Okay Guys so it seems that you all seem to be on Autum's side but what do you think of Ramos? and for the next two chapters we need 5 reviews :)

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Chapter 12 – Feared become the Adored - Ramos's POV

I'd let Autumn leave me alone on the sitting area as I overlooked the lighted night sky of the capitol I couldn't see the stars as easily as I could back in district four but they weren't hidden back home we didn't have the luxury transport and large buildings to create a barrier.

Soon enough a new barrier would be erected between me in freedom and I would be put against twenty three other tributes, as each day drew closer I felt as if I was giving myself over to a darker part of me. Every person had within them the makings of evil, I'd known even for all my father's bashing on the capitol's ways and the way we were no more than slaves should he have had things his way the capitol would have been his slaves. I wasn't naive a structure of power would always need those at the top and those at the bottom, it was always the army ants that did the work for its queen who never left the nest was the capitol different in that way. We're those of us in the districts simply army ants doing our duty to ensure our queens continued structure of life, it didn't matter in the now part of life was to fight to survive to never worry about being hungry or worry about lack of money.

A victor had the life of a celebrity and although I did not wish for the attention of it all the possibility of helping my family with the spoils a victor earns after winning was prize enough in a world were other's starved and died so often. In many ways Autumn and I were not so different we longed for a respect from the people around us, she wanted those in the district to not judge her for her father's actions and I longed for an acceptance of my appearance a yearning for my appearance to be simply something that could be over looked without whispers or rumours and snickers of cruel ideas.

"Thinking pretty hard there" Galton laughed to himself as he gulped from the large odd shaped glass flask of wine I assumed then moving to take up the seat that Autumn had been in only moments ago.

"Well I've got to be ready for my moment in the spotlight" I chuckled sarcastically I'd been playing a part so frequently the confident sure of himself career as not to be pushed around by the other's that I was starting to feel like completely two different people "Hope Caesar has been warned I'm not much of a talker" Galton chuckled shaking his head wiping his lips with his forearm

"Kid Caesar is looking forward to interviewing you I have no doubt about it" Galton said with a knowing amused smile "I've already got people making comments about sponsors for you Ramos you've made an impression" I snorted at that

"I look the most blood thirsty and it's got the capitol foaming at the mouth to have a part of me" I said my tone dripping with so much cynical sarcasm that Galton only laughed harder

"It's not a bad thing. I know you don't have many friends in district four that people are repelled by your scarring but kid here where the only scar's they see is on those who have fought and won makes you look like a victor already" Galton offered me the flask of win as I reached forward taking a tentative swig first tasting the fruity sour taste then drinking a larger gulp "I know you'll struggle giving Caesar much but you've already made an impression just play your part be the typical career, screw what your dad thinks this is about winning Ramos and I think I could get one of you out this year it's just a feeling" Galton said with an impish grin before standing up and taking back the flask from me the liquid sloshing and some falling over the floor as he moved to the door

"She's ready for this then?" I asked both of us knowing exactly who we were talking about

"Ramos she's ready if I can sweet talk a few people who like pretty things on the beginning of the games she'll be well taken care of. Do what you've gotta do and then you play hard Ramos she's not all bad but I don't want her getting it easy after you've helped her" Galton looked uncomfortable no doubt our secret agreement was very odd for a mentor and one of his tributes to discuss "how do you plan on helping her anyway?" Galton asked curiously as I huffed out frustrated

"Tell her to run from the blood bath but to return after the cannons fire" I said firmly making sure he understood the importance of what I was saying to him "I'll leave her the bow and some arrows, a few supplies that won't be noticed in the same direction she runs in at the start. After that she's on her own tell her she must do as you say that you have a friend in the arena who will give you one chance" I said gauging Galton's reaction before he nodded firmly and he left me to be alone, my fingers tracing the slight swells from my fight knowing my prep team would no doubt be furious with me.

I didn't let myself stay in the open for too long knowing I'd need to take advantage of the sleep that I would be allowed before entering into the arena, I would sleep with one eye open while inside if at all I refused to be left open and vulnerable. My dreams were consumed with snarling beasts and screaming women while Caesar Flickerman stood laughing and talking on a stage with a microphone, it wasn't until I watched the beasts latch onto one of the females I realised that it was Autumn and awoke sweating slightly and unnerved by it all. I wiped my palms over my face and pushing the hair off my forehead slicking it back slightly huffing as I rested my back against the headboard of the large soft bed.

