Breaking Point Sextet V

Love: The 75th Hunger Games

Chapter Ten

District Three Justice Building Scene

A/N: Another small chapter, now it's District Three time!

Elara Sora –14- -D3- POV

After the Reaping, which I still can't believe happened… I mean, me, Reaped? And… and having to bring Yuna with me? My day was going so well earlier, I had met a Victor and finally (hopefully) taught Kell a lasting lesson… but now… well, it seems like I was going to meet a Victor either way today. Hey, at least I know her! I guess that's… something.

Anyway, they take me to the Justice Building, where I wait for around a minute before my parents show up.

"Honey… I can't believe this happened," Mom says. She does look shocked… can't blame her, I mean, I am too. Of all the odds and all that. Mom comes over and hugs me. "I love you, Elara… I'm so sorry this happened."

"It's… well, it's not your fault, Mom," I try to smile, the fake smile I've gotten so good at over the years.

"I know… I just… I'm sorry this had to happen, Elara… but I know you can come back to us, you're smart, and you'll have a good mentor, I mean she won just two years ago," Mom says. She's right, I do have a good mentor, and I am smart… I might be able to do this… if this were a normal year, at least. This year, well… I can't kill Yuna, and I can't let her die, which means… well, only one person can win. Still, I probably shouldn't tell Mom that.

I keep the fake smile up. "Thanks, Mom… you're right, I'm sure… I'll do great. I mean, I already met Diana today, even."

"You met Diana?" Dad pipes up, surprised and evidently a bit curious despite the situation.

"Yeah… before the Reaping…" wait, do they even remember that I slipped away on the way here? Well, to be fair, this situation is probably taking most of their attention right now. "I, uh, met her, she helped me with something, she was really nice. So were her fiance and friends."

"Oh, that's wonderful, if you're already friends with your mentor, it'll be even better," Mom says. Dad nods in agreement.

I nod. "Yeah, you're right, I'm sure I have good odds."

Mom hasn't exactly completely released me, and I can't blame her, and now Dad, even more surprisingly, comes over and joins in the hug. "I love you, Elara, darling… please come back to us."

"I'll…" Yuna. I can't just let her die. "Do my best," I say.

Silent nods from my parents, and then they embrace me fully again. This is… extremely odd for our family, but I can't say I mind it. This all still feels a bit surreal… but my parents are real, physical, and for a moment or two, comforting. Until I remember why I'm here… and then I cry a bit, but when it's done, I feel a little better about my odds… as long as I can avoid thinking about the inevitable end, I can make a plan to survive, and keep Yuna alive… and hey, maybe I'll even write a story about it like that Sofie girl… and possibly have it end with the same fate. Although, I suppose, having a story of mine finished and published by Yuna wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. The being dead bit though, that would suck.

Yuna Odalis –14- -D3- POV

Well, today has been an emotional roller-coaster, and it's not even noon. First was the usual sadness that comes from family time, then happiness at Elara having such a cool story – I mean, she met Diana Axel! And she was nice! But then Elara got Reaped… and now… now, well now I have to protect her… which means I have, if I'm lucky, a week or a week and a half to live. Guess it's been a good life… but it won't be done until I can be sure that Elara will survive.

My family enters the room, to my… mild surprise, honestly. No offense, but considering that Mom beats me regularly, and Dad's never home, I wasn't exactly expecting them to come and say a tearful goodbye. Well, they're not crying, so I guess I was at least half right.

"I always knew that girl was trouble," Mom says. Ah, of course. I've gotten Reaped for the Hunger Games, and it's my fault. I mean, of course, it has to be. "You should've listened to me, then it would've been someone else. Now your father is going to have to work more overtime because I'll have to spend more time at home with your brothers." Oh no, you have to be a parent. The horror.

I sigh. I consider saying something, but I shouldn't say what I want to with the kids around, so I settle for, "You won't have to make as much money without me around. Less for food and such."

"Well, you'll be coming back," Mom says. "I can't be expected to take care of your siblings on my own, I have a job to do." Wow, so thoughtful, thanks.

I don't have a response to that, and Dad holds up his hand, and then tiredly gives me a hug. "I'm sorry, Yuna, I love you… do your best to come home, please… but I understand what you're thinking." Doubtful, but… maybe he does. Hard to say, I barely know the man. He releases me from the hug, and steps back, then says to Mom, "Darling, I think we should go, let the kids say their own goodbyes."

