Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Farewell

As soon as the national anthem was over, we were locked up.I don't mean handcuffed or anything, but guarded by a vigilante, walked through the front door of the courthouse.Previous "tributes" may have escaped, although I've never seen that happen. Entering the gate, I was led into a room and left there alone.This is the most gorgeous place I have ever seen, thick carpets, velvet couches and chairs.I know velvet from the collar of one of my mother's dresses.Sitting on the sofa, I can't help but run my hands back and forth on the soft velvet, which helps me calm down for the next moment.Soon we'll be saying goodbye to our loved ones, and I can't afford to be distracted, and I can't walk out of this room with a red nose and blistered eyes.Crying is not a good choice.There will be more cameras waiting for us at the train station.

Mom and sister came first.I reached up and hugged Prim, and she climbed onto my lap and put her arms around my neck, her head resting on my shoulder, like she was when she was a toddler.Mom sat next to me with her arms around both of us.For several minutes, we didn't speak.After a while, I began to tell them to keep in mind things that I could no longer do for them. I told them that Prim must never get food stamps.They were more frugal, and managed to get by selling milk and cheese from Prim's sheep, and their mother's small pharmacy in the Seam.Gail will pick herbs that my mother can't grow, but be sure to tell him in detail what the herbs look like, because he is not as familiar as I am.He'll bring them game too—we made an agreement about a year ago—shouldn't pay them, but they'll have to thank him, give him goat's milk or medicine or something.

I don't have to suggest that Prim learn to hunt, because I've taught her a time or two before, and it's been a disaster.As soon as she was in the woods, she was afraid. When I hunted prey, she would burst into tears, saying that if I caught the prey, I could take it home immediately and heal its wounds.The sheep she raised are really good, so I just let her go. I told them about the firewood at home, how to exchange goods, and how to go to school. After that, I turned around, grabbed my mother's arm tightly, and said, "You must listen to me, are you listening? ’ She nodded, taken aback by the intensity of my words.She must have understood what was going to happen. "You can't leave us again," I said.

Mom bowed her head and said, "I know, I won't. I couldn't help myself—" "Well, but this time you gotta get it under control. You can't lose your mind and leave Prim alone. There's no one to feed you now. No matter what happens or what you see on TV, you will Hold on!" I raised my voice, almost shouting, with the anger and fear of letting her go. She took her arm away from me and got angry herself. "I was sick at the time, and if these medicines were available at that time, I would have cured myself." She said she was sick, but it might be true.Afterwards I often saw her bring home patients who were terribly distressed and dull-looking.Maybe it's really a disease, but we can't afford it.

"Then accept reality and take good care of her!" I said. "I'll be fine, Katniss," Prim said, cupping my face in his hands. "But you must take care of yourself, you are quick and brave, maybe you will win." I can't win, and Prim must know that in her heart.The competition is extremely fierce, and it is simply not something I can handle.Children from wealthy jurisdictions, they regard it as a great honor and have been trained in it since childhood.The boy is several times bigger than me, and the girl is also familiar with various methods of killing people with knives.Oh, of course, there will be people like me - people who are taken out before the real intense hunting begins.

"Maybe," I said.If I give up early, how can I persuade my mother to persevere!Also, even if the enemy is strong, it's not in my character to retreat without fighting. "Then we'll be as rich as Haymitch!" "I don't care if I have money or not, I just want you to come home. You'll try, won't you? Will, won't you?" Prim asked. "I'll try, I will. I swear." I said.I know, for Prim's sake, I have to. At this time, the security police came to the door and signaled that the time was up. We hugged each other tightly and even hurt each other. I kept saying, "I love you, I love you both." He ordered them to go out and closed the door.I buried my head in the velvet pillow, as if it could keep everything out.

Someone else came in.When I looked up, to my surprise, it was the bakery owner, Peeta Mylark's father.I can't believe he's coming to see me.Anyway, I'm going to do everything in my power to kill his son before long.But we don't know each other very well, and he even knows Prim better, because when Prim sells cheese in the mine, she always sets aside two dollars for him, and he also generously gives her some bread .We always wait to deal with him when his nasty wife isn't around because he's so much nicer than his wife.I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be like his wife beating up her son for the burnt bread.But why did he come to see me?

