Culling

Part I • Chapter V

These days the ceremony is a more grand affair, like the Hollywood days of old and red carpet events. All everyone does now is introduce each tribute by district and name. The media takes care of the rest. So making an initial statement is important."

He spotted a section of my hair that he wasn't entirely pleased with and had me sit down so he could mess with it some more. "It was strongly suggested to me that I put you in a more feminine style of the traditional suit and tie."

The two assistants in the back burst out laughing, and Adam's lip lifted up wryly. "Yeah, like I would waste this opportunity."

I watched him in the mirror. "Won't you get in trouble?"

"Me?" Adam scoffed. "Only if they want a riot from the rich and famous on their hands. It'll just be a slap on the wrist at the worst. After you debut with this my stores will be fully booked and my clothing lines bought out for months, if not years."

There was a knock at the door, which interrupted our conversation, and Khloe walked into the room.

She looked me up and down and smiled, "Very nice Sang!"

Adam moved over to the side to stand with Green and Purple as I stood up and faced Khloe.

She had changed into a floor length black gown this time. Noticing me observing her, she lifted her skirt away from her body a bit and dropped it in distaste. "It's much better than it could be, believe me. I don't wear dresses in general, but nothing could ever compare to that monstrosity that I had on during the reaping."

My finger was on my mouth again. "Didn't you pick that out yourself?"

"Hell no." She had a look of disgust on her face at the thought. "My assistant picked it out and put it in my room the night before. I had nothing else to wear because he had taken the clothes I had out. By the time I realized what happened, it was too late."

"You have an assistant?" That was news to me, I hadn't seen anyone hanging around her.

"Of sorts." Khloe sighed and changed the subject.

"I take it Adam has given you a brief overview of what to expect? I know he likes to talk a lot." She glanced a him and Adam nodded.

"Alright." She clasped her hands together. "So here's what will happen, the tributes will enter the area by district order first, then by number based on the order in which you were selected. Therefore, you will be the very last person to go. Just follow the way that the people in front of you do things. After you are done, you'll exit the stage and go to the after party."

Oh no! "What party?"

She shrugged. "Well, it isn't really a party. They just call it that. Basically, it is just a room where all the tributes will gather to mingle for a few hours. The idea behind it is that there will be enough time to make introductions and begin to form relationships."

Khloe let out a breath and continued. "One thing that I need to talk to you about is rooming and sleeping arrangements."

Crap, I forgot about that.

"I have done all I can, but my hands are tied. Traditionally, a tributes' roommates are up to them and the connections that they make during this event. This whole process is supposed to be about forming relationships between districts, they say it is symbolic or some nonsense.

There are ten people to a room and if you do not find your own, you will be assigned roommates by the end of the night. Is there anyone you trust from your district? Such as that Derrick guy or the cute freckled dude? They didn't seem so bad."

What?

I stared at her. This fell into the category of nice-to-have-known ahead of time. Or maybe she had mentioned something about it on the train, but I was zoned out at the time.

In any case, what?

I never even slept in the same room as my brother, let alone strange men. This was a nightmare.

"I..." I pushed my lip again and I knew that I was shaking again. "...I don't know."

She studied me. "You'll be alright, I promise. You have good instincts, trust them. Here, wear this."

She pulled out something from a handbag she carried and pinned it to my dress near my left shoulder.

I looked down. It was a cute pin - it had a tiny golden letter 'A' on it, with wings growing from the sides. It was subtle enough to look like part of the outfit.

She nodded happily at it and looked pleased. "Perfect. Time to go."

She grabbed my arm and wound it through her own as she walked us out of the room.

She led me down a few hallways and into the back of a crowded room and stopped at the entrance, which appeared to be the end of a long winding line.

No one noticed our arrival since they were watching a screen on the other side of the room that took up the entire wall. Next to the screen there was a doorway that led out into some sort of stage area.

"Ok, I need to leave now. Only tributes can be in here and go to the party afterwards."

"Alright..." I sadly looked after her retreating back.

She was the first semi-real life friend I had, I didn't want to lose sight of her. Which was kind of pathetic, but I couldn't help myself.

After she was gone I turned my attention back to the room. Everyone was standing in chronological order behind a winding rope that led towards the door. So I was directly behind Derrick, who gave me no more than a cursory glance and nod.

I was hiding as much as possible, but I knew it was only a matter of time before my presence became known.

A loud fanfare started blaring from outside the door, and I knew that once this started I wouldn't be able to be invisible anymore.