Into the Flames [Watty Awards 2012]

Chapter 33

The needle poked through my skin, sending in the tiny tracking device. There was no way for me to run away now. My chair jiggled and the windows started going dark. A shiver ran up my spine, we were almost there. The hovercraft got darker as the windows darkened, sending us into a deep darkness. I held my breath as we started our slow decent. Finally, the hovercraft landed and the door was opened. Outside the door was a series of concrete passage ways a Peacekeeper pointed me down a hallway. A single door stood at the end. I opened it and found Regi waiting for me.

“Hello Waterlily, are you ready?”

“As ready as I can be.”

“Good,” He grabbed a light pair of pants, a white t-shirt, and a light jacket. I threw them on while he retrieved a pair of shoes. They appeared to be running shoes. I pulled them on, thankfully they were smart enough not to put laces on them. Regi pulled my hair back into a ponytail. “You have your token?”

I nodded, touching my necklace, “I’ve got it.”

“The plates are rising in fifteen seconds,” The voice played over a speaker.

Regi looked me in the eyes, “Waterlily, you can do this. I want to see you back in the capitol. I already started thinking of outfits for your victory tour. “

I smiled, “I’ll so my best.”

“You better get on the plate. You don’t want it to rise without you!”

I stepped into the clear tube and onto the metal platform. “Thanks for everything you have done Regi. I really appreciate it.”

“Anything, the only payment I want from you, is for you to be back here to see me again.”

I nodded and the platform started to rise, taking me from Regi, possibly forever.

“You can do it Waterlily!”

I burst into the arena. Grass stretched out for miles all around me. On the other side of the field I could see a line of trees.

“Welcome to the arena tributes! May the 73rd Hunger games begin!”

My eyes searched the platforms, darting past other tributes until I found Willow. I watched Willow out of the corner of my eye, while watching Ethelreda for instructions. Ethelreda sent her eyes to the right and then Willow sent hers to the left. I gave Ethelreda a nod and positioned my feet towards the cornucopia.

7…6…5…4…3…2…1…Bong!