6 FEET UNDER
PLOT - It turns out that all the fallen tributes from each and every Hunger Games are brought back to life to live in an underground hideaway
called 'Tributes Village.' However, they are segregated only with the tributes from their own year of participating in the Games. The tributes
living here nickname it District F (F for Fallen.) This is seen as a blessing for they are given another chance to live, but also a curse as they face
their killers every day for the rest of their lives. Not forgetting they are never allowed to go back to the outside world and see their families
again.
It is here that the girl from District 8, Marina, who was killed by the Careers at her little campfire, falls in love with not only an unlikely choice
but also someone who took part in her death!
CHAPTER 1
I opened my eyes slowly. Light blinded them, so I crinkled my face and blinked my eyes a few times. I sat up slowly. I tight painful cramp gripped
my stomach. I had to support myself on my elbows; my muscles shook. The room I was in was entirely white. It reminded me of when I was
being waxed and shaved in the Capitol, the night before the Tribute Parade, before all the training began, before the interviews, before The
Hunger Games. That's when it hit me; The Capitol! I turned my head slowly due to a stiff neck and slight headache. I was attached to two or three
coloured drips and was lying in a hospital bed in a medical room. I was wearing a comfy, blue cotton nightdress.
At that moment, a door opened from the right hand side. I hadn't noticed this door, because it was white and well camouflaged by the other white
walls. A man with abnormally pale skin and bright orange hair that was slightly spiked walked in, his body covered in a long blue tunic and baggy
white trousers and he was holding a clipboard in his hands. He smiled at me, flashing pristine white teeth with little specks of gold in them.
"Ah, good! You're awake at last!" he exclaimed. "W-Where am I ?" I stammered. "Oh darling, you're in the Capitol, bless! You're so cute, you
really didn't think you were back in your own district did you?" he laughed. No, I definitely knew I wasn't in District 8; these facilities weren't even
close t being affordable for us.
"My name's Jasper and I'm your case worker," he explained, "now, I suppose you're wandering exactly what's happening, my little chicken!" His
pet names and funny accent made me giggle and he was so adorably camp too! "Well, since you participated in the games, you were obviously
removed from the arena and brought here for us to fix you up again. Since then, high end professionals have been working their shoes and
socks off to bring you - all of you - back to life, in order for you to move on with your new lives!" Jasper appeared to be very excited at the prospect
of this and started giggling like a teenage girl who'd just received her first kiss! Hang on a sec, I thought to myself, brought back to life? All of
us? "Sorry," I began, "w-what do you mean 'brought back to life?' " I asked cautiously. Jasper looked at me perplexed for a moment, before
raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow at me and then giggling hysterically. "Oh, you're so adorable Marina!" he spluttered. How the hell did he
know my name? "It's the same with all you tributes. Every year actually. You're all so naive, bless your little cotton socks!" I was blushing really
badly; I hated being laughed at and mocked - well, does anybody? After he composed himself, Jasper continued: "You're actually the last one to
wake up, so I don't blame you for being a little slow. You've been asleep for a round five weeks more than the others, due to the amount of
internal injury you'd experienced. Goodness, the kids in that arena certainly gave you a good 'what for' in that arena! I thought at one point that
you'd never make it. Anyway, you have, you're awake, you're healthy and are ready to be taken downstairs!" Jasper clapped his hands in glee,
helped me into a wheelchair after removing my drips and turning off the life support which I no longer needed. As he wheeled me out of the
room, all I could think of was, what the hell did he mean by "we're going downstairs?" So I asked him, as he wheeled us into an elevator and
pushed a button with the number 74 on it. Jasper explained that the fallen tributes are sent to live for the rest of their lives in an underground home
called 'Tributes Village' which everyone now nicknamed District F. District F, I thought, didn't think we had one of those. I was then pushed into
a room with the words District 8 Female written on the door. "Now, in five minutes you'll need to eat with the others for lunch. It will quench your
oh-so tender tum-tum!" he giggled. I smiled. Bless him, he only means well, I thought. And yes, my tummy was very tender. Jasper then helped
me out of my nightie and into a white lacy bra and panties set. I didn't really mind him helping me because he seemed like he wasn't interested
in girls of any age, so I wasn't bothered. God I was thin, and hungry! He then helped my slip into a blue cotton dress, with a flared summer skirt
and buttons which were a slightly darker blue going up the middle, before stepping into dark blue pumps. Jasper then sat me down and styled
my hair, so it was clipped to the side with a side bun, and lots of little ringlets flowing down it. He left some of my fringe hanging over my forehead
casually, before applying minimalistic make up, which including a nude lip balm, thin line of black eyeliner across my lids and creamy blush on
my cheeks. Dare I say it, I actually looked really pretty! A little bit innocent but that was my angle from the moment I was reaped.
