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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄
𝐁𝐎𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐔𝐓𝐄𝐒 were transported to the train station in a motorized vehicle. Once on the train, the two were led to the compartments they will be staying at by two different Avoxes, learning their names to be Nix and Opal. They were very similar in looks, hair as dark as the night and skin as pale as snow. It didn't take a genius for Sage to put together that they were siblings. They looked roughly around the same age, so they might even be twins.
Once they seemed settled, Bird instructed them back to the bar car, where they would spend the remainder of the day until it was time to eat supper and go to bed. They've been on the train for almost an hour and Sage hasn't spoken one word since they left the Justice Building. Bird had tried to get her to speak or even laugh, but she wasn't in the most laughable or talkative of moods. So she decided to turn her attention to Chance, who was more open to conversation than she was, which satisfied the bleach blonde escort enough.
She overheard Bird saying how she was tempted to go find their mentor, surprised that he hasn't made an appearance yet. Sage tried hard to remember his Games, but his games happened months before she was born during the 53rd Hunger Games. She was also dreading speaking to him, seeing as he is most definitely going to bring up her mother. Deirdre Rowan had been his mentor after all. All she really knew about Walker was that he won his games by out running the other tributes and basically ran until everyone else was dead.
It wasn't the best strategy but it seemed to work for him. Unfortunately for him, since her mother's suicide, he is forced to mentor every tribute from 9 since. He basically lived on this train, never once having a moment of peace.
"Hey." A rough voice spoke up, causing Sage to turn her head to the left, only to see Chance had moved from the one couch where he was talking to Bird to the one on the other side of the train to where Sage sat. The redhead didn't respond, but did look around to see if Bird was anywhere to be seen, which she wasn't. "She's gone. She went to go find Walker a minute ago."
All Sage did was nod, turning her head to look back out the window, trying to ignore the motion sickness she was starting to feel from watching the speed of the train. Sage read once that the Capitol trains are referred to as 'high-speed trains'. Unlike the freight trains that come into District 9 to transport supplies directly to the Capitol, high-speed trains are much more extravagant that operate at a speed of 250 miles per hour. They are primarily used to transport tributes to the Capitol as well as victors during their Victory Tour.
Chance didn't move, just stared at her with curious eyes. Not even seconds passed when her patience ran very thin and she snapped. "What?"
He seemed taken back a bit by her harsh tone but brushed it off easily. "You don't talk much, do you?"
"I'm talking now," Sage replied bluntly, which resulted in an eye roll from the much larger tribute. Sage found it hard to believe he was under eighteen.
"You've said four words. Doesn't exactly qualify as talking."
Sage just gave him a blank stare, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't have anything to say."
"Alright then..." Chance muttered awkwardly, leaning back into his seat. Sage turned to look back out the window, hoping Hyacinth was getting settled with the Pine's as we speak. At least her volunteering had some good outcomes. After a couple minutes of silence, Chance didn't seem to like it and turned back to the redhead. "Can I ask you a question?"
Sage gritted her teeth together to keep her rising temper in check, never once looking away from the window as she spoke. "You can."
"Why did you volunteer for Adrian Pine?"
Sage kept her mouth shut as she stared out the window. She could feel Chance's eyes staring at the side of her head, clearly waiting for her answer. However, Sage remained silent, shoulders straight and one hand twirling the end of her braid with anxious fingers.
When it was clear she wasn't going to respond, Chance tapped the girl's shoulder. Sage snapped her head to him, brows raised questionably. The former stared at her, puzzled. "Uh, did you hear me?"
"Of course I did. I'm not deaf."
Chance pursed his lips. "Uh... well, are you going to answer my question?"
"No."
"But you just said I could ask you a question."
"Yes, I said you can ask me a question." Sage confirms, the corner of her lip curling into a knowing smirk. "But I never said I'd answer it."
Chance was left speechless just as Bird returned, Walker right behind her, breaking the obvious tension between the two tributes. "Looky who I found!" Bird sings as she practically drags the older man and sets him in the chair a bit roughly across from the two tributes. "Tributes, meet your mentor, Walker Carmine."
Chance straightened up and shook his hand when Walker offered it. "Nice to meet you, kid. Wish it was under better circumstances."
