10/18/14
Hi again! Sorry it took so long, I've been writing a crap load of November chapters so I don't get distracted from NaNo-ing. Expect an update every 5 or so days.
Thank you Peyton LeVay for favoriting and stellaslomp for following.
Reviews:
Lya200: Hm, I can't say anything without spoiling the chapter… you'll see
Flameboy: Thanks, I've been thinking about it (the whole becoming a writer thing) :)
Gabby Delacour: Thank you :). I used to love that movie as a kid… still do, actually ^.^
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or anything else I may mention.
…..
Chapter 38: Karma
I finish tying the bow on the back of my dress and turn around in the mirror. Appearance wise, I haven't changed much in the past year. Same straight brown hair, same brown eyes I got from my mother, rebellious spark included, and I haven't gotten that much taller. But in other ways, I have changed, just not physically. I'm more wild and bitter now, to put it lightly. When you compare me to the way I was last year, the change is almost overwhelming.
"I look girly," I mumble to myself. I shake my head and walk out the door. I pause when I see Ava playing with her dolls in the hallway without a care in the world. I wish I could be like that again.
"Hanna look!" Ava squeals.
"Yeah, I see," I say, putting on a fake smile. "Behave yourself while I'm gone, okay?"
"Why do you go?" Ava asks.
"It's the law," I say as gently as possible.
"But why?" Ava asks again.
I bend down to her level. "I don't know Ave. I just don't. But I'll be back in a couple weeks, okay?"
"Kay," Ava says, her spirits obviously dampened.
"Hey, I'll bring you back something from the Capitol for your birthday, you big girl," I smile, tousling her hair.
"Don't go," Ava pleads.
"She's not going just yet," Maple says from behind me. I stand up and turn around.
"I had no idea you were there," I deadpan.
"Okay, am I really that noisy?" Maple asks.
"Yes," Ava and I say in unison.
"You got me there," Maple says, rolling her eyes. "At least I'm getting a little better."
"I don't think that can exactly be helped," I laugh before realizing something. "What will we do with Ava?"
"Roland said he can watch her. Knowing him, he won't let her out of his sight."
"Good. Well, what are we waiting for? Might as well get this over with."
….
"Without further ado, it's time to pick one lucky young man and woman to compete in the 67th annual Hunger Games!" Edward says excitedly. He struts over to the girls' bowl and picks a name. "Well if this isn't an unfortunate name. Maple Woods!"
Wait… what? How is this even possible?
Blight squeezes my hand reassuringly. I blankly stare ahead as Maple calmly walks towards the stage. She looks awfully smug though.
"Thank you Edward. But since my life is on the line, may I ask a favor?" Maple smirks.
My heart races. What could Maple possibly be thinking? She could die, and she cares about what? A favor?
"Well, um… certainly. What do you purpose?" Edward says nervously.
"I'd like to reap the male tribute, if it's okay with you."
My eyes widen as I realize what she's doing. It takes everything in me not to smirk.
"S-sure," Edward says. "I don't think there's anything against it in the rules. Go ahead, I guess…"
Maple fishes her hand around in the bowl, keeping her eyes on the slips. She clears her throat and unfolds the slip of paper she chooses. Her expression turns deadly. "The male tribute of the 67th Hunger Games is Oleander Cedara!"
Karma. You've gotta love it.
…..
I feel like breaking the mood to point out that Oleander and Grover (remember him? :/) have the same last name. That will be explained… eventually.
So about this chapter, there are several ways the story could go at this point. I've had this planned from the start, so there's a bit of foreshadowing scattered throughout the rest of the fic. If anyone has any guesses, I'd love to hear them!
Quote of the day!
"That would be my decaf machine. It makes tea taste like bathwater!" –VeggieTales, Archibald Asparagus
Yeah, don't ask.
May the odds be ever in your favor,
Spectrobes Princess