"Sometimes when you lose your way, you find yourself."
I would consider my job stressful. For the past ten years, I've worked in the control room. Now this is, arguably, a very prestigious job. But what everyone knows, and doesn't say, is that it's dangerous. If even the smallest thing goes wrong, or doesn't meet expectations in the Games, it's only a matter of blame.
I knew this last year, as did everyone else. So when District 12 tribute, Katniss Everdeen, pulled out those nightlock berries, I knew what she was about to do. While the other game makers tend to think only about the potential for blood, or other instances of capitol enjoyment, I watch. I watch the tributes, and try to figure them out. I don't know why I do this, it only ends in more pain, but I do.
So while everyone was expecting a tragic end to their romance, with Katniss sacrificing herself for Peeta, I knew better. I also knew that this wasn't just a matter Capitol disappointment in a Game less bloody than last year's, this was a matter of defiance. In that split second that I saw her begin to hand some berries to Peeta, I thought. I thought, this is the kind of thing that will bring change in the Districts. This is the kind of thing that could make life better. But before anything gets better, it has to get worse.
So I was a coward. I took the easy way out. By this point the others were realizing what I had moments earlier. There was a tense silence throughout the room as everyone came to terms with her plan. A sort of incoherent spluttering escaped from Crane's mouth.
This time, I didn't think. I just acted. Now I sat at the control table that housed all of the mutts we had created. So, without truly thinking, I reached and pressed a button.
Black birds with razor sharp feathers came pouring through the trees, their beaks' pecking and feathers' slicing. I watched with strange focus as the berries tumbled to the floor. As they came to rest on the ground, my focus waned. Even a year later, I still could not tell you the rest of what happened in that room.
Upon watching the recaps, I learned that the birds did their job, ruthlessly. District 12 was crowned a single winner that year. A blind, crippled boy.
Authors Note: Hello everyone and welcome to my SYOT story. This is going to be the 75th Hunger Games and therefore a Quarter Quell. More information about that will be coming soon, but in the meantime, I'm collecting tributes. The tribute form can be found on my profile and each person is allowed to submit up to 2 tributes. I look forward to all your entries and, May the Odds be Ever in Your Favor!