Taliesin Ulysses, 18
"So, this is the last one?" Corsair whispers under the misty night air.
His blue eyes twinkle with the moon reflected water turning them pale. I can't help but feel the humanity left inside me wanting to reach out to him, maybe we could just run away together and leave this all behind. No. I quickly rid the thought from my mind. I've come this far and I intend to see it through to the end now! This is the price I must pay.
"Yeah last one," I whisper.
I briefly observe the outside of Sigurd's home, figuring out how we will get in and out.
"Let's do this," I whisper to Corsair, planting a kiss on his lips.
He uses his crowbar to prize open the front door as silently as possible. Slowly, we creep through the wooden fishing house, the floorboards creaking as we make our way up the stairs. He is fast asleep in his bed, I thought his guard could have been slightly up given the disappearances of all his other training partners but no. In my humble opinion he doesn't deserve to live then!
Before approaching his bedside, I look to Corsair who nods. Then I slide my knife into my hand, placing the cold steel blade across his neck! In a split second my hand is clasped over his mouth and the knife runs across his throat! I watch the terror in his eyes flash briefly but his cries are silent! He caught a glimpse of me though, his killer before he died, before the life left him. The only people that have known who this mysterious phantom killer of academy students is have gone to the grave and I intend to keep it that way. No one can know this dark side of me! No one can know because it's not truly who I am… is it? It's just a part of the game after all, killing to win. It's what everyone does to win the Hunger Games. I'm just doing it slightly earlier than everyone else. There was too much competition at the academy you see, I was good, but never the best and this was the only way!
As I glance down at Sigurd's lifeless body, dark red blood oozes out his neck and stains his bed sheets. I hear a voice in my head. It's the dark part of me telling me something.
"You're enjoying this," It says with a cheerful venom.
"No I'm not! I loathe you!" I whisper back.
"What?" Corsair asks.
I turn to him, whipping the pain off my face.
"We need to get rid of the body," I murmur.
We proceed to do our usual routine of carrying the body outside as quietly as we can to my father's boat. We take Sigurds body a fair way out before we dump it into the ocean. While watching it drift down into the deep blue I feel an enormous weight lifted off my shoulders as it disappears below the depths. I look out into the dark ocean under the night and take a deep breath, my grin extends across my face and I can feel myself laughing inside. Corsair's arms suddenly extend around my body, while he kisses me on my neck.
"We did it babe," he utters in my ear.
I turn back to him with my smile, ah his innocent face. I love it. I dragged him into this because he is the only person I could trust, our bigoted families could never know about our relationship so as a result, he is the only person that knows about my dark side. Unfortunately that means he must be taken care of. His eyes, the color of the ocean tell a story of trust. They always have. I do love him but not as much as winning the Hunger Games and as much as my reputation.
When we make it home together after our final murder, Corsair leaps straight into bed!
"Come on babe! It's been a long night, we need to get some rest," he smiles warmly.
"Of course," I mutter, rubbing my eyes tiredly.
My expression changes to a grin by letting my dark side return to me.
"There is unfortunately one lose end that I must clear up," I say.
"What?"
His face is one of confusion and stupidity. He is still totally unaware of what is going to happen to him.
I look him dead in the eyes.
"Did you forget Corsair? … I always win," I smile.
The expression on his face changes to the horror and realisation of who his boyfriend really is and how far he'll go to win. Without a second to lose I leap onto him and pin him to the bed! He is struggling and thrashing about like a puppet twitching but what he doesn't know is I'm controlling the strings. I stuff a pillow over his face and begin smothering it, his screams become muffled while his movements become slower and he puts up less resistance. Eventually his body flops still. He is gone. My lover. My greatest support through all of this. He was just another pawn. I killed him and I enjoyed it I think...
I remember the first time I took another human being's life vividly, it is clear like a dream you've just woken from. My brother Caius had me smuggling and hiding drugs, weapons and alcohol from a young age but it wasn't until a rival crime family began threatening our own that things turned ugly.
The young man was tied to a chair, I couldn't see his face because there was a sack over his head, blinding me from the face of the person I was about to slaughter. My gun was poised to blow a hole into his head.
"Pull the trigger, it only takes a little movement from your finger," my brother told me.
I strained my hand! Sweating nervously, my finger twitching.
BOOM
The sound of the shot was much louder up close, my head is ringing, the gun recoiled, sending my hand back. When my eyes finally peeled open I was met by the sight of the young man's lifeless body on the chair. Blood now stained all over the wall and floor.
"You could become a natural at this," my brother said, his eyes lit up smugly. Smug that I had become a killer just like him.
No this isn't who you really are Taliesin! You're not a murderer… am I?
A dark part of me took over that day, a part of me that would return again and again.
I had to get my family out of the world of organised crime and the Hunger Games seemed like the only way to do it. However, the problem is I was never really a stand out tribute. Despite staying behind extra hours, despite all the listening and repeating I could never quite compete with my fellow careers. That's when my mind started going to work. If you can't do it fairly then you have to resort to other methods, whatever it takes to achieve your goals. That's what the dark voice in my head told me anyway.
