Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.
Note: I had been planning to wait a few months before this began, but due to certain factors in life causing me sadness...I felt writing would be a good way to vent. What started as simply one scene written ahead of time soon turned into the entire first chapter. So yes, this is Book 2 of Urchin's story, a direct follow-on from Hot Water. Just as Book 1 very much differed from Katniss' story, so will Book 2 greatly differ from Catching Fire. But in what ways remains to be seen. Now, Wounded Warsong is still very much going to be written and happening, but...I've just been busy and uninspired for it, but do rest assured it is not cancelled. I'm not sure how frequent or not updates will be, but either way I hope you all enjoy chapter one of Burning Snow.
The 74th Annual Hunger Games...I'll never forget them, no matter how much I want to. It's hard enough to forget what you see on TV when it's so scary and makes you need your parents so badly...but I was there. I saw the full unabridged events that went on.
I saw the Cornucopia Bloodbath and all the carnage up close, nearly losing my life in the process.
I got stung by Tracker-jackers and only lived because of sponsors and the kindness of another tribute…
I committed murder that still haunts me now…
I saw friends be killed right in front of me, alive one moment and dead the next…
I had older and stronger tributes coming after me all the time, leaving me in constant paranoia and terror that they may find me…
I saw a girl who had tormented me all through the Games boil to death in hot water…
...I fell in love and, against all the odds and my own fears, I won the games...and so did my girlfriend, Rue from District 11.
But even though I never have to fear the Games again, never have to fear a reaping or a Mutt or a Bloodthirsty Career...I can't stop feeling uneasy, and afraid. I didn't know it at the time...I only acted on instinct and my own thoughts in the moment...but my stunt to save Rue, using my late friend Katniss' tribute token as a weapon, my own token poisoning somebody...apparently the Capitol is angry at me.
Can't say I'm happy with them either, really.
This is how it has been for almost three months now. Constant thinking, bad memories, nightmares...Finnick says it gets better over time, but I just don't know. I mean...this is something that not many twelve year olds go through. Or at least, they do not go through it and live...
My name is Urchin Hook, I'm twelve years old and am from District 4, the District of Fishing. I'm also the youngest person to ever win the Hunger Games. And I have no idea what is coming next next in my life.
"Urchin, come out of the pool sweetie! It's dinner time," my mother calls.
This is how I have been spending a lot of time. In the pool of my house in the Victor's Village, just floating...sometimes I let myself sink, but I always come back up. I just can't...let go. Without this pool, I do not know what I would do...the water and the ripples, they give me a lot of comfort.
And the water is nice and cold. After my Games, I don't go near hot water anymore. Because when I do...Glimmer…
I shake my head as I swim to the edge of the pool and climb out. My curly hair is dripping wet, and my young, scrawny body lacks the usual build of a champion...but, it's me. And I prefer looking this way than dead on the ground with my throat slit.
Drying off doesn't take long. The Capitol really did not spare any expense in the Victor's Village, and so I have shower much like the one they had in the Tribute Building. But still, for a while I just stand in the shower, letting the water drip away before I turn on the drying function. Moments of solitude are precious to me. Finnick says that once you win, you never get left alone...sure, no more fighting to the death, but people know you and want to talk to you. I've only been to the Capitol twice since my Games, but each time I had my hair ruffed, got pulled in for pictures, had people screaming my name…
It was horrible...I just want to stay here, and go fishing…
"Urchin! The dinner is on the table!" my mother calls again.
Well, I can't delay this. Besides...at least during a family dinner I'm around people who understand. Ever since the games, Uncle Finnick has stopped over more than usual. I'm grateful.
I just wish I could see Rue more than just once a month. But, the two times we have seen each other since the Games...I'd not trade those days for anything. I have to say, District 11 has some amazing fruit pastries.
I finish drying off and get back into my usual wear. A far cry from my tribute uniform, the same uniform I burned to ash at my first chance, I wear a simple blue shirt with a shark on it and a pair of casual jeans. District 4 made, of course. Capitol fashion just makes me cringe.
Before I go, I check my pocket. Good, the starfish is still there...the token that saved me and Rue before Marvel speared us...if I'd not found this all those years ago…
"Don't think about it, don't think about it..." I tell myself firmly.
I lightly kick open the door and head inside, closing it behind me. It doesn't make a sound.
(A few minutes later…)
Ever since winning, our budget has gone up. We were never really poor or starving, pretty much in the middle really, but we always knew that it could be better. Well, now it is better. Our living standard at least.
