Calm Before the Storm

District 3

Scarlette stood in her room staring out of the enormous window that looked out on the dazzling city. She had always been confident. Her intelligence and beauty had taken her everywhere that she had wanted go back in district three, but was it enough to get her through the Games? Staring at her reflection in the pane of glass, the only honest answer was no. As well as she had done during the parade and the interviews, she wasn't suited for the Games. If she wanted to get out of the arena, she would need something else to do it.

Tousling her hair, Scarlette turned away from the window and walked to her door, slipping out of her bedroom and into the stillness of the hallway. Turning to the right, she counted the doors as she passed them until she came to Cable's room. She smiled warmly at the peacekeepers guarding the hallway before knocking softly on the dark wood and slipping in to see the boy.

He wasn't sleeping, she hadn't expected him to be, and his sullen gray eyes followed her all the way from the doorway to where she sat on the edge of his bed. "What are you doing here?" he asked quietly.

"I couldn't sleep," Scarlette said, laying down on the bed and looking up at him. "I wanted to see you."

"Why me?"

"Because," Scarlette said, faltering for a moment. "I think I love you." The silence interrupted by Cable's initial question resumed. "Say something," Scarlette pleaded, pulling on Cable's thin shirt until he fell backward next to her.

"Are you telling the truth?" he finally asked as the older girl wiggled closer to him.

"Of course." Scarlette leaned forward and kissed him slowly. Several minutes passed by before the two came up for air. Scarlette immediately whispered in his ear. "There's one thing that's holding me back though."

"What?" Cable asked, moving to place his hand on her waist, but opting to scratch his arm instead.

"I feel like you're not being honest and forthcoming with me," she said sadly, pulling away from him slightly. "Maybe you don't feel the same way?"

"I don't really know what you want me to say," Cable stammered, trying to move back to their previous position, but only managing to force Scarlette to move farther away.

"Tell me about ElectroBlix," Scarlette said, sitting up. "Stop pretending like there's nothing going on, and stop pushing me away." Cable waited. He could still feel her lips on his own.

"It was about the mutts," Cable finally said, stammering so bad that he had to stop talking.

"Keep going," Scarlette insisted, scooting closer and tangling her fingers in his hair. "Please."

"They all have gills," he said, still trying to overcome his stutter. "All of them; even the birds. That means that there will be a lot of water, and it won't be safe. That's why I spent almost all of training in the pool."

"Really?" Scarlette breathed. "Was there anything else?"

"There was a strain of the DNA that would exhibit human-like tendencies," Cable stammered. "And the aquatic side of the animals seem to be made for salt water, so even though there will be a lot of water, we won't be able to drink it."

"You are so smart," Scarlette said, kissing him quickly on the lips. "If that was all you could figure out, I'm sure that's all that was there."

"Well," Cable squirmed. "That wasn't all."

"So?" Scarlette asked, growing impatient.

"Fine," he said, exhaling deeply. "The mutts have a genetic off switch. There's some kind of trigger that cancels all aggressive behavior. I don't know why, or how, but it would render them completely helpless."

"Wow," Scarlette said, sitting up and leaving the cocoon of heat created by their bodies. "That's incredible."

"I know," Cable agreed, reaching up and pulling lightly on her arm.

"Don't touch me," Scarlette spat, jerking her arm away and sliding off of the bed.

"What?" Cable yelped, sitting up and watching her move quickly toward the door. "Where are you going?"

"Away from you, that's for sure," Scarlette smirked. The change in her behavior was dramatic, like flicking a switch. She was done pretending.

"You mean, it was all a lie?" Cable asked, the pain and confusion registering on his face.

"Of course it was a lie," Scarlette answered, rolling her eyes. "Look at you. You're pathetic, and you'll be dead by this time tomorrow, how could I possibly love you?"

"You were just pumping me for information," Cable said quietly, half to himself.

"And boy am I glad that I did," Scarlette chuckled. "I have some friends downstairs that will be very interested in what you had to say."

"My sister always said you were the devil's mistress," Cable groaned, flopping back onto his bed and covering his face in shame.

"Well," Scarlette said. "That's a little harsh, but she's on the right track. I'll see you tomorrow, Cable. Even if it is only briefly."

