The pale teenagers from District 12 with grey eyes and no hope left in their hearts entered the square and filed into lines by their respective age. The teenagers anxiously held a strong façade in order to look strong for their families and their districts while the royal family, the Kiyokos, took their seats on their thrones towards the back of the assembly on their own small stage, overlooking the spectacle. The royal family consisted of King Satoshi Kiyoko, twenty-year old Crown Prince Nezumi Kiyoko and fifteen-year old Prince Sora Kiyoko.
Effie Trinket elegantly approached the microphone adorned in odd garments from the Capitol, tapped the microphone to make sure it was working and chanted, "Welcome, welcome. Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour," a big smile plastered on her face, contrasting greatly with the expressions in District 12. A short film which everyone had come to memorise was played from the Capitol like every other year. When the camera flickered to President Snow sitting in his grand office, the district let their guard down, surprised and fearful of what was to come.
"Mr. Kiyoko, we had an agreement. You supply the Capitol with all the goods that you produce and we ensure that your heirs are not sent to the Games. Whether or not you are aware of it, Sora Kiyoko has been very kindly and charitably donating food, clothing and essential items to the district's poor and needy. As noble of an act as this is, charity does not go far in these dark days. These items were essential to the Capitol and it was these necessities that you needed to provide to ensure your family's safety! It is universally known that all actions have a consequence. In addition to the two tributes chosen, Sora Kiyoko will join them as the third tribute of the Hunger Games, raising the number of participants to twenty-five for the first time in Hunger Games history! May the odds be ever in your favour," Snow cheerfully concluded as he raised a glass of wine and smiled before the big screen promptly cut to black.
Satoshi and Nezumi stood up from their thrones in shock and outrage as Sora remained frozen in his throne, his hazelnut-coloured eyes adorned with golden sparks glassy from tears that were desperately being held back. Sora's mind numbed as he stared into a void of his own thoughts. 'What have I done? I'm going to die. I can't do this.'
"Well! What a surprising turn of events!" Effie exclaimed with her unique accent, dropping her façade for a brief moment to express her sadness at the news before she allowed her trademark smile to return to her face. "Come along, dear. We must get this show on the road," Effie said to Sora with a smile on her face as she beckoned him over to the front of the congregation.
After the cogs in his mind began turning, Sora comprehended what she said and slowly rose from his throne, making his way to Effie's side with his head down in shame as he tried to understand what just happened.
"Wonderful," Effie exclaimed before Sora felt his mind drift into nothingness.
"Our tributes from District 12! May the odds be ever in your favour. Well go on, shake hands," Effie said, saying the last part of her sentence like a mother talks to her child.
Katniss and Peeta shook hands and look towards the smaller, tan boy standing in between them, lost in thought.
Sora heard a door closing behind him and snapped out of his daydream. He found himself sitting in a room inside the government building in District 12, unsure of how he got there. Composing himself, he took deep breaths and sat at a chair in front of a window that overlooked the mines of the district. He watched men carry pickaxes and torches and others lugging sacks of lord knows what and other men pushing mine carts of random doo-dads all over the place. His melancholic peace was suddenly disturbed when his father and brother burst into the room like thunder, daring someone to get in their way.
"Let's go, Sora. We're going home," Satoshi said, forcefully grabbing Sora's thin wrist. Sora winced at the force and let himself be dragged from the chair so he didn't hurt himself more. Nezumi stood by silently watching his father take charge like he usually did.
"Father, they aren't just going to let him go. He disobeyed the Capitol," Nezumi quietly stated.
"Well I'm the king of this district and so long as I'm the king, I get to choose whether or not my son kills himself or not," he bluntly replied, not to Nezumi but to anyone listening in who thought that they could stop him.
"You're a figurehead. We all are. We're only here to maintain peace and make sure people don't start a rebellion," Nezumi replied, correcting his father.
Half a dozen peacekeepers suddenly filled the room, surrounding the royal trio before a blond-haired peacekeeper with his helmet removed entered the room and stood in front of his troops, sternly.
"Gallegan, get out of my way or so help me God, I will throw you in the mines for a year!" Satoshi shouted furiously at the top of his lungs, disturbing a flock of birds in the trees outside of Sora's window.
"The Capitol has given me specific orders to ensure that you don't interfere with the transfer of your son from District 12 to the Capitol in order to participate in the Hunger Games. I make the calls around here right now, not you. Release Sora and exit the premises before I put you, and Nezumi, under house arrest till the Hunger Games are over," Gallegan calmly dictated.
Satoshi's face turned red with anger as he ground his teeth and stared daggers at the peacekeepers blocking his path.
"Father, we can't do anything," Nezumi coolly said as he grasped the forearm of his father that was holding on to Sora. "We need to go."
Nezumi turned to his little brother and hugged him as he whispered in his ear, "Good luck, Otōto."
Sora allowed himself to cry for the first time that day as he buried his face into his brother's neck, savouring his last moments with him.
Satoshi strolled over to his sons and placed a hand on Sora's shoulder as he said, "I wish you the best, my son. Just a shame you won't be able to continue our legacy," he finished sadly.
Sora nodded, looked down at his feet and sniffled before Gallegan approached Satoshi and said, "You know that I respect you, Satoshi, and your family, but I am under strict orders. You're going to have to leave. We need Sora on the train with Katniss and Peeta."
Satoshi grunted gloomily at the news as Nezumi patted Sora's shoulder in an endearing way, offering him a weak smile before turning around on his heels and following his father out the door, eyes focused on his feet along the way. As the door behind him began to close, Nezumi looked back and smiled at Sora. It wasn't until Sora boarded the bullet train with Katniss and Peeta and escaped the crowds that he allowed his eyes to close and his glistening tears to flow down his face for the second time that day. As he sobbed, he felt a strong hand on his back, surprising him. Looking up, his eyes locked with Peeta's own blue eyes and his sympathetic smile.
"C'mon, let's get something to eat," Peeta solemnly said as he guided Sora to the dining cart where Katniss and Effie had already taken their seats. As Peeta and Sora took a seat on adjacent armchairs, Katniss stared at Sora, noticing the trails of tears under his eyes.
"If only we could all cry over this," Katniss said bitterly, hating the situation she was in.
"Sorry," Sora softly began before his voice broke, causing him to try and clear his throat. Sora sniffled and continued to look at his feet. Katniss took one more glance at him and sighed to herself, knowing she was too hard on the boy.