Nyx Nyctores,17, District 1 female
I impatiently tap my nails against the handle of this comfy chair I'm sitting on in this overly decorated room as I come to terms with what happened. This isn't at all how I expected my day to go, but I honestly only have myself to blame for that. If I knew punching Roxanne in her boob would lead to this kind of domino effect, then I would've reconsidered.
If it was just me going into this arena, then I'll be confident, I'll be cocky, I'll brag how I'm going to destroy all of my opposition and be the last one standing. Nox though, him going into the arena with me changes everything. He's not just my brother, but my hero so yeah…this does change everything.
The door bursts open and Monica who has a rather blank look on her face walks in.
"Wow…just wow." She mumbles.
"Yeah…wow." I agree with her and she blinks several times.
"I don't really know what to say, in the blink of an eye both of my childhood friends are going into the arena…I would try to give you some words of wisdom like 'you got this' or 'You'll win in no time' but that'll mean…" she begins.
"That Nox has to die…I know." I state.
"I kind of wish you didn't volunteer Nyx…now the both of you have to carry that weight knowing one of you are going to die, in the best case scenario.
"That's what scares me, but what kind of best friend would I be just watching you walk to your death?" I ball my fists.
"You're right Nyx…I'm being such a hypocrite cause if it was the other way around, I would've also volunteered even if you are much stronger than me. Stay close to Nox, he's the only one you can fully trust." She advises me.
"Yeah I will…Monica whatever happens out there, just know I love you ok? Like you're my sister." My eyes water and Monica hugs me tightly.
"I love you too Nyx, and I hope- just do your best ok?" She tells me and I nod.
"Yeah…yeah I will." I promise her and we give each other a kiss on the cheek before she leaves and Chester enters afterwards.
"Chester…" I mumble and he sits next to me taking a deep breath.
"It's ok Nyx, I'm not upset with you, you were only protecting your best friend." He fiddles with a small box in his hands.
"Still though Chester…" I begin, I'm kind of at a loss of words at the moment.
"I want to say I'll see you again, that you'll win but…Nox." He states and I let out a small sigh.
"You're a good guy Chester, a great guy, and if I don't come back then I hope you find someone else, someone better than me." My voice cracks slightly.
"I don't care how much better than you someone is…you're the one I want to be with." And he opens the box revealing a beautiful necklace with an emerald in the center of it.
"Chester oh my gosh…" I look at it in awe as he puts it around my neck.
"I wanted to give you this for our anniversary but…I guess now is the only time to do this. I love you Nyx…" and I press my lips against his for a moment, I wish it can last longer but there's not much time left.
"I love you too Chester, and no matter what happens out there, nothing will change that." I assure him and he stands up and nods.
"Just be yourself…do that and you'll find a way back here." He tells me and I nod.
"I'll try…" I tell him.
"Then that's good enough…" he tells me and we look into each other's eyes once more before he leaves.
Next are my parents and they're also in disbelief.
My father cradles me in his arms like I'm still a child, while my mother still seems to be trying to process this.
"Both of my kids volunteered…both of them, I'm losing both of my babies…" she cups her hands around her mouth.
"Everything will be fine mom…" I try and convince her.
"One of you dying, probably even both of you! How will this be ok!?" She lashes out at me but my father stands up and hugs her as she cries.
"I'm sorry mom and dad." I mumble as I hold my head down, my father still holding my mother as she cries. I just wish I can rewind time, rewind time and never have threw that punch…
Nox Nyctores,17,District 1 male
Dammit...i didn't even want to volunteer for these games in the first place and now here I am, going in there with my own sister. She can handle herself and I know she doesn't like when I try to protect her but it's just instinct, She's my sister and I just have to look after her to make sure she's ok.
If it comes down to it however, I would take my own life if It meant she got to walk out of that arena alive…
The door opens and it's Mika.
"Hey man…" he greets me.
"Hey…" I glumly greet him back as he sits next to me.
"So yeah this is kind of odd…going into the arena with your sister." He awkwardly states.