It started with just simple sabotages in the academy. Triton and Raynes had to be stopped! They were the best in the class and had some stupid rivalry to see whose dick was the biggest I guess. However they never took notice of their true main threat… me. One night I snuck into the academy late and ascended three-quarters of the way up the climbing wall, loosening some holds that were just above me. Low and behold, the next day Triton and Raynes were the first up and the pair of them broke their legs falling. I still remember the feeling of glee inside me, watching them clasp their legs in agony, groaning on the floor. It sent a smile across my face.
They were out of the running for a few weeks but it wasn't long until they were back on top again, my innocent antics weren't quite enough it seemed. The dark voice inside of me returned again, telling me to take more drastic action!
I began stalking them, through dark alleyways. I didn't realise it at the time but already my heart was starting to be consumed with darkness like I was the last segment of a high quality shortbread fan. I decided who I would attack first with the flip of a coin, Raynes was the unlucky one. I snuck up behind him when no one was around and after rendering him unconscious I plucked out his eyes with my knife! As I left Raynes eyeless, blood soaked body in the gutter I felt a grin form on my face as I imagined how much pain he would be in when he woke up. No! This can't be me… can it?
Triton followed the name fate not long after! While news spread on the sudden attack on the academy's favourites, suspicions began to rise about the identity of the attacker. This was when I first crossed paths with Corsair, I remember that day distinctly. He plonked his plate of seafood right next to me on the canteen table. His dark hair contrasted with his deep blue eyes.
"Urgh I hate this stuff," he complained, those were the first words spoken to me.
"Names Corsair, it's my first day."
Corsair had come from somewhere in the north of the district and was recently transferred when we first met.
"Nice to meet you," I smiled gently.
"Is there anything I need to know about you going in?" he asked.
"Yeah… I always win," I replied coldly but with a humorous smile, to give the impression of a dead pan delivery of a joke.
Of course he took the bait, with his little laugh he did.
As soon as our eyes locked I knew he became intrigued by me, I became his addiction, his drug and just like a drug soon he would get his overdose of me. We quickly began dating in secret. Our parents were always very tradition so we could never tell them we were gay and it wasn't long until Corsair figured out my endeavours but he could never betray me, he was addicted to me after all and now I had infected his life so much that he couldn't live without me. Instead he began to help me. We agreed that Raynes and Triton had to be finished off before as they might have grown suspicious of me. I was doing them a favour anyway wasn't I? What is life like without any eyes? We crept into their homes late at night and slit their throats where they slept, using my father's boat to dispose of the bodies. But why stop there? There was no way I was going to come this far only to let someone else take my place on top of the stage on the reaping day! Otherwise poor Raynes and Triton would have suffered through all that for nothing! Right? Thames, Neptune, and Sigurd were on our hitlist. So we decided to remove them in that order, with Thames and Neptune the slaughter seemed to become easier. It's like anything, the more you do it, the easier it becomes.
So it seems that has taken our story right up to where we are now, Corsair's empty corpse beneath me, smothered by a pillow. It is time for the final piece of my plan to come to place. Little did Corsair know that I had been studying his handwriting for a long time, I had stayed up tireless nights practicing forging it! I quickly leap over to his desk and pull out a pen and paper, using his handwriting I create a fake suicide note. Confessing to the murders of Raynes, Triton, Thames, Neptune and Sigurd and saying how he couldn't live with what he's done. I gave every gruelling detail but of course leaving out one key character… me. Then, using a rope, I string him up to the ceiling to complete the illusion. Taking one last look at my boyfriend's body dangling there in the dark room, I can feel something inside me, something telling me this isn't who I am… I didn't do this!
"You did it! I knew you would!" The dark booming voice echoes in my head, now louder than ever.
"No! I hate you!" I shout back, wiping a single tear from my eye.
The voice gives me a deep mischievous laugh.
"How can you hate me? I am you! Do you hate yourself?" It commands.
I shake my head, taken back to that boy that stood in front of the body strapped to the chair with a gun in my hand!
"This is who you are and the sooner you accept it the better."
Marissa Grey, 17
I swing my sword and imbed it within the frame of the dummy. With ferocity I pull out my sword, and swing again and again and again until the wood lies in little pieces in front of me. Even with the figure completely destroyed, it hasn't done anything to suppress my anger.
How could Sofia do this to me? For years I've been preparing to be the next victor from District 4. For years I've been working my ass off proving my worth. And she just comes in and snatches it away from me. At fifteen years old, everyone thinks she's better than me. Even our own parents have stopped giving me the time of day.
She has the best survival skills we've seen in years. Those were the words the academy used to justify their choice.
I put my sword away and catch a glance at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes glare back at me and I can feel the hatred flowing through me. I tighten my blonde ponytail, grab my training bag and storm out of the gym before anyone sees me.
Sauntering as I return home, my mind wandering with options. I could let my sister volunteer this year, taking the glory and fame for the Grey family. Regardless if she wins or not, I'll be seen as a failure. The girl who was upstaged by her sister. If she volunteers this year, and I volunteer next year…I'll just be seen as Sofia's sister. And I refuse to continue living under her shadow.
I reach my house and hear my parents' voices. I shut the door quietly and try to reach my room without confrontation. But no luck.
