2 – A District Token
I didn't even wait for Sicilia to formally ask for a volunteer. I raised my voice, "I volunteer as tribute!" and began to walk down the aisle to the stage between two Peacekeepers I knew personally – Randolph and Lloyd.
Dolph was a man in his 50's. He had skin the color of worn-down leather and a bald head. Along with being a Peacekeeper, he taught various classes at school and I had taken many of his courses.
Lloyd was a good friend of my father. He was about the same age as my father – forty and had a deep fisherman's tan. Along with being a Peacekeeper, he was a trainer for the Career tributes in our district. He had worked closely with my brothers, Hurley, others, and I.
"You are an eager beaver aren't you, kid?" Sicilia hissed, as I stepped on to stage, "What is your name?"
"Zale Leomaris," I mustered all of my courage into saying those two words as loudly and proudly as possible.
"Murphy's son?" she seemed a little surprised, "Murphy's kids for three years straight, huh?"
"My brother's had names," I snapped back, "Dylan and Edmar."
She didn't speak again. She simply motioned for Hurley and me to shake each other's hands. Next, we were gathered into the Justice Building by Sicilia and other Peacekeepers before our train to the Capitol was ready to depart. At this time, family and friends would come visit us and wish us good luck.
The room was spectacular. Through the window, you had a view of Capitol workers cleaning up the town square after the reaping ceremonies had concluded. I sat on a beautiful Victorian-style couch and waited for a visitor.
My brain rewound to the time I had visited Dylan two years ago in this very room. He had been cocky and kept on telling us he would see us in a month or so after he won.
Then, there was last year when Edmar was hyperventilating and crying in Mother's lap. He kept on saying that he wasn't ready. That he didn't want to die like Dylan had.
My mother walked in with Meredith still attached to her hand. Mother looked like a million emotions were running through her head at one moment. Meredith was impossible to read. She just came over to the couch and latched on to me.
"I love you both," I said. It was the only words I could form in my mind to sound brave in front of my family. I couldn't be overly cocky like Dylan or dramatic like Edmar.
"You are going to win," Meredith spoke up, "In honor of our brothers, our district, our family. You have been trained to become victor."
"Listen, son," my mother held her emotions at bay for the moment, "I know that you think I have given up on your chances of winning because of Dylan and Edmar's cruel fate. But I haven't. I have faith in you, Zale."
I smiled at her and she smiled back. "I won't allow the Capitol to control me. My allies won't be the other Careers. I am not going to be their backbone this year."
A Peacekeeper poked his head in. My family's time was over. Mayor Ahab and Ervin walked in after I had kissed Meredith and Mother good-bye. I was surprised at the mayor's appearance, but not at Ervin's.
"Thank you for volunteering for my son," he said, as he sat down on the couch across from me, "I know it was your duty, but still… thank you, again."
Ervin sat with him and spoke, "Everybody loves you. The strength and power you put into your words. You could even make Sicilia shut up. That is skill. Good luck."
"One more thing," the mayor said. He pulled a trident tie-clip made of sea-stone out of his pocket. "Tributes are allowed only one token from their districts. I would be honored if you wore this in the arena."
He stood up and placed it in my hand. I thanked them for the token. They seemed ready to leave, but I stopped Ervin. "You are my best friend. If I don't make it back, promise me you will remember me."
"I will never forget you, Zale," he said, the big guy was close to tears, "That is if you don't win, but you will. See you soon, I hope."
I shook hands with the mayor and Ervin and watched them walk out of the door. I saw Dolph and Lloyd enter only seconds later. I was sure this meeting was frowned upon. For Peacekeepers to want to talk to a tribute before he is sent off to the Capitol is a rare occasion. They hardly ever hold friendships with the people they protect.
As usual, the visitors both took their seats across from me after shaking my hand on the way in. I waited for them to speak, but I guess I had to break the ice.
"Thank you for the mentoring," I said, "I hope your training skills and school courses help keep me alive."
Lloyd piped up, "What will keep you alive is the sponsors. That means your interview must be stunning, your training must be over-the-top. Use your words. They were powerful today and they will do you good along the way. Sponsors will want to keep you around."
I nodded constantly as he spoke. I said, "And what about battle tactics and defensing strategies?"
"I do not know if you plan on allying with the Career pack, as usual," he continued, "but get a sword, a trident, hell – even a bow and arrows will do. Gather with your allies and fight or get out the bloodbath and find shelter."
