The lights from the Capitol gleamed through my study window. Below, the foolish Capitol citizens were preparing for this year's Hunger Games. The reapings were less than a week away. The Games were a perfect way to keep control of Panem. They entertained the people of the Capitol, while keeping the districts oppressed and fearful. A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I said, carefully slipping the documents I had been working on into my desk drawer. No need for my expected visitor to see them. The door slide open, and in walked the Head Gamemaker: Seneca Crane.
"You wished to see me, sir?" the young man asked. He was trying in vain to mask the slight fear and nervousness in his voice. This brought a slight smile to my face. Even Seneca Crane, Head Gamemaker for the 74th Hunger Games, was afraid of me. This was how it should be. Clearing my throat, I said,
"Yes, Seneca. I expect you have completed all the preparations for this year's Games?"
Relief flooded the man's face. Immediately he recomposed himself, and blurted out excitedly,
"Yes, sir. Everything has gone according to plan. The Games are set. I suspect that this year will be the best Hunger Games yet!"
"You had better hope it is, Seneca," I stated, harshly. "After your blunder last year…." Seneca paled. He knew I meant what had occurred during the 73rd Hunger Games, his first year as Head Gamemaker.
"S-sir, t-that was a small, rookie mistake. I-I promise it won't happen again-"
"It better not," I spat venomously. Then, in a calmer tone, I continued, "You should be thankful I spared your life, Crane. Had Miss Everdeen not accidentally swallowed that nightlock berry…. Why, that would have disgraced the Capitol! Some rookie mistake could easily have led to rebellion…. And we don't want that, now, do we?" Seneca gulped.
"N-no, sir."
"Excellent. Now, I'm sure you understand the new… uniform change this year, correct?"
Seneca thought for a moment, then nodded, somewhat uncertainly.
"You mean the-"
"Not here!" I hissed.
Seneca stared at me nervously. Then, in a wavering tone, he stammered,
"Sir, I d-don't suppose you c-could…"
"Tell you what these are for? Of course not. After all, why spoil the surprise?" I smiled wickedly.
"Y-yes, sir. Of course. M-my apologies."
I ignored Seneca's feeble apology, and pretended to continue some abstract work, all the while quite aware of the Gamemaker's presence. Glancing up, I feigned surprise, and said,
"Still here, Seneca? You are dismissed. Go, have fun, join in the festivities. After all, the Hunger Games only come once a year."
Smiling nervously, Seneca nodded, and quickly departed, seeming all too eager to leave the room.
Soon the documents were back on my desk; they were finished within minutes. The smile on my face grew. Oh, these were definitely going to be the 'best Hunger Games', no thanks to that pathetic Seneca Crane.
"Well, Coriolanus, you've truly outdone yourself," I whispered to myself. Time to let the Hunger Games begin.
Well, it's finally here! I know the wait has been long, but I've been working on it. A few factors:
All the events in the book occurred in the 73rd Hunger Games, NOT the 74th (Why? Because I feel like it!)
Also, District Thirteen is included in the story. I decided on having the district defeated during the Dark Days, not "obliterated" (I felt like doing it :) )
Reviews=Updates. Enough said.
