Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.

Note: Sorry for the wait, all! Here is is, the eleventh chapter of twelve! The Games are over, but the story less so. Even with only a bit more to be written, there are still things to come and stuff to set up. I feel satisfied with how this one has ended up, and it's also a good feeling to almost have another story of The Nameless Chronicles finished. Once the story ends I'll be putting up a journal on Deviant-Art about all the things that changed in the story from the start. A lot of beta ideas didn't make it in, I can say that much! Some, probably for the best. ^^; But before we begin, time for the hints!

Hint #1: This Tribute died in the bloodbath.

Hint #2: This Tribute was never seen holding a weapon.

Hint #3: This Tribute did not have their corpse shown.

Everything feels floaty and distant. It's like gravity just got turned off. Or maybe my head aches enough to make me feel like a leaf carried by the wind.

Wait...I'm not in any pain. I feel...fine. Not the tiniest bit of agony. What's going on here? I was feeing almost dead a few minutes ago, wasn't I?

I open my eyes and mumble as I shield them from the light. Looking around, I see I'm in a clean, white room. Everything is very basic. It seems like some sort of a hospital room. Looking down, I see my ragged, bloodied Tribute outfit is gone. A simple yellow shirt and pants are on my instead. I'm clean and...there's no sign of any injuries on me.

I look just as I did at the start of the Hunger Games. No, I look better. I don't think I have any marks on me. I'll have to check myself in a mirror at some point, but as I roll up my sleeves, look down my shirt collar, pull up the pant legs and glanced backwards down at my butt...I see any scars I had in the Arena, or from before it are totally gone. Like some kind of reset button.

I'm glad to be fixed up, but it feels...insulting. Plus, all the mental pain is still very much present and accounted for…

But, I'm out of the Arena. I'm safe…

"I...I actually won," I whisper, it all sinking in. "I won the Hunger Games. I'll never go hungry again...and Weldar will never hurt me ever again...and Lacey, she's alive..."

I sit quietly for a few minutes, wondering what is going to happen now. But soon, as I think of all the horrible things I saw and had done to me, I start to cry. Sniffling, I sob and whimper as I cover my face, letting the tears fall out. After all the pain, I need to cry and let it all out. It'll take a while though, that I am sure of.

Indeed, I end up sobbing for almost an hour and still nobody has come to check on me. Either I'm a quiet crier, or nobody cares. But that's fine...I needed time to myself. What I did is starting to hit me now. I'm a murderer. I killed Weldar in cold blood, and was the indirect reason for Cinder's horrible death. I didn't kill the most people in the Games, or even come close to the record...but blood is on my hands. I can't hep but wipe my sides, as though my hands were literally bloody.

"What am I going to do?" I say to myself, my head starting to ache and my chest beginning to hurt, both from all the emotion. "I get beaten, hurt, nearly killed several times, kill others...all this, and now it's back to Three with me just having to deal with it all. I...I can't..."

And so, the tears return and continue to fall. I may be thirteen, but I cry like I am three, or even two. I long for my mommy. Not like my brothers or dad will give much comfort to me. Come to think of it, now that I have won...a thing I am sure nobody back home saw coming...does that mean I have to share my new house with my family? They kicked me out and left me on my own...so would I really have to?

I'm taken out of my thoughts when the door opens. For a moment I wonder if it's somebody here to kill me, to strike me down when I'm so close to going home. I almost cower.

But it's not. It's quite the opposite.

Squealing in joy, a curly haired object pounces on me, pulling me into a tight, loving hug. It's only a second before I find myself squealing too, and hug Lacey in return. And for a while, that's all we do. Sobbing in relief that we're both alive and never wanting to let go of each other.

"You're ok..." Lacey whispers, her eyes tearful and full of joy.

"Physically..." I mumble. "How are you...are you alright?"

"Uh huh, not a scratch," Lacey says with a nod, lifting up her shirt a little. Where there had been a stab mark is nothing. "I feel right as rain once again! Yay!"

I hug Lacey closer. Maybe if I hold her tight and close enough, her optimism will rub off on me...literally.

"How do you feel...inside?" I ask quietly.

Lacey's smile falter for a second.

"...I just try not to think about it," Lacey says after a moment. "It's better that way. To honour the fallen, but not think about the worst details."

I can only nod. The more I think, the more pain I feel. I'll try to follow her lead. But I can't forget. I never will. I've witnessed traumatic things, and I'll have to live with all that they bring.

"Imagine though...two victors," Lacey says in wonder. "Well, technically you're the Victor and I'm just a Survivor or something, but we did it! We won! We're going home..."

Lacey looks faraway for a moment. No doubt she's thinking about her home and loved ones. I wish I had much to think about. I wish I had a lot to look forward to in Three. But besides a big house, money and being able to buy as many cheese buns as I want...really, will much change? Well, maybe after they saw me in the Arena things will change. I need to have hope, like Lacey does so easily.

