Let the 25th Hunger Games Begin

The Capitol

I was woken when the train stopped. Alert yet tired, I sat up in my cosy golden bed. I wished I could stay there forever, wrapped in the warm sheets, curled up without a care in the world. But this was not going to happen. I wondered, when I died in the Games, if heaven would be like this. Comforting and care free. Sighing, I roll out of bed and stare at myself in the full body mirror. Mercilli had told us hundreds of times out schedule.

'We arrive at the Capitol at 6:10 am, so breakfast will be served at 6:40. The crowds start coming in around 7, so before breakfast make yourself... Presentable,' He cheered in his Capitol accent. I didn't think the last part was supposed to offend us, but it did. THEY were the reason we were dressed like this. Not us.

I quickly showered in the large 2 metre long shower, playing with buttons that kept shooting goos called "shampoo" and "conditioner". I found another goo that smelt like roses, like home, and used that. I changed into a red dress with golden zig-zags- our Districts colours were red, gold and orange, explaining the train- which was short at the front and long at the back. Instead of having straps, it had one circular string attaching both ends around my neck. I wore black leggings underneath. I gazed at myself in the mirror. I needed sponsors, so I had to look good. "NO!" Another part of my brain yelled. "You don't have anyone to fight for, and the others do. That's why your District voted you into the games this Quarter Quell." A tear rolls down my cheek. If the Quarter Quell had another rule, instead of voting your own kids into the Games, I wouldn't be here. I was stuck. Did I want to die or not?

Eventually I didn't settle on anything, so I went along with the sponsors plan, just in case. I found a two long metal sticks stuck together and played around with it until I finally found a button. Only if my stylists were here- Mercilli said that they would help us when we were inside the Capitol, not now. Realising it was used for my hair, I grabbed a piece and put it in the warm metal bars. I pulled down slowly and gasped. My hair was straight. All my life I had frizzy or curly hair, dancing around my shoulders. Now, the silky and beautiful brown waves reached my waist. Excited, I continued heating the rest of my hair. I splashed my face with water, patted it down and looked at myself. Never in my life had I looked so beautiful; so angelic. With a better mood, I walked out of my bathroom and into the dining room.

I spotted Keil instantly. His hair was volumized, making his blond hair frame his face. He wore a red business shirt with a collar and long sleeves, along with golden zig-zags. We were almost identical. He stared at me, as surprised as I was when I saw my own reflection. I sat down at the opposite end, next to Mercilli, who was beaming.

'Oh, you both look beautiful! I never knew how long your hair was Abigail!' He cried. I smile a thank you. I place a two warm rolls of buttered bread, a dollop of porridge, a large pork fillet and a salad of Lettuce and many other unknown vegetables. Keil looks down at his T-Bone steak, bread roll, three cupcakes and honey and sugar covered porrige, probably regretting his breakfast choice.

'What are these?' I question, poking my fork at a circular green vegetable in my salad.

'Cucumber dear- I always forget how little you folk know!' Mercilli informs me. 'It does wonders for you skin.'

'Well Abigail definitely needs to use that!' Keil laughs. No one joins in. He still smiles evilly at his joke. Mercilli looks at a bracelet on his hand with flashing numbers. He almost jumps out of his seat.

'Oh my! Quickly, eat up- in 5 minutes we will meet up with Opal and walk to the Training and Boarding Building!' He shrieks. I quickly gobble the delicious mean down and thank the Avox who clears it away for me. Keil lazily throws his cutlery into his half-eaten meal and leaves. I stand there, mouth open in awe. When we have so little in 8, how could he ever waste such food?

We were lead to a small room in front of the metal doors. The roar of the crowd sounds like the hungry roar of lions. Which they technically are. Hungry lions, craving the death of 23 innocent children, craving for my death. We stand in a four- Opal next to me, with Mercilli and Keil behind us.

I force a smile on my face as the doors open. Light pours in and I am momentarily blinded. I grab Opal's hand for guidance. We walk forwards together.

The Capitol was beautiful. The marble floors were clean and spotless;Large glass apartment buildings rose neatly into the sky, surrounded by water features. Only two buildings were larger. One we were heading too- the grey and white building towering over me. The Training and Boarding Centre. The other was what I assumed was the President's Mansion. The outfits and make up that the citizens wore- It was like a circus clowns outfit dyed different colours. Their skins were faintly dyed their favourite colour. Anything that they could change they would. These people were not human; they were aliens, oblivious to the pain they sentenced us to.

I smiled out to the crowd, looking at people boldly in the eyes. This made them cheer even louder. We strode forwards, heads held high. People were shouting, '8!8!8!' as we walked past them. One even held out their hand for me to shake. Although it was only a 100 meter walk, it took forever to walk into the mouth of the large building.