"I'm aware of that Mika…" I sigh.
"What are you gonna do?" he asks.
"What else is there to do? I get her as far as I can and we just go from there. If it means she gets to live though, then I don't plan on walking out of that arena alive" I admit to him.
"Well that's what any good brother will do for his sister, but yeah this might be our last time seeing each other." He realizes.
"It very well might be Mika, hey look thanks for being a bro all the time, thanks for being my best friend…" I thank him.
"Hey man you don't need to thank me for that." He does a forced laugh.
"As much as I didn't want to go into that arena, I did it for you Mika and your mother, she needs you." I tell him.
"Yeah…I know Nox, and I will take care of her." He assures me.
"Thanks Mika, parents are so important…it's inevitable that we'll all take our last breath someday and that's why you need to keep your loved ones close, cherish every moment you have with them." I state and he wipes his eye.
"I'm not crying man, I'm not." He grunts.
"Stay close to your mom, that's all I ask of you." I pat his shoulder.
"Yeah…yeah man." And we hug each other for a moment but he has to get going.
"Even if it's not in this lifetime Nox, we'll see each other again." He tells me as he puts a silver necklace around my neck and I nod.
"Yeah Mika…we will." I respond and he leaves afterwards.
I don't have a lot of time to daydream cause the door opens again afterwards and it's Nyx's best friend Monica who's eyes are puffy.
"Monica…" I i practically whisper.
"Nox…" she wipes her eyes and sits next to me.
"Hi Monica, it looks like I won't be able to taste that pepper steak just yet…" I sigh.
"Nox…just protect your sister ok? She may not ever say it but she looks up to you and she needs you by her side." She sniffs.
"Yeah…I'll do what I can." I assure her.
"Thank you Nox…" she hugs me and I hug her back. Nyx looks up to me though? That might be an exaggeration…
"And Nox…" she begins.
"Yeah?" I ask.
"Nox…seeing your strength, your courage and your determination. It inspires so many people around you. You're like their hero. Do you realize that?" she looks at me and I'm quite taken back, I know people respect me but considering me their hero? Isn't that quite the stretch?
"Yeah? I didn't know it went that far, but it's a good feeling knowing that." I admit.
"All you ever did was train…it'll be hard for you to notice anything like-" she suddenly stops.
"Hmm? You were going to say something?" I curiously ask.
"I...i have feelings for you Nox, this whole time I've been sending signals but…you just didn't catch on." she confesses and I only give her an odd glance.
"You have feelings for me? But why?" I ask and she laughs a bit.
"You can be a little dense which is cute but you're can also be wise, caring and determined. I guess I just couldn't help myself. I wanted us to be more than just friends but I guess that'll never happen now." She wipes her eyes.
"Wow…Monica if I had known then maybe things could've been different." I tell her and she sniffs again before smiling.
"I'm glad to know that Nox, but the only thing that matters now is you protecting Nyx, so just promise me you'll do that." She pleads.
"You have my word, I won't let anything happen to her!" I promise her and we embrace each other for a moment as she cries.
"Thank you…" she manages to choke out between her sobs and I wish I can hold her for longer but the peacekeepers tell me that I still have visitors so she gives me kiss on the cheek before leaving. My parents arrive afterwards and they both have conflicted looks on their face. They knew I was volunteering but now that Nyx also tagged along this just makes the situation more murkier.
Both my parents sit next to me and my mom just remains quiet. While my father gazes at me.
"Hey mom and dad, I know you guys weren't expecting Nyx to you know-" I begin.
"Oh what am I going to do…" my mom mumbles, she's still in obvious shock.
"You two need to protect each other, keep each other safe." My dad informs me.
"Yeah absolutely!" I agree with him and he gives me a long hug, I can see he's pretty shocked as well but he's holding himself together.
"Mom?" I put my hand on her shoulder and sinks her head into my chest crying profusely.
"My kids, I'm losing both of my kids!" She sobs.
