Victor's Epilogue: Happily Ever After?
District One:
Rouge's POV:
My mind, ever so distant, was slowly resurfacing. Just floating around in darkness wasn't a painful thing. In fact, it was one of the most relax full things I had ever experienced.
It was coming back to reality that was painful.
My eyes fluttered open, and I shook my head groggily. Where… where was I? I looked around the room, and realized everything was so white. Too white. This wasn't heaven. I wasn't dead. I was in one of the Capital's many torture chambers.
"Oh, you're awake," someone spoke kindly. I looked to my right to see a simple nurse writing something on her clipboard.
"Where is my brother!" I cried out desperately. He couldn't be dead… He had to be in one of the many other rooms. He had to be recovering from his injuries. He had to survive that… The last thing I could remember was a giant fireball… And if it didn't kill me than how could it have killed my brother.
"He is… no longer with us," the Nurse whispered diplomatically.
That was the wrong answer.
All my anger and all my grief bubbled up inside of me. I let out a shriek of rage, and leapt from my bed. The Nurse let out a scream, and tried to run away. I reached out, and made a grab for her throat. Suddenly, Agatha and Copper were running into the room. Copper quickly picked me up off the floor, and held me in a weird hug. I kicked, screamed, and gnashed my teeth at him. Agatha simply told the Nurse to give us a minute, and the Nurse had no problem obeying that simple order.
"Don't make this worse than it already is," Agatha spoke harshly.
Copper quickly let me go, and I collapsed to the ground shaking. I felt tears beginning to rise to the surface, but I quickly shoved them down. I would have time to mourn later. Right now was not that time.
"What… What are you talking about?" I whispered.
"Rouge, do you realize what you have done! You disobeyed what Raven wanted. Raven wanted a showdown between the future victor and the loved one. That's all she wanted, and you took that away from her. In fact, you dodged practically every Gamemaker's trap, making the Gamemakers and Raven looking like fools! The President is not happy with you at the moment, and when she isn't happy bad things tend to occur." Agatha scolded.
"She already took my brother… What else could she do to me?" I hissed.
"You'd be surprised how she bends the victors to her will," Agatha spoke coldly. I finally looked up at her, and glared at her. She had never been so cold and callous to me. Never in her life, and now that I've won she has decided to become distant and untouchable.
"Well, what do you propose I do about that? Write her a letter and apologize?" I mocked.
Copper started skulking towards me, but Agatha motioned for him to stop moving. "That's right, dog, obey your master," I laughed cruelly.
"You're angry and hurt. Good. Now put that anger into your acting skills." Agatha demanded,
"I've acted my entire life! I swore I would never act to appease someone again!" I shouted.
"If that your wish, then you should have never became victor," Agatha croaked.
Her comment caught me off guard. My entire life I had been acting, and now Agatha was telling me I had to spend the rest of it acting as well? I tried to think of who I really was, but nothing appeared in my mind. Was I just the Capital's puppet? Was I nothing more than a robot? Did I even have a personality?
Yes I do. I'm kind and compassionate. I have a sharp tongue, and a cunning mind. I'm strong, independent, and a fighter. I never give up, and I never let others control me. At least, not completely. Yet, I have always had to hide this, and I was going to have to continue to hide it for the rest of my life…
"What do you want me to do?" I whispered.
Agatha smiled sadly, and hobbled over to me. She patted my shoulder, and looked right into my eyes. "You have to act exactly as how the Capital perceives you. They perceive you as a lover of everything Capital. They perceive you as beautiful, witty, and flirty. They expect you to parade everywhere in skimpy little outfits, and they expect you to smile for every camera because you love it. This is how you're going to have to act if you want to survive past today. Do you hear me?"
"Yes," I murmured with a sigh.
"Avarice will be in here in a few minutes to get you into your dress. The recaps and the interviews will most likely start in a few hours since they know you are conscious and mentally stable. Good luck, Rouge," Copper spoke quietly. They both gave me a quick hug before they left the room.
In a matter of minutes, Avarice entered with a dress being concealed by a beige dressing bag. I glared at him, and had to literally bite my tongue to stop myself from spitting on myself. This was the man who paraded me around the stage during the interviews in barely any clothing. This was the man who forced the angle of flirty, sexy tribute on me. I hated this man, but I had no choice to let him style my clothing from now to forever.
"Hello, Rouge. Surprised to see you still kicking and alive," Avarice growled.
"Do you want to see where, or what, I kick next?" I hissed. Avarice's face immediately turned to a starch white, and I smiled.
"Here's your dress. Hurry up and get it on," Avarice whispered.
I quickly unzipped the bag, and pulled out my clothing. Or should I say lack of clothing. I quickly stripped out of my hospital gown, and put on the skimpy piece of clothing. It was a remake of that dreadful interview outfit.
It was a dress made completely of diamonds, but it only went down to my mid thigh. It was see through, but this I had some dignity and the only part that was see through was a small patch in the shape of a diamond on my stomach. The neckline plunged downward, and it was a strapless dress.
He quickly put on my heels for me, and set to work on my makeup and hair. It didn't take very long, and soon I was "camera ready". He then placed one more garment of clothing over me, and I realized it was a cape robe thing. It was also made of diamonds, but every single one of these diamonds was see through. The diamonds were also fairly light, and were obviously Capital made.
"The nickname you developed in the arena was the 'Queen of Diamonds." I'm trying to live up to that image for tonight…" Avarice explained.
Soon, he brought in a full length mirror, and I gasped at my reflection. I was absolutely radiant. I never would have guessed that only days ago I was covered in grime and blood. My hair was back to its usual luster, and my skin looked spotless again. This outfit, thought revealing, did seem to give me a look of royalty. I looked like what I was. A victor.
