Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 37 - The Last Districts

And just like I’ve predicted in District 12, the Tour is a living hell. It’s the same dullness all over again: the speech followed by the Capitol-stamped parties in the aftermath. I mean, sometimes it takes ages before you can get over something, but this crap right here? I’ve been tired of this since the first ten minutes of it! And now, I’ve been doing this the last seven days! During those days we skipped my own District. Obviously that’s where all of this ends. I’m pretty sure they’re will be no parties considering there’s only one victor there and that’s…well, that’s me.

Now, I’m in District 4. At least here, I two of their victors and I’ve actually been looking forward to seeing again. I’ve kept the most in touch with them since I won the Games. Mags and Finnick are the only ones that I actually consider as something close to friends. I mean, they’re actually normal people. Seriously, if my option is either a drunk from 12 or a morphling from 6, I’ll take my chances with the victors from 4. I actually thought the crowd of victors would be high-class, but what the hell…they’ve got me now too, right?

At this point I’ve just finished my performance on the stage. The reception was quite mixed as the family of the girl doesn’t seem to like me, but that’s not surprising. I used a poor little rock to smash her face and send her back here in a coffin. Oh what the hell, she was a damn Career! She would know that I’d kill her and the family knew so too. She was never going to win it anyways!

Funny thing, throughout the Tour, in the parties, I’ve stopped playing the nice victor. They should all know by now that I think all of this is beneath me. I don’t even care about them or this Tour that I’m forced to do. That’s something they should just see by now. But at this very moment, I just need a few sane people to talk to before rounding all of this up in the last Districts and then in the Capitol.

“Sylvia, there you are!” I hear in the crowd in the party in District 4. Usually I just skip this part and hide off somewhere where nobody will ever find me, but not here. No, I definitely need to talk to someone. As I turn around, I find Mags smiling at me - finally, someone with reason. “Mags…” I answer before a few people come my way and congratulate me. They don’t take much notice to Mags, but I guess she’s had her fair share of attention as a victor. I take a deep breath of exasperation as I’m left alone with Mags at last. “How are you holding up, kiddo?” She then asks me. I smile slightly. “Well, honestly, I’m feeling so blazed by going from one crowd to the next…it’s all in repeat, over and over and over…” I answer honestly as I make her laugh slightly about it. “I recognize that rhythm…” She says as she catches me looking through the crowd. “If you’re looking for Finnick, you won’t find him here tonight, I’m afraid.” She then says as I turn back to her immediately. “Oh…” I then say. I might as well just catch him in the Capitol. I have a hard time hiding my disappointment though.

“Ms. Boxwell, it’s so nice to see you.” James Dess says as they share a quick hug. “I hope you don’t mind me snatching my little victor here, but she’s got a Tour to finish up.” James then says apologetically. “Of course, Mr. Dess…it’s a very tight schedule if I remember correctly.” Mags answers as James smiles at her and then looks over at me. “Are you ready?” I didn’t get much time in a crowd I actually wanted more time in. God, nothing ever turns out the way I want it! “Yeah, whatever…” I say just a tiny bit sarcastic as we go.

The next two days are of the least importance that I could ever imagine. District 3 and 2 really don’t mean a whole lot to me. For one, I didn’t really see much to the tributes from 3, though I heard one of them survived for quite some time, and from District 2, I have no special connection. I didn’t kill their tributes. Even less did I care for any of them…however, the District in which I’m about to enter now, is bound to be special. And after this, I’m going to the freaking Capitol, like straight to it! The President might want an answer as well…jeez, this never ends!

“Alright, Sylvia, District 1 is up…there’s really no point in trying to convince you to restrain yourself, is there?” James Dess asks me. He knows I’m about to blow off some steam out there that’s for sure. Come on, it’s District 1! “I can’t really stop you from trying, James, but I can guarantee you that you won’t succeed.” I answer from the bathroom, whereas as he’s outside. Come on, what do you expect? Anyways, this way of conversing has become more and more normal during the Tour. “Come on, Sylvia. You need to contain yourself. I know this District is special, but I’m telling you, cut back on whatever feistiness you’ve got planned.” James says through the door before I get out of there in my outfit. “You know, I’ve been saving all of my feistiness for this crowd…this is where I’ll need it the most.” I answer as I walk out of my room, leaving him there on his own.

I sit in the main area of the cart until the train reaches District 1. As the train is slowing down, I walk over to the window and have a look. Damn, these bastards might as well just be living in the damn Capitol! I mean, what’s the freaking difference here?! It’s like I’m practically visiting the Capitol before actually getting there! Ugh, this is bound to suck! The train stops not long after and I step off the train. It’s just the mayor waiting for me, and even he seems to have some restraints against me. I already knew the crowd would be tough so I’m not caught off guard. “Welcome, Ms. Mason. The stage is just this way.” He says rather monotone as he leads the way. I’m walking next to Dess and I’m glad, otherwise these people would stare a hole in me as I walk past them. Damn, I’m popular, aren’t I?

“Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the 66th Hunger Games: Sylvia Mason!” I hear as the doors open and I step out on the stage. It doesn’t take me too long to see the unhappy faces in the crowd. In fact, I think I can hear their faulty words in the dominating silent looks they’re giving me. If they could, I know they would yell out those words at me, but even if they did, I wouldn’t care about it. I had to deal with their tribute girl after all. My heart is pounding and all I can hear out here is the wind. This is all televised, I know that. I have to say something. They all know this District is special…better just make the visit special as well.

“If you think the silence or your looks will make me uneasy, you have the wrong impression of me. That’s what your tribute girl did and look how she ended up.” I start. There’s still the silence. “I killed her the same way that I know you would’ve enjoyed her killing me.” Faces are turning in the crowd. I know it, especially the family of the girl that I find a few moments later. A mother, father and two brothers, seemingly well fit all of them: a typical Career-family. “You win it every year…every damn year you have a victor coming…at least you expect it. This year, I won. You were never gonna stand a chance. I didn’t exactly plan on being here. I just planned on killing your girl because she made the mistake of targeting me.” I make sure to point out.

As I’ve said that, I all of a sudden imagine a deep sigh from Blight. I know he would never have me talk this way…hell, he would actually manage to stop me from doing this before going on stage. He’s dead though. He died before he could tell me anything and he does no longer have a damn say in what I say on this Tour or what I’m saying now. “I was the strongest and I was definitely the smartest…that’s how I beat her. That’s how I beat you!” An aggressive speech, one I hadn’t actually planned but at the same time, it feels good. I see the looks on their faces. They’re pissed. Oh, I certainly wouldn’t know what that feels like!

One thing that comes to mind afterwards however, is how much harder I’ve made things for my future tributes. They’re not gonna stand a damn chance because of me. They’re targets. I have got to do whatever it takes to get them through. I know might not succeed …of course I won’t succeed, but that’s not gonna stop me from trying and I’m already starting. As I take one last look on the crowd, I see all the angry faces from the kids. As if they’re disgusted by me. Well, if they only knew how disgusted I am by them! At the same time, they have no idea how many times I’ve given myself that look in the mirror. They’d never get it….they’re all brainless.