Hunger Games: Forced Gamble

Chapter 4 of my Hunger Games story, enjoy.

Reviews

Wolfgirl2013: Thanks :)
Smiles1998: He certainly is; yeah well, it's happening, things are about to get tense.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.


Final Decisions

Lillian rocked back, trying hard to steady herself. She swallowed nervously as the full implications of the announcement President Lucrum just made hit home. She could feel the madness creeping back in; could see the horrified looks on her parent's faces as they turned to her. She staggered back, clutching the sides of her head as the madness began to take hold. Her head almost exploded with pain as she tried desperately to hold it back. Her breathing became harsh and ragged as she was assaulted by mental images of her Games, the blood, the death. Before she ended up screaming however she became aware of someone's arm around her shoulders. There was familiarity, even comfort in that arm and she felt herself relaxing, calming down, the madness passing. She looked up and saw that her rescuer was Kai. He nodded to her reassuringly before turning to her family.

"I'm sorry, but I need to take Lillian with me." He said, his seriousness showed he understood all too well what was going on with the Quarter Quell. "There's a lot we need to do."

Her parents nodded; Cathy didn't seem to register what Kai said; only glared at his close proximity to Lillian. Kai paid her no mind however and guided Lillian out of the house. She allowed him to lead her although she was curious.

"Kai, where are we going?" She asked.

Kai explained quickly. "Aviva's house; we've got some planning to do."

Lillian nodded slowly, understanding and together they headed for Aviva's.

Once inside they found Aviva sitting at the kitchen table, absently toying with a nearby cup. She nodded to the two as they game in and gestured vaguely to the other chairs. They sat down and the moment they did Kai shook his head.

"This was fixed, I know it." He stated; the other two both nodded in agreement. "It's revenge for what I've done, Lucrum couldn't care less about the other tributes or who wins, he just wants me to die and at the same time, prove that he is in control."

Aviva pondered for a moment and finally Lillian couldn't take it anymore and had to speak.

"Kai, what are we gonna do, you don't have a choice, you're going back into the arena."

Kai nodded sadly. "I know, our problem now is, figuring out what to do about the other tribute, it's gonna be one of you two."

There was silence for a moment and finally, Lillian made up her mind.

She stood up and announced. "It has to be me. If I'm not chosen…I'll volunteer, I'm coming with you Kai."

"Lillian no, think about your mental state, you can't handle the Games again. You can't handle going into the arena again." Kai exclaimed; shaking his head.

Lillian was not deterred however. ""I'll be fine, I'm doing this Kai, I mean it."

Kai sighed and reluctantly agreed, especially after Aviva spoke.

"It's probably better that way…I have a plan that can help us escape, I have…'connections'." She paused before adding. "It'll be easier for me to work this plan if I'm not in the arena."

They were surprised by that, wondering what Aviva meant. However they had made their decisions, now it was time to get ready. This time they decided they would actively train for the Games, like the Careers, that way, they would hopefully be prepared for anything.

Kai sighed, time had passed quickly and before he knew it, it was time for the Reaping for the Quarter Quell. He had to deactivate the time operated devices which held the information about Lucrum and his family and all the other secrets. He couldn't use the kill switch in the arena and Lucrum technically wasn't breaking their agreement so he had no choice. That meant that he was stuck with just the disks he had recorded the information onto. Kai noted that he was still in possession of two, having yet to find someone to carry the last one. Aviva still had hers but sadly Ariel's had been taken. Kai knew his mother wouldn't be coming to visit him after the Reaping, mainly because he had told her not to. He was concerned for her safety so he said goodbye to her at home and told her to find some means to go into hiding the moment the Reaping was done. Once Kai arrived at the square he headed to his position, in complete fury at the farce that was being put on for the cameras. There were Peacekeepers lined up to ensure the crowd stayed in order, Lillian and Aviva were in their position. Looking rather uncomfortable and not her usual cheerful self was twenty-nine year old Zinnia Carls, our escort.

She noticed the cameras were running so she cleared her throat and spoke into the microphone.

"Welcome to the third Quarter Quell, the Seventy-fifth Hunger Games." She announced; she lacked her usual zeal however and Kai knew why, she had come to truly feel for him and Lillian and Aviva; to be sending them back to this was like a knife to her heart. "It is now time…"

Kai shook my head, thinking. 'To hell with this farce.'

"Why are we even pretending?" He called out, "We know what's gonna happen, so why even wait for it."

With that he marched up to the stage, ignoring the murmurs of discontent from the cameramen. This open show of rebellion against the rules would not be good footage for them, but Kai couldn't give a damn. Zinnia looked at him sadly as he stepped up onto the stage; Kai nodded at her and took his position as she spoke into the microphone.

"Presenting our male tribute, Kai Raithebone!" She called out before then announcing, "And now, our female tribute."

Zinnia picked out the name from the bowl and read it out.

"Aviva Lawaway!" She called out.

If they hadn't discussed things beforehand Kai knew he would have assumed Aviva's plan was ruined, but he knew better now. Sure enough, within moments of the name being read Lillian's voice rang out.

"I volunteer!"

Stunned silence followed, along with more murmurs from the cameramen, this wasn't going the way they had hoped at all.

Lillian walked up to the stage, her expression didn't flicker, Kai smiled, he had to commend her for her bravery. Once she took her position Zinnia finished her announcement and then, at the urging of the cameraman on the stage told them to shake hands. But they didn't, instead they did something else, something that nearly gave all the cameramen heart attacks as they got more 'bad footage'. The two of them performed the District 12 sign, their biggest show of defiance. Shortly after they did it, everybody else, including Zinnia and Aviva also performed the sign. The cameramen were panicking and hoped that the Peacekeepers would order us all to stop, but then they suffered the worst blow when the Peacekeepers responded by performing the sign too. After that they all headed inside and were taken straight to the train.


End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.