My mind, less so.
Mum, dad, Ula and myself sit around the mahogany table, quietly eating dinner. Red Snapper seasoned with spices and served upon fresh carrots and sweetcorn. It's delicious, as is every meal now, but I can't get the sour taste of how it was won out of my mouth.
This meal was paid for by the lives of twenty two kids…
"You spent a lot of time in the pool today Urchin," my mother says.
"Yeah, well, gotta keep my swimming skill sharp," I say without much enthusiasm.
"What's wrong Urchy?" Ula asks. So innocent and young…
"I'm fine. Just, uh, very tired from that movie I was in," I reply. I can't tell her the harshest of details...she's too young.
"Will you be in another one?" Ula asks with wide eyes.
"...I'd rather not be," I say quietly. "You know me, shy to a fault. Eheheheh..."
I can see mum and dad exchanging wary looks. I know what's on their mind. The Quell. Every twenty five years, the rules change in some way and make things even worse than usual. The first time the Districts picked their tributes...the second time there was double the usual number...I have no idea what it might be this time, but I don't want to think about it.
I start picking at my meal again. At least I won already, so I'm safe from anymore Games. I wonder what it'll be like for the Tributes this year. The Quell twist, the Arena, the bloodshed…
"I'm not hungry anymore," I say, as I get up and head in the direction of my room.
"See you later Urchy!" Called Ula, her mouth full of fish.
I don't need to look around to see it, but I know my parents are probably looking at each other in worry. They know I'm not the same kid I once was.
Will I ever be the same? No. Talking with Finnick helps, but he's often busy and there's nobody my age who truly understands...well, nobody except Rue. Sadly, I won't be able to see her for several weeks.
(Some time passes…)
I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. The bed is said to be Panem's finest, stuffed with feathers and made for pure comfort. It's nice to bounce on it as well...not that I, uh, do that very often. Around the room is my stuff. Shells from the beach, fishbones mounted on plaques, my rod over in the corner and even my own TV. Such are the luxuries of surviving The Hunger Games.
"...Why can't I feel safe…?" I say to myself, rolling over onto my side.
I lay quietly, trying to find it in me to fall asleep. But like with most nights, dreams will not come to me for a while yet. I can only sigh as I sit up. Looks like it's late night TV for me again.
Sadly, there is nothing much on. Just a rerun of a Fiona and Lawrence episode I've already seen, adult action movies I don't really like, a documentery on toothpaste...nothing.
"...Huh?" I say as the screen fizzles for a moment before the Capitol Seal is displayed, the anthem playing. "Wonder what this is about."
It's a riot. An armed protest of sorts. It's on amber alert. Wait...is that in District 1? They...they never riot!
I sit there quietly, watching the screen. The woman on the screen talks of the 'senseless violence' and how it is not the way to respond to the 'generous Capitol'. Her words make me feel ill.
The screen shows District 1 and pans around it. Whoa...they really have it good there. It looks so fancy, so upper class...it's like a city sized Victor's Village. Wait...what's that?
...Oh…
It looks like it's a protest in...in the memory of Gimmer. People are yelling, screaming...she must have been beloved in her District…
The screen shows the woman again who briefly talks of how Glimmer made a sacrifice and has already been given her due. She then starts to talk about a thunderstorm rolling into 8, but I've heard enough. I sleepily sigh and lay my head on the pillows, closing my eyes.
I'm gonna have to go to District 1 in the Victor's Tour.
No matter how much I try, I just cannot forget the finale...Weldar being torn apart by those Wolf Mutts which I still think were more than they seemed to be...the boiling water rising to consume the Arena...battling Glimmer alongside Rue on top of the Cornucopia...Glimmer boiling to death…
I close my eyes tightly and hold a pillow over my head, trying to keep myself together.
"...District One is going to lynch me..." I whisper fearfully.
(The Next Morning…)
The ringing of my alarm wakes me up. I groan, my mouth dry, as I roll over, my arm lazily hitting the clock to try and turn it off. It takes a few attempts...oh my God, that sounds annoying...but, thank goodness, its off now.
"I know, quite the unlikely Champion." says a voice.
Wait...is that Caesar Flickerman?
I sit up, looking around. Oh...I left the TV on. It's currently showing Caesar and Claudius...and footage of my Games. It's footage of me at the Bloodbath, watching the carnage in fear. I see myself frantically grabbing supplies and turning to run.