"You and I both." Chance awkwardly chuckles.
Walker then looks over at the young redhead, his eyes softening when their eyes locked. That look was all she needed to understand that he does in fact remember her. Sage eyed him wearily, taking in his appearance. He definitely grew up. He won his games when he was eighteen, so that would mean he is thirty-three years old. His reddish-blonde hair was a lot shorter than she remembered. It used to be so long and curly it would cover his light blue eyes. Now, it was cut short and slicked back with a comb. He was rocking a subtle beard, but it was all over his expression how exhausted he was, definitely suffering from lack of sleep, most likely due to the upcoming games.
His whole attire was everything you'd expect a rich victor to wear. He wore a solid black wool blazer over a black turn-down collar buttoned shirt. He matched them with slim-fit trousers and a leather belt. He was a very attractive man, Sage will admit that. It might be why Bird was eagerly clinging to his side, admiring him with adoration. But his attention was clearly on the redhead who was staring up at him with so much intensity.
"Sage," he said in a solemn tone. "You look just like your mother. The resemblance is uncanny."
Although Sage predicted this, she still can't help but cringe at his words, her nose and brows scrunching in distaste. "Yes, it is an unfortunate curse I live with every day."
Walker frowned at her words. "Oh, I didn't mean it as an insult."
"Not intentionally, no. But I do look like my mother... that's an insult in itself."
Walker didn't seem to know what to say, but it seems their company was confused by their conversation, mainly Bird. "Wait, you knew her mother, Walker?"
"Yes and so did you," Walker said, never once looking away from the very curious teen girl. She glared at him sharply, knowing that Bird Winders was not the escort for District 9 at the time of her mother's games. That used to belong to Dinkie Rank, but the woman had been forced to retire after suffering from many heart problems, despite being so young. "She's Deirdre Rowan's daughter."
A dramatic gasp left the escort's plum lips, placing a hand over her heart, looking directly at the redhead. "My word... how did I not put two and two together? If the last name wasn't a dead give away, you do look like our beloved deceased victor. Oh, sweetheart, I was so heartbroken to learn about your mothers death. I remember when it was announced. Not a dry eye in the Capitol. Everyone just adored your mother."
Sage's hands formed a fist at her side as she bit her tongue, trying to keep herself from getting up and ripping that wig off her damn head and making her choke on it. Instead, the redhead counted to ten before looking back up at the older woman. "Yes, it was very tragic."
Bird's sympathetic expression returned to its regular grin. "Oh! I can't believe we have our very first progeny tribute."
Chance finally spoke up after a moment. "Progeny? What does that mean?"
"Sage here is a descendant of one of our most famous victors. It's always been an exciting concept but no one thought it would happen. Not many victor's bear children nowadays. Her mother was a very popular woman." Bird explains, bouncing with excitement as her bright gray eyes narrow on the redhead once more. "Sponsors are going to be lining up to help you."
"Bird-" Walker warned, noticing the disgusted look on Sage's face. "Now might not be the best time to discuss this."
"Of course. We have plenty of time for that. You two must be starving. I'll go tell the chef we are ready for an early supper." With that said, Bird got up and disappeared behind the automatic doors, leaving the three District 9 residents sitting there in an awkward silence.
Sage was able to loosen her fist slightly now that the woman was gone, feeling relief that her nails were no longer digging into her palms, but her body was still tense, causing her to squirm in her seat in order to get comfortable. She knew that whatever food was brought out, Sage wouldn't be able to eat it. All she wanted was to slip into a deep slumber, praying that she'd wake up and all of this would be a dream. Adrian was never picked for the Hunger Games so it meant Sage never had to volunteer. Just because she would do it all over again, doesn't mean she wishes it never happened to begin with.
Chance was the one to break the silence first, looking directly at Walker. "So... what happens now?"
Walker seemed to understand the boy's question and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his hands connected tightly. "Well, today- nothing. You two have had a pretty intense and emotional day. We will eat then you two will get some much needed sleep. Tomorrow... Tomorrow is when the true work begins. That is when we talk strategy and take a look at the playback footage of the other tributes to get a look at your competition before we get to the Capitol."