The baker sat awkwardly on the edge of his velvet chair, a tall, broad-shouldered man with burns on his face from years spent by the fire.He must have just said goodbye to his son. He took out a white paper bag from his pocket and handed it to me.I opened the paper bag and there were cookies in it.This is a luxury we can never afford. "Thank you." I said.The owner of the bakery is usually not very talkative, and he was even more speechless at this time. "I ate your bread this morning. My friend Gail traded it for squirrels." He nodded, as if remembering the squirrels. "You're at a loss." I said.He shrugged, as if he didn't care too much.

I can't think of anything else to say, we just sit and don't talk.When the security police came to call, he stood up, coughed, cleared his throat, and said, "I'll take care of that little girl so she won't go hungry." Hearing these words, I felt that the burden on my heart was not so heavy.People make deals and haggle with me, but they all really like Prim, and maybe that love will keep her alive. The next person who came to see me was also unexpected. It was March. She walked straight up to me. She didn't cry or say goodbye, but pleaded earnestly. Her tone surprised me. "They let you wear something in the arena that reminds you of home. Would you like to wear this?" She handed me the round gold brooch she wore on her dress that day.I didn't look carefully before, and then I realized that it was a flying bird.

"Your brooch?" I said.Wearing a trinket representing our precinct is something I almost never thought of. "Here, can I put it on for you?" March leaned over and put the brooch on my skirt without waiting for my reply. "Promise I'll wear it to the arena, will you, Katniss?" she said. "Promise me." "Ok." I said.Cookies, brooches.I got all kinds of presents today.March also gave me a gift—a kiss on the cheek.March left after that.I thought to myself, maybe she has been my real friend all along. Finally, Gail came, and maybe there was no romance between us, but when he opened his arms, I threw myself into his arms without hesitation.His body was familiar to me, his every move, the smell of wood smoke, even the beating of his heart - something I had heard in hunting silence, but now felt for the first time, his heart Cling to mine.

