Chapter 2:
Author's Note: I could have don't better with this chapter, but I've been having writes block. Enjoy.
Beetee's point of view:
We were led into the Justice Building where we would be put under guard while family and friends could say goodbye.
The room I was in was very clean and plush. The only place I've seen cleaner is the assembly line laboratory where we make computer chips (the lab has to stay dust free).
My family then entered the room.
"You got 5 minutes!" said the Peacekeeper in a firm voice.
Lori ran into my arms with tears in her eyes. My mother also had tears. My father has always been one to put on a tough-guy act though, and no tears were in his eyes. He also had an air of irritation and disappointment. He was the first to speak.
"I've never been able to figure you out son, and never questioned the unusual things that your brain comes up with. But after six years of surviving six Reapings, I must ask now... ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND!?" he screamed the last part with sadness.
"We just lost your sister!" my mother cried. "And now we are going to lose you too, and for something you could have avoided!"
It was time for them to know.
"I'm doing this for Lori." I told them matter-of-factly. "With the Hunger Games winnings I'm going to make sure my sister never goes hungry again." I said with determination.
"And you just up and decided one morning, 'I'm going to win the Hunger Games today'." my dad said with exaggerated sarcasm, as though to emphasize the ridiculousness of the idea.
"Dad." I started, trying to make him understand. "You've seen me. Any time I've put my mind to something I've always figured it out. And now I have done the calculations, the Hunger Games is no different. It's all in the numbers. It's all about using your brain to bend the odds in your favor. I've been working on it for a month, watching the Hunger Games reruns on TV, memorizing the moves of the Career Tributes, mapped out the arenas, I have calculated and re-calculated and completely worked out every possible contingency and scenario."
I paused and waited for their response.
"And if the Gamemakers decide to kill you themselves there will be nothing you can do." my father argued.
"Dad, this is my choice." I said. And then my stoic calm broke as I got angry. "I watched Mily die, and there was nothing I could do about it! Now Lori will die, unless we get a lot of money now! And I will win the Hunger Games by bending the odds in my favor, with this!" I said the last part by touching my finger to my temple. "And I love Lori so much that I would rather die now myself trying if I fail!"
My father still looked angry and disappointed towards me.
"The cost of winning is not worth it." said Dad.
"I know the price of doing nothing! Lori's death! And I do know the cost of winning, yes." I said with determination. "And, just so that there is no confusion on my limits and what I'm capable of; I'm selfish enough that I've always looked out for my own, and I'm willing and prepared to kill 23 other District kids, including Barbie Nettel, if it saves Lori's life!"
They all looked at me with mixed emotions. Lori then kissed me on the cheek.
"I would do the same for you." she said gratefully.
"I would never ask that of you." I said to her. And then directed it to all of them. "And I know neither would any of you ask this of me. Which is why I kept it a secret and didn't tell you. I knew you would try to stop me or talk me out of it or something."
"Ok, I understand. Make no mistake about that. But, I care about you to much to watch you do this to yourself." said my dad disappointed. "So I cannot condone this."
My mom and sister said goodbye and wished me good luck.
"I will win the Hunger Games on Lori's life, dad!" I said with determination. "When I return, and I will, think better of me." I requested.
The door was opened by the Peacekeeper.
"Time!" he said stating the one word obvious.
My family was taken out of the room. I pecked my mother and sister on the cheek quickly and then they were gone.
A few moments later a group of my friends from school came in.
"You have 5 minutes!" said the Peacekeeper.
One of them, my friend McKnight, grabbed my shoulders and shook me affectionately with an amused smile on his face.
"You have a plan, don't you?" he said speculatively. "You really think you're going to win!" he said in a voice of being convinced.
I smiled back.
"Yeah, I have a plan. I'm going to manipulate the arena during the Games the way I count cards by doing the math in my head while we play poker." I told them cryptically.
They all offered me encouragement and requested a small percentile of my winnings when I get back.
I then whispered in their ears, "Take care of my sister, should I not return."
They gave me their word and the Peacekeepers ushered them out.
Next came Victor Tabbill. He paused, trying to decided to say something. His emotions were hard to read. I had pretty much just saved his life. Was he grateful? He seemed almost angry, but it couldn't be that, that wouldn't make sense. He then swung his open hand at my face.
Though I am 99% brains, I do possess some physical advantages over others. Not strength, no. My photographic memory's attention to detail with my five senses in combination with my brain's super fast thinking gave me good reflexes in the form of 'quick-reaction-time', as well as good 'hand-eye-coordination'.
My reaction-time saw what he was doing and I grabbed Victor Tabbill's wrist a fraction of a second before he hit me.
"What was that for?" I calmly asked diplomatically.
"You volunteered for me when I was reaped!" he said irritated.
"I'm guessing you wanted to go into the arena and I spoiled it for you?" I said, half sarcasm half question.
"No you idiot!" said Victor Tabbill. "It's the debt! How am I supposed repay you? I'm mad at you because I will never be able to repay you for this!"
"Usually, when one's life is saved they are a little more grateful." I reprimanded. "But for what it's worth, I didn't do it for you. I'm going into the Games so I can save my sister."
Victor Tabbill frowned with concern.
"What's wrong with Lori?" asked Victor Tabbill.
"She's dieing!" I told him.
"What!" Victor said with shock and concern.
"I didn't do it for you. I did what I did because I need the Hunger Games winnings or else she will die." I said. "For what it's worth, as the person you owe the debt to, I relieve you of the debt. You owe me nothing."
"Ok, I'm sorry." said Victor, repentant. "But even if you tell me there is no debt, still, there must be something you can do."
Beetee considered for a moment.
"Take care of my sister should I not return." I said.
"I'll do that." Victor Tabbill promised.
I smiled and nodded in approval.
Victor Tabbill left the room.
For a moment, which I assumed would come and go up until I win, my resolve faltered. I began to wonder to myself, 'Beetee, what have you gotten yourself into?' But I thought of Lori, and my determination to save her, and the fact that Hunger Games winnings was the only solution. A considered every other solution and they wouldn't work.
The Peacekeepers escorted myself and Barbie Nettel to a limousine outside of the Justice Building and we were driven to the train station. Cameras flashed in our faces as we mounted the steps onto the train.
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