Now I am the violence
I am the sickness
Won't accept your silence
Beg me for forgiveness
Eric Ridley
District 4, 'Female', 18
(Interviews)
...
We arrive in a large limousine, I'm wearing a midnight blue tuxedo with a red tie. The others in my compartment are Nick and the Pair from Three who I've just learned are called Xavier and Kathryn. Xavier is in a long sleeved white top and blue sweater vest, Kathryn wears a sage green dress that flows down to her feet. Nick is matching with me but his tux is a lighter blue.
A man slides the door open once we come to a stop and we all get out one at a time with myself coming out last. I'm immediately met with several flashing lights that blind me, I rub my eyes as we continue forward - unable to see where I'm going. My vision becomes clearer and I notice we are walking along a velvet red carpet that's stretched out into a large building. There are many people behind ropes attempting to take pictures of us and I flash them a bright smile, putting on my best act. I really do consider myself a people person so it's easy for me to get into the act.
Once we enter the building, we are lined up against a wall. I'm behind Nick and in front of the boy from Five who I don't know the name of, he's a small boy though and is missing an arm. I give him a small smile through pity but he only raises his eyebrows and acknowledges me with a nod. I know being a career makes me fairly unpopular among tributes but I'm here for the same reason they are, I just chose to be here.
"Here we are Capitol! Finally, we meet again to interview the tributes of the 23rd Hunger Games. Oh boy do we have some characters here today! Let's start off by introducing the one and only volunteer from District One...Silver Rafferty!" Helena Cove cries and Silver runs onto the stage.
Silver Rafferty, District One
"Welcome Silver! It's lovely to have you here with us."
"The pleasure is all mine!"
"Ah, humble are we?"
"I wouldn't call myself humble, no."
"Ooh, a man who knows his own strength. I like it. What's life like for you back home?"
"I'm an orphan" The crowd awes in sympathy. "My parents passed, that's why I'm doing this. For them."
"A very touching story. Let's give it up for Silver Rafferty everyone!"
"Thank you Helena, goodnight everyone."
Lira Wesley, District One
"Our next guest is another volunteer! It's Lira Wesley from District One."
"Hello Helena! Hello everyone! It's lovely to be here."
"So, Lira, what do you like to do in your spare time? Any hobbies?"
"Besides training for The Hunger Games?" The crowd laugh. "I'm just joking, I do plenty of things in my free time! I particularly love stunts."
"Oh, a risk taker! Have you ever fallen?"
"Plenty of times! However, I always get back up and try again."
"How inspirational. Lira, everyone!"
Ryan Lise, District Two
"Give it up for the dashing young man from District Two, Ryan Lise!"
"Hello."
"What made you want to volunteer for these Games, Ryan?"
"My father is the Head Peacekeeper and he's always pushed me to train for them."
"How exciting, a Peacekeeper for a Father. Was it hard growing up under such discipline."
"No, in fact, when I make it out of the arena I'd love to be a Peacekeeper just like him."
"He'd be a Victor and still choose to defend our nation over being lazy! Incredible, thank you Ryan."
Andromeda Knox, District Two
"Next up is Andromeda Knox, also from District Two!"
"Hey."
"Now, Helena, a little birdie told me that you'll be leading the esteemed Career Pack this year. Is that true?"
"Yes, it's true. I feel I will do well in the position."
"How was this decided?"
"Silver and I both wanted the position and it was left up to a vote, in which I won."
"Oh, a little rivalry folks! How exciting."
Xavier Ivuluh, District Three
"Now our first non-volunteer! It's Xavier Ivuluh from District Three."
"Hello! Helena you look wonderful today."
"Thank you Xavier. Tell me, what are you enjoying most about The Capitol?"
"I'd have to say the beds, they are very bouncy!"
"We have bouncier beds than you?" The crowd laughed.
"Much bouncier! I spent all night bouncing on mine."
"How intriguing..."
Kathryn Mallerd, District Three
"Our next tribute is also a volunteer! It's Kathryn Mallerd from District Three."
"Hello everyone! I'm so excited to see you all."
"Very bubbly, isn't she? Now, you may recognise her as her brother, Dawson, sat here many years ago and won The Games!"
"Yes, he did!"
"Is your brother the reason you volunteered."
"Dawson has always been my inspiration and I'm truly excited to follow in his footsteps."
"I wish you luck with that Kathryn!"
Nick Rain, District Four
"This is the youngest of our careers...Nick Rain from District Four!"
"Hello, hello."
"Nick, I was informed of a fight a couple of days ago between you and Silver. What happened?"
"Silver underestimated me because of my size so he got what was coming to him."
"I see! Are you usually underestimated."
"Unfortunately. After I win these Games, though, I never will be again."
"Confident, very good!"
Eric Ridley
District 4, 'Female', 18
(Interviews)
...