"Home...back to the Technology of Three. Back to...life," I mumble.

"I miss my mummy and daddy so much," Lacey says, sniffling. "I was always worried in the Arena. Worried about how they were feeing."

I let Lacey nuzzle my shoulder for a moment.

"We're safe now," I say assuringly. "No more Games. Just...us."

That's when I realize that we are not alone. Wiress and one of the Victors from Eight -Cecelia I think- stand off to the side and watch us both with smiles. Awkwardly, I give a small smile.

"Hello..." I mumble.

As our Mentor's approach, Lacey doesn't let me go. Though seeing us together, our Mentors look pleased. A tad anxious, but pleased.

"You made something great," Wiress says with a smile. "I am proud of you."

"Well...I always was good at building things," I say quietly, shyly even. "I'm so glad it worked."

Cecelia gives me a warm smile, and gently gets Lacey to let me go. They leave the room, Cecilia telling Lacey they need to be ready for the interview. As they leave Lacey flashes me a warm smile, before chattering about what kinds of cloths she'll be wearing.

Wiress pulls up a chair and for a while we just sit in silence. It's not long before my tears start to fall though.

"That was horrible," I whisper. "It felt like I was in hell. Real hell. I feel like I've lost my mind, and I'm afraid. Wiress, does anybody want to kill me?!"

Wiress gently gives me a hug, and I accept it instantly. I need affection and care of any kind right now. Even though I'm alive and so is Lacey, it doesn't change the fact what happened is horrible and painful and...I can't think of enough bad words to describe the whole nightmare. Wiress just hums an old melody of some kind as she holds me gently.

"You're safe now," she tells me, gently stroking my hair. "Safe and sound."

"Am I though?" I ask, shivering. "I'm not dumb...two Victors...well, a Victor and a 'Survivor'...that never happens. I bet I'm gonna be in so much trouble!"

And just like that, I begin to gasp and wheeze. I'm starting to hyperventilate and panic.

"Lacey's tracker broke because of a weapon I made!" I stammer between gasps. "The Gamemakers made a mistake, but I bet they're really mad I didn't attack Lacey when she was alive and just went straight for the hovercraft with her! Oh man oh man! I'm gonna be in so much trouble with the President!"

And just like that, everything goes dark once again. Before I completely pass out, I hear Wiress say something I cannot trace in a grave tone to another person. Is it Beetee? I'm out cold before I can tell.

(Later…)

Eventually, I wake up once again. Am I in the same room...wherever that room was? Looking around, it seems like I am. The lights are on and I'm still in one piece. How long was I out for? I heard Cecilia tell Lacey our interview is tonight, so it can't have been very long, can it?

Groaning, I sit myself back up and look around. I'm alone. But, that's alright. Now it gives me time to think.

Think about the fact I am in so much trouble…

"The Games had two Victors...Victor and Survivor...whatever, more than one lived," I mumble to myself, anxiety in my tone. "This is gonna be bad. They'll be watching me. I might have an accident arranged for me. This is worse than the time daddy lost his job because of me...this time, I'm gonna get far worse than a spanking and being thrown out to fend for myself."

I can't help but look for a window or a vent to climb out of or into. But no, there is no escape. I must be underground, or something. Maybe I'm below the Tribute building...deeper than the training centre, even?

I'm halfway through figuring out a script for what I am going to say when, inevitably, the powers of Panem come for me and force me to talk when the door opens. My heart pounds, but slows down a bit when an Avox enters. One who seems to be about my age, disturbingly enough. He carries with him a tray of food. It looks heavenly…

He sets the tray down without a word and takes a step back. I'm about to start ravenously feasting, but I stop myself. This boy, like me, has been through horrors and trauma. And unlike me, he cannot scream. I always felt bad for Avox's.

"Thank you," I say, locking eyes with him. "...I'm sorry for what's become of you. If I could only help..."

The Avox looks very nervous as he glances to the door, but he does give me the briefest of nods and smiles. He then returns to his blank face and again points to the food. I waste no time eating everything. The mash potatoes with butter and gravy, the fines vegetables, the delicious and lightly salty gammon steak...for a few minutes as I devour the whole thing, all is right in the world. It won't last, but a good meal can take away my worries for a short while.

Feeling full and satisfied, I pass the plate back to the Avox.

"Thank you," I say gratefully. "That was just what I needed."

The Avox seems afraid that I am speaking to him and looks like he wants to leave, yet he also seems to appreciate what I say.

