Chapter 8

Effie's voice was loud and clear.

"Rise and shine, today is a big big big day"

It all came back to me. The hunger games, the big fight, the little diamond ring on my bedside table, and seeing Cato's delighted face when we came back to the capital. I walked out of my room with a big smile that matched Cato's, as I walked into the dining car. It was still dark outside but we were all happy to be going home and seeing our. I wanted to go home to see Tina again. I loved my mother too but I loved Tina more. I didn't know what district 2 would be like when I got home but I wanted to sleep in my own bed again, then on the hard ground or a huge fluffy bed. My stone hard bed was great enough for me and I would be finally home again with my friends. Effie had to be the one who took me out of my thoughts.

"Are you kids ready to pack your things and move into the big houses, and be neighbors to all the other victors?" Effie said excitedly.

That meant I had to go home and Vanessa would be there with a scowl on her flawless face, and I would have caused it all. I almost didn't want to go home because if Tina got called into the Hunger Games then I wouldn't be able to save her and she wouldn't have someone to protect her, who was willing to risk their lives for her happiness, she might die and there was nothing that I could do because of it. If I had a daughter she would not be able to save her either. She might turn into a killer like I was in the games or she might die in the games and we wouldn't be there to help her. Half of me wanted to not go home but the other half wanted to go home and tell my sister everything. The joy, fear, and romance. I loved my sister that she is my favorite person in the whole world. My sister was the first person that I ever was a friend with because we were so close and have been through some tough times but we went through it together. I could tell her anything and she would know how to deal with it but I don't think she can solve the Hunger Games and it's horror.

The train whistles and people started cheering. The doors open and I was not ready to face the crowd. Most faces I knew because of people cheering or people I fought and beat. My mother and my sister were off by the side and I made a beeline right for them. All I wanted to do is go home and sleep, but Vanessa came to view before I could get to them.

With a smile on her face, she said "you got what you deserve and am so happy that you came back alive"

I laughed and hugged her back. This is what I wanted to go home to. New friends, a new house, but the same old family that I was proud to have. Even though I know that what I went through in the games would change me forever I could not help but be thankful for it. If our lives had been different with out the games, we would have not have had the thoughts to kill innocent children every year and many more lives could have been saved. Peoples decisions really did affect everyone's life's in one way or another.