3. Uncomfortable

       I felt a little less stressed once I knew that the cameras weren’t stalking me anymore. I found my personal compartment—chamber, whatever—on the train.

The Tribute Train’s haul to the Capitol seemed agonizingly slow. The only reason why was because we still had five more districts to head to. Once we’d get District 12’s tributes, it’d be a straight shot to the Capitol. That was not a place I looked forward to going to.

            I knew what was going to happen next: the opening ceremonies. It’d be the last one for good. The moment the train would stop in the Capitol, we’d be yanked out and made over. And since I knew what our past costumes looked like (always the same thing every time: trees), it made me that much more uneager to partake in these immoral Games.

            Since I knew we had stops to hit still, I took the time to explore my chamber. It had a lot of things I already had, except they were much fancier. I had my own bedroom, the walls bright white while the bed sheets a silky brown. I also found a dressing room, fully separate from my bedroom. It got better from there. I had my own personal bathing area too. I wonder if the Capitol people have this every day of their lives.

What a stupid thing to think. Of course the Capitol had this every day. They were f-ing rich, with money pouring out of their ears.

            The Capitol—that was to be our destination. I never really dreamed about going there, because that was the place where our government ruled us. Hopefully with the ending of these Games, things would improve. One could only hope that President Nolan would live up to his word and cease the Games after this year. We had 95 years of losing children to the Hunger Games with the exception of the third Quarter Quell, where existing victors had to go back into the arena. I doubted anybody could take another five years, if another year.

            And besides, the last thing Nolan needed was an uprising because he failed to keep his promise on ending the Games for good.

            My head snapped up once I heard the compartment door slide open. I really hoped it was Daniel, because I really needed him right now. I knew he’d be able to calm me down, because I was jittery as hell. But it wasn’t Dan who entered, and it wasn’t District 7’s escort either.

She had to be my mentor.

            She was just a tad bit taller than me, perhaps near forty years old. Her wide set brown eyes stared at me, as if piercing through my soul. I felt exposed immediately. I could tell she was wearing a wig, because her hair looked crooked—well, the dark bangs over her eyes did.

            “So you’re the last female tribute of District Seven,” she mused. “Not what I expected.”

            “You’re not what I expected either,” I confessed shyly. “You’re my mentor?”

            “Yup. Johanna Mason.”

            “I don’t really know who you are, sorry.” I blushed. Our family never watched the Hunger Games much, so I didn’t know Johanna.

            “You will soon enough. C’mon, kiddo, you and your boyfriend are coming down with me to the dining hall for dinner.”

            I couldn’t tell if she was joking or not about that. I assumed she wasn’t.

            “He’s not my boyfriend,” I grumbled as I followed Johanna to the dining hall.

            Thankfully the hall was private. Daniel was already there, sitting, a buffet in front of him. There was so much food I thought I’d gone to heaven. District 7 wasn’t exactly a poor district, nor was it rich. We were sort of in the middle, so food wasn’t as abundant as we liked, but it wasn’t on shortage a lot either.

The moment Dan saw me he lurched out of his chair. I ran to him, and he took me in his arms. I shook under him.

            “You’re sure you two aren’t together?” Johanna chuckled.

            “No, not at all,” Daniel reported. “We’ve known each other since we were little.”

            “By the way,” I cut in, looking over at Johanna, “why weren’t you at the reaping? Isn’t that mandatory, for the mentor to know who she’s dealing with?”

            “They’re a bit lenient with me on that,” she explained. “I wanted to keep it a surprise, and clearly I should have just gone to the reaping.”

            “Just what were you expecting exactly?” Dan asked flatly.

            “A tougher boy and girl.” She crossed her arms. “This isn’t exactly what I wanted.”

            “Yeah, well, we didn’t want to get picked and look how that turned out,” I growled, wriggling out of Daniel’s arms to stand by his side. “Sorry if we don’t live up to your expectations.”