Mom looks slightly offended, but nods. "We're expecting you to come back to fulfill your responsibilities, Yuna." My goodness. Then she and Dad leave, and Tami comes up to me and gives me a hug.

"I'm sorry, Yuna," he says. "I love you, you know… even if I'm a terrible brother sometimes."

"It's fine," I try to give him a comforting smile as I return his hug. "You do your best, and I love you too."

He laughs. "I don't… but thanks, Yuna. I'm going to have to watch the other two now, aren't I?"

I sigh. "Probably… I'm sorry, Tami, but… I probably won't be back." I do feel bad about it, but I can't let Elara die. And I definitely can't kill her. Tami, Milo, and Moryan might be a little worse off without me, but they won't be dead. The little ones hopefully won't notice the difference… Moryan might not even remember me when he gets older, I don't remember much from when I was three.

He nods, surprisingly serious for being only ten. "I figured… I'll do my best."

"Thanks, Tami, just… try to remember to be a kid as well," I say.

He sighs, and looks like he wants to cry, but instead he pulls back from me. "You, uh, should give Milo and Moryan another hug."

I nod, and go over to the younger kids, picking both of them up to hug them. "I'm gonna be gone for a while, guys," I say. "Maybe… forever, but I love you guys, okay?"

"How long is forever?" Milo asks.

"It's… as long as you can imagine," I respond.

"Oh… I love you too, Yune," Milo says, mispronouncing my name.

"Yeah, I love Yuna!" Moryan says enthusiastically. I smile.

"I love you guys too… have fun while I'm gone, okay?"

"Okay!" They both say, without really… getting it. Well, hopefully, they will have fun while I'm gone… all infinity of it.

"I'm sorry, but your time is up," a Peacekeeper says from behind us.

"Right, uh… I love you guys, I'll do my best to come back soon," I say.

Tami nods and ushers the little ones to the door. "We love you too, Yuna… hopefully we'll see you soon."

My brothers leave, and the Peacekeeper starts taking me to the train. "Ma'am, no offense, but your mother is a b—h," he says.

I laugh. "None taken, you're completely right…" I trail off as I realize something. There's a Peacekeeper right here… right here. I could tell him about how Mom beats me, it's not like I don't have evidence, she'd get arrested, and… well, it would feel good, but it wouldn't be good. My family would be even worse without her dinner-making and working. Oh well. "She is." I finish, so as not to arouse suspicion.

The Peacekeeper laughs. "I thought you'd have more of an issue with me saying that…" now he pauses. "Oh, I see… I get it. Don't worry, she'll be punished soon."

"What?" I ask, surprised.

"Oh, um… nothing. Forget I said anything, that's classified."

Classified? Something about Mom? And being punished? What's going on? Well… pressuring a Peacekeeper won't do any good. "Okay then, forgotten."

"Glad to hear it, Ma'am," he says, returning to his more rigid posture as we near the train. "Here we are, now just wait…"

A/N: Another short one, District 4 is up soon! What do you think of everybody, now that they're getting slightly more development (much more to come with the train rides, training, etc.)? Any new favorites or hates? Also, please keep submitting your wonderful Tributes!

Tribute List:

D1R: Open

D1L: Open

D2R: Candence Fellows, 18, by BeeBoo15

D2L: Foxtrot Suevite, 18, by BeeBoo15

D3R: Elara Sora, 14, by Draph

D3L: Yuna Odalis, 14, by Draph

D4R: Nerys Pacifica, 18, by Son of Arryn

D4L: Halian "Hal" Maui, 17, by Son of Arryn

D5R: Daisy Brownstone, 15, by chcolate

D5L: Matilda 'Mattie' Edlington, 17, by chcolate

D6R: Seras Axis, 15, by TheWatcherofTheVoid

D6L: Remington Axis, 18, by TheWatcherofTheVoid

D7R: Rowan Mildberg, 18, by Pengu54324

D7L: Cedar Mildberg, 15, by Pengu54324

D8R: Open

D8L: Open

D9R: Reserved for LeafVines

D9L: Reserved for LeafVines

D10R: Gadge Paddet, 17, by Professor R.J Lupin1

D10L: Simon Hazel, 17 by Professor R.J Lupin1

D11R: Open

D11L: Open

D12R: Open

D12L: Open