"There were no Capital enhancements we wanted to perform, except removing all wounds and scars. You're absolutely beautiful the way you are. The only thing we added was your toenails and your finger nails… Sticking with Sparkling Diamond as well…" Avarice muttered.
I finally noticed my finger nails and toe nails were different now. Each finger nail, and each toe nail, was now made out of diamond. They were each cut to perfection, and they looked absolutely stunning. I was filled with admiration and disgust. They looked gorgeous, but now I was just like them. I had Capital enhancements, just like all those freaks.
"Ready to go, Miss Lockett?" A capital assistant asked a few hours later.
I had been sitting on my rump, just thinking. I was trying to remember how to control my emotions. I was trying to remember how to shove my real self into a little box, and put on a show for everyone else.
It didn't seem to be working out so well.
I nodded my head tersely, and followed the attendant out of the room. Every single person I passed just stared at me in awe. I knew I was beautiful, and I wasn't going to deny it. Sometimes, though, I just wish I was the ugliest person on earth.
Beauty was a blessing and a curse.
We made it to the launch pad fairly quickly, and everyone was waiting for me. I heard someone say the Queen had arrived, and I thought they were mocking me. I spun around, ready to lunge at someone, only to realize they were talking into an earphone. This isn't the Hunger Games anymore… I can't just attack anyone in sight…
I took in a deep breath, and closed my eyes. I heard the Launch Pads beginning to rise, and then I heard the Capital's cheers. I couldn't remember the order the people entered the stage, but I knew I was after Agatha. Once I heard her hobble onto the Launch Pad, and it began to rise, I knew it was almost time. I stepped onto mine, and waited.
It slowly began to rise, and I thought I was rising back into the arena for a split second. I thought for sure I would open my eyes, and see a rolling plain. However, when I did open my eyes, I was surrounded by the people of the Capital and millions of flashing lights.
Suddenly, out of habit most likely, a fake smile spread across my face. I waved coyly to the crowd, and even blew a few kisses. I saw different people wearing replicas of my token, a ruby ring, and almost threw up in disgust. I finally felt someone bump me, and I realized it was time for me to walk towards me "throne".
I strutted in its direction, the entire time smiling and interacting with the audience. Perhaps I was better at acting that I thought I was. Europa stood up and gave me a huge hug. Suddenly, I saw the woman who hated my guts walk towards me. President Raven was carrying a small, silver crown. It was imbedded with diamonds, and I knew it was created just for me. She placed it on my head, and shook my hand. When I looked into her eyes, we both automatically knew the other was acting. She saw pure and utter nothingness in my eyes, and I saw absolute hatred in hers.
I sat down on my throne, and a hush fell over the crowd. I looked up towards the screen, and saw the recaps beginning to play. First, they played all of the "important" Reapings. They played my Reapings, and showed me dashing to the stage as I volunteered impulsively. They played District Two's Reapings, District Five's Reapings, District Seven's Reapings, and District Ten's Reapings. The rest of them they played small clips from, but definitely not the entire thing.
The first time I saw Link since his face appeared in the sky was right now, and I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Not only had I lost my brother, but my lover as well. I took in a shaky breath, and shook my head. I had to stay strong. My life depended on it.
They replayed the Chariot Rides, and District One's outfits stole the show. The training scores of "important" tributes flitted across the screen, and then it went straight to the interviews. They played mine in full length, and they placed all of Alex's as well. I also saw a lot of Link's, Hali's, Natalie's, and Isis' interview. The rest seemed to be shorter, but they still showed how the Capital perceived each tribute.
The bloodbath was shown in full, and it made me want to vomit. It showed me as I sprinted to the Cornucopia, grabbed the nearest and largest backpack, and continued to run. It also showed Alix and I fighting, but I quickly won that battle and made my getaway. Thankfully, they skipped Saturn's torture scene. I couldn't bear to sit through that.
It showed me using my brains to get a job at a bar, and they spent a lot of time focusing on my social interactions with the mutts. Every year they had an angle during the interviews. I thought they might go for the whole "romance" approach, but so far I had seen next to none of that. It showed me letting Olivia go, and it spent the next few days of the game showing me slowly gaining money, and slowly making friendships with the mutts.
It would randomly flick to shots and scenes that involved Link, Hali, Isis, Alex, Olivia, Natalie, Bree, and Paloma. Then it showed one of the shots that the Capital loved. The first killing of Saturn. It showed that entire battle, and it even showed me imbedding my arrow straight through his skull.
It hit me in two seconds what they were going for. They weren't going to portray me as a "lover" because not only would that ruin my 'sexy' image, but it might possibly add to my small act of rebellion in the arena. They weren't going to just focus on me being beautiful, because that has nothing to do with how I personally won my games. They were simply going to portray me as a beautiful Career, who was willing to do anything to win. A flirty, gorgeous girl with a heart as cold as diamond.
They did just this, and didn't even think of putting in any love shots of Link and I. They did, however, put in a quick shot of us making love. Except they didn't portray it as that. They simply didn't add in any emotional conversation, and made it look like I had sex with him just so that he would protect me.
Those bastards.
I wanted to scream and shout. I wanted to run up to the screen and destroy it. However, I continued to smile and act like everything was just peachy. They showed the scene where Link told me "the truth", and they showed me punching him in the face. They showed me and Alex meeting up, and they showed us staying under the radar fairly well. The rest of the days flitted by, and soon it was time for the fight scene I had been dreading.
They showed Bree's and Link's fight fully, and then they showed me callously killing Bree. They, again, portrayed me killing Link simply because he was useless to me now, and cut out all scenes of me screaming and sobbing over his death. The only comfort I could find was that the Capital and Districts had seen the scenes when they were playing live. They knew I loved him, and that he loved me. This might fool a few people, but all of Panem cannot be stupid enough to believe this!
