Ch 2: Retaliation

Coriolanus Snow, 51, President of Panem

It's been two weeks since the Abernathy boy won the games and all I hear is how he exposed the arena's biggest secret, the force field. Normally, I'm not surprised to hear people speak of the recent victor, in fact it's encouraged because of the games. But this year, hearing the name Haymitch Abernathy makes my blood boil. I don't like to be make a fool of and what the boy did is certainly making a fool of me and the Hunger Games. I'm currently in my office trying to get work done when I hear the tv in my office. As usual, Caesar Flickerman is reporting.

"It's hard to believe folks, but it's just been two weeks since the end of the 50th Hunger Games. Many experts are calling it the best year ever and I'm sure everyone can agree due to our victor Haymitch Abernathy winning-" I angrily turned off the tv and slammed my desk.

I'm tired of hearing that boy's name and hearing what he did. As the President, I can't let what Haymitch did go unnoticed. I obviously can't harm the boy because even though I'm president, it's bound to get people angry and that's the last thing I need. I then realized something and I smiled. I can easily have Haymitch unharmed but there's an alternative that is sure to make him suffer. I press the buzzer on my desk.

"Claudio, please report to my office, I require your assistance," I said.

"Of course, President Snow," Claudio responded through the buzzer.

Claudio is the new President's advisor, I fired my last one after the games when we had an disagreement about if Haymitch deserved to win. Claudio then entered the room, he had a green suit with a darker shade of green hair.

"Claudio, I trust that what is said in this office will remain a secret," I said.

"Of course sir, I'll keep this conservation private."

"Good. We have a problem. Haymitch Abernathy has made a mockery of the arena when he exposed the force field. I see that as a mockery of me and Claudio, I don't tolerate people who mock me or the games," I said.

"I see sir, what will you do?" Claudio asked.

"I can't harm the boy but I will hurt who he loves as retaliation and as a message to not pull a stunt like that ever again. Claudio, I need you to give me the number of the Head peacekeeper in District 12," I said.

"Mr. President if I may, hurting Haymitch's family sounds a little extreme, especially since his discovery was an accident, don't you think?" Claudio said.

"Claudio, I don't care if what he did was an accident or not. Haymitch Abernathy will be punished and I don't mind hurting a few innocents to do my job. The man who had your job lost his when he didn't agree with me. Now I don't think you want to lose yours, do you?" I said, my temper rising.

Claudio gulped. "No sir."

"Then give me the number of the Head peackeeper in District 12," I said again.

Claudio quickly left the room and returned a few minutes later with a phone number on a piece of paper.

"Thank you Claudio, you may go," I said.

Claudio bowed and left the room. I dialed the number on my phone and got an answer.

"This is Head peackeeper Sharp," a voice said.

"Sharp, this is President Snow, I have a task for you that is urgent," I said.

"What kind of task?" Sharp asked.

"When Haymitch Abernathy is out of his home, I want you to take a group and make an example of his family and everyone he knows. It's punishment for what he did in the arena," I said.

"By example you mean?" Sharp asked.

"You know what I mean. When you're done, I want the boy to regret what he did," I said.

Sharp sighed. "Yes sir, we'll get right on it."

"Good," I hung the phone and went back to work.

By the end of the day, Haymitch Abernathy will be nothing but a broken man.

Haymitch Abernathy, 16, District 12 male

I still haven't got used to winning. It doesn't seem real that I'm back home in District 12. This place is a shithole but it's home. On the bright side, I gave my mother and younger brother Clay a much better life since we live in the Victor's Village. I even have my girlfriend Amber living with us because she was living in the Seams like I used to. I was walking in the Hob, the black market for everything here in 12. Even as a victor, I still come here. Some habits never die I guess. I went up to the meat vendor.

"How are you doing Ash?" I asked.

"Alright. It's funny seeing you here Haymitch, with you being a victor, I'm sure you could afford fancier meat," Ash said.

