The Hunger Games: Johanna Mason's Story

Chapter 4

I look around the train. There's so many different compartments. Different rooms, bathrooms, living rooms, bedrooms, an indoor garden, and in one, a ladder that leads up to a roof guarded by an electric current so you don't fall off or try to escape. I have to admit: For being Capitol property, this train has style.

I'm looking around the train when I find a room titled "District 7 Female Tribute". Fancy. I walk in and it's a beautiful bedroom with it's own closet, dresser, giant silky white bed, and bathroom. Despite the bath I had at home, I feel the need to get clean and out of this dress. I enter the bathroom, strip down, and enter the shower. I've only ever heard of showers. It's like having warm water poured on you repeatedly, only you get to clean yourself with soap at the same time. I can't imagine how someone can do this on a regular basis. It's strange to me.

After I finish, I put on a towel and walk out to the dresser and closet. I pick out a comfortable dark green shirt and a pair of jeans. I neatly fold my mother's dress and set it on my bed. As I look at it for a minute, trying to decide what to do with it, I see a lump in my dress. I find a small pouch on one of the sides. I pull out the hidden object inside and when I hold it in my hands, I feel like crying. A thin, pine scented leather bracelet with a wooden carving of a tree holding two ends together to form a circle shape. I roll the tree in my pointer finger and thumb. Something is carved on the back. Small letters. 'SM'. Sammy Mason. He made it for me. I put it on, tears welling up in my eyes.

Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. I clear my throat, hoping to sound normal. "Yes? May I help you?" I ask. "Dinner is being served. Please join us Johanna." Blight's gruff voice says from outside the door. "Yeah...yeah I'll be right there." I answer, feeling awkward that my brother is now just a mentor. I think about his advice. 'Be completely different. Shy, quiet, weak, anything to cover your true self up. Then, when the time's right, show them who Johanna Mason truly is. How vicious she really is. That she's not a weakling.'

I walk down the hall to the dining compartment. At a table sits Blight, Thomas, and a few other people. I'm guessing Stylists and their assistants. One man has shining green hair and matching eyeliner. A woman wears an aqua blue wig to go along with her pale blue skin. Both are probably the two main stylists. "Johanna," Blight says to me "Take a sit and we'll get started on dinner." I sit next to Thomas, who I notice glances at me and blushes a little. I raise an eyebrow at him and he stares down at the floor. Strange.

Dinner is served and it's pretty overwhelming. So many dishes. I remember that soon after Blight won The Games, he told me and Sam about the thousands of foods on the train and at The Games Headquarters. He said it was a HUGE mistake to try and eat everything because the food was so rich. I remember Sam and I listening with awe at the thought of so much food. I look at all the food I'm being served and eat slow, so I don't make myself sick.

While I eat, Blight talks with Chrome, the man with the shiny green hair, and Seashore, the blue-skinned lady. Ugh, the names Capitol people give their kids are so annoying. They discuss The Training Center and the Chariot Ride that shows off the tributes and their home district. After watching The Games for so many years, I know that The Training Center allows you to learn and test your skills. I also know that District 7 is always dressed up as trees for the Chariot Ride. TREES. It's so stupid!

I try not to join the convo. Instead, I listen. "It's such a shame that there's no Female Mentor this year. She was so good in the games!" Chrome exclaims. I find this a little annoying. "Oh I know! An excellent tribute if I do say so myself." agrees Seashore, giggling with happiness. Next thing I know, the sound of a knife being stabbed into the table rings through the room. I quickly realize I was the one who caused the sound.

"She didn't choose to be in your damn games!" I say with a cold, deadly tone. "She was forced from her lifestyle to be put in a match to the death with others her age." Everyone stares at me. No one dares makes a sound. "It's just a game, Ms. Mason-" Chrome begins but I'm already up and leaving. I feel everyone's eyes on me as I head back to my room.

I'm in the hallway, almost to my room when he gets my attention. "Johanna." Thomas says. I stop where I am, and sigh. I turn around to see him walking up to me. I cross my arms. "Now's REALLY not a good time, Thomas." I say. He just looks at me, shaking his head and smiling. "I know, but I don't care." he says, a stupidly cute grin on his face. Wait, what? Did I just-

"What you said in there," he says, interrupting my thoughts, "you're right. Nobody chooses to do something like this. And I know we've had a friendship that grew apart." He pauses a moment before saying "Whether you like it or not Johanna, we're allies now. I just think it'd be easier if you accept that I want to help you survive." I just look at him for a few moments, studying his face.

"Thanks, Thomas." I say, surprising myself. "I'll be your ally if you'll be mine." Before he can say anything, I give him a quick kiss on the cheek, leaving him grinning like an idiot and blushing. I enter my room, crawl into bed, and drift into a calming sleep.

*End of Chapter 4*