They showed me killing Saturn for the second time, and killing Charlie. They showed me pulling the knife out of Evalynn's chest, effectively ending her life. Apparently that kill counted as mine, but I personally believed it was Charlie's. I just finished her off, but he was the one who ended any chance of her living.
Soon, it was the final day in the arena. The day that I ended up killing so many different tributes. They showed everyone of my battles, and each tribute I killed in great detail. Claire, Paloma, Dario, Neal, Olivia. All of those battles were shown full length, and definitely did seem to portray me as ruthless. Soon, they showed me running towards the Castle with Hali, and for the first time I was portrayed in a merciful light. Natalie killed Hail, and then it showed me going a little psychotic. It showed our battle in full length, and soon it was over. I kept my smile plastered across my face, but absolutely hated what I knew was coming next.
It showed me killing Ann, Natalie's replacement, and then Silk came down. Our hug was played three consecutive times, and it slowly showed the realization as it dawned on our faces. It ended with it slowly fading to black, and a cannon firing in the darkness. Out of the black, cracks appeared across it. It then shattered, and showed a diamond background. My face shimmered into the last clip, and "225th Victor" appeared in golden cursive.
It ended, and it got a standing ovation from everyone. I clapped enthusiastically, hating every second of it. Now it was time for the Final Interview.
Keep holding on, Rouge…
"So, Rouge, I see you're back and better than ever!" Europa giggled.
"Of course! Would you expect anything else of me?" I asked sweetly.
"Of course not! You know, I was rooting for you the entire time! I just knew you would be the one sitting here with me today." Europa confessed which got the audience laughing.
This was just a game to them. All of them thought this was harmless. They were betting on the best horse, and if there's won it was great. If there's lost, than it was disappointing, but there was always next year. I want to hate them, I really do. But I can't. It isn't there fault! They've been raised this way! This is all they have ever known. The real evil in the Capital isn't the people, but the government. They know everything that happens in Panem. They know what it's really like in the Districts. They know we are more than animals, and yet they continue these disgusting "games".
"Well, who wasn't rooting for me?" I remark snidely. The audience roars with laughter, and I give them a thankful smile. I wonder if anyone of them could tell this was all an act.
The rest of the interview went by fairly fast. We talked a little bit about my family, but Europa made sure to steer clear of my brother. Smart choice on her part. Then she asked the question that the entire Capital was waiting to be answered.
"Did you really, truly love Link?" Europa finally asked.
I tried to think of what a flirty, gorgeous tribute would say. She would say that it was no big deal. I was just using him. However, nothing could change the truth. I may be forced to act a certain way from them, but I will not let them take this away from me.
"I loved him more than I have ever loved someone outside my family," I said solemnly and truthfully. This was the first time since I hit the stage that my smile left my face. Europa went immediately into panic mode, and started questioning me about other tributes. I answered accordingly, and eventually my time was up. I waved at the audience, and scurried off the stage as quickly as I could.
Once I was away from the audience's eyes, silent tears began rolling down my face. Agatha grabbed my hand the second she saw, and led me even further into the building.
"Was that what they wanted?" I asked Agatha.
"It was exactly what they wanted… And the Capital always gets what they want…" Agatha croaked.
Eventually, I was led straight to the train, and Agatha led me to my room. She actually tucked me in, and I didn't mind this small act of kindness. I closed my eyes, and soon drifted off to sleep. I head of victors having nightmares through their entire life, but my first night of sleep was completely empty. Not a single dream.
When I woke up the next day, we were off to District One. Clothing was laid out on my dresser, and I knew it was for when I stepped off the train and was back home for the first time. I quickly showered, and changed into the golden dress. I was thankful that it was not only appropriate length, but it also wasn't see-through. I quickly put on the golden heels, and walked straight to the dining car. I sat down quietly, and Copper was the only one there.
"So, what's your talent going to be?" Copper asked.
I looked at him with a confused expression, and then I remembered. Every victor had to have a talent. It was to show the people of the Capital that we were still productive and were happy. I wracked my brain, and tried to remember certain individuals. Memory's talent was computer programming. I remember hearing Polish talking about how genius that was. Apparently the reason she chose that was so that she could always be the first one to know how to work the computers in the Control Room, and would always be able to help her tributes the fastest.
Ethan's, the victor of the 223rd Hunger Games, talent was baking. I remember seeing a picture of him doing it with his wife, fiancée at the time, and realized that he was doing it because he could do it with someone he loved. Too bad I didn't have anyone left… Well, I still had my sister Silver, but she was going to be getting married in a year or so.
Streak's talent was gardening. I have no idea why he chose that, but he did.
"Well, what is yours?" I asked Copper.
"Weight lifting… I've never been extremely talented… Agatha's talent is sewing. Perhaps she could teach you how to do that or something!" Copper said excitedly.
Suddenly, the memory of me dancing across the rooftop in front of Link popped into my mind. I had always loved dancing. It was my favorite thing to do, but father would never let me. Apparently, only "Strippers and prostitutes" danced in District One. Or at least, the way I liked to dance. My favorite way to dance a mixture of ballet, gymnastics, and I guess "stripper" moves. Of course, they weren't really stripper moves, but they could be taken as seductive. Wouldn't that be the perfect talent for the gorgeous victor from District One? Maybe I did get to keep some things about myself…
"No worries, I have it all in the bag," I smiled reassuringly. Suddenly, the train stopped. We were here. Agatha hobbled out of the hallway, and motioned for us to follow her. We made it to the entrance, and the door opened within seconds of us stopping front of it. Flashes of cameras greeted me, and I knew that the Capital reporters must have been waiting here for hours. I smiled at them, and waved. I began walking towards the designated exit. My parents were standing there, but Polish and Silver were nowhere to be seen.
I continued my act of good girl, and walked up to my father and hugged him. "Surprised to see me alive?" I asked snidely.
