15. The Main Event

My pre-Hunger Games dream wasn't a nice one.

It was the beginning of the Games, and Bane somehow distracted me to where I was unguarded. I didn't pay attention and something had pierced my back, because I had jolted awake five seconds after I died in my dream. A little frightened, I felt my back. No wound, no blood, no weapon. I was still alive. My dreams bothered me because they looked so real. Thank God they didn't feel real.

I was able to get myself up the next morning, realizing today was my official last day in this apartment. In a few hours, I'd board a hovercraft and stay in a Launch Room until it would be time to head up into the arena for the main event. My stomach turned uneasily, knowing that today was the main event. I wasn't sure whether it was from just excitement or if maybe a jumble of nerves was mixed in as well.

Thankfully, for me, I was able to find a black t-shirt with long sleeves, and not-too-baggy black pants. I found sneakers and socks in the closet, too. Hell, all I needed now was a black jacket and I was good for the arena. I wasn't sure what the weather would hold—hopefully no hurricanes or tornados or blizzards. My attire couldn't shield me from all that.

When I emerged from my bedroom, I heard Sienna sobbing. My heart cracked a bit in pity. The poor thing, she sounded worse today than last night when I told her what I realized what today was for me. I found her sitting on the couch, wearing a solemn black dress. It's like she's attending a funeral, I thought. Maybe she's prepping for Bane's funeral already.

Speaking of my admirer, he was holding her, trying to calm her down. I saw food in the kitchen, but I wasn't really hungry; I was too focused on Sienna.

I went to join her and Bane on the couch. At the sight of me, she cried harder. I rubbed her leg, but nothing seemed to be helping. I took a look at Bane, and he looked exhausted, like he had the morning after he watched those Hunger Games tapes on the Tribute Train.

"How long has this been going on?" I whispered. I didn't want things to be too awkward between Bane and I, not when the Games were just hours away.

"Since six this morning," Bane croaked. Sienna cried into his shoulder. "She was out here alone. I've been at this for two hours, Crystal."

"So you haven't eaten?" I sputtered.

"No."

"You should. Take a break."

"Did you eat?"

"Yes," I lied. The tumbling in my stomach lessened, but I still figured it wasn't safe enough for me to try and eat anything. I didn't want to give it back on the kitchen floor or in the hovercraft later on.

It took Bane a few moments, but he reluctantly left Sienna to go eat. She immediately fell into me. I cradled her and rocked slowly back and forth. Mom told me she always used to do that with me, whether I was a baby or a little kid. It always seemed to calm me down; I figured it could work for Sienna too, maybe.

I wasn't one for emotional goodbyes; they always seemed to tear me apart. Since I technically wasn't near the other Career pack mates, I could be caring and comfort my escort.

"T-this was never a f-fun job," she moaned. I rubbed her head. "I thought i-it was at first, b-being on TV, g-getting those five minutes of f-fame. It's been like t-this every year, f-for me."

"But you seem so cheery at the reapings," I murmured.

"I-I hide what I r-really feel then." Sienna sniffed. "N-none of the p-past tributes have ever d-done the things you and Bane h-have, being here for m-me and all."

"Well, I don't know what was wrong with them, then," I snorted. "If they didn't treat you nicely, then they weren't worth crying over."

"You and him a-are."

I sat with Sienna still, rocking her slowly. I didn't know what else to do. I was a horrible singer, so trying to calm her with a song wasn't going to work. I didn't know any good jokes to make her laugh, or any funny stories. In the end, I decided that silence was the best way to approach this.

It seemed like I held Sienna for so long that I thought Peacekeepers would barge in to rip Bane and me away from her and out to the hovercrafts. I never thought a person could cry so much for so long. She'd have to run out of tears eventually.

The door opened after a while, letting someone in. It was probably Ross since I hadn't seen him when I got up earlier.

"It's nine o'clock, you two," Ross said softly. "We better leave now."

Sienna sat up from me, her eyes threatening to produce more tears. She wiped the tears away, sniffling up snot that tried to escape. She gave a meek smile.

"Good luck," she croaked, holding my hands in hers. I nodded, rising. With a squeak, she leapt off the couch and hugged me. I stood there and took her squishing hug. I was able to breathe normally when she let go.

I joined Bane and Ross by the door. I looked over my shoulder once at Sienna, who stared at us three. I fought my throat closing up as we headed for the elevators.

