(Earlier version) Flowerborn Part 1: The Arena

Chapter 6: Eddie

After dinner I had gotten really tired. I had met so many new people, and the pressure of the camera's surrounding me was difficult to deal with. I wished my mom could see me, but only the people that paid to see the extra video's would see anything besides the games itself. And if my mom had money I wouldn't even have to be here.

I decide that I should unpack all my stuff. I grabbed my bag from my bed and put in on top of the windowsill. Inside were a few extra clothes, books, Eddie, a notebook, pyjamas, and a few other thing. I took Eddie - my teddy bear out. Most kids had one, but they were big and new. My bear was small not soft anymore, and a bit dirty. I kissed his head. I looked at my watch; already past seven o'clock. At eight the light would be dimmed and we had to go to sleep. I looked at the extra door in our room. There were showers, sinks and toilets behind there. Maybe I should take a shower to calm down? Tomorrow the real training began. In a few days - Maybe even in two days? - we would already have our first battle. I shivered just by thinking about it.

-

After I had showered I wanted to go for a walk as I had still thirty minutes left and we were allowed to go outside, even in the gardens, as long as we didn't run away. No turning back. When a left the room I heard someone calling for me: 'Hey Lucy! Are you going for a walk?' I looked back and nodded. It was Kate. 'Can I come with you?' I once again nodded.

'Thanks.. It was kind of getting airless in there. Besides Emmeth is already sleeping.'

'No problem, I get a little uncomfortable around to many people.'

'Haha yes I get that.' We paused for a second. Then she said: 'Can I ask you something?'

'Sure'

'I know that most of us were much or less forced to join the battle, but what about you? You don't seem scared, and you also don't seem cocky about this, so you don't do it for the fame.'

'I am here for my mom, we don't have enough money to survive, and without a proper education neither of us can have a good job.'

'So you wére forced?'

'No, I volunteered.'

'I find that hard to believe. Even living on the streets is better than being here, I know, I have been there.'

'I guess I have a close bond with my mother.. She even wanted to join herself when she was younger. But then she wouldn't be able to take care of me. And her health is not the best. I just want to do something to give us a better life.'

'Okay.. I guess I believe you.. You are very strange you know? I mean that not in a bad way, but just.. I have never met someone so brave as you, and still not doing this for the fame.'

I laughed. That was a compliment I had never heard before. We already walked a small block and we were back at our room. She fiddled with the zipper of her jacket. 'Shall we go for another round?' she said carefully.

'Sure.'