"Love is stronger than death even though it can't stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can't separate people from love. It can't take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death." – Unknown
"The winner of the 69th annual hunger games, the District 9 tribute, Ariadne Abernathy!" A voice said, after Sawyer killed himself, dying in my arms, they had to sedate me to get me on that hoovercraft, because I was crying and screaming so bad.
I gasped awake, panting. I reminded myself that I was in my own bed, in my own house, in the Victor's Village of District 9, I wasn't in the arena anymore. My life was defiantly screwed up. Before my games, which was almost 4 years ago, I didn't know much about my parents other than the fact that my mother died when I was 3 years old.
My grandmother (Ironically enough, my father's mother) raised me from then out, with my uncle Ashton, helping out from time-to-time. I didn't know that my father was the 50th hunger games victor from District 12, Haymitch Abernathy (yes, THE Haymitch Abernathy whom is known for being drunk every year), until Snow announced it on national television the night before my games, during the interview.
I was later told, by my mentor, Rhys, that while I was in the arena, Snow called him and Haymitch into his office and told them everything about what he did with Haymitch's family. Rhys also told me when I got out of the arena, while I was still in the hospital, that Snow made him believe that his mother, brother and girlfriend (my mother) was dead.
But in reality, Snow took them away and placed them in District 9 (where my grandmother is originally from), not planning on revealing this to my father that he had a daughter and that his mother and brother were indeed alive and well in District 9. It wasn't like that he would find out, as the districts weren't supposed to mingle (expect under special cases), until I was reaped. It was his cruel joke of a much more amusing entertainment (which I suspect that he had something to do with my reaping), the newfound daughter of a victor in another district being reaped only 17 years (when I was 15) after her father. Ugg, sickening.
But that wasn't even the worse part of it all. My lover, Sawyer Dalton, from District 7. I met him during training; day one, and I couldn't help but to fall in love with him then. He was charming, polite, protective, and handsome and he was very sweet towards me. Our games lasted 4 ½ months, and we were the last two people remaining.
He killed himself so I could win; so I could raise our baby. Amaryllis Abernathy Dalton. She just turned 3 years old and she's the apple of my eye; she has her daddy's chocolate brown hair and dark forest green eyes, but she looks like me in facial features.
Anyway, I didn't get a chance to talk to my father before I left to go back home, as he left as soon as his tributes were killed, he had to go back with the bodies or coffins, or whatever was left of them. Although, I did get to speak with him during my victory tour. Even though we don't get to talk much, or anything like that, I do call him "dad," and he talks to his mother and brother every once in a while.
I looked at my clock and groaned when it read 4:30 AM, I couldn't get back to sleep and I groaned again when I realized that it was reaping day for the 72nd games. Instead, I decide to get ready for this "pleasant day." I flipped the covers off of me and decide to go get a shower.
When I got out, I dried myself off and put on my make-up, nothing heavy, just enough that it brings out my eyes, which I got from my father. Then I brush out my long curly golden blonde hair, choosing to leave it down for today.
I dressed in a simple white short sleeved dress with gold stitching and some gold flats that my stylist had sent over (even after 4 years he still styled for the same district). I then packed a small duffle bag and clipped my capitol victor/mentor name card onto the pocket. Only mentors could carry their own bags to take to the capitol.
"Mommy." Amaryllis stood in the door of my bedroom, rubbing her eyes.
"Morning baby." I walked over and picked her up, kissing her head. She laid her head on my shoulder and I carried her back to her room so I could get her dressed. I got her cleaned up a little bit and dressed her in a little yellow sunflower sundress and matching sandals. I brushed her hair and gave it a French braid.
By now, it was 8 Am, and so I took my daughter went to the kitchen and ate breakfast (curtsey of grandma). The reaping's started at noon, but mentors were expected to be there 2 hours earlier to help prepare. When it was time, I hugged my grandmother goodbye and leaned down to Amaryllis's level. "Mommy's gotta go now, but I promise I'll be back soon, okay?"
She nodded. "Okay mommy." She said, giving me a hug. I hugged her back and kissed her cheek.
"I love you."
"Love you too mommy."
I told my grandmother goodbye again and walked to the justice building and asked a peacekeeper if they could get my bag to the train and to my room. He nodded and took it.
Rhys showed up a few minutes later, even though we had 2 other victors from 9, Rhys and I are usually the mentors, and I took over for Goren after I won. "Morning Ariadne." He said.