I chuckled. "I can, but I still enjoy some boar meat from here once in while. Can I get a pound?"

Ash smiled. "Of course."

I paid for my meat and I decided to go home. As I entered the Victor's Village, I looked to the left where District's 12's other victor Tessa lived. It's been easier for her to sleep knowing that I was alive. I'll check up on her later. I went to my house, but I noticed that the door was left a little open. That's odd. I opened the door and entered the living room.

"Mom, you here?" I called out.

No answer. I walked to to the kitchen where I saw an horrible sight. I dropped the boar meat and got down on my knees. On the kitchen floor were bodies of my mother, Clay, and Amber. All of them were riddled with bullets.

"No!" I yelled.

I couldn't believe it. Who can kill them? I got up and punched the fridge where I noticed a note on the fridge.

'Pull a stunt like you did in the arena again and next time, you pay with your life -C.S'

C.S? It's fucking Snow, it has to be. The President had my only family killed for what I accidentally did in the arena? This is complete bullshit! I crumpled up the note and threw it across the room. I immediately went to the nearest wall and I kept punching until I made a hole in it. That bastard will pay for this! I won't let him get away with this. He killed my mother, my little brother and the only girl I loved, they were innocent! I was so angry and the only way I can grieve was through violence. I punched another hole in the wall while tears came down my face. My family didn't deserve this. I wish I died in that arena. They would still be alive today. I walked over to the fridge to get a drink. I open the fridge and the first thing that caught my eye was beer. It was something my mother did to cope with my father's death years ago. This time, I'm the one grieving. I grabbed a bottle and opened it.

Maybe I can drink away the memories and my sorrow of what happened today and the last few weeks. I was still crying as I took a long slip of the beer.

Drake Massaro, 34, Head gamemaker

It has been five months since the 50th Hunger Games, seven months until the next one. Everyone has called my latest arena my greatest creation yet. I was in my office trying to come up with next year's design. I get pressured every year to come up with an arena to try to outdo last years. My work has paid off though. This is going to be my sixth year and I have great so far. But I'm afraid this year, I'm having a hard time coming with an design. I looked up as I heard the door and my friend and fellow gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee walks in.

"You need anything Plutarch? I asked.

"Yes, I need you to come with me immediately," Plutarch said.

I smiled. "Plutarch, I'm busy planning the arena, I'll come with you to happy hour next time."

"No Drake, this isn't about that. I think I have something that can inspire next year's arena," Plutarch said.

I got up from my chair immediately. "What is it?"

"Some friends of mine were exploring Panem by air when they found something in the area where District 13 used to be located. I got us a hovercraft to take us there and I have a feeling you'll be inspired when we get there," Plutarch said.

I immediately got up and followed Plutarch to the hovercraft. We took off east where District 13 used to be located before it was destroyed. A couple of hours later, we arrived and I was shocked by what I saw. I looked out the window and my jaw dropped. We were above a huge city that was in ruins. There were multiple buildings and skyscrapers all beat up and damaged. There was even an massive park in the middle that was dead of all life. I looked to Plutarch.

"What is this place?"

"This is New York City. In a time before Panem, this place was an landmark but now it's nothing but a forgotten and lost city," Plutarch responded.

I smiled, I think I know what the arena is going to be.

"Plutarch, we got our arena, and we got work to do," I said.

"Of course we do, Drake," Plutarch said.

I sat back in my chair and close my eyes as we head back to the Capitol. I have a lot of work ahead for me.

Hey guys, hope you're enjoying your day. To start off, thank you for the support I gotten for A Lost City so far, it means the world to me. I hope you guys continue to enjoy the story! This is our last prologue before we start the reapings! I already can't wait to start them. For tributes, I just need 4 more and we'll have a full list, we're almost there. I'll be doing reapings in order of which District I fill up first. So the first reaping will be District 2. Don't forget to review and submit. Have a good day/night guys and I'll see you at District 2!