Chapter 48

POV: Ross (Capitol)

Tributes Remaining: 1

I stand behind the entrance doors, stylists touching up my suit and makeup.

"Ross, you're clear," a producer says in my earpiece.

I tap the earpiece, nodding my head. "Alright," I tell the stylists, "It's go time."

The stylists back away as I step confidently on-stage. The crowd cheers wildly as I wave widely at them, putting on my widest grin.

"Thank you!" I shout. "Thank you very much!" I sit in a plush chair opposite one empty one, reserved for the guest of honor.

My heart is beating with excitement. This will be one of the most interesting interviews I will ever conduct in my lifetime.

The crowd quiets as I pick up my microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is finally time. Our Victor is ready to see you for the very first time since the end of this year's Games."

The crowd murmurs.

"It was a long fifteen days, but our Fifth Quarter Quell came to a dramatic end three days ago... Are you ready?" I say into the microphone dramatically. The crowd cheers loudly.

"Without further ado... give it up for the Victor of the 125th Hunger Games..."

I pause for dramatic effect.

"Soren Murdock from District 4!" I announce.

Soren walks out with a slight limp. He seems taller than during his first interview with me all those weeks ago, and he looks older than during the Games just a few days ago. Tonight, he's in a wonderful blue suit as he waves to the crowd. I know the producers of the show were very excited about his outfit. I'll admit, it's quite luxurious, even by my standards.

Soren sits opposite me, and I start with some small talk.

"Soren, it is such a pleasure to have you here with us today," I say solemnly.

"It's an honor, Ross," he replies.

"Before we get into our interview, you all know what we have to do first... Roll the highlight reel!" I say, and the audience's attention moves to the screen behind me, where the highlight roll begins to play.

A few shots of the Bloodbath are shown first. Soren is seen next to Nia and Marnie as the clock counts down.

The other boy from District 4, Wade, is shown as he jumps from his pedestal. I watch Soren's expression, and he keeps his face neutral, although his eyes drop to the floor for a moment at the sight of his District partner's death.

The gong sounds and Tanner is shown throwing a spear, and Soren barely ducks under the spear as it sails over him, hitting Marnie. I remember that moment was one of the highlights of the Bloodbath. Leon and Angelica are also shown as they fight, with Leon ultimately pushing the small girl into the poison.

Murray and Amethyst's fight is shown in detail. As other tributes dart around them, they try to push each other into the Ultimate Solvent while using other objects to throw at each other. When Amethyst charges at Murray with her sword in hand, Murray uses a maneuver to twist Amethyst around. Amethyst's sword falls to the ground, and Murray kicks it into the Ultimate Solvent, where it begins to dissolve. Amethyst begins to panic as Murray holds her in a headlock.

"I'm on your side, you don't understand!" Amethyst cries, but Orion approaches the pair, bow in hand.

"Victoria!" Amethyst cries frantically. "Felix!"

I wonder what Amethyst meant by being on Murray's "side." I guess we'll never know.

A short clip of Zea, the last tribute from District 12, is shown as her District partners are both shown in the sky after Day 1. She buries her face in her hands, grieving.

The Hydra Vines are shown next from Day 3. The crowd sighs, me included, as Jordan is approached by the growing mass of vines.

"Kala!" he cries, just before he's swallowed by the vines.

"Jordan!" She calls back, but she's pulled along by her allies. Soren seems to be most affected by this scene, as he breaks his on-stage confidence for a moment, wiping a tear from his eye.

Rowan and Jomilee's fight is shown next. Jomilee ducks under Rowan's spear and jumps over Della's body. The two begin to fight. Jomilee dodges as Rowan swings his scythe at her, and her hair is chopped off. The scythe also slices into her neck, making her scream in pain. Soren winces as he hears Jomilee's scream of pain. He breathes shakily next to me, his eyes fixed on the picture as the two continue to fight. I lean over, placing a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. He offers me a small smile of thanks. I've conducted enough Victor's Interviews to know how difficult it is.

I sigh once again as Carlo's death is shown. His goodbye to Persephone was one of the sweetest moments of the Games for sure.

"It wasn't supposed to end this way," Persephone sobs.

"It's okay. Give me a hug and get out of here," Carlo says.

The two of them embrace. They whisper, but luckily with the post-Games editing, we're able to hear them this time.

"I'm sorry," Persephone whispers. "I love you."

"I love you too. You need to go now. Please win for me, Seffie."

"I will," she responds.

The crowd murmurs at the emotional moment, and I pout, putting a hand over my heart and turning to look out at the crowd.

Soren's revival is shown next, following by his killing of Ada. Soren looks uncomfortable during both.

Next, Robin is shown dragging Soren, Dalia, and Lacie across the ground. He buries his knife in Dalia's heart before tying the others up. Soren and Lacie are also seen as they escape the tidal wave.

Finally, the end of the Games is shown. Greta and Rose throw Greta into the Ultimate Solvent as Lacie grabs a scythe. Soren is shown as he is knocked down by Victoria, who is wearing her eyepatch. The screen is whited out.

"Tell my brother I'm sorry. You deserve to win. I would have been dead a long time ago if it weren't for you. Just please... don't forget me," Soren says quietly to Lacie.

"There's a difference between you and me, Soren. I kept us alive, but you cared," Lacie says to him. She had such a way with words. I wish I could have interviewed her one more time.

I look out at the audience. The District 11 mentors, Jordinia and Wolfgang, are watching the broadcast intently. Jordinia's brow is furrowed sorrowfully, and Wolfgang watches the screen with narrowed eyes.

I'm sure Vispania is immensely proud of her work this year. What a memorable Games. The recap ends as Lacie jumps into the Ultimate Solvent.

The lights return on-stage. I pass Soren a handkerchief, and he uses it to wipe his face.

"What a Games to remember," I say, and the crowd cheers with me.

"I'll certainly never forget it, Ross," Soren says, his eyes darkening.

I jump into the Interview. "Soren, you were a fan-favorite from the beginning, especially because of your brother, Roman, who was our Victor last year. How does it feel to finally be able to see your family again?"

"It means so much to me," he says. "Especially at the immediate end, I thought I would never see them again."

"Let's talk about Lacie," I change the subject. The crowd hushes at the mention of her name. "She sacrificed herself willingly for you," I prompt him.

"She did. I think what she said was true; I may never understand her decision," Soren sighs. "She certainly deserved to be here right now. Not only did she save my life, she also sacrificed her own life in return. That's something I'll never be able to repay.

"Well, Soren, you don't give yourself enough credit!" I say, lightening the mood. "We spoke to your mentor, Cressa, a few days ago, and she explained her disappointment that you saved Lacie before the tidal wave when you could have left her behind. She also expressed the same sentiments about your promises to keep Lena safe when you didn't have to. Lacie wasn't the only one putting her life on the line."

Soren looks out into the audience, who are nodding in agreement. He gives a small smile, broken but clearly happy to be alive.

"I suppose you're right, Ross," he says.

"That's all the time we have," I hear a producer speak into my earpiece. "Wrap it up."

I stand with Soren next to me, lifting his hand in the air. "Soren Murdock, everyone!" I shout, and the crowd cheers.

I exit the stage with Soren, my heart pumping. That was one of my best Interviews. I've done it - another year has gone, another Hunger Games is done and finished. Part of me is sad to see the end of my favorite events. Oh, well. There's always next year.