I looked at myself again, twirled for Jasper and then I looked at myself again; I realised I might actually look beautiful. I hugged him and thanked
him. He seemed proud of his handiwork! He then led me gently to a door which said Dining Room. Inside I heard animated chatter and
laughing. It was them, the other fallen tributes. "Now don't worry," said Jasper, "they've been together a while since the games so they know
each other well now and have bonded. They'll love you, Marina. You'll became great friends of theirs!" And with that he left, turning back to look
at me and smiling brightly. I opened the door, and stepped in. The room fell deathly silent as I stood by the door. I scanned the room and
vaguely recognised everyone. But that's when I saw him; Marius. My thirteen year old brother who was reaped alongside me to represent our
District this year. I still do not believe that we reaped together by chance or any coincidence. I am sure Snow had had a say in it. My eyes
began to glaze over with tears and so did his. He stood up, rushed over to me and we hugged each other tightly. We kissed each others cheeks,
crying and smiling at each other. I caressed his sweet, handsome face. My little brother, killed during the Bloodbath, when I ran off in a state
of panic to the forest not looking back. And then I saw his face in the sky that evening shortly before my own death. "i'm sorry," I said to him.
He squeezed my hand to show that it didn't matter. Everyone suddenly began to clap for us. The fox-faced girl with the beautiful red hair stood
up for us and so did the sweet little girl form District 11. We were also given two gleaming smiles from the boy from District 4 and the girl from
District 3. Marius and I wiped away the tears from our eyes, as he led me to the brown circular table, ladened with rich looking food. I sat down.
I didn't really know where to look, but that's when I noticed them. Directly sat opposite me were the four people who had taken my life. They
had intimidated us all since the first day of training had begun and were responsible for over half of our deaths. They were the Careers. We all
knew that they'd be the ones to watch out for. They were from Districts 1, 2 and occasionally 4 (not this year for District 4 however) and were
the Capitol's lapdogs, loved and adored by them, particularly District 2, although District 1 was just as rich. Because of this, the children of
these districts were trained until the age of eighteen for the games, making them lethal opponents. They nearly always volunteered and
nearly always one. Not this year, though! The Careers had definitely recognised me, and I was wondering why I'd been so afraid of them.
They sat so awkwardly in front of me and looked so humble. Eventually the sort of pretty blonde from District 1, Glimmer, locked eyes with me.
They weren't sparkly like they were the night of the interviews when she wore that sassy gold dress. Her hair was in a messy bun and looked
greasy and seemed to have lost it's colour. Not to mention the very noticeable dark circles beneath her eyes. Wow, I thought, the games
don't just change you mentally but physically too I thought. We smiled awkwardly at each other. I then locked eyes with Clove, 'the girl with
the knives' Marius and I nicknamed her. She was from District 2. Like Glimmer, her long, once luscious glossy, dark hair hung in a weak
ponytail, but looked a little bit lanky. Hey eyes had also lost their dangerous, mischievous glow. She looked very tired. She nodded
politely at me. I didn't and couldn't look at the two boys cat and Marvel. So instead I began to get to know the other tributes, although I already
knew the boy from 4 and the girl from 3 well as Marius had sort of befriended them during training as they were all thirteen. As all the other
tributes, except the Careers, sat alone, I sat with marries and his friends. I just wanted to protect him, all of them actually. Great job I did of
that. I also spoke the fox-faced girl, who I learned was called Jessica. She was from District 5 and was very intelligent. I also spoke to both
tributes from District 11. The boy, who's name was Thresh, surprised me. Despite not speaking much in training or at his interview with
Ceasar, he was actually the life and should of the group. He good sense of humour, a laugh which made you laugh and a contagious bright
smile. I instantly liked him; I think most of the other tributes did actually. And then I got to know Rue. She was sweet, but very intelligent for
her age. She told me all about her life back home, which was one she could never and would never return to. And then I was introduced
properly to the other Careers. Although everyone else were clearly over their deaths, including Marius, I wasn't. This was still all too new for
me. But I didn't want to ruin the good moods of everyone else, so I put on a brave face and joined in. Marvel, the boy from one, with the
quirky smile found everything funny, he seemed unable to take anything seriously. He had a slightly purvey mind. Everyone sighed at this
but then would smile and laugh at it. Only Clove seemed good at shutting him up, she had attitude and was quick with comebacks. This
made us all laugh harder. Eventually, I began to feel at ease in the group and put everything aside. It wasn't actually that hard to do! I
joined in several conversations with the Careers; that was me, always one with an opinion. Glimmer complimented the way I looked.
When I returned the compliment, she squealed with delight - she hadn't lost the girlish side to her just yet! "So Marina," began Jessica,
"we've told you about us. But what about you?" Then Rue piped up, "are you as good at dance as Marius said you were?!" "Rue!" Marius
shouted. He was blushing. I threw my head back and laughed; I'd missed doing that. It was then that I noticed Cato looking at me curiously.