"Marissa!" My mother, Kendall, calls from the living room. She pulls my arm in the room and suddenly I'm face to face with her, my father Jeremy, and Sofia. All of their faces are beaming.
"Give your sister some luck! She's very excited to volunteer today." My mother says. I look at my sister, who's wide smile can't hide the deception in her eyes. She's enjoying this. She's enjoying upstaging me. She always has.
"Yeah. Good luck. Don't get killed." I throw her a cheeky smirk and leave before anyone can stop me.
I lock my bedroom door behind me and find myself clenching my fists. I release them and allow the blood to flow through my fingers. With a deep breath, I go to my closet and pull out a simple light blue dress. I quickly change, ignoring the sound of my family leaving without me. Screw em. Screw the whole lot of them.
I finish getting ready and head to the square, my mind racing with what's to come. Do I really let Sofia take this away from me? What other options do I have?
I check into the reaping and make my way to my section. I crowd in with the other 17 year old girls.
"Marissa!" I hear the familiar voice of my friend, Regina. She pushes through the crowd and stands next to me.
"Hey." I say back.
"I haven't seen much of you lately." She says, without saying why. Not like it's a secret.
"I've been training. Alone." I tell her.
"You'll be chosen next year. I know you will." She gently rubs my shoulder. I push her hand away. Even though she's probably right, I don't know if I can wait until next year.
We both turn our attention to the stage when our escort, Glamour, steps up to the microphone. She's new this year, and doesn't hide her enthusiasm to be here.
"Welcome to the 95th Hunger Games! I'm so excited to be here in front of you beautiful people. The energy here is so much better than in District 6." She gleams. A few people cheer, but not many.
"Moving on. Let's turn our attention to the Capitol! They've sent us a lovely video for our entertainment." I roll my eyes as the video begins. The same one we've seen every year.
Once the video is over, she thanks us for our attention and walks over to the female bowl. I find myself holding my breath. She pulls out a slip and reads the name. I release my breath as I throw my hand up in the air.
"I volunteer!" My voice clashes with my sisters voice, who must be glaring at me from behind. I push through the crowd and mount the stage just as she reaches the stairs. Without a second thought, I push her down the stairs. She falls on her back and yelps, her ankle twisting behind her in a strange angle. A Peacekeeper rushes to help her. She tries to get up by herself, but once she realizes her ankle injury, she lets the Peacekeeper help her up and take her away, all while glaring straight into my eyes. If looks could kill…
Glamour, who tries to keep her composure after the chaos, directs her attention to me.
"What's your name?"
"Marissa Grey." I tell her bluntly.
She welcomes me to the stage before moving to the boys bowl. She reads a name that no one listens to, because it's quickly replaced by a volunteer, a boy named Taliesin Ulysses. A boy I've seen around the academy, but one that's never stood out to me. I wonder how he came out as the academy's first choice, but I push the thought away as soon as we're done shaking hands. He's my ally, and nothing more. As our hands meet, I get a strange sensation from the look in his eyes, I don't know what it is but there's something off about him…
Glamour makes the audience applause for us before ushering us into the Justice Building.
I'm placed into a nice study, forced to wait for anyone who would say goodbye to me. For a while, I don't think anyone will come. So I'm surprised when Regina and Jessica come in.
"You're crazy, you know that?" Regina says, pulling me into a tight hug.
"I couldn't let her take this away from me." I tell her. Not that I have to explain myself. They've always had my back.
"You're the better choice, anyway." Jessica tells me, hugging me as soon as Regina pulls away.
"The academy won't be happy with you." Regina says.
"Well, I'll either come back in a box or as victor. I don't think I'll ever have anything to do with them again." I say, genuinely not giving a shit about the academy. Those instructors can rot in hell for all I care.
"You'll win. You know you will." Regina says. She's not wrong, I'm capable. I'm ready for this.
They both give me one last hug before they leave. As they leave, I pray they're my only visitors. But as luck would have it, they're not.
My parents and Sofia come in, none of them even trying to hide their anger. I get a quick glance at Sofia's ankle, that's now wrapped in a white bandage. I stop looking at it when my mother slaps my face.
"How could you?" She asks, her face beaming red.
"You're a disgrace to the Grey Family." My father adds. As much as the words hurt, I don't let it show on my face. I stay stoic.
"I can't believe you would do this. To me. Your own sister!" My sister yells and shoves me back. I stumble back slightly but I'm able to catch myself. She comes at me again but this time I grab her wrists. Our mother pulls her back.
"If you do win, don't come home. You're not welcome." My dad says.
"I hope you die." Sofia says before the three of them have to leave. Once they're gone, I sit on the couch. I close my eyes and push their words out of my brain, determined to keep my composure.
"Fuck you." I whisper to myself. Although nobody but me can hear it, it makes me feel better. And I can't wait to prove them wrong.
Hey so last time I forgot to credit the authors for the tributes sorry. Thank you TacoPheonix for Electra and Lilah32 for Beckett. As for these two thank you to TheWatcheroftheVoid for Taliesin and wiifan2002 for Marrisa. Hope you like the chapter!