I gave my former mentor a smile. "Morning Rhys." Rhys was 60 years old and he won the 29th hunger games at 17 years old.
"How's that beautiful little girl of yours?" He asked warmly.
I smiled. "She's good, I just hate leaving her."
Gemma, the escort for District 9 walked in. Gemma didn't go overboard on the "beauty" like all other capitol people, but she did have big green hair. "Rhys, Ariadne." She greeted.
"Gemma." I said as Rhys nodded.
"Let's begin shall we?" She asked, and walked away. I rolled my eyes, I couldn't stand most capitol people, and I could barely tolerate Gemma.
Sighing, I followed Gemma out on the stage, where the town was gathered and the camera crews ready. I took my seat on one side of the mayor and Rhys took his seat on the other side of him. Much to my distaste, Gemma sat next to me.
I got bored during Mayor Twill's speech, but I didn't let it show. "And now for our Escort, Gemma Trinket." He said, clapping his hands. Rhys and I did half-heartedly, while most people didn't.
"Welcome to the reaping of the 72nd annual hunger games." Gemma said. "And the mentors for District 9, Rhys Miller, victor of the 29th games and Ariadne Abernathy, victor of the 67th games." She greeted us each, publicly with the custom hug and kiss on each cheek.
She went on with her speech of the hunger games and Panem. "Now, ladies first." She said and reached her hand in the bowel that I figured held the girls names. "Soliel Thatcher." She said. Several people started turning back and I saw a girl come from the 15 age group and walk up on stage, she had red curls and blue eyes, a very pretty girl. Gemma shook her hand and then reached into the other bowel and take out a name.
"Barley Deere." She called out and my eyes almost widen. I believe I knew the Deere family. I searched the crowds and caught my grandmother's eye, where she was standing with Amaryllis and she in turn, nodded, confirming it.
Barley, aged 17, walked up on stage, he had dirty blonde hair and green eyes. He shook hands with Gemma and then with Soliel. "Ladies and Gentlemen. I present to you, the 72nd District 9 tributes, Soliel Thatcher and Barley Deere. Happy Hunger Games and may the odds forever be in your favor." Gemma said, and the tributes were whisked away inside by peacekeepers.
Rhys and I exchanged glances with each other as Gemma went on about capitol drama as we followed her off the stage and to the train. "I'll see you for supper." She said, heading off to her quarters to do who knows what. I sighed and headed to my room to freshen up and change into a pair of jeans and a short sleeve shirt.
I went back to the dining cart just in time for dinner, I was the second to arrive, as Rhys was already there. Soon, Barley and Soliel joined us. Rhys and I studied them for a few minutes. "What are your strengths? Your weaknesses?" I finally asked.
They looked at each other with solemn faces. "I know herbs and I've done gymnastics from an early age." Soliel replied quietly and softly.
Barley shrugged. "I've worked alongside my father and older brothers my whole life." He said and I nodded, my uncle Ashton was head over the group of workers that the Deere's were part of. Just then, Gemma came in and supper started.
"Shall we watch a recap of the reapings?" Gemma asked, once we were all done eating. I shrugged, not that we had much of a choice anyway.
We headed to the main compartment with the TV, I sat in a chair while the others were on couches. District 1 as well as District 2 both had volunteers. I couldn't help but to roll my eyes that was pretty much typical of career districts. District 3 went by and up came 4, but unlike 1 and 2, they didn't have volunteers. And both Mags and Finnick had grim expressions on their faces as the tributes were called. Finnick was my best friend, like a brother to me, and my daughter calls him "Uncle Fin." (and only Mags and I knew what the capitol made him do).
Districts 5 and 6 went by and then District 7 won last year, the victor being Johanna Mason, she was the type of person I could easily get along with, she was offered the same type of deal that was offered to Finnick and then to me, she refused it, and she lost her whole family because of it. District 8 went by without much distraction, and then our district, 10 and 11 went by and then finally, District 12.
I watched as their escort, Effie Trinket, sister to Gemma, give her speech and announce Haymitch Abernathy, and I winced as my father arrived late, and drunk, nearly tripping up the steps. I sighed and put my head in my hands as Gemma and Rhys looked at me sympathetically, if only my grandmother could see this. "Wait, did she say Abernathy?" Soliel asked, looking at me.
I sighed and nodded. "Yes, he's my father, it's a long and complicated story." I said.
We all went to bed after that and were all silent at the breakfast table that morning before an avox took my bag this morning, I had grabbed a pair of jeans, my boots and a long sleeved shirt to change into and my name tag.