2nd: D11 – Hunter Pickton(16)

Julius Flickerman

Julius didn't like the 1st Games. There was so much uproar about what events transpired, but he knew that was going to happen. Reading in to the Presidents mind he knew that District 2 must win the first Games, the difficulty was finding a suitable candidate, and Jaegar was the perfect one to fill that role. It had nearly been a year and Jaegar was now devoted to the President and it seemed that once again, the Districts were in full control by The Capitol. It had worked out perfectly.

In the depths of his mind though, Julius knew he couldn't do that again. Essentially he chose 23 sacrificial lambs and sent them to their deaths. He preferred if everyone at least had a chance, but he was unconvinced that President Markland would be receptive to the idea.

It was a tricky situation. Julius knew that he would lose his mind sending 23 children to their deaths, but he knew he may be sending himself to the death if Markland disagreed and the Games turned in to a disaster for The Capitol. He knew he had to tread carefully.

There would be changes if the President agreed to let the children have a fair fight. Firstly, the Tributes would not be kept separate and would have full access to the videos and profiles of their competition. They would all train together and be live for interviews. The selection field would not be predetermined, but rather random, giving each District a fair turn. This year the arena would not advantage those who captured and held the supplies, but rather the advantage lay in how much you learned in your training.

He knew it was a long shot, but for his own sanity Julius knew this needed to be done. He just hoped the President agreed.

President Archibald Markland

"I disagree. I like to have control over who wins. We do not want a rebellion inspired District 11 tribute to win. A huge District like that in revolt could cause major disruption."

"But Sir. I think you are underestimating the Districts. They're not stupid. They know when they have been duped. The uproar from last year was a clear demonstration of that. Everyone needs a fair chance. Imagine an outer District winner, hugely popular and on your side. Panem would be indestructible."

Julius made a good point, a Victor from one of the poorer Districts could very well be a huge asset to him, but there were many concerns. The more loyal Districts like 1 and 4 may expect a Victor before too long and randomising the process could be detrimental to their chances. He also know that if the outer Districts didn't have a Victor, they too would be agitated and randomising it again could see them very well miss out considering the poverty and generally smaller children.

"I agree…somewhat with you Julius. You have one opportunity. Remember, I do not like to be disappointed."

He knew very well that this was a roll of the dice. A Victor with rebellious thoughts could be extremely detrimental to Panem, and people who cannot be controlled are as dangerous as mutts. What he needed was a Jaegar from an outer District, someone who would listen to every word he said.

Hunter Pickton(16) – District 11

I still remember day 42. I remember the stomach cramps, I remember the sun and I remember the loneliness. No one knew what to expect going in. 24 of us, each skilled at something different. This year we trained together and got to know everyone's strengths and weaknesses. You had the strong District 7 tributes; the weak District 12's. But strength didn't matter this year. This year you had to survive.

The arena never ended and there were meagre weapons and minimal survival equipment at the beginning. All we had was our feet and the will to live. Initially a mountainous terrain was visible, which sloped in to grasslands that stretched out at the bottom, the shrubs then started and the tree cover became denser before quickly disappearing in to dessert. Only 4 died initially, beat to death by other tributes, and then it really started.

2 days in the cannons began to ding like a doorbell with a lot of visitors. Those that couldn't find water were succumbing to their fates. We were informed on the first night that there would be no drops this year. No matches, no water, no food, no medical supplies, nothing. Everything we needed to survive could be found in the arena if we were looking hard enough. So as those that couldn't adapt were eliminated, the rest of us had to quickly set up base. The arena was so vast, that there was minimal chance that you would run in to another tribute.

I was fine for the first 21 days, and 12 of us had survived the dehydration, starvation, hadn't contracted infection or eaten poisonous plants. We were mostly outer District tributes, the inner District's being unused to survival. Luckily for me I had knowledge of plants and what to eat and what to leave. I had also practiced making fire solo and had the smarts to boil my water before I drank it.

