Into the Flames [Watty Awards 2012]

Chapter 32

I woke up drenched in sweat, shivering. All I could remember was the look on Waterlily’s face as she died. Images of Waterlily’s beaten face haunted me as I got up. I threw on my clothes and went to turn on the TV. The news was on covering the Games that would start later in the day. I stepped into the kitchen and took a single piece of bread and sat on the couch. I listened to the commentators talking about the tributes and predicting how long they would live. Everyone on the show thought that Ethelreda was going to win, and it was no surprise. They did have some very good things to say about Waterlily though. They talked about her strength and her ability to lead a group. I was mesmerized by the show and I sat there until I heard a knock on the door. I jumped up and opened it. Jared walked into the room, “Hey Mist! Did you just see what they were saying about Waterlily?”

I nodded, “Yeah. They think she may have a chance!”

“I know, isn’t that great!” I nodded and he pulled me into a big hug. “Now, how are you making out?”

“For the fact that my sister might be dead in the next twelve hours, I’m doing pretty well.”

Jared laughed, letting go of me, “Well, that’s good.”

The room was silent for a second, “Would you like to help me prepare the food for today?”

“Sure!” We walked to the kitchen and started getting the food ready. The house was mostly, besides the clanking of pots and pans, until Trout and her father came. Soon after they got there, we ate. The food was considerably good for just being made out of the cheapest ingredients and the tesserae grain. There still wasn’t much talk during the meal, but it was a little better than when it was just Jared and I in the house. I felt like forever before the news finished and the introduction of the games started. The four of us sat on the couch together. Trout was leaning on her father and I was leaning on Jared. Waterlily’s mangled face popped into my thought again and I shook my head to get rid of it. “You okay Mist?’

I nodded, “I’m fine. Just ready for it to start I guess.”

He nodded, “Me too, but it doesn’t look like we have to wait much longer.”

The capitol symbol showed on the screen. Now, all we had to do was wait for the Games to begin.