Interviews

The next days were a torment for me. I had to hear my former allies describing how they would torture Emily before killing her in the arena. Erebus even started talking about raping her hard and mercilessly only to be interrupted by Fragrance's comments on her pity for him that he must endure such an unpleasant task for the sake of the Alliance. They must have enjoyed my suffering even though I didn't let them see it. They would love to have me begging on my knees to spare her, crying that it was not her fault, that I was their enemy. But I didn't do them that favor. It was her wish after all.

- If you love me, you will keep your pride unharmed; she had told me when I had suggested that as a way to save her. You are Diego Silver, the son of two victors, and you have to respect that.

It was the first time she didn't mention my heritage as a sin maybe because I show that myself respect her dead father. If you think about it our families are not so different. Both of our parents fought for the best of their districts and they are considered heroes for their acts. Some months before I couldn't believe that all the districts have their own version of district pride.

Of course the mentors completely ignore me and even my eleven in training meant nothing to them. I don't care that much though. I have time on my own to plan my strategy for me and my girl and I'm not obligated to socialize with people I hate. The only ones who still talk to me are Shark and Breeze. I have a feeling that they wish they could choose me and Emily as allies specially Breeze whose face becomes pale every time she hears Erebus' threats. I've noticed Shark watching her closely even holding her near him when he is around. Unfortunately they are not so brave but they can be useful during the Games.

Now I'm standing in front of a close door waiting my turn for the interview with Caesar Flickerman. This guy is the only Capitolite I like somehow. We have the same sarcastic humor, irony runs through our veins and I believe that along with the stylists he is the only one who tries to help us. I haven't seen him not even once insulting a tribute even those who are rude to him or angry and he has a unique talent of making every statement a positive one. Of course I've heard the rumors about his involvement in the drug industry of Panem or his relationships with previous victors but all those things can't change one fact. He is there for us getting sponsors maybe more than our mentors are. No tribute with a catchy interview has ever starved in the arena. And the lucky ones that Caesar selected as his favorites had more than they needed.

- From his father he inherited the virtue of a warrior, from his mother his miraculous beauty. From your favorite District One, please welcome, a boy as strong and shiny as his name suggests, a son of two victors, Diego Silver!

''Let the Games begin'', I say to myself and I climb the stage confidently. I hear the crowd shouting my name, women are throwing flowers and jewelers at me, some even faint. I'm smiling and waving to them like I'm overwhelmed with their love and support and finally I sit on the red armchair waiting for the actual part to begin. Caesar looks content with the crowd's reactions to my first appearance so he is rather friendly. That will make matters easier, without Amethyst's help I have only this chance to gain some sponsors for me and Emily.

- So, Diego. Tomorrow is the big day. Are you ready?

-Of course I am, Caesar. What else is my training score stands for?

- It is really impressive I have to admit. As my lovely elves have informed me, we only have ten elevens in the history of the games. All of the tributes with that score won, Brutus, Mags, and your own Gloss to name a few. Are you going to carry on the tradition?

- We all know that a training score means nothing inside the arena, I answer trying to look modest. The tributes you've mentioned proved their merit in real combat not fighting practice dummies.

I must have pleased him with my answer because I see a smile on his face. I'm modest enough, a surprise from someone from my district but I don't look weak and afraid like an outlier. I also respect the other victors, which is something people love to hear.

- Speaking of victors how is life as a son of Ares and Miracle Silver? I still remember their interviews you know. Your mother was a classy lady and your father had great humor.

- I'm really proud of them, I answer truthfully. They raised me in the way they believed was the appropriate as a wannabe victor. Of course I had to spend a lot of time without them because of their victors' duties but I love them and I will always do no matter what they might think of me.

- Oh, I'm sure they are proud of you too, Diego. Tell us some things about our shiny District 1. I have to admit that your products make my life prettier and tastier.

- That's what everyone believes, Caesar. But if you want to see the real District 1 you have to clean the gold dust first. Just because we make luxury items that doesn't mean we all can use them and many children enroll in the Academy of Ethics and Values for a better chance in their life than losing their eyesight making elaborate patterns on jewelry they will not wear or filling their lungs with dust and chemical fumes. And even there life is not a game. We have to follow strict rules, to endure harsh punishments and to face the violence of our teachers and older cadets. This is their way to make us useful for society. And we are only six!

I choose my words very carefully. It is a well-known secret that in the Academy we train for the Games but officially is forbidden. As long as I want this dreadful place to shut down, I can't take the blame especially now that I have so many enemies. I look at Caesar afraid that this not the answer he wants but his glowing eyes prove me wrong. I was right about that man; he is not like the others.

