The Hanging Tree. *ON HOLD*

Chapter Seven ~ The Parade

Chapter Seven ~ The Parade 

A few hours later, I am dressed in a short, elegant black dress that reaches just above my knees, showing of my long, slender legs. Underneath my arms the dress the colour changes, instead of a nightmare black, it steadily changes into a soft white making me look like a bird. Like a Mockingjay to be precise. When I looked in the mirror I didn’t recognize myself. I had never cared much about what I looked like and I didn’t usually wear make-up. But now, my eyelashes grew and were darkened, my blue eyes popped from the black around my eyes, the makeup was minimum but it didn’t matter. I felt on top of the world.

When Finnick saw me his green eyes lit up.

‘You look beautiful.’ He whispered. I smiled gently and touched his cheek. He was wearing what looked like a suit. But along with the white from his shirt, there was white under his arms, also to resemble a Mockingjay. He wore no makeup, just a charming smile. Terragon and Finnick’s stylist, Gem both came striding up to us deep in conversation. They seemed to be disagreeing with something. Terragon was shaking her head but Gem looked very stuck on his idea. A few feet away they both put on smiling faces, although Terragon’s was obviously forced.

‘Is everything alright?’ I asked looking between the pair.

‘Just fine,’ Gem hissed. And then in a much lighter tone he said, ‘Well, let’s get you aboard these chariots then!’ We turned around to see pairs of tributes being guided to their horse-driven chariots. Some looked quite nervous about the fact that an animal would be carrying them out into the crowds, but they soon realized how well trained to horses were. Gem and Terragon led us to our chariot; it was second to the back. We stepped in nervously looking around at the kids. Some looked fierce, but no one could miss the worried looks. No one was trained for this. No one thought there would be another Hunger Games so why bother training? There wasn’t any point. So we were all of equal ability, well that’s not entirely true. About half the kids were scrawny, thin and looked like they were in desperate need of a good hearty meal, but a few of the kids looked like they could tear out your throat, with their hands. I gulped as an image of the huge District 13 tribute ripping out my throat popped into my mind. I shook my head trying to get the image out and Terragon scolded me, explaining that I might mess up my hair. Typical, she was more worried about my hair style than my worries. But of course it wasn’t her job to comfort me; it was her job to make sure I looked pretty, and I had to give her credit, she did her job pretty well.

I turned to look at Finnick, wanting someone to talk to, but his vacant expression made me close my mouth. Suddenly District one’s horses lurched forward and the big doors at the end of the room opened to screams and shouts.

‘This is it.’ I whispered to Finnick. There was no going back, not like we had a choice either way. A thought struck me and I turned to speak to Terragon and Gem who were fully absorbed in a quieted argument.

‘Ummm guys?’ I said loudly. They didn’t seem to hear me so I cleared my throat loudly. Yet again they ignored me.

‘GUYS,’ I shouted very conscious of the fact that District 5 had just disappeared through the doors into the Capitol.

‘WHAT?’ They both turned and screamed at me.  I held up my hands in mock salute and rolled my eyes.

‘Jeez, I was just wondering what we do when we get out there.’ I said.

‘Whatever you want,’ Gem snapped.

‘Alright Mr. Moody,’ that comment earned me a very dirty look. Finnick stifled a giggle and I smiled at him. District 7 had left and 8 were just starting to leave.

‘Ready for this?’ I asked Finnick quietly.

‘Since when have we ever been ready for anything?’ He asked.

‘Since, never,’ I replied before he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I looked at our clasped hands, the way our veins were the same depth and even our skin colour matched.  We heard 9 rattle into position and I smoothed down my dress. This was it. We had to make a good impression. We must make people like us; we need all the sponsors we can get. There went 10, and just as 11 started to leave the boy tribute turned around, I think his name was Orion, and stuck up his middle finger at us grinning wildly. Finnick flicked him of, retaliating; giving him the exact reaction he wanted. Me? I stayed icy cool, and ignored him, which was most certainly out of character for me.

 And then our chariot vibrated and the horses trotted forward. I grabbed Finnick’s hand for support. It was cold and clammy. I looked at his face and saw he was looking straight ahead. Oh, and I saw the fear in his eyes, undeniable fear. All of a sudden the fluorescent lights in the training centre seemed like a cave. The lights in the Capitol were near blinding point. My head hurt as the lights stung my eyes. Both Finnick and I squinted. And, as if the lights were not enough, came the noise, the noise that near defended us. We looked up around us, thousands and thousands of Capitol people, dressed in so many different colours. Some colours I had never even seen before, never in my entire life. The screams and shouts of the people made time slow. It seemed like the horses were walking as slowly as they could, making sure we didn’t get to the end. I looked around slightly and saw that the final chariot, 13’s, had left the training centre. Now all we had to do was endure 5 minutes of defending sound and bright, bright lights. District 1 and 2 had already gone back into the training centre. The semi-circle that held the parade of tributes was short enough but it seemed to go on forever.

When we got to the middle of the semi-circle I heard some commotion in the crowd. I turned around searching for the source, but the girl tribute from 13, Dust I think her name was, growled at me. I turned back in surprise but I didn’t have to wait long before I knew what the commotion was about. A man jumped down from the stands, clutching a little girl to his chest. I was incredibly confused for a few moments, certain that the stands would be well guarded enough, and that no one would even dare pull such a stunt. But then I saw a flash of silver and gulped as I realized it was a knife.

All the lights turned towards the pair but none of the chariots stopped. Peacekeepers started to make their way slowly towards the pair, but the man whipped around holding the knife to the little girls neck. She had lovely blonde hair and a beautiful face. She, at least, didn’t look like she was from the Capitol. She looked like the little girl from the photos Mum showed me of her sister. Now, instead of screams and shouts there were just gasps and mutters and in a corner near the back there were some mumbled outrages. Peacekeepers started to surround them from every side but before they could reach the man, I saw him press the knife into her neck. Little beads of blood spotted her pale white neck.

‘DON’T MOVE ANY CLOSER OR THE LITTLE GIRL DIES!’ The man screamed madly. The peacekeepers stopped, unsure of what to do. The little girl, who looked about 9, had tears streaming down her cheeks and I saw her lips form to say, ‘Mummy.’ She caught my eye and begged me silently to help. And I looked away. That’s when the scream started.