Raven entered after softly knocking looking at me as she always did with this timid and frightened little animal sort of way, whenever she was in my presence she seemed to be looking for an exit as soon as we locked eyes. I knew she'd avoided me so frequently and had opted to sticking by Autumn's side to in many ways I believed offer her genuine support but a part no doubt to help her keep her distance from me. I huffed out slapping my large hand down onto my toned stomach the bright and deep indents of prongs lined up over my abdomen, and for a moment my eyes and Raven locked and both turned to look down to my scarred stomach and then up to my face she was looking at me my horrible facial flaws where in the capitol people were always bettering themselves in any surgical way they could.

"You don't like me do you Raven" it wasn't a question more of a statement I wasn't trying to intimidate her but I could tell it only did that more "the way I look, talk and act it's something you just can't handle I'm like a savage dog to you aren't I?" I smirked at her snidely almost.

"I wouldn't quite put it like that...I just seem to relate to Autumn a little more" She stuttered, avoiding the question completely and it just seemed to push me more needing to push Raven more

"Because she's pretty. she's easy to mould in a way that the capitol would deem acceptable" I chuckle morbidly rising from my covers completely unclothed beneath just to force that discomfort to Raven more her avoidance in many ways had given me something of home here but now confident from so many people wanting a piece of me wanting my alliance I felt empowered "me though I'm too burly, my skin is sun kissed and maimed in ways that must turn your stomach" I laughed moving from off the bed walking toward Raven "have you been speaking to sponsors for Autumn. Have you been pimping out the pretty girl to your friends how strong she must be to endure the presence of such a beast, such a monstrous boy" My throat rumbled with laughter I felt slightly maddened the dream, the beasts hunting those women one of the capitol's mutts for the games and I'd realised in many ways I felt the capitol was changing me was I becoming a new mutt, how shamed my father would be.

"Actually I haven't, I've been listening to her cry at night, I've sat with her and listened to all her worried about her mother" She stood her ground "I heard her try to help you the other, but being the arrogant git you are you just brushed it off like it was nothing" the rage that filled me as she tried to judge me the hatred that had been practically drummed into my mind from such a young age, a capitol person judging me when all they did was lust for more greedy selfish fools.

"I think you should watch your little mouth escort" I growled darkly stepping forward again now completely towering over Raven reaching up and pinching a lock of her oddly coloured hair between my thumb and index finger my smile sinister "you don't know me and my link to Autumn but watch the first day you disgusting little capitol scum. Watch as you clap for deaths of children watch what I do for someone I hate out of a loyalty while you beg for more death" my fingers releasing her hair and tracing over her slim throat gently "when I'm a victor Raven I advise you to watch that tongue be a shame if I recreated my own version of the removal of a tongue like my uncle suffered becoming an avox for you sick home" I snarled out very much the beast now

"You know, all this tough talk really doesn't work on me, I may act timid and like you intimidate me, but you don't so give the act up Ramos" she rolled her eyes "Good luck in the arena you'll need it" She sneered stepping back slightly

I reacted full of hate for everything the capitol had created for the hate that no doubt now filled my own father for me because I'd joined in the games that the capitol had made and I gripped Raven's head and slammed it into the door viciously sickened and driven mad with a rage and sickness so deep inside of me.

Moving to stand over her body gripping her cheeks tightly in my grasp snarling down at her "you're a capitol whore and I promise you Raven I can't wait to start the killing all in the name of your perfect little games" I slipped my hand down from her cheeks and wrapping my large hand around her throat squeezing tightly not letting go never wanting to let go. I moved my other hand to secure the grip and squeezed foaming at the mouth as I watched the life leave her eyes, I didn't stop not even when the sickening crunch of her neck cracked under my grasp her slacked jaw glazed over eyes told me everything, I had killed Raven.

I scurried back then moving away from her body until I hit something but it wasn't the bed like I would have assumed it felt like leg's I snapped my gaze upwards and was met by the wide smile of President Snow laughing down at me "Happy Hunger Games" he paused then offering me his hand "And may the odds always be in your favour my little mutt" he sneered as his eyes turned bright red as he lunged at me.

"Shit" I gasped panting as I looked around my room wide eyed to see I had dreamt the entire thing completely wide eyed and sweating from it "Damn just a nightmare it's because it's getting closer" I huffed out shaking my head at the beginning of the mental battle of the games this was no doubt only the beginning of what could be my future should I win the games and kill all other tributes, nightmares of haunting me of the crimes I'd soon enough commit.

I tried to remain on my own for as long as I possibly could after the nightmare I'd had, it had been me who avoided Raven this time as if somehow being near her would switch something in my brain like my dream and I'd kill her. I ignored the slight tantrum of the prep team as they worked on my face after the bruising and swelling they used face masks that healed me up nicely and removed any mark of harm, couldn't have a tribute looking harmed in any way I was sure. Glitter once again only came to me once the team had prodded and annoyed me long enough that I verbally made my irritation known she always seemed to swoop in just after I'd began to say something, she wasn't all that bad I guess helping to keep them away once seeing my annoyance. Glitter then proceeded to have me dressed in the clothing that she wanted for my interview once again it was revealing in many ways, I felt like a on show monkey dancing around for a banana.