"No you're not mom, you're not!" I I try cheering her up but it's no good.
"I told Nyx the same thing, how will this be ok? Me losing the both of you!?" She continues to sob and all I can really do is hold her and rub her back, it really hurts having to put my parents through this, and I know regardless of how things go, this won't have a happy ending…
Blyana Wellish,17, District 2 female
I have a seat in this comfortable chair and keep my legs crossed as I rest back. I feel like a queen in this chair and all I need to complete this a crown, but I'll have to wait until after I win these games and no one is going to stand in my way, this is what needed to be done and if this is going to be what it takes for her to notice me…then I'll cut through any and everyone!
The door creaks open and Camilla hesitantly peaks inside and cautiously walks towards me like the floor is littered with a bunch of hidden traps.
"My gosh it's so stuffy in this room! Like what if you suffocate and die in here?!" she whines and I only sigh.
"The chair over here is fine Camilla, nope there's no needles on the chair or any hidden bottomless pits nearby." I sarcastically say and she only continues looking around the room..
"It's kind of dark in here too, you might trip over something you don't see and die." She informs me as she flicks on another light.
"Camilla look at me." I sternly say and she looks over at me but still looks around a little to see if any hazards are nearby.
"I'm coming back ok? Like I know I'm going to win these fucking games but still, thanks for being a good friend." I tell her and she still seems worried.
"You aren't going to die right? "Her eyes seem a little watery..
"No…I can't die yet, not until I see her again…i" I admit.
"Her? Who?" she asks seeming as lost as ever.
"My mother…" I respond.
"Your mom…but-" she begins.
"She walked out on me cause she thought I was weak, if I win though, maybe that'll show her just how strong I am." I confess to her.
"you...never told me about your mother Blyana…" she mumbles and I look at a mirror seeing a reflection of myself, I look so angry yet so sad…
"I'm doing this all for her and that's why I won't allow myself to fail, I will be back, but for now goodbye Camilla." I hug her and she hugs me back.
"I'll miss you Blyana.". I hear her choke a little.
"I'll be back before you know it, now go." I practically push her away and she gives me a nod before leaving.
Almost right after, my aunt arrives and she looks pretty disappointed.
"Oh I wish Camilla would've stayed! I wanted to tell her the story of when you-" she starts.
"Hi auntie, Look after Camilla for me would you?" I cut her off.
"Of course darling, anything for you!" she holds her arms out to me and I hug her.
"Thanks auntie and see you soon." I assure her and she kisses me on the cheek before walking away and here I am alone again...
Hyperion Corvinus,17, District 2 male
I gaze at my shadow that's reflecting on the glossy floor beneath me. Darkness, that's all I see, is this what I've become? I cheated my way to the top and here I am now, ready to put my life on the line in hopes of impressing a man that most people would consider scum if they knew who he truly was. Despite knowing all of this, I just continue pushing myself to win his approval, I don't know if that makes me an idiot, just someone desperate for affection or hell maybe both. My 'mother' certainly wasn't capable of showing me that so now it falls on the scum of the earth to fill that role. The door creaks open and I see it's my half brother Adonis who nervously takes baby steps inside.
"What are you doing here!?" I growl at him.
"Hey Hyperion…I just came to see you off…" he looks a bit intimidated.
He got it so good, just so fucking good, and it sickens me!
"I don't remember asking you to do that, now get the hell out of here!" I grit my teeth.
"Hyperion…it sucks how mom and dad treats you…I wish things could've been different." He mumbles.
"I don't need your sympathy dammit!" I jump up to my feet but he doesn't back down.
"You're still my brother Hyperion, nothing changes that, if there's one regret I have though, it's that we could've been closer…" he holds his head down and I only scoff.
"Doesn't look like dad plans on stopping by huh?" I dismiss him.
"…He didn't even want me coming here, but you're my brother so yeah." He scratches his head.
So even after everything I've done, it still wasn't enough for him to come and see me for what may be the very last time, what is it going to take? Just what!?
