CHAPTER TWO
The three of us talked about talents, alliances, and strategies until the sun shone brightly through each of the sparkling bulletproof glass windows of the train car. This was when our district escort walked into the room. She seemed surprised to see all of us up. When she looked at Enobaria she, not at all subtly, wrapped both hands protectively over her bright green mug filled with black coffee, and hugged it closer to her. So I’m not the only one that feels uncomfortable around the mentor.
“Um, good, you’re all awake.” She bubbled in her goofy capitol accent. I couldn’t get over how strange they sounded. Anyways, back on track. Our escort couldn’t seem to be able to find anything else to say.
“Are you going to join us Klestania?” Enobaria asked curtly, I could almost feel the venom dripping off of her tone.
Stiffly, Klestania made her way to the opposite end of the long table, placing her mug down in front of her.
“Eh-hem.” Coughs the District 2 escort, “So, once we get to the Capitol you’ll be able to meet your stylists. They will then make you look presentable for the opening ceremonies, as they will for every important event you have here.” She says, and I can’t help but laugh at how outrageous her Capitol accent sounds when she is so shaken with anxiety.
“What’s so funny?” She snapped sternly, and I flicked my gaze back down to my clasped hands, just barely able to stifle the giggle that threatened to arise.
Enobaria seemed to find it humorous as well. “Oh let them have a good laugh, they might not get one again where they’re going.” She chuckles, but it sounds more like a choking bark. This seemed to shut Klestania up.
I glanced over at Cato and saw a smile pulling at his lips. Oh, and his dimples, he was so… cute…. FOCUS CLOVE! One of us at least is going to have to die, Stop thinking about him. I mentally screamed at myself. But how could I stop thinking about him?
I looked back down at my hands, trying to force myself not to look at him. Thankfully our mentor spoke up. “We’re nearly there, are you all ready to see the capitol?” Enobaria asked, standing up. Both Cato and I were unable to contain our curiosity and stood as well and made our way over to look out the windows.
I hoped I didn’t look too stupid with my mouth open, but the city was more marvelous than any footage I had seen from the videos. The huge, sweeping and brightly colored buildings, the oddly dressed people who seemed to have contorted themselves even more than our escort, and she was pretty outrageous let me tell you.
Soon the train slowed to a complete stop at an equally elaborate station, and the doors slid open. Klestania walked out first, followed by Cato, then me, and then Enobaria. Peacekeepers barricaded the streets, allowing us a safe path through the huge crowd of…. ‘colorful’ people. They were cheering for us. These people made me sick. They couldn’t wait to watch us die. I wanted to shy away from all of the mutated people. Most didn’t even look human, which scared me all the more.
Yeah I know, everyone thought I was this strong killer chick that wasn’t afraid of almost anything, much less attention. But, no, you’re dead wrong. This kind of thing absolutely terrified me, but I hopeI could hide my emotions well enough to get a few sponsors… Anyways, back to the story.
We finally made it through the doors of a tall silver building and into blessed silence. I closed my eyes, basking my mind in the warmth and calmness it brought to my mind.
“Hello; Oran, Basil.” Barks Enobaria. I open my eyes, finding two more people who had appeared without my knowing it, and it made me uncomfortable.
These two weren’t completely outrageous, but they weren’t exactly normal either.
“Hello Enobaria, how are you dear?” Asks one of the two, I think a woman, but you can’t be sure what a trend is for these Capitol freaks.
“Good Basil, thank you. Now, you two, these are your stylists. Basil, Oran, this is Cato and Clove, this years tributes from District two. They’re real fighters these ones.” She said, giving me another of her nightmarish sneers. I felt myself shudder; I was never going to get that image out of my head.
“Come with me Clove.” Says the man; obviously Oran. His eyebrows are far too over exaggerated, and his skin looks so pale it’s as though he’s never seen the sun. Plus his hair is an unnatural shade of dark green.
Oran turned and began to walk down the hall, and I followed after him.
