The Hunger Games Begin

The Capitol

Half an hour later, Emmet and I are stood saying our goodbyes to our families. There is hugging, kissing and weeping. Tommy comes up to me, holding his precious train. I found Tommy's train during one of my walks in the war, it would keep him busy for hours, pretending and playing. The train is Tommy's prized possession.

"Here," he murmurs, holding out the faded blue toy, "for good luck."

"Oh, Tommy, I can't take this! You'll get so lonely, and I might lose it or..." I refrain from speaking the last possibility.

"Please, Skye, for me." Tommy begs. Reluctantly, I take the small train and pass Tommy a sad smile. It is then that I realise that I can't afford to lose. I have to win these stupid Games, for the sake of my little brother.

"Thank you Tommy. And while I'm gone, I forbid you to fall behind with your reading and writing." This makes Tommy show a trace of a smile. Tommy is dyslexic so whilst the war was going on, I was teaching him to improve. Now he is making good progress and can read so much more. I give a last hug to everyone (including Emmet's parents) and before you know it, District 3 is crawling away from us.

The train is luxurious- Capitol style. Plush sofas, mahogany tables, goblets of gold. In a way, I am glad to have this experience, it is something I never would've heard of let alone seen in 3. We are introduced to the Capitol lady from the reaping, her name is Selma Trinket. She is giddy and giggly, she even tells us that she is pregnant! I don't really know what to think about her, strange but ultimately innocent. Selma often tries to start friendly conversation but it always dropped dead after a couple of sentences. She tries many things:

"Are you looking forward to seeing the Capitol?"

"Kinda..."

"Sort of."

"Do you two know each other?"

"Yeah."

"Yep."

"How old are you both?"

"Fourteen"

"Fifteen" Quite honestly, I pity Selma; Emmet and I are being so awkward towards her.

Lunch is served! A bird called a groosling is served on an intricate silver platter with salad on the side and tomato soup. Back in District 3, I never even dreamt that I would have the opportunity to eat so much food thats as filling and delicious as this! I wolf down several helpings of groosling, drain my bowl of tomato soup and munch up the salad in under forty five minutes! Soon afterwards, I remember Mother and Tommy and how much they would've loved to dine this meal. The thought of my family weakens my appetite so I leave Selma and Emmet so that I can have a little time to process the events of today. I repeat them to myself aloud:

-Ailee was shot

-The war is over

-The Justice Building is being made

- I have become a Hunger Games tribute

-I am going to the Capitol

Downing such a huge amount of food at once was a definite mistake, I reflect to myself whilst my grand lunch is rocketed into the toilet bowl.

To take my mind off of things -like vomit- I decide to visit my compartment in the train where I will be sleeping. Dazzling arrays of colours startle my eyes as I enter the small room. Inside, there is a tiny round wooden dressing table with a pretty ivy design carved into its legs, a single bed complete with a bright yellow duvet and an orange blanket. A full length mirror is positioned neatly next to the enormous wardrobe, and a little bathroom next door. Exhausted by pretty much everything, I select a pair of silky royal blue pyjamas from the wardrobe and flop down heavily on my comfy bed. Sleep arrives as a blissful peace.

Squealing awakens me. Confused and cranky, I slump out of bed and see a gaggle of giggling Capitol girls, all with their hair elaborately styled into shapes such as hearts or butterflies. Strange people. We must have arrived in the Capitol overnight, I scold myself for not at least shutting the curtains. Here we are, the Capitol.