I clench my fists upon hearing this and it's hurt a lot coming to this realization…
"Hyperion…I want you to have this. No matter what happens out there, just remember there's someone here who cares about you." He hands me a brass pocket watch and I clutch it tightly.
"Adonis…" I begin.
"Y-yeah." He nervously answers.
"I'm sorry for not being a better brother…" I feel my eyes begin to swell but he puts a hand on my shoulder.
"It's not your fault Hyperion, but I'm rooting for you, so you do what you need to do to get back ok?" He asks.
"Yeah…" I answer him and he gives me a nod and smile before leaving. I don't expect anyone else to come and see me and that's why I'm caught off guard when the door opens again but I see it's one of my "peers" from the academy who has a scowl on their face while holding a plate of smelly and moldy food.
He immediately wastes no time throwing the plate of food on me and the red moldy sauce splatters all over my face and clothes but I only sit still.
"You fucking suck! Can't wait to see you die!" He spits at me and leaves. Right after that another peer enters with a plate of rotten food and tosses it at me.
"You suck! Dirty piece of shit!" She snarls at me but I only look at the floor in shame holding my head down. She leaves and the trend continues as all of my peers take turns throwing food at me and after ten or so peers have their fun, I remain sitting on the chair covered in sauces and rotten smelling food. I can't be surprised, and I won't do a damn thing about it, cause I deserve it…
The door opens again and I brace myself for more stale food to be thrown on me but it's Azalea… Her presence alone glows as she walks into the room, it's almost angelic…
"You came to throw something at me too? Go ahead, get it over with…" I mumble as I sit completely still.
"What happened?" she asks.
"Nothing I didn't deserve, This is the price we pay when we cheat our way to the top. Only to try and impress someone who doesn't give a shit about ue." I state and she only stands across from me for a moment.
"Hyperion…" she gives me a sympathetic look.
"What are you even doing here? Thought we both made it quite clear we were done." I growl at her and it hurts doing that…to my mother.
"You're right Hyperion…I could've made more of an effort to be in your life…no matter how terrified I was of your father, a parent should always be willing to take a risk for their child…" she laments and I remember her telling me how she carried me in her womb, how she hid herself away to protect me.
"You did what you could…Azalea, You protected me, you made sure nothing happened to me while I was in your womb…" I look up at her and I see some tears coming down her eyes as she does a slight nod and walks over to me.
"I tried…I could've done so much more though. So much, and just imagining the kind of things you must've done just to try and win his affection. it just hurts so much." She wipes her eyes but more tears come down.
"What's done is done Azalea, I chose my path, and I need to walk down it…" I ball my fists as I stare at the dark shadow on the floor gazing back up at me.
She walks up to me however and gently lays my sauce covered head against her torso, she doesn't even care that her baby blue dress is now stained in a bunch of smelly red sauces. She holds me though, like a mother holding her child.
"I've said before, I've never had a chance to touch you, to hold you in my arms." She sniffs as she hugs me against her torso and I feel comfort swoop over me, me being in the arms of her, feeling that nothing can harm me, feeling that she'd keep me safe no matter what, Is this the power of a mother's love?
"M-mom…" tears come down my eyes and I lose it almost right after, all of my emotions beginning to flood out, everything I've held inside of me for so long. I'm crying so much at this point just remembering all of the horrible things I've had to do to get to where I am, how everyone hated me in this district, knowing that despite busting my ass for all these years, He wouldn't even come to see me off.
"M-mom…" I repeat choking between my sobs.
"It's ok…I'm here, I'm here." She sniffs as she continues holding me, I just don't ever want her to let go…
Acer Deluca,17, District 3 male
I continue trembling as I remain seated, but I cup my hands together in an effort to try and calm myself down, but it doesn't seem to be helping much…
Not only was I reaped where I'll likely go on to die a gruesome death but my district partner, she is such a creep. She licked my face…she totally licked my face! She didn't even try to hide how crazy she was but beneath all of that I can see that she's going to be dangerous. I don't know what the deal has been with the female tributes from this district lately, but they've just been total nutcases…
The door is pushed open and my sister Belina who's entire face is covered in tears rushes towards me and hugs me tightly as she cries.
