District 4

Salacia Mavericks

(Malakai's mother)

The waves splash across the sand, moving back and forth in a repetitive motion. The bright blue of the ocean always manages to calm me, even if in a situation as stressful as the present. Maybe if I stand on the beach long enough, I'll be calm enough to proceed with the interview. Right now, it isn't looking too great.

The thought of being on live television, talking about my endangered son, just puts me into unbelievable stress.

"Salacia?" It's Akoni. I didn't hear him walk up behind me over the crashing of the waves, but he's here now. He places a hand on my shoulder and looks at me, worriedly. "Are you alright?" I nod, despite the feeling of dread in my stomach. I feel like any second now, Malakai will be violently murdered, probably by that horrid District 8 boy.

At least Damien Hail's no longer in the running. He was my least favorite for so long - he killed Kata, and posed a significant threat to my own son. Fortunately, he was killed by the boy from District 11.

Of course, no death can undo the damage done to the Brightons. We were watching the Hunger Games together for most of the week and were shocked when Kata was killed after less than a week. Not even the final 12. I think it was a collective understanding throughout our District that Kata Brighton would make it to the top 3 at least - maybe win, although I think people didn't say that around me because of my Malakai.

Not that they didn't have high expectations for Malakai - definitely final 10, they predicted, which Malakai exceeded. Now they're saying he'll be in the finale.

The Brightons are continually supportive of us, being very confident that Malakai will be our next Victor. This morning, I was over at the Brightons, comforting them, and Kata's mother kept assuring me that Malakai would be the next Victor. Until she burst into tears.

I think Zabi Brighton, Kata's brother, will be coming over the interview. He's been shaken up ever since his older sister died - they were really close. I was a bit concerned at Akoni's suggestion of Zabi coming over for the interview, but Akoni reminded me that Zabi and Malakai were pretty close. They're actually really alike, although neither of them is acting like their current selves as of late. They are in mourning, though, so I guess it's excusable.

I know that Cupid is bound to ask me how I feel about Malakai's 'changed' personality, which is one of the reasons I'm nervous. I know he's not changed, just grieving, but I'm worried that if he returns home, he'll stay in grieving.

I don't want that to happen to Malakai. I like the old Malakai, the one who was humble, selfless, and loved to tell jokes. Not the one that I'll see if I turn on my television, who is vengeful and would do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means completely changing himself and other people.

"Everyone's inside," Akoni remarks, snapping me out of my inner thoughts and making me jump a bit. I had forgotten Akoni was there.

"Everyone?" I ask. "Even the interviewers?" Akoni shakes his head.

"No, just all of the... interviewees. The interviewers haven't arrived yet."

"Is Zabi here?" Akoni nods solemnly. "How's he doing?"

"Not too great," Akoni shrugs. "He's not crying right now, but if the interviewers pry too much about Kata, I'm worried he may lose it." I sigh.

"Poor thing."

"Come on, the interviewers are going to be here soon," Akoni reminds me. I nod and follow him toward the house. I'm sure Cupid, Leandros, and all of their crew will be here in moments. We've been expecting their presence all day.

We enter the house, and in the center sits Malakai's closest friends. Of course, Kata was his best friend, but she obviously can't make it. Zabi's one of the ones on the couch, though, and he doesn't look so great. He's staring off into space. The other occupants of the sofa are Malakai's friends, Kim and Maison, and Akoni's brother, Weston (Malakai's uncle, whom he is quite close with).

I sit down on the sofa between Weston and Maison just as the doorbell rings in the hall.

"I'll get it," Akoni volunteers. He disappears, and a moment later, returns with a full crew of vibrantly-dressed men; I recognize one of them as Cupid Bloke, who interviewed all of the tributes, but the others I don't remember. Akoni and I don't watch a lot of the Hunger Games, we always get anxious and a bit nauseous when watching kids fight against each other, so I expected that I wouldn't recognize most of the Capitolians.

"Hello, Malakai's family and friends!" says one of the men. I don't recognize his appearance, but his voice immediately helps me identify him; he's the announcer, who's been stating all the twists throughout the Games.

We all tentatively greet him back as the Capitolians begin setting up. Apparently, one of the crew has already been filming. They set up across from us, even though Cupid and the announcer (Leonardo? Lexus?) look disgruntled at the lack of seating options. Akoni slides in between me in his brother, making everyone a bit more uncomfortable.

As soon as everyone is ready, Cupid gets in our faces with a microphone and begins inquiring us about Malakai.

"How do you expect Malakai to do in the Hunger Games?" Cupid asks, his eyes drifting over all of us.

"We think he'll win," Weston says, and suddenly Cupid is right next to him.

"Is that right? Why do you think that?"

"Well, he's very skilled. He's one of the only remaining Careers and seems to be doing very well thus far."

"Yes, but Aurum scored higher than Malakai." This reminder causes a murmur of annoyance to spread across the group. We're not pleased that Cupid would point that out.

"So?" Maison says. "Aurum's beginning to go a bit cuckoo after losing an ally." The look on Cupid's face sends a clear message: he thinks we're hypocritical. After all, Malakai lost Kata and started getting a bit vengeful...

"Let's move on," Akoni suggests.

"I guess," Cupid shrugs. "Does anyone happen to have any good stories about Malakai's childhood?"

"Once he fell off the fishing boat and into the ocean," Akoni offers.

"Once?" Weston asks skeptically, which provides a few laughs.

"Okay, maybe fifty," Akoni concedes. Cupid smiles, but his look immediately turns grim.

"Alright, on that note, let's move to the inevitable question - how do you feel about Kata dying?" Cupid asks. Everyone's quiet, until Zabi bursts into tears. He tries to stay discrete, but everyone has turned to face him.

"Who are you?" the announcer asks Zabi.

"Zabi Brighton."

Everyone's quiet as Cupid and the announcer (Leandros!) use their few brain molecules to make the connection.

"You're... Kata's brother?" Cupid asks. Zabi doesn't nod, but the silence is enough confirmation. Within seconds, Cupid and Leandros have moved over to focus on Zabi and begin bombarding him with questions.

"What was Kata like as a child?"

"How do you feel about Kata's death?"

"How close were Malakai and Kata?"

Zabi merely looks up at them, pleadingly, with watery brown eyes and Maison and Kim both step up to defend him.

"Look, isn't this supposed to be an interview about Malakai?" Kim asks. Cupid and Leandros stare at her for a minute before shrugging in acceptance.

"Do you think Malakai's going to get revenge for Kata's death?" Leandros asks after a second, shoving a microphone in Zabi's face.

"Leave him alone!" Maison shouts. Zabi stands up and without words, runs out of the house.

"Well, I guess we should end the interview here," Leandros remarks, chuckling nervously. Cupid nods and turns to the camera.

"Thanks for tuning in, Panem, and don't forget to watch our interview with Aurum's family tomorrow! Good night!"