Book 2 by Catching Fire

Author:Catching Fire
Language: eng
Format: mobi
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Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Having been through prep with Flavius, Venia, and

Octavia numerous times, it should just be an old

routine to survive. But I haven’t anticipated the

emotional ordeal that awaits me. At some point

during the prep, each of them bursts into tears at

least twice, and Octavia pretty much keeps up a

running whimper throughout the morning. It turns

out they really have become attached to me, and the

idea of my returning to the arena has undone them.

Combine that with the fact that by losing me they’ll

be losing their ticket to all kinds of big social events,

particularly my wedding, and the whole thing

becomes unbearable. The idea of being strong for

someone else having never entered their heads, I find

myself in the position of having to console them.

Since I’m the person going in to be slaughtered, this

is somewhat annoying.

It’s interesting, though, when I think of what Peeta

said about the attendant on the train being unhappy

about the victors having to fight again. About people

in the Capitol not liking it. I still think all of that will

be forgotten once the gong sounds, but it’s something

of a revelation that those in the Capitol feel anything

at all about us. They certainly don’t have a problem

watching children murdered every year. But maybe

they know too much about the victors, especially the

ones who’ve been celebrities for ages, to forget we’re

human beings. It’s more like watching your own

friends die. More like the Games are for those of us in

the districts.

By the time Cinna shows up, I am irritable and

exhausted from comforting the prep team, especially

because their constant tears are reminding me of the

190 | P a g e

Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins

ones undoubtedly being shed at home. Standing there

in my thin robe with my stinging skin and heart, I

know I can’t bear even one more look of regret. So the

moment he walks in the door I snap, “I swear if you

cry, I’ll kill you here and now.”

Cinna just smiles. “Had a damp morning?”

“You could wring me out,” I reply.

Cinna puts his arm around my shoulder and leads

me into lunch. “Don’t worry. I always channel my

emotions into my work. That way I don’t hurt anyone

but myself.”

“I can’t go through that again,” I warn him.

“I know. I’ll talk to them,” says Cinna.

Lunch makes me feel a bit better. Pheasant with a

selection of jewel-colored jellies, and tiny versions of

real vegetables swimming in butter, and potatoes

mashed with parsley. For dessert we dip chunks of

fruit in a pot of melted chocolate, and Cinna has to

order a second pot because I start just eating the stuff

with a spoon.

“So, what are we wearing for the opening

ceremonies?” I finally ask as I scrape the second pot

clean. “Headlamps or fire?” I know the chariot ride

will require Peeta and me to be dressed in something

coal related.

“Something along that line,” he says.

When it’s time to get in costume for the opening

ceremonies, my prep team shows up but Cinna sends

them away, saying they’ve done such a spectacular

job in the morning, there’s nothing left to do. They go

191 | P a g e

Catching Fire – Suzanne Collins

off to recover, thankfully leaving me in Cinna’s hands.

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