The Last Hunger Games

Chapter 5 - The Opening Ceremony

Authors Note: Hi! I am SO sorry for not updating this, and thank you so much to everyone that's been reading and voting on this story! I have a detailed plan for what happens in the arena, but until then I'm winging it. Thanks again from Leachy Kid! xoxo

The doors open out onto an amazing penthouse. Huge sofas, even bigger televisions, and windows that cover a whole wall. It's a good job I'm not scared of heights. A reaping ball sits on the abstract table, and we are led over to it.

"In here are the options for your mentors. You'll each pick one out, and whoever you get, I'll go and collect them from the lobby," says Cinna. "Your options are Enobaria, Annie Cresta, Johanna Mason, Gale Hawthorne, Beetee Latier, and Lyme."

"Gale? I don't think he's a Victor," I say, confused. No he isn't, because if he was then he'd have been at the vote.

"Everyone thought that he might as well be one of the options, seeing as he knows as much about survival and weapons as any Victor," says Cornelia. 

"And who on earth is Lyme?" asks Avita, looking as confused as I am. I recognise the name, but I can't quite place where I've heard it before.

"Oh, Lyme's a commander from District 2. She was badly injured during the war, but she's still fit enough in her mind to mentor a tribute," Cinna replies. "And if you're wondering why there's no escort option, then it's because they were all killed. Except Effie Trinket of course."

"Oh, right," me and Avita say in sync.

"Hurry up guys, I want to see who you get!" says Cornelia. I go over and dip my hand into the ball. There's barely any slips of paper, but I get one between my fingers and lift it out. Undoing the seal on it, I read out, "Johanna Mason." Oh great. Not her. Anyone but her. As I found out when I eavesdropped on that meeting, she hates me at an unrealistic level. 

"Avita? Your go," says Cinna. Avita has her fingers crossed behind her back and with her other hand she reaches into the ball and pulls out another slip. She reads out, "Gale Hawthorne." Her face lights up like fireworks. Avita's had a huge crush on Gale ever since she saw him in those propos. 

"Right then, I'll go and get them, see you three in a minute or so," Cinna says, heading down in the lift. Avita starts her high pitched squealing as soon as the lift doors shut. 

"Celestia! Did you - did you - did you see who I got!? Eeeee!" Avita says, hugging her slip of paper. I turn to Cornelia.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, what are you so happy about? That smile hasn't left your face in a long time," I say. 

"You'll never believe it, but Cinna is my long lost father!" Cornelia says and her face lights up again. 

"Really?!" I say, although now, come to think of it, they do look awfully similar. Same fluffy brown hair, same dark skin, same hazel eyes, same tastes in fashion. No wonder Cornelia's such an amazing designer, it's in her blood. Avita is still hugging her slip of paper. I can hear voices approaching, and a good guess is that it's Johanna, Gale, and Cinna coming back up in the lift. Both Avita and Cornelia are squealing now, and just before the lift doors open with a whoosh, I loudly whisper to them,"Shut up!"

They do, and Cinna walks over.

"Ladies, may I present: your mentors," he says with a grand gesture of his hand a little bow which makes Cornelia giggle. Johanna wastes no time in saying, "Right, which one's mine?" She is incredibly scary for a woman who looks so beaten up. 

"Me," I say in a timid voice.

"Well speak up then, brainless, you're not gonna get anywhere with that," she replies, arms folded. Gale goes over to Avita.

"I take it you're with me then?" he says, and Avita's whole face blushes a bright red.

"Y-y-yes t-that's right," she says, stammering over every word. Cornelia has to change her laughing fit into a coughing fit and excuses herself from the room. As the bathroom door clicks shut behind her, we can all hear muffled howls of laughter, a sound which I know I haven't heard in much too long. 

"Well then, midget, come with me," Johanna says, and struts out of the room, through the door leading to the roof of the penthouse. I have no choice but to follow.