"I know, I can only speak to you if I give you a command," I say, a thought occurring to me as I speak. "So...I command you to let me tell you that I appreciate what you have done for me, and I also command you to know that I think Avox's deserve much better. Lastly, I command you to know my name is Gadget Byte and that I want to know what yours is. I command you to know that I am aware you cannot speak, but you could write it."

I smile, giggling to myself at this rather obvious loophole in the rules. I was told I cannot talk to an Avox unless I am giving a command. I do believe what I said falls under this strict rule. The Avox seems half scared and half amused by this. With the tiniest of smirks, he quickly takes a small piece of paper from his pocket, no bigger than a sticky note from Three really, and scribbles something down. He passes it to me, and quickly leaves the room with the tray and empty plate.

I look at the paper, wondering the name of this boy and also how he could have become a Avox. What could a thirteen year old do to make the Capitol that angry?

Oh…

Gulping nervously, I look at the paper again and try to focus.

Mirrus.

So that's the Avox boy's name. What could his story be?

I don't get time to think about this much though. A moment later Wiress enters the room, my prep team and Stylist following behind her.

"Tick tock tick tock..." she mumbles. "The interview starts in four hours. It's time to prepare. Must prepare."

Wiress no doubt sees the fear in my eyes, for she gives me a gentle, almost motherly hug. I return it quickly.

"You'll be alright," she promises me.

I don't trust most people, but Wiress doesn't fall under most people. I let her lead me away as the prep team and my Stylish already begin to chatter about fashions and what work needs to be done on me. If nothing else, I can admit the Capitol has some amazing cloths...though to be honest, how much credit can I give them? Eight is Textiles after all and they have some lovely things, I hear.

Before we exit the room though, I catch sight of something out of the corner of my eye. It's a flowerpot beside my bed. I guess I didn't notice it before.

But I do notice the white rose placed within it.

That's President Snow's favourite kind of flower…

I shiver nervously as I am led out of the room. Just an interview, and then I can leave the Capitol behind. And more importantly, the Arena. I'll only be safe once I am back home, tucked up in bed.

(Time passes…)

My stomach is doing flip flops, and I feel a cold sweat coming on. I may not be in immediate risk of being killed, not with all those Capitol citizens above me ready to watch the show, but I'd be a fool to not feel uneasy. Gamemakers are there, Peacekeepers are there, President Snow is there…

Right now Caesar is warming the crowd up as he does every year. I don't need to think too hard to guess what kinds of things he'll be saying to get the crowd really eager. I just hope he takes a while to get it all done so I have time to try and stop myself having a heart attack.

Before now I feared Muttations and people trying to kill me with nasty weapons. But now, I'm scared because of the unknown. What will happen? What will having two kids make it out of that Arena mean? It was a Gamemaker mistake, not my fault at all and it wasn't me who used the Spark Shot with the intent to breaking Lacey's tracker. But I still took her to the Hovercraft...will I be blamed for what I did?

I don't know. But, I have to take a step into the unknown as it's al I can do. Wiress is in position, ready to rise to the stage with me. My prep team and stylist are ready as well. All that's missing is the person who matters most of all. Will Lacey be allowed on the stage? She said it herself, she's technically not the Victor.

And there she is.

Lacey runs up to me, wearing a beautiful flowy purple dress, and hugs me tightly.

"Gadget!" she squeals. "Sorry I'm late! The prep team were having trouble with my curls, and then just kinda gave up. So, ready for the interview? I know I am! It'll be so much fun...we'll be like celebrities! By the way, you look beautiful."

I can't help but look to the side shyly upon hearing that praise. From Lacey, that means a lot. I've been given a sleek golden dress and tiara to wear to the stage. It crackles silently and harmlessly with cyan electricity, making me impossible to miss. It looks great on me, even if it does feel a bit...well, superfluous. But, Lacey likes it on me and that little fact makes me feel just a tad better.

"Thanks," I say after a moment, shyness in my voice. "They're letting you on stage with me?"

"Yup!" Lacey says with a grin. "Though, Cecilia and my crew aren't coming with me. Just me."

"And what more could people want?" I ask, hugging my friend. "You look great too. Perfect even. I just...I just can't believe it's nearly over and we'll soon be going home..."

"And all we have to do is answer questions in front of all of Panem. After the Arena, how hard could that be?" Lacey asks cheerfully.

I inwardly flinch. My fate...our fate...it may come down to what Caesar asks us, and how we respond to it…

"...How hard indeed?" I manage to say.

Lacey takes her spot on an empty platform, due to rise with the rest of us. I'd expected that Beetee would be using that one, but he was Weldar's mentor, not mine, so I guess he won't be on the stage with us. How very lucky he is. I don't know Beetee well...actually I only ever spoke to him and Wiress after I was reaped...but, something tells me he won't feel bad about the lack of attention.

After all, I'd love to go back to obscurity, honestly.

