"On the twenty-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that their children were dying because of their choice to initiate violence, every district was made to hold an election and vote on the tributes who would represent it" President Snow started.
"And now we honor our third Quarter Quell" says President Snow. "On the seventy-fifth anniversary, as a reminder to the rebels that even the strongest among them cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes will be reaped from their existing pool of victors".
My name is Charm Chlodowech. I am an existing Victor. I might be chosen to head back to the arena to fight for my life.
I close my eyes and take it all in. What if I am chosen to return to the arena, who will I be chosen with, but most importantly who else will be chosen from the other districts and who will I be fighting against?
"They can't do this, can they? Select previous victors?" asks my grandfather.
My grandfather moved in with me at the Victors Villages since I won the Hunger Games two years ago at the age of seven teen. Our house is very large with large windows all around and new furniture as well as latest electronics, the Capitol wants its district one victor's to live in luxury. My grandfather and I have lived to together since my parents died when I was only two, therefore I never knew them, and my grandfather said they were good people, a bit greedy at times but mostly good people. Since on won the Hunger Games my grandfather and I have been treated very luxurious including moving from our old house to the victor's village.
"It's the third Quarter Quell, an anniversary" I reply back to him. "I would also say it's due to the recent events from the last games".
"You mean about the young boy and girl from the last Hunger Games" my grandfather says.
"Yes" I reply. "My best guess is Snow sees them as a threat, since they didn't die the first time his best idea is to put them back in the arena with some of the most dangerous people from the other districts and see how it plays out".
"However you may not be picked" says my grandfather.
"There are over 25 other female victors, hopefully I'll get lucky" I say.
"Let's hope" my grandfather replies.
Being from district one we are looked upon by other districts as the rich, famous people who just care about money, the amount of items in our house and our looks. Yes, I may have more money than I can handle, but not everyone is district one is greedy. I may have been selected and trained in the academy since I was thirteen preparing for the Hunger Games in case I was chosen, but that does not mean that I haven't changed since I was in the games. I have changed. I am kinder, more thankful for life and the things I have and the people around me.
"I am going for a walk, I'll be back soon" I say to my grandfather as I get up off the couch and walk towards the door placing on my yellow flat shoes that match my yellow sundress and my long dark brown curly locks of hair. With that I head for the door.
"Don't be late for dinner" he replies as I walk out the door.
I can clearly tell he has no idea what to say to me, how to cheer me up. I walk down the steps of my house to see there is tons commotion everywhere I look, it seems I am not the only one in this district who is upset about this Quarter Quell. I walk follow a path that leads out behind the victor's village to the flower garden. Everything is in bloom this time of the year, some many different colors makes it look peaceful but also very stunning. I walk through the garden towards my favorite spot, a bench that sits on the far edge of the flower garden under a tall oak tree. I turn the corner for the bench to see someone already is sitting on it. They must have heard me coming, as they lift their head to see who it is. I immediately take a deep breath realizing who it is.
"Talon" I say is a quiet voice.
"Hey, join me" he says patting the seat next to him.
I walk over and sit next to the guy who I have grown up with, trained with, now live next door to in the victor's villages. Talon Dugald, the boy who won the Hunger Games three years ago at the age of seven teen. His short, golden blonde sparkles in the sunlight as it always has done, being spiked up just a little bit the same style he always wears it, along with his bright blue eyes. His classic blue short sleeve shirt he wears along with his matching white pants and white boots, I am sure every girl in the district has a crush on him. We are not the same little kids who use to run around district one chasing and playing with one another, we have grown into adults, into victors.
"You're nervous, I can tell". He says.
"How can you tell?" I ask him.
"Because ever since you won the Hunger Games this is the spot you come too, to think, to take everything in, and to relieve the stress" he says as he looks into my eyes.
"Your right" I reply.
"I know I am, and probably always will be" he laughs
I laugh with him knowing the joker he can be.
"Don't worry" he says taking his hand to move a piece of my dark brown hair from face. "If your name is called and no one volunteers for you and if my name is not called I will volunteer as tribute, I'm not letting you go into this one alone".
"I can't let you do that Talon" I reply.