Scarlette closed the door behind her and left Cable to ponder his failure, walking right past her bedroom door and into the main room. Spotting the guard outside of the elevator, she immediately pranced over to him, reached up, and took his helmet off of his head to reveal is rough, unshaven face. "Hello handsome," she said in a low, sleepy tone of voice. "Mind if I take a ride before I get shipped to my death tomorrow?"

"I'm sorry Ms., but that's against regulation," he answered, doing his best to look forward over the girl's head. "Nobody comes in or out."

"Couldn't you make an exception?" she asked, disappointed. She had pictured this going easier for her.

"No. No exceptions."

Scarlette turned to leave, frustrated at the guard's refusal, but quickly turned back around and strode up to the guard. Draping her arms around his neck, Scarlette kissed him passionately on the mouth, feeling his stubble scratch her face as he returned the kiss after a moment of hesitation. "This isn't going to change my mind," the guard breathed heavily before returning his attention to her lips.

"I know," Scarlette said. Letting out a shriek that shattered the night and brought the other peacekeepers charging down the hallway, Scarlette peeled herself off of the guard and dragged her nails across his face, leaving long bloody gouges in his cheeks.

"What's going on?" one of the peacekeepers shouted.

"He attacked me," Scarlette cried, retreating behind the two new arrivals in a flurry of panicked movements. "He forced me to kiss him!"

"No I didn't!" the guard yelled in protest.

"Be quiet," a large, older guard ordered. "Do you want us to tell the Gamemakers?" he directed at Scarlette. "This man would be punished accordingly." Scarlette stared at the elevator guard until he gave a curt nod. He knew what she wanted.

"No," she answered. "I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Scarlette huffed. "Now go back to your post, who knows what could have happened while you were wasting your time over here." As the hallway guards returned to their previous position, Scarlette walked into the elevator and pushed the glowing button that signified the first floor above the lobby. Just before the doors closed, she brought a finger up to her lips and winked at the speechless guard who was gently feeling the deep scratches on his face.

District 2

Athene stepped into the elevator and quickly closed the doors before Slater could follow; leaving him stranded on district one's over-decorated floor of the Tower. They were only going one floor up, but she still liked to assert her dominance whenever she could. As the doors opened on the floor assigned to district two, Athene immediately noticed the strange absence of her entourage. Neither of the mentors were present, Indie was gone as well, and there wasn't even a serving avox in sight. Walking silently toward the bedrooms, she opened the doors to reveal empty rooms. They were probably still out partying, getting sponsors drunk enough to give absurd donations.

When she reached her own room she strode inside and slipped out of the little cocktail dress she had worn at her interview, exchanging the outfit for a much more comfortable pair of shirt and shorts. Leaving her dress crumpled in a ball on the floor, Athene marched toward the kitchen just in time to see the elevator open and admit Slater into the big, empty room.

"Oh, look," Athene leered, searching through a bowl of fresh fruit and extracting a large, red apple. "The little piggy really did go wee, wee, wee, all the way home." Slater walked forward slowly until he stood directly in front of the girl.

"I saw your interview," he said, not bothering to hide the tension in his voice. "What the hell was that?"

"Sorry about that, beautiful," Athene smirked. "I have no idea what came over me."

"You are a beast from the pit, Athene," Slater muttered, turning around to go to his room.

"Really?" Athene laughed. "A beast from the pit? That's the best you could do? I guess Cage lost the bet, you really areweak and stupid." Taking a large bite out of her apple, Athene sent it sailing through the air until it found its mark; the back of Slater's head. "You can have the rest, I remember how much you like apples."

He was on her before she could say another word.

Crashing through the furniture between them, Slater rushed forward and caught her in the ribs with a clenched fist, sending her sliding across the polished floor with a cry of pain. Letting out a scream of rage, Slater followed her across the room, snatching an ornate, metal lamp off of a table and heaving it in her direction. Athene ducked and the lamp smashed into the wall above her head, shattering the bulb and sending a shower of sparks down on her recovering form, along with the twisted frame of the lamp. Her nails struggling to find purchase on the smooth floor, Athene was finally able to claw her way up onto her feet and jump out of the way as Slater charged at her again. "What are you doing?!" she screamed, her voice breaking in fear.

