Secrets

Chapter Fourteen

Cato and I will be staying in the Tribute Tower. It's a tower thats directly connected to the Training Center. Each district will have an entire floor. All we do is simply step on an elevator and press the number of your district.

The elevator ride is fast and makes me catch my breath for a moment. Each wall of the elevator is made of crystal and the bottom is like glass so you can watch people turn into tiny ants as we shoot up into the air. Like lighting, we're at our floor and the doors open to reveal or home until the actual Games begin.

Mercy tells Cato and I to head to our own quarters and freshen up once we step through the doors, then reminds us to be on our best behavior because Enobaria and Brutus are stopping by. I can't help but roll my eyes.

My quarters are larger than any room I've been in back at home. The bed is massive, taking up most of the room. They also have so many automatic gadgets that my brain almost fries at all the electricity. In the bathroom, the shower is similar to the one I had on the train, but this time with a handful of options I can choose from; regulating water temperature, pressure, soaps, shampoos, scents, oils, and even a massaging option. When you step out onto a mat, heaters come on and blow-dry your body.

And the best part? Instead of combing my hair, I simply place my hand on a box that sends a current through my scalp, untangling, parting, and drying my hair almost instantly. My long locks drape over my shoulders neatly.

My feet pad across the plush carpet towards the closet. At first, I have to program the closet to an outfit of my taste, then the folded clothes spit out a tiny shoot and I slide the soft material over my soft skin.

I'm about to open the windows when Mercy calls me out to dinner.

Cato and Brutus are sitting on a large white plush looking couch when I enter the living area. I'm glad to see Mercy seated at the dining room table discussing with Eno. Mercy's hair is a bleach blonde bob and her outfit is actually normal looking for once; red long sleeve with jewels and black flare jeans. Eno catches my eye and waves me over to the table.

Cato and Brutus join us eventually and the dinner starts. Although, dinner here is never really about the food, it's about discussing out our strategies to win over sponsors and the game in general.

I keep my mouth shut most of the time, listening to Cato ask all the questions. Brutus answers all of them with detailed explanations and Eno chimes in her own thoughts once he's finished rambling. The two work well together, but in my eye, Eno seems more sophisticated in handling people than Brutus. Even with her gold shark teeth.

"Tomorrow at training I want you both to hold off on your skills. Focus on the agility stations and survival skills first." Brutus points a fork at the two of us then bites the piece of lamb off quickly.

I glance at Cato next to me who shifts a bit in his seat, "Why?"

"The second day is when the sponsors will be there to watch. Typically the first day is just you guys getting warmed up. Plus, more trainers will be there to help you if you need it the first day." Brutus explains and both Cato and I nod.

A silent young woman reaches down and grabs my empty plate away from me. She's groomed to the T and wearing a plain white dress that goes just below her knees. After she steps aside another girl approaches holding a bottle of wine, she tilts the bottle in my direction and I glance at the adults quickly. They don't say no, so I nod politely at the girl who slowly pours the dark red liquid in a glass. When I take a sip, its sweet and has a touch of peppermint to it. An odd flavor.

Cato accepts a glass as well and gulps his down like it's water. I give him a disgusted look and he flashes me a cocky grin.

Halfway through my glass of wine, my head is already fuzzy. The alcohol here is quite obviously stronger than the stuff back in District Two. The feeling calms me, almost. Relaxing in my chair and smiling more at Mercy's jokes throughout dinner. At one point I even laugh, but then Cato shoots me a look and I am reminded why I'm really here.