He pulled me harder into the hug, and whispered into my ear, "You're lucky you won. If you hadn't, we would have left your body out for the birds to eat."
I shivered, but I knew he meant it. I let go of him, and went over and hugged my mother lightly. "Where is Polish and Silver?" I asked.
"Polish is working, of course, and I have no clue where Silver is. I think she is with Leo."
Would my sister really ditch me for her fiancée? I guess some things do change. Maybe she hates me for volunteering, and then practically killing Silk because of it. I couldn't blame her. I hate myself as well.
I make my way to Victor's Village, along with Agatha and Copper. My parents had stopped following me a long time ago. They had business and shopping to attend to, I guess. We walk up to the newest house, and I gasp at it. In District One, they design the house according to the victor. The stylist collaborates with the mentors, and they create a building design from scratch. I had completely forgotten about this aspect, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Want a grand tour?" Copper asked smugly. I rolled my eyes at him, and nodded. As we walked up to the house, I couldn't help but marvel at the outside. I appeared to be made completely of gold, and it had diamond trimming along the edges of everything. There was already a beautiful garden, and I couldn't help but grin at those as well. I loved flowers.
We walked inside, and I gasped in amazement. Everything was marvelous. Gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, sapphires… Everything was so rich and beautiful. The furniture was oddly comfortable. He led me around to the dining room, the kitchen, and the living room. There were several rooms that were completely empty, and he said it was up for me to decide what they become. I automatically knew one of them would become a dance studio, and I couldn't wait for that to be done. He showed me the master bedroom, and bathroom. I had to admit, I could get used to this kind of treatment.
There was one final room, and it had a purple letter on it. It was supposed to be a guest bedroom, but Copper looked confused. He hadn't placed the letter there.
Congratulations on your victory, Rouge. I have a little gift for you. Don't you dare ever cross me again. Can't wait to see you on the Victory Tour, President Raven.
I slowly opened the door. I looked on the bed, and let out a scream of anguish. I immediately fell to the ground, letting out strangled sobs. Copper grabbed me, pulled me against his shoulder, and dragged me out of the room. The golden walls had been splattered with blood. The sheets had rivers of crimson flowing down them. Lying on the bed was the mangled and disfigured corpse of my sister, Silver.
I quickly get out of his embrace, and run down the stairs. That bitch had already taken away my brother. She had already stolen the closest person to me. She had to take my dearest sister as well! Because of me, all three of the people I ever loved had died. Link, Silver, and Silk. I opened the drawers quickly, and then found the one I was looking for. I grabbed the large knife, and quickly raised it upwards. I didn't deserve to live.
Suddenly, I was tackled to the ground, and the knife went flying from my hands. I scratched angrily at Copper, and bit him as hard as I could. I kicked, punched, and screamed. Nothing fazed him. Damn Careers. Finally, I broke out into sobs. Copper held me as I sobbed into the nook of his neck, and he slowly stroked my hair.
I hated President Raven. I hated her more than I even hated my own father.
The next week flew by. The Peacekeepers came and got Silver's body. Father planned a funeral, and it took a week to prepare. Her cause of death was announced as "suicide". I knew what really happened, and so did the rest of my family.
I looked at my entirely black outfit. I never wore back, because frankly it didn't flatter my body at all. I had a feeling I would be wearing black for a long time. I walked down the stairs, and walked outside. Copper and Agatha were waiting for me, and we walked to my family's part of the cemetery. The Lockett family had been around since the early ages. We were the richest family in the District, and the most well known. We had many dead ancestors buried here, and Silver was the next one.
Silk and Alex had been buried while I was unconscious in the Capital, otherwise I would have come visited them. I had visited each of their graves twice, each time leaving a bouquet of flowers. I sat down in the front row next to Agatha and Copper. Across the aisle, my mother was sobbing while my father sat there emotionless. Polish was simply staring into nothing, but I could see tears silently falling down her face. Maybe she wasn't completely like father after all.
The pastor started his speech, and I slowly began to lose it from there. I didn't even here his words, but all I could think of was Silver. Silver, and Silk. Silver, Silk, and Link. All of them. I started crying uncontrollably within the first fifteen minutes. Copper and Agatha both held my hands and tried to comfort me. Once the funeral was over, we watched my sister's coffin be lowered into the grave. The family stayed behind and thanked people for coming. They told us they were sorry for our loss. Half of them were only hear because it would make them appear more popular. Invited to the Lockett's funeral. What an event! They made me sick.
Anger began boiling up inside of me. However, I kept it down in the pit of my stomach.
Leo was one of the last to come up. I could see the anger visibly in his face. "Thank you for coming," My father said coldly.
"You never loved her. Not like I did! It is practically your fault she is dead!" Leo hissed. I immediately could tell he had gotten the wrong impression. He thought one of my father's many enemies had killed her, not the Capital. He blamed my father, not me.
He threw a punch at my father, and my father dodged it. My father then punched Leo in the stomach, and I heard Leo moan in pain.
"Stop it," I whispered. The anger was beginning to build. Leo's brothers backed him up, and they came and punched my father in the side.
"Stop it!" I yelled. They continued to fight, and even a few other people got into the fight.
"Stop it! Stop it! Stop it, damn it!" I screamed. Everyone froze and stared at me. All the anger that was inside of me was finally surfacing. No more acting for right now. "This is Silver's funeral, for God's sake! Can we at least bury her in peace!" I knocked over one of the many flower vases, and heard it smash. "Is that too much to ask!"
Immediately afterwards I stomped away from these people, and out of the graveyard. I was done with them. I was so angry at all of them! They didn't deserve to even be breathing right now! I could hear the hurried footsteps of others behind me. I ran into my house, and slammed the door behind me. I then heard the door slam open, and I spun around. I hated them all. Agatha, Copper, Polish, Leo, and my parents were all pouring in. I hated every one of them.
