"We only know war lasts, rain soaks, and cloud sag stormy."

Exposure

- Wilfred Owen

Chapter 1: Game of Survival

"And we're back!" A man with neon pink hair and matching beard walked to the stage. He wore a neon pink suit which had white stripe. Behind him was a huge screen.

The man clasped his hands and skipped to the stage in excitement. Around him, crowds of people, all dressed like exotic birds went wild.

At homes in the Capitol and the career districts, the energy was the same but for the other districts, it was a different story. They sat in with their hands held in a somber haze, praying for the safety of the survivors.

Grinning ear to ear, the man took center stage just as another man dressed in a simple pastel-rose coloured robe handed him a drink.

That man said nothing, it's not like he could. His tongue had been cut off for a crime most heinous, at least that's what the people of Panem' were told when concerning avoxes.

The man in the neon pink gleefully took the drink but paid no attention to the avox. He swirled the light golden liquid in the crystal glass as he waited for the crowd to settle down.

A slow silence fell upon the crowd. They held their hands together in a twisted excitement as they waited with baited breath.

He clapped his hands together. "Happy Hunger Games! I'm Caesar Flickerman here with my 'friend' Claudius Templesmith—" He gestured to another man with bleached light gold hair who just walked onto the stage and dressed in a suit that was decorated with a silver laurel pattern against black. "—but—" He paused. "—you all already know that, the host of the Sixty-eighth Hunger Games!" The crowd went wild and he gestured to them to quiet down once again. "...Now we're on day twenty—" The crowd awed, some cheered while some gasp. "—I know. I know, time flies when we're having so much fun."

"It does. Doesn't it?" Claudius chimed as Caesar nodded.

Caesar walked over to the screen and clicked his fingers. Instantly the screen flashed to five faces, each appearing one by one. The pictures arranged themselves neatly on the screen. Caesar grinned proudly as he watched the screen. The crowd booed as their least favorites came on, cheered when their favorites came on.

Claudius clapped a few times to hush the crowd. The crowd hushed a little. He gestured two fingers to the stagehands behind the cameras and two comfortable armchairs started to appear from below the stage.

Without even looking, he and Caesar walked over to their seats. Caesar nodded and then gestured. "Now we're down to our final five." He let out a little laugh. "Can you all believe that? Five!" He held up five fingers to Claudius, the crowd and the cameras. "Wow. To think we'd get this far." He laughed almost maniacally.

"If I may say so—this game is on track to becoming the longest game we've had in a while." Claudius commented with a dazed look on his face. He didn't really care about the game or putting on a show compared to his colleague. He was here to bring balance to Caesar's energetic yet tiring commentary.

"Right!"

"The five—starting with District 1—" He folded his fingers and held up one finger. "Valor. He scored an eleven—yes!—eleven out of twelve in the evaluation. A favorite of those who favor the strong and bold."

"An impressive tribute." Claudius chimed in. "Also from the career districts, they're known for producing victors."

Caesar nodded and turned around in his chair as Claudius mimicked him. He gestured to the picture of a handsome but muscled teen with golden blonde hair and blue eyes that looked as if he was sculpted by the gods or at least that's what his fans said.

Valor was from District 1, known for luxury, gems and precious metals, that was 1. The closest a district ever got to being alike to the Capitol. Everyone knew 1 was awarded for their cowardice during the dark days. They were one of the firsts to surrender. In turn, the Capitol treated them and some other districts well while ignoring districts that surrendered late.

"And he's not alone!" Caesar howled. He gestured to the girl on the screen, a little younger than Valor.

Silvery blonde hair and dark blue-purple doll-like eyes that almost looked like gems with a heart shaped face. A sadistic yet flirty smirk painted on her face.

"Amethyst. She scored an impressive ten and I had the most loveliest time interviewing. Witty and agile, a perfect pair. Aren't they? District 1 never disappoints." He announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, Amethyst and Valor from District 1. Both Panem favorites."

The crowd clapped and cheered for the two as Caesar grinned. "Now moving on to the other 'Five'—another district that never disappoints District 2." He held up two fingers. "District 2, Gaius. Look at him." Caesar pointed towards one of his own favorites as he beamed brightly. "He scored ten out of twelve in his evaluation and another memorable interview I enjoyed." He dropped his voice and placed his hand to the side of his mouth like he was telling a secret. "Now you didn't hear this from me but Gaius could give Augustus Braun a run for his money as the victor of victors."

"Only if the odds are in his favor." Claudius added with a sly grin. "After all, Augustus is a mentor this year."