But now, I'm in the public eye of Panem. The cheering is getting louder and louder above me as the show begins. First my Prep Team rise up, followed by my Stylist and then Wiress. My heart feels tight, almost caught in my throat, and I feel worse my podium begins to rise in time with Lacey's. She gives me a friendly smile which I try to return, but it's not easy.

I am barely able to force the most fake smile in the history of Panem before I rise onto the stage. I shield my eyes from the flashy, blinding lights. The cheering is almost deafening, the colours overwhelming and all the while that cheesy song that played during the pre-Games interviews blares like some kind of annoying Jabberjay that won't leave.

"And here they are!" Caesar announces grandly. "First, the girl who never once had the odds in her favour except for the one time is truly counted! She's smart, she's said to be the shy type and she made a working mech suit in our most exciting finale ever, it's our Victor, Gadget Byte!"

I try to wave to the crowd, but I'm feeling a sensory overload. Looking around, it's all a blur of noise and colour. For a moment I see President Snow and the Gamemakers on a high podium...wait is it just me or are there less Gamemakers than there were in my private training session? Feeling sickly from it all, and my head spinning, I give a timid smile and a light wave as I sit on a plush sofa that has been set up.

"And second, a surprise to us all I am sure, is our Survivor! Not a Victor, but not Fallen either, she was quite the comic relief and, I hear, is a beloved District Doofus back in Eight! This girl is just full of surprises, so give a big cheer for Lacey Valentine!" Caesar says in a grand, booming voice.

Lacey laughs and smiles, waving to the crowd. She twirls and waves, and I can't help but smile as I watch this. Giggling, she sits down next to me, her mood sunny as always.

Caesar calls for quiet, and the crowd quickly obeys. After all, they love a good interview with the newest Victor. And with two of us still being alive this time, no doubt they're even more eager to watch it happen than usual. It's mere moments before all is quiet, and the music comes to a close and the lights dim a bit. Thank goodness, as my eyes had been starting to hurt.

"So Gadget, and Lacey, welcome back," Caesar says, charmingly as always. "It's been quite the adventure for you, hasn't it? Many close calls, hardships to overcome and many strong Tributes to match wits with. To face it all and still stay standing, it must feel good, am I right?"

"You are right." I say with a shaky smile. "I didn't always think I could do it. Really, without the kind sponsors...well, Weldar would have struck me down in moments. It was really close, that's for sure."

"You had it in the bag," Lacey says confidently. "You're the smartest girl I've ever met!"

I can't help but stammer from how flattered I am as the crowd cheers. Naturally, they quickly quieten down as Caesar continues.

"So now that you're both out of the Arena, how do you both feel?" Caesar asks, crossing his legs and relaxing on his chair.

"I feel just the same as I always was. Happy, happy, happy," Lacey says cheerfully. "Although I also feel less pain in my body, so that's always nice."

"Your spirit is strong," Caesar says with a grand laugh. "And you Gadget, how do you feel?"

I have only a second to consider my answer. I can't say I am scared, or that I feel happy the Gamemakers made a huge error. So, what can I say?

"Well...I'm not sure how to feel," I admit. "Nothing is ever going to be the same as it once was. I'll have a proper house instead of a shack. I won't go hungry again. The boy who hurt me so much over the years is dead by my hand, never to harm me again...its a big change and I'm not sure what the future holds."

Well, with your new status and winnings, I'm sure you'll find something to keep yourself busy. Maybe build your own line of mech suits?" Caesar jokes.

"Oh! Yes! I'd buy one!" Lacey explains with a giggle.

Come to think of it, that actually sounds like a really good idea…

"Well there we have it, that could be your future career," Caesar remarks. "So before we get on with the recap footage of this year's Hunger Games, what was your favourite moment of the whole experience? A happy memory?"

A happy memory in the Hunger Games? How ridiculous. How...absurd! The very thought of looking back on murder, bloody injury and Mutts fondly! But yet...perhaps life is getting ridiculous, because I do have a find memory.

"I didn't have much fun at all," I admit. "But...I can't deny that meeting Lacey, well...honestly, being with her is the happiest I have ever been."

"Awww, thanks!" Lacey says with a smile. "My favourite part was hanging out with you too. I mean...you're my best friend."

The audience seems to love this, awww'ing loudly. Caesar smiles too...it doesn't look fake either.

"Um..." I trail off, but I'm sure my expression says it all.

"Wasn't it nice, this year? Friendship won," she continues to chatter. "We saw love pop up and sadly go away, but no matter the struggles we faced, our friendship just couldn't be broken for a moment. Just like a fairy tale, almost! Good thing my tracker got wrecked, huh?"

I catch a gasp in my throat. Will Lacey get in trouble for saying that? Oh no oh no oh no!