Ross didn't hesitate to break the silence.

"You both will be in separate hovercrafts, so I'm giving you your advice now. Bane," he said, "do not get distracted. I know that may seem hard for you, but it shouldn't be. Your instincts will kick in, go with them. Since you're in the pack, defend the Cornucopia and take it. Taking the place should be easy.

"Use your instincts. Use your strengths when necessary, but don't get cocky. Arrogance can lead to your death." I felt Ross's eyes fall onto me. I got the feeling that went for me as well, the arrogance warning.

We exited the building where two hovercrafts waited for us. The sunny sky was almost blinding. Bane and I went to our separate crafts. Ross stopped me from going to the hovercraft; I stood face-to-face with him, giving him my full attention.

"I hate to give you babysitting duties, but you're going to have to watch out for him," he mumbled. I groaned. "I want him to make it as far as possible. I bet he knows this, but I'm rooting for you to take this whole thing. He's blinded by something that'll never happen, that's his ultimate weakness."

"You seem wicked, telling me this." I crossed my arms.

"But I'm not for saying that I have confidence in you. Your determination will take you all the way. You can do this, Crystal. You and I both know that you can take this." He put a hand on my shoulder. I looked at the hovercraft that was waiting for me to board it. "Let nothing distract you, either. I doubt that'll be an issue, but it doesn't hurt to put it out there."

"Notes taken." A quick silence followed. "Do you want me to kill him when the time comes?"

"If it's necessary and if nobody does it before you, then maybe. But that'll be entirely up to you."

I couldn't imagine how it would kill all the people's hearts who poured out for Bane after he confessed to have been in love with me when I would be the one who killed him in the end. It would definitely show Panem that, whether he loved me or not, he was still an enemy to me. A lot of people would be upset by my actions, now that I thought about it. What would they do anyway, if I won and killed him? They wouldn't have mobs ready to kill me on the spot.

"Well, this is it," I sighed.

"It was a pleasure mentoring you, Crystal." Ross grabbed my hand.

I gave a bob of my head, slipped my hand out of his grip, and headed for the hovercraft.

The flying transportation was huge, but the inside looked rather small. This was one of those times where I thought this was a dream. The walk to the ramp of the hovercraft seemed short.

I stepped in and took the only seat left available, between 12's girl and Bella from 7. Great, I was stuck between the one person I hated and the one person who hated me. I almost wanted to request to change my seat, but I figured I'd just endure it. It wasn't like there would be scuffles breaking out or trash-talking while there was security around.

When the ramp was pulled in and the door closed, the engines purred, and we were off to the arena. There were ten other tributes along with Bella, 12's girl, and me. I had Victor and Jenna with me, both sitting on the opposite side of the hovercraft. There were at least three tributes that were a few of the youngest going into the arena this year.

At first, it was a silent ride, until a lady came around, asking for an arm of each of us. Some tributes were hesitant, but few—like Jenna, Victor, and Bella—put their arm out. I had to jerk my head away; I knew what this woman was doing to us: injecting us with a tracker.

I only took a second's hesitation when she asked for my arm. It didn't sting or anything, but just seeing the device blinking as it was under my skin made me feel sick to my stomach. I swallowed, breathing through my nostrils, closing my eyes. At least the tracking device didn't beep, because that would freak me out more.

The ride seemed painfully long, only because my ass was sore from sitting in the seat for so long. Nobody spoke a word to each other, but I swore the 12's girl's eyes were on me a few times. I never bothered to steal a glance myself to check to see if that was true.

I kept my eyes closed after a while, trying to doze. Nobody was talking, it was silent and serene. Yet, there was tension amongst the thirteen of us who were stuck together in the hovercraft. I didn't have to have my eyes open to know that.

I focused on what Ross said to me: keep Bane out of trouble, stay with the pack, and take over the Cornucopia. Now, what lay in the Cornucopia itself was a mystery. There could be loads of food, weapons, and things for comfort lurking in and around the silver horn that looked more modern than I had anticipated. I watched a few Hunger Games in my time before being picked for one, so I knew what the Cornucopia looked like.

As for keeping Bane out of trouble, that was going to be harder for me. I had to focus on myself. And even though I was in a pack of six strong, I kept a mental note that there was a chance the pack would turn on itself sooner than a lot of people—including myself—would think. Alliances never lasted in the Games; they always got tossed out as the field narrowed down.