Caesar nodded in agreement. "Ah yes. How could we forget! Augustus Braun's debut as a mentor. I wonder how he will do."

"Well we'll have to see if Valor will carry on his mentor's legacy." Claudius turned to glance at the screen which had switched from the district one tributes to the district two tribute, Gaius.

Gaius grinned in his picture, flashing his canines. Flaming red hair paired with bright yet cold gold-brown eyes which truly made him eye-catching. A true Victor, in appearances. Like Valor, he was muscular, giving off the impression that he was a brute but the grin made him look a little more friendlier.

As Caesar had pointed out, he was similar to last year's victor, Augustus. The victor of victors. The perfect victor, one might say.

"Moving on, District 4!" Caesar hollered. He clapped his hands and the screen behind him changed.

The picture behind him now displayed another boy a mass of dark curly hair, falling to his side, giving a glimpse of his dark eyes. Another set of pictures of him appeared, there he wore glasses and smiled brightly. He gave off an air of intelligence and kindness but those who had been keeping up with the games knew otherwise.

"Ripley from District 4." Claudius slowly drawled out. "The underdog of this year's game."

"An underdog, indeed." Caesar echoed with a bright smile etched on his face. "And we all love an underdog, don't we?" He turned to the crowd and asked. There was a mix of cheers and jeers resounding around the two. "Despite being handy with a spear, he scored an eight out of twelve."

"An eight. Seems pretty low compared to what he showed us so far." Claudius interjected.

"Indeed."

"But we'll see if the odds will continue to be in his favor."

Caesar sombered for a second before flashing a brilliant smile at the crowd. "We've reached the end of the 'Five', one left to introduce—" The crowd stared at him with bated breath, eager for the next survivor to be revealed. Although they already knew who it was, Caesar had the ability to make someone excited over anything, even stale bread. "—Do you all know who it could be?"

"Hmm. Who could it be?" Claudius played along while the crowd chanted one name. Over and over again until the whole arena was filled with voices chanting her name. Caesar grinned at this, it was the same reaction Valor and Gaius had received which meant one thing. This tribute would survive the top five and may even go on to win. The gamemakers could see it already.

Caesar gleefully scanned the cheering crowds in anticipation. Unlike Gaius and Valor, no one was booing but almost everyone was cheering. "Who's it going to be?" Caesar asked again, slapping his hands together in anticipation. "Well we'll find out after the commercial break and a word from the generous sponsors of this year's games."

"Ugh. Seriously!" Twelve year old Lennox 'Nox' Fairburn yelled at the old television screen. He sat cross-legged on a worn out rug that had seen it's better days. Sitting next to him was his childhood friend, Clarisse Foret.

Unlike Nox, Clarisse paid no attention to the screen, instead the thirteen year old busied herself with her homework. Her dark curly brown hair covered her dark eyes for a moment as she gently pushed it aside. She hummed under her breath while Nox sat up, glued to the screen, in anticipation of the announcement.

Behind the two, was a faded blue leather couch. Nox's mother, Dahlia Fairburn sat on the couch and stared down at him with a smile of unease. A once beautiful woman, renowned for her beauty in the whole of District 5 but now illness had taken its toll on her.

Thin as a branch, her once-glossy dark chestnut hair was now greasy and almost brittle with white strands streaked between. Light green-silver eyes which shone with hope and joy had dimmed. Her illness was the bane of her existence, her biggest regret.

Her forehead creased in worry and she licked her dry lips, trying to compose herself. Now and then, she would look around for a sign of her nephew and her niece. "Nox." She warned quietly, sipping the medicinal tea her eldest niece had prepared. "Don't get too excited." She hushed him with a finger on her lips.

"Mother!" Nox whined, trying to get Dahlia to understand his behavior. But Dahlia knew the reasoning behind her son's behavior all too well. "Look, Se—"

"Nox." A honeyed voice called from the front door. A tall woman with tan skin and jet black tresses strutted over to the living room. In the background, the sound of the front door being closed and locked was heard. "What did I say?"

"To not get too excited." The boy quietly answered as he sat back down on the floor. He was calmer now than he was before in the presence of his mother. "But Lissa!"

"I know. I know." Talissa Reza calmed her younger cousin with a soft smile while she removed her coat and hung it up on the metal coat rack.

From where Dahlia sat, she could smell hints of medicinal serums and the scent of disinfectant from the newcomer. "How was work?" She inquired, starting to get up. Talissa gestured to her to a stop.

