Disclaimer: Hunger Games does not in any way belong to me, it's the property of Suzanne Collins, etc.

PROLOGUE

meet the Head Gamemaker

Arius Strong, Head Gamemaker

My spacious, state-funded apartments are more than adequate for a family of ten, but I find that I like being alone in my home – apart from the Avox servants, of course. I had a boyfriend, for a while, but I think he got a bit intimidated when I was appointed the Head Gamemaker a year ago.

Well, that's fine by me. If a guy can't handle every part of me... There's no reason to keep him around.

Just as my Avox chef sets my breakfast before me, my iPhone X (the latest model, of course) starts going off. I tuck a piece of bacon into my mouth before checking who or what it is.

A short text message awaits me, from my personal assistant:

Arius – Don't forget about the meeting with the rest of the Gamemakers this afternoon.

I roll my eyes: as if I'm about to forget something as important as that. This is the last meeting to go over every detail of the arena before the reapings. I continue reading:

And President Flame just requested a meeting in your office at 10 this morning.

I almost choke on my mouthful of food. President Flame- A meeting- At ten o'clock in the morning!

A glance at the clock tells me it's 9:45.

I stuff a few more morsels of food into my mouth and rush out of the spacious dining room. Fortunately, my office is in the same building as my apartment, but I'm totally unfit for another human's company!

I have my head Avox set out a new outfit for me every morning, though I usually end up changing just about everything about it. Today, I don't have that luxury. I hurriedly dress in front of the mirror, trying not to look at the unruly state of my hair. At least I showered last night...

I slick my shaggy hair (orange, this week – it's a natural shade, so I really think it sets me apart from those trendy groupies with eye-smarting shades of pink, blue or other similar, unnatural colours) back with copious amounts of gel. Sadly, there's no time to sweep my hair up in my signature 'windswept' look.

There's no point in dwelling on how awful I probably look – it's not like I can do anything about it. I just wish those scientists in District Five would figure out how to make a time machine, already. It would be so convenient.

I exit the elevator at 9:57, adjusting my orange tie (at least my Avox has some sense of colour coordination!) as I walk into the hall. My eyes widen slightly when I see President Flame is already waiting for me, sitting in one of the chairs outside my office door. I quickly fix what I hope is a welcoming smile on my face.

"President Flame, it's an honour as always," I greet as cheerfully as I can manage. It's a bit too early for politics for my tastes, but one can't refuse a President, after all.

"Arius Strong, the man of the hour – I'm just glad you found the time to see me. I'm sure you and the rest of the Gamemakers are busy with preparations for this year's Hunger Games," Flame (first name: Aria) responds, smiling kindly back.

"Oh, of course ma'am. I'm never too busy for a meeting with the President," I assure her. "Please, after you," I add, standing with the door open for her to enter.

"So, I know from our previous correspondence that this year's arena is rather... complex. But everything is ready for the show to begin?" Flame asks, seating herself in the chair before my desk.

I settle into my own chair, trying not to let my nerves get to me. I mean, I know I'm the best at what I do – I wouldn't be the Head Gamemaker, otherwise! – but I haven't gotten used to be so intimate with the President yet. "Oh, yes. Everything's ready. The final inspection was just finished yesterday. Minor setbacks in some of the engineering occurred early on – but don't worry, all the kinks have been worked out," I explain.

Flame nods, her blood-red eyes thoughtful. "Good, good. I would hate for things to turn out badly."

I smile back, a little uncertainly. Is she displeased with my work? The concept of the arena has to be approved each year by the President – so why would she be upset about it now, she approved it. Or maybe I, personally, have done something Flame doesn't like? I try to think of anything I might have done – I was out late partying last night, but I didn't get completely wasted and make a fool of myself... Nothing comes to mind.

"Do you have any last minutes requests, President Flame?" I try. "It would be cutting it close, but I'm sure adjustments can be made within the timeframe, if you feel they're necessary."

"Oh, no. Nothing of the sort. I just wanted to have a chat, that's all. How are you feeling, Arius? This is your first year as the Head Gamemaker, after all," Flame replies, her gentle smiling assuaging my worries.

"Well, I've worked hard, but it's rewarding," I answer honestly as I relax slightly. "I really feel like this year's Games will be a success. Some of my predecessors have lacked... finesse, but I'm confident that I've really refined the process, this year." I stop myself there, before I start babbling about my own importance in front of the President.

Flame leans forward slightly. "Yes, I've found that myself. Let's just hope the tributes can live up to your expectations – those poor District children can be so unrefined," she agrees.

Of course, the tributes are the one aspect of the Hunger Games that we Gamemakers cannot completely control. We can manipulate them, obviously, but they're so unpredictable sometimes... "I'll do my best, ma'am," I say, ducking my head.

I see her smile, through my bangs (all that gel, and still my hair flops around). "That's all I could ever ask for, Arius. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

"Ah- thank you for coming to meet me, President Flame," I say, hastily rising from my seat so that I can open the door for her again.

Once she's gone, I sink back into my seat, not sure what to think. Did Flame just come to see me for a chat? Our conversation was innocent enough, but why do I feel like I just passed an all-important test?

There's no point dwelling on this right now. The reapings are tomorrow, and I still have the Gamemaker meeting to attend. I need to look my best for that, and after a glance in the mirror, I definitely don't look as amazing as I could.