I take a deep breath as Nick comes out and he pats me on the back. "You'll do great." I nod my thanks.
"Next up is another Career Tribute from District Four...Eric Ridley!" Helena cries and I run on stage, waving to the crowd who are clapping and cheering.
"Hello Helena! Lovely to meet you." I say, kissing her hand. I take a seat on a soft velvet sofa chair that's facing her.
"So, Eric. You are a transgender male, why didn't you sign up to get it legally changed."
I assumed there was going to be a question on my gender identity but I had hoped there wouldn't be.
"Well, Helena, personally I know I am a man and I identify in that way. Yes, I am technically the female tribute, but legal documents don't mean a whole lot to me."
"I see, thank you for sharing! Are there any girls back home, then?" My heart stops with this question, I had never openly admitted to anyone about Ari but possibly now would be the time to do so. She'd be jealous looking at me now, on TV and in The Hunger Games. Maybe I should, just for some closure.
"There was a girl, her name was Ari. I was in love with her and she played me before breaking my heart."
"I'm sorry for that, Eric. However, thank you and may the odds be in your favour."
"Thank you."
That wasn't so bad.
Nestor Andreas, District Five
"Our next tribute is from District 5, it's Nestor Andreas!"
"Hello."
"Now, Nestor, I'm going to ask the question that everyone's wondering. What happened to your arm?"
"Well, it was chewed off by a wild wolf while I was running through the forest, it could've eaten me whole but I fought it off."
"How very brave of you."
"No, no. I'm only joking. I wish it was that cool. There was an accident at work and I was forced to get it amputated."
"That's a shame, I hope you can do well without it!"
Emerald Silore, District Five
"Nestor's district partner is next, it's Emerald Silore!"
"Hi! You can call me Emmy."
"Very well, Emmy, what's life back at home like."
"Oh, it's wonderful! I have a lot of friends and my parents love me very much." The crowd awed.
"That's very sweet, Emmy. Are you going to try to get back to them?"
"I'll try my hardest!"
"Aw, thank you Emmy, good luck."
Darius Shan, District Six
"We have our male tribute from District Six now. Say hello to Darius Shan!"
"Thank you for having me."
"Of course! What are your family like Darius?"
"Well, I live with my grandparents and siblings. I'm not quite sure where my parents are."
"They probably know where you are now though, eh?"
"I suppose so, my grandparents never talk about them."
"Thank you Darius!"
Raven Dragomir, District Six
"Now we have another volunteer! It's Raven Dragomir from District Six."
"Hi."
"Hello Raven. Who was that girl you volunteered to take the place of?"
"That was my twin sister, Luna."
"And why did you do it? Did you want to take the spotlight from your sister?"
"No, of course not. I would much rather I go in then watch her go in. It's as simple as that."
"Hm, alright then. Thank you Raven."
Daniel Muller, District Seven
"Here's our first from District Seven, welcome Daniel Muller!"
"Hmph."
"So, Daniel. What's life back home like?"
"Pretty shit."
"And why is that?"
"The living conditions are pretty shit."
"Okay then! Daniel, everybody."
Ashanti Nia Jelani, District Seven
"Now we have Ashanti Nia Jelani from District Seven!"
"Hello."
"Ashanti, your brother died in the arena a couple of years back. Yes?"
"Is that even a question? You clearly already know."
"Fair enough. How do you feel about his death?"
"How do I feel about my brother's death? What is this bullshit show, anyway? Here's what I feel. Fuck The Capitol. Fuck The Games. And Fuck anyone who watches them."
"Thank you, Ashanti, for that..."
Thauk Hailarean
District 8, Male, 18
(Interviews)
...
Ashanti comes out from the stage and I give her an approving nod. She knows how awful these games are and she knows not to play into The Capitol's hand, I appreciate someone like that. Someone like me. I have been silently watching, waiting until now, now will be my moment to finally seize control of Panem and everyone in it.
"We have somebody very exciting up next. Welcome Thauk Hailarean, better known as his alias, The Mask." I walk out and give a small wave to the audience, acknowledging their presence.
"Hello." I say, bluntly.
"You're a little infamous back home, aren't you Thauk?" I giggle maniacally.
"Infamous is one way to put it."
"And what's it like to be reaped?"
"Sorry, Helena but enough of the silly questions." I stand up and look at the crowd, staring directly at a camera.
"Panem. Thirteen years ago, Peacekeepers came to my home and murdered my entire family. Since then, I have been killing them. I have killed around one hundred Peackeepers with my own hands but my cause has killed around ten times that amount. Panem, you must stand up against the malicious regime that is being forced upon us. We can no longer allow ourselves to be treaded on, for our families to be murdered. Do something."
"Well, that was interesting, thank you Thauk."