            “You don’t frighten me. I can see right through you and tell how you are, and right now I see someone who’s all bark and no bite.”

            “What are you, an aura reader or something? Can you see what colors peoples’ moods are and know the type of person they are?” I scoffed.

            “No, but I’ve been around long enough to get good first impressions about somebody just by looking at them. I’ll get to that in a little bit. How about we just settle down and eat? It might settle your nerves,” Johanna said.

            Daniel and I sat at one side of the table, Johanna on the other. There was so much to choose from: chicken, turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, and vegetables. The list went on and on.

Johanna didn’t put anything in front of her, she just watched us both as we ate. I only nibbled on my food; Daniel ate better than I did. Food didn’t settle my nerves, though I really wished it did. Food couldn’t make me forget where I was, where I was going, and what my fate was soon to be in a few weeks’ time.

            “Okay, so you said you could apparently see right through us. Prove it,” I snapped at Johanna once I finally decided to quit nibbling. I eyed her intently. I had no idea where I had gotten my courage from, because Johanna looked formidable. “What can you gather from me?”

            “Well, let’s see, for you, missy,” she started, eyebrows knitted together, “like I said before: you’re all talk no walk; you live a quiet life; on the outside a shy girl; very outgoing when around people you’re comfortable with, and you’re no fighter whatsoever. And as for you”—she eyed Daniel—“I see a boy who’s capable of fighting, but won’t do it because of the family you were raised in. You’re too compassionate.”

            “Hey, that’s not a bad thing,” I hissed.

            “In these Games, it is. Compassion is what gets you killed,” Johanna said crossly. “Being too soft is weakness.”

            “You might as well just kill us now if we’re too compassionate for you.” I stood up, slamming my palms on the table. “I can tell how you are as well. Snippy all the time, bitter, heart of stone. You’re as heartless as President Snow was.”

            “You weren’t even alive when Snow was president.” Johanna’s voice became venomous. I didn’t shrink back in my seat. “Do not insult me by putting me down with the likes of him. You know absolutely nothing about him.”

            “Why shouldn’t I? You’re no better than he is, training up children so they can be slaughtered.”

            “We have no choice in that matter.”

            “Bri, easy,” Dan whispered. I didn’t sit down. My eyes narrowed when looking at Johanna. I didn’t even know her for a day and already she got on my nerves.

            She and I were going to have a “pleasant” time in each other’s company.

            “There’s some fire in you.” Johanna grinned. “Good, we’ve got to bring that out in you. There is potential, you’ve got spirit. So…how accurate was I?”

            I was about ready to fire off at Johanna more but I was cut off.

            “Am I late?” crooned another voice as our escort walked in. She was dressed in all blue; even her hair had blue streaks in it (her hair was dark brown). Her eyes were a startling blue, too. Honestly, if I saw anymore blue, I’d go green. “I never really did introduce myself to either of you. D-did I come at a bad time?”

            “Not at all, Jade,” Johanna said calmly. “We were just getting to know each other, weren’t we?” She eyed Dan and me.

            “In a sense,” I said coldly.

            “Easy now, Bridget,” Jade said gently. “Let’s not fight. Save that for the arena.”

            “How long does the train ride to the Capitol usually take?” Dan asked, trying to ease the tension further.

            “A day. We’ll be there by tomorrow afternoon,” Johanna reported. She looked to Jade. “Have all the districts done their reapings?”

            “I think so,” Jade replied. “Let’s see who your competition is. Come, come.” She gestured for us to follow her.

            Daniel and I followed her, Johanna right behind us. I felt uneasy because of her eyes. I felt like they were drilling through the back of my head. My courage ran off as quickly as it had come.

We entered the compartment where we could watch the reapings on television. I sat cross-legged on the couch with Daniel next to me, leaning forward. Johanna stood behind the couch, Jade next to her.

The reapings went district by district. There were a few tributes I immediately knew Daniel and I would have to keep an eye on.