Seeing this, Dahlia slowly and weakly sat back down. Her niece didn't respond and instead wandered over to the kitchen with the package in her hand. She sighed and tried again.

"I...uh already had my dosage today."

Footsteps echoed in the Reza-Fairburn house as Talissa walked over to her aunt with a relieved smile. "Really?" She asked, hope springing up in her chest.

"I saw her drink the whole thing." Clarisse answered in a small voice before Dahlia could muster up enough strength to say anything. Dahlia flashed a thankful smile at Clarisse and turned to glance at her niece.

"Ugh. Can't believe they went on a break without telling us!" Nox complained. Talissa shook her head at the boy and slipped a piece of paper into her aunt's hands while the children were busy.

Another set of footsteps was heard and everyone turned to stare at the newcomer who had come out of the kitchen. Ramiel Reza, the nephew of Dahlia and Talissa's younger brother glanced tiredly, at the cluttered make-shift living room. He sighed, seeing Nox glued to the screen and pushed his jet-black hair back. Like his sisters, he too had inherited their father's dark tresses.

"Dinner's ready." He simply announced before turning around.

Ramiel started marching out of the room but Nox ran over to him and grabbed his arm. "Can we eat here? Please?" He pleaded with his cousin with wide eyes.

"Nox..." Ramiel started.

"Miel." Dahlia weakly called out as she pushed her hair back. "It's okay. I want to eat here too."

The whole house stood still at Dahlia's statement.

The strict guardian of the house who in the past would never have allowed such a thing was now requesting to eat in the living room. Her nephew nodded once before turning around and going back to the kitchen with no arguments.

It wasn't like Ramiel to talk back to aunt Dahlia, he liked his quiet, his peace, a trait he shared with his absent younger sister. However, his older sister was different. Talissa was headstrong and stubborn, and would fight to her last breath. She was also impulsive but she meant well.

Like now, Talissa hastily moved to check on her aunt's condition but stopped when Dahlia gestured to her to go help Ramiel instead. The two siblings stared at each other before shrugging and disappearing off to get the pots and plates.

Ramiel reappeared with a pot of lamb stew while Talissa trailed behind her younger brother carrying the plate of rice. She placed the rice down first before going back for the cutlery and plates.

The two children on the floor, moved fast to clear the floor. Nox rolled the ancient rug and gently dragged it under the table. While Clarisse ran off to the kitchen, her feet hitting the hard concrete floor. She returned a few moments later, dragging something behind her. Nox ran over to her and helped to open the portable half rusted metal table.

With the table set, Nox and Clarisse ran off again to get some chairs while the Reza siblings started setting the table. The two children came back with the chairs just as the food was plated. Talissa didn't waste any time handing her aunt the first bowl of stew and rice while her brother handed Clarisse a bowl. Nox made himself his own bowl, refusing his older cousin's help. Finally the two siblings took their share and sat down.

Just as everyone got comfortable, Nox let out a small sob. Ramiel turned to look at his younger cousin in pity. "...I'm scared." He began. "I'm scared she's not gonna make it." He confessed to the room. His mother gently patted his back in an effort to comfort him.

"Nox, she'll be fine." Ramiel tried. "She made it this far. I know she'll survive. Right Lissa?" He turned to his older sister for reassurance.

But Talissa's face was cold, devoid of all emotions. Yet her eyes betrayed her. She held in her tears and quietly nibbled on a piece of lamb while holding back her words. She too was worried but as the eldest, she couldn't tell them that. She had to stay strong for the whole family.

"She'll be fine." Clarisse spoke out. Everyone turned to stare at the youngest in the room. Nonchalantly, she continued to eat. "I believe in her. If my brother can come back then I know she can too."

"Huxley was different." Talissa angrily bit back. "He wasn't born sick and on the verge of death."

"Talissa. Cough. Please—" Dahlia tried to placate her niece but much to her horror, her fits returned.

Panicked, Talissa sprinted to grab her work bag while Nox ran to get his mother some warm water. He came back and handed it her whole Dahlia gratefully accepted.

She drank it all in one go and stared blankly at the empty metal cup in her hand with a sad smile. Her illness was getting worse. She knew it. The whole house knew it too. Despite her best efforts to shield her son from the inevitability of loss, she had failed. Her illness was first, the reaping of her younger niece was second. She only prayed she'd live long enough to see her younger niece, the closest image of her sister come home, alive.

"Here." Talissa handed a capsule to her aunt and refilled her cup. "It's a new thing we've been working on. It's not perfect but—" She didn't say anything more as her aunt reluctantly took the capsule from her.