24 days in it started to get colder. Freezing cold. Within 4 more days another 6 cannons were sounded, those that couldn't make fire were essentially eliminated. With every passing day things became harder and harder. My tiny pond of water was slowly drying up, there was no rain and food was not being replenished. The nights were becoming unbearable and I barely had enough energy to keep myself alive, but I kept going.

Everything became a blur up to day 42. I remembered a couple of cannons sounding, but I was so disorientated, I was starving and on the point of death. Then it all went blank, I woke up and discovered I was still alive, in the Capitol.

The Games lasted 44 days, and eventually I outlasted the poor girl from District 10 who had given in to the starvation and dehydration merely hours before my body would have. My ribs were the most prevalent feature on my disgusting body and collar bones looked like wings. They had to wait 5 days for me to emerge to be able to do the interviews and other Victor duties. Apparently they felt I was too repulsive even for the Capitol viewers.

The 2nd Annual Hunger Games were one of the cruellest ever. 5 deaths of combat, 9 from Dehydration, 6 associated with freezing, 2 from infection and 1 from starvation. If there is one thing that I discovered about myself over the 42 days, then it is the fact that revenge can be sweet, and someone has to pay for what I went through.

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It's now been 4 days since I was released from the hospital and it's also the day I meet Jaegar. I stand at the door to his Capitol residence before I hear his footseps make their way towards me and open the door.

"Congratulations Hunter, tough, tough Games." He says with a hint or sarcasm in his voice as he greets me, shakes my hang and leads me through his gigantic Capitol hallway.

"What's that?" I say, halting in spot.

"I'm welcoming you to the Victors club Hunter. Come, have a drink!" Jaegar continues, trying to persuade me in to his main living room.

"No thank you Jaegar, and I don't appreciate the sarcasm. Just because I didn't kill anyone doesn't make me less deserving than yourself." Jaegar turns around, eyes slit in a stare.

"I never said that Hunter. Although I do feel as no one should leave the Hunger Games without being involved with the death of another tribute." He arrogantly states.

"And I feel that no one should go through the HUNGER Games without being Hungry, Jaegar. Don't judge me until the day your stomach decides that the only energy it can get is from literally eating you from inside out."

I storm out of the meeting, fuming.

Jaegar Western – District 1 – Victor of the 1st Hunger Games.

"I don't like him. He is younger than me, he is charismatic and he is a LOT more popular than me ,Julius."

"Correction Jaegar, he is a lot more popular than you in the outer Districts, they revere him like a God. They now believe anything is possible. Especially those in District 11. You saw the reception when he arrived home?"

"Yes Julius I did."

"Nearly everyone in the District turned out to see him. He is the face of the Games at the moment. He is the face of Panem, especially for Districts 9,10,11,12. Remember Jaegar, Panem is what matters the most. You need Hunter on your side. You need to scope him out and see where his loyalties lie. Because if they lie in the wrong faction, he may not be with us for very long. If you work with him then the two of you together would be unstoppable. Remember you have influence over many Districts still."

I have a feeling Hunter and I will have a few more issues before too long. I don't like the shift of power he has going for him, and I see the movement of power slowly change from myself to the glory that is Hunter Pickton. For the sake of the President and for Panem, I have to try and make things work with him.

Powerful People Panem

(taken from Panem Weekly)

1. President Archibald Markland

2. Hunter Pickton – Victor 2nd Annual Hunger Games

3. Jaegar Western – Victor 1st Annual Hunger Games

4. Julius Flickerman – Head Gamemaker

5. Olivia Markland – 1st Lady

6. Wilma Vines – District 11 Mayor

7. Darius Western – District 2 Commander in Chief

8. Phillippe Edwards – District Trade Coordinator

9. Gregory Quinn – Panem Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

10. Boris Newhaven – President of Bank of Panem

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Jaegar Western Game Statistics:

Arena: Vast and varied.

Length of Games: 44 days

Weight Loss: 30kg

Kills: 0