SO this is a brief (probably brief) chapter in the capitol through Ceasar Flickerman's eyes when he was young. Plus we have the winner's POV as well! Enjoy!
Ceasar Flickerman of age 6 at 2:00 hours in the Capitol, interviewing backstage room:
I never really 'got' the Hunger games. I thought it was just another piece of technology, of television, of Panem. I never thought it would play such a huge role in my life. But then I didn't understand a lot of things anyway. I was young and adventurous, unlike the days to come, where I'll sit on those turning chairs, interviewing so many who have died a few days after I meet them. Those who make it have changed. They fear everything, they see the dark in everyone but most of all, they can't trust ever again. They forgot how to truely live. I was born days after the reaping day of the 15th hunger games. I watch with my family as those tributes fought and died. I laughed when my family laughed, I cried when my family cried and I learnt to not fear the games, but to embrace it, to enjoy it. I never felt the way they did. When I turned twelve I didn't felt pain or fear like the other children in the districts where they prepare for the worst on Reaping Day. I sat, eating, laughing at their grim faces shown on TV. I never connected... until now. I am six, and now I understand this. My dad interviews the tributes, until one day later on when I will take over and become another part of these games. Today I really see what happens behind the scene.
My dad woke me up at 2 to watch the 21st hunger games reaping day. I sit, watching the screen showing each district's reaping and those who are chosen. They look like regular, happy children. Dad told me to notice each one, to recognise them one by one, to know their strengths and weaknesses, their personality. So far I've realised by the way they walk,talk and shake their hands, the girl from 1 is shy and scared, boy from 1 has been trained, the girl from 2 is confident and the boy from 2 doesn't care. Surely I must feel sad for each of them. Yet my feelings are locked up behing a metal wall, unbreakable and strong as steel. I feel no emotion for them. Dad says good.
"You must not show any liking or disliking when interviewing. You can not reach out to them, and comfort them. If you do, you will get killed,"
The screen lights up with the neon signs and technology filled streets of District 3. A bell rings from the speakers.
" They're starting the reaping process. The camera will zoom into the crowd, filming the most likely candidates for the next game. Elloise will then speak into the microphone, welcoming them all" my dad informed me.
Sure enough the screen shows exactly that. Elloise is my parents' friend. She is an escort for District 3. I know her because she sometimes comes over at our house for dinner. She's neutral, not mean but not nice either but I still dislike her. She has a tone of carelessness, thinking these games are for fun.
Elloise, or as I like to call her The Crow, spoke, addressing the audience. Soon she had drawn a name from what looked like a fishbowl and announced the female tribute of District 1.
" Notice her facial expressions. She is a stern one, and by her name, i believe she will be a strong competitor. " Dad says. The girl had dark brown hair, shoulder lengthed and blue eyes. She must have been about 15 years old, 9 more years older than me. She looked confident, staring straight at the camera without a tear leaking out. Her eyes were crystal blue. She wore clothes that were considered poor for such a rich district. The camera then zoomed onto another girl about the same age who looked like the tribute.
" Shadow Daniels. Remember her name. She will definately be a favourite. I must remember to ask her about that mystery girl. I believe that might have been her twin," Dad said, showing me a folder with Shadow's picture and the mysterious girl's photo. Next to the unknown girl's picture was a name: Meadow Daniels of age 15.
I look back to the TV screen. They were now showing series of segments of what must have been Shadow's family; her mum, dad, older brother, younger sister and her twin. It seems only her and her twin were legible for the games. Her sister must be 11 or younger and her brother must be 19 or older.
" Hey Niccolo, you're on in 10," a man shouted to my father. He nods back.
" Alright Ceasar, I've got to go on camera in 10 minutes. You stay here but you can watch me through the glass panel. How do I look?" Dad asked.
" Fine but your hair might want a final geling session." He laughs.
" Funny. I got to go. Catch you later!" He ruffles my hair.
" 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2..." giving Dad the thumbs up when he could start talking.
" Hello Panem! What a great day today's turning out to be! We've seen District 1 and 2 and now we have 3 broadcasting live. So far our known tributes are from District 1: Sterling Jones and Jason William, from 2 we have: Madelyn Green and Norman Shifter and we just saw District 3's Shadow Daniels as 3's female tribute! Next we have 3's male tribute. Who would it be?"
"Cut! Beautiful! Absolutely beautiful, OK, now switch to camera 17," A man directed the technology crew backstage. The man next to me started pressing a series of buttons. He spoke into an earpiece microphone.