"What the hell was that!" my father screamed. Leo sat down on the staircase and held something to his nose.
"What the hell was what?" I asked as calmly as I could.
"That charade! No child of mine ever loses control of their feelings like that!" My father spat.
"Maybe I'm no longer your child," I hissed back.
"I won't kill you for that comment, because I have a plan that will fix all of this. You're hurting. You're in pain. Then you find comfort in the most unlikely place. You and Magnificent are slowly drawn closer together because of the death of Silver, Silk, and Alex. Then, in no time, you're in love and married! Think of the publicity that story will get!" my father shouted.
His face was filled with smug joy at his plan, and I finally lost it. Before, it was only the anger at the death of my siblings that was controlling me. Now, my father had opened it all up. He had opened up every single angry feeling I had ever had towards him my entire life. Every time I forced myself to act calm was now pouring out.
I walked right up to him, and slapped him across the face. He went spiraling down, and he hit his head across the glass table. I picked him up by the scruff of his collar, and tossed him out the door. "I'm through with you! You will never, ever control me again! If you ever set foot in this house, I will not hesitate to kill you!" I screamed at him. For the first time in my life, I saw genuine fear in his eyes. Good, that smug bastard deserved it. I slammed the door shut, and turned towards Leo. My anger was controlling every movement of my body. It was as if I had no control anymore, and I just had to punish everyone else.
I pulled out the dagger I had concealed in the sleeve of my dress and brought it down across Leo's chest. I had decided to always carry a weapon with me now. You never know when Raven will strike. He let out a cry of pain, and I glared at him.
"Leo is not your problem, and you know it," Agatha croaked. I turned towards her, and let out a scream.
I charged right towards her, but she quickly knocked me to the ground with a backhand to my face. "You think I did my job to well. If it wasn't for me, you think that you would be dead, and at least Silver would be alive. Possibly even Link. You blame me for their deaths. Just admit it."
I let out another scream, and sent her flying towards one of my bookcases with a hard shove. Copper ran over to her, and shielded Agatha's body from me. I turned towards Polish, the last person standing.
"You don't want to hurt me, Rouge! This isn't about me, or Agatha is it! You aren't angry at us!" Polish yelled. I rushed towards her, and she quickly dodged my blow, and shoved me towards the fire place. "I'm not the sister who abandoned you! Silver is!"
"Don't say her name!" I yelled. I shoved her against the fire place.
"Copper, block the door!" Polish yelled.
Polish quickly punched me in the stomach, and forced me to look above the fireplace. Someone had installed three plaques above it. Each one had a name on it.
Silver Lockett
Silk Lockett
Link Trat
Agatha must have had them installed. I shook my head, and looked for an exit. Copper was blocking the front door, and I ran up to him. I started beating my fists against his chest.
"Tell them, Rouge. It's alright to hate them!" Polish spoke softly. I continued to beat my fists against Copper. "You should hate them! When my best friend, Petunia, went into the Hunger Games and died, I hated her for it. I was alone, and I hated her!"
I let out strangled screams. I could feel myself biting Copper, but I had no control over my body anymore. "It is okay to hate them!" Polish screamed.
I slowly turned around, and walked over to Polish. "How dare you," I spat at her.
I turned towards the plaques, and rushed towards them. I hit Silk's as hard as I could, and screamed, "How dare you leave me! How could you go die and leave me here all alone!"
My screams of anger slowly turned to wails of mourning. "Please come back!" I cried.
I sunk to the ground with a scream. I was sobbing uncontrollably, but I still found the strength to say in between sobs, "I need you. Please come back." I let out sobs, and I let the tears roll down my face. I did hate them for leaving me. Even if it was my fault, I still hated them.
Polish rushed over to me. "It's okay," she whispered.
"No, it's not okay! They risked their lives every day, and they never thought about what would happen to me if they were gone!" I let out more strangled sobs into Polish's shoulder. "How could any one of them think that I could live without them?"
I sobbed harder into Polish's shoulder, and I felt Agatha's hand on my back. Copper was standing behind Polish's shoulder. Leo was gone, and I didn't blame him. "I'm sorry for what I did to all of you," I said between sobs.
"Shhh… It's alright." Polish motioned for Copper to pick me up, and he carried me upstairs. He put me in my bed, and I sobbed into the pillows. Copper and Agatha both left, but Polish just stared at me.
"Don't leave…" I whispered to her.
She lay down next to me, and gripped my hand in hers. "I wouldn't think of it… What are sisters for?"
I continued to sob, and Polish never left. The morning came far too quickly, and when I woke up I found Polish just staring at me. "Why did we always hate each other?"
Polish let out a sigh, and gripped my hand even tighter. "I think simply because I was… jealous. Once Petunia died, I was all alone. Then there were my three younger siblings who had each other, and were always there for each other. I guess I felt… left out, and it was easier to be hateful and then miserable…"
"I know that feeling," I whispered. Polish quickly stood up, and motioned for me to get up.
"Come on, I'll make us breakfast, and then I have to get to work. Father will not be happy today," Polish joked.
"Polish," I said. She looked at me, and waited. "Would you like… to move in? That way, you won't have to deal with father's wrath at me every second… and you wouldn't have to work either!"
Polish laughed, and smiled at me. "Well, I think I'll keep my job, but I will take you up on moving in. We have around ten years or so to make up for when we hated each other."
I laughed, for the first time in weeks, and smiled at it. Polish smiled at me as well, and for the first time in a long time, I was happy. Maybe I could make it through life. As long as I had people there to support me… I could make it through…
The days turned to weeks, and the weeks turned to months. I spent the first three months or so getting closer with several people. Polish and I had developed a very sisterly relationship. I spent a lot of my time dancing in my new studio, and I also spent a lot of it learning how to sew with Agatha. I taught Copper how to play chess, and we would play a game almost every afternoon. I even went shopping with my airhead mother a few times, but I never once talked to my father. I hated that man, and if he ever even looked at me again I might just kill him. The pain of Silk's, Silver's, and Link's deaths were still haunting me. However, every day it got a little easier to bear. Every day, I hated them a little less, until I stopped hating them all together.
