The rise of Panem

Chapter 41

Louie was alive, but why isn't he talking. Does Haley know? I put my hand on his shoulder and smile. "Haley's alive," I say. We do a group hug with Niall, but we are quickly separated. "He is an avox, and you may only talk to him unless it is an order," Aedin said. I knew something happened to him to be called that, but Niall already asked. "Why is he using sign language," he asks with a shaky voice. They look at each other, as if it is forbidden to say, but they say anyway, which I will forbid it from my mind. "He got his tongue cut off for committing a crime," he says.

Poor Louie. He didn't deserve this. I was speechless, and my face explained it all. Then I start moving. Riker, Ross, Effie, and Aedin start moving away from me. "We need a moment," Niall says with his british voice more shaky. It was obvious he is talking about Louie. "Ok dears, but be back for dinner," Effie says. Niall slams the door and looks into my eyes. "This isn't fair," Niall cried. "I know, he didn't deserve this like none of the other tributes here, including that show off at the elevator," I start to say while I cry. Niall was more upset. He wasn't just his friend, they did music together. He was just my friend, but it still mattered. I collapsed on the bed. Oh how I wish it was my bed. Niall was now bawling so hard I thought a river would form in our room. He jumps into my chest and bawls. I get a mental image of Louie, strapped to a table, cutting off his tongue. An avox. Just sad.

Dinner was short and sweet. "Ok, tomorrow is training, you need to fight like never before, also, make at least 4 allies, at the end of day 3, you will show your stuff to the game makers and receive a training score, which will make people want to sponsor you more," she said. We just nod, still pretty beat about our poor Louie. After that, it was complete silence and after about a few minutes, we went to watch the recaps. The district 1 tributes come out first. That girl in the elevator was next to a boy. He was about 16, like me, he had tossed up dirty blonde hair, brown eyes, thick mouth, and had the boy version of that girls outfit. Next was us. We looked amazing. Niall, though, was perfect. His eyes were glancing, his body leaning forward, he looked like a powerful killer. Next were 2 people who looked nerdy. Like the people who are made fun of at school. I don't wan them as allies. The next group was a pair of lovebirds from 4. The girl had brown hair flying back, green eyes, and pail skin. The boy was tall, had blonde curls, golden eyes, and small lips. They were holding hands, kissing, and looking into each others eyes. The girl had her hand on the boys heart the whole time, and the boy had his arms around her the whole time. They reminded me the reason to bring Niall home to Samantha and Liam. Yes I want those two. I declined the rest of them for different reasons. "Off to bed," Effie said. As we walked, we talked about who we want. "I want the two from 4 and the girl from 1," I say. "I want the boy from 1," he says. "Ok, we'll ask them tomorrow," I say. As I head to my bedroom, I see Louie sitting at the edge. Niall threw off his shirt and crawled into the bed and soon, dozed off. I looked around to make sure nobody was listening, then leaned into Louie. "Haley loves you, she really does," I say. Louie smiles and hugs me. "Goodnight," I say to Louie. I put on my night gown and lay next to Niall. I soon fall asleep.