Caesar seems to have anticipated this and reacts quickly. After saying again how even if the odds of this outcome were perhaps a million to one, and thus still possible in the end, he calls or the recap. The lights dim as the screen behind us turns on. Lacey cuddles up against me, holing my hand. Like me, she doesn't want to watch this...we have no choice, but at least we do not have to watch it alone like in any other year.

And so, once again...the Games begin. And while I am not there presently and obviously I know at this point nothing bad will happen, I just know this is going to be hard to watch…

The footage starts with an ariel view of the Cornucopia clearing, show all twenty four of us rising and looking around. After a few shots of different sections of the Arena, the camera focuses instead on all of us. We all get screentime, but it seems like those who died early get barely any, while much of it is given to myself and Lacey...and Weldar too. As the countdown comes to an end I watch my past self turn around and prepare to run away, while on her own pedestal Lacey plays around with her hair. Even in such danger, she still managed to be goofy.

And when the countdown has ended and the carnage begins, the screen becomes split three ways. On the left, I see myself fleeing for my life, running without pause. On the right, Lacey runs forth and grabs some scraps from the very edge of the clearing where nobody is fighting and then runs away as well.

But I don't watch either of us running through the woods. Instead, I almost vomit when I look at the horrible violence of the center section of the screen. I see Weldar in a state of panic, grabbing whatever he can before fleeing the area. I see the girl from Four and Sparky about ready to fight when a knife from Clove nearly hits them and they scatter. But worse than all the scrambling and panic is the murder. Callico, Lacey's friend from Eight, is stabbed in his face and gut by Marvel. The girl from ten has her skull almost broken in half with a strong axe blow from Cato, the girl from Nine goes down after Clove throws a knife on her lung and then repeatedly stabs her in the arms for good measure. Even the little boy from Four with the curly hair is not spared, his throat slashed open by Cato and blood showering everywhere. I hide my face against Lacey's shoulder at this point.

And so it goes on, me switching from watching in horror to hiding my face. All the barbaric and twisted events of the Games happen once more. Myself and Lacey fleeing the Careers on the first night. Weldar killing the little girl from Eleven, ignoring her cries and wails. The Careers tormenting us. Their horrible deaths by the dropped mine. At that last one Lacey puts her face to my shoulder and I hold her gently.

I want it to end, but it won't. It just won't! It only gets even worse. Watching myself be tortured by Weldar and attempt suicide only to be stopped by Lacey is agonizing. Even the fact they show Lacey comforting me, even kissing my cheek, it doesn't bring much relief. But what also hurts is seeing things I never witnessed in the Arena. Watching them for the first time, it keeps the pain and my reactions very fresh. I see Marvel descend into total insanity, bought on by starvation, awful conditions, mutt attacks and his lack of any idea what to do. I see what the pair from Twelve were doing...how they worked as a team from when Peeta comforted Katniss when Rue had died so young...its heartbreaking to watch them fall in love, and have it be taken away so easily and quickly. Seeing Miller and Cinder kissing one night, followed soon after by Cinder's horrid death, I almost vomit chunks. They don't show Peeta's final words either, just make him look like a coward...rather than the noble boy he was.

By the time it gets to Marvel being ripped to bloody pieces by the Ant Muttation I'm almost about to start bawling and puking in horror. My head hurts, my chest is tight and my face no doubt pale. Lacey holds me, her face against my shoulder, but I can barely stop my distress. And once the beginning of the countdown that started the finale is on the screen, I feel myself ready to break down.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. I squeak when I see it is not Lacey, but rather Caesar. He looks at me gently. Will he get in trouble for that? Though it appears to me the crowd are totally distracted. The citizens watch the footage, while the high-ups converse to themselves.

"I won't lie, it won't be easy," he says. But then, his expression becomes almost...tender. Not cheesy and smiley, just...gentle. "You were the bravest Tribute I have ever seen."

And while all are entranced by the finale, and based on the sounds of it it's gotten to Miller's brutal death, Caesar gently hugs me. Only for a moment, but in that moment...I know that Caesar will hep me through this interview. If I let him lead this thing, it might be alright.

"Thank you," I whisper, trying to stay strong as I look at at the screen.

I sit quietly as I watch the final battle between me and Weldar. How he chases me, trying to blow me up or stab me, and then how the tables turn on him, with me using my mech suit to set him ablaze and murder him. But I don't think on this or let myself watch too closely. I just want to see how they will show myself and Lacey both leaving.

There's no hint of the broken tracker. Just me picking her up and approaching the hovercraft with her. I guess they couldn't pretend it didn't happen, so they showed the least they could.

All the agony of ten days put into just three hours. I'd hoped that would mean they'd skip some of the worst of it, but no...every awful moment I experienced, and even some I'd never seen before, were all there.