"Well," I began nervously, "I really enjoy dance. There was an older woman in the district who taught dance, not as a paying job but just
for fun. It used to calm me down when I was worried so I danced a lot particularly when the Reapings were coming up." Glimmer spoke
up: "What kind of dance did you do? I used to do ballet but not for long." All eyes were back on me. "I did Jazz and Lyrical mainly, but I
started with ballet." "Could you teach me to dance?" Rue asked. She was so bold for a girl of twelve, not to mention cute! "Yeah, me too"
asked Jessica. "Same for me!" said Glimmer. Suddenly all the girls except Clove and the girl from seven were asking. "Er, sure," I
replied unsteadily. How the hell had this just happened. Thresh laughed at this, probably from the look of shock and surprise creeping in
on my face. I had to say it, the meal was delicious and had really eased my stomach. I had spicy fried chicken in a creamy barbecue sauce
and fresh green salad with fries coated in mozzarella cheese. The best thing was how much we could eat, and I was starving. I had at
least three platefuls, and as usual, Thresh found this funny. "HUngry much?" he laughed. I also found this funny, due to the fact everyone
was either laughing or had raised an eyebrow with only one plate of food compared to my total of three. "You know that you can also
order food up from your room, so either way you won't go hungry," Clove informed me.
After dinner, I was given the official tour by Jess, Rue, Thresh, Glimmer and Marvel. Cato and Clove kept themselves to themselves.
They'd been the quietest at dinner. I wasn't sure if it was because of me though. I was shown the common room which had a massive
television. But then I was shown the training room. It was similar to the one during the three days before the games. However, there was
no weaponry inside. Their were punchbags and a boxing/wrestling ring if you wanted something violent though! There were some
agility courses but not as dangerous as in the old centre upstairs. There were also simpler monkey bars and rope climbs and rock
climbing activities. There were also basketball courts and hoops, indoor cross country tracks, tennis courts and a fitness suite, filled
with treadmills and x bikes. It was a ginormous training centre. I looked into the fitness suite and noticed Cato doing push ups before
moving onto weights whilst Clove was going for it on the treadmill. "They're always in there," explained Glimmer, "apart from dinner and
things they don't really socialise." I kind of understood why, training was all they knew and was probably they only way they could
slowly adjust to this new life. I was surprised that Glimmer and Marvel weren't in the same position but they seemed naturally like social
bunnies anyway! I was then led to a room, which was also pretty huge. There were mirrors alongside one side of the wall, barres along
the opposite side and a deluxe looking sound system in the corner. It was a dance studio. Thresh once again burst out laughing when
he saw the look of surprise from what I'd discovered this room to be. "We thought you might like it!" Jess winked at me. "Like it? I
flipping love it!" I exclaimed. This really set everyone off and they immediately bombarded me with a group hug. Then Marius ran in.
"I see you found the dance studio then?" he asked. He ran in to join the hug. This was super cute. We did seem like one big family. I
knew that I might be ready to forgive, but not forget. Everyone, including Marius left me alone to dance. I turned on the sound system,
and began dancing. I chenne turned, performed pirouettes and fouette turns. I then leaped around the room, ascending from jetties to
grande jetties. I then did some kicks from the corner into splits before practising my arabesques and outward round fan kicks. I also
did a few chasse passe/pas de boures combinations before putting on more lyrical music. I just danced. Luckily there was a huge
ceiling fan, but there was no doubt that I enjoyed moving and getting sweaty. But one thing I didn't notice was that an audience had
gathered by the door and had snuck in whilst I was dancing. I turned and saw Glimmer, Marvel, Rue, Thresh, Jessica, Marius, even
Clove and Cato - who had sweat gleaming over his muscle - were watching intently. I flushed as everyone started applauding me. "I
told you so!" exclaimed an excited Marius. "She's amazing!" Everyone nodded in agreement. Damn it, this was so awkward. God
damn Marius' good nature, bless him. I know he only meant well though. "Wow, Marina, that was so good," squealed Glimmer. "You
have to teach me!" Rue chimed in, "you've actually got no choice!" The sudden authoritative tone in her voice made us all laugh
loudly. I quickly turned off the music and politely pushed past everyone saying goodnight and that I was tired. I actually wasn't, I just
found the situation too awkward. My dress had little sweat patches so I quickly changed into a red loose blouse and black shorts. It was
whilst I was changing that I noticed the long red scars covering most of my tummy. I looked at my scarred body. The doctors could've
removed these scars, but I knew why they hadn't/ They were a reminder that we were the losers, the casualties of the games. To
show everyone that we were the fallen. It was then that I noticed tears falling down my cheeks, hot and wet. But it was then that I
felt a strong hand caress my stomach and stroke my scars…