Chapter 6 Chapter Six Suspicious Clouds

The training center has a building dedicated to the Tributes and their team, and we will live here until the game officially starts.Each zone occupies an entire floor.Just board the elevator, press the button for your jurisdiction, and you will arrive at your floor.Easy to remember. I've been on an elevator in the courthouse in the 12th arrondissement before.Once when Dad passed away to receive his medals, and once yesterday morning when he said goodbye to friends and family.But the elevators there are dim, creaky, snail-like ascents, and stink of yogurt.But the elevator here is surrounded by crystals, and when it goes up quickly, people on the ground can be seen shrinking to the size of ants.It was such an exciting ride that I wanted to ask Effie Trinket if we could take it again, but it felt childish to do so.

Evidently, Effie Trinket's mission was far from over at the station.She and Haymitch will also supervise us until we enter the arena.In a sense, her job is also meaningful, at least she can bring us in within the specified time; and Haymitch has not shown up since she promised to help us on the train, maybe drunk Where did it fall.Effie Trinket, on the other hand, was in high spirits.Among the contestants she sent out, we were the first pair to shine in the opening ceremony.She not only praised our costumes, but also praised our performance.Effie Trinket knew everyone on and off the Capitol, and she talked about us all day, trying to get us sponsorships.

"I try to be as mysterious as possible when I talk," she said, eyes half-closed and sideways. "Of course, Haymitch never told me about your plans, but I did everything I could to convince them. I told them How Katniss sacrificed herself for her sister, how the two of you survived in the barbaric environment of this jurisdiction, etc." brutal?It's ironic coming out of the mouth of a woman who is preparing us for slaughter.How do we win?Is it by our dining etiquette? "Naturally, everyone has their own strengths. You're from the mining area. But I said, you know I'm smart, and I said, 'Well, if you stress the coal enough, it'll turn into pearls!' "Effie Trinket spoke with high spirits, and we had to follow her high spirits, enjoying hearing how smart she was, but we didn't think she was smart inside.

Pearls grow in shells instead of coal.Maybe she meant to say that coal turned into diamonds, but that's not true either.I did hear that there is a machine in the first district that can turn graphite into diamonds.But we don't produce graphite in District 12 either.Before the thirteenth district was destroyed, it was producing graphite. I wondered if the people she was recommending us to all day knew this, or cared. "Unfortunately, I can't stamp the sponsorship contract, only Haymitch can." Effie Trinket said with a serious expression, "But don't worry, if it is necessary to force him at gunpoint, I will pull him too to the signing table."

Despite the slowness of many departments, I admire Effie Trinket's determination and determination. My place was bigger than my original home in the 12th arrondissement, furnished like a train compartment.There are many automatic devices in the room, but I don't have that much time to press every button.The shower room alone has hundreds of selector switches to adjust water temperature, pressure, soap, shampoo, fragrance, essential oils, and massage sponges.After bathing, when you step on the non-slip mat, the hot air will automatically dry it for you.After washing the hair, there is no need to comb the kinky hair, just put your hands on the control panel, a stream of air will dry the scalp, untangle the knots, part the hair, and instantly, smooth and shiny hair will float on my shoulders.

I sort my wardrobe to my liking.Huge windows open and close automatically at my command, inviting or shutting out views of the city.Just whisper any dish written on the giant menu into the microphone, hot and cold, steamed and fried, and it will appear in front of you immediately.I was walking around the room, eating foie gras and soft bread, when I heard a knock on the door, it was Effie, and she called me to eat. OK, I'm starving! When we entered the restaurant, Peeta, Cena, and Portia were standing on the balcony overlooking the Capitol.I'm excited to meet the two designers, especially after learning that Haymitch is also coming.If Effie and Haymitch meet at dinner, they are likely to break up, which is bad; besides, dinner is not only about eating, but also discussing our enemy strategy; It shows that their opinions are very valuable.