"I've had enough," Slater screamed back. "You killed that kid just because he wasn't your first pick for the team, you push people around and make everyone miserable, and you just messed with my chances of going home. I've decided that you're going to hell early." Lunging at her again, Slater lashed out with a well-timed kick and knocked her backward up against a wall. She was trapped. Pinning her against the wall with one arm, Slater pulled back the other and drilled his fist toward her face, a blow she was barely able to deflect with a quick slap. His hand punched into the wall, and Athene immediately brought up her unhindered fist, punching him in the nose and sending him reeling backward with blood pouring down his face. Athene ran toward the bedrooms and Slater roared like an enraged animal, chasing her down as his blood fell freely onto the floor. Catching her ankle just before she reached her door, Slater pulled Athene's legs out from under her and sent her crashing painfully to the floor. Dragging her away from her safe haven, Slater kicked Athene in the side repeatedly, causing a strangled cry to erupt from her throat. Thrashing wildly, Athene was finally able to escape his hold, jump to her feet, and knock him to the side on her way back toward her room. Hearing his heavy footsteps pounding after her, Athene poured the last of her energy into her legs and sped through the doorway, fumbling for a moment before she finally brought the heavy door crashing closed. She slumped down in front of the ornately carved wood, bracing her legs against a dresser in preparation for the coming impact. Slater took a few steps back before sprinting forward and landing a shuddering blow on the door, knocking Athene forward but failing to break into her room. Again and again, Athene was forced to press her back into the door to keep him from invading her refuge.

"It wasn't me!" Athene screamed over the noise of the buckling door. The blows stopped.

"What?" Slater growled.

"I didn't kill the kid," she cried. "I just wanted to scare them; I have no idea who did it." Athene held her breath and listened for an answer, finally hearing Slater's door open and close. She could relax. It was over.

Taking a deep, rattling breath, Athene curled up on the floor as uncontrollable sobs began to rack her frame. No matter what she had said before, she wasn't invincible, and now Slater had proven that to himself, and to her. Everyone back in district two may think that she could win the Games with both hands tied behind her back, but they had thought the same about her sister.

She could still remember how Haven had glowed with pride when she was chosen as tribute. She had been ready, willing, and best of all, able; trained to kill without hesitation. The entire district had showered gifts on the Harbrick family while Haven was in the Games, every one of them supporting the beautiful, deadly girl. They all watched with glee as she plunged her sword into the towering tribute from district six, and they all watched in horror as the two tributes from district eight snuck up on her from behind and threw themselves at her. Weaponless, she had thrashed around, attempting to fight them off, but was ultimately overwhelmed and forced to the ground where she was beat mercilessly. The other careers eventually came to her rescue, skewering Haven's attackers and taking her bruised and broken body back to their camp at the base of the cornucopia. Days went by as they threw their hands into the air, asking their mentors to send something, anything that could help, but there was no answer. Gregor had refused to send aid. They were eventually chased out of their camp by a group of mutts, and were forced to leave Haven behind. She didn't last long.

Ever since that day Athene had known she would be going into the Games. There had never been any questions as to whether or not she would win. Everyone expected her to carry both her own and her sister's dreams through to the end, to the Victor's Village. It was set in stone, or so they thought.

Athene stood up, forcing herself to take her sweat-drenched clothes off and slip into her bed, twisting her body into a cocoon of blankets and sheets. The reality of the Hunger Games, which she had fought for so long, was coming back. She could die. Her life could be violently torn from the world and forgotten by all those inside it.

Then again, self-pity and fear were for those too weak to fight them. Both were trademarks of outlying tributes.

Sitting up, Athene ripped the sheets off of her bed and stalked over to the mirror inside of her bathroom. Flicking on the lights, she saw the bruises for the first time. On her neck, her side, her knees, large patches of discolored skin stood out on her body. The sight lit a small fire inside of her. How dare he take away the confidence she had built on the foundation of her sister's death? Slater was nothing but a fatherless brute that couldn't even save his own family, and she would not let him shake her like this. She may not come out the victor, she may die in the arena, but he would go first.

Slater O'Brien was a dead man walking.

District 9

Tanita watched as Kayn walked toward her from his end of the hall, his quiet, controlled footsteps and glinting eyes reminding her of the wildcats that were seen around the outskirts of their district. "What do you want?" she asked as he drew close enough to hear her. He had said it was important; it was something she would want to know.

