**There is only one POV right now because I made up John Wal just to let you know**
Victory's POV
I picked up the dirty hand cloth, smearing it across the counter. Suds rolled off the side, landing silently on the ground. The dark maple wood shined dully against the low lighting as my first costumer strolled in."Hello, Dave," I said pleasantly in familiarity. He was, after all, a usual. He grunted before sitting down, resting his head onto his hands. He must have only woken up a few minutes ago,I thought, "What will it be?" I slapped the cloth over my shoulder, leaning towards him.
"How old are you, Victory?" he said suddenly, looking up at me, his grey washed out eyes boring into mine. I was taken aback and stood up straight in confusion.
"Sixteen." I said quietly, silence taking over the room. We both knew as well as the other that today, I could very well be picked to go into the arena.
"You' re too young to be working in a bar," he sighed, lightening the tense air of the room. I grinned, turning around towards all of the alcohol.
"Mmhmm, and so was my mother when she opened this place," I paused, looking back up at the picture of her and my father, both grinning. I shook my head before turning around. "Now, what will it be?" I asked with some acid in my throat.
"A scotch on the rocks," he said, leaning back as he pushed away his grey hair from his face.
After he had downed his fifth, he got up shakily.
"Now I mmmust take mmy leave, for I *hic* willll tutor beee thee some peoplllle…" he said with a slight slur. I smirked and leaned towards him.
"And how lucky they will be," I gave him a light push towards the door.
-
As I walked towards the square, I suddenly heard approaching footsteps pounding the pavement fast. A quick impact as the person jumped onto my back and wrapped their arms around my neck.
"Hello, Daphne" I said with a roll of my eyes, laughing.
"Hi," she said with a snicker. Her voice always sounded like she was giggling at a joke and happy. We made our way to the square, her on my back as we avoided the cracks in the ground as we always did. I soon began to regret my choice to wear my dark blue T-shirt and jeans as the sun beat down against me relentlessly.
When we finally reached the crowd, I let my little sister down and placed my arms around her.
"Do you think you will be picked?" she asked. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to swallow my terror.
"I'm not sure," I answered truthfully.
"Well next year, I will be in the reaping finally!" she said in her bubbly and cute voice, "I'll volunteer for you!" I shook my head and avoided her eyes. I wish there was an easier way so that my sister should never have to experience the horrors that go on in the games. After working in the bar for a year, I'd overheard and understood the many horrific stories that older tributes had spoken about.
After our announcer got the crowd pumped up with words like "champions", "winning", and "show them no mercy", it was time for the reaping. A woman walked onto stage wearing a skin tight dress
"And the boy to represent District Two is…John Wal!" a short boy walked up, his face murderous and sinister. I grimaced, watching him pump his fist in the air in pride. He looked to be only thirteen years old and he was in for the games. After the cheering went down, she reached back into the bowl.
"And the girl who will represent District Two this year is.." he paused unfolding the piece of paper, "Victory Dale!" the crowd went silent as they all turned around looking at me….me. I was I one who was called. I felt a tug on my arm and looked down to see Daphne staring up at me in confusion.
"That's you!" I nodded, my mouth open. I shook my head, pushing my way through the crowd. Everything appeared to move in slow motion, as if I were in a dream. Oh, I wish it were a dream. Once I got up to the stage, the woman smiled creepily.
"Well, well, your name already has Victory in it, so I guess we don't need to worry about you, Doll!" she said, shaking my hand vigorously. There were low conversations going on in the crowd.
"No way! Why do we get the loser!" a boy yelled, I snapped back into the present. Nothing showed on my surface and I simply glared into the crowd.
"I don't see you up here!" I said, now stepping back in line with John. I nodded towards him in greeting, as the crowd began to erupt into insults directed at me. Before I was ushered out, I saw Sam, my brother, snap his fist forward and hitting the boy who had called out to me square in the jaw.
My brother and sister later entered the room where I had been taken, Sam with blood on his shirt and a bruised cheek.
"Sam!" I yelled, standing up in shock.
"It's nothing, Vic" he murmured, pushing me back down into my chair.
"It doesn't look like nothing!"
"It doesn't matter!" he snapped, pounding his fist on the table angrily. He let out a deep breath out, pushing his blonde hair out of face. "It doesn't matter," he said now more calmly, "You need to know some things before you go in there. Just remember, keep with the careers and don't show any weakness," he said, trying to rush his words.
"Yeah…okay."
"I love you," Daphne cried, running over to hug me. I squeezed her, trying to memorize the feeling.
"I love you too, sis," I whispered into her hair. Sam walked around and joined the hug.
"Take care of Daphne," I spoke quietly into his ear. He nodded, stepping back.
"And take care of yourself."
"I'll try," after another minute, it was time to leave. I took a long look at both, remembering the good times with each. I would hold them dear to me, for the rest of my time in the games. Unfortunately, that could maybe also be the rest of my life.
please review shout out to Fazzems my betta ;)