My first clue to something being wrong was when I missed my period. The second was when I started throwing up in the mornings. The third, and final clue, was when I started gaining weight. I never gained weight. Polish rushed me to the doctors, and he told me after inspection I was pregnant. I let out a gasp of surprise, and immediately ran home and puked again.
How could I be pregnant? It was one time! One time! I couldn't care for a child! I could barely care for myself! I felt violently ill for weeks, and the only thought I could think of was how the baby was bound to be reaped for the Hunger Games. This child was a symbol of rebellion. Raven would want to squash it in seconds. This was the child of a victor, and a tribute. Probably one of the first.
Eventually, my stomach jutted out so much that it was impossible to hide. The Capital heard about it in seconds, and the news was everywhere. Everyone was thrilled for me. I couldn't be more disappointed. Was I happy that I would always have a piece of Link with me? Of course. Was I depressed that it would die at the age of twelve? Definitely.
Soon, I was six months pregnant and it was time for the Victory Tour. You think the Victory Tour is usually hard. Imagine doing it while pregnant. The first District I went too was District Twelve. The good thing about being pregnant was that Avarice had to redesign his entire wardrobe for me. Putting a pregnant woman in skimpy clothing would not settle well for anyone.
District Twelve was the easiest. I simply said I was terribly sorry for each tribute that died. I told everyone how Olivia was a great competitor, and that Dusk was a great person. I couldn't help but steal a glance at Ophelia's dead eyes as she stared at me. Would that be me in twelve years? Alone, and without a child?
District Eleven was extremely easy. I never even really conversed with the tributes. I said my goodbyes, and moved on. District Ten was a smidgeon harder. And by a smidgeon, I mean immensely. I killed Natalie, who was only two people away from winning. Her father was glaring furiously at me, and it took all my self control not to go curl up in a ball and die.
District Nine and Eight were also easy. Never really even saw those tributes in the arena, except for a few scuffles. District Seven was the hardest District to go too. Not only was it Link's home, but I was credited with killing three of the tributes. And my District Partner killed the fourth. Bree's family was sobbing the second they saw me, and Sarah's family were staring daggers at me. There was no one in Link's spot, because his mother was all that he had. This brought me to tears, and I started crying in front of all of Panem.
District Six was easy, because I ended up killing the person twice who killed Quince. Quince's family seemed to look up to me, and Abby's family respected me.
District Five was the second worst District. I killed Paloma, Dario, and Neal. I couldn't even think of the guilt I would have had if I would have killed little Hali Dawson. Paloma's entire family was glaring at me. The thing that surprised me was when Dario's girlfriend charged the stage with a knife. I let out a scream of fright, and the girl was shot by Peacekeepers in seconds. I was rushed away from the stage before I could even look at Neal's family. The banquet in my honor was cancelled, and I was sent to District Four immediately.
District Four was frightening. I had only killed Claire, but I did kill Charlie the second time. Both of those families hissed at me, and even left before I was done with my speech.
District Three was definitely one of the easier Districts. I was friends with Hali, and her family seemed genuinely happy that I won. District Two was hard, simply because I hated both of those tributes. I gave next to no speech, and was soon whisked off to the Capital. I felt like a rag doll. I was simply acting for the masses, doing what I was told. I was just a puppet. A puppet with a baby on the way.
I performed my act for the Victory Tour interview with Europa, and the audience seemed to love me. The party afterwards at the President's mansion is where everything happened. All mentors were forced to attend, which included the mentors of the tributes whom I killed. I danced with random Capital officials, and made small talk with my fans. Cameras flashed everywhere, and everyone wanted to touch my stomach. I didn't deny them, simply because I didn't care. This all seemed like a dream anyways.
Eventually, President Raven made an appearance. She shook my hand, but her eyes still seemed as if they were on fire. Oh, she hated me so much. I eventually got away from her, and ended up on the terrace. Apparently, this was the hangout place of all victors.
The first person to notice me was Crescent and Ethan from District Four. "Well, lookie here," Crescent slurred. She was obviously drunk, and she glared at me. "It's the little whore!"
She let out an insane series of giggles, before Ethan grabbed her hand and began to lead her back to the party, away from me. "That baby will only protect you for three more months, sweetie!" Crescent yelled as Ethan practically dragged her away.
I shook my head, and ignored Crescent's drunken shouts. I leaned against the railing, and stared out at the city. It really was beautiful. The other victor's didn't seem to mind me as much, but there was one in particular I feared. Memory. She had hated Ethan for two years for just killing one of her tributes. I killed three.
She walked over next to me, and started at the city with me.
"Gorgeous, isn't it?" I said awkwardly, breaking the silence.
"Define your term of beautiful, Lockett." Memory whispered.
"Something pretty to look at," I murmured.
The silence continued, and Memory was the first to break it. "I'm sorry for your losses."
My head snapped towards her, and my look of confusion was spread across my face. "Excuse me?"
"Yes?"
"Don't you… hate me?" I asked.
She sighed, and stared right into my ice blue eyes. "I wasted two years of my life hating someone. It was a huge mistake when it turns out he is a great friend. Now, you might not be a good person, or a good friend, but I'm not going to waste my time or energy on hating someone ever again. You were fighting for survival, just like I did. I killed people too, and I have no right to judge."
My mouth hung open even wider. I guess… I guess Memory grew up. I had to do that soon as well. I was going to be a mother in three months, just like Crescent said.