A taciturn young man in a white tunic served us wine, served in goblets.I wanted to say no, but then I thought, I've never drank wine, only the homemade liqueur my mother used for coughs at home, and when will I ever get a chance to taste wine again? I took a sip, it was sour, and I thought it would taste better with a few spoonfuls of honey. Just as the food was about to be served, Haymitch appeared.He seemed to have his own stylist too, looking clean and serious in a way I had never seen him before.He didn't refuse the wine, but when he began to drink the soup, it suddenly seemed to me that this was the first time I'd seen him eat.Maybe this time he can pull himself together long enough to help us.

The presence of Cena and Portia also seems to put some restraint on Haymitch and Effie, making them behave in a civilized manner.At least they could address each other with dignity, and their conversation was full of praise for the success of the two designers at the opening ceremony.While everyone was chatting quietly, my mind was on dinner. Mushroom soup, pea-sized tomato bittersweet, paper-thin grilled steak, macaroni with green sauce sauce, dotted with sweet blue grapes, delicious melted cheese.Like the waiter who served the wine, the other waiters, all in white tunics, were silently busying around the table, refilling our food and wine.

When the wine in the glass was almost half drunk, I felt a little dizzy, so I drank plain water instead.I don't like this feeling and hope it passes quickly.How Haymitch managed to walk and stand all day in this condition is still a mystery to me. Then I turned my attention to the conversation, talking about our interview attire, when a waitress came up, placed a beautiful cake on the table, and expertly set it ablaze.The cake burned, spit out a beautiful flame, and finally burned around the edge of the cake for a while, until finally it went out.I was fascinated by it and couldn't figure out what was going on. "What is it burning? Is it alcohol?" I looked up and asked the waitress next to me. "That's the last thing I want—oh, I know you!"

I can't recall her name, or when I've seen the face, but I definitely know her.Black red hair, slender figure, fair skin like porcelain.Even when I say these words, I feel uneasy inside.I can't recall it right now, but I know she's connected to some horrible memories.The fear that flitted across her face added to my confusion and anxiety.She shook her head in denial, then quickly ran away from the table. I turned around and found four men behind me looking at me like hawks. "Don't be silly, Katniss, how did you know an Avax?" Effie broke in suddenly, "It's impossible to think about it."

