Storm: A Hunger Games Story {Book One of the Storm Trilogy}

Ten

I didn't sleep that night. I never seemed to sleep in the Capitol. I sat at my window like I did before the games, and stared at the city. All the shiny lights and colorful cars. The stars in the sky were dull, almost microscopic compared to the brightness of the city. I wondered if he was one of those stars, looking down on me.

The next morning we were escorted to the train station. People of the Capitol gathered in the hundreds to watch me depart. Did they not have jobs? They decide to spend their free time watching me board a train? That doesn't seem exciting to me at all.

"Goodbye Ophelia!"

"Ta ta!"

"Hope you enjoyed your stay!" My stay. Like I was here on vacation.

More nightmares came to haunt me that night. I'm not sure they'll ever go away.

After a day or so, we finally arrived home. At the train station, hundreds of people waited to welcome me back. Wes told me to stand and wave for a few minutes. After all, I did just win, which gives them food for a year. I of all people know that food can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

We walked through the crowd, saying hello to people, and thanking them for being here. Many of them hugged me, thanking me for giving them food. For giving them a chance to survive.

I walked past my old neighborhood, and saw my neighbors waving from their windows. I waved back, and told them they should come by for dinner sometime next week. My door was always open.

Victor's Village was large, with about twelve houses or so. Only four of them were occupied. Standing outside of what I presumed was our house was my family. My mother, father, and Mason. I didn't hesitate to run into their arms.

All four of us broke down in tears. My mother almost fell to the ground. I held onto them for dear life. My brother asked if I had any wounds and I said no. We stood in a huddle for thirty minutes straight, just thankful I'm still alive.

—————————

After reuniting with my family, they gave me a tour of our new house. It was massive. They moved here the day I left the arena. They packed up our things and were brought here.

My new room was blue, much like the rest of the house. I needed to repaint it. Blue was his favorite color. I couldn't go to sleep staring at blue walls, making me think of him.

My mother had placed all of my things in the room, including the picture she gave Mason and I as a reaping day gift. What I wanted to find was my necklace. Finally, after looking through drawers, I found it. The silver heart pendant brought me comfort, but also guilt. Guilt that I didn't have it in the arena. Guilt for his death. I quickly fastened the necklace around my neck and ran downstairs.

My mother called Trina and invited her for dinner. I introduced my family to Wes, and they thanked him for helping to keep me alive.

"Ophelia is really special. I'm glad I met her. I just wish we would've met under different circumstances." I smiled up at him and gave him a long hug.

"Would you stay for dinner, Wes?" my mother asked him.

"Oh, no. I wouldn't want to intrude." he replied.

"Nonsense. We are in your debt. You brought our girl home." My father insisted. Wes accepted, and thanked us.

"Bring your father, too." I told him.

"I will."

—————————

My family didn't ask me about the games. They knew what happened. They saw everything.