Plenty of Fish in the Sea. (Hunger Games)

Chapter 5.

"Dinner! It's Dinner time!"

Elainia called from her seat at the dining table, and with one last glance at each other, Finnick and I went to our seats.

The food of the Capitol certainly hadn't gone down in standards. The table was filled with soft bread rolls, plates of meat slathered in rich creamy sauce, and bowls of rices and soups just to name a few. Immediately my appetite returned at the sight of all the expensive food, and I dug in without a moment of hesitation. Elainia, who would usually have something to say about my unladylike behaviour, turned a blind eye for once, and served herself some stew quietly.

You could practically cut the tension with a knife as we all ate silently, the only noise in the room being the clinking of cutlery. Nobody wanted to be on the train. Not even Elainia, who would usually be so excited with the idea of taking new tributes to the Capitol.

"So."

She began, in an effort to end the awkward silence,

"Once we get to the Capitol, we have the Opening Ceremony to look forward to! How exciting! Then, you have your interviews with Caesar, and finally the two training days, to prepare yourselves for the Arena. Oh, and don't worry, your stylists will take care of you, as per usual! I just can't wait!"

Elainia looked at me as if she were waiting for me to agree, she seemed so desperate to make the situation less sad, trying so hard to lighten the mood. So I did my best to smile and nod.

Elainia gestured towards me from the other side of the table,

"You'd better get into character Serena, this is not the Sea Princess the Capitol is expecting- and it will help if you become what the Capitol wants you to be. It truly will. It may not be enjoyable for you, but appealing to the Capitol is always an advantage."

'Remember to be who the Capitol wants you to be.' Finnick's words of advice from my first time in the Games echoed in my ears.

Finnick and I murmured in agreement, glancing toward each other at Elainia's words, and then ate our dinner quietly.

~~~

I stood on a familiar circular platform, I looked around to find twenty three others just like it, placed in a large circle around me.

The air was hot and dry, and dusty red sand stretched on forever, in every direction I turned. I closed me eyes as little sweat droplets formed on my skin.

Suddenly there was a scream-

"Serena!"

My eyes open now, my breathing quickening, as I leapt onto the hot desert sand,

"Serena! Please!"

"Tahlia!"

I shrieked, turning on the spot, trying to figure out where my sister's cries and sobs were coming from.

"Serena!"

It was my father this time, his voice echoing, just like it did at the Reaping.

I ran towards the sound of his voice, screaming out to him again and again.

"Serena! Serena! Where are you?!"

My mother suddenly yelled, her voice distressed. I sprinted off in the complete opposite direction of the way I was going before. The sound of my family's voices made a sob escape my lips, causing me to fall to the ground, my head in my hands, and soon Mags', Finnick's and Annie's cries joined my family's. Each scream breaking my heart just a little bit more.