Flurry pt. 2. Spoilers if you haven't read Day 9
Moara Slater, Age 17, District 2
One-Hundred Forty-Ninth Hunger Games Victor
11:00
"Moara, can I have a picture?"
"Moara, Cassia is falling behind in kills, why do you think that is?"
"Moara, do you suppose Cassia could have killed the tributes from Three and Ten, had she had the chance?"
"Are you involved romantically with Rocky Malfe, your former mentor?"
"Moara. Moara. MOARA!"
It's almost overwhelming, this party. All the remaining Victors with tributes, and even a few who weren't mentoring this year, have been invited to Head Gamemaker Mars Viking's home for a Final Thirteen celebration. Just over an hour ago, the girl from Three died by Mera's hand, spurring the other Victors from their seats in the Control Center. Indigo, the girl's mentor, was quickly removed while the rest of us were led to a waiting car.
Most of the Victors were well-received, but I, being last year's Victor, cannot, apparently, be left alone without cameras flashing in my face for so much as a second. I wish they would all go away, but nobody ever asked what I wanted.
Kiara Enygma, Age 83 (13), District 6
Eightieth Hunger Games Victor
12:00
It's normally easy for people to ignore the child, the thirteen-year-old with tributes who are very surprisingly not-dead.
This year, however, things have changed. Perhaps it's because of the Quell, or because I'm actually outfitted in a dress this time. Or, maybe, it's because of the Alliance with Jade Heghes, of all people, that I've been forced into.
She doesn't like having to work with me, and we both know that I know that. I, however, am only interested in bringing a Six home. Aran may have goo-goo eyes for the devil from One, but that doesn't mean I have to pray for her safety. No, Aran Quade is my number-one priority, even if I do have to deal with a total-
Halibut Odair, Age 25, District 4
One-Hundred Fortieth Hunger Games Victor
13:00
Esmeralda has done very well for herself so far. While I'm still a bit ashamed of her for losing a kill, calling for the Two instead of eliminating her chosen quarry, I understand why: if Mason had seen her kill the two girls without his knowledge, the Careers could have split apart then and there.
I wouldn't mind a split; Mera isn't lacking in Sponsorships, even if her artistry hasn't painted the Arena in over a week. The Twelve boy is still keeping up my funds for her, and it should be enough to last her the Games. Killing Three only helped her case.
She remains predicted in third, but it's only a matter of time before she's predicted above Cassia. While the Gamemakers' so-called "predictions" aren't everything, climbing higher on the leaderboard can only help.
Then Mera can whip up a hurricane, destroying everything in her path.
Jacob Gold, Age 35, District 2
One-Hundred Thirty-First Hunger Games Victor
14:00
Halibut is arrogantly confident at his imminent Victory, but he seems to have overlooked one thing: Mason. The guy currently leads in kills, and he's from Two, already a favorite to win this year. The Capitol loves him, and popularity almost always leads to Victory.
When the time comes, however, Mera's sword isn't the thing he should be worried about. Malaya's spear and Aran's bow are my real worries, though he doesn't know that. I wish there was some way for me to lead him to them, determine and exterminate the threat…
I'm incredibly unsure of how to do that, but perhaps I can find someone to help me.
Kinzie Wrasse, Age 112 (16), District 4
Fifty-Fourth Hunger Games Victor
15:00
If there's one thing I ever missed when I wasn't mentoring, it was the parties.
There are many during the Games, but the Head Gamemaker and the President always throw the most prestigious. While only half the Mentors make it to this party, even fewer make it to the President's, in the Final Six.
If nothing else, I can thank Blue for making it this far.
There are murmurs of excitement around me, directed toward the screens around the gardens. I look up, finding only a view of the dense trees I've been staring at for over a week. A figure cautiously steps from the darkness, and everything goes silent.
Except, of course, the screaming woman somewhere behind me.