"B-Belina." I call her but she continues squeezing me and crying.
"Don't go, Don't go! Please!" She cries and i put my arms around her and hug her.
"I'm sorry Belina…" I take a deep breath.
Ever since I've been in this room, I've literally envisioned hundreds of different scenarios in the arena,but none of them end with me winning.
"Stop don't say that! Don't say that like this is the end!" She scolds me and squeezes me tighter and that's when my mom enters the room, I can tell she's been crying as well but she's trying to keep it together.
"Belina, you're squeezing him…" my mom calmly say but Belina only continues crying and squeezing me and she almost has to pry Belina off of me. I've been so invested in my SLAMSS research that I never took a moment to realize my death can be a setback to all of this. I didn't even have any written notes as I had everything in my head, but there's still an option…
The vile I have around my neck contains a drop of my SLAMSS, so I know what needs to be done. I begin to remove the vile but my mother stops me.
"It's ok Acer, I've always known about your research and I'm incredibly proud of you!" she hugs me tightly.
"Mom…" I can only choke out as I feel tears begin running down my face.
"I'll begin recreating it, it won't be the same without your mindset, but I will carry this out, and when you get back, you can let me know if I did a good job, ok?" She sniffs and kisses me on the cheek.
"Yeah Acer, you'll be back, just, just believe in yourself ok?" Belina wipes her eyes.
"Yeah…yeah I'll try. I love you guys." I hug the both of them and we embrace each other for a while before they have to go.
Only moments later Weslon arrives as he's helped into the room by a peacekeeper who rolls him in to the room on his wheelchair.
Weslon just regained consciousness last night but he seems to be in great spirits.
"Hey buddy, how's it going?" Weslon greets me as he rolls towards me.
"Weslon…oh man." I can't even begin to explain how much emotion I'm overcome with.
"I'm scared Weslon…I'm terrified. Terrified of leaving my family, terrified of leaving you…" I admit but he rests an assuring hand on my shoulder and just that alone helps me feel a little better.
"And it's ok to be terrified, but you also need to realize how strong you are, maybe not in muscle but up here!" He points to my head.
Will that be enough though, just having the brains?
"I wish things could've been different…with us I mean." I suddenly tell him and he smirks.
"Yeah, I've thought the same Acer, I always wanted this go further than Just a researcher-patient but, it's not too late!" He tries to convince me, hearing this though, I just feel so relieved knowing that the feelings were mutual.
"This won't be the end though Acer, you saved my life and I wish there was more I could do, but you got this and you need to believe that, got it?" He raises up my chin with his finger.
"Y-yeah, I'll try. I promise you that!" I promise him and we hug each other, I wish it can stay this stay, but I know this'll only be brief…
Emmerane "Emmi/Screech" Vestrat,18, District 3 female
"So what's on your mind Spectra?" I gaze up at the ceiling but only receive silence in response and blow up strands of my hair that are getting into my eyes.
"The silent treatment again, I already apologized for yesterday so…what's it gonna take?" I cross my arms but the door swings open and both my parents walk in, both have pretty confused looks on their face as they seem to be a loss of words.
"Emmi only awkwardly gazes at her parents waiting for them to say something, anything." I start tapping my foot on the floor.
"It was nice of you…volunteering for your friend but did you think about us, your family?" My mom speaks first.
"Emmi had no clue you actually cared." I glumly say and my mother only sighs.
"Well Emmi, if there's one person who can walk into that arena and come out of it, it's you. Just remember your training and you'll handle anything that comes your way." He confidently tells me, well atleast one person believes in me. They both stick around for a bit but have to go as I have other visitors.
After them, Ahmelie and my sister Elli comes in and they just both awkwardly stand across from me.
"Emmi stares at her sister and friend and wonders-" I starts up.
"Emmi you don't have to do that with us " Elli cuts me off.