"What is Avax?" I asked foolishly. "An ex-criminal, she's got her tongue cut out so she can't talk," Haymitch said. "She might be a rebel. You're unlikely to know her." "Even if you knew her before, don't talk to them except to give them orders," Effie said. "Of course, you can't know her." But I do know her.Haymitch mentioned the "rebel" just now, and I suddenly remembered where I had seen her.The disdain for her made it impossible for me to ever admit to seeing her. "Yeah, I don't think I know her, I just..." I'm at a loss for words, and the wine doesn't seem to be helping either.But Peeta snapped his fingers and said, "Deli Cartwright, that's her. I thought she looked familiar at first, but then I remembered that she looks very similar to Delly." Delly Cartwright, a pale, hulking, yellow-haired girl, was as much a beetle as a butterfly to a waitress.She's also probably the friendliest person on earth, she couldn't stop smiling at everyone at school, even me.But I've never seen a waiter with red hair smile.I appreciate Peeta's accost. "Of course I was thinking of her, it must be because of the hair," I said. The tension at the dinner table eased. "Oh, look, that's it," Cinna said. "Yes, there was alcohol on the cake, but it was completely burnt. I made this cake especially to commemorate your new beginnings in the light of the fire." Finished the cake.We went to the reception room to watch the video of the opening ceremony being broadcast.There are a few couples who are impressive, but no one can match us.When everyone saw us coming out of the training center on the video, they unanimously said "ah". "Whose idea was it to pull?" Haymitch asked. "It's Cena," said Portia. "A little bit of rebellion, just right," said Haymitch. "Very good!" Rebellious?I'll have to think about what that means. I thought of every pair in the other divisions, standing apart on the chariot, stiff, neither touching the other as if the other didn't exist, and the Hunger Games had begun.I see what Haymitch means.Having us appear as friends rather than rivals is enough to make us unique, as unique as our flame costumes. "Phase one starts tomorrow morning. We'll meet at breakfast and I'll tell you exactly what to do," Haymitch said to Peeta and me. "Now, my lords, go to sleep." Peeta and I walk down the corridor back to our room.When we got to the door of my room, Peeta was leaning against the door frame, half blocking the door with his body, obviously trying to make me listen carefully to him. "So, Delly Cartwright. Imagine, how do we meet someone who looks like her here?" He said that because he wanted me to explain the matter, and I was thinking about how to say this in my heart.He deliberately used words to cover up for me just now, and we both knew this in our hearts, so I owe him again.About that girl, if I tell him the truth, we'll be even.Anyway, who can be hindered by talking about it? It doesn't bother me if he parrots elsewhere, because I'm only telling what I've seen with my own eyes; besides, he lied about Delly Cartwright as well. I also want to tell people about that girl, and it can help me figure it out. Gail was the first person I wanted to tell, but it's unlikely I'll ever see him again.I wonder if telling Peeta might give him an advantage over me, but I don't know what.Maybe telling him the confidential things will make him feel that I really treat him as a friend. Also, the thought of the girl's tongue being cut out terrifies me.Her appearance reminded me what I came here for, not to show off the gorgeous clothes, nor to taste the delicious food, but to face the bloody death, to face the people who cheered for the person who killed me audience. To tell him or not to tell?My brain was a little sluggish because of the alcohol.I stared at the empty hallway as if the answer lay there. Peeta senses my hesitation. "Have you ever been on the roof?" he asked, and I shook my head. "Sina took me to see it, and I could almost see the whole city, but the wind was a bit strong." I mentally interpreted his words as "no one will hear us talking".In this kind of place, there is indeed a feeling of being monitored. "Shall we go up?" I said. "Sure, let's go," Peeta said.I followed him up the steps leading to the roof.There is a vaulted room at the top with a door leading to the outside.I went out and the air outside was cool and windy.I was stunned by the sight in front of me.The Capitol seems to have countless fireflies shining at night.The power supply in the 12th district is sporadic, usually only for a few hours, and most nights are lit with candles. The only time when the power is not interrupted is when the Hunger Games is broadcast or there are important TV news.But there's no power out here, ever. Peeta and I walked to the railing on the side of the building, and I looked straight down from the roof.There is a lot of traffic on the street, and the whine of cars, people shouting, and strange metal knocking can be heard.In District 12, all we can think about right now is go to bed. "I asked Cinna why he brought us here, didn't they worry about some 'tribute' jumping off here?" Peeta said. "What did he say?" I asked. "You can't dance," Peeta said.He stretched out his hand and stretched out towards the empty front.Then he heard the sound of "呵呵", and the others were also bounced back. "There's an electric grid here that bounces people off the roof." "Always worried about our safety," I said.Even though Cinna brought Peeta up to the roof, I'm still worried about whether we're allowed to be here at this point.It's getting late and we're all alone.I've seen training center "tributes" come to the roof on TV before.But that doesn't mean we don't have monitors at the moment. "Do you think they're spying on us now?" "Perhaps," he admitted, "come and see the garden." At the other end of the roof, there is a garden with flower beds and potted trees.Hundreds of wind chimes hang from the branches, and it is here that