Not Just A Game

Chapter 33

Once I'm in my room, I'm left alone to bask in my thoughts. I change out of my training clothes and into something more comfortable.

My body is exhausted from evaluations, and my muscles still ache from training all week long.

I collapse onto my bed, and my head bounces before settling on my pillow. I sink into the plush cushion and relax my whole body, relieving all of the tension from my sore body.

Training scores should be broadcasted on the television soon, and the fluttering in my stomach has showed no signs of slowing.

I know I did okay, but I'm worried about Griffin's score. It's my fault he couldn't use the flint and steel. I should've thought about the consequences of throwing a flaming knife at a portrait of the President before I acted so rashly.

We'll just have to wait and see, just knowing whatever happens, happens for a reason.

I wish there was a place to go outside to clear my head, but I'm stuck in this hotel, in this bedroom with no contact with anything remotely green and leafy until two days from now in the arena.

If those trees even count.

I think to myself, remembering that they're just specially designed machines built by the Capitol to resemble trees. The Capitol could program one to kill you if they wanted to.

Let's just hope I don't go like that.

It's weird looking out my bedroom window and seeing nothing but buildings in every direction. Everything here is metal or cement. I long for the view of live oaks outside our cottage window, or even the electric fence in the distance.

I long for the humming of the birds and the warm bread from the reaping day.

I miss it all, and I can't get it back, even if I do manage to win.

I won't live in the cottage anymore. I'll be in the victor's village.

I'll be surrounded by a metal fence around the village, instead of the protective oaks.

The bread will no longer be a treat, since I'll be able to afford it any day.

My head hurts from thinking about the "what ifs".

Groaning, I walk out of my bedroom door and into the main part of the suite to find someone who can give me some medicine for my headache.

Dakota calls out to me from the living room, "Hey Ivy, they're about to show the scores."

"Okay." I reply simply.

Walking over and standing beside her, I ask her if I can get some medicine for my head.

"Sure thing, just hold on a moment." she answers before heading into the kitchen and tapping on a little screen.

A moment later she arrives with a small pill and a cup of water.

"Just take this and you should be fine within a few minutes." she says, handing over the pill to me.

I drop the tiny red and blue pill into my water, which causes a drop of water to splash up into my eye, which I quickly wipe out.

I drink the cool water and feel the smooth pill slide down my throat.

I gulp down the remaining water in my glass, before an avox arrives on the spot to take the cup away.

"Thank you." I whisper.

She gives me a swift nod and hurries away.

I see a flicker behind me and realize the score broadcasting has begun.