Crysta Rine, Age 31, District 11
One-Hundred Thirty-Seventh Hunger Games Victor
16:00
"I need to get to the Control Center! I have to warn her, I have to DO SOMETHING!" The Peacekeepers, however, don't even flinch. I struggle against them, but I know it's futile: I haven't truly fought in thirteen years. I look up. Willow takes a swig from the tainted bottle, carefully marching through the jungle.
The shadow of Death creeps along behind her, and I scream again. First my dear Sunflower, now Willow…
I have failed. First my other tributes in the past, and now my daughter and another charge. Another family at home will curse my name, because I couldn't be there to save their child.
A cannon rings, and I'm forcefully removed from the party that killed poor little Willow.
Jade Heghes, Age 31, District 1
One-Hundred Thirty-Fourth Hunger Games Victor
17:00
It's been over an hour since the girl's death, the second today, but I feel little pity for the little girl, nor her mentor. I've had to deal with the insufferable Kiara Enygma for the past six hours, a tragedy only worsened by the incessant chirping of Fosca Beralia, Devon Rose's Mentor. The woman showed up shortly after the other cannon, and simply cannot shut up in front of the cameras.
"Oh yes, we've had this planned all along, haven't we, darlings? Yes, from the very beginning, I told Devon, 'find those two after the gong.' She's listened quite well, I should think." Kiara harrumphs on the stone bench uncomfortably close to me, and I resist the urge to smile.
Fosca Beralia, Age 40, District 5
One-Hundred Twenty-Seventh Hunger Games Victor
18:00
My new phone vibrates in my ear, and I nod slightly. A projection, shimmering blue and about seven inches tall, appears before me, much to the awe of my companions and the prissy Capitol elite around me.
It's Dole the escort, back at headquarters watching Devon while I dance around for Sponsors. I hate everything about him, but I needed someone to look after her since Matt was put under yesterday. He looks solemn.
Normally I'd be quick to anger with this man, but his expression worries me. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure I should disclose this to anyone else, Fosca. Maybe we should talk later."
I look around to the press and Sponsors around me, glancing to Kiara and Jade. "Nonsense, dearie." My mask quickly slips back on. "Surely it's not so terrifying that my friends can't hear it." He sighs.
"Crysta threw herself off a bridge barely ten minutes ago. She's dead."
Harvest Summer, Age 86 (14), District 9
Seventy-Eighth Hunger Games Victor
19:00
News of a Victor's death spread like wildfire, for which I am thankful. I don't need Thanatos' slaughter of a mere child to push me all day, even if it was a rather painless way to go. He handled it so well, it was almost terrifying.
The day's excitement hasn't died down, of course, but very few are interested in the Victor mentoring a silent murderer. Sure, people were complaining about the lack of blood, the lack of screams, et cetera, but I can stomach complaints. The delighted faces of these sharks as they smell blood, however…
"Harvest! Harvest!"
I look over to a woman with a microphone, hurrying toward me despite her age and high heels. She towers over my fourteen-year-old body, so she takes a seat beside me.
"Tell me Harvest, do you think Thanatos Rize will ever get around to using that scythe of his?"
I roll my eyes.
Tabitha Shearer, Age 47, District 10
One-Hundred Eighteenth Hunger Games Victor
20:00
Matrix is kind enough to help me around, despite all of Cheyenne's followers crowding around my wheelchair. Most of them are younger- inexperienced Sponsors who've never managed to back a winning tribute in their life. They are of course asking for information for Cheyenne, and whether I think Denny and Infiniti's deaths were really her doing all along, trying to spin an innocent into a villain for the world to be intrigued by.
I thought I had managed to quiet this before, when Denny died, but with such a similar miss-and-run happening to Fin, they are no longer convinced. I tried denying and staying silent, but they all believe what they want to. Many claim that they will have Games officials take a closer look at those tapes, not that any of them have the rank or popularity to actually have it done.
Matrix Volt, Age 144 (15), District 3
Twenty-First Hunger Games Victor
21:00
It still amazes me how great I feel in this body, even if it's technically the same one that won the Games. No more complaining about my back pain, no need to use a cane to get around. Heck, I'm helping someone almost a century younger than me navigate a party.