"And in this moment, just think, if the boy from 2 had not been looking away...everything would have changed." Claudius says.
"Remarkable really, how a small change and one extra tribute escaping the bloodbath can make everything completely alter from how it could have been. It makes me even more eager for the Quell," Claudius agrees.
I quickly turn the TV off, shaking a little. They didn't even talk about Cato's name...we're just tributes to them...not people.
"Why did I expect anything different?" I say with a sigh. "Hopefully after the Quell they'll forget all about me."
I dress myself. Same clothes as yesterday because...well, I'm lazy. It's a school day today, so I can't stay in the house for long. Downstairs, quick breakfast and out the door. It's still early, so I should be on time.
Even Victor's get detention.
I run down the stairs and towards the kitchen. I should have just enough time for a few slices of toast and maybe a bowl of cereal.
"Urchin, you have a visitor," my mother says, passing me a plate of warm, crispy toast. "He's in the living room."
"Shouldn't my friends be on the way to school?" I ask. Why would they come here? We always meet up in the schoolyard before class starts.
"Oh, he's not one of your friends...well, uh, maybe...just head into the living room darling," my mother says, becking me to go. She sounds...anxious.
Munching on a rich slice of toast I enter the living room, not knowing quite what, or rather who, to expect.
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...Seeing President Snow sitting in one of the comfy armchairs was just about the last thing I had expected to happen.
Besides life being fair that is.
"...Uh...hello Mr President..." I say, not knowing quite well else I can, or should, say.
"Good morning Urchin. Please, take a seat," Snow says politely. He gestures to the chair across from him.
I awkwardly sit down in it as President Snow slowly sips from a cup of tea. Soon enough he stops and puts it down on the small table beside his chair.
"Quite the darling sister you have," President Snow begins. "She thought my beard was amazing. Ah, to be that young and carefree again, right?"
"Right. But...we all have to grow up eventually...find our place in the world..." I say nervously.
Finnick tells me that this man has had many people killed, even outside the Games. I've never questioned Snow as I never expected to meet him...now that he is here, I feel a lot younger and smaller than I normally do…
"I agree. I found my place the President...you found your place as a Victor...one who my Capitol citizens are really admiring lately...even my Granddaughter likes you," President Snow says slowly, calmly observing me.
"Um...I g-g-guess girls love the curls?" I say, trying to smile. Please don't kill me, please don't kill me…
"It would seem to be the case. I know Rue likes them," President Snow agrees. "Ah, Rue...been a while since District 11 had their last Champion...at the end of the last Games, her District was very happy. So was yours, of course. Urchin, I know your grades are decent, you're a smart kid...do you see what I am getting at, and why I came to visit you? Something I seldom do for even the most popular of Victors?"
Because you want to kill me…
"Because you want to give me tips on mentoring in case one of my friends gets Reaped?" I say, trying and really, really hoping Snow cannot see how bad a liar I am.
Snow chuckles...he chuckles like a Grandfather would. It's almost creepy how warm it sounds…
"My boy, you are a great many things...good things...but a skilled liar is not among them. Being President, I know how to spot liars quickly. I've said this to a few people before, and now I shall say it to you...I think we can make this a lot easier for both of us if we simply agree to not lie to each other," President Snow says, now looking firm. "Now, what is the main rule of The Hunger Games?"
"...No cannibalism?" I say timidly. I mean, technically I'm not actually lying…
"I can see you think that just because, technically, you are not lying that I will stay patient." President Snow remarks. "No. While that is admittedly a rule, the main rule is...only one victor. Did you notice something about the last Games that differed from this rule?"
I'm about to speak, but it dies in my throat as Snow continues.
"You caused two victor's...two people came home. And both were from different Districts. Now, if it was two from the same it would be bad enough, but I could live with it in time...but this, this has made me feel...displeased. Seneca Crane found that out the hard way...he is not above the rules of the Games either," President Snow says coolly. "Not just that...you used Miss Everdeen's tribute token to land the final blow on Glimmer...and your own token poisoned another Tribute. To be frank, I am not happy with you and what you have caused. Riots are of course nothing new, but they are becoming more common now. You've stirred up some rebellion."
I wish Ula would come in, asking to play...or maybe mum would come in with a harpoon gun. Anything to get away really...but Snow wants an answer...he said no lies, so maybe the truth will make him not want to kill me?