The light blinded me since I had been in a dimly lit hovercraft for a bit. One by one, we filed out. My body stiffened and didn't relax, even as Peacekeepers directed me to my Launch Room. One was already there, opening the door for me. I stepped in, examining the room as the door slammed shut behind me.

There was a clean table with something on it and a clock that read 9:59.one minute until I had to go to the arena.

I looked warily at the launch tube. It was already open, waiting for me to step in it. I swallowed, a little panicked now—it looked like a small tube.

The last thing I noticed was that Demi was here. Relieved, I ran straight for her.

"Don't be afraid," she crooned in my ear.

"I'm not."

"You're trembling, dear."

I seemed to be trembling a lot lately without realizing it. I pulled away, looking into her pink eyes.

"I've got something for you." She flitted to the table and unfolded a jacket. I slipped it on immediately, and Demi fiddled with my hair. I stood still for her, her messing with my hair calming me down just a little bit.

"Thirty seconds," crackled a voice.

My heart raced. Thirty seconds had already passed. I swallowed. I wrung my hands out of habit.

"There." Demi touched my hair. "I gave it a little poof. It's the quickest thing I can do, I'm afraid."

"It's fine." I wheeled to look at her. "I'm glad you're here with me, Demi."

"I know." She beamed. "Everything will be okay. If I know you, you'll win these Games."

I smiled meekly at her. "Everybody seems to be telling me that."

"Then they know it'll happen."

"Twenty seconds," the voice warned.

I eyed the launch tube.

"It won't electrocute you," Demi teased. I laughed nervously. "I thought you'd already be in it."

"I should be."

"Ten seconds," the voice said again.

With a gentle hand, Demi guided me to the launch tube. I looked at her. She grasped my moon charm, rubbing it. With a pat on my shoulder from her, I put one foot in the opened launch tube. I coaxed myself to step in completely.

The tube slid shut.

I jumped, putting my hands on the glass of the tube. Demi waved, offering one last smile. I flinched when the platform pushed me upward. I looked up, trying to survey what I could.

The rise to the arena wasn't a long journey, it felt like the quickest one in my life.

Crisp air was the first thing I felt, and smelled. I inhaled, exhaling slowly. Twenty-six tributes were lined up in a curved line just in front of the Cornucopia. There were a few packs and crates strewn across the area. The silver horn was loaded with everything a tribute could possibly imagine. The ultimate temptation.

I looked up at the clock the Gamemakers put in for us. Ten seconds had already passed just standing on the platform, fifty seconds remained.

I looked around to see where everyone was. Bane was far away from me, Shane close by him. Jenna was closest to me; Aubrey and Victor were on my far left, both next to each other.

I glanced at the clock again. Forty seconds left.

I twitched anxiously, trying to figure out what to grab and what my game plan was. Should I just dive for a weapon and start killing every tribute that tried to kill me or sneak away with supplies? Should I just gather supplies, toss them in the horn, and become the gatherer of the pack while the rest fended off the enemies?

Thirty seconds left.

I clenched and unclenched my hands. I looked beyond the Cornucopia, something we Careers would rarely see. There seemed to be nothing but woodland around the horn—that's from what I could tell anyway. There could be more terrains than just woods and an open field with the Cornucopia sitting in it.

I stole a glance at Jenna, who bobbed her head towards the supplies. I shot her a thumbs up.

Twenty seconds remaining.

I felt itching to go, but something held me back from jumping off the platform to go to the horn and grab what I could. Then I remembered. One year, Dad told me about a tribute that had dropped her token on the ground. There were very sensitive mines buried under the platforms. Her mines exploded, and so did she.

I shuddered to think of someone close to me exploding into guts and blood. The idea was intriguing though—it'd lessen the tribute count early before the Games would even start.

The final ten seconds. My eyes were jumping anxiously. First they were on the Cornucopia, then the packs laid on the field, at Bella, Aubrey...

Six seconds, up at the sky, the inside of the Cornucopia, Bane...

The clock (three seconds), Jenna, the girl from 12, both tributes from 13, Shane...

The last two seconds seemed to be the longest of the sixty in the arena. My muscles were rearing to go; my mind was still trying to decide what to tell my body to do. My eyes were scanning to find something to grab if necessary—which seemed to be everything I looked at.

Once I saw the clock stop at zero, all I had was one thought: Let the 107th annual Hunger Games begin.