Becoming Adamant [#1]

Chapter 38 - The Capitol

There isn’t much else that happens on the stage. I’ve delivered my message…my unplanned, hidden message. Basically I consider myself pretty much done with this District, but of course, there’s the party as well. Supposedly I get to meet the Career victors here, but I doubt they’ll have any interest in me. They’re so many as well so I can’t even keep count of them. Instead I just try to hide away from everyone, including James as I repeatedly re-do my stage-performance in my head. If I ever wanted to prove to my family that I wasn’t a Career-type, I’ve failed miserably. Doing what I did, I was just like them. I might even have brought more trouble than good on my family when it comes to seeing the real me.

“Sylvia, there you are!” James says as he finally seems to spot me in one of the corners of the room. Damn it, I better try harder in the Capitol. “Here I am, Dess…” I let out sarcastically as he sits down next to me. “You do know the point of this thing is to get connections among the Victors, right? Making friends? You’re not exactly making yourself look good sitting here and avoiding everyone.” He then says. “Oh really?! I had no idea, James!” I answer back annoyed at first. I can only hear him sigh deeply. “I don’t need to cuddle up to a bunch of victors that already hate me, James. You do see that point, right?” I then turn my head towards him.

“Well, I wouldn’t have recommended the speech that you did, but I guess there was no way of holding that back for you. I guess it had to be like that. But listen, they can’t actually get to you in any way. They won’t bite.” James then says. “Of course they can get to me. The entire District can get to me! That’s what they were telling me in their silence.” I then say. “In future Games, my tributes won’t stand a chance because they will make sure they don’t. I’ve made all of my tributes a target out there!” I keep myself under control to let the words hit Dess the way I’ve meant it.

I let the words sink in and it takes a few minutes before he looks at his arm-watch. I guess there’s no comeback from his side coming my way any time soon. I sit more comfortably next to him as I take a little sip of my non-alcoholic drink. “Well, it’s almost time to get going, kid. Say your goodbyes…that is if you have anyone to goodbye to…” Ouch. “…and I’ll see you by the train.” James says as he gets up on his feet. Dude, he can be so direct sometimes. One would actually wonder if he’s a true escort or something else. “You know, even if they do target your tributes, you’re not incapable of getting them through it. You can fight these people by being the best mentor you can possibly be. You’ve got that kind of stubbornness in you.” He then points out before he leaves me on my own.

I guess what he says does make sense. My only way of answering their threats is making sure that my tributes are as well mentored by me as possible. I’m gonna have to pull my ass together then. The mentoring job has actually scared the crap out of me, especially since I’ve got to do this on my own. Well, I guess I just suck it up. I get up on my feet, ‘say my goodbyes’ and get to the train where I meet Dess. I walk straight to my room and lie down on the bed mulling it all over and I reach a decision: I’m gonna fight these bastards with all I’ve got! I’m gonna make damn sure my tributes aren’t to be messed around with. Look at that: I’m already thinking like a mentor!

The trip from District 1 to the Capitol takes us less than an hour. And now the damn Capitol-people already want a part of me. Well, guess what, jackasses, I don’t have any more pieces to give! I’m holding on to them for dear life! Just let me breathe for crying out loud! They’re grabbing for me as I make my way to the studio. As I get there, the prep-team is yet again, all over me: my body, my hair…well, I’m pretty much covered from head to toe with the pest that is known as the prep-team. I’ve had to deal with them for the entire tour, so you can only imagine that I can barely stand any of their faces at this point.