Defiance: The 13th Annual Hunger Games

Chapter Seven

I jolt awake at the sound of someone pounding on my door. I sleepily rub my eyes as Juniper's preppy voice sounds, "Up, up, up! Rise and shine!" I groan, and throw the covers off of me. I grimace as my cut hands rub against the fabric. I peer at them, assessing how badly they look. Luckily, the cuts aren't deep, and they're starting to scab over.

I sigh, then swing my feet onto the ground. The floor sends a shiver through my body. The floor is freezing. I bounce all the way to the bathroom, yelping as I stub my toe on the corner of the wardrobe.

My hair is matted on one side, and flattened on the other. I suppose I thrashed around lots last night. I'm not used to having such a large bed to myself. I quickly run my fingers through my golden hair, and decide to braid it.

Growing up, mostly without a mother, I never really knew how to fix hair; until Jade came home from school one day bubbling about how her friend had shown her a simple braid. I bite my lip at the memory. I want to go home, badly. Right now. This instant. However, I know I can never, or will never, go back home. Well, my body will. Cold and stiff, in a simple wooden box.

I blink quickly, then braid my hair. I open the cabinet door, then finally come upon a kit with ointment inside. I apply the substance to my injured hands, and instantly, they feel better. A smoothing sensation spreads throughout my hands, and I can help but sigh. It must be Capitol made, that's why it worked so quickly, and well. When I'm finished, I open the wardrobe and slip on some different pants that are black. I put on an orange shirt with a long white stripe down the bottom. It's amazing how exactly these clothes fit me.

My hand is drawn to my neck. I look down and I find my necklace. I couldn't even remember putting it on. Perhaps I had it on for the Reaping and just forgot. I rub the locket between my fingers and take a deep breath. I don't want to open it, in fear that it might draw tears to my eyes. I hardly ever open it, I never feel the need to. I let the locket dangle from my neck, then slip out the door.

I dread what my fellow tribute and escort will say to me as I'm walking to the dining car. I shake the thought away, and focus on what food they'll have waiting. My mouth waters at the thought.

I push the door to the dining car wide open, and step in. Blaze is picking at what looks like a pancake, something that I've only had once for Rowan and Marsh's birthday. Juniper, who is clothed in a blinding yellow dress with small glittering jewels, seems to be staring at a silver gadget on the table. I have no clue what it could be. I slide into a chair and grab a plate.

Blaze doesn't even look at me. "He's probably thinking of a way to kill me in the arena." I think. I roll my eyes, then begin to fill up my plate. I snatch two small pancakes, a few strawberries, a sugary type of swirled bread, and a glass of orange juice. I can't get too much food, I don't want to end up next to the toilet like yesterday.

Juniper looks up from her gadget, "Only a few more hours, then we'll be at the Capitol!" Great. Can't wait. I just wonder what they'll do to me. I shudder at the thought.

Juniper seems to have softened a bit after last night. She doesn't act like our little "argument" happened at all. Maybe she feels bad for me. I want to laugh at the thought. A Capitol freak? Feeling bad? They send twenty four children to their deaths each year!

I shove a strawberry into my mouth and watch the trees fly by through the window. Suddenly, I hear a sound that I have never heard before, Blaze's voice. "I just realized, we don't have a mentor." He says, his voice smooth.

I quickly close my mouth before my strawberry rolls out. I feel like I've heard that voice before! Everything from the past few years come rushing back. His eyes match perfectly with his father's. His sturdy build matches him too. Blaze Worth. Mayor Worth. I jump to my feet, rattling the glass plates on the table. "You're the mayor's son!" I shout through a mouthful of strawberry mush.

Blaze scratches his chin, "Uh...yeah. So?"

I throw my hands in the air, "Why didn't someone volunteer? I mean, you're the mayor's son."

"I don't know. Besides, there's nothing I can do now." He replies emotionless.

I suddenly feel a bit of respect for this kid. I mean, he's not drowning in self pity like I always thought district mayor kids would. He actually seems kind of friendly, behind all the hard expressions. Yes, I do respect him, I just don't trust him.

Apparently done with the conversation, Blaze briskly walks back to his room. I stand next to my seat, and finally swallow the food in my mouth. I take a last sip of orange juice, then begin to follow behind him. I then remember Blaze's first question. I turn to Juniper, "Who will be our mentor? No one from District Twelve has ever won the Hunger Games."

Juniper looks up from her gadget, which I now believe is some sort of clock object, "Well, I do believe that a Capitol mentor will be in charge of the flow of sponsor gifts, but as for advice, you'll have to look to the trainers." She adjusts her hair, which has tilted to the side, then replies, "You'll have only three days to obtain as much knowledge as you can from the trainers. You must pay attention."

No fair! Most of the other districts have mentors to give advice. We don't. I sigh. Life is unfair.

"Don't get too caught up in something." Juniper warns, "We'll be at the Capitol in a few minutes."

My heart begins to flutter in my chest. I'm so nervous. At least, I think I am. I don't know how I really feel. Scared. Angry. Surprised. No idea. I nod to my district escort, then go to my room.

*    *    *    *

I curl up on the bed in my room. I know I won't be able to get a second of sleep, but I slow my breathing and relax. This may be the last day of my entire life that I'll be able to just relax. My final days before the Games will be filled with hard training, interviews, and more training.

Just as I'm about to lay my head on a soft, feathery pillow, a knock on the door sounds. My stomach twists.

It's Juniper telling me we have arrived at the Capitol.