A.N.: (Disclaimer) I'm so poor, I don't own anything ;_;
PALISADE
Most people in District 2 can't even remember the day they joined the Academy, let alone remember the moment they transcend into the mind frame of a Career. Yes, that is actually a thing. You see there is a point in every District 2 trainee's life when they are standing on the precipice of "thinking like a trainee" and "thinking like a Career". One, just one event is a catalyst enough to push them into the latter. Most trainees don't notice it; feel that it is an eventual process rather than an abrupt one. How very wrong they are.
I remember the day I became a Career, in fact if you ask me (nicely), I can pin-point the exact second.
"You know what these are Clovey?" she asked.
"Knives, mama." I answered dutifully.
"Yes, good girl-"there was a maniac gleam in her eye, she handed me a dainty looking knife; "take this, sweetheart." My 5-year old fingers carefully took hold of the knife. I felt proud.
"What do I do Mama?"
"You practice." After this she left. Even at that age I knew Mama wasn't right in the head. Father had left us. She simply wasn't able to cope. I was her last hope.
The following week I practiced hard. And when Mama came back, I showed her how I could kill a lizard three feet away with my knife. She was impressed.
"Oh Clovey! Sweetheart we'll have a Victor out of you surely!"
"But I don't want to-"I begun, but stopped at the look she gave me.
"Don't want? Do you know how lucky you are to be naturally gifted? Years ago, Mama missed her chance to bring pride to her District. Mama failed her District. Mama was a coward." Her eyes were moist. "Give me something to hope for again." She promptly left.
Nearly three years later, Mother took me to the Academy. Her words still ring clear in my head.
"Clove, do this, I know you can. Listen to
your teachers, they know best. Bring pride to the Academy. Bring pride to the District. Bring pride to your Mama's name?" I nodded my head, thrilled by the prospect of joining the Academy. Mother kissed my head goodbye and I never heard from her after that. Not even a single word. I practiced with every fibre of my being, hoping that my good reports would reach Mother, that she would be proud of me. Forgive what I had said about not wanting to become a Victor. I just wanted to listen from her once. How she wasn't disappointed in me anymore! I never did.
"Anna-"
"I volunteer."
"And you are?"
"Clove. Clove Kentwell."
Now that I sit in the waiting room, ready to be deported to the Capitol, Clarissa is here, reiterating what she first told me when we stood at the steps of the Academy. She needn't waste her breath I know all of this and more. I'm a Career, aren't I? Her time is up. As she leaves, she slyly slips a dainty looking knife in my hand- I've seen much better now, yet I'm transported back to another time, another universe. Now I need to win this, for Clarissa- no, for my mother; for Mama.
Most people turn from trainees to Careers in the Academy (and some foolish children never do), but as I step out of the Contingence Court, I realize I stepped in the Academy as one.
A.N. (again): *ducks to avoid tomatoes* So first fanfic, what do ya gotta say? Constructive criticism heavily appreciated. *ducks from another tomato...lands with egg on face*