"President Snow," Gamemaker Seneca Crane said with a slight bow, steping into the immaculate office, "we would like to respectfully try something new for the Games this year."
"Go on, Seneca," Snow prodded. "You know I am always looking for fresh ideas."
"The popularity of the zombie phenomenon has been astronomical in the Capitol," Crane explained. "We would like to work with the producers of one of the shows in that genre to arm an arena this year."
Leaning back in his chair, the calculating mind of Panem's President turned the idea over. He personally enjoyed those types of shows, and the enthusiasm for the Hunger Games had waned slightly since its inception over 73 years ago as the fickel Capitol residents grew weary of the same general plot. Perhaps it was time to try something new for the 74th Games.
"Very well," he acquiesced. "But know this, Seneca. Should these Games fail for any reason, I'll hold you personally responsible."
Crane paled, but nodded and bowed his way out of Snow's office. He knew that his plan was foolproof.
Now, several months later, staring out at the arena that had been painstakingly built to resemble the farmhouse in the show along with the surrounding lands, he felt his chest swell with pride. This was his third year as Head Gamemaker, and this would be his crowning glory. He would go down as the best in the history of the Hunger Games, surpassing even the creators and his predecessor, who had managed to introduce a dragon into the arena. Ratings that year had skyrocketed, even though the beast had managed to burn most of the arena and its occupants to a crisp. It was a major scientific feat, and miniature dragons were all the rage that year. Hopefully the Capitol scientists could tamp down on the aggression present in the zombies they created for the show and arena when the citizens wanted them as pets.
The tributes wouldn't know what tore apart their rib cages...
Author's Note: Just an idea I had floating around in my head as I watched the season finale of the Walking Dead. Chapters will be from one tribute's POV starting with the initial launch, and will cover the entire time that tribute is in the arena. Some events may be repeated, so I'll try to keep the mundanity to a minimum. Depending on how well the tribute does, some chapters may be only a few sentences long, or some may have to encompass several parts. Reviews are always appreciated!