"Why can't we just do that right now?" Chance questioned anxiously. Sage eyed him curiously, trying to get a feel for the kid. At first she thought his reaction at the reaping was similar to her own, trying to mask the fear, but now she is not so sure. He almost seemed a bit eager. She's not sure eager is the best word... maybe determined?
"Time zones, dumbass." Sage muttered loud enough for the two males to hear her. "Because of the time differences in each District, not every District has had their Reaping Ceremony yet. It's better to watch the reruns tomorrow so we can see who we are going to be forced to kill in a couple days."
Walker nodded stiffly. "Sage is right. District 1, 2, 4, and 7 should be starting their Reapings in approximately another hour. They are always the last Districts."
Chance seemed to understand and sat back in his seat, tapping his fingers on his thigh as he went into deep thought. After a long moment, Chance turned to the young girl with a frown. "Did you just call me a dumbass?"
Sage narrowed her blue eyes at the boy, trying to understand if he was being serious or not. He definitely was with the way he kept staring at her, waiting for her answer. He clearly wasn't the brightest person in the world. "Sure did."
Chance glared down at the redhead. "I guess rumors are true then. You really are a bitch."
Sage slapped her fist over her heart, acting insulted. "Oh how you have wounded me, Henderson. How will I ever go on with my life now that you called me something I hear almost every day of my life?"
From the corner of her eye, she could see Walker suppressing a grin, immediately hiding his mouth behind his hand and pretending to scratch his stubble. Chance, however, scoffed at her words, shaking his head. "What the hell is your problem?"
"I don't have a problem. I just hate when people ask stupid questions." Sage snapped before getting up and maneuvering around the two men.
"Where are you going?" Walker questions.
"I'm not hungry. I'll see you two tomorrow." Sage walked over to the censored sliding doors, going in the direction of where Opal had shown her the room she would be staying in. She didn't get far when she heard the doors open again and footsteps following closely behind her.
"Sage," the sound of Walker's voice calling out her name caused the girl to stop and turn to him with a curious brow. He stopped a couple feet away and gave her a warmhearted smile. "I just wanted to tell you- what you did for Lennon Pine's daughter... that was very brave of you. It was stupid, but brave."
Sage couldn't help but raise her brows questionably. "Why do you think it stupid?"
"These games are no joke, Sage. I think you understand that better than anyone. Besides you two are not blood. It's rare for someone to volunteer in a lower District for someone who isn't a sibling."
Sage hummed. "Well, when you grow up with no blood family left, you tend to cling to the ones who aren't but are also the ones who never gave up on you. Even when you gave them no reason to stick around. I know what I did was stupid and if it were anyone else, I wouldn't have done it. But Adrian is my sister. Blood or not. It just took until the reaping to truly come to terms with that."
Sage didn't wait for him to respond, just turned on her heel and continued until she found her room, slipping into it without another word.
Walker found himself taken with her honesty and smiled almost proudly, like he was just looking at a young girl who has the potential of winning this whole thing. Deirdre Rowan's daughter... she definitely has that fire just like her mother did. But this time... this time maybe it meant something different. It wasn't a selfish fire, fueled by her ego and pride... but a kind of fire that means she was ready to raise a little hell. Sage will already have the support of the Capitol just because of who her mother is and with the speculation of who her father is. Bird was right- sponsors will be lining up to help her win these games.
And for the first time in a long time, someone might actually win the games who truly deserves to win.
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𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 as easily for Sage as she had hoped it would. If she was back at the Dread, in the tiny shack house and laying on her old cot, she would have passed out the moment her head hit the pillow. But seeing as she was currently in a very glamorous bedroom with a mattress that could only be described as what she imagined sleeping on a cloud would be like, she had found it very difficult to get comfortable.
Sage used to have a mattress just like this back in her old home in Victor's Village. But after sleeping on the hard ground for a year and then going to a lumpy, old mattress, it was a very hard adjustment. Sage lasted for about two hours before finally getting up, throwing her pillow onto the carpet along with the velvet red comforter. The carpet was soft and cushioned, but it was ten times better than that mattress. Sage fell asleep the minute she shut her eyes.