"Emmi…" I mumble, I can't remember the last time she called me that without utter hate.
Elli sits next to me and I only give her an odd glance.
"I'm sorry Emmi, I'm sorry for always being such a bitch to you…" she apologizes.
"It's…ok I guess." I nervously say, she's now acting like the long lost sister I desperately missed.
"You mean that Emmi?" she looks over at me.
"Yeah, and I'm now starting to recognize you again, I'm glad I got my sister back." I admit and she laughs for a moment before hugging me and it takes me by surprise a bit but I eventually just hug her back.
"You were always better than me Emmi, and I guess that's why I became so bitter, it was hard for me to accept at first, but I now just have to embrace it, just use it as inspiration. I know you can win this Emmi, so do me a favor and win please? Cause me and you, we got things to do and places to go, ok?" She sniffs and I nod.
"Yeah…ok." This is still pretty surreal honestly but I look at Ahmelie who's trying her best to hold back her tears.
"I'm just glad we can all be family now, this isn't goodbye because I know we'll see each other again, but I'll see you later ok?" she hugs and kisses me on the cheek and Elli joins in as we form a group hug together, losing isn't an option, I'll have to make it back even if I'm not going to be proud of the things I have to do…
Reyena Shore,16, District 4 female
I cross my legs together and rest the side of my face against the palm of my hand, I've been training my whole life for this but still, it does make me wonder. There's never any way to be fully prepared for what these games have in store for us and I'm confident in myself, in my abilities but there's always going to be a what if. I don't know who the rest of my opposition is but there's Caspian. He's strong,funny and I guess I can say charming? I know he's going to be tough but I can exploit his overly friendly personality and use it to get closer to him. That'll allow me to figure out more of his weaknesses and be better prepared if I ever have to fight him.
The door swings open and it's my parents along with Heidi and my parents seem proud? They believe in me and don't think one bad thing is going to happen to me out there and I wish that were completely true but I won't be cocky like most of these other careers are, no but I'll be confident. "Look at you Reyena, already looking like a victor." My mom hugs me while my dad follows suit. Heidi is the only one who realizes I'm not some invincible killing machine, that all it takes is one little slip up and my life is forever over but for my parent's sake, she paints a confident look over her face and hugs me.
"I'm going to miss you Reyena." She continues hugging me and I hug her back.
"I'm going to miss you too Heidi, but I'll be back." I confidently say.
"Yeah, yeah you will, just don't be gone for too long though ok?" she asks.
"I'll try not to." I promise her and they all stay with me for a bit but have other visitors. The only other visitor I can imagine is my best friend Delta and when she waltz in afterwards, turns out I was correct.
"Ms.Victor what's up!" She hugs me and even tries lifting me out of my chair but I manage to wrestle myself free.
"Nope, you won't get me this time!" I smirk.
"Oh don't worry, I'll get you when you come back. Sooo, there's not really much for me to say to you, you know what to do. Keep an eye on your allies though, don't let those sneaky bastard one up you." She advises me.
"Tell me something I don't know, fully noted though Delta." We hug each other again.
"I already have all of my stuff ready so when you come back, we are throwing the biggest fucking party of all time and maybe that girl who had her tounge all down your mouth can be our roommate." She jokes
"My gosh shut up about that already!" aibplayfully hit her and we laugh together. We spend the rest of the time talking casually about girl stuff and I forget I was even going off into the arena before a peackeeper knocks informing us that our time is up. We give each other one last hug and then she has to leave, I'm going to miss them. I'm about to get emotional but the door suddenly swings open again and it's my other sister who's only giving me a menacing glare.
"There you are you stupid bitch, I'm looking so foward to you dying!" she hisses.
"Don't get your hopes up too high, i might just be back." i respond.
"And in the case that you do, I'll handle you myself!" she threatens me.
"Even you don't believe that shit, but you can feel free to try." i offer her and she only glares me again and mumbles something before storming out, yeah i thought so.
