Hello everyone, and welcome to the 36th Hunger Games, I really hope you all enjoy the story!
This is my second story, and is a sequel to my first, the 35th Hunger Games. You don't need to have read it, but there will be some references (Spoilers) to it in this chapter and throughout the story, as the Victor from the last story will have some cameos etc. And I recommend you go read it anyway, I'm really proud of it :)
Let's get on with the prologue! Hope you all enjoy it.
It was a cold day in Panem. Snow descended from the air mercilessly, causing severe blizzards in some parts of the country. People from all over the districts were wrapped up in all the clothes they had, trying to get warm in front of the meagre fires that they had built. In the poorer districts, the citizens were lucky to have a fire at all.
Not that it was bothering anyone in the Capitol. Head Gamemaker Elroy Criswell sat at a table at one of the Capitol's most exclusive restaurants. Criswell could see the snow outside the window, but the restaurant was so well heated that he was sitting with his jacket off. The tall, dark-haired man was excited, awaiting the arrival of President Neal, who he was meeting to show the plans for this year's games.
The 35th games had been Criswell's first, and everything had gone perfectly. The descent into insanity by Murray, District 3's trap, the romance… There were too many memorable moments to list, and to top it all off there had been a worthy victor in Salton Calder.
A career winner who is now being completely obedient… Neal was pleased. Criswell smiled to himself as he remembered how the President had congratulated him after the games had concluded.
But now, Criswell knew that the pressure was on. He fiddled with his short beard as he thought about how the second year was always the hardest for a new Head Gamemaker, as the capitolites now expected even better from him. But that was the nature of the job, and Criswell had known this coming in. He was determined to establish his name in history.
At that moment, President Neal came into the restaurant, approaching his table. You could feel the presence of the man whenever he walked into a room, he carried an aura of intimidation. Neal was tall, with a completely bald head, a dark goatee being the only hair remaining on his head. Criswell stood up to greet him, shaking his hand with a smile on his face. "President Neal, a pleasure as always."
"Thank you Criswell." Neal replied, not returning the smile. "Let's order some wine." He added as he sat down. Neal clicked his fingers, and the nearest waiter hurried over.
"Yes President Neal, what can I get for you?" The waiter looked visibly nervous.
"I'll have a bottle of your best house wine. And what is the meal of the day?"
"Today we have the braised pork loin with caramelised potatoes."
Neal smiled. "Sounds great. Two of those as well." As the waiter hurried off, Neal turned to Criswell. "Now, let's get to it."
"Of course sir." Criswell grinned, excited to show the President his plans for the new arena. "I think you especially will enjoy this arena." He added as he handed the folder over to Neal. The President thumbed through the documents, his smile increasing the more he read.
"My my…" Neal said as he laid the folder down on the table. "You really have out-done yourself this year, haven't you?"
"Thank you Sir." Criswell replied. He could hardly contain his excitement.
"So, World War 1. I'm a big fan." Neal said. "So fascinating. There has been such a trend in the Capitol towards studying war history as of late." He paused in thought. "And the potential for twists is enormous."
"Just you wait Sir." Criswell responded excitedly. "I think even you'll be surprised!"
"Maybe Criswell. Maybe." Neal smirked as he turned his attention to the next page of the folder, the list of tributes.
Tributes for the 36th Hunger Games:
D1 Girl- Ruby Charoite (18) (Nlby001)
D1 Boy- Cabe Snowdon (18) (100GOD)
D2 Girl- Tamica Catastrophe (18) (Platrium)
D2 Boy- Jason Stone(18) (Greywolf44)
D3 Girl- Astrid Abati (17) (Scarletmask27)
D3 Boy- Zekius Pike (15) (Readermaster)
D4 Girl- Willa Tressida (18) (Celebrity01)
D4 Boy- Copper Langley (18) (the consulting marauder)
D5 Girl- Ingrid Abbott (15) (EllaRoseEverdeen)
D5 Boy- Sorrel layton (17) (Amy's bones)
D6 Girl- Samantha Bracanto (17) (Domgk115)
D6 Boy- Aximand Rail (17) (Nemris)
D7 Girl- Jade Lee (15) (megaraptor789)
D7 Boy- Daron Yew (18) (Knife)
D8 Girl- Chandra Collins (15) (XxErineilxX)
D8 Boy- Alan Rivers (17) (Adrikinetic)
D9 Girl- Bernadette Durum (15) (TheAmazingJAJ)
D9 Boy- Leaf Saint-Oak (12) (Cragmiteblaster)
D10 Girl- Elizabeth Adler (17) (Bubblesofthenine)
D10 Boy- Bronn Davis (17) (Beastman2764)
D11 Girl- Lauren Jaregui (18) (Angkoror)
D11 Boy- Atsuko Endo (16) (Ultraaug)
D12 Girl- Raven Marybird (16) (Nicol2311)
D12 Boy- Edmonton Corisell (12) (66samvr)