Since being the first to fall asleep, Sage was the first to wake up. She went out to the bar-car and found a table set up with breakfast just being served. Nix did not seem fazed by her early arrival, just came to her side and gestured her forward. He walked her to the front of the table and pulled out the chair for her. Sage looked back to him and muttered a small thank you, which is very rare for an Avox to hear so it had taken the male back a bit, but he didn't even acknowledge and continued on with his work. He placed a plate in front of her first before setting some for the others, then set the fancy silverware.
Sage looked up at Opal who was placing more of the food on the table, her stomach groaning in hunger as the delicious smell of this wonderful food filled her senses. She hasn't seen this much food in so long, a part of her thought it was a dream. Eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, roasted potatoes, yogurt, fruit, bread and so much more. Sage knew she should be mad, seeing as there are starving people in the Districts and all this food is supposed to be for four people? Where do the leftovers go? It's so outrageous and wasteful and infuriating...
But then again, Sage couldn't help but think just how hungry she was. She remembers loving eggs and bacon... she can't remember the last time she had either. Eggs were almost as impossible to get as bacon was. Bread was the easiest, given there were at least three very successful bakeries in District 9, they are known for wheat.
Meeting Opal's gaze, it was like the two had a silent conversation and the Avox understood what the girl was inquiring about. So the dark haired woman nodded her head, giving the redhead permission to dig in. Sage didn't really need to be told twice, immediately adding so much to her plate. Sage knows that the way she looks would be considered improper and probably barbaric, but she was never one to care about etiquette or appearance. Her mother sure as hell never taught it to her, nor is it hard to care about all that when you are starving and almost passing out from heat exhaustion sneaking off to hunt and trying hard not to get caught.
So Sage didn't give two shits on the fact that she looked like a rapid animal at the moment. She was starving, immediately regretting skipping supper yesterday.
It was long before the doors opened when the others arrived, all surprised to see the redhead already at the table, sarving down all the food she could fit. Bird sighed loudly in relief. "Oh, my word, child. I had a panic attack when I didn't find you in your compartment."
"It's a moving train, Bird. She can't exactly escape even if she wanted to." Walker told the extreme escort with an amused smile. He walked and took a seat in the chair across from her. "Someone is up early."
Chance took the seat next to Walker, clearly not wanting to sit next to Sage after their encounter yesterday. Bird seemed a bit annoyed that she was forced into the seat next to the redhead, but took it anyway and placed a napkin on her lap. Chance, however, was eyeing her warily, a bit disturbed by her mannerisms. "Damn, Rowan, save some food for the rest of us."
Sage leaned back, chewing on the waffles she just finished before throwing a roll at his very large head. However, before it could hit him, Walker caught the roll and gave her a disapproving look, setting it down on the plate. "First lesson, you two need to learn to get along. You will already have enemies in that arena. The less people who want to kill you, the better chance you have at survival."
Sage couldn't deny it was good advice, and if she planned on actually winning these games, she might actually listen to him. She already knew his sales pitch... find allies. Which is ironic since that was the last thing he did in his own games.
Chance, however, listened to their mentor's words and glanced up at the redhead. "He's right, Sage. We are from the same District. We don't have to be allies in the games... but we shouldn't give each other a hard time until then."
Sage looked at the older male, still trying hard to figure him out. He clearly wants to win these games. But for what reason? Because he's scared and doesn't want to die? Because he promised his family he would? No... no, that's not the only reason. Sage wasn't good at trusting people and sometimes her judgment can be a bit misguided at times, but it was hard to ignore this gut feeling in her that there was something off with him. But she can't exactly explain it.
Instead of dwelling on it, Sage swallowed the remaining food in her mouth before finally speaking. She wasn't about to admit to them that it doesn't matter what enemies she made before going into the arena. It's honestly the easiest way to make it end quicker. If she is seen as more of a threat, then others will definitely be out to get her. But she knew Walker was right. No need to make this whole thing unpleasant until the moment she steps off that platform.
"Fine." Sage finally says, meeting Chance's gaze. "But I am a girl with snappy comments and a short temper, so don't get all butt hurt if I call you dumbass again, alright?"