"I didn't mean to do that! I wasn't trying to cause any rebellion!" I insist frantically. "I just didn't have it in me to hurt my friend...I'm only twelve! And with Katniss's token...I just reacted when I was in so much danger! And...isn't it the responsibility of the Review Board to have made sure that my token was ok? I didn't know it was poisonous! I didn't tell Marvel to bite it!"
Snow just looks at me silently. I told him the truth...the door is open, and I think I can run faster than Snow could. Maybe if I could just reach the Docks and stow away on a fishing boat…
"My boy, I know you did not mean to cause such problems," President Snow say calmly. "And rest assured, the replacements on the Review Board will ensure that will not happen again. But the fact is, things still happened and there are consequences of that. Do behave yourself when people watch you and do not stir up anything else of this nature...I want to be able to like you...be careful."
This is clearly a threat, to a magnitude I probably cannot image.
Or perhaps I do not want to imagine it…
Even so, I just slowly nod my head. Snow looks at me coldly, but he soon nods in satisfaction.
"No more stunts, and I think we might be able to co-exist," President Snow says as he gets up to his feet. "I think, Games aside, there is something we both want to see happen."
"And...what's that?" I ask. Chances are a Panem free of the Games is not what Snow has in mind. Nor is having his own fishing boat…
"Your sister to grow up safe and without harm or incident to befall her," President Snow says very calmly, his point clear.
Oh crap...oh crap, crap, crap…
"I do want that..." I say quietly. I can't stand up to a threat like that…
"Good," President Snow says with a nod. "You'd best be on you way now Urchin. It's almost time for school."
I'm quickly up and heading for the door, but it seems Snow has one more thing to say.
"And be sure to watch tonight's announcement. Its mandatory, as always. I think you'll find it...relevant," Snow says with a tone that shows the conversation is over.
I give a quick nod and run out the door. Down the path and out towards the gate of the Victor's Village.
And past the Graveyard all of the fallen tributes from my District have been put to rest in.
Marina…
I try not to think about it as I jog down to the streets of the District. At least the sweet smell of familiar seawater can distract me for a while.
Looking up at the Clocktower up ahead I can see I have five minutes to get to class. Just like that I begin to sprint. I may be scrawny and not the typical Victor, but I am fast. And that's all I need to get to class on time.
My pool may be a source of comfort for me, but I enjoy morning runs through the District as well. I wave at the fishermen on their boats, heading out for a day full of fishing. They honk the horns of their boats back at me. I smile to myself, running along the docks, leaping over a bucket of bait. I almost trip over as I skid to turn a corner and run towards a nearby street.
Normally I'd not get any glances as I run through the street to class, except maybe somebody yelling that I should have woken up earlier...but ever since I won the Games, everybody now knows who I am. People give me waves on the street, sometimes let me have a free bun at the bakery, others give me gentle looks of something close to understanding...I can appreciate being cared for, and it helps...but I'd rather just go back to being the quiet boy and one of many.
The streets of District 4 are very curved and interconnected and to younger kids are a bit like a maze, but as I spent a lot of my life outdoors and enjoying very simple pleasures with friends, like tag, I know this place like the back of my hand. I easily keep up my pace, running past open stores selling fishing supplies, clothing and food.
I smile as I inhale the scent of fish chowder. It's even better than the smell of the open sea.
It's not more than a minute longer before I turn onto a new street where school is located. The big building, which pre-dates the Dark Days, stands tall and firm. In some ways, it reminds me of the Capitol...tall and firm...except it's a pleasant place. After the Games, I don't like being away from my friends for very long. And now that they're all of Reaping age, that feeling on unease gets to me more and more. Them as well.
I shake my head as I run through the open gate of the school just in time to see everybody heading inside for the first class. I cast away the bad thoughts I have, I can hide them for now.
It's just two hours of Math. Boring, but at least there is no chance of violence tagged to it.
(Just over two hours later…)
Math may not be violent, but it does drain me a bit. Thankfully, the Capitol at least allows school to have recess. And so, I find myself sitting under a tree with four people I consider to be my closest friends. Gill, a well built ginger boy known for asking a lot of questions and being sneaky when the chips are down. Tack, the smallest boy in our grade who is the most timid thing, but with a knowledge of fish and their habits nobody else has yet matched. Dory, the flirt of the schoolyard. She's had four boyfriends this year...I think she had a thing for me as well before I met Rue. And lastly, Coral…she's the tough girl who makes sure everybody knows she's not scared of anything. But we know she's softer than she lets on...like me, she just wants to be strong for those she loves.
