Life Through Sea Green Eyes - A Hunger Games Fanfiction

Part 1: Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim ownership to any content related to or included in the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I write this story purely for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others, with no intent for making money.

Life Through Sea Green Eyes

Part One: Fish Out of Water

Chapter Three

          The train ride is beyond anything I had expected. I lean out the window of my spacious cabin, letting the wind blow my hair back. I imagine I’m at sea, skipping across the waves, and think how much easier our lives would be if our little boats could go as fast as this train.

          Someone knocks at my door and Pompey calls, “It’s time to meet your team, Finnick!”

          I’ve already met my team, sort of. Mags and Andromache accompanied Calliope and I on our short tour of the train, although they didn’t say a word the entire time. Considering they make this trip every year, it probably isn’t very exciting for them. But I make sure to ask questions, laugh at Pompey’s jokes, and be as charming a companion as possible, because it’s all practice for the main event. If I can figure out how to win Pompey’s heart, I’m pretty sure I can do the same to the people of Capitol.

          Still wearing father’s hand-me-downs, I saunter out into the main cabin and take in the scene. Mags, Andromache, and Calliope are seated in armchairs in a circle, with a low coffee table in the middle. Scenery tumbles past in the window behind Andromache. Two chairs are empty, and Pompey makes waving motions with his arms. I flash him a smile and sit down next to Mags, while Pompey claps his hands delightedly and plops down beside me.

          “I’m really excited for our chances this year!” Pompey gushes. I notice that when he talks, he kind of bounces up and down like a little kid. I’ve heard that some of the victors hate their directors, but I can’t quite muster up that sort of negative emotion for Pompey. He looks like he doesn’t have a malicious bone in his body.

          “Usually we would have a male victor mentor the male tribute, and vice versa for the girls,” Pompey says, “but since that isn’t the case, I’m not really sure how to proceed.”

          Andromache gives me a long once-over, and I suppress a shudder. Something about that woman unnerves me, so I say quickly, “I’ll take Mags.” Mags looks up from her knitting – I guess she got tired of tying knots in rope – and gives me a gap-toothed smile. I don’t think I’ve ever heard her actually say anything, but I’d rather her than creepy Andromache.

          “That sounds just fine,” Pompey chirps, clapping his hands again. Then he glances down at the watch on his wrist. “Oh my, I have so many things to do before we reach the Capitol! We’ll be there in a few hours, so why don’t you all get acquainted until then?” He nods fervently for at least ten seconds, then beams at us and scurries from the compartment.      

          When no one says anything – I think Calliope is still stifling tears from earlier – I sigh and start the ball rolling. “This train is amazing. I feel like I’m sailing, but super quickly. Even the motion of the train reminds of me of the sea – rocking side to side, but not enough to unbalance you. I wonder if the Capitol designed these trains from watching our fishing boats sail across the waves.”

          My pointless rambling succeeds in relaxing Calliope, whose eyes are still red but at least she isn’t making little sniffling noises every few seconds. Andromache watches me with keen eyes, and Mags keeps knitting like she hasn’t heard a thing I’ve said.