"Your my best friend, we live next door to each, we grew up together" he stops as he takes a deep breath and continues, "I thought I was going to lose you two years ago when you went into the games Charm, if I was allowed to volunteer for you then, I would have" he says.
I can feel tears start to build up in my eyes.
"I will not lose you" he says.
"Talon I..."
I am cut off by him interjecting. "There is nothing you can say or do that will stop me or change my mind about this".
Without thinking and without any more words I press his lips to mine, showing him how much I really do care about him. We break apart coming face to face staring in each other's eyes.
"I've waited a long time for you to do that" he says with a smile looking into my eyes.
"Just a friendly kiss" I reply.
"Friendly?" he replies, but I interject cutting him off.
"But you don't even know if we will be chosen" I say changing the subject back.
"But if we do, I know what I am going to do" he replies.
I shake my head in response. What if our names are called? What happens next? What will this Quarter Quell be like? And will we be able to survive? I think to myself.
"I should get home" I finally say breaking the silence. I turn towards him staring into his bright blue eyes. He is worried about me, all he wants to do is keep me safe.
"I've done it before" I say. "I won the games by myself before".
"But each of these tributes will have tons of more experience, they are more lethal than the ones you dealt with last time" he says interjecting again.
"I'll be fine" I say to him looking him straight in the eyes. "Please don't worry". I stare at him, looking right into his eyes knowing that I have made him more frustrated by telling him that I don't need his help, that I will be fine.
"I should get going, grandfather is going to wonder where I am" I say looking away from him. Without any reply from him I get up and start walking down the path towards the victor's village leaving him sitting on the bench. As I open the door I am greeted with the fresh smell of something that has been cooking for a while now. I walk into the dining room and am greeted by my grandfather along with one of our helps who has been preparing the dinner.
"Ah just in time my dear" my grandfather says which brings a smile to my face. "How was your walk?" he asks.
"Good, a little stress relieving" I reply.
"That's good" he replies.
I sit down and we eat our meal discussing the normal topics we usually do not bringing up the reaping tomorrow. Just as we finish dinner we hear a knock at the door. "I'll get it" I say to grandfather as I head for the door. I open the door and am greeted with my former escort Laurette Baxwoll.
"Darling so good to see you" she says as she gives me a hug and one kiss on each cheek.
Sparkling, golden blonde hair Laurette is a Capitol icon, she commonly wears a short dress with matching color coordination's, tonight she is wearing a short golden dress which matches well with her hair along with her shoes and other accessories.
"Nice to see you, but what are you doing here?" I ask.
"Visiting one of my favorite victor's before tomorrow's reaping" she replies. "I brought someone with me who I thought you were going to visit after today's news, but you didn't".
She stands aside to reveal who is standing behind her.
"Thornburn" I say in excitement and relief. Thornburn Edenthaw, Talon's and my mentor from the Hunger Games. A wise, smart, strong intelligent middle aged man who won the games many years back, he is considered to be the most respected mentor in this district. He wears his light grey hair slicked back along with an elegant suit every time I see him. I walk up to him giving him a hug. Thornburn believed in me since day one and he has always been there for me, as has Laurette.
"Stop hogging the victor, I need a hug for myself". Thornburn step aside revealing my former Hunger Games stylist Flux Lickprivick. Flux is rather good looking mid-twenties man who has purple hair slicked back along with an always matching color coordinated outfit.
"Flux" I blurt out, rushing over to give him a hug. "What is everyone doing here?" I ask pulling away from his hug.
"Letting you know that we are here for you no matter what happens tomorrow" Thornburn replies. "Plus you need your stylist to do your hair, makeup and outfit for tomorrow's reaping".
"Well will be here first thing in the morning to prep you for the reaping" Laurette finishes.
"Thank-you, for everything" I say to all of them. They all turn and head out the door one by one.
"Don't be nervous" Thornburn turns around saying to me.
"You talked to Talon didn't you?" I ask.
"Yes, he cares about you, that's all" he replies. "See you in the morning" he finishes and heads out the door closing it behind him.
I head towards the living room taking a seat next to grandpa on the couch. For the rest of the night we sit next to on another just talking and enjoying one another's company.