The 55th Hunger Games

Chapter 29

        An hour later, after my prep team have finished with me, I wait nervously underground beneath the stage of the training centre. It is dark here and I am all alone. I can hear the noisy crowd above me, waiting in anticipation for the show to start.

         In order, my prep team will be cheered onto the stage first, followed by Krissy, Marigold, Liza and Seamus. Then finally it will be my turn. But I will not simply be walking onto the stage. I will rise from beneath on the metal plate I stand on in the midst of smoke and blaring lights.

        I self-consciously feel the traitorous symbol over my heart, wishing there was some way I could just make it disappear. The only consolation to wearing the symbol is that I now have Cole's band back, hidden beneath my sleeve. A little reluctantly, Marigold had given it to me at Piper's reminder. I touch it now, gaining courage, and prey it will be enough to get me through the onslaught of memories coming my way tonight.

        The recap will go for three hours, and I will be forced to watch as familiar tribute after familiar tribute dies. I will watch as Mahamari sneakily kills her doomed victims - Samantha included. But the worst part of it all is that I will see Aponi. I will watch her die all over again. I don't know that I will be able to take that.

        Then above me I hear the crowd cheer wildly and the faint projected voice of Caesar Flickerman. I suppose the cheers that follow shortly after are for my prep team. The cheers go on as Krissy, Marigold, Liza and Seamus are presented before the crowd. Then my plate begins to rise from the ground, reminding me horridly of the plate which brought me into the Hunger Games. I feel myself begin to tremble nervously before my head breaks the stage and the blinding light attacks my eyes. I have to force myself not to cover them. I must look confident - like a Victor.

        The crowd roars around me behind the screen of light shielding my view. Instinctively I hold my arm up and they cheer even louder. Finally Caesar bounds towards me, congratulates me on my victory and chaperones me over to an ornate chair which I know is there for me. I sit down and Caesar shares a few light jokes with the audience. All the while I sit in my seat, smiling politely. But inside I am terrified for when Caesar finishes joking and the recap will begin.

        Across the other side of the stage sit my team. The prep team are bouncing about excitedly in their seats, whispering to each other. Krissy and Liza both sit politely beside one another in silence. Marigold chatters excitedly to Seamus beside her. She wears a sky blue dress complete with many frills and layers, her hair curled and adorned with ribbons the same colour as her dress. Her outfit complements her, and I wish she put the same attention into my outfit. Even from a distance I can tell exactly how expensive it must have been to make. But really, it doesn't surprise me.

        Then Seamus makes eye contact with me. His eyes wish me luck and remind me that I must be a grateful Victor. That means no tears. I know already that I won't be able to do it, but I must at least try.

        The lights around me dim a little. It is only then that I notice Caesar has finished warming up the crowd. It is time for the recap. The screen on the stage flashes with the Capitol seal and the anthem of Panem plays.

        My heart begins to race inside me. I clench my fists tightly on my lap, readying myself for what is to come. Then the anthem is replaced by a daunting, drumming soundtrack and the seal is replaced by a moving picture.

        The District 1 pair is being called at the reaping, followed by 2. Only clips are shown as the reapings go on. The camera lingers on my tearful face when district 7 comes around. That Taslim on the screen would never have thought he might make it out of the Hunger Games. If only he knew.