Normally the five of us would talk about a great many things. TV, funny stories, legends of the sea...but, even since I came back from the Games alive, our topics have begun to go a bit of a different route.
One I'm not really happy about. But do I blame them? No. Like me, they are scared.
"Ok, so is it better to run away from the Cornucopia, or try to grab something?" Tack asks me.
"Obviously getting something. You never know what the Arena will be, and without supplies we'd be dead," Dory insists.
"I'd run for my life, and hope I could hunt for food or get some sponsors," Gill says, before tapping his chin. "...Maybe come back once night falls and take something when nobody is there."
"But they might leave a guard," Tack says nervously. "A big, massive District 2 brute!"
"They aren't so tough. Urchin took Cato down easy," Coral assures the others confidently. "Look, Urchin is proof that 12 year olds can win. We'd just do what he did."
"But if Cato hadn't been looking away..." Tack murmurs. Oh, the 'grand what-if' people love to talk about…
"Well he was, and we have our pal back," Gill says, patting me on the back. "Ok Urchin, what I want to know is...what would you say is the better weapon? Knives or spears?"
"Well, I used knives but I did not really do much fighting..." I reply awkwardly. I glance at the school and suddenly wish class had not ended yet.
"Spears are good," Coral says with a nod. "You can keep people from getting too close to you."
"Yeah, but knives are quicker," Gill replies. "And you can throw them with less training than you'd need for a spear."
"Do you n-need a weapon though?" Tack asks timidly. "It's not about being vicious...j-just living the longest..."
"And you can do what Urchin did and speed up the process by maybe killing a few bad guys," Gill says with a nod. "Right pal? Those Careers had nothing on you!"
"They had names. Cato, Marvel, Clove...Glimmer..." I reply, looking away. "Say, uh, did any of you watch Fiona and Lawrence last night?"
"Couldn't. Was too busy thinking, are alliances a good idea?" Asked Gill.
"Yes! More people to protect you!" Tack says shakily.
"No! They'd just hurt you first, and we're only kids. We'd be a meat shield," Coral says, shaking her head.
How have things come to this? Where a group of twelve year old talk about murder and survival so offhand…
"I need to be alone. I...need some water," I say, getting up and making a beeline for the bathroom.
"But we need to know where the best place to find water in the Arena is," Tack begs.
"Ask Mags!" I yell as I quickly enter the bathroom.
(A little over half an hour later…)
I sit in the corner of the bathroom, my knees drawn up. It never ends...even when you win and never have to be Reaped again, it just never ends…
I know they care for me. Lord knows I care about them so much...my friends...but I wish they'd not talk about it so much…
Class has probably started by now, but I can't go back...not yet...not until I calm down. I wonder if Rue ever feels like this...was she visited by Snow as well? Oh, my poor little apple…
"Hey," a voice says. "You alright?"
I look up as Dory sits down next to me. She gives me a gentle look.
"I shouldn't have gotten angry," I say, sighing. "It's just...talking about it is so hard. You saw it on TV, but to actually be there..."
Dory gives me a hug. No ulterior motive, just a hug from one friend to another.
"I was sent to find you...you don't need to hurry back. Mr Minnow, he understands you need time..." Dory says comfortingly. "We're sorry, you know…it's just that we're all scared, and want to survive if we get picked. We thought for years that kids our age and size would be slaughtered at the Bloodbath every year...but you..."
"...I showed it was possible to survive," I say, understanding.
"You gave us hope...something to cling onto...you showed us it's not hopeless if we do get picked," Dory continues, withdrawing from the hug. "...We all look up to you...we admire you...we need you..."
"...It's just so much pressure for one boy to take," I say quietly. "I'm so scared Dory, about the next Reaping...I'm safe, but what about you guys? What if I have to mentor one, or even two of you...and I fail…?"
We're both silent, as there is no answer. Dory eventually speaks.
"We'd not hold it against you...it's the Capitol, not you," Dory says quietly. "Oh, I just wish I could wake up tomorrow and it'd be my nineteenth birthday..."
"...I wish it'd been my nineteenth birthday a few months ago," I say in agreement. "...It's still months until the Quell...maybe the five of us could meet up at my place sometime...have a movie night."
"That sounds lovely. Ooooo, can it be romance?" Dory asks with a giggle.