Memory offered me her arm, and she escorted me back to the party. I danced with Copper for the rest of it, trying to avoid anyone from the Capital. We eventually made it back to my District, and I gave my last Victory Tour speech. I felt absolutely horrible, because until now I had totally forgot to go pay my condolences to Olivia's family. I was so wrapped up in all the pain I was feeling, I completely forgot about their pain.
They didn't glare at me, but they certainly didn't smile. They were just emotionless. I saw Magnificent, and he was the only person glaring at me besides my father. Both of them hated me, and I hated both of them.
The party went by in a flash, and soon I was back home. Polish took care of me, and held me the entire night as I sobbed. Every tribute was on my mind right now. The pain of it all was just too much sometimes.
Over the course of the next month, I got to know several people better. Several Victors were extremely kind to me, and others I instantly hated. The two I had become fairly good friends with were Ebony and Samuel. The one who I completely despised was Shine. Shine was extremely self-centered, snobby, and snarky. I wanted to slap her across the face every time she opened her mouth. Ebony was a middle aged woman, who seemed very nice. She always brought me some sort of baked good every other day. Samuel was older, and always had a story to tell me whenever he saw me.
The months flew by, and one day I felt it. My feet were sopping wet, and I knew my water had broken. I called out to Polish, who was luckily home, and she rushed me to the hospital.
Child birth is the most extreme physical pain I had ever felt in my life. You'd think it would be easy. Just push, and out the babies comes. No, those babies are extremely stubborn, and don't want to come out period. Ebony, Agatha, Samuel, Copper, and Polish were all outside, waiting. After hours and hours of pain, it was over. They cleaned me up, and they cleaned the baby up as well. All of my friends and Polish rushed in, and stared at me.
Until now, I hadn't really cared for this child. I had actually dreaded it. I had only thought about how I didn't ever want to love anything again. It seemed that loving anyone was just an invitation for more pain. However, as I held this precious baby in my arms, I couldn't help but love it. No… not it… her. I couldn't help but love her.
"What are you going to name her?" Polish asked.
It took me about two seconds to decide. "Partridge… After Link's little sister. He loved that little girl more than he ever loved anyone, and I know that is exactly how he would have felt about this little girl as well."
All of them nodded, and we smiled. After a week or so in the hospital, I was allowed to go home. Agatha spent a lot of time at my house, teaching me how to properly care for a baby. She taught me how to hold it, and she taught me how to breastfeed properly. I didn't even want to know how she knew, simply because I couldn't remember her ever having children.
Partridge was absolutely the most beautiful child I had ever seen. She had started growing my golden blonde hair, and her skin was just as light as mine. The thing that was different from me was her eyes. Her eyes were the perfect mix of mine and Link's. Each orb had his beautiful brown color swirled into it, but I could see a few different places where my eyes blue color peeked through.
After a month, we got the call. It was a call from President Raven herself. She told me to immediately come to her office. I gave my precious child to Polish, and boarded the awaiting train. I was in the Capital in half a day, and was whisked immediately to the President's mansion. When I walked in, it was dead silent. It was extremely eerie, but there was an Avox waiting for me. I followed him slowly up the staircase, and into the President's private office. The Avox slammed the door behind me, and I looked at Raven. She motioned for me to sit, and I did just as she motioned for me to do. Was she going to kill me? Kill my child? Why else would she bring me here alone?
"How are you, Rouge?" Raven asked.
"I'm fine. Yourself?" I asked.
"Peachy… Now, let's get down to why I called you here. Do you know why you're here?" Raven asked.
"No, please enlighten me," I whispered.
Rave stood up, and turned around. She stared out her giant window, and begun speaking. "President Snow was a fan of pretty things. That's why he created the Capital. He always loved something gorgeous, and he taught the people of the Capital that as well. In fact, you are related to a certain past tribute. You are related to a certain Glimmer Lockett…"
I furrowed my brow. I never heard of her. Raven continued. "Seems beauty runs in your genes. President Snow had a plan for that girl. He practically rigged those games for her to win. He wanted her to be the next Finnick Odair, or possibly replace Cashmere de Monforte who was getting older at the time. Then she was killed by Katniss Everdeen, which started the fire in his heart against Miss Everdeen."
I just glared at her. "What does this have to do with me," I snapped.
Raven spun around. "Everything. You see, President Snow started a little business. A business where the Capital paid, and got exactly what they wanted. They got whatever pretty thing they wanted."
My heart began to sink. "Prostitution…" I whispered.
"Exactly… That business still goes on today. You're going to join this little enterprise, because every man in the Capital wants you, Miss Lockett, just like they wanted Glimmer Lockett." Raven hissed.
My mind began running a mile a minute. No… I couldn't. I had my daughter! I.. I had spent my entire life keeping everyone away from my body. That was only thing I ever had control over. I might have had to act a certain way, but I never had to give my body up like that. No… I wouldn't do this!
"The business has been slowly declining. Memory was far too smart and unattractive to be much of an interest to anyone. Ethan was a possibility, but then he went and married that Alicia girl. The Capital ate up that romance, so I couldn't kill her. Streak is handsome enough, but I have no one to hold against him. The only person of real value anymore is Crescent from District Four. She is quite the popular one, but sometimes our purchasers get a little too rough with the merchandise. They have to pay more, don't worry about it." Raven babbled.
"I won't do it." I stated strongly.
Raven hissed at me, and glared at me. "Did you not hear me! Streak may have not had anyone I could hold against him, but you do! You refuse, and your daughter is dead. You continue to refuse, and I'll just go down the list. Polish, Magnificent, your prep team. Anyone who ever did a single nice thing for you. Anyone you know that isn't of importance to me will die! Now, rethink that last answer."