As the lights slowly come back on I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. Caesar talks grandly to the crowd about specifics of the Arena or something. Nothing I care about, but he's buying me a bit of extra time and I couldn't be more grateful. Once he returns the focus to me and Lacey, I feel somewhat stable. Hopefully I can remain that way.

His usual winning smile on his face once again now that all eyes are on him, Caesar asks if the crowd are ready for the interview. Naturally, they are and so he turns to us. I attempt to relax, though it's a losing effort.

"Quite the ten day adventure, wasn't it?" Caesar notes. "Of course, every year is different, but I think this year will go down as one of the best! We saw a lot of things we don't always see. Did you girls notice that this was the first year in many decades where One and Two did not have at least one tribute in the top four?"

"I guess...for the odds to be in our favour, they had to not be in their favour," I manage to say. "I mean, it really was chance in the end, right?"

"I didn't mean to drop the mine on them," Lacey says nervously. "I'm just, um, very clumsy. Honest!"

"Oh, I believe you," Caesar assures her. "Now Gadget, we all want to know...where did you come up with the idea for your, as you called it, secret weapon? I must know!"

"Well...it's actually based on a picture my mommy drew for me when I was little. She used her imagination to draw something fun for me to put in my room. And so, in the Arena...I used my mind to bring it into reality. I can only hope it gave you all a very good show," I say, not having to play up my timidness.

The cheering of the crowd shows it was a hit, and Caesar's subtle nod confirms I said the right thing.

"It occurs to me that you're quite good at drawing," Caesar tells me. "Think you might make that your talent to show off in a few months time?"

"That what I was thinking. I mean, a girl from Three doing something tech related...we've all seen that before," I mumble. Talking about art though, this is nice. "I like to draw whenever I can. I told Lacey about this, but...besides working with Tech, it's my big hobbie. I draw anything...in fact, I'd, um, even take requests from the audience if they want?"

The audience cheers and yells in such eagerness I've not seen before. Not even in the parade.

"She's super talented," Lacey agrees. "You know, if Gadget lived in Eight I bet she'd fit right in and be quite the smash hit!"

"That'd be nice," I say with a nod.

I freeze, realizing what I have just said. I just said I'd rather be in a different District. Crap…

"So, you mean to say you'd make do with anything, so long as you had your friend?" Caesar asks, trying to get things back to safe ground.

"Oh, sure. Three is nice of course, but...well, I guess I am happy there, but the point is-," I begin, before Lacey pipes up.

"I wouldn't say it's that great," Lacey says. "It sounds like it has nice technology and so much modern things to do, but...you said your daddy threw you out. Not just that but you're an outcast. Oh! Oh! You should come home with me. It'll be just like a sleepover!"

Lacey is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I need her...but of all the things she could have just said.

"Oh, you're just saying that in the heat of the moment," I reply, giving her what I hope is a meaningful look. "We're still just coming out of the adventure together, right?"

"And in six months, the adventure returns on the Victory Tour," Caesar adds. "That reminds me actually. Lacey, you're not a Victor, but rather a Survivor. What does that mean for your future? I bet we'd all like to know. Am I right?"

The audience cheers, and while they make noise I sigh loudly in relief. They might have forgotten what Lacey said already.

"Don't say anything to make people see us as dangerous," I whisper.

"Did I?" Lacey asks, looking puzzled. "Um, ok, I'll try. Anything for you, Gadget."

And with that smile on her face, I know she means it. Truthfully I'd adore the idea of moving in with Lacey in District Eight, but it just can't be done.

The cheering dies down and Lacey begins to answer the question.

"Well, it means I'm not dead. Yay!" Lacey giggles, clapping her hands. "Though I guess that part is the same as being a Victor. Well, I just get to go home to my family. No money or big house, but who needs that? I just want my family, that's all. Though, get this, up to when I am eighteen my name will only be in the reaping bowl a single time each year. It's just like being twelve again!"

The crowd seems to enjoy this, all liking Lacey's peppy attitude. Myself, I just feel relieved. It's not exactly common for a twelve year old to be reaped, and now as the years go by Lacey's odds will remain low. She's probably the safest person in her District. Not to mention her District seemed kind of populated...I almost laugh, I'm that pleased at how Lacey is going to be alright. Odds do no lie.

Though, I suppose I myself beat the odds...in that context though, hardly a bad thing.

"So Gadget, in most Hunger Games, it's extremely uncommon for anybody to kill their District partner...but, you did. Of course, we couldn't have expected anything else in that situation. So, what I want to know is...how did it feel, defeating Weldar?" Caesar asks. I wonder if he was made to ask this question or not. "You did have a hand in Cinder's defeat, but here it was much more direct."

I don't have to consider my answer long.

