The 69th Hunger Games

Chapter 3

-Chapter 3-

I felt bad. Yelling at Reef like that. But so what. I'm not sentimental. Suddenly, the train car opens and our mentor walks in. Its the famous Finnick Odiar, victor of the 65th Hunger Games. He's handsome, with copper skin and bronze hair. His green eyes sparkle like the ocean I swim in almost every day.

" So, you guys are my tributes. You don't look like much." He plucks a cracker from a platter and takes a nibble.

" I can win. " I blurted it out. I didn't know what I was saying. Finnick raises his eyebrows.

" Sure you can, what's your name, Pearl. Right?" He's trying to get me to break. And it's working.

" No. My names not some girly sweetheart name like Pearl. It's Atlantic. And I'm not weak. I will."

" Will what?" Asks Finnick.

" Win."

Reef just sits there in shock. No one could ever picture a 13 year old girl, a tribute, especially, stand up to a victor.

I smile, satisfied.

" So. " Reef asks. " What do we so to survive?"

" Don't go into the bloodbath. Jump into concealment and when the careers go out to hunt, grab your weapons and run." Finnick's seductive voice is now serious.

" Well, what of the careers find me?" I ask, trying to "win" the argument.

" Don't let them. " Finnick counters. It's obvious he doesn't like me.

-At the Station-

I suddenly hear screaming. Not like death, horror screams, more like "Oh my gosh!" and "Eeek!" screams. I look out the windows and see brightly colored people with strange headdresses, scary clothes, and absurd bodily alterations. I can't believe how many people were here to see us.

Reef is waving and looking like a complete joker and prankster. With a twinkle in his eyes and a boyish smile.

Meanwhile, I try not to be noticed. I'm not much of a people person.

" Come up." Reef says through clenched teeth. " They wanna see you."

"Ugh." I came up and put on my most serious face. I wave in little motions. They are screaming and doing, what I can only describe as spazzing out in joy at the children they will see die on a TV screen.

" So," Finnick says, " Try and get people to like you, so you'll get sponsored and get girds I the arena."

" Well, that will totally work for me..." I mutter under my breath sarcastically.

" Oh it will work for you. " He seems like he knows something I don't know. Strange. I lock my eyes on a woman with turquoise skin and decorative waves patterns cut into her face. I give her a dirty look. Just to tell her silently, " I hate the Capitol, and everyone in it."

She doesn't seem to notice me. Dang it. I want her to notice and be afraid. Yes, just naturally, a 13 year old girl wants to be feared. I'm not like most girls. If you haven't noticed. Most girls weave nets and find shells to make jewelry out of. I like to swim and spear fish. Yeah, not a normal girl.

The train doors slide open and we step out. I briskly walk out and try to seem tough.

" Come on. " Finnick grabs my bicep and drags me along to the well known Training Center.

My room is gorgeous. With a soft plush bed that feels like it's filled with water. The covers are lime green. Not my favorite color, but, eh, what are you gonna do. The room is clean and full if windows. But I don't want to see the ugly Capitol streets.

" Ugh." I groan.

Suddenly, I see a small Avox girl pointing to the bedside table.

" Oh! Thank you! " She beams at me.

"What's your name?" She looks sad now. Why?

" Oh right! Avoxes can't talk!" I realize.

She nods her head.

" Oh, I'm sorry." I apologize. She walks over to the nightstand and hands me a remote. She points to a button! but her long, glossy black hair falls onto the remote. She blushes and brushes her hair behind her small double pierced ear. I push the button. Suddenly the sound of roaring waves and the smell of ocean breeze engulf my senses. It feels like home. I smile and flop onto the bed, were I fall asleep in my clothes.