"Sure. Though, not tonight...there's an announcement we're gonna have to watch," I say, nerves entering my voice. "What do you think it'll be about?"
"I'm not sure," Dory says, tapping her chin. "But, it can't effect us, right? The next Games are ages away."
"You might be right," I say, as Dory is right. The Games are always in the summer. It's how it's always been. "But the thing is...President Snow visited me this morning...he said the announcement will be relevant to me."
Dory looks at me warily. I can't help but feel my anxiety peaking back up again.
"The President visited you...oh boy..." Dory says nervously.
"Yup..." I say quietly.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, but I know I cannot delay the inevitable. I get back to my feet and silently head to class, Dory following me. Whatever happens, will happen. I can worry about it after Math Class.
At least I have a few months before I really need to be concerned with my 'fame' and what it entails...and Dory is right, I proved it's not impossible for kids so young to come home safely.
If the worst does happen...I'm proof enough they can come home.
For the love of Panem, do not let two of my friends be Reaped…
(Time passes…)
It's almost 8PM, and I am sitting on the sofa. The minutes are snailing by until the announcement. Mum and dad sit on a separate sofa, both wary, while Ula sits next to me. She's smiling, chattering about her day, but I'm only half listening. I can't help but stare at the screen. It's blank, with only the words 'please stand by' showing on it, but very soon I'll find out probably more than I want to.
Snow said it was relevant to me...but how? The Victory Tour is a few months away, the next Games months after that...and Rue called me earlier, so I know she is safe at the moment. And just an hour ago I saw Finnick enter his house, so I know my uncle is fine. What could it be?
I reach into my pocket and gently hold my bitten starfish. It's not much, but it helps.
I am fully expecting it, but I still jump a little once the Capitol Seal shows on the TV and the Anthem begins to play. Soon enough the screen comes into focus and President Snow is on the screen. I think he might be in some kind of living room at his mansion? It's so fancy...elegance and regal flair clear upon all of the furniture. He gives a nod towards presumably every single person in Panem.
"Good evening Panem. I hope you've all had a glorious day. I know you have lives to live and jobs you must do, so I shall not take up too much of your time. The Capitol only asks for a few minutes so you may all hear this broadcast," President Snow says, calmness in his voice.
Snow places his hands upon his knees as he continues. I don't like that calm look in his eye...it's the look he gave me earlier…
"The 74th Games have come and passed, and two young winners have joined the seventy three before them. Truly a year to remember. Now, normally life would resume as normal for a time before the Victory Tour. However...owing to certain issues regarding the construction of future Arena's as well as a Review Board staff overhaul...there has been a bit of a schedule change," President Snow continues.
I am now sitting up, on full alert. What's going on? I do not like this…
"What's wrong Urchy?" Ula asks with a smile.
I just shake my head, looking at the TV.
"The Victor's Tour will now be starting tomorrow. Do not worry, our 'Littlest Victors' will be in your Districts without hassle, with times due to be made public by sunrise. Additionally, because of this schedule change the 75th Hunger Games will now be taking place in three months time during the winter. This is to become the new standard...Games in the Winter, Tour in the summer." President Snow says.
Snow looks dead on at the camera for a moment, a flicker of a smile on his face.
...He's looking at me...he knows how scared I am…
"From the Capitol, we wish you a good evening. May all of you, from our eldest and wisest to our youngest and most pure, have a safe evening," President Snow concludes.
Is it just me, or did...did Snow put emphasis on the word 'youngest'. I briefly glance at Ula and almost lose my dinner. This is because of me...I made such a massive change...such an effect…
...Because I couldn't bring myself to hurt Rue.
Dad switches off the TV while my mum puts a hand on his shoulder.
"Well...at least Urchin is safe..." Mum says, grasping for straws of comfort.
"The tour is tomorrow...we only just got him back...I can't go through any of this...not again," Dad says, head in his hands.
"He'll be safe on the Tour, Finnick will make sure of it," Mum says seriously.
As they talk I have already put my coat on.
"I'm going out for a bit. I need a walk," I say as I head for the door, knees shaking, and don't look back.
"Bye-bye Urchy, see you later," Ula says with a wave.
I don't need to look back to know mum and dad are very worried. It doesn't take a Capitol Scientist to know this change is because of me.
...But why move the Tour and Games forwards? So they could get Ula into the Games a few months early? No, it has to be something else…
If only I knew what…
(Not much later…)
The Tribute Graveyard...I always found this place to be creepy growing up, but now...now I don't feel scared. I just feel sad. Ok, maybe I am scared, but not from the Graves.