Chance found himself nodding in understanding, a tiny smile on his lips. "Alright then."
"Well, now that that's settled, finish eating. We have about an hour before we arrive at the Capitol and I want to get a look at the competition before the Opening Ceremony."
So that's exactly what they all did. Bird went on and on about the Capitol, about how they were going to love it so much and even went on about how Sage is going to be able to stay in the same corridors and room her mother had stayed before her games. Sage was not at all impressed, instead she actually dreaded the idea of staying in her mother's old chambers. It doesn't matter that many others have stayed there after all these years, but after Bird confirmed it will be hers, it made Sage's anxiety spike high.
She had finished her breakfast, so she was sitting back in her chair, arms crossed and tapping her fingers against her arm, thinking back to the day she returned to her old home in Victor's Village to find her mother having another one of her episodes, before turning around to reveal the knife in her shaking hand. She looked so... lost. Like she wasn't present at the moment. Her body was, but her mind and soul were already long gone. She barely acknowledged when Sage called out to her, begging to tell her what was wrong.
"Mom? Mom! Answer me! Mom!"
After what felt like forever, Deirdre Rowan finally looked down at her daughter and it was the first time in all of Sage's life she could actually see remorse in her eyes. It was brief and gone as fast as it came, but it was there and Sage will never forget it. Just like how she never forgot the words her mother spoke to her before she took the knife and sliced it over her throat.
Gaining back to reality, Sage could see Chance looking at her with a bit of sympathy in his eyes, clearly seeing the discomfort she was feeling. Sage immediately sat up straight, just as Walker announced for them to go to the comfort cart, where they would be watching the reapings of the other Districts.
They started the direction each one was aired, starting with Districts 12, 8, 6 and 11. All four Districts had no volunteers, which wasn't really a surprise. Sage was just watching to learn their faces and names.
District 12 - Zahra and Wyatt.
District 8 - Marcie and Ricci.
District 6 - Bobbi and Turner.
The female tribute from 6 was hard to watch. She was very young, and he was so scared. She did not hold back her tears as she walked onto that stage.
The next reapings were the ones that included theirs. Districts 9, 3, 5 and 10. Walker of course skipped over us, not seeing the point of having them relive the worst moment of their lives. Besides 9, there were no volunteers once again. The reapings were pretty standard, boring and emotional. A part of Sage was hating that they were being forced to watch all of this. But once again, she made sure to get a good look at the competition, remembering their names easily.
District 3 - Harmony and Gunner.
District 5 - Claroline and Axton.
District 10 - Sandy and Niko.
The next were the careers. They watched District 7's first, seeing as it is the only one that is not a career District. Ember and Tavis. Once again, no volunteers. Sage was well aware of the fact that she is the only volunteer from a lower lining District, which is definitely going to get her more attention that she wants, just like Bird said it would.
Watching the reapings for Districts 1 and 2 is always hard for Sage because of how much she hates watching so many kids volunteer and actually fight one another in order to be the next tribute. They don't volunteer because of a family member or because they want to save someone they care about, but because they are fed from childhood how much of a joy the games are. They believe there is honor and respect in fighting in the games and there is so much pressure on these kids from not only the Capitol but from their own families to come out as champions. They are even sent to academies to train to participate in the games.
District 1 did not disappoint. Both tributes were volunteers, named Edith and Blaine. Blaine was the only male to volunteer but Edith was one out of three. How the decision of the whole is chosen is that they will take the names of the people who volunteer and put them in a separate bowl for their own separate reaping, to make it fair. The entire District went crazy in cheers and celebration, as Blaine and Edith hugged and smiled happily that they would be participating this year. It was sickening.
District 2 was worse and much longer as there had been so many volunteers for both sides, it was ridiculous. Fighting had even broken out between the boys who had volunteered, to which the Peacemakers broke up, but still, the process was long and dreary to the point Walker had to fast forward to the point where the final tributes were actually announced. Gertie and Richard, but he insisted on being called Dick. It seemed like a fitting name.
For the fun of it, Sage made sure to look at everything to have implemented in her memory. Once she saw or heard something, it was impossible for her to forget it. She went in with the same concept when District 4 appeared on her screen. Technically 4 is considered a career District, but hardly in the games do they align themselves with 1 and 2. They normally kept to themselves and though volunteers were common, they were not as extreme or as nearly dramatic.
