Silva Mortis: The 80th Hunger Games
Prologue 2
Aelia Thorne, 34
President of Panem
The train swayed soothingly over the tracks, lulling Aelia into a comfortable doze. She'd been up for three nights straight, clear from the mugs on her desk that just seemed to multiply by the day. Each one contained tea at varying temperatures.
Aelia was the type to sleep with one eye open. Her fingers tapped on her stomach even though she appeared to be sleeping. She could never fully slip into slumber.
A gentle knock on her door was enough to rouse her. She sat up, quickly brushing her dark bangs back into place and grabbing her lipstick from the end table.
"Come in!" she called, reapplying a dark coating across her cupid's bow.
The door opened and Elle stepped in, pulling a clothing rack behind her. Aelia stood to hold the door for her. The train began to slow and Aelia and Elle had to brace themselves to remain upright, but Elle managed to push the rack into the office.
"Ma'am, you really must get some more sleep," the blonde stylist lectured playfully. Aelia rolled her eyes at her friend.
"Shut up and make me look pretty," she instructed.
Elle spent the better half of an hour perfecting Aelia's makeup and doing her hair. Then she helped the President into her dress, a short red slip made for hot weather, along with some strappy white heels and a white sunhat.
"You're so pale," Elle fretted. "You'll burn!"
"I'll be fine," Aelia hissed, shrugging her friend off. "Besides, I'll be indoors."
The train finally came to a complete stop and Aelia made her way to the doors. They slid open at the press of the button and a wave of hot, humid air rushed over her. But she remained stoic, waiting for the initial dizziness to pass her by. Then she stepped onto the wooden platform, listening to the creak of the boards and the buzz of the flies.
District 11 was always like this. Hot, dusty and dull. She made her way to the shiny black car that was waiting by the road. Two Peacekeepers pressed in on either side of her and sat silently the whole ride. A part of her wanted to break the silence, but her aunt's voice filled her head, telling her how inappropriate it was to bring the attention to herself.
'Shut up,' she told her.
When the car reached its destination, Aelia refused help from a Peacekeeper and marched up to the door of the first house in the Victor's Village. She knocked thrice on the door and stepped back, observing the moths that fluttered around the porch light.
A short woman with black curls opened the door.
"Hel-"
"Mrs. Grist, I am here to speak to your husband. It's an urgent matter. Please, may I come in?"
Sasha Grist, the wife of the first Victor, stared up at her, eyes wide with fear. Aelia Thorne smiled softly.
"Please, my dear. I come bearing good news."
Sasha stepped aside to let Aelia inside.
"Please feel free to wait in the study. I'll go fetch Basil." She turned and waddled up the stairs. Aelia nodded. So the tabloids were correct. She was pregnant.
A few minutes later Basil Grist himself was sitting in the study across from Aelia, big hands shaking with fear.
"I do not wish to make you uncomfortable Mr. Grist," she soothed. "I have excellent news. The first thing I wish to abolish with my new position is the prostitution of victors."
A light in Basil's eyes flickered to life and Aelia smiled.
"It's disgusting behavior on our part and I don't support it. I understand you were 'hired' for a few days from now and wanted to let you know that it's been cancelled."
"I-thank you ma'am," he gasped, standing up hurriedly. "I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," Aelia reassured him. "I'm just pleased I could help." They shook hands and Aelia made her way back to the car, smiling at Sasha as she passed.
The car bumped its way back to the train station and Aelia closed her eyes, not bothering to hide her smile.
'Someday I'll free you,' she thought. 'Just stay strong until then. Please.'
Back on the train, Aelia poured herself a cup of tea and sat down in her office. Elle was still folding clothes and going through boxes and boxes of shoes.
"Sorry, did you want me to leave?" she asked when Aelia shot a glare at her behind. The President shrugged one shoulder and sank down onto her bed. In truth, she enjoyed Elle's presence. She was quiet, calming, and always knew just what to say to help Aelia with whatever struggle she was currently facing. As president, she faced a lot. But today, her head was pounding with a ferocious headache.
"You look a little pale," Elle said, stepping towards Aelia with a hesitant shuffle. The train lurched and Elle was thrown forward, collapsing onto Aelia's lap. She tightened her hands around her friend's waist.
"Be careful," Aelia snapped, the words a little harsher than she'd intended them to be. Elle pulled back quickly.
"Sorry," she snapped, a frown maring her perfect face. Her purple eyes flashed with anger and Aelia lowered her head in shame.
"I'm sorry Elle. I just have an awful headache."
"You should stop drinking so much caffeine," Elle said gently, rubbing Aelia's shoulder. She looked up and smiled slightly, ignoring the increased throbbing in her skull.
Elle leaned down and planted a quick kiss on Aelia's lips before darting out of the room, dragging her stylist rack with her. Mesmerized, Aelia lifted a hand to her lips, relishing the tingle Elle left behind.
It wasn't that Aelia didn't think Elle was pretty. She did. Elle was gorgeous. But she was also straight. Wasn't she? Aelia shook her head. She didn't have time to think about pretty stylists with icy blonde hair and piercing purple eyes and infectious smiles. She had more important matters to attend to.
Though Elle was probably right about the caffeine…
Author's Note
Hello again!
Here's the second prologue, this time from the President's PoV. I really enjoyed writing from Aelia's perspective, and you guys also met the first victor, Basil. There are still three others to meet, who will come in future prologues.
Please let me know what you think of Aelia! And of Elle and Basil! I know these characters aren't very fleshed out yet, but I have high hopes for them and I'm excited to reveal more.
Also, if you can, please submit a tribute or three! I've extended the reservation period to a week, so hopefully people will have an easier time submitting. All the other rules still apply. You can find them listed on my profile.
Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
- Fiona