"I can't lie to you Caesar, or to Panem...while I didn't enjoy doing it, I do not feel sorry about it either," I say calmly. "It may be a Taboo to do so, unless it's like my case...having no choice. Weldar had bullied me for years and was a source of pain, fear and anxiety that never went away. I'm glad the rule change was revoked...life with him as my neighbour. I wouldn't be able to bare it for even an hour. I didn't just take down my final foe...no, I freed myself from the fear he always presented me with. The fact he was so eager to kill me even before the rule change got suspended, well, it made it a bit easier..."

Caesar nods, understanding and hanging onto my words. The crowd seems interested as well.

"I expect things will be different for you once you go home, am I right to assume that?" Caesar asks.

"Honestly, I think it'll be the same," I say quietly. "I'll just keep surviving...one day at a time."

"And I'll go back to being the District Doofus," Lacey adds. "Except now I can say that I at one point held a dagger. Makes me feel tough! Grrrr!"

The audience laughs, eating up Lacey's personality. I may be the Victor here...but Lacey's more than a Survivor. I'd call her the true hero of this whole ordeal.

And so it goes on for a while, Caesar asking us about our Districts, our thoughts on the Games we went through and even some trivial stuff like my favourite brand of cheese bun. Before long I know it's almost over, and I am so thankful it's almost time to leave this horrible city of nightmares. But, the show isn't over just yet.

"So, you said earlier Lacey how you girls have quite the friendship. Do you think it was only because of Gadget that you survived?" Caesar asks gently.

"Without a doubt," Lacey says sincerely. "She stopped the Careers finding me. She kept me from doing anything too stupid. She just...she's a wonderful person and, well...start to finish, she was always my guardian angel."

The audience loves this of course, but I can't help myself making a correction.

"I disagree. If anything Lacey, you're the one who saved me. You got me to hide from the Careers on night one, you stopped me from losing hope and killing myself, you protected me...you gave me a reason to keep on going when nobody else could. You're my hero..." I whisper, giving her a hug.

"Then I guess we can only conclude that we saved each other," Lacey giggles.

The crowd is awww'ing and some are sobbing in joy at what they are seeing. Just two girls who became friends and helped each other. Part of me wishes so dearly this kind of friendship would happen every year and always triumph, but...next year, I know it won't. At least now though, in this moment, things have ended up alright. Well, not completely, but...better than I had expected them to.

"What a pair, am I right everybody?" Caesar exclaims. "Before we end things off though...do you both have a favourite Victor from the past? Somebody you look back and think 'I love their Victory, I love it'!"

"Cecelia is wonderful," Lacey says in delight. "She helped me so very much. In fact, she helped Callico as best as she could as well. Her children sure are lucky to have a mommy like her!"

"Ah, Cecelia. Always quite the dear to speak with," Caesar agrees. "And how about you, Gadget? Do you have a favourite?"

I pause for a moment to think about this. Do I have a solid favourite?

No...because, I have two favourites.

"I'm afraid to say I do not have one favourite, but rather two," I reply. "Wiress is clearly somebody I admire and respect. She helped me train...and her emotional support, well, it was so very needed."

"Ah, good old Wiress," Caesar smiles. "I can recall many a fun banter with her over the years. But who is your other favourite? Beetee, perhaps?"

"Actually, though he's a sweet genius, no," I admit. "My other favourite...well, it's the first first Victor there ever was. Mizar Aldjoy. His odds were low, and he was scared, stuck in a situation he had little hope for or chance to truly ready himself...and in the end he won. He only killed one person, and that was when he had no other choice. He may be from Nine, not Three but...I admire him."

"Ah, you'll have seen his Games in school, no doubt," Caesar remarks.

Caesar tells some kind of story about the 'Original Victor' and his life, but I don't pay attention. I only focus on one thing.

Caesar is ending the show.

"Let's here it one more time for the Victor, and Survivor, of this year's Hunger Games!" Caesar booms powerfully. "Gadget Byte, and Lacey Valentine!"

The crowd rise, cheering and screaming wildly. Again, the lights and music are deafening. But, I just smile and wave.

This time tomorrow, I'll be back home again.

(Later…)

The fancy music plays a grand, yet soft melody. A tune of victory, done by some kind of mahogany self-playing piano. I never got invited to a party growing up, but...as grand of a first party this is, I'd rather not be here.

I'm at President Snow's mansion, currently sitting at a table off to the side of the party. A plate with a huge slice of a sort of chocolate honey cake is in front of me, but I don't feel hungry. Not just due to how much party food I've eaten tonight, but also...after being in the Hunger Games, cake doesn't really heal the wounds on my mind.

"At least the drinks are good," I say to myself, reaching for my banana milkshake. "Plus, nobody is coming over now. Peace at last..."

