The Very First Hunger Games

Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Arriving at the Capitol

We board the luxury train to the Capitol where we will be pampered and live a life of luxury or so Theta tells us.

When I first step on the train, a delicious aroma fills my nostrils and makes my stomach rumble. Food! Wonderful, glorious, mouth-watering food! I immediately walk over to the table where the food is laid out so neatly just waiting to be eaten.

I hungrily start eating the small chocolate truffles placed at the end of the table. I've saw Capitol citizens eating chocolate truffles on TV plenty of times before but I never got to try the little temptations myself. Well, until now.

"Willow, unless you want to look like a complete savage in front of the entire nation, I suggest you change your attitude immediately" Theta says sharply.

The first thing I feel is anger. Which is a common thing to feel when someone directly insults you but it's not Theta's fault. That's the way all the people form the Capitol are. They have never have to feel the sharp pain of hunger or see their children starve away to nothing. I don't think starvation is even in their vocabulary.

Luca was more discreet about things. As soon as we got on the train, he didn't start shoving Capitol delicacies down his throat. No, he just in the chair by the window and looked pitifully at District 12 speeding further and further away.

I could have done that too but I don't see the point in it really. It just makes you more miserable.

Suddenly the automatic doors open and a very bizarre looking man and women step out wearing matching outfits. Their outfits appear to be a sequenced jacket and glittering pants. The only difference is the man's outfit is green and the women's outfit is pink.

"Hello darlings" the man says, "My name is Indigo and this is my wife Sapphire"

That's right, not only do the Capitol citizens look ridiculous, they also have to have ridiculous names as well. Why are the residents of the Capitol so very irritating?

"We are you're stylists. We're here to make you look fabulous." Sapphire tells us.

"And we will be your mentors" Indigo adds.

"And friends of course" Sapphire says laughing in her high pitched voice.

I know why the Capitol citizens are irritating- they raise their voice at the end of each sentence as if asking a question. I make a mental note to let Luca do most of the talking after I apparently offended Theta by eating a chocolate truffle. Wouldn't want to offend our new friends by acting like a "complete savage".

"What do you mean, you'll be our mentors?" Luca asks.

"We'll give you tips about surviving The Hunger Games, of course" Sapphire answers.

"Okay then, what exactly can we expect to find in the arena?" I ask before I can stop myself.

"Well, I don't know sweetie, it's the very first Hunger Games" Sapphire says all too innocently.

She does know something but she's not letting on.

"Have you got anything that that might actually help us?" Luca asks.

"Oh well, you have got to look your best especially in the tribute interviews..." Indigo trails of unsure of himself but then says "So you can get sponsors!"

"Tribute interviews, sponsors, what..."

"Oh so many questions. Let's leave them all to another night, shall we? Now let's eat and then it's off to bed".

When I wake the next morning, I can hear Luca talking to Indigo in the dinning room. I can't quite make what they are saying but it could be important information about surviving The Hunger Games. I doubt I can actually win but I'm not going down without a fight.

I quickly change into a white flowery dress that I would never wear under any other circumstances but it appears to be the only thing in the wardrobe. I fasten the small gold pin that Luca gave me yesterday to my dress and make my way to the dining hall.

As I walk nearer the dining hall can hear Luca and Indigo conversation become clearer.

"So if we make an impression on the Capitol they'll shower us with gifts?" Luca asks.

"Well yes, sort of" Indigo answers.

"What sort of gifts" I ask.

"Willow, you've finally decided to join us" Theta says with a fake smile.

"Sit, eat breakfast with us" Theta continues, ushering me to a seat.

"As I was saying, gifts can be anything from medication to food to even weapons" Indigo tells us.

"Of course, you can find all those things in the Cornucopia" Sapphire adds.

"The Cornucopia?" Luca asks.

"The Cornucopia is a large golden horn where there will be hundreds of vital items that could help you survive the games. When you are launched into the arena all 24 tributes will be facing the Cornucopia, ready to run straight for the goodies" Sapphire explains.

"I'm probably the fastest out of all the tributes" I say. "I bet I could get there first"

I don't mean to brag but it's the truth.

"And then what? For all we know these kids could be bloodthirsty maniacs ready to kill anyone that stands in the way of their victory" Luca says angrily.

"Luca's right," Indigo says, "You don't know what you could be up against"

"Okay, okay I won't run to the cornucopia" I lie.

"So when will we arrive at the Capitol" I ask impatiently.

"Any minute now" Theta answers. "The pin on your dress is lovely. You should where as your district token in the games"

I catch Luca smiling in the corner of my eye and I say:

"Thanks, Theta. I might"

"Hey look, we're here" Luca says as he walks up to the window.

I follow him and look out the window and stare at the most breathtaking scene I've ever saw.