This takes place at the end of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, after the mutt attack and Cato's death, but from Seneca Crane's point of view.
DISCLAIMER: All characters and whatnot belong to Suzanne Collins, not me.
It's finally here. The greatest showdown in Hunger Games history. I'll be known as the Head Gamemaker. I lean closer to the screen, grinning in anticipation.
Claudius Templesmith's familiar voice booms out over the couple huddled by the lake. "Greetings to the final contestants of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. The earlier revision has been revoked. Closer examination of the rule book has disclosed that only one winner may be allowed. Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor." The commentators gasp in surprise, joined by the rest of Panem.
The control room is shocked into silence, and then bursts out into raucous applause.
"That was amazing!"
"Pure genius!"
I bask in the glory for a moment, and then return everyone's attention back to the arena.
Slowly the boy stands up, the pain clearly visible in his eyes. "If you think about it, it's not that surprising," he says. Suddenly, the camera zooms in on his hand, which has sneakily been moving towards his knife. The commentators are shocked by his immediate resort to treachery, and the girl obviously thinks so, too. She whips up her bow, the last arrow aimed at his heart. But the boy doesn't attack her. He throws his knife away into the lake.
The girl drops her weapons, too, her head bowed in shame. She shoves her weapons at him, trying to make the boy shoot her. The boy refuses and begins to strip his bandages.
"No, you can't kill yourself." Drama buildup, the Capitol will love this!
"Katniss, it's what I want." Yes, keep going.
"You can't leave me here alone." She's on her knees, trying to save him, even though I know it's futile.
The boy grasps her hands and pulls her up. "Listen. We both know they have to have a victor. It can only be one of us." The commentators are practically in tears.
But the girl has frozen. His last words reverberate through my mind. We both know they have to have a victor. She can't possibly be thinking...no, I must be imagining it. The girl takes the pouch off her belt, the one she filled with nightlock. Is she contemplating suicide?
The boy obviously thinks so. "No, I won't let you. "
"Trust me," she replies, and spoons some berries into his, then her own hand. "On the count of three?"
He kisses her in agreement. "On the count of three." Wait, what...
The two of them hold their berries high.
"One." No, they can't be doing this. I start typing frantically.
"Two." They can't be going through with it. My fingers move even faster, and I reach to—
"Three." Just as I send the message to Claudius Templesmith, they put the berries into their mouths.
"NO!" I shout in horror.
The trumpets blare. "Stop! Stop!" Claudius Templesmith's voice yells. Thank goodness, I wasn't too late. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you—the tributes of District Twelve!"
. . .
As the two of them spit out what would have been their death, I sigh in relief. My finish was a flop, but I saved it from getting any worse. Perhaps the next Games...will there be a next time for me?
"Seneca Crane?" A man in a Peacekeeper uniform stands in the doorway, flanked by two others. "President Snow would like to see you." His two men come forward and march me away.
This was meant to be the greatest night of my life. Now, thanks to that wretched girl on fire, it'll be my last.
How did I do? It's my first Hunger Games spoof...please review!