The military vehicle comes to an abrupt stop in front of the crumbling building. I notice that the windows are all boarded up, and the walls have been badly vandalised.
“Get out,” Commander Paylor mutters sternly, as Dean, Mark, Gina and I step out of the vehicle.
“Okay, follow me,” Commander Paylor demands, as she takes us to the front doors of the old justice building.
The peacekeeper who was with us in the truck, opens the front doors of the justice building, allowing us in. Paylor walks in first, followed by Mark, then Dean, then Gina, and finally me. As soon as we’re inside, I gasp in shock at the sight in front of me
The old justice building has been completely cleared out, so now it is just a concrete room. In the middle of the room is a large round table, but what shocks me more is the people sitting around the round table. Cecelia and Woof were sitting at one end of the table, and Valencia; my stylist in the 68th Hunger Games, was sitting on the other end of the table.
“Oh my god!” I exclaim, “Valencia, is that really you?”
“Oh darling!” Valencia mutters excitedly in her thick Capitol accent, “It is me!”
She gracefully gets up and walks towards me to give me a big hug. The sleeves of her white dress get caught in my hair, but I don’t care. It’s just a relief to see her.
“What’s going on?” I ask suspiciously, looking at Cecelia, then Woof and back to Valencia.
“Take a seat, everyone,” Commander Paylor mutters calmly.
Dean, Mark, Gina and I take a seat at the round table, while Commander Paylor stays standing up. The peacekeeper sits down at the table as well, and takes off his peacekeeper helmet.
“Okay, I’m so glad you’re all here,” Paylor mutters commandingly.
“Why did you take us all the way out here?” I snap, demandingly.
“Because the Capitol rarely monitor this part of the district,” Paylor replies coolly, “anyway, here’s what I’m trying to say. The harsh conditions in District 8 have gotten way out of hand. People are working multiple jobs, just to support their families. Even children work in the textiles factories.”
“Where are you going with this exactly?” Cecelia adds.
“Cecelia,” Paylor says sternly, “you have children, right?”
“Yes, I have three beautiful kids,” Cecelia replies.
“And do you love them?” Paylor says.
“What kind of question is that?” Cecelia mutters, “of course I love them. I love them with all my heart.”
“Well be thankful you’re a wealthy victor of the Hunger Games, because almost ninety percent of families in District 8 contain children who work every afternoon, just to support their own households,” Paylor snaps, sounding almost angry.
YOU ARE READING
THE 69TH HUNGER GAMES - Book 2: Trainer
Fiksi PenggemarThe fashionista sixteen year old, Hyora Coco, came out of the 68th Hunger Games as a victor, but the price she had to pay to win was definitely not worth it. Now riddled with nightmares, Hyora Coco must now face the troublesome task of coaching the...
