The next morning we woke to find my mother and his father hovering over us, which gave us the cue to push away from each other and get up from the sofa. "Good morning." Mum said, with a small smile. "Hello..." We both slowly said, standing still. "Portia is here already, she's ran you a bath and is waiting to get you ready." Greg told his son, with an unhappy smile. It was an odd expression, I didn't know what was behind it but Dan rushed out of the room and out the front door. "Good luck, Carrie." Greg said, the smile shining through as kind and pleased. I thanked him, before going up the stairs and getting out of my clothes for a bath.
As I was in the bath, Cinna delt with my hair so that it would be easy to put the wigs on or just to go with my natural hair when I want. "Thank you." I muttered, closing my eyes and hearing the door open. "Mrs Howell! Hello!" It was my prep team... I'm not sure they would like the way I look now, hairy body and dirty nails. But I was about to find out.
They rushed up the stairs and joined me in the bathroom, muttering about how they had missed me and how messy I had become since leaving the Capitol. I began to wonder how Cinna could put up with them. Then I got out, they prepared me a bit more and then they were dissmissed by Cinna. My nails were black, or a very dark grey and my blonde hair was back. By the looks of it, our living room has been made into an art gallery.
All Victor's were meant to have a talent, so I was greatful that I had more than one. Then I looked at Cinna who handed me an outfit that I went to get changed into. A red jumper, red shoes and grey jeans with something I hadn't see since the evening of my arrival home. I looked up as I was fastening the Mockingjay pin to my jumper, to see my mother stood there.
"I love you, darling. Please don't do anything stupid." She whispered, to which I nodded. I couldn't assure her that everything would go smoothly, but I didn't want to tell her that. I couldn't tell her that I might not come home the way I went out. I felt her take my hand, as the thoughts flooded in again. All the people I had put in danger, she would be the first to be hurt even if Dan was first in the firing line. She'd be dissapointed, devastated that I had done foolish things and pushed my luck too far. She would almost certainly go into a depression, they'd find a way of hurting me through her. My mum meant the world to me, but she would never see the world. My worries were stopped in their tracks by her walking me down the stairs once again to sort out my talent.
Effie had arrived, with a big grin and an unbelievably big orange wig. "We are on time and - Oh! Hello little victor!" She skuttled over to me and gave me a light hug, her heels just as orange as her hair. I groaned, light-heartedly, and hugged her back. I wanted to counter that I wasn't little, but there was no time for that. Cinna and Haymitch walked over, Haymitch handed over a couple of cards and told me to read as the camera panned across my artwork. Then one they came to and I was allowed to say what I want. This was the one that would start the spark.
"In this picture, I drew the faces I could remember from the Games. The lives that were lost that should of remained. I may of missed a few out, but they aren't to be forgotten. All twenty four of us deserve our lives. Everyone deserves to live, there should be no doubt about it. This is one that reminds me of all the personalities that were amazing while they were alive."
I looked to Haymitch and saw the smile forming in the corner of his lips, a sober smile. "Proud?" He whispered to my mum. She nodded, not knowing what the picture and my words actually meant. Not seeing the real meaning. "Same." I saw the smile grow, which lead to my own.
About half-an-hour later, Diamond arrived for an interview. She had been allowed out early. It seemed to be like the day was getting better. She was in a blue dress, patterned leggings and her hair had been cut. Only when I was allowed to hug her did I see her nails. They had a pattern with a paper airplane on her thumb, a trail leading on her other nails. It was sweet, she looked amazing and I couldn't help but feel guilty.
Her interview went brilliantly, as if she was made for the camera. Beautiful looks, amazing personality and she was just awesome. Then I hold onto her, this is it. My time to leave, their time to watch me change the balance of Panem. "Stay strong. Be good. Look after my mum, watch me win." I whispered to her, it finally hitting me hard that I had to leave her and she wouldn't be safe. She'd be in more danger than ever, not because of the Games but because of me. "Good luck." She whispered, holding on tightly. "You too." I said without thinking, then pulling away and having a coat put on me. The winter wasn't the coldest it had been in past years, no snow, so Cinna could focus on fashion.
"Attention everyone! We are now going to shoot the exit of the victor, Carrie get ready!" Effie is beaming, her mood not faulting for a second, as I grabbed Di's hand. She had a coat on, too, and she was to walk out with me. Mum wave me off from the door. Then she pulled out a small watch she had, designed with a mocking bird on it. "From Cinna." She cheerfully said, as we stepped up to the door. Haymitch behind us, Cinna and the prep team already making their way to the train.
The door opened, the cameras were there and I walked out proudly with Diamond by my side. Haymitch behind me, with mum stood at the door. All I could focus on was the danger, the fear and the worry that was settling in, as we smiled our way through the snowflakes that were only just falling.
I walked with Diamond to the station, Haymitch, Effie and Cinna had taken a car with Dan to get him onto the train safely. Then we arrived, I said my last goodbyes and looked into Diamond's eyes. "Remember what I said. Remember what I have taught you. You must do well at school, no matter what. Keep your family close, trust me and the people I trust."
She looked at me, "Who is that?" Then I bent down, took her into my arms and whispered. "Cinna, Daniel and you." I answered truthfully, before leaving her. Cameras trained on me as I clambered into the train, then the day passed quickly.
Only when I was in my bedroom that I regained conciousness of the world around me, I slipped my pj's on and lay on my bed with thoughts running through my head. The innocence behind Di's blue outfit, the watch that Cinna had given her had meaning behind it. She was the tune that started me up, her name ignited the flame and allowed mockingbirds to have a song to mimick.
She was innocent, I was not. I was the victim, as well as the attacker. I had to fight for our freedom, against a force greater than us. Thoughts flooded my head as everyone settled down for the night, tomorrow we'd be in District 11 and I'd either be seen as a key to freedom or a killer.