Part 3

Part 3- Capital

"Hey, wake up!"

I felt the shaking of the cage. I opened my eyes upon it.

Warm lights entered my vision. A rusty smell of iron welcomed my nose.

'We've arrived?'

"Get up, get up now!"

Then, the guard kicked the cage again, shaking the people inside it.

I couldn't afford to yell at him because I might put myself in a more undesirable situation. I kept my mouth closed.

The child in my arms seems to be awake. I patted his back lightly, "We've arrived now."

"Huh..? Uh, yes, yes."

He smudged his eyes, then looked at me with slightly hazy eyes.

"Brother, where are we now?"

'Ah, yes, I'm a man now.'

I answered in a low tone, "We're in the capital now."

I pushed aside some of the hair veiling his eyes. He reminds me of Lisha, my younger sibling.

'She should be sleeping now…'

I smiled sadly upon the thought of my sister. I hope she doesn't feel bad about my disappearance. Lisha is a cry baby.

One by one, the tributes got out of the cage under several pairs of watchful eyes.

I clutched the little kid's hand tightly so he wouldn't get lost in the moving crowd.

"Move in one straight line! Don't push each other!"

The guards were attending us strictly. Of course, running away is the first and foremost plan in everyone's mind. This strict security only proves that tributes had tried to run away before.

That plan is plausible, but you shouldn't execute it when everyone's guards are high.

I need to blend in the surroundings first, not attract an eye. Then, I'll study the place so I can get out of it faster.

"My feet hurt.."

I heard the little kid complain softly.

I sighed. I still have some energy to spare so I'm able to carry this child..

I scooped him up in my arms to which he responded with a gasp.

"Brother!"

"There, there. Your feet hurt right?"

The kid nodded shyly, his cheeks reddened. "I-I'm a little heavy.."

'What's your definition of heavy?'

He must be the heaviest among his peers or his siblings that made him think that he's heavy enough. To be honest, you're a very light, little fellow..

I shook my head. "You're not. Just focus on conditioning your feet."

If he and I wouldn't be placed to work under one house, then I wouldn't be able to help him anymore.

I wish I could take him with me at least..

We were all walking quietly when someone fell suddenly.

With that alarming sound, everyone turned their head toward the man on the ground.

'Isn't that the man who leaned on my shoulder earlier?'

I instantly recognized the man by his hair color, black.

Although almost everyone here has black hair, I recognized him immediately because I've seen him up close.

Oh dear, he looks dying..

"Get up!"

The guard seized him by his hair. Upon watching them, I felt my scalp ache. The guard's grip on the man's hair seems to be really painful.

"I said get up!"

When the man didn't respond, the guard tightened his grip.

I covered the child's eyes with my hand, not wanting him to see violence.

I really want to help him, but I can't afford to anger those people. Sorry, I'm not one of the heroes who steps into the battlefield with just pure courage. I'm more of a careful planner.

I decided to pull my gaze away. Pitying him won't be of any help.

As I took off my gaze on the man, I then heard a loud smack.

"AAH!! YOU FUCKING DOG!!!"

The guard screamed in pain, clutching his nuts. I wouldn't even have to ask what happened when it's all obvious.

The man is crazy, kicking an armored guard on his nuts.

I must applaud him for his bravery, however, I must pity him for his stupidity.

Whack-!

The guard immediately fought back and whipped the man's face to right after he smacked his head with a gun. Ouch!

Due to the intensity of smack, the man fell on his knees.

No one dared to shield him as we're all frightened by the possibility of getting the same treatment as the man.

I could only pray that he won't fight back, else he'd go straight down the ground.

"Restrain this crazy man!"

The guard who had been attacked shouted.

"Yes, milord!"