Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the Hunger Games or any of the characters in this chapter.
Aden Starr
Victor of the 67th Hunger Games
Ten Years Later
Aden Starr POV (District Ten)
I step off the train from the Capital back into District Ten. The games for this year have just ended, and my tributes, Americo and Callie, both died. Americo made it to the final three, but Callie was killed in the final eight. Both were strong, brilliant, and wonderful kids. And now their dead.
I walk throughout the streets of District Ten. People wave at me, but I'm not that little fourteen year old boy who sold nuts and fruits to them. I'm the victor of the 67th Hunger Games. I walk by Americo's house and see his families shadow's weeping for him inside of it. I look away and bit my lip. Americo was so much like Sammy Robinson from when I was in the games. And now, like Sammy, Americo's dead.
I round another corner and I have to pass Callie's house. The curtains are still shut. Callie was just like Ace March. Vicious and bloodthirsty for revange. But Americo reminded her of the sweet little girl she was. And like Americo and Ace, Callie's dead.
I walk into Victor's village. I'm the only victor with a house in it, as the only other victor from District Ten died when I was in the games. I unlock the door to my house and step inside. I smell bread cooking in the kitchen and walk to it. My wife stands over the stove while my two children chase each other. Benete, my best friend and the person I volunteered for, sits at my kitchen table holding his newborn son in his arms. Benete's wife passed away a few month ago, around the same time my father, Ferron, did. My younger sisters, Anna, Sasha, and Emilia sit at the table with Benete.
"Daddy!" My daughter, Skye, yells. She races over to me and I pick her two year old body up. I twirl her, her long brown hair spinning in a circle. She has my green eyes. I set her down and my three year old son, Nathan comes over. He gives me a hug. He has my blonde hair and my wife's brown eyes.
"I missed you." My wife, Glade, Skye Windell's foster sister, says as she kisses me on the lips. I kiss her back gently.
After I returned home from the games, I directly went to the Windell household and told Glade what Beth had asked to me tell her. That Skye loved her. Glade thanked me and I left. When I was leaving for my victory tour, Glade gave me Skye's necklace that was her token. Then she kissed me and told me she would see me when I got home. When I return, we ended up dating. We got married at twenty and had Nathan a year later, followed by Skye a year after that. Glade was against using her dead sister's name at first, but I insisted. Little Skye was too much like the Skye I knew.
We sit down for dinner and my family and Benete fill me on what I missed during the games. I'm quiet during dinner as I always am after returning home from the Games. I haven't had a victor yet in my ten years of mentoring. They always end up in the Final Three or Two, and then die. I just wish for once they would live and come home.
"Fireflies!" Nathan yells. He and Skye race out of their seats and run outside. Glade and I follow. We watch as our children race among the fireflies lightening up the night. My children, who are too young to know what I had done in the games. My children, who one day may end up being in the position I was ten years ago. My children, who may have to one day hold other dying children in there arms. One day, they may handle a sword. One day, they may have to throw knives. One day, they may have to push someone off a cliff to their death. One day, like me, they may wake up in a cold sweat, attempting to recover from a nightmare about their experience.
One day, they will understand.
I feel Glade's arms wrap around my body. I wrap my arms around hers, still staring at my two children running freely. "Everything ok sweetheart?" Glade asks. "I know your upset about Americo and Callie."
"I'm fine honey." I say.
One day, they will understand.
One day, they will stand in a blocked off area, volunteering for a friend.
One day, they will understand why I did it.
One day, maybe they will never have to do what I did.
One day.
If only that day could come faster.
That one day when the Hunger Games will end once and for all.
For now though, I rest my head atop my wife's and watch my children dance in the glow of the fireflies. I watch how happy and peaceful everything is. I stop thinking about one day, and enjoy the moment of today.
Kill List (In order of Death)
Eleanor Gubb (District Five)- Killed by Vigilante Huntst
Noel Krandle (District Six)– Killed by Julian Devereux
Forrest Jackson (District Eleven)- Killed by Ace March
Robert Price (District Four)- Killed by Gabriel Monet
Charles Hunter (District Three)- Killed by Ashkia Dayson
Ethan Anthony Draven (District Seven)- Killed by Ace March
Gabriel Monet (District Two)- Killed by Ace March
Samantha "Sammy" Robinson (District Eight)- Killed by Wolves
Ezra McCully (District Eight)- Killed by Aden Starr
Erica Carter (District Twelve)- Killed by Juniper Shad
Ashkia Dayson (District One)- Killed by Vigilante Huntst
Juniper Shad (District Six)- Killed by Poisonous Mist
Nami Tyson (District Eleven)- Killed by Luna Night
Shiloh Gable (District Nine)- Killed by Nami Tyson
Julian Devereux (District One)- Killed by Ace March
Vigilante Hunstst (District Five)- Killed by Vivienne Cameron
Rose Eversong (District Three)- Killed by Aden Starr
Leo Burnte (District Twelve)- Killed by Ace March
Vivienne "Vivie" Cameron- Killed by Ace March
Luna Night (District Nine)- Killed Ace March
Skye Windell (District Ten)- Killed by Beth Bray
Bethany "Beth" Bray (District Four)- Killed by Ace March
Acacia "Ace" March (District Seven)- Killed by Aden Starr
Victor: Aden Starr