I'm so sorry for being a few days late, I just had a really busy weekend and couldn't find the time to sit down and post. I hope nobody is too upset with me, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Susz: You'll find out soon enough who the narrator is, I promise
EmeraldTulip: Yeah, I didn't really want either of them to die either, but it felt like too much of a Hunger Games ripoff to have them threaten a double suicide and force Disney to let them both live. This chapter reveals everyone who died, and their sectors, so just read along and you'll see.
Dirtkid123: Well, sorry. Sometimes authors need to make difficult decisions.
MrMuddyPaws: Yep, knife battles are great. That's why I wrote one. This chapter has a complete list of everyone who died, so you'll find out after you read it.
daphrose: Whoa, you reviewed a lot of chapters, I'm going to have to use some serious abridging skills. I'm sorry, but Davenport had to go for the plot to continue, but his death was relatively merciful, as you put it. Oh, believe me, I've made those sounds on countless occasions after reading your stories. My neighbors thought we had bought a donkey and were torturing it XD. I know, I'm an evil author, but Disney made those Games, and I'm trying to get inside his head and be the evil tyrant when writing them. Hopefully, it provided the desired effect. The narrator will be revealed very soon, I know everyone's been dying for me to reveal that one. Thank you so much! Your reviews mean so much to me, and I'm very grateful for those words of encouragement and praise!
Chapter 20: The Interview
I won. I won the Disney Games. I did it. I was going home to my family.
But I was a changed person. I had killed an innocent boy, and the guilt would possess me forever. I'd never be able to forgive myself for killing him so brutally, even if it hadn't been entirely me. I let Disney poison my mind and control me, all for his sick and twisted game. I was weak enough for him to be able to convince me to do the unthinkable just by muttering a few false statements in my ear. The Disney Games were nothing more than a video game to him, manipulating his avatars to do whatever he pleased, which in this case was violently murder each other.
Just a minute after the bugle call, a helicopter entered the arena and let down a ladder for me to climb. I was starting to feel woozy from blood loss due to my head wound, so I ascended the ladder as quickly as possible without passing out, and instantly collapsed from exhaustion on the floor of the helicopter.
~0~
When I awoke, I had no idea how much time had passed since the Games had ended, but I found myself back in the bed in my room from training week. I reached for the wound on my forehead, only to find that it had been neatly stitched up, and was well on its way to healing. I must have been out of it for at least a few days for it to be that much improved. After getting over the initial tiredness of waking up after days of straight sleep, I began to wonder when I would finally be sent home. I so desperately needed to get home to my family, but Disney was still keeping me from doing so. They were one of few things that had kept me going through the Games, and now that I was a victor, I should be entitled to return to them whenever I pleased. Besides, what more could Disney possibly need from me, I'd already performed as his little murdering puppet.
With this thought in mind, I crossed the room to the door and peeked into the hallway, scanning it for Disney goons. When I didn't see any people, I tiptoed out and headed straight for the only exit I remembered, which, unfortunately, was the front door. In retrospect, I should have taken my chances with wandering aimlessly until I found a more discreet escape route, because I was recognized and apprehended within ten seconds of entering the main lobby.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?!" one of the Disney goons shouted accusingly.
"Away from here," I retorted.
"Oh no you don't, Disney's not done with you," he growled, grabbing me by the bicep and dragging me along behind him. We walked through what must have been two miles of corridors, dodging a continuous stream of people heading the opposite direction, until we reached a door marked, 'Studio.' He opened the door and unceremoniously threw me inside, slamming the door afterwards. Angry and frustrated, I jiggled the doorknob to reopen the door, only to find it locked.
"Well, if it isn't our victor! Congratulations and welcome to Disney Headquarters Studios!" a voice said from across the room. Dreading what I would find, I slowly turned on my heel to face the source of the voice. Just as I had expected, there was Emperor Disney himself, wearing a malicious grin on his face. He was wearing a fine suit with golden cuff-links and a silk tie, attire that had probably cost more than all the clothes my entire family had ever owned in our lives.