"I'm not done." I snap at her. "Right now, there are men positioned on top of The Justice Building in District Eight. On my cue, those men will fire and every single Peacekeeper will die. Three. Two. One." A few people in the audience scream at the number One. "When I die in that arena, my cause will speak for itself. Fight. I want you all to fight."
The lights shut off and several Peacekeepers grab me and begin to drag me away. The last thing the audience hears is the sound of my manic giggling.
Cyra Sloane, District Eight
"Thank you all for baring with us during that break. Let's welcome our next guest, Cyra Sloane!"
"Hello everybody."
"Cyra, if you make it out of The Games, what do you wish to do with your life?"
"Well I'd love to be a fashion designer, particularly for The Capitol."
"Those are some high aspirations, I love it! Do you think you are capable of it?"
"I know I am!"
"Confident, we love to see it. May the odds be in your favour, Cyra."
Tenzin Mainali, District Nine
"Our next guest is from District 9, Tenzin Mainali!"
"Thank you all!"
"Tenzin, we're dying to know, what are your family like."
"Well, Helena, I'm actually an orphan."
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry."
"No, no don't be silly. I don't mind it, the other kids are nice and we pretty much are a family."
"That's very sweet of you Tenzin."
Gena Cooper, District Nine
"Give it up for Tenzin's District Partner, Gena Cooper!"
"Ugh, do the lights have to be this bright?"
"Sorry about that my dear. What is life like back home for you?"
"Much better than here. For one, I don't have to hear all your annoying voices all day."
"I'm sorry you feel that way! Is there anything you've liked about The Capitol?"
"You have nice cake. That's it really."
"Nice cake! Well we'll take that, thank you Gena."
Devon Galloway, District Ten
"Now we have our first from District Ten, it's Devon Galloway."
"Hi."
"Devon, I've heard you spend a lot of time in the hospital. Why is that?"
"I was born prematurely, there's many complications with my health."
"I see. Do you think this will get in your way during The Games."
"Yes. I'm very at peace with my death."
"That's brave of you but have some hope! Thank you Devon!"
Darla Waioro, District Ten
"Next is Darla Waioro, also from Ten."
Darla smiles awkwardly as she sits down.
"What do you enjoy doing in your free time, Darla?"
"I quite like books."
"Really? How unusual. What kind of books do you like?"
"Whatever I can get my hands on really."
"Darla from District Ten, everybody!"
Vinicio Santiago Huerta, District Eleven
"Now it's time for District Eleven. Welcome Vinicio Huerta!"
"Hello."
"You have a son, is that correct Vinicio."
"I do, his name is Pierro."
"Does he have a mother?"
"He does but we split up, she broke up with me and left him with me."
"Well it was brave of you to raise him. Thank you Vinicio."
Carina Tatiana Delgado, District Eleven
"Next is Vinicio's District Partner, her name is Carina Delgado!"
"Hi."
"Carina, I've been told you and Vinicio are close. Is there a crush forming there?"
"No, we're just friends."
"Oh, is there anyone else back home, then?"
"There was but- It's complicated."
"Okay then. Thanks Carina."
Malcom Graham
District 12, Male, 18
(Interviews)
...
I giggle uncontrollably, it's funny watching everyone be so fearful during their interview.
"Two more tributes left! Now it's Malcom Graham from District 12." I walk out onto the stage and giggle at the cheering crowd. I sit down on the sofa chair and make myself comfortable by putting my legs onto the armrest. "So, Malcom. How are you feeling about The Games?"
"I'm so excited! I love killing things and I've never tried people before."
"You're experienced with killing, then?"
"Very experienced, it's practically second nature!"
The audience gasps a little and look around at each other. "I would kill all of you right now if I could." I state and begin giggling again, everybody's eyes dart around the room with terror and it only causes me to laugh more and more. "You guys are funny."
"That's interesting, Malcom. I must ask about your home life. Any family?"
"No. They abandoned me because they're scared of what I'm becoming."
"And what are you becoming?"
"Hopefully a murderer."
"Alright then, thank you Malcom." I giggle more before running off stage.
Charity Wicop, District Twelve
"Our final tribute of the night is our District Twelve Female, Charity Wicop."
"Hello, thank you."
"Charity, your parents were murdered by rebels, yes?"
"They were, may they rest in peace." The audience awed.
"Their lives were too short, we stand with them Charity."
"Thank you Helena."
"I wish you the best of luck and thank you!"
"With that, I'll see you all tomorrow for the premiere of The 23rd Hunger Games!" The audience cheered and screamed with excitement.
A/N: Well, the bloodbath is tomorrow! I have it mostly planned out and should be able to write it up by then, I'm excited to get The Games started and hopefully the chapters should just keep coming and coming!
Alliances
Silver, Lira, Ryan, Andromeda, Eric, Nick and Daniel
Tenzin, Gena, Cyra and Darla
Vinicio, Carina, Emerald and Nestor
Raven and Darius
Silver and Kathryn
- Neb