I don't own the Hunger Games, just this story and the original characters in it.
Chapter 4
"Who was that guy?" Graham asks. "You're shaking like a leaf, what the hell happened during that dance?"
I show him Dimitri's card, and his eyes widen and he almost chokes on the food he's chewing. "Holy shit, I remember him. He's the one who went absolutely crazy after the Games. I heard they had him committed to the mental asylum for homicidal urges."
"If they had to commit him because he's crazy, why is he a Gamemaker?" I show him the small rectangular piece of paper in my hand and then back at that swarm of people. Dimitri Kral is gone, lost in the crowd. I am suddenly very cold. I feel like the warmth has been sucked out of me. Graham drapes his coat over my shoulders. "Who knows what goes through the minds of the people in the Capitol. You'll feel better after you eat something." He puts his arm around my waist and leads me to the buffet. There is an entire table dedicated to each course. Overall, Crane must be offering a twelve course meal. Off to the side of the table holding the main courses, small vials that allow them to vomit whatever they have previously eaten and allowing them to stuff themselves like gluttons. My grandmother told me: "True ladies never use that stuff."
I take sip of the drink Graham took from the Avox. Fruit Brandy. It burns my throat and makes my eyes water. I want nothing more than to leave and process what happened with Dimitri. I take his card out of Graham's breast pocket and slip it into his side pocket.
"I'd like to make a few announcements before we officially get this party underway," Seneca Crane's voice boomed over a speaker. "If we could come to the dance floor." I went back into the room I had previously been in. Crane was standing in front of a podium. President Snow was seated beside him.
He raised his glass, "First of all, I'd like to wish you all, Happy Hunger Games! With this year's tributes, it'll be the best Games in the history of the Games." His statement was followed by a round of applause. Crane holds up his hands and it stops. "I'd like thank the Gamemakers who put together this year's game. If they don't mind, I'd like them to come forward."
Seven people came forward, my mother and Dimitri included. My mother looks ravishing in her emerald green dress. Dimitri has striking red hair that was pulled in a bun. He looks at me. Graham wraps a protective arm around me. A cruel smile forms on his lips. I stare back at him until he looks away.
Crane begins to speak, but my mother holds up her hand. She motions him to stop and give her her the microphone, which he obliges. "Hello, my name is Vivian Hyde and I have been a Gamemaker for the last ten years. Now, I think it is time to pass that torch on to someone else." A gasp went up from the crowd. "I'd like to nominate my daughter, Carmen Hyde for the position of Gamemaker in the 74th Hunger Games."
Someone rips Graham's coat off me and shoves me to the front of the room. I catch sight of Graham's face and his reaction is that of complete horror. So is my grandmother's. My grandmother is not in my mother's cruel joke. This is what it is. A spotlight shines on me. I plaster on a smile and force my feet to move one foot in front of the other towards Seneca Crane and my mother. Inside, I am terrified. I am now one of them.
My mother gives me a hug, digging her nails into my lower back. I'm sure she's left a mark "Don't shame me," she whispers through her smiling clenched teeth. The other seven Gamemakers shake my hand. I feel sick and I will myself not to vomit in front in all of these people.
Seneca Crane has the mike back. "How old are you?"
"Twenty-two."
The crowd gasps.
President Snow has come down from his spot on the stage. He takes the mike from Crane. "You know that you are the youngest Gamemaker on record. How does that make you feel?"
I am suddenly aware that there are cameras and this is probably being broadcasted to the Capitol and the surrounding districts. "I'm shocked at this…" I search for the words "honor that my mother, the great Vivian Hyde has given me."
I do not like the way he looks at me. His eyes bore into me, mentally undressing me. I've heard things about Snow. He flashes me his trademark smile. That's when I see that the inside of his mouth is the color of fresh blood. "What a beautiful dress, a true classic. "
My mother smiles, but her eyes are cold. I try to keep the smile on my face as the people cheer. Seneca Crane takes the microphone and makes a few more announcements about not drinking and driving.
"Well, well, well, this is a surprise," Plutarch says heartily. He squeezes my shoulder. "I'd never thought I'd see the day Vivian gave up her place. You have big shoes to fill."
Tears well up in my eyes. "I'm so…. Happy," I stammer. The words fall out of my mouth I do not know where they come from, but I do not how to stop them. I wipe my tears "This is what I've always wanted."
This is my mother's way of forcing me into Capitol life, and away from Graham. I don't understand why, the Games are what she lives for. She told me once that the districts were parasites and used up resources that were needed in the Capitol. And the Hunger Games were punishment for their existence. I believed her for a while, and then I went to school. Most people of the Capitol share this sentiment, but occasionally you find some that don't. My second grade teacher was appalled after I had blurted this out in class. She explained that the people who lived in the districts were just like us and were far from useless. My mother was called and I was sent home. I wasn't punished, but a few days after that incident, my teacher disappeared. The Capitol does a good job of exterminating people who support humane treatment of these people who make our life of luxury possible.
I am engulfed by the other eight Gamemakers and President Snow as they offer me congratulations on my good fortune. Dmitri shakes my hand quickly, then disappears. I look for Graham but he has disappeared in the crowd.
"It so lovely to finally meet Vivian Hyde's daughter," A women squeals, "You've probably never heard of me. Vivian was not one to take her work home with her." She has white hair and shocking blue eye makeup. Her breasts look like they've been surgically altered. "My name is Contessa Lister."
I instantly dislike her. She seems fake.
"Don't forget," Crane says as we're getting ready to disperse back in to our respective circles. "There's a meeting at ten-thirty tomorrow morning."
Everyone grumbles that they will be hungover the next morning, but like for everything else, there is a pill for that.
A/n: I admit, this chapter is rather boring. I apologize. I have things planned. Thank you to those have reviewed. Please read and review!