            There was the brother and sister team of District 1. They looked serious and snobbish. They were probably too cocky. That’d lead to their downfall, I was positive. Naturally, that’s how all the wealthier districts acted: superior, like they were positive they were going to win.

 District 2 was a bit of a shocker. The male tribute looked pleased to have been picked, but the girl, Sutton her name was, didn’t look so excited. In fact, she looked how I had felt: scared, depressed, in shock.

The male tribute of District 4 had volunteered himself instantly, which screamed to me that he’d be a threat as well. Anyone who was willing to participate was definitely lethal.

            The rest of the districts were all the same: not too thrilled. When we saw our district, I could see how afraid I was up there. I looked so innocent, and Daniel did as well. Seeing the competition made me fret. Most of the tributes—even most of the girls—had an advantage on me, whether it be height or strength. They probably could do things I couldn’t even think of. I was one of the weaker girls.

            “Hmm, interesting competition like always,” Johanna sighed. “We’ve got a lot of work to do with you two.”

            “A lot?” I squeaked. Daniel rubbed my leg comfortingly. “We aren’t fit for this. We aren’t violent.”

            “You’re going to learn to have to be if you want to come out alive.” Johanna’s voice tightened. “Daniel will probably become stronger quicker than you. You’ve got the personality of a wallflower. That’s the worst weakness possible. You’ll be picked off the moment the Games start!”

Now I wasn’t sure if she was just saying that to scare me into trying to bring out the fighter in me, or if she actually believed that.  

Already day one and my mentor was bashing on me. I always thought mentors were to give advice and not kill their tributes’ self esteem. Why was she picking on me more than Daniel? Was I really that weak of a girl in her eyes?

            I shuddered. I could imagine myself in the Cornucopia dying right from the start. There were so many ways to die too: by spear, rock to the head, sword, arrow, or simply being stupid enough to fall off the platform you were supposed to stand on during the sixty second countdown. Those were just instant ways to die considering that’s what some of the tributes would possess in the beginning except for the platform explosion. Oh, and I forgot being stabbed with a knife too.

There was no easy way to die, but I would rather get myself blown up in the beginning if I really felt I had absolutely no chance of surviving. I would consider that when all hope was lost. Right now, there was barely enough hope to make me not think about dying.

            “Johanna, don’t be so harsh,” Jade whispered. “They just got out of their comfort zone; I think you’re scaring them.”

            “You’re making them sound like babies, Jade. They’re fifteen!” Johanna hissed.

            “I’m sixteen,” I snarled, “so is Dan.”

 “They need to learn to be uncomfortable, because it will sure be that way once they’re tossed into the arena!” Johanna completely ignored me telling her our proper age. “There is no such thing as a comfortable environment in the Games.”

            “Can we talk about that when we actually get to the Capitol?” I whined, covering my ears. “I want to have some peace before getting off this train.”

            “Enjoy it while you can, Bridget, because things won’t get better from here.”

            I heard somebody leave. Jade came around the couch to sit on my other side.

            “Don’t mind Jo, she’s not exactly the nicest person in the world,” she whispered to me.

            “I kind of assumed that when I first met her,” I said lowly, trying not to get evil on Jade. Jade was nice to me, there was no reason to go at her throat. Johanna though…she and I would definitely butt heads a lot.

            “Has she always been like that?” Daniel asked.

            “Pretty much,” Jade admitted, sighing. “She’s very deceptive, that’s how she won her Hunger Games. That could be useful if you’re willing to try it.”

            “Does being verbally abusive count as a strategy?” I snickered. “Johanna knows how to bring somebody down.”

            “It’s just how she is.” Jade shrugged. “I know this will sound so sudden because I just met you two, but don’t die! I barely know you both and I already like you. Make this Hunger Games like our Seventy-fourth! End up like Katniss and Peeta. Try to do what they did.”