"Listen," he said, "it's easy to get a knife, but you've got to find a bow and arrow, and that's your best chance." "They don't always give bows and arrows," I said, thinking that one year they only provided pointed clubs, and that the "tributes" of the districts were to be clubbed to death. "Then make one," Gale said. "A bad bow is better than nothing." I once wanted to make a pair of bows and arrows according to my father, but I couldn't do well.It's not that easy.Even if Dad does it, sometimes it is useless. "I don't even know if I can find wood," I said.I hated the year the contestants were thrown into a desert of nothing but boulders, sand, and scrub.Many contestants were either bitten by poisonous snakes or were driven mad with thirst. "There's wood almost every time," says Gale. "Half the people in the Hunger Games froze to death that year, so it's not very entertaining." True.One year in The Hunger Games, we watched the contestants freeze to death at night.In fact, the TV footage was not very clear, because there was no wood for the fire, no torches or anything, they were just huddled together.The competition held by the Capitol was considered to be anticlimactic, and all the players died quietly, without fighting or bleeding.After that race, there is usually wood for the fire. "Yes, there is usually some wood," I said. "Katniss, it's like hunting, and you're the best hunter I know," Gale said. "It's not just hunting, those people have weapons and they have minds," I said. "You have, too. You've practiced more than they did. Real practice," he said. "You know how to hunt." "It's not murder," I said. "How much difference does that make? Really," Gale said grimly. If I don't see them as human, it really doesn't make a difference, but the bad thing is, I can't. The security police came to urge again, Gale asked for a little more grace, but they took him away by force, and I started to panic. "Don't let them starve!" I yelled, taking his hand. "I won't, you know, I won't! Catnip, remember me..." he said.At this time, the security police forcefully dragged us away, and then the door slammed shut.I'll never know what he wants me to remember. It's a short drive from the courthouse to the train station.I've never been in a car, hardly even a carriage.In the "crack zone", we rely on walking wherever we go. I was right not to cry.The train station was full of journalists with insect-like video cameras aimed at my face.I'm deadpan, and I've practiced this many times.I glanced at the TV on the wall, which was broadcasting my arrival at the train station, and was pleased to see my grim indifference. Apparently, Peeta Mylark was in tears the whole time, and it was funny how he didn't seem to be hiding it, and I immediately realized that maybe it was a game tactic.The surface is weak and fearful, making others feel that he is uncompetitive, and then he takes the initiative to attack.A girl from District 7 - Johanna Mason used this trick a few years ago and it worked.She whimpered and looked like a careless coward at first, until at the end when there were only a few contestants left, she was fierce and murderous without mercy.She's very clever at playing it that way.But Peeta McCulloch's tactic was odd.He was the son of a baker, and he had lived comfortably for many years, and he was big and round and very strong.If you don't want to attract people's attention, you have to cry for a while! We stopped outside the train doors for a few minutes so the cameras could film us.We were then taken aboard, the doors were finally closed behind us, and the train started immediately. The speed of the train was so fast that I felt breathless at first.Interregional travel is prohibited except for business travel, so naturally I have never taken a train.The train is the main means of transportation. We take a Capitol high-speed train with a speed of 250 miles per hour. It takes nearly a day from our place to the Capitol. In school, the teacher told us that the place where the Capitol was built was originally called the "Rocky Area".District 12 was built in the "Appalachian region", where coal mining began hundreds of years ago, so our mines now have to dig very deep. All kinds of knowledge learned in school are ultimately attributed to coal mines. Basic reading, mathematics, and all guidance are related to coal mines.Except for the weekly lecture notes on the history of the country of Panem, which is also mostly about how grateful we are to the Capitol and all that nonsense.I knew there was more behind the handouts, the real story of what happened in that rebellion.But I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about it.Whatever the truth, it has nothing to do with our ability to find food on the table. The train boxes of "Tribute" are more ornate than the rooms of the courthouse.We each had access to a single box with bedroom and dressing area and a private bathroom with hot and cold water.At home, we only have hot water if we burn it ourselves. The cupboard was full of beautiful clothes, and Effie Trinket told me that I could do whatever I wanted, that I could wear whatever I wanted, and that everything was at my disposal.There is still an hour until dinner.I took off my mother's blue dress and took a hot bath.Never had a hot shower before, it felt like a summer rain, only hotter.I picked out a dark green top and trousers and put them on. At the last minute before dinner, I suddenly remembered March's gold brooch.When I took a good look at it for the first time, there was a golden bird in the middle of the brooch, and a circle was added to it, and only the tips of the bird's wings were connected to the circle.I suddenly recognized it, it was a "Mockingjay". The birds are hilarious and a mockery of the Capitol.When the districts rebelled against the Capitol in the past, the Capitol raised various genetically modified birds as weapons.Often these birds are called "hybrids," or sometimes just "hybrids" for short.One of these birds, called the chirping bird, remembers and repeats everything that is said and is automatically guided back to the nest, especially the male.They were placed where the enemies of the Capitol were hiding.After the bird heard the information, it flew back to the center to report.It took a long time for people in the precincts to figure out how their private conversations and events in the precincts got out.So these rebels sent many false information to the Capitol, and the Capitol was fooled.All breeding centers were closed and the birds were abandoned to fend for themselves in the wild. The birds didn't just disappear. "Chirpingbird" and female "mockingjay" (Mockingbird: A New World bird of the family Mockingbird, especially the mockingbird, a gray and white bird of the southern and eastern United States, known for its ability to imitate the sounds of other birds. Known for their ability.