I knew they wanted to show my visible power my obvious survival of past harm that was apparent from the chariot ride into the training tower for the tributes they'd wanted me to be every bit of the warrior to many I would look to be. I kept silent as she draped the netted white shirt thing over my body the top a V-neck style where it allowed more of my broad chest to be shown she cream the prep team had used once again giving a bright glow to me. Galton laughed when he saw me but didn't say a word knowing I'd lose my temper and try hit him not that I was certain that would be a fight I'd win, Galton was easily just as large and capable as me but it wouldn't look good for either of us to engage in any sort of fight.

I waited patiently trying to completely ignore the interviews of the other districts even the ones of those that I was allied with I tried to stop myself from noticing, it wasn't important I'd heard them talking about what they planned to say. Career tributes were always the same in most respects and always had a good following of people supporting them because they were always so full of life and enjoyment for the games. I watched autumn struggle with the questions Caesar caught her off guard with and cringed internally for her knowing that would only do her harm but she seemed okay possibly a little boring but all of the interviews in my personal opinion had been boring.

There was a loud roar of cheering as soon as Autumn was off the stage and I didn't even hear the sound of Caesar introduce me when Galton all but shoved be towards the entrance onto the stage. I was stunned at the cheers and flashing lights as these people yelled my name so loudly, it felt completely odd and thrilling at the same time in the moment I felt as if I wasn't being sent to my death but a welcomed celebrity and in a way I was both to these people. I moved briskly towards Caesar once I shook myself from my slight stupor, I stood over the man that never seemed to age always looking exactly the same except for hair colour and makeup colouring always matching his clothing to perfectly for the capitol to adore him. I shook his hand firmly as he yelped out comically for the crowd and shook his hand as if I'd ripped it from his wrist as he laughed over the top yelling out approval and sitting in the chair across from me smiling widely.

"Ramos Azure" he said but the crowd was still loud enough that it was slightly muffled even though I sat across from him "Ramos district four's tribute" he chuckled reaching over and slapping my knee "Have we been looking forward to this ladies and gentlemen" he stated and they agreed win whoops and clapping, I raised a hand awkwardly waving out to them my face still the usual emotionless forced sneer "Many of us want to know more about you Ramos. We want to know what your plan is for the games what can we all look forward too when we see you released from that pad on the countdown of the start to the games?" I let the pause seem to let the crowd's sound die out as I tried to think what they wanted most, what the capitol wanted from me Ramos. I knew what they wanted, a blood thirsty confident tribute with no fear and only love for those out there watching, playing the part had been my plan and now would be my ultimate test.

"I can't honestly say what will happen at the beginning Caesar" I forced out a chuckle my face on the screens turning into a dark and amused smirk "I'll tell you this though this blood bath will be unlike any other you've seen because I lay down a challenge tonight to my fellow competitors. Come for me no weapons hand to hand, I'll even let you have the first hit at me..." I leant forward then looking deadly towards the crowd "it won't matter though because the blood bath is the beginning not of the games but of a new Ramos. The victor that will never be forgotten because I promise at the blood bath I will kill with my bare hands I will do damage with these" I held up my large rough hands out to be zoomed in on with camera's "More damage than any weapon the game makers can offer" I snarled out as some of the audience seemed to gasp in shock and then cheer in joy and awe Caesar looking at me wide eyed and happy

"It's no secret Ramos that you're predicted as one of the favourites this year. I would like to know though about these scar's that have been the talk of the capitol some of your more devoted fans have even asked for augmentations to copy your appearance" Caesar chuckled as my stomach churned at the idea of people maiming themselves out of love for me, these people adored me but why because I looked like a killer that was nothing to be proud of "How did you receive these markings?" Caesar said with no fear of my reaction like those in my district would have referring to them.

"Let's just say the games isn't my first battle with survival Caesar and back home in Four the peacekeepers like to keep me on my toes" I chuckled darkly as Caesar owed dramatically with a slight laugh.

"Anything you'd like to add before our time is up Ramos?" Caesar fired off as my eyes lifted seeing my face on the large screen with the counting down clock in the top left corner telling me I only had a matter of second

"Yeah" I smiled at Caesar then out to the audience "I just wanted to tell all you people in the capitol that I will make this games one to be never forgotten" the sound of the buzzer was almost muffled out as the crowd cheered and Caesar stood taking my hand and raising it as if I was a victor presenting me to the audience, in that moment even though I was lying to them that I truly hated them the people of the capitol adored me, loved me in a way so new to me it was almost overwhelming.