So we already have more views than we'd been expecting! I really hope you're liking the story. Please, leave reviews! Even if to tell us our story is crap.
And about the chapter title? Yes, I did that.
Those who have read George Orwell's 1984 know what I'm talking about.
Don't complain! The other option was Snow. President Snow. Because Snow is 007's evil counterpart. Or You're taking 'reality show' way too seriously.
Will I do that again? Yes. Many times. One chapter shall be named The brightest angel fell. No, I'm not from a country whose mothertongue is English and yes, I've read Macbeth.
Anyway, have fun!
-Foxface
Chapter 4: Snow is the Big Brother
The starfish in Lyvennie's hair was green this year, Sam noticed. He followed her with his eyes, her tiny steps over tall heels clicking on the stage floor on staccato, his own tapping the gravel nervously. Behind her, Gretel was sat, beside Melgaver, the other mentor. Her red, curly hair was let loose, falling an inch below her chin. From that distance, Sam couldn't see his sister's freckles, but he knew they were there, spread over her cheeks and nose. Just like Ma. The past two weeks Gretel had spent in District 5, going further and further into the sea with what was left of their family to see the stars, had made a difference. Usually, her freckles weren't so many. Especially since she won the Hunger Games and stayed most of her time in the Capitol.
"Hi-a, Sam", said a familiar voice next to Sam. He turned around, and saw Viktor standing there, all dark blonde hair and warm smiles. Technically, Viktor, who was already 21, wasn't supposed to be among the 17-year-olds. But if there was one thing Viktor sucked at, was following the rules.
Of course, Sam thought. If he was good at following the rules, he wouldn't be Grets' friend
"Hi-a, Viktor", Sam replied.
Looking at Viktor, he couldn't help but see the young boy, all messy hair and innocent smiles with a sketchpad on his hands at their front door, Gretel meeting him with a smile and a hug, then turning to Sam and saying:
Sammy, I'll go out to the sea, but I'll be back soon. Promise.
Viktor, Ruby and Gretel met when they were eight and became best friends immediately, and Sam, as Gretel's little brother, had a good seat to watch from as the three of them grew from tiny kids who bickered over everything and liked to go to the sea to grown-ups who bickered over everything and liked to go to the sea. Some things hadn't changed over the years: Viktor still had his sketchpad, Ruby was still the only District 5 girl whose skin was tanned, Gretel was still that silent soldier who fought in her family's behalf tooth and nail, they all stayed out watching the stars until late and teased each other like there was no tomorrow. Sam, since he was eight, included.
Some other things, though, had changed. Viktor didn't throw his sketching collection on the wall out of frustration because "I wanted to draw a HUMAN not a MUTS FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE" and his platonic crush on Gretel was gone (or so he said), Ruby had forgotten all about convenient clothes and was all dresses and high-heels. Those were just a few examples, of course.
Now, Gretel. Gretel was the one who had really changed.
Sam knew why she was staying there, in the Capitol. Gretel had known, too, what would happen if she went into the Arena then got out of there alive. She knew, from the start, that, as she put it: You can't take a tribute out of the Arena, but you can't take the Arena out of a tribute. She knew that she'd have to stay in the Capitol, with all the emotional garbage that came with participating in the Hunger Games, to be forced to do unspeakable things just so her loved ones wouldn't get killed.
Yet she'd gone and done it anyway. Because, The needs of the few must not outweigh the needs of the many.
Sam knew damn well that he was kind of following the same path, but not really. Firstly, because he would have a leverage now. He had Gretel, Finnick, Johanna, Beetee, Wiress, Haymitch, Plutarch Heavensbee, Alex and other District 13 agents filling up seats to cover him. Gretel didn't have anyone but Haymitch at the time. Johanna, Finnick and Alex hadn't survived the Games yet, Heavensbee hadn't managed to get inside yet, and Beetee and Wiress weren't supposed to mentor anymore. He had all of those badass agents giving him cover, and he was also a bargain item. Gretel needed to have someone to be taken for her; otherwise, she'd misbehave. The Capitol needed to have a leverage on her, something to threaten her with, if they wanted her obedient and passive. They needed to be able to kill her little brother, Reap her little brother, torture her little brother, or do the same thing they were doing with her with her little brother.
According to all the variables in the equation, Sam wouldn't be forced to sell his body – at least, not in a close future.
He knew better than to push his luck, though. If Snow decided variable S was more trouble than he was worth, there were still variables V and R to work with. Also, V and R's family, and variable F, and A, and the families of those.
Sam was merely the most important variable. The strongest leash, as Gretel said. I'd do anything for you. And they know that.
"Cloelia Taly!"
The announcement of the female tribute ripped Sam out of his reverie.
"Welcome back to Earth", Viktor whispered. Once upon a time, Sam had to turn his head back to look at the older boy – now, Viktor was the one to stand on his toes to be at eye level to Sam's nose.
"Tayly", Sam repeated, leaning closer to Viktor not to attract unwanted attention and clapping. "That name's familiar."
"Aye", Viktor was absentmindedly with the others. The Peaces wouldn't like to see two kids not clapping. "Her Pa creates mutts for the Games. Cannie lad. Cloelia, though, is a bit of a baheid."
Sam nodded, the information coming together inside his brain. When he identified Cloelia, he realized he had seen her quite often in school, and talked to once or twice. She had marking features: silvery blonde hair, straight as a ruler, falling all the way down to her waist and big, eyes, hazelnut brown. She was a little empty-headed, actually, while her father was a genius. She had told Sam about what his job in the Capitol, that he was a Genetics Expert. That was a pretty common job in 5, but only the best were asked to go to the Capitol. Her Pa had to be really smart.
"She's doomed", said Viktor, as Lyvennie shook Cloelia's small hand.
"Now, the boys", Lyvennie said. She sashayed to the other globe, her fingers swirled over the bunch of tiny, folded papers for a few seconds, during which everyone held their breaths. Sam prepared to say "I'm a volunteer" as soon as she announced. She finally chose one, and read out loud:
"Samuel Deleav."
Wait.
Had Sam just been Reaped, or was he just going radge? Viktor's face was all the confirmation he needed.
He hadn't seen that coming. What had been supposed to happen was an innocent boy being Reaped and Sam volunteering in his place. But that wasn't what had happened. Of all the 6,392,017 inhabitants of District 5, Sam was the one Reaped in the year he was supposed to volunteer.
Nope. Not a coincidence at all.
But he recovered, and made his way to the stage.
So, Snow wanted him in the Arena?
So be it.