The Graves themselves are arranged in neat rows by decade of the Games. So much space remains unfilled...how long do they intend to keep these Games going on. I wish somebody strong and fearless could end them forever. Until that hero arrives, here I find myself...walking along and counting the years on the Gravestones. So many years and names...so many people who got taken away...oh no, that girl was reaped on her twelfth birthday…
"So sick and wrong..." I say to myself. "...At least if I was beneath the soil I'd not be so afraid anymore."
I stop and drop down to my knees. I've found the grave I was looking for. It's in pristine condition, a stone mermaid carved into the tombstone. But I do not care about the creepy night or the admittedly fine work done on the grave. I just care about the name on it.
Marina Pearl.
My District Partner.
For a few minutes I just sit in silence, starring at the grave. I remember Marina's funeral...it was a very sad day. Her family does not blame me...they were relieved I made it home...but my life means her death...maybe if she'd lived long enough, I could have found some way to save her as well.
"...Hey Marina. Sorry I've not been here lately...gotta do schoolwork...get good grades..." I say softly, letting out a deep sigh. "I miss you. So many people do. I remember how that first night on the train when I was crying you were able to cheer me up...how you helped me rehearse for my interview...you spared with me and...and we were able to have fun doing it..."
I let a few tears slide down my face.
"...You should have won...you'd be able to handle all this pressure and...and everything, so much better than I ever could," I say, shaking my head. "You'd stick it to Snow...kick him in the crotch and all...I can barely look him in the eye. Now the Games have been moved forwards for some reason...and I'm so afraid. I don't know what to do...I only won because I got lucky. And yet, my friends look at me and see hope...and if Snow has them Reaped by 'chance' then I just know they'll die...I'll be unable to help them...in a few years Ula will be in danger too...and Rue's family..."
I can barely hold my tears back.
"I'm only twelve...what do I do?" I whisper desperately. "...I hope you are happy, up in the Heavenly Dockyard...sailing the Sea of Plenty...I miss you..."
It has started to rain, but I don't leave. I remain kneeling as the rain falls, creating little splat sounds as it hits the ground. I don't know how much time is passing, but I just can't bring myself to leave.
Eventually I feel a blanket placed around me. I look up as Finnick kneels beside me.
"It wasn't your fault," Finnick says, firm but warm. Serious, but loving. "You are not alone Urchin. I know how it feels."
I try to put on a strong face, but I can only find myself weeping into Finnick's shoulder. He gently holds me.
"If only the other Districts could see me now..." I mutter, my eyes closed tightly. "Soon enough they will."
"And so will Rue, somebody who understands better than anybody else in Panem," Finnick assures me. "And I'll be coming on the Tour as well. I won't let you out of my sight, I promise."
"...Thanks Uncle..." I say quietly. "I'm so afraid...the Quell is soon...what's gonna happen?"
"I really don't know," Finnick admits. "I am the 'Golden Boy' of the Capitol though, so I'll see if I can learn anything. Until then...you've done good at keeping your head down."
"Really? Snow came to visit me," I whisper.
It's hard to hear, but I know Finnick just lightly gasped.
"...He'd need to kill me to get to you, and right now I am too valuable for him to issue an attack on," Finnick says, ruffling my curls. "You and Rue just give the Capitol what they want...two little kids in love. Their 'Littlest Victors'...myself and the other Victor's, we'll keep an eye out for any trouble."
"...One and Two are gonna kill me...Cato and G-Glimmer..." I mumble. I hold back the urge to vomit.
"Nobody will be able to reach the stage," Finnick says firmly. "Peacekeepers are on standby...yeah, they are a hassle, but when the Capitol want you alive they'll do anything to protect you. Now, come on, let's get you to bed."
Finnick puts on a very awkward Capitol accent, maybe even stranger than the real thing.
"It's a big, big, big day tomorrow!" Finnick says goofily.
Even with how I am feeling, I cannot help but giggle a little. At least, wherever I have to go as a Victor, I'll still have my Uncle.
And Rue.
The life of a Victor can be...rather stressful, can't it? Hard enough for a 16 year old, but for a 12 year old it's even moreso. So why the change of date? That remains to be seen, but one thing is certain...Urchin has landed himself in hot water again.
That, and the Quell twist is not the same as it was in Catching Fire...
