Smile. Smile. Smile. That's all Lila could think as the chariot started to move. But as she was enveloped by the light as she was pulled out into the open, she could feel her body become ridged with fear. Her heart pounded heavily in her ears as she looked around at the crowds watching her and the many other tributes. She'd seen the numbers that had crowded around the train when they had all arrived, but even seeing that couldn't have prepared her for the amount of people here now in the stands. Closing her eyes, Lila tried to steady herself. But her heart seemed unable to slow. Opening her eyes, she tried to focus on something. Anything. And what her eyes ended up locking on was the horses that were pulling her carriage. That was something to focus on right? She knew horses. That was something familiar. Gosh were they beautiful. What was the Capitol feeding them to make them look so pretty? Obviously it was something good, their coats seemed to be glowing. Without thinking, she reached over and lightly brushed the back of one of the two horses. Yeah, they really were soft. Man, if only she could just spend time with them a bit longer. Maybe even get to ask their handlers for what they used. And before she knew it she had made it to the end of the road, and was now circling. It was almost over. Thank goodness it's almost over.