"What's the occasion?" I snarled at him. "You needn't dress yourself up so much just to meet with me."
"Oh, this suit isn't for you. It's for the viewing pleasure of the entire empire," he explained, gesturing to the television set behind him. It was a simple circular platform, with two identical chairs being arranged to the perfect angle by two Disney goons. "And we need to find you something to match, because I'm sure you'd hate to be on national television wearing that old thing."
I glanced down to see that I was still wearing my suit from the arena, bloodstains, rips, and all. They'd bothered to doctor my wounds, but apparently they had neglected to change me out of this ratty old outfit.
"Don't worry, you have your own wardrobe team, and they'll fix you right up, just over there," he assured, pointing to a door behind him with a plaque that read, 'Victor.' Reluctantly, I trudged over to the door, making sure to keep my glare fixed on Disney, and entered the room. Inside, it was nothing but a twenty-square-foot dressing room with a full-length mirror on one wall, and a hook on the other with a stunning black dress on it. I stared at it in awe, I'd never seen something so beautiful in my entire life. I excitedly threw on the dress, relieved to finally be out of those dirty clothes I'd been wearing for two weeks straight. When I had managed to get the zipper all the way up in the back, I turned to face the mirror, holding my breath in anticipation.
What I saw exceeded all expectations tenfold. Everything about it was perfect; from the color, to the fit, to the accent of the belt of sequins around my waist. Somehow, they designers had managed to make it look like I wasn't dangerously emaciated after two weeks of near-starvation, which was undoubtedly because Disney wanted to highlight the magnificence of winning the Games, and not the suffering and hardship.
On the floor of the room, I found a matching pair of black flats, which fit perfectly and were just as comfortable as any pair of well-broken-in sneakers. Once the initial shock and joy at being beautiful had passed, I wondered what the reason behind it could possibly be. The fact that we were in a TV studio pretty much gave away that we were broadcasting something to the entire empire, but what exactly it would be, I had no idea.
Curious as to what would happen next, I stepped back into the main studio room, where I was whisked away by a group of women and forced to sit in a tall chair. They all rushed around, fixing my hair and applying enough makeup to supply a circus clown for a month. But once they were finished, I somehow still looked like the same person, just a glorified version. This was the light in which Disney wanted me presented: I was just a regular person throughout the Games, but now that I'd won, I glowed with confidence and radiated poise.
"Hurry, hurry girls," Disney called. "We go live in five minutes."
Yet again, I was ushered across the room to one of the chairs on the set, and instructed to take a seat. Soon afterward, Disney sat down in the other chair, and gave me a quick summary of what was about to happen. This what what he called the post-Games interview: first, he would address the audience and we would watch a recap of the highlights of the Games, which I was simply to view and react to naturally. Then, he would interview me; ask questions about how I felt during certain moments, or what was going through my head, and stuff like that. And finally, to wrap up the show, he would announce the results of the betting, revealing which other sector would be exempt from next year's Games.
I shivered at the thought of next year's Games. Even though I knew everyone in my family was safe because I had won, just the notion of something this horrible happening ever again, to anybody, was too terrible to think of.
"We're live in five, four, three, two, one," the goon monitoring the camera announced, counting down on his fingers. Once he got to one, Disney began the show.
"Greetings people of the empire! I am sitting here with the victor of the first annual Disney Games!" he said excitedly, gesturing to me. I gave a small wave to the camera accompanied with a smile to please Disney. "Even though I know you've all been loyally watching the Games as they progress at home, we're going to start off the show with a movie that my team has put together highlighting key moments throughout the event."
At this, he keyed one of the goons to start the film, and I turned to watch the screen at the back of the studio. The film began with Disney's logo, with "First Annual Disney Games," written beneath it. The screen flashed with, "Day 1," and then proceeded to show the opening rush for the pile of resources. I watched as the dog sprinted ahead of everyone, and I along with several other people ran, grabbed backpacks, and fled. A few seconds later, the people who had forgotten their sector numbers were released, and I winced as they showed a close up of KC's murder of the boy from Sector 10. As the bugle call sounded, he was identified along the bottom of the screen: Joey Rooney, Sector 10: Liv & Maddie.
