A Story from District 4

Chapter 5

I dedicate this chapter to Jennifer Lawrence because she is my idol and inspiration. She taught me to be myself, and I can't thank her more for it. I love you, Jen. Happy birthday ❤️

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Hector

There were cameras everywhere at the train station, poised, insect like, trying to gain a glimpse of the two Volunteers from District 4. I believe that will be our pet name now; the Capitol loved anything courageous, and although District 4 was no stranger to volunteers, it must be a rare occurrence to have two in one reaping. It hasn't happened, not in my life time anyway.

Isla was trying to hide her face from the gaggle of reporters. She had obviously been crying, her neck patterned with red blotches like it did when she was upset. She hadn't acknowledged me since we left the justice building. Even within the car, which was small and confined, she hadn't looked me, just stared out of the window. The Capitol woman, who introduced herself as Sabrina Charm, sat between us.

Sabrina Charm hadn't noticed the tension in the air, nor that no one was listening to her near constant chatter. Her voice created a hum in the background, not particularly unpleasant, but easier to ignore than silence.

I had never been in a car before, and I was surprised with the speed in which we managed to get to the train station. I kept my head high, I tried to look strong. Even though I was being sent thousands of miles to fight in a contest where I probably won't return , I still have to think of my family, and even now, I can not afford to crumble.

We were ushered into the train quickly, and I was taken aback by the shear size of the carriage. Although the ceilings were low, the windows lining the walls prevented the train from feeling enclosed. Every surface seems to be made from the finest materials, silk, mahogany, crystal.

'The price of just one of those velvet curtains would be enough to feed my family for a month,' I thought.

When the train started to move, we were directed to our rooms by Sabrina. It was very large, a king sized bed dominating the space, an en suite bathroom to the side. The main room housed a great chest of draws, a book case, a gothic, full length mirror, and randomly, a chess board sat beneath the window.

I take a shower in the bathroom just off of my room. I had never had a shower before, and the heat of the water seemed to wash away the anxiety and the exertion of the reaping. It felt like summer rain on my skin, it unwound the knots in my neck, leaving me feeling warm, mellow and contented. I dress comfortably in jeans and a cotton shirt.

I lean against the bed, staring out of the window, watching as the train sped past the shore that I called home. I try not to think of my mother, of her last words to me, but I find that I can think of nothing else. I think of Nicky's hair, of Vernon's smile, of Johnny's laugh. I felt like I had been punched in the gut. My heart felt like it was tearing open a little more with each thought, with each memory. How was I supposed to fight when my heart was torn into four, detached pieces. One for each member of my family.

I hear a knock at the door, and after a moments hesitation, Isla enters. She had changed as well, into a dark vest top and skin tight jeans. Her blonde hair was still in the style her mother created this morning, although it had come lax in places and loose, golden tendrils framed her face. She stared at me a while before saying anything.

'Im sorry for ignoring you,' she said, her voice no louder than a whisper, 'You had to do it, just like I had to.'

And with that we sat and played chess until Sabrina came to fetch us for dinner.

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Dinner was a quiet affair, by which I mean that I said nothing and Sabrina spoke continually. I only heard half of what she was saying as I delved into course after course of delicious food: chicken in a honey sauce, soup that tasted like spring time, strawberries and chocolate, lamb stew with thick gravy and warm bread. The food spread warmth through my veins, and although I knew I should slow down, I ate everything put in front of me until the silent servers cleared the table.