I was trapped. I would do anything to protect my daughter. I felt tears beginning to well up in my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. I would not give Raven the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I know I would go through ridicule. I know that all of Panem would hear about me taking on many lovers. Perhaps I would be the next Finnick Odair. Crescent never played the sexy angle, so her meetings have been fairly secret. Everyone thinks I'm sexy tribute who has a heart as cold as diamond. Wouldn't that be the perfect cover story? I use men, and then dump them?
"Fine… I'll do it…" I whisper. All my humanity and dignity has been stripped away at this moment. I am nothing more than an animal that is being sold to the highest bidder. I am nothing but shell of a person. All I am is an actress in Raven's show. I'm her puppet, and she is pulling my strings through the people I love.
"Good, your first job is tonight. After that, you can go home until I need you again. You will go the club Black Satin, and you'll see a man with a purple handkerchief. Do not refuse him; otherwise you know what will happen. Have a great day, Miss Lockett." Raven motioned for me to leave, and I left quickly.
I was shipped to a hotel via limousine, and I waited. Someone delivered something that was a very slutty outfit, and I guess I was supposed to wear this for our 'date'. Eventually, someone came and picked me up. I was sent to Black Satin like a caged animal, but I put on the appearance of a flirty, happy woman. I sat at the bar, and ordered a drink. This was my first experience to alcohol, and it wasn't that bad. Within a half hour, a man came down and sat next to me. He had a purple handkerchief in his breast pocket, and I looked at him.
I was automatically repulsed. He had dark red eyes, and his skin was a light grey. He was big, and not very attractive. He looked like he was made of plastic. He didn't say one word to me, but grabbed my hand. His was soft, but ice cold. Nothing like Link's calloused, warm ones. He took me upstairs, and obviously this was one of the prostitution buildings. There was a room he led me into that had a huge red bed pushed against the wall. He slammed the door behind him, and I heard the lock click into place.
His cold, hard mouth was on my neck in seconds. I could feel him pressed against my upper thigh. I wanted to vomit. He pulled me around, and put him lips close to mine. I immediately whipped a knife out, and held it at his throat. Even in defeat, I would have my victory.
"I don't care if you bought me. You will not kiss me. You can do whatever else you want, but your lips will never touch mine. If that happens even once, I will kill you." I hissed.
He nodded tersely, and began kissing my neck again. No matter how hard I imagined, his hands were not Links. His lips were not Links. That moment of pleasure he felt was not Links. When I lay next to him, he wasn't Link. I got up in the morning, and he was already gone. Thank Panem. I rushed outside, and immediately hopped into the limousine. I kept my eyes dry, and told myself not to cry. Not here. Not now. Raven wouldn't win. She couldn't win. I was stronger than that.
I was on the train, and it took of immediately. I made it home within half a day, and wandered home. I was still in the shabby red dress, and was practically stumbling home. Instead of walking into my house, I walked into Agatha's house. She took one look at me, and immediately led me to her couch. I sobbed into her shoulder, and she stroked my hair.
"I'm sorry this happened to you. I knew you wouldn't be safe," Agatha murmured.
"You knew?" I whispered.
"All victors know. Well, almost all of them. The newer ones don't, but in a couple years they usually figure it out…" Agatha said calmly.
"Why didn't you tell me! Why didn't you let me die!" I sobbed.
"I didn't tell you because of this. It would have broken you, and you would have done something rash. Do you know why I stay so ugly? Because I won before I was sixteen. They don't start you in the business until then. I found out about it, and feinted insanity. I stopped taking care of myself, and no one wanted me. You, that wouldn't have worked. You played the sexy angle, and Raven would have either killed some else you loved, or made you pretty again."
I continued to sob into her shoulder, until I got the strength to stand up and hobble out the door. I walked towards my house, and opened the door slowly. Polish was sitting reading a book.
"What… what happened to you?" she asked.
"I'm the Capital's whore now. The Capital's precious diamond…" I whispered. I told her everything. I told her everything since the Reapings. Every emotion, every thought, everything up to this very second. I didn't cry, though. I had to stay strong. I had to keep acting for my daughter's life. I would never cry, or lose control in front of anyone ever again. It was too dangerous for my daughter's fragile safety.
"I'm so sorry…" Polish murmured.
"It's not your fault… Where is Partridge?" I asked.
"Upstairs in her crib…" Polish whispered.
"I'll see you in the morning." I murmured.
I walked up my beautiful staircase and into my gorgeous daughter's nursery. I picked her up out of her crib, and sat down in the rocking chair. I held her in my arms, and just cherished her. I gazed out the window at the setting sun. I was a lot of things. I was judgmental. I was the self-centered. I was broken. I was the Capital's whore. However, I was still strong. I was still truly loved by my friends and family. I still had this little girl to look after. The little girl that the love of my life and I created together. This little girl is what would get me up in the mornings. She is what would bring me home from those dreaded appointments. She is what would stop me from just killing myself. I thought about all the fairytales my mother used to read to me. After you won the Hunger Games, you were supposed to live happily ever after.
Was I living happily ever after? Hell no. However, I would still be me. Those men in the Capital might get my body, but they would never get my love. They would never get to know me. That was locked deep inside of my heart. No matter what anyone ever thought of me, I still knew who I truly was. I was a strong, beautiful victor outside and inside. I was a winner because of the stunning child I had. This may not be happily ever after, but I was going to make it as damn close to happily ever after as possible…
I know, sad ending. You all probably hate me for what I did to Rouge. In fact, I hate me. But now you know what was going on with Crescent these entire games!
Bits and pieces were inspired by Charmed. GO WATCH IT!
Also, please review for this chapter! I just want to know how you liked the ending and every single thought you have on it. I'm so sad these games are over, but the next ones will be beginning soon! Please go read and possibly review the 226th Hunger Games, even if you don't have a tribute. Plus, you will see more of Rouge, and how everyone else perceives her :D So, for the last time, read and review!