"She's finally asleep," Kayn said, ignoring Tanita's question. "Come on." Sliding past the intimidating girl, Kayn opened the door into her room and stepped inside, gesturing for her to do the same.
"Are you hiding from your mother?" Tanita asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

"Not her," Kayn said, finally letting his voice rise above a whisper as the door closed. "Clementine."

"Why does it matter what she hears?" Tanita asked, sitting in a tall, antique chair with a high back.

"Because I don't think she's just an escort," Kayn answered, letting out a deep sigh.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I've talked to her a few times since the reapings, and something's not right. I think something is going on with the Games."

"Just spit it out," Tanita huffed, leaning forward with interest. "What did she say?"

"First of all," Kayn said, avoiding the girl's searching gaze. "You should know that the reaping was rigged." Tanita's mouth fell open in shock. What had he said?

If there was one thing that was drilled into the minds of every child in the districts of Panem, it was that the reapings were fair, and that your odds were the same as every other child. Your hope for a better life was secured by the impossible odds of you ever being chosen for the Games. With that taken away, what else was there?

"How do you know?" Tanita asked curtly, standing up and crossing quickly to the window.

"I saw the mayor give Clementine the paper with your name on it," Kayn replied. "She switched it with the one she picked from the bowl on the way to the microphone."

"Why?" Tanita growled, her hands tightening into fists. "Why me?"

"I guess you weren't the most popular citizen," Kayn said carefully. "The mayor must have wanted to get rid of you."

"That blubbering fool," Tanita spat, whirling around and speaking stiffly to herself. "I'll show them. What will they do when I come back? When I'm powerful enough to fight back?"

"You can't let it get to you," Kayn began before being interrupted.

"Get out," Tanita snapped, grabbing her partner by the shoulders and physically moving him through the doorway. "I'll see you in the arena."

So it was, the calm before the storm.

Isis slept fitfully, untold worries creasing her brow.

Bliss lay on the floor, a layer of cold sweat covering his body from his last workout; his last moment of preparation before the Games.

Slater pressed himself deep into the soft sheets of his bed, trying to rid himself of his adrenaline rush long enough to sleep.

Athene tossed and turned in her bed, periodically standing up and pacing the length of the room.

Cable sat huddled in the corner of the room, contemplating the loss of his only edge.

Scarlette slept soundly, a small, careless smile lifting the corners of her mouth.

Caspian sat on the edge of his bed, memories of his home and family running through his mind.

Bass's eyes stayed wide open throughout the night, her thoughts on Julianette's questions, and her own answers.

Andrew stood staring at the small cameras perched in the corners of his room, his mind on the Capitol.

Grace sat on the edge of her bed, swinging her legs in the open space.

Sawyer tried to sleep, but he could still hear the small girl's voice in his head.

Skye finally cried the last of her tears and lay in her bed, completely empty.

Chase's muscles tightened and his legs kicked beneath the blankets, his face twisting into a mask of fear in response to the horrifying nightmares.

Rhia slept because she knew she had to, sleep would be scarce in the coming days.

Aden lay with his arms around Colleen, running through the possible outcomes of the Games until he found one that he accepted.

Colleen slept without a single worry, feeling safe in her fiancée's arms.

Kayn sat, thinking over the events he had observed since the Games had begun. It all seemed to add up to something, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was.

Tanita stood, shaking with fury, the blood still on her hands.

Miles sat at the table in a darkened dining room, eating what might be his last peaceful meal.

Bandit's eyes flew open every time she began to fall asleep, awakened by the images of the deaths of the other tributes, some at her hands.

Till slept, his face twisted into a silent snarl.

Lannah sat at the window of her bedroom, her mind abuzz with What ifs and questions.

Marsh held a small sock tightly as he slept, dreaming that it was the same one he had lost.

Serenity slept quietly, shaking slightly with every breath.

Virgo stood in the empty, darkened control room, staring at the empty seats that would soon be filled with zealous Gamemakers.

And though they would all like to think that it wasn't, time continued it's relentless march toward the forty-ninth annual Hunger Games

A/N

Hello everyone! It's been a while, but I'm back! I'm excited to get back into writing, especially because it's time for the GAMES.

Thank you for your time!

-IVV