" Camera 17, you're on in 3,2,1..."
Eliza in District 3 at 2: 14 hours (MKAlza11):
I breathed a sigh of relief. I have another year to relax and enjoy without the threat of the Hunger games. I don't know Shadow that well, but I knew Meadow as we both are in the same class for Tech Studies. They had a brother called Jacob and a sister named Helen. I also met their parents. Shadow was a strong feminine warrior and I have no doubt she will go all the way. Unlike Meadow, Shadow was serious and hated corny jokes. She also has a horrible sense of humour and struggled with making friends. Meadow was the social bug out of those two while Shadow stuck to herself. Yet I heard from Meadow that Shadow had a strong fear of being alone. Wierd.
I'm fifthteen and I, like my family dislike even the idea of these ruthless games, let alone the Capitol's joy in watching young people die so harshly. And here i am now, seeing a girl my age being led into a Capitol aircraft preparing to fight for her life. Plus the fact I know her and may never see her again in person. Meadow waves to Shadow, who's on stage. Both of them don't seem anxious or anything. Meadow obviously believes she could win. Or she's trying to convince herself that Shadow can. I turn my head in the direction of the sun, itching to see the faces of Fae and Carter Daniels with their other daughter and son: Helen and Jacob. Carter works as a household electrictian with his son while Fae owns a little shop selling loose parts with the help and support of her family.
I can see my brother in line still anxious. I try smiling at him but he could obviously see the fear for him in my eyes. He rubs his hands together. It's late Autumn and the days are getting colder. I was wearing 4 layers of clothing: A singlet, a shirt, a jumper, than an overcoat. I hoped he wasn't reaped. No one wants to be anyway. Our escort spoke a few words in that heavy Capitol accent. Then she pulled a piece of paper out. Please don't be my brother, please don't make it him!
" And the 2nd tribute of District 3 is... Tyler Sedrick!" The escort said.
I let out my breath. My brother wasn't the tribute! Then my heart sank. Tyler. Poor Tyler. He was my brother's friend. He was nervous, but I knew he would win. He might be young, at only 12 yrs old, but he's clever, more clever than you'll expect him to be. He'll be able to come out alive without killing a single person. He knows how to do that. His father, Abraham was weeping in his hat. They both lost Tyler's mum to an explosion. They've stuck together ever since, supporting each other when the times were rough. Tyler's short curly black hair was from his mother, while his eyes were brown like Abraham's. I wish Tyler the best for the games.
But I know he won't need it. After all, what kind of 12 year old can finish a memory game in 10 seconds flat?
Ruthie, age 13, 2 : 19 hours in the Capitol (balletbarbie)
I memorised every line the escorts say from the 'welcome welcome' bit to the famous 'May the odds be ever in your favour'. And here I am, watching the 21st Hunger games, imitating the escort of District 3 as she announces the male tribute. My sister turns the screen up to full volume to drown out my voice. I do the thing that annoys her the most: Scream the lines out.
"DISTRICT TWO, I GIVE YOU YOUR TRIBUTES: SHADOW DANIELS AND TYLER SEDRICK!"
She leaves. FINALLY. I have the whole 5 seater couch to myself. I fill the bowl infront of me with instant popcorn. Dad's in the background whistling the four-note tune that they always play when the Hunger games program switches to commercial ads. Most of the commercials are stuff like 'sponsor your district tribute' or 'visit the arena used for the previous hunger games'. As a family thing we do, my sister, dad, mum and I visit every arena on the first day it opens, even if it's a school day. The Hunger Games is apart of the lifestyle we live. The screen flickers to the interview room in the Capitol. I arrange my position so I'm 100 percent comfortable. The interview man, Niccolo, the dad of a boy I know, spoke to the camera.
"And that was District 3. Now the Capitol has generously donated some clips of the last year games which you can buy for a low price! Hurry because we only have limited stock!"
Yeah right, the clips cost about a whole apartment, believe me, I've checked! The camera videos some of the prep team and the mentors waiting in the train carriage to meet their tributes.
" Lets see some of the highlights last year!"
The screen turns into mountains. A girl and a boy is fighting with weapons. Seconds later the girl falls to the ground, dead, with a wound in her heart. The snow around her is blood red. The boy takes the girls jacket and belongings and fled. The camera image changes. Two boys fight in the water with knives. Then one boy is dragged underwater by a creature. His body is shown as a skeleton lying on the sandy beach. Then a girl and boy fight in the trees. They are close to the forcefield that surrounds the arena. The girl has an arrow and a bow while the boy has a sword. The girl shoots her 2nd last arrow at the boy but he ducks. The girl loads her last one. She pulls the string back, aiming for his heart. Then suddenly she turns arround and shoots at the forcefield. The arrow hits the field, then bounces back. The girl ducks, the arrow flying over her head and dug itself into the surprised boy's stomach. The girl then finishes him off with the sword.
