The 69th Hunger Games

Chapter 8

-Chapter 8-

" Wake up!" Said Zavanine, shaking me gently. " The games start in 7 hours.

I sat bolt upright. In exactly 7 hours, I would fight to the death with 23 other mostly innocent kids.

I couldn't do it.

I didn't want to kill the 12 year old girl from district 11. She was to cute, she had a life ahead of her.

'I didn't want to.'

'I didn't want to.' Is all my mind could think.

I knew I wouldn't make it out alive.

I couldn't see it.

" What's wrong?" Zavanine asked.

" Your eyes are tearing up and you look sickly and pale."

" No-nothing's wrong. I'm ok." I mustered.

I got out of bed, and Zavanine virtually dragged me to the "Launch Room". To me, it was just the slaughter house.

She dressed me in my tributes arena outfit.

It was a tan body suit made of thin, but protective material.

" The material is thin, and airy." Zavanine notified, rubbing the material between her thumb and forefinger. " I think it's a desert arena."

No.

No.

No.

No.

I wasn't used to deserts.

I knew I would die in no time.

Then, Zavanine handed me the boots with the metal spikes on the soles, and the jacket.

I hoped there would be a small forest, or even a pond.

Maybe there would be some caves.

But I could only hope.

No telling what's in the arena.

-30 minutes to launch-

Zavanine tried to get me to eat and drink.

But fear and worry had taken me over.

I was as still and lifeless as a statue.

She finally got me out of my haze, and I picked at a bagel and a bacon strip. Almost nothing was in my stomach, but I felt full, full of fear.

I took a small sip of lemonade.

" 10 minutes to launch." said a calm woman's voice over the speakers.

" Before I forget, " Zavanine cleared her throat. " This. Remember, your token. "

She handed me the sand dollar necklace.

I put around me neck and tucked it into the suit.

" Are you ready?" Zavanine asks uncertainly.

" No, " I was being honest.

" 1 minute to launch" the woman's voice droned over the speaker. " tributes, get into your tubes."

I stepped into the plastic tube and waves goodbye to Zavanine.

Just before the tube closed, she leaped in and gave me a huge hug, and I hugged back, a single tear spilling down my face.

" Goodbye" She whispered.

And the tube closed and I was making my way up, to the place of my death.

The Arena.