Hunger Games: Forced Gamble
Chapter 1 of the third story in my Hunger Games OC series, enjoy.
Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.
The Victor's Visit
The clouds in the sky threatened snow, the air was crisp yet chill; despite this life continued as normal for the people of District 12. Yet the atmosphere was charged, there were signs of people getting ready for something big. Even in Victor's Village; where the District 12 winners of the Hunger Games lived, there was tension in the air. Standing at the window of his bedroom, looking out at all the activity, twenty year old Kai Raithebone sighed; running a hand through his short, naturally messy silver hair. Kai was the victor of the seventy-first Hunger Games, the second person in District 12 to ever win the Games; this was following by an even bigger surprise when District 12 won the seventy-second Hunger Games too. The past two years however there were no new Victors for District 12, the seventy-third Games were won by District 7 and the most recent, the seventy-fourth, was won by District 4. Shaking his head Kai turned his attention back to the mirror and began buttoning up the dress shirt he was wearing. Tired lilac eyes stared back at him; he mused on his strange appearance, for the first time in a long while. Apparently it had once been hereditary in the Raithebone family but then disappeared shortly after the family was believed extinct. He was the first in three generations to show the family's distinctive appearance traits.
He pushed his curiosity away and finished getting dressed in the finest clothes he owned. He was expected to look his best; the reason for all the activity was that District 12 was getting ready to welcome the victor of the seventy-fourth Hunger Games on the first stop of her Victory Tour. As one of District 12's victors he was expected to be present and to give a favourable impression. Once ready he headed downstairs where he found his mother, forty-three year old Ariel Raithebone; working away in the kitchen. Like other inhabitants of the Seam, the poorest part of poverty stricken District 12, Ariel had black hair and grey eyes. After their fall and supposed extinction the Raithebones integrated into District 12 society, even becoming like them in appearance. It was strange, Kai reflected, based on what he had learned from his mother about their family, they had been important once, but she couldn't say how important, or indeed what exactly happened to them that they ended up as District 12 inhabitants. However now wasn't the time for him to think like that, he had to focus on what was happening at present.
"Right, I'll be going now, mom, I'll see you at the square." He said.
Ariel looked up and nodded, smiling. "Of course; see you soon."
Kai smiled back and left the house. Ariel watched him go and sighed.
'One day Kai, one day you will learn the truth…I just hope I'll be the one to tell you, to ensure you are prepared for what may happen in the future.'
Still thinking, she continued her work.
Kai left the house and began to walk down to the exit to Victor's Village. Just as he reached the gate however he heard someone calling his name. He turned and smiled as a girl of fifteen approached. She had the typical Seam features, black hair, grey eyes and olive skin. Her hair was long, reaching down just past her shoulder blades. She was wearing a rather elegant dress; for the Victory Tour. Kai knew her well, it was Lillian Whelan; Victor of the Seventy-Second Hunger Games. Kai fought to keep his expression neutral as he thought about her victory, it had come at a great cost, namely her sanity. In the Games Lillian had directly killed a tribute, the first time she ever killed anyone and something in her mind snapped. Now she was prone to sudden fits where she would clutch her head and scream, occasionally she would tremble violently, other times she might lash out at those around her. Yet always, Kai had calmed her, taking it upon himself to do so. He was relieved to see, when Lillian was close enough, that she was calm just now. Her eyes always gave away when she was about to snap.
"Hi Lillian." He greeted her, but then noticed her expression. "What's wrong?"
She sighed. "It's Aviva. She…She 'slept' last night."
Kai groaned; just what they needed. Aviva was the third and final District 12 winner, the first one to ever win the Games. Due to what she had suffered she was unable to sleep, simply staying awake until her body could no longer take it and shut down.
"Okay, listen, I'll go deal with Aviva, you head down to the square, okay." Kai said quickly.
Lillian nodded and hurried off while Kai headed to Aviva's house.
Kai picked his way through the stillness of Aviva's house. Almost nothing was touched and even the curtains were still drawn. He found Aviva in the bedroom; Lillian likely moved her there to ensure she was comfortable. Aviva tended to just sleep wherever she fell when her body shut down. Aviva was also from the Seam, but the stress of what she suffered turned her hair prematurely grey at the temples. Kai cleared his throat, knowing that she could hear. He knew just how to wake her up, something that she would recognize. So he then whistled four simple notes; the pattern of which Aviva immediately responded too. Her eyes flew open and she sat up; Kai smiled, he had heard her whistling that tune several times, it clearly meant something.
"Morning." He said; she turned to glare at him but he explained. "The Victory Tour, you fell asleep, we need to hurry."
She quickly clambered out of bed. "Shit, thanks; I'll…I'll be right down. Kai, don't do that again."
Kai raised his hands. "Sorry, it was the only way I could think of to wake you up."
She just nodded and Kai left; heading to the main square himself. Shortly after he arrived Aviva did, showing no signs of what had happened to her. They waited as finally, the victor of the seventy-fourth Hunger Games, from District 4, arrived.
The victor was a girl of seventeen, almost eighteen. She was reasonably tall with tan skin, long wavy copper coloured hair and brown eyes. She had a reasonably toned build with perfect curves and fairly large breasts. She was certainly a favourite of males; her smile was perfect and when she delivered her speech it was flawless. However it was clear there was something on her mind. Once the formalities were done and she was backstage, with the Victors she turned to Kai and Aviva; Lillian had to leave as soon as they were done, she could feel things slipping and needed time alone to collect herself.
"Mana Tsunami, pleasure to meet you." She said sincerely, a lot more sincere than she had sounded out on the stage.
Kai nodded; he remembered Mana from the Games, he had been mentoring the District 12 tributes at that time. Aviva knew her too and like Kai returned her greeting and shook her hand.
Mana began playing with a lock of her hair; biting her lip. "You know…Have you heard, there's been whispers, something…going on under the Capitol's nose?"
Aviva shook her head; Kai did the same. "We've not heard anything, why?"
"Just wondering; well, you should probably keep an eye out, there could really be something going on." Was her reply.
They would've gladly talked more but Mana had to leave; they bid farewell and returned to their homes, pondering her words and wondering what their next move would be. Especially Kai, given what he knew about his worst enemy, President Sol Lucrum.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.