My eyes were strained from focusing on him speaking. "Thank you-"
"Quit being overly nice," Dolph spoke after all, "I know that is just your personality, but we want the untrained tributes fear you. We want the Careers to envy you. You look like a monster, but you are a gentle giant."
"That's enough, Randolph," Lloyd said calmly, "Mags and Murphy can mentor him from here. Happy Hunger Games-"
"and may the odds be ever in your favor!" Dolph finished the Capitol's saying and patted me on the back. Lloyd clapped my back, too. And soon they were both out of the room.
Of course, the biggest surprise walked in the door a couple of minutes later. Mr. and Mrs. Finbar – Hurley's parents came in with emotionless faces.
"Hello, Zale," began Mr. Finbar, "You have an aura. Strength with your words and actions. Your words could change the world. I suggest you use them."
"Yes, sir," I said. I was still wondering why they were here. They didn't even sit down, but stood right in front of me.
"Protect our daughter," Mrs. Finbar said, with the saddest look I had ever received, "Between the three of us, she has had a crush on you for years. What a shame that you must fight together in an arena instead of loving each other in our district."
Mr. Finbar was hard to read. He had been a trainer for Careers along with Lloyd, Mags, my father, and others for years. He pushed Hurley hard and she often told me she wished she had been born to a poor fisherman's family instead.
"When I first saw you, I thought ol' Murphy had fathered a young weakling," he said, "But look at you now, boy. You are a brick wall." He punched me mindlessly like friends often do. It was hard to look at this man in the eyes because he had Hurley's eyes. "Handsome, too. You are going to make a good victor, kid."
What? was my first though, He wants me to win. Not even his own flesh and blood. I was appalled. How could he be so cruel? He had been working Hurley to death and he doesn't even believe in her. I didn't reply after that.
I sat quietly until they got the message and left my holding chambers. I was actually relieved when a couple of Peacekeepers retrieved me and brought me down to the Capitol train. Hurley, Sicilia, my father, Mags, and I boarded and waved good-bye to our friends and family.
The five of us ate dinner silently. I was accustomed to the fancier foods of the Capitol since my father is rich and has our Victors' Village house stocked with delicacies.
I had ordered a simple clam chowder. It reminded me of home. Often times after school, Ervin and I would walk into town and go to his mother's seafood restaurant. We would order clam chowder and hang out until he had to start his shift at the restaurant and I had to go to training.
Sicilia was talking and talking and talking. Everyone else remained silent. Mags was casually smiling around the table. My father had torn apart his meal of what I had thought was a sandwich at one point. Now, he just drank wine and listened to Sicilia banter.
"When do they start replaying the reapings?" I interrupt her, "I want to see my competition."
"Oh, five minutes, darling," she spoke back, but she was still steamed about my interrupting her, "Shall we gather and watch?"
The television set was even bigger than the one in our family room. An Avox – someone who committed treason against the Capitol and became their tongue-less slave, was fetching wine for my father and Sicilia.
"Ooh, those District 1 volunteers would make good allies," said Sicilia. Although, I was thinking, or good enemies. They were always well trained Careers, but they were stuck-up and had the strangest names. I think it had been a District 1 that had stabbed my brother in the back last year. That thought gave me motivation.
District 2 had multiples trying to volunteer until they settled on the two biggest and strongest Careers. Again it rang true that they could be my allies in a heartbeat or my worst enemies in the final days of the arena.
Our Reaping was televised and I was struck by how powerful I looked. If I hadn't been me, then I would have been scared of me. Hurley looked scared, but she looked beautiful as always.
Tributes ran by in a blurry mesh from that point. I was struck by a young boy from District 9 and a natural beauty from District 10. There was a giant from District 11 with a build much like mine. He would be tough competition or possibly –
"He would make a great ally," I spoke, and soon regretted it.
"District 11?" Sicilia mocked me, "Please, he would be unreliable. I can spot a traitor – hmm… maybe even a cannibal when I see one."
"Well, look at him," I wouldn't lose this battle to her, "He is built like me. Big and strong and hopefully good with an axe."
"He would use that axe to kill you!"
"How is that any different from what Ed's allies did to him?"
She shut up quick. The boy from District 12's stats stunned me. He had his name in the Reaping fifty-three times. That is a lot more than seven.
Mags spoke as soon as the television went black, "I suggest we try for some sleep. We are arriving at the Capitol at 3-in-the-morning. Prepare to meet your stylists soon afterward. Good night, everyone."
