Into the Woods- A Tale of the Hunger Games Story

Chapter 9-Let the 73rd Hunger Games begin....

I wake up, and I know it's early. Too early for me to be awake when I have a fight to the death today. I toss and turn and give up after an hour. I walk out into the living room, and it's dark. Everyone else must be sleeping. I head to the elevator and go to the roof, and as the cold morning air hits me, I see a familiar shape leaning against the railing. He's so sexy.

"Hey. I guess you couldn't sleep either?" I say in a voice that I hope doesn't startle him.

He turns around, "hey. I can never sleep the night before the games. I worry about my tributes."

I sit down next to him and say, "you got Tiffany out the first year; maybe it will happen this year." 

Kyle just laughs, "you're the last person that should be saying that to me." He looks out at the mountains, "the sun's starting to come up. You should get some more sleep."

I sigh, "I know. I hope I get to see you again." I feel my eyes go wide, "sorry, I shouldn't say that. You're a mentor for another district, and I have a maybe-boyfriend. Sorry"

I turn and start to leave when he pulls me into a hug. "Good luck today, Oliver." I smile and head back to my room and just lay down. The game starts at 10 and Johanna said we have to leave here by 8. I look over at the clock, and it's almost 6. I lay in the bed until I hear another door close, and it sounds like Tristan or Blight from the feet. So I get up and shower.  I'll miss hot water and smelling nice. I use the pine setting one last time, "God, I miss Colin. I can't wait to see him again.....if I win," I mumble to myself.

By the time I'm done with the shower, it's 7, and I dry off and put on some clothes. Portia will have clothes for me to wear in the arena later. When I walk into the dining room, Misha and Blight are talking about something.

"Good morning, sweetie. Eat a big breakfast. You'll need the energy for today," says Misha with a sad smile. Blight nods but doesn't say much more. I see him look at the necklace. Rachel comes out a few minutes later, and her hair is up in a ponytail, and we just nod and smile at each other. She grabs some food, and we both eat in silence until the elevator doors open and Portia and Coral walk in. Blight leaves to get Johanna and Tristan. When they come out, I realize they weren't sleeping but avoiding us. I know this must be hard for them.

Misha pulls us both together, "I have been an escort for 5 years now, and this is the second year I'm sure I'll have a winner. You're both amazing." We nod and smile, and she walks off.

Tristan pulls me aside as Blight talks to Rachel, "remember the plan. Be brave. Be strong. Be smart. You've got this."

They switch places, and Blight gives me another hug, "I gave you my necklace because you reminded me of me when I was a tribute. I expect you or Rachel to win. Thank you for believing that I could be your mentor."

"Thanks, Blight. Keep holding it together for us," I whisper, and he nods and walks off.

I should've told him about Colin, but it's too late now.

Johanna finished with Rachel, who heads to the elevator. "You're gonna win. Believe it. I'll be here on the other side to get you home. We're here for you both." She gives me another hug. I'm rolling in hugs now.

I meet the others at the elevator, and we ride it up to the top floor, where a hovercraft is waiting for us. The tributes from District 6 are getting on board ahead of us, and a woman sticks a needle in my arm, setting up my tracker. This allows the Capital to see where we are the whole time. They show a map of the arena on the screens for the audience to see where Everyone is at any given time. The doors close, and the windows blackout as the hovercraft takes off and flies to the arena. I sit next to Rachel and hold out my hand, and she takes it. We sit there in silence for over an hour, just waiting. The pair from district 6 is across from us, and he offers his hand to her after a while. None of us talk; we just sit there waiting.

Over an hour later, I feel the hovercraft drop, and we must be close to the arena. The craft lands, and we're allowed off one at a time with our stylist.

"I'll see you in a bit," I say to Rachel. That's all I can get out before she is gone. Portia and a peacekeeper lead me to a room, and he closes the door behind us.

Portia turns to me, "do you want any food?" I shake my head, "ok, well, go to the bathroom and drink this bottle of water. You'll need to be hydrated. Here are the clothes for the arena."

I walk out in the clothes, a red and black jacket with a hood, a black shirt, and brown pants and boots. She takes a look at me, "based on the clothes, I think you can expect some cold nights. Did you finish your water?" I shake my head, " sit down and drink."

I do as she says, and when I've finished the bottle, she takes it and just holds my hand. 10 minutes to go, I finally say something. "How do you do this year after year?"

She looks at me with certainty, "because sometimes you win, but even when you don't win, you need a friendly face in the end, and that's me." She pulls me into a hug. We pull apart, and I hold her hand until a voice rings out that we have two minutes left. "You need to get into the tube," she says.

I walk up into the tube that will raise me up into the arena and turn, "I'm scared, Portia." 

She looks at me with a sad face, "I can't tell you it won't be scary, but I'll be there when you win. I promise. I believe in you."

"30 seconds to launch, "The voice says again.

"15 seconds to launch," it says again.

"10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1," it counts down, and the tube closes, and I am pushed upwards.