Being the newest Victor, I am now seen as quite a celebrity. A reluctant one, that is. All these random citizens greeting me like an old friend, the Gamemakers having a few words of respect, that kind of thing. While it was actually nice to meet the people who sponsored me and hear how they are so glad I am safe...a lot of it just feels superficial. Like something every Victor hears no matter who they are. That's why I'm off in the corner, with cake. I just want to be alone and enjoy what little peace I can grasp onto for as long as I may.

After traumas that I have seen, wouldn't you want peace as well? Well, not Lacey. That girl really can shake it on the dance floor. She's got talent, and is the life of this party. But soon enough she heads over to me and sits across from me. She smiles, but is silent.

"...You gonna eat that?" she asks, looking at my cake.

I just chuckle, and push the plate over to her. It's only a few seconds before only a few crumbs remain. I can't hide my surprise as how quickly Lacey ate that.

"Manners..." I mumble.

"All cake is good cake," Lacey insists. "So, enjoying the party?"

"...Not really," I admit. "After all that we went through, is a party really what we need?"

"Probably not," she agrees. "But it's what we're getting, so I'm trying to make the most of it. Did you like my dance moves?"

"I did," I say. "Where did you learn to dance?"

"District Eight," she says with a teasing giggle. "Oh! By the way, we're supposed to dance in about a minute from now. Victor's dance, very traditional stuff you see."

"...Wouldn't that mean you don't have to?" I ask. "Wait, a dance? In front of everybody!? I can't dance...and I don't want attention right now..."

"Then allow me to take the lead," Lacey says, smiling warmly. "You gave me cake, I'll do anything for you."

At this I can't help but giggle, and Lacey does as well. A few moments later we calm down, and relax for the few moments we have left of peace.

"Back home tomorrow," I say quietly. "Back to Three...I'm scared."

"Me too," Lacey agrees.

"But why? People love you in your District," I say. What could Lacey have to feel worried over?

"Well...I'm gonna really miss you. I don't want to say goodbye," Lacey mumbles. She looks afraid at the thought. "I don't like being separated from people I really care about. And you're not popular in Three...what'll happen to you?"

Before I know I've done it, I have taken Lacey in for a friendly hug.

"I'll keep on doing what I do best. Surviving, despite all the odds," I promise. "You have my word, I won't die."

At this, Lacey is smiling again.

"Good enough me for!" she chirps.

At that moment however, all goes quiet. The music lowers, the chattering pauses, even the lights dim a little bit. Everybody looks to the steps that lead up to the next floor, and our gazes follow the same direction. My gut tightens when I see President Snow walk down the steps. He may be an old man, certainly not physically brutal in the way that Cato was, but I know this man means business. One look at him, a moment near him, and you know he's not somebody you want to cross...

...Not if you want to live, that is. And let me tell you, I know now how precious life is, and I am not giving it up any time soon. I'm gonna be careful around this man. That rose spoke so many words…

"Your attention, please," President Snow says. His voice is calm, but carries so much power with it. "Will our Victor...and Survivor...make their way onto the dance floor. The time has arrived for the Victor's Dance."

Lacey springs to her feet, eagerness in her eyes. She holds out a hand to me.

"Ready to dance?" she asks.

"Not even remotely, but let's do it anyway," I reply. I have no choice anyway, and I can think of much worse ways to end my time in the Capitol than a dance with Lacey.

Maybe it'll be fun?

And so, moments later I am half pulled and half dragged onto the dance floor. I try to find my footing as Lacey wings me around, laughing and giggling, while I yelp and scramble. The crowd cheers and the music plays on, but it seems Lacey quickly sees this isn't my style of dancing. Indeed, a few movements later and it has become a slow dance. I let myself relax, able to truly enjoy the party for the first time tonight.

"This is nice," I say, giving Lacey a spin. Amazingly, she doesn't fall over. "How long do you think it'll last?"

"Beats me, but I'm not ready to stop dancing yet," she says with a giggle.

"You know what? Neither am I," I say as we sway together. I then lower my voice. "Snow is watching us..."

"Ah, let him. I bet he wishes his old body could allow him to have these dance move," Lacey says with a satisfied smirk.

I can't help but laugh at this.

As we dance, and I try not to look in Snow's direction, I let myself enjoy this night. This dance. Because I know the peace will not last. That rose, the look on Snow's face, the blunders in the interview...I'm not naive enough to think there won't be consequences to all of this. Hopefully the fact it was the Gamemakers' fault will stop the worst of it all. I just need to hope. And the girl I am dancing with, her friendship reminded me how to hope for something.

I'll deal with nightmares, trauma and all the horrors of life in Panem soon...but not until I am finished on the dance floor. One look at Lacey tells me that time won't arrive for a while yet.