sorry Coelia.” I pick up my chair and set it back into its original position and leave the car. When I get to my room, I find a pair of pajamas neatly folded on my bed. I smile at the sight. The Avox girl must have brought them in. I slipped them on and slid into bed, forgetting to turn off the light. I lie down and stare at the ceiling yet again. I thought about what was going to happen in the arena and who I was going to ally with. I was in my room so long before I hadn’t even seen the recaps of the reaping! I sigh and imagine what the other tributes look like. My day dreams were interrupted when the light was shut off. I sat up quickly, but all I see is the door close. It must have been the Avox girl again. I lay back down and my thoughts wander away from me eventually leading to sleep.