I don't mind how little attention is paid to me as I push Tabitha's wheelchair around the grounds. I can sense her eagerness to leave, how anxious she is to get back to the Control Room and Cheyenne, but it wouldn't be socially acceptable to leave until at least midnight. The Capitol elite attending tonight wouldn't be sympathetic if we left to save a tribute as Crysta had tried.
Cordin seems to be relatively safe, however, so my mind's at ease.
Velvet Furse, Age 111 (18), District 8
Fifty-Seventh Hunger Games Victor
22:00
Kinzie still refuses to associate herself with me, despite her coming to me to request an Alliance with Henry. Of course, I knew about it beforehand, but I still would think she'd have accepted it by now.
The sun had set many hours ago, but the party remains in full swing. Little has been done by Henry to intrigue them, and so I have mostly been to myself for the day. After all, upon hearing my name, most of these people respond with "who?"
I wasn't Woof or my cousin Cecelia; I didn't participate in the Quell. I won my Games almost a hundred years ago; the only thing most recall about me is "Oh! Didn't you mentor…"
Cecelia, Satin, Hazel, or Cotton? Celia's been dead seventy-five years, Cotton during his Victory tour, Hazel barely a week ago. Only Satin remains alive, but hopefully I'll add "Henry Reynoso" to my list.
Lily Jeng, Age 124 (16), District 7
Forty-Second Hunger Games Victor
23:00
I'm going to be honest: I ditched the party hours ago.
I may not look it, but I've attended that stupid Gamemaker's party more times than perhaps any of the others. I know that place in and out, and I therefore know all the escape routes.
It's of very little consequence in the end, since Logan's odds aren't that great anyway, but at least I can enjoy life until they put me under again.
I've managed to find me a tavern, known for it's homey air and District Seven lager. I have, of course, come for the latter: a taste of home.
I intend to party it up this year, and best-case-scenario, I get to spend up until the next Games hanging around my old home and teaching Logan how to cope.
For now, I drink.
Placings!
26th: Sparky Montgomery, Age 12, District Thirteen Male
25th: Kenzi Williams, Age 16, District Seven Female
24th: Tulle Salane, Age 15, District Eight Female
23rd: Thorn Ashbury, Age 13, District Eleven Male
22nd: Keola Foeba, Age 13, District Twelve Female
21st: Harvest Miller, Age 14, District Nine Female
20th: Rebelle Rine, Age 13, District Thirteen Female
19th: Soot Maloy, Age 13, District Twelve Male
18th: Denny Rico, Age 14, District Ten Male
17th: Marcus Caelum, Age 17, District One Male
16th: Jetta Carter, Age 17, District Six Female
15th: Darius Line, Age 17, District Five Male
14th: Infiniti Reagan, Age 17, District Three Female
13th: Willow Orchids, Age 13, District Eleven Female
Kills!
Marcus Caelum: 1 (Kenzi Williams, D7F)
Cassia Lyra Maurise: 2 (Thorn Ashbury, D11M; Sparky Montgomery, D13M)
Mason Lepodolite: 4 (Darius Line, D5M; Jetta Carter, D6F; Tulle Salane, D8F; Keola Foeba, D12F)
Esmeralda "Mera" Annalise Dawn: 3 (Infiniti Reagan, D3F; Soot Maloy, D12M; Rebelle Sunflower Rine, D13F)
Darius Line: 1 (Harvest Miller, D9F)
Thanatos Rize: 1 (Willow Orchids, D11F)
Other: 2 (Marcus Caelum, D1M (Sepsis); Denny Rico, D10M (Jaguar))
Alliances!
Malaran and Devon: Malaya (1), Devon (5) and Aran (6)
Careers: Mason (2), Cassia (2) and Esmeralda (4)
Brains and Brawn: Blue (4) and Henry (8)
Loners!
Cordin (3)
Logan (7)
Thanatos (9)
Cheyenne (10)
