Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games, nor any characters mentioned in this story.
Sae Blackthorn
I'm standing in my usual place, at the back of the crowd, holding the jar. Most merchants have stands set up around the square during the Hunger Games, especially with both District Twelve Tributes still alive, but not us Hob merchants. Everybody would recognize us as the Black Market people.
On the huge screen, Katniss is trekking through the woods, grieving the loss of the little District Eleven girl. The cameras flash to Peeta, curled up in the riverbank, before going back to the District Two kids. They keep doing this, flashing between the remaining five Tributes. A boring day in the Capitol. A reprieve for us.
Ripper slides through the crowd to stand at my side. "How are we doing?" I glance at the jar in my arms. "Not bad. Better than yesterday. But not enough." She gives me a little half-smile, worried about the funds. She knows I'm worried as well; the camaraderie between the Hob merchants makes it easy enough for us to read each other's expressions.
A voice nearby catches my ear. "Who's the one with the jar?" A Peacekeeper. A middle-aged Seam woman answers. "Greasy Sae. Sae Blackthorn, I mean." The Peacekeeper nods and walks over.
"What's the jar for?"
"Funds, sir."
"Why are you collecting funds? We do not tolerate begging during the viewings."
"It's not for me, sir. I'm collecting money to help Katniss and Peeta."
The Peacekeeper glances at the screen, where Clove and Cato are out looking for victims. "Very well. Make sure it does go to them and not yourself, though." With a warning look, he walks away.
A few donations later, the Games draw my attention again. An announcement is taking place, but not for a feast. A rule change. Because now two Tributes from the same District can win.
Katniss and Peeta can both make it out. I foresee a much larger amount of money coming in for them in the next few days. With any luck, we can have a part in saving the lives of the baker's kindest son and the Hob's most beloved hunter.
Reviews? Planning on doing the District Nine boy next (The one Clove killed when he was fighting Katniss for the backpack).