The familiar tune of the Hunger Games broke through the haze as the host and game announcer appeared again on the screen. They quickly apologized for the technical difficulties as they took their seats.

"Oh." Ramiel clicked his fingers as he remembered something. "I forgot a dam from the Clemensia 2 water plant broke recently." He mentioned while spooning some more rice into Clarisse's bowl. His sister leaned in, interested and gestured for him to continue. "There might be power shortages throughout Panem." He finished quietly.

Talissa and her aunt shared a look oblivious to the younger children. "Will we be affected?" Dahlia breathed, her brows creasing into a frown.

"Not that I know off. That plant mostly supplied power to District 1 and 10 along with the Capitol—but the Coriolanus 9 solar plant and the Boreas wind plant do most of the heavy lifting for the Capitol."

"...A shame." Dahlia croaked out. She froze when she felt the eyes of her niece and nephew on her. She forced a weak smile onto her face. "For district 10."

Ramiel grinned as he placed his empty bowl down. "Really?" He teased, knowing his aunt's rebellious feelings and thoughts all too well. "You don't feel bad for District 1 or the parts of Capitol."

"Miel." His sister warned while Nox looked on with wide-eyes.

Dahlia laughed weakly. Her laughs turned to soft coughs as her eyes stayed down on her food. It was a luxury in some districts to even have food on the table and this house was lucky. The lamb itself was a luxury. She smiled at how far they had come. Her own flower shop had always generated a meager fortune, not enough to move out of this concrete shell but enough to fill the stomachs of four children now five with the added responsibility of Clarisse.

Now Talissa and Ramiel were old enough too. They both were smart. Very smart. She always knew her sister's children were bright just like her. Her sister was a simple healer but her sister's eldest had become a chemist and the second eldest son was following the path laid down by his father of becoming a power plant engineer. And if the odds were in their favor, her sister's youngest could be one of the younger victors.

Yes, their life was good at that moment. But it wasn't always like this. She knew it all too well. She remembered the starving nights where she could only feed them stems and petals of flowers, boiled and salted. Winters back then were colder, harsher and felt like they would go on forever. Nox was just a baby but she persevered.

Even then, she knew District 5 was one of the luckier ones. Unlike most districts, they were allowed access to their woods. It was mostly to allow for more plants to be built or houses but it was enough. District 5 was also abundant with edible plants and animals. She knew most districts didn't have that luxury. That's why she had no pity for them, those in the glass castles in the Capitol.

"District 1 and the Capitol will be fine but District 10 might not." Nox spoke out nonchalantly as he licked his spoon. Ramiel grinned at his cousin and ruffled his hair while his cousin glared at him.

Dahlia looked on with a proud smile. Yes, they would be fine, she thought.

Loud symphony of the Hunger Games interrupted them as the 68th Hunger Games logo flashed onto the screen. The logo rotated around on the screen as everyone in the house craned their necks to take a look.

Nox got up from his seat, running to wash his hands with Clarisse following. The two children took their original seat at the table, shifting around their chairs to allow better access for Dahlia who thanked them as she spooned another mouthful of rice with stew.

A slow recap of the games so far, flashed onto the screen. The game had gone on so long, it was on track to becoming one of the longest games in history yet the Capitol didn't care. After all, unlike the past games which were drawn out and long, this one was at least entertaining.

The anti-career pack of Districts 5, 6, 11 and 12 were one of the main draws to this game. There was also a pair of lovers from District 11 and 6 and the cruel spectators of the Capitol loved a tragic romance.

Ramiel flinched as he saw the male tribute from 11, Thyme, he vaguely remembered.

He watched as Thyme stumbled upon the shredded body of his lover and fellow tribute from District 6. He broke down in hysterics as his fellow surviving ally, Ramiel's younger sister tried to placate the seventeen year old.

Thyme clutched his lover's bloody hand as Ramiel's younger sister wiped the blood from the body and even attempted to give her a proper send off before the hovercraft came.

Next, the older Reza siblings re-watched with horror as their younger sister sobbed over the body of her surviving ally as he lay dying. Thyme had taken a poison arrow meant for her and now he was dying.

Delirious and on the verge of death, he begged his last living ally to kill him and she did. She granted him death with some reluctance while tears clouded her vision and blood stained her hands.

A loud boom of the cannon followed.

