Prologue
The boys were all very nervous. The next day one of them would be Reaped and most probably get his own death sentence. Not that the boys let it show but it didn't mean that the fear wasn't there. They had a victor very recently, only two years back. The boy was strong and kind and was always ready to help others. But people were wary, and rightfully so.
Sasha Flame had won his Games in a really ruthless way. His weapon had been a belt with a thin blade carved into it. It looked like any ordinary belt but it was effective in slitting throats. The children avoided him, the adults feared him and the elders shunned him. It was always behind his back for they were scared that Sasha might have a fit and cause them harm, maybe even mortal injury.
But Sasha was just a mere boy of nineteen who was slowly healing from his time in the Games. The boys found him friendly enough and the girls found him awkward for he was always so shy. Nonetheless, even out of fear, people respected him. It would be his first year of mentoring and that was another thing the boys were nervous about.
"He's inexperienced," one of them said, "We're doomed."
"He had six kills," another put in, a boy not more than thirteen in very baggy pants, "If I am Reaped, I'd like to have him as my mentor."
"What if he attacks us?"
"He won't. He's always nice."
Nice was not a word the people from Five associated with a victor. For them a Victor was a murderer, not a survivor. Little did they know of the pain it caused the children to claim lives. Nothing was ever normal, and if it did appear so, there was something very wrong.
The boys discussed their fates in the Square for some time but now evening was approaching. It was definitely time to go home. It would be the last night for one of them to spend with their family but they didn't know who it was.
Dejectedly, they went home, prayers flying from their frightened hearts.
Day after the Reapings…
The shopkeeper was relieved. Both his children were safe for another year. The day would come next year again, the day of mourning but for now he was relaxed. His daughters had gone to school now, thanking their fates for sparing them for another year. The shopkeeper didn't know what he would do if one of them was chosen. Would he be able to live?
The old woman was happy to still have her grandchildren with her. She had cried before the Reapings but they were safe. Now, they were playing in the garden and listening to her stories. A weight had been lifted off their hearts and they were happy now. Not necessarily happy, for who could find happiness in the death of their friends? But they felt relieved and safe.
But Sasha Flame was trying not to cry. It was that time again and he did not want more children to go through the horrors that he went through. There was no victory for him.
The best that could happen was that one of his tributes would return, leaving the corpse of the other behind.
Against my better judgement, here it is. My second story. I can't promise as quick updates as the previous one but I'll try my best. Do tell me what you thought of this. This isn't in any way related to my previous one. Please submit! The form is on my profile.