            “That’s not what we want to do,” I said firmly. “I just wish they twisted the rules somehow. Here’d be a treat for the districts: have more than one tribute be crowned the victor of the Games. It’d give all the districts another shot at having a tribute come home still breathing. It’d ease another family, knowing that there’s a somewhat bigger chance that they won’t lose a child.”

            “Pft, that’s a long shot,” Dan grumbled.

            “People can dream, can’t they?”

            “Yeah, but how often do any dreams come true?”

            Daniel did make a point. Wishing for more than one tribute to come out alive in these last Games was pointless. It would never happen; it’d be like any other Hunger Games with the exception of the 74th. There were twenty-four children fighting for their lives, and only one would remain alive. I now thought of being alive a curse, because you had to live with your experiences in the arena for the rest of your life. The acts you committed, you couldn’t take them back.

            “I think you two ought to retire to your compartments,” Jade said quietly. “I’d get lots of rest too, because once we hit the Capitol, you two get whisked away to the Remake Center.”

            “Right, the opening ceremonies,” Dan muttered, “just a way to dress us up like dolls and show us off before we kill each other.”

            “Lovely imagery,” I said bitterly.

            “I think you better leave now before you start turning on each other,” Jade suggested.

            “Nah, we wouldn’t turn on each other,” I assured her. We all rose. “We’ve been best friends since birth practically.”

            “That’s what some say, but in the end, they have no choice but to turn on the one person they wished to come out alive with,” Jade said darkly. She didn’t seem like the type of person who’d know a lot about the Hunger Games, but still, what she said seemed to be common sense.

            Daniel and I left Jade in the room as we went to our compartments. Dan escorted me to mine.

            “I really wish this wasn’t happening,” I whimpered as I stood outside my compartment. Daniel’s was down the hall, not far from mine.

            “Same here,” he confessed. “This is only the beginning, though.”

            He was right; this was just a stepping stone in the Hunger Games. There was plenty left to endure.

            “So true.” I sighed. “What do you think of our mentor?”

            “Heartless,” he spat.

            “I bet she’s trying to act like that just so she’ll bring out the fighter in us.”

            “How can she when we aren’t natural born fighters?”

            “If she gets us angry enough, she might spark a fire in us we don’t expect ourselves to have.” I shrugged. “I mean, you saw how she got under my skin with her first impression of me. But I think we have to worry about that later. Jade’s right, we need to rest.”

            “Do you think you’ll be okay?” He rested a hand on my shoulder.

            “I don’t know. I hope I will be.”

            “If you need anything, just yell, okay? I’ll be down the hall.”

            I grinned. It was good, knowing Daniel was willing to come comfort me should I feel upset. That’s how it had always been with him and Ewan. Whenever I was upset, or vice versa, we always came together to support each other. That’s how strong our bond was.

            “Thank you,” I whispered. Despite all that was going on, I felt grateful at the moment.

To show my gratitude, I kissed Dan on the cheek and slid into my compartment. The Tribute Train was silently moving closer towards the Capitol, so I didn’t really think falling asleep would be an issue when it came to the noise. However, the main concern for me was being able to get a full night’s sleep without waking up in the middle of the night from a horrible dream.

            Tiredly, I dragged myself to my bedroom, stripped into a brown nightgown, and uneasily climbed into the bed. I felt alien, lying in it. It wasn’t my bed; it didn’t have that earthy, District 7 scent I had grown up with as a baby. No. This was foreign to me, and I didn’t like it at all. I was not one for change; I liked to keep things the way they were at all times. This made me uncomfortable.

            They need to learn to be uncomfortable, because it will sure be that way once they’re tossed into the arena!            Johanna’s words echoed in my mind. That was how the entire day felt to me: totally uncomfortable. It was like I was being thrown out of the house and thrust into the adult world that was unknown to me without any instruction.

            I had a bad feeling that the first and only night sleeping in the Tribute Train wouldn’t be pleasant.