Day 2: A quick run-through of people setting up shelters and finding water, then complete coverage of my teaming up with Davenport. Seeing him again brought tears to my eyes, and Disney made a show of looking at me sympathetically. After that, the camera switched to a bird's eye view of KC hunting down and killing the brown-haired girl wit glasses: Delia del Fano, Sector 4: I Didn't Do It. After stealing all of her useful items, KC left Delia and ran into me, and Davenport attacked her.
Day 3: Ferb stealing from Davenport's trap and accidentally killing the Latina girl: Trish de la Rosa, Sector 8: Austin & Ally. Stan chasing Ferb until he ran into us, everyone fleeing up the tree. The boy rushed at the dog, and the movie showed detailed coverage of the boy being ripped to shreds. Luke Ross: Sector 1: JESSIE.
Day 4: There wasn't much action to show on this day, but the filmmakers decided on a recap of everyone's position and my alliance group discussing the dam.
Day 5: Davenport and I worked on the dam, and then dug the hog hole trap.
Day 6: The reactions of everyone upstream who were now without a water source, and Davenport and I setting up the fake camp traps.
Day 7: Ferb returning to the group, and us three playing that ridiculous board game we made up. Watching us having fun together made my heart ache for Ferb and Davenport more painfully than ever. Showing of KC's final moments, and Davenport's reaction to receiving the badge.
Day 8: The scrawny boy finding the fake camp and eating the berries without second thought. His death was extremely unpleasant to watch, as the poison caused his throat to swell and he asphyxiated to death. Milton Krupnick, Sector 5: Kickin' It
Day 9: The river flooding, the death of Ferb Fletcher, Sector 2: Phineas & Ferb, and Stan James, Sector 3: Dog with a Blog. I watched as Davenport and I struggled to outrun the flow of water, and the dramatic ending up on the mountain ledge. But they also showed parts of the Games I'd never seen before, like the boy I'd killed in the final battle teaming up with the blonde girl after the flood and setting up the camp Davenport and I had found.
Day 10: Nothing entertaining really happened on this day, but they decided to show the discovery of the dog's body, some of our trek up the mountain, and the blonde boy and girl's discussions of the Games. They had planned to go on the hunt for people weak from dehydration and starvation coming over the mountainside.
Day 11: Davenport and I continued trekking, but the audience had probably been extremely bored of all that by now, so the filmmakers focused on the others' attack plan. At this point, the girl seemed anxiously opposed to the plan for whatever reason, and while the boy was off foraging for food, she grabbed a handful of poisonous berries and ate them in one gulp. Lexi Reed, Sector 7: A.N.T. Farm. The cameras returned to me and Davenport seeing the other side of the mountain for the first time, then the lights went out. They used a night vision camera to film some of the sweet, fluffy family stuff that happened on the mountaintop between the two of us. Witnessing that moment after knowing Davenport's fate made me want to burst out crying, but I was on live television, and I wanted to be strong for my family watching back home.
Day 12: Davenport and I found the abandoned camp, and then the Mickey Mutts attacked. The cameras followed us through that ordeal, and then zoomed in for a close up of Davenport and my final moment together. I couldn't decide whether or not this was a good thing, but they ignored my breakdown and instead played footage of Davenport last seconds alive. I was glad I didn't look like a blubbering fool in front of everyone, but I hadn't wanted to watch him die the first time, and it was no less painful a second time. Donald Davenport, Sector 11: Lab Rats.
Day 13: A second-for-second view of the final battle between me and the other boy. Without the voice playing in me head, I could see that I looked like a vicious demon attacking him. And that's what I looked like to every person in all of the empire. Finally, I struck the killing blow and the bugle call sounded. PJ Duncan, Sector 6: Good Luck Charlie.