the sound I just heard came from.In this garden, on this windy night, the voices of two people who did not want to be overheard could easily be drowned out.Peeta looked at me expectantly. I pretend to admire a flower. "One day we were hunting in the woods, hiding there, waiting for the game to pass by," I said softly. "You and your dad?" He also asked softly. "No, with my friend Gail. All of a sudden all the birds stopped singing except for one, which made a warning chirp. That's when she appeared. I must be the same girl. She was with a boy .Their clothes are torn, probably because they haven’t slept, and their eyes are black. They are running like they are running for their lives.” I said. I was silent for a while, thinking about the situation of these two people running for their lives in the woods. They were obviously not from District 12.Seeing them all of a sudden, we stood dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.Then we wondered if we should help them escape, maybe hide them if we were quick.Yes, Gale and I were stunned, but we're hunters, we know what it's like when prey is cornered, and when we saw these two, we knew they were in trouble.But then we just watched and didn't move. "Helicopters come down from the sky," I continued to Peeta. "I mean, there was nothing in the sky, and then the plane appeared. It was silent, but they saw it. It cast a net over the girl, and then Pulled her up, very fast, like an elevator. They threw a spear with a rope at the boy, and he was pulled up. But I'm sure he was dead. And we heard that There was a cry from the girl, calling the boy's name, I think. Then the helicopter disappeared, disappeared into the air. The birds started chirping again, as if nothing happened." "Did they see you?" Peeta asked. "I don't know, we're hiding under a rock," I replied. Actually I know.The moment the birds stopped abruptly and the helicopter appeared, the girl saw us. She stared at us intently, showing her eyes for help, but neither Gail nor I responded. "You're shaking," Peeta said. The wind and the story have taken all the heat from me and made me shudder.The girl's terrible cry, was that her last cry? Peeta takes off his jacket, ready to drape it over my shoulders.I took a step back, hesitated, then decided to accept his offer to put my jacket on.Friends naturally do that, don't they? "Are they from here?" he asked, buttoning my collar button. I nodded, the boy and the girl, they looked like Capitols. "Where do you think they're going?" he asked. "I don't know that," I said.News from the 12th district is always blocked.We are surrounded by wilderness, not counting the wilderness of the thirteenth district that was wiped out by gas bombs.Scenes from the thirteenth arrondissement are occasionally shown on television to remind us. "Or why did you leave here?" I said. Haymitch called that Avax a traitor.Why did you rebel?Could only be rebels from the Capitol.But they have everything here, and there is no reason to rebel! "I gotta get out of here," Peeta said suddenly.He looked around nervously, the sound was louder than the sound of the wind chime."I'd go home if they let me, but I have to admit the food is first class," he laughs. He was playing the cover again, and if anyone heard what was said by the timid "tribute", he would not think that anyone was skeptical of the Capitol's rule. "It's cold, we'd better go in," he said.The dome is warm and bright inside.He asked in his usual tone: "Your friend Gail, is that the one who took your sister away at the Harvest Festival ceremony?" "Yes, you know him?" I asked. "Not really, I keep hearing the girls talk about him. I thought he was your cousin or something. You hit it off," he said. "Well, we're not related," I said. Peeta nodded, feeling incomprehensible, "Did he come to say goodbye to you?" "Coming," I said, watching his reaction carefully, "your dad is coming too, and he brought me cookies." Peeta raises an eyebrow, as if he's hearing it all the time.But seeing him lying so naturally, I didn't take it too seriously. "Really? Yes, he has a good impression of you and your sister. I think he would rather have a girl than a boy." I might have been the talk of them, at the dinner table, by the oven, or just when I was passing Peeta's, and I just woke up thinking they were talking about me when his mom wasn't there . "They've known each other since your mom was little," Peeta said. I was taken aback by what he said, and it might well be true.I wondered what to say, it would be rude if I said that Mom only praised their bread and never mentioned the baker.So I said, "Ah, yes, she grew up in the city." By this time we were at my door, and I handed him the jacket back. "See you tomorrow morning, then." "See you tomorrow," he said, and walked back down the corridor. When I opened the door, the red-haired girl was packing up my tights and boots, which I had left on the floor before I showered.I want to say sorry to her for causing trouble so quickly.But it suddenly occurred to me that I shouldn't talk to her unless it was an order. "Oh, sorry," I said, "I should give it back to Cinna, sorry, can you give him these clothes?" She avoided my sight, nodded slightly, and walked towards the door. I really want to say sorry to her about the meal.But I know my apology is much more than that.I'm ashamed that I didn't help her in the woods.I watched the Capitol kill the boy and wound her without lifting a finger. It's like watching The Hunger Games. I kicked off my shoes and got under the covers without taking off my clothes.I'm still shaking.This girl may have forgotten me, but I know she probably hasn't.For a person who once pinned your last hope, you will never forget it.I covered my face with the sheet, as if that would erase the memory of the dumb red-haired girl.But I felt that she was staring at me with her eyes, her eyes penetrated the walls, doors, windows and bedding. I wonder if she is happy to see me die?