——Translator’s Note) mating, a whole new breed was born, which can learn all bird calls, and can also imitate human songs.Although they have been unable to learn clear speech, they can imitate a variety of voices, including the high-pitched voice of a child or the deep bass of a man.They also learn to sing, not simple tunes, but complex songs with many voices.If a man has the patience to sing all the tunes, and the birds love his voice, they will learn it. Dad was especially fond of mockingjays.When we hunted together, he used to whistle or sing complex tunes that the mockingjay would learn after a polite pause.Not everyone receives this courtesy.No matter what Papa sang, all the birds would listen quietly.His voice is beautiful, clear, high-pitched, and touching. His singing can bring people to a place where they want to cry and laugh at the same time.After he left, I could no longer learn from him.Anyway, the little bird brought me a little comfort.In it, I saw the shadow of my father, he was protecting me.I pinned it to my shirt, and the mockingjay looked like it was flying through the woods against the dark green top. Effie Trinket called me to dinner, and I followed her down a rickety hallway into a dining room partitioned off by shiny partitions.There are a lot of fragile cutlery on the table in the restaurant.Peeta Mylark was sitting there waiting for us, the chair next to him was empty. "Where's Haymitch?" Effie Trinket asked in a bright voice. "When I saw him just now, he said he was going to take a nap," Peeta said. "Yeah, it's been a tiring day," said Effie Trinket.I think she can rest easy without Haymitch, and who could blame her? Dinner began, and the dishes were served one by one. First, there was carrot soup, then vegetable salad, diced lamb, mashed potatoes, cheese, fruit and chocolate cake.As we ate, Effie Trinket kept reminding us to leave room in our bellies, and there was plenty to eat.But I was very full, because I had never eaten such a good meal, so much, so good.Besides, it would be best if I could gain a few pounds before the competition. "At least you're still behaving properly," said Effie Trinket as we were finishing our main course. "Last year's two contestants ate with their hands like savages. Turned me off." .” Last year's two contestants came from the "crack zone". They have never eaten a full day since they were young. Once they have food, of course they don't care about table manners.Peeta is the son of a baker, and my mother taught Prim and me how to eat properly.So, of course, I'll take a knife and fork.But I hate what Effie Trinket says.Next, I deliberately ate with my hands, and then wiped my hands with the tablecloth.Seeing this, Effie Trinket pursed her lips tightly and had nothing to say. After the meal is over, I need to try to digest it.As far as I can tell, Peeta has never seen so much delicious food, and neither of our stomachs can handle such a rich food.But if I can digest Gracie Sey's stew of rat meat, pig offal, and bark—a special winter recipe—I should be able to digest that too. We went to another box to watch the previous video of the Harvest Ceremony throughout Panem.At the time, the show was rolling all day, so you could see the whole thing live, but only the Capitol could actually see it, because they don't participate in the Harvest ceremony. One after another, we see ceremonies in other jurisdictions, rosters announced, volunteers take the stage, and more often than not, no volunteers.We watch the faces of those children, our future opponents.There are a few that impress me.There was a kid from the second district, who looked fierce, and he jumped on the stage to ask to be a volunteer.The other was a girl from District Five with limp red hair and a fox face.And a lame boy from District Ten.The one that impressed me the most was a twelve-year-old girl from District Eleven. She had dark brown skin and eyes. More importantly, she was about the same size as Prim, and her movements were similar.It's just that after she took the stage, when someone asked if there were volunteers, all she could hear was the whistling sound of the wind blowing through the broken buildings around her.No one wants to take her place. The last one was the District 12 video, and when Prim's name was called out, I rushed up to the stage and pushed Prim behind me, and I could clearly hear my screaming, as if I was afraid that no one would be there. Hearing that, he took Prim away.Of course, everyone heard it.I saw Gale pull her away and take the stage by himself.Commentators didn't know what to say about the audience's refusal to applaud.It's a silent tribute.Some people say that the 12th district has always been a bit backward, but its local customs have its own charm.At this moment, Haymitch fell off the stage, and everyone burst into laughter.Peeta's name is drawn, and he just stands quietly in his place.We shake hands.Play the national anthem.The show is over. Effie Trinket was dissatisfied with the part where she messed up her wig, "Your predecessors have to learn how to be on TV and how to behave in front of the TV." Peeta laughed unexpectedly. "He was drunk," Peeta said. "He gets drunk every year." "Every day." I added, and couldn't help laughing.Effie Trinket spoke in a funny tone, as if giving Haymitch some advice would fix his rough manners. "Yeah," sighed Effie Trinket, "it's weird that you two are still amused. You know this old man of yours is your lifeline for surviving in this world. He'll give you advice, You find a sponsor, and you can also designate a prize-winning gift. Haymitch has a decisive role in your life and death." At this moment, Haymitch stumbled into the box. "Did I miss dinner?" he slurred, spat, and fell on the vomit. "Ha, you can laugh it off this time," Effie Trinket said.She tiptoed her stilettoed feet, skirted the filth, and escaped from the box.