- That is a very interesting point. Isn't that right folks? The crowd nods in agreement. I can see some women crying silently. What a hypocrites! They are going to cheer our deaths tomorrow. I get angry and I forget all about sponsors and such. This is my last chance to tell the truth and I'm not going to miss it.

- Let me tell you a story Caesar, I start but my voice breaks a little as I'm ready to scratch a wound that never has been healed completely. I had a very close friend, his name was Onyx. We were together since I could remember myself; he was the one who helped me with my math assignments because he was brilliant. We were dreaming of creating a band, he would sing and I would play the guitar. But Onyx was a disgrace for our perfect District because he was ill and weak and after some time he had to be on a wheelchair. Everyone isolated him like he was contagious and even his parents felt ashamed of him. He was a sensitive boy and he couldn't stand it, the looks full of pity, the whispers behind his back, the hazing. When he was rejected from one air headed girl that choose that year's tribute, it was the last blow. He drunk poison. That is how glorious is the life on District 1.

Caesar is speechless and the crowd is silent but my eyes are wet with tears. Onyx was my best and only friend. I wish he was here now to talk to him about Emily and reassure him that there are girls out there that they don't care about looks and appearance. But he is not and it is not his fault. All those people are responsible for his death and I hope they'll never forget it.

The interview show has ended and I'm waiting Diego on the roof. I hope his ok; he said some disturbing things in his appearance on stage. He had a really hard time with the Alliance after the revelation of our secret and his reckless words may make matters even worse. I think about his bruised face the first time we were alone up here; He told me a story about hitting on the door the night before, a childish lie. I tried to kiss his pain away but that didn't ease my regrets. I'm the reason he is in such a mess.

Mine on the other hand was nothing special. Haymitch forbade any word about my father and for the first time I didn't argue with him. It would be the end of me if the Capitol knew that I was a rebel's daughter, I would have no one supporting me and I would turn all their hate towards me. So, I was the quite girl from the fire district with a modest six as training score talking about my life, my fascination with witches and my grandma and sister. Caesar was very gentle, he even flirted me a little and they all went according to plan.

I hear his steps and I run to hug him. This is probably the last time we are completely alone without cameras watching our every move. He must think the same thing because he is holding me closer and start kissing me passionately. I feel tears on his face, tears for his dead friend and the fear of losing me tomorrow and I'm trying to wipe them with my lips. He looks vulnerable but I've never seen him that real before. That is Diego I'm in love with, a strong, protective and tender man not an arrogant potential victor.

- Is everything ok? I ask him. Maybe you should be more careful with Flickerman.

He just laughs and makes me sit on his lap.

- What for? To have my mentor's favor or not to worry my allies? I think I've passed that point when I first kissed a stunning girl from District 12. I wanted to show the truth to the Capitolites and people on the districts. After seventy years, it was time for someone to reveal the real district 1.

- Have I told you recently how much I love you? I say and I give him a little kiss on his cheek.

- Don't try to seduce me little witch, he answers playfully. We have to revise our strategy now. So, tomorrow we will be placed very far from each other, I'm sure Amethyst has already paid a lot for that. You will not go to the Cornucopia; you will just grab the first supplies that are near you. I'm responsible for taking anything useful.

- And then I will run north as far from the bloodbath as possible, I sight. I know that, we've been over this a hundred times. What about the Alliance? They won't be chasing me?

He hesitates a little before he can answer me. All those days, he didn't mention them during our planning but I know that they won't be as easy to escape from as he believes. Unless, he knows something I don't so this is the right time to tell me that.

- You are their priority target but not during the bloodbath. They like to take revenge on both of us and make it…spectacular.

I shiver with fear. Spectacular? That means torture me? It is not the first time the Careers chose that path. It always ends with them getting expensive sponsor gifts. Diego hugs me and tries to comfort me.

- I can't tell you lies, my love. They haven't stopped describing the gruesome ways they plan to kill you and they will do it in front of me to torture me too. So, you have to be careful and not cross your path with theirs as long as possible. Don't trust anyone even the Four's. But I give you my word; I would do my best to protect you.

He hides me in his arms as a small proof of his words and for a moment I feel safe. I wish we had more time for us to be able to show him how much he helped me to heal some of my wounds. His head is buried in my neck and he is whispering all those small, stupid, love words that couples use on each other. I feel my skin burning with passion as I want to feel him completely. After all it is now or never; I won't have another chance in my life. It will be my proof of love to the man that has sacrificed everything for me. I stand up, hold his hands and look him in the eyes decidedly.

- Make love to me.