Thirteen days. The Games had lasted for exactly thirteen days. Ironic, considering thirteen's history as an unlucky number. I wondered if Disney had ensured that it took only that long on purpose. It seemed like just the cruel joke he would play.
The film ended, and it took all my strength not to start bawling right then and there. Sure, I was the winner, but in the eyes of the people, I was simply the reason that their loved ones would never come home.
"So, going into the Games, did you have any hope that you would win?" Disney asked politely. However much I loathed him, I couldn't deny that he was a fantastic actor. He sounded genuinely concerned for my well-being. I didn't particularly want to answer to him, but I knew there'd be dreadful consequences if I didn't, so I formulated a response that didn't sound too much like a cry for justice and rebellion against a tyrant.
"No, I honestly didn't think I stood a chance. Twelve people and only one can live, I was certain that I would die in horrible circumstances like that."
"Well, it was definitely no simple feat. How do you feel now that you've won?"
I saw this as an opportunity to reassure the public that I was not just a ruthless killer, and I was not glad that I had killed anyone. If I played this right, not only could I save my own reputation, but I could plant the seeds of a revolution that may someday overthrow Disney. Knowing this, I proceeded with extreme caution and answered, "I guess I'm just lucky to be alive, but I feel awful for all the things I've done. The guilt from being responsible for the death of others weighs heavy on my shoulders, and probably will continue to do so for as long as I live. I just want to say to all the people out there that I'm truly sorry for your loss, and wish that as victor I could cancel next year's Games to end all the suffering." I could tell from the look in Disney's eyes that I'd overstepped a boundary, and I waited expectantly to see how he would play it.
"Yes, such tragedy," he said through slightly gritted teeth. "Unfortunately, sacrifice is necessary to ensure the security of the empire. Anyway, moving on, I'm sure everyone at home is dying to know more about the relationship between you and Davenport. Can you tell us about it?"
"Well, he became pretty much like a second father to me. We looked out for each other, and did our best to keep each other alive," I said sadly, knowing that obviously, my best had not been good enough.
"I'm so sorry your friendship had to meet such an end," he said so convincingly that I almost believed that he was sorry. "What went through your mind when you knew you were on your own for the final battle?"
"I was overcome with sadness, but the thing that fueled me through that fight, and you know this more than anybody, was avenging him," I said, making sure to hint that I was well aware of the mind control he'd used. Clearly he'd understood the message, because I could tell through his facade that he desperately wanted to pull out a gun and kill me on the spot.
"Well, I'm afraid we're running out of time, is there any last thought you'd like to share?"
"No, Disney, you've touched on pretty much everything of importance. But I'd just like to let it be known that if I could go back and change the Games, I'd ensure that someone else won so that I wouldn't have to live with the guilt of their lost lives."
"Wonderfully selfless of you. Now, to finish things off, I must announce the winner of the wagers," he said as a Disney goon handed him an envelope. He made a big show of opening it up and acting pleasantly surprised when he read the name of the sector. "Sector 3: Dog with a Blog has most accurately predicted the rankings and will therefore be exempt from next year's Games along with our victor's home of Sector 12! Congratulations! That's all we have for today, folks, good bye!" And with that, the goons turned us off the air. I was promptly ushered out of the studio and back to my room, without a single acknowledgement from anybody. I knew I had made Disney angry, but I hoped that didn't mean he would punish me or my family.
The thought of Disney torturing anybody I knew from back home strengthened my desire to return to them. Now that this whole interview business was over, I should be sent home pretty soon. There were only so many excuses Disney could dream up for keeping me here.
But I knew that, even when I did return home, life would never be the same. We were exempt from the Disney Games next year, but what about the year after that? I couldn't bear to see any of my family endure the same torture as I had in the past two weeks. But if things didn't change soon, that's exactly what I'd be doing.
Sorry if that chapter was a bit long, but I wanted some way to fit the summary of the deaths that you've all been asking for into the story. Anyway, what did you guys think? Yea or nay? Until next chapter, please read and review!