Of Victors and Tributes

Part 3: The Survivor

Chapter 25: The Return

The first time I come to, I'm in a clean white room and laying on a clean white bed. I look around a little bit, but my neck is stiff and I'm exhausted. I attempt to survey my body and find that Meadow was right after all: I no longer have a left arm. It was removed half way between my shoulder and elbow, leaving a short nub I can slightly move. But I don't try to move it again, because it hurts pretty bad. My fingers lift the covers and I see the horrible gash that's about a foot long and sewn up. That's when I remember that I'm the victor of this year's Hunger Games and that I succeeded in killing Pearl.

"Cecelia?" I call out. No one offers a response. "Woof?" There is still no response. I'm ready to try to go back to sleep when the wall slides open, an invisible door, and an Avox walks in. She gives me some broth and bread, a cup of water. I'm not hungry, but I thank her.

"Where's Cecelia and Woof?" I ask, then feel stupid because she can't talk. She holds up a finger and at first I think she's trying to get me to shut up, but then I realize she's telling me to be patient.

"Okay," I say dully. She makes sure I eat everything, then leaves with my dishes. A few seconds later, something seeps into my bloodstream that knocks me out once more.

I come around a few more times, the Avox girl has me eat and I continue to ask when I can see Cecelia, Woof, and even Koi. She gives me a finger to wait each time. Finally doctors begin to visit, and they tell me they're going to leave the scar on my stomach but get rid of the rest. Some of them even mention how they were worried I'd be in a coma for the rest of my life, but here I am, nice and alive. Every time before I fall back to sleep, I check my scars. Just as the doctors and nurses said, every scar I've ever had besides the one on my stomach is receding into nothingness.

I wake up for real, finally. I'm free of tubes and needles in my arms, there are no doctors or nurses or avoxes. At the foot of my bed lies my outfit from the arena. The tan jacket, the yellow shirt, the gray pants, the tan boots. I pull them on eagerly, but I feel as if my skin will burn away when they touch me. Is this really what I've become, afraid of clothing? Well, it's not only clothing, it's what the clothing reminds me of. Don't worry, I tell myself. You aren't going back to the arena.

I stand by the door, waiting for it to open so I can see Cecelia and Woof and Koi and Farah. I just want to get out of here and see a familiar face that cares about me. As I wait, I fidget with my jacket sleeve, which hangs loosely without an arm to fill it. I tie a knot, somewhat difficultly, around where my new arm ends when the door slides open.

I take a small step out, then start running. I'm just following the hall, hoping to come upon someone I know. Then I see them. I round the corner and there they are, Koi and his fish tattoos, Woof who finally looks attentive, Cecelia with tears in her eyes, Farah in a white flowing dress. I fly into Cecelia's arms immediately, and even though I'm taller than her I feel like a child. She hugs me fiercely, tears falling onto my shoulder. When I'm done with her, I hug Woof, who slaps my back and gives me a grin. And then I hug Koi, who cups my face and kisses my forehead. I hug Farah last, but it's kind of hard because she has diamonds glued to her face.

"It's good to see you, Taylor," Cecelia says, touching my face softly. I smile at her.

"We knew he'd come back," Woof tells everyone, clapping me on the shoulder.

"I'm so proud of you, Taylor," Koi says. I know he wants to say something else about Weaver, but he doesn't.

"I can't believe I'm back." Is all I can manage.

"Come on now," Farah says. She takes my arm gently and I know I have to go with her to get ready for the presentation of the victor. Of me.

The festivities of the Games must be raging now that there's a victor, but there's always a few weeks in between for the doctors to fix up whoever comes out of the arena alive. Then we get fancied up, and presented to the Capitol with Caesar. Farah takes me through some halls and we appear in what I assume is the lobby of the Training Center. We get into the elevator and take it to my room from before the Games. When the door opens, I'm greeted with the three women who make up my prep team.