...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open]

hg1m4

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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 9, 2009 23:12:31 GMT -5

Post by hg1m4 on Jan 9, 2009 23:12:31 GMT -5

I'm sitting on the couch back stage, staring at something, though not focusing. I press my token-- a silver ring with a rat stamped on it-- to my lips and sigh. Oddly, I feel calm. Numb, maybe. There's nothing else to feel. I know these next few weeks are the rest of my life. They are my life. Before, I trained for this. After-- assuming there is an after-- there will be nothing more. Nothing else for me to do, for me to work for.

Sadly, yes, this is my whole life. And this will be the last of District 4 as I know it. I'm not entirely sure who will come and visit before I'm on a bullet train headed for the Capitol. Not my father, that's for sure. Probably not my mother. My coach might drop by with last minute tips, but I hope he doesn't.

Possibly Ranvier will stop by. Or Columbia. But in all probability, I'll be alone before departing for the Capitol. It's just as well.

I close my eyes and hold a deep breath in, focusing my entire being on the warm steel ring on my pointer finger. And exhale. Inhale. I'm still alive. And if I die, then Panem is no worse off. I clear my mind, though hope to be disturbed by someone other than the security agents.

d-wayne
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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 9, 2009 23:25:50 GMT -5

Post by d-wayne on Jan 9, 2009 23:25:50 GMT -5

I step up to the door that Toss is behind. Even though I had only met him the other day, he is one of my few friends, and now I know he must need some. Besides, he volunteered for me. That is a great deal, and I need to thank him for it.

I walk through the door and see him, sitting on a couch with a ring in his fingers. He is just sitting there, and seeming as calm as possible. Maybe he is ready for what is to come.

"Thanks," I say. "Thanks a lot. I really don't know how to tell you how thankful I am." I know it's lame, but what else am i supposed to say.

Last Edit: Jan 9, 2009 23:26:57 GMT -5 by d-wayne

hg1m4

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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 9, 2009 23:38:37 GMT -5

Post by hg1m4 on Jan 9, 2009 23:38:37 GMT -5

I look up to see Ranvier thanking me. Almost seems like I've known him for a long time. Now, I have no idea how to respond, so I just nod my head and shrug. I can't exactly say "It's no big deal" or "No problem" because, quite obviously, it's a huge deal, even for this district where volunteers are common. "Any time" is of equal idiocy, as the Games were a one-time deal. And I don't know if I'd ever want to compete again.

Eventually, I manage, "Thanks for coming. I feared I might depart the district with no goodbyes to anyone."

d-wayne
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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 9, 2009 23:49:08 GMT -5

Post by d-wayne on Jan 9, 2009 23:49:08 GMT -5

I give him a smirk and a small chuckle to try and brighten his mood. I stand there in silence for a moment, trying to think of what I am going to say. This is so difficult, seeming as I am talking to the person who may have just taken my place in the casket.

"So, why did you do it?" I ask.

hg1m4

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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 9, 2009 23:55:51 GMT -5

Post by hg1m4 on Jan 9, 2009 23:55:51 GMT -5

Why did I do it? I figure it's probably a bad idea to admit to being a Career--thought anyone could brobably figure it out--as it's not entirely legal. I straighten up.

"It was my time to. My last year. and, honestly, there's not a whole lot to my life if you take the Hunger Games away." I stare at him for a few moments, grateful that he came, before a slight twitch of a smile hits the corner of my lips. "And besides," I tell him, "better me than you.

d-wayne
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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 10, 2009 0:07:48 GMT -5

Post by d-wayne on Jan 10, 2009 0:07:48 GMT -5

I smile at this. "I don't know about that," I say with a little laugh. "I'd have to say that you would stand a better chance, since you actually have muscle," I laugh.

By this time, it feels as though we are old friends and have been talking for such a long time. It was just a couple of days ago when we were fishing on the boat, but it seems as though it was forever ago.

Gorim
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...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 11, 2009 13:09:26 GMT -5

Post by Gorim on Jan 11, 2009 13:09:26 GMT -5

Columbia waited outside the door for the first boy to walk out. Her older sister waited outside with her. They were Irish twins; born less than a year apart, and strikingly similar. Willowy of figure, blonde of hair, and green of eye. They were dressed in identical white dresses, with royal blue and scarlet trimmings.

Columbia's sister sighed. "This is taking too long. I have to go to the mall later. Colly, let's go!"

"No," Columbia snapped. "I don't want the last time I see Toss to be when he's on the monitor." Her sister sighed again, more sharply.

"Little brat." She snapped.

"Stubborn b***h from hel*!"

d-wayne Merchant 170 POSTS last seen Mar 21, 2009 0:25:12 GMT -5 ????!?? ?	...And the Rest of My Life Begins. [Open] Jan 21, 2009 11:29:28 GMT -5 Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by d-wayne on Jan 21, 2009 11:29:28 GMT -5 I shake toss' hand and say "Goodbye and good luck" to him. It's all I can think of at a moment like this. With that I leave to find two young girls standing outside. I give them a nod and off on my way I go.