Caspian Delamar,18, District 4 male
I hum a tune to myself as I tap my foot on the floor syncing it into a beat. Here I am, ready to accept whatever is going to happen to me out there. I won't be the typical cocky brat and say I'm going to win flawlessly because that's never possible, but all I can really do here is do my best and in the case that my best isn't enough, then i guess I'll get served the justice that i deserved...
The door slowly opens and it's Aura. The pregnant young woman who came by my shop yesterday and I can tell she's been crying.
"Hey there!" I try to liven up the mood.
"H-hi Caspian…I just wanted to see you again and to say thank you. You didn't have to do what you did and I really do appreciate your generosity, you're a good man…" Some tears come down her eyes.
"Hey Aura, I appreciate your kind words, I'm glad I was able to help you and if you need anything at all, just come by the shop, yeah?" I smile at her and she runs up to me and hugs me as she cries and I hug her back as we embrace each other.
"I'll always remember you Caspian, but please, don't die out there. This world needs more people like you…" she sobs.
"I'll do my best Aura, I promise you that!" I give her a thumbs her and she nods before pecking me on the cheek and leaves afterwards.
Next is my mom and my brother Cove. My father wasn't able to physically make it here but I made sure to spend some time with him last night.
My mom understandably looks a bit nervous even though she knew way ahead of time I was volunteering but Cove doesn't seem fazed at all, that's how much he believes in me.
"Hello family! We were supposed to have a Seafood bbq, where's the grill!?" I joke and Cove bursts out laughing while my mom smirks slightly but she sits next to me and wraps her arms around me.
"Caspian, you know as a parent. It's only natural for us to worry about our children so uhmm, just make us proud ok?" Her eyes seem watery but she's holding it together.
"Oh c'mon mom, Caspian's got this, bet those other tributes won't even be able to touch him!" Cove cockily proclaims.
"Oh c'mon Cove, you're making me blush!" I joke and he laughs along with me
"On a serious note though Cove, everything is not going to always be fun and games. Sometimes you need to draw the line, realize the potential danger that comes in each situation." I teach him and he seems to a little down afterwards but I know he understands…
Me and my family embrace each other afterwards and together we all shout "Dive Deep Down Delamar!" in unison and I already feel so much stronger! After they leave, Riley and Marina enters. Marina seems worried but Riley looks proud.
"Hey Caspian, look I just want to thank you for all you've done. You made me a better man, a better person and a better boyfriend and I look up to you for that. It would've been me volunteering this year but you stepped up and yeah, you earned it man." He extends his hand and I grab his hand before we give each other a firm handshake of respect.
"I'm happy to hear that Riley, just take care of Marina ok? You both take care of each other!" I inform him.
"Stop…" I hear Marina and look over at her.
"Huh?" I ask.
"Just stop…talking like that. Like this is going to be our last time ever talking to each other!" she scolds me and she can't even fight back her tears but I stand up and hug her and that's when she let's her emotions loose.
"Just come back home, I swear don't you even think about dying out there cause if there's ever a time for you to be selfish then now's the time!" She squeezes me but I kiss her on the forehead and bop her nose like I usually do.
"We'll see!" I give her a confident smile and they stay with me for a little while but once they have to leave, I'm all by myself again and I take a deep breath before looking down at my ring. Everything seems to be going so well for me, I guess any ordinary person would ask why I needed to volunteer in the first place but I look at this ring around me and there's my answer. Me going into the arena...it's my punishment for taking the life of Dewton. I killed him, and whatever happens to me in that arena…I deserve it.
Here is the first part of the goodbyes! i wanted to try and flesh these out a little more than the ones in "Madness Begins." and it took a little longer than expected, but here we are. I meant to post this in the last chapter but just like before, ANYONE can win these games. I have a general idea on where this story is going and let's just say there's going to be some real shockers. Oswine won last year but that doesn't mean a district 10 tribute can't win this year, so yeah just wanted to get that out of the way. Thank you for all of your amazing reviews everyone and stay tuned for part 2, till next time!