" And of course the last clip we saw there was of our last year's victor: Lana Michiamo, fighting and triumphing against our runner up, Addam Trahk. And in the room herself is our very own: Lana Michiamo!"
A 19 year old girl entered the room in a pretty pink dress.
" Hello Lana! How's the year been for you? All good in District 4?" Niccolo asked.
" Beautiful, absolutely beautiful and definately peaceful!" Lana replied.
" You were 18 years old when you entered am I correct?"
" Yes, I was 18. My 19th birthday party was last month"
" Incredible. So have you got any tips for our tributes this year?"
" Yep, I do. Most of you want a weapon to defend yourself but the truth is the nature can kill you much more quicker than a sword or knife can. Sometimes you can even use the things around you to help you win. Like how I used the force field to beat Addam"
" Thank you very much Lana. I hope to see you again soon!' Lana leaves after hugging Niccolo.
" Ruthie. Move over. And get your feet off the couch. I deserve to see Lana. I was the one who bet with you that Lana would win!" My sister yells at me.
" Fine, fine. It's over anyway," I said, leaving the living room. I walk up to my bedroom. It had the best view you can ever imagine. I could see the Hunger Games Department building and President Snow's office. I thought about what he would be doing now. Maybe organising the games, or planning out the arena... and then I imagined something horrible.
He was planning the tributes' death.
The image of the boy who came 2nd flashed in my mind. He's eyes were open, his mouth in an 'o' shape. He had an arrow in his stomach and a sword in his heart.
I hate to think what Snow had planned for this year...
Tyler Sedrick, age 12 at 2:31 hours in train carriage 5:
I can't think straight. My mind has gone blank, nothing, dead. I keep remembering the boy in our district who went in last year and how he died. But nothing is working for me today. My head's in pixieland, my hands and feet are numb, my throat is sore, I have a blocked nose and I feel cold as ice. The train ride didn't help at all. Apparently the heater broke down and the train is even colder than outside. The window is frosty and the view outside was blurry. Shadow sit opposite me staring out the window like there was a better view than just frost outside. She sits still through the ride but I know her mind was doing more thinking than her body moving. She was thinking of her family (by the way her eyes are warm and moist) and our district (her mouth sometimes curls up into a small smile). She might have as well thought of joyful memories from the way she would sometimes absent-mindedly laugh or sigh happily. But now and then her whole body would sag or shiver in the thought of the future and her time in the arena. I couldn't blame her for fearing the games. My name has only been in the draw once and I was lucky enough to be picked.
I've never needed to kill anyone let alone want to. Shadow would have no trouble with that. She's fierce and might not be trained, but she is stronger than most girls and boys. But I have my brain. The brain that might save me from death. The brain that can think of a way to survive without lifting a weapon to attack. I'll only use it in defence, to protect myself.
" We're nearly there!" My mentor announced. She's happy and excited while Shadow and I sit waiting , expectiong the worst. Out there were animals, peoples, careers, ready to sacrifice you for their own survival, all in the idea of entertainment. I have to fight infront of a camera, a crowd, my family, strangers but most importantly President Snow. He would do anything for a good show and not killing anyone at all and winning would make him ferocious. He would kill me off if he knew my plan. He's deadly but silent. A silent killer: always the most dangerous killers.
The train stopped infront of a crowd of brightly dressed people in wigs and heavy make-up waving at me. I managed a smile back. In the corner of my eye, I saw Shadow glaring at them. I would have continued smiling and waving except for the fact I remembered what they were cheering for.
My death.
Then the face of the boy who was tribute last year from our district falshed through my mind.
He died...by stabbing himself in the heart in the games...
I"m really sorry if this took ages ! I was kind of busy with school and everything! Anyway District 3 is done! Hope you guys enjoyed it! I'm trying to change every reaping differently so it's not all boring and the same thing!
SO... Tell me if it needs inproving or it's OK or something! I'm freaking out for my reports. 3 WEEKS UNTIL WINTER HOLIDAYS! YAY!
To everyone who celebrates the 'Queen's Birthday' Happy 'Queens Bday!'
Peace out...