The 'Angel of Mercy', they called her, Talissa knew better, her frail but cunning sister was anything but. She didn't dare say it out loud. She and her brother knew their younger sibling well. What she lacked in strength, she made up for it with her mind.

She swallowed back a sob as she watched the scenes with her younger sister suffering, always on the edge.

The screen faded and the recap had ended. The logo of this year's games flashed on the screen once more before switching to the host and the game announcer.

"What a recap? Am I right? This has truly been an unforgettable game." Caesar adjusted his tie and waited for the audience to quieten down.

Claudius sat next to his colleague bored and looked like he wanted to be anywhere but there. When the cameras landed on him, he weakly beamed and laughed along. "Yes. Yes. Now we should move onto the final of the top five." He reminded his colleague as he shifted in his seat.

With a jovial laugh, Caesar clapped his hands. "Yes, we should. I know our audience at home are 'dying' to know."

The crowd stared at him with bated breath, eager for the next survivor to be revealed already. They already knew who it was, but Caesar's ploy always worked.

"Are you all ready?" He bellowed out loud as the audience around him went wild with anticipation.

A series of 'yeses' mixed with the chants of a name were heard around the venue. "Hmm. I don't think they are ready. Do you?" Claudius played along while keeping the crowd in their seats. Over and over again until the whole studio was filled with voices chanting her name.

The two hosts shared a glance and beamed brightly at the crowd, grinning with their unnaturally white teeth barred for all to see. Caesar was excited. He and his colleague had done their job well despite the slow games that year, they had done more than their part.

"Alright. I think they are ready." He leaned towards the cameras and then turned around to face the huge screen behind him. He made a gesture and the screen flickered from the logo of the games to a number. The big bold number 5 was in the center of the screen. "Five is an important number here folks." Caesar commented.

"Yes. Indeed it is." His colleague chimed in as he nodded. Caesar beamed brightly as the crowds went even wilder. "Shall we look who's behind that number?" Claudius asked.

"We shall." Caesar clapped his hands together and the image on the screen changed.

The big bold number 5 was replaced with the image of a girl. She looked young, after all she was only fifteen, fourteen when she was reaped. What drew the people on was the contrast between her eyes and the rest of her.

Her skin was a pale gold shade that married well with her raven black hair which was cut short reaching just past her ears, stopping short near her neck. But it was her silvery gray eyes that stood out. They made her look distant but the soft and weak smile on her face made her seem comforting.

"Seraphine." Cladius introduced.

Caesar nodded. "That's right. The one you've all been waiting for. Seraphine—Sera to her family and friends." He gestured wildly at the screen behind him. "One of my favorites. Truly a kind and gentle soul, that one." The crowd awed and swayed at Caesar's words like puppets on a string.

"Remarkable—she scored an amazing ten out of twelve and her knife skills are something to be talked about—phew. Don't let her pretty face fool you, she's a force to be reckoned with. And the fact she's made it this far with a weak heart! Remarkable!" He stood up from his seat to calm himself. "Seraphine from District 5!"

The crowd cheered and chanted Seraphine's name even louder as Caesar watched the jovial cheering from his stage.

Slowly, the cheers died out as the two men watched everything quieten. "Well if I was allowed to have favorites, she'd be mine." Claudius commented calmly. At his words. Caesar sat down, interested in the words of his colleague. He gestured to his colleague to continue. "She's dubbed the angel of mercy—for a reason—and as someone who has been commentating purely on the games, it's the quiet and weak ones you have to watch out for." He placed his hands under his chin and craned his neck to look behind the screen.

Caesar nodded. "Ah yes but I'd hardly call her quiet and weak—her knife-throwing skills got her a ten, Claudius and I do remember her being quite sociable too, different from the lovely Amethyst but she had a charm of her own."

"I agree. That 'quiet and weak' would be more accurate for Ripley."

His colleague clapped his hands in agreement. "Exactly. Ripley from District 4 was the perfect underdog—but I think it would be 'the Gladiator' Gaius who'll take the crown."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Strength is not everything. Seraphine or—Amethyst might still stand a chance here. There's also fan favorite Valor."

The two men paused, as behind the cameras, the screen giving their cues flashed red. Their commentary time was almost over. Night in the arena had passed and the day had begun. It was another day.

The official start of the twentieth day of the 68th Hunger Games. Caesar nodded at the people behind the screen, in the editing room as he held a finger to his in-ear.

"Well, the only way we'll be sure is to see the games. Now back to the games." He and Claudius clapped lightly and the cameras turned off as the Capitol media team hurried to get the game arena onto the screens of the millions in Panem.