I sit in the room underneath the arena, my arm throbbing where the peacekeeper had inserted my tracker. There is a jacket on the rack by the wall, but I am unsure of whether to put it on or not.
Lalon bustles in, and he grabs the jacket off the rack and summons me to my feet. I stand in front of him as he slides in over my arms and he does it up.
"Turn around." He says softly, and I do as he asks.
Something is placed around my neck, then his fingers brush the back of my neck, then move. I turn around again, and he looks at me, pleased with himself.
"What was that?" I ask.
"Your district token." He says, his eyes flickering over my face and hair.
I remember. The necklace and bracelet Emille had given to us, with the cubes of different colours. A present from my district.
I put my hands behind my neck and unclip the clasp. I remove it from my neck and leave it in just one long chain. Carefully, I weave the necklace into my hair, so it now hangs in my ponytail. I'll feel safer with it there.
I smile sadly at Lalon and I notice something flicker in his eyes. It looks almost like remorse. He reaches out his hands and places them on my shoulders.
"Listen, Clove. I know you probably think I'm annoying and that I'm full of myself. I admit I am. But I honestly think you have a chance. Don't show them that you're weak. I see so many tributes, and many don't come back. I want you to. You deserve to."
An electronic speaker splutters, then spits out two words. "30 seconds."
I look back to Lalon and try not to panic. "You can do it Clove. You've got it in you. Stick with Cato as much as you can, and that'll give you the best start. You'll be alright, trust me." He pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around him tightly. I squeeze my eyes shut then release him.
He puts a hand on my shoulder again. "You'll be alright." He says, then pushes me gently towards the tube.
"20 seconds."
As soon as I stand in the tube the door hisses shut and jolts. I look back at Lalon and he gives me a nod. I smile faintly.
He has faith in me. The last person I thought would. That gives me a little hope and that has to count for something.
The tube jolts again, this time into upwards movement. I glance at Lalon, then look up at the bright light above me. The tube stops again, and I am surrounded by a greyish colour. I close my eyes and count to ten. A couple of seconds later, I move upwards again. I look around as my head emerges into the arena.
Woodland. The green of the trees is astonishing. I look over towards the cornucopia, where I will head towards. I scan around the other tributes for Cato. I spot him and nod towards the weapons. He nods back and gives me a smile.
I focus back on the weapons and try to work out where I need to get to first. I notice that the throwing knives are closest to me, and I wonder if they were put there out of coincidence.
I'd head for them first, grab the nearest other weapon then throw a few of the knives. Then I'd work towards the centre of the cornucopia and let Cato kill the other tributes.
I now focus my attention on the countdown above the cornucopia.
29, 28, 27...
I notice Peeta shake his head at Katniss.
25, 24, 23...
Felixia is looking at the huge one from district 11.
20, 19, 18...