The female tribute was announced to be a girl named Azebel, who did not volunteer but also seemed a bit excited to be entering the games. There was even a cheer heard in the background, most likely from her own family. When the male tribute was announced, that is when things became really interesting.
"Atlas Ellison." The escort form District 4 announced. It was very strange, but the silence that spread over everyone was like deja vu for the redhead. Where there were applauds and hardly any reaction when Azebel was announced as tribute, it was the complete opposite for the male. Everyone gasped, turning to the boy in the middle of the crowd. The camera zoomed in on him, focused on a sandy blonde male, who's eyes were staring down and he was gripping a stick in his hands. As everyone made a path, he pointed the stick to the ground and slowly started to move, relying on the tool for guidance. Sage felt her heart sink to her stomach as realization hit her.
"Holy shit," Sage spoke loudly, gaining the attention of Walker, Chance and Bird.
"What?" Chance questioned the girl.
"He's blind!" Sage basically yelled, sitting up from her seat, turning to the blonde escort. "No! No, please tell me there is some rule against this!"
Bird looked almost taken back by Sage's outburst, just as surprised by this. "I don't know. This has never happened before."
"Atlas!" Someone screamed, gaining the redheads attention. It was a woman- most likely his mother- screaming at the top of her lungs. Atlas didn't stop, just slowly moved forward, though it was clear he did not know where the stage was. "No! Atlas!"
Peacekeepers kept the woman from going any further, but they weren't the ones to worry about. Suddenly, Atlas was yanked back by the air, stopping him from going anywhere. There was an argument between Atlas and another blonde male, the camera focused on them as Atlas looked like he was demanding the other person go back to his place. Peacekeepers seemed annoyed, walking towards them and grabbed Atlas, ready to take him to the stage.
But the other male refused to let go. He screamed no over and over, pushing the Peacekeepers off and looked like tears were in his eyes. The camera focused on him as Sage was able to see the resembles. They were identical. Definitely twins, just like the Avoxes. Sage felt her heart skip a beat as she watched the scene play out. Atlas was yelling now. "Lorcan, stop! Let me go! Let me go."
Sage watched the screen intensely, her heart practically stopped as she realized that there was no rule against this. Doesn't matter if you are blind or can no longer walk, if you have a pulse and are under eighteen, you are to participate in the Hunger Games no matter what.
But it didn't seem like Lorcan planned on letting go. Instead, he looked back at the woman who must be their mother for a brief moment before looking up at their escort. "I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!"
"Oh my goodness," Sage heard Bird mumble, placing a hand over her mouth. Sage watched Atlas turn to his twin's voice and immediately started shaking his head.
"Stop this, Lorcan! You are not dying for me!"
Lorcan pushed the Peacekeeper off of his brother and pulled him into a tight embrace, clearly whispering something to him that was hard for the cameras to catch. A moment later, Atlas was sobbing as Lorcan kissed his cheek and was suddenly being pulled back by his mother. Now Lorcan walked up onto the stage, officially announcing himself as Lorcan Ellison. The residence of District 4 suddenly pounded their chests twice, Sage assuming it was something only a citizen from District 4 would understand.
Sage found herself staring at male tribute from District 4, realizing he just did something he clearly did not want to do but did it for someone he cares about more in this world. Exactly like she did with Adrian. But their situation was completely different... he had a family to go back to, one that relied on him. Sage may have Adrian waiting for her, but Adrian did not need her.
Something changed inside Sage at that very moment... what exactly that was, she wasn't completely sure, but she knows she will find out very, very soon.
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So I don't know the situation for THG's of someone is chosen to participate in the games but has a disability. I don't know if there is some rule against and seeing as how I don't remember anything from the books being said or nothing on the internet told me anything otherwise, I decided to go that route with District 4. If anyone does know, you can let me know but I highly doubt I will change this outcome, it is a fanfic after all.
Anyway, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Can't wait for Sage to get to the Capitol. She is going to be so out of her comfort zone!
Let me know what you guys thought! Love ya!