About an hour ago, I would've said that I was safe and sound. But now, I don't know what I am now. Now that I'm a tribute in the 53rd Hunger Games? I do know how to throw and wield an axe, but that doesn't make me remotely matched to the Careers from District 1 and 2 that usually volunteer when they're 18. I remind myself that I CAN win this. Footsteps from the aisle of this train interrupt my thoughts. I know it can only be either Arbor, the Capitol woman, or whoever is going to mentor me, because this train is headed towards the Capitol. I glance up and see Arbor walking in my direction. "Hello, Arbor." I say, trying not to collapse into his arms like I do against the soft green background of the comfortingly tall trees in the woods. "Hey Rosemary," he says, and in those words I can tell that we’ll be the alliance to look out for in these games. Nothing will stop us. And we will stop at nothing. “How are we going to kill these people?” I ask. I’m being very genuine. Incredibly unsarcastic. “I don’t know, Rose. But promise me now that you won’t risk your life for me. And if it’s a question of who will survive, it has to be you. Not me. You.” He says, gently but firmly. “No. I can’t promise that. Arbor, you have 2 little sisters that need you to nourish them. I can’t do that to them. I can’t do that to me. We have to somehow make it out alive. Together. That, or die together. Do you understand?” I asked Arbor. “No. You come first. If I die and people are still going after you, don’t stay. Run as fast as you can away from them. Do you understand? Don’t try to save me. Please. My last wish would be for you to be the victor. Or else you’d be, disrespecting dead people. How horrifying of you to do that!” Arbor told me. He always manages to make me feel lighthearted instead of depressed. “Aw, well I guess I can’t disrespect dead people.” I say jokingly. I laugh. He laughs. As he quietly slips away to get some privacy, I feel unified with him, like everything will be alright if we just stick together. If we just stay with each other. Forever.
