Chapter Four: The Pretender
What if I say I'm not like the others?
What if I say I'm not just another one of your plays?
You're the pretender
What if I say that I will never surrender?
The Pretender, Foo Fighters
Storm Colter, 18, District 4 Citizen
"Excuse me, waiter!" Storm turned from where he was wiping a table to where one of the patrons of his family's restaurant was beckoning him over. Storm knew this woman, she came in every week, and always had some kind of complaint, no matter what care they took to make sure she had nothing to complain about.
Managing to keep from rolling his eyes, Storm approached the woman and said, "Ma'am, is there a problem with your meal?"
The woman gave him a glare as she said, "Yes. I asked for this salad to have no tomatoes and croutons, and they're on there. Also, I wanted the side of corn, not broccoli."
Catching a glimpse of her receipt on the table, Storm saw that the woman had not asked for either thing. Witha calming breath, he said, "I'm sorry about that, ma'am, I'll go and have them remake this for you, and get you the right side. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"I think you need to get some new cooks, because I always have trouble with my meal when I come in here."
Storm could barely repress the urge to burst out, "Why do you come here if you always have problems?" However, he turned away and headed back towards the registers. This was the reason that he hated working here in the family's restaurant. People never seemed to show any kind of respect for the work that they put in, making ridiculous demands and expecting everything perfectly always. Sure, he understood when they genuinely messed up an order, ut often people just chose to complain for no reason.
Many times, he had outbursts at customers, in the days when he first started working at the restaurant, but after three years he'd developed a system to keep his frustration hidden until he was out of sight of customers.
Continuing through to the kitchen, he called over to Caide, one of the cooks, "I need a salad with no tomatoes and croutons, and a side of corn."
"What?" Caide groaned as he turned to start making the salad. "Why? I know we made the order right!"
"It's the lady that always has a problem even when we make it right," Storm told him. "You know she never had that on her order, she just likes to complain."
"Whatever," Caide uttered, getting on with it.
After having taken the woman her order, Storm stayed by the set counter, arranging trays and making sure all the orders were right, he kept his eye on the clock. The restaurant closed at eleven am for reaping day, and Storm knew that he needed to be there on time. After all, he was going to volunteer.
"Hey Storm," said Storm's father as he came from the office in the back. "I saw how you handled Mrs. Reinard, well done."
"Well, it was a close thing," Storm informed him grimly. "You know, I still think Nilo would be better at taking over than me."
Storm's father shook his head. "You know your brother gets sick too often, he couldn't take over. I know you don't really like it here much, but it suits you."
"Dad, you never listen to me!" Storm's frustration mounted as he said, "I'm serious. I think Nilo will be better at running this place than me."
Niilo was the people person. He had lots of friends at school, he could deal when people were rude or made their ridiculous demands even though he was only twelve, whereas Storm could barely stop himself from having an outburst.
Storm's father grew quiet, saying, "That's why you've been training, isn't it? You're going to volunteer?"
Storm's eyes flashed in defiance. "So what if I am? I can't do what you want me to do, Dad. I just can't, okay?"
"All right." A glance at the clock told them that it was two minutes past eleven. "Go on home, I'll close up. You need to get ready."
Storm turned away and out the front doors. He was halfway down the sidewalk towards their house when he felt regret. He shouldn't have gone off like that, especially after expressing his plan to volunteer. He did love his family, but they just didn't get that he couldn't be what they wanted him to be.
When he volunteered, and if he came back a Victor, he could do whatever he wanted.
Khanna Shine, District Four Citizen
Khanna stood beside her aunt's bed, unsure what she wanted to say. Her father had left ten minutes ago, but Khanna wanted a few moments in which to say goodbye to her aunt.
Ever since her uncle had died a couple of years ago, Khanna and her father had taken her aunt. It turned out to be pretty fortunate, as shortly after she moved in, she started to get very ill. Over the last two years became bedridden for the most part, normally sleeping until very late.
Gripping her aunt's hand, she whispered, "I'm going to win the Games, okay? I won't die like Peter did."
Khanna planned to volunteer, both to get her aunt medical care, and to make life easier for her family and neighbors, some of whom were as close as family. It had been a plan ever since her little brother, Peter had been reaped a couple of years ago when he was twelve and she was thirteen, and he hadn't even made it out of the bloodbath. Since that time, Khanna made a huge effort in training, growing her weapons skills and survival tactics.
Another glance at the clock told Khanna that it was time to go. With a squeeze of her aunt's hand, she hurried out the door and down the path to the square. It was already quite crowded, most people already being in the square. This allowed her to pass quickly through the check-in stations and squeeze through to the area where the fifteen year olds waited to learn their fate.
At exactly 1pm, District Four's escort stepped onto the stage. Genevieve Rukkai was a fairly reserved woman, at least by Capitol standards. Her simple business suit, minimal elaborate makeup, and general reservation, paired with the fact that her hair was only highlighted with sea green streaks, made her seem to belong, which she absolutely didn't.
"Welcome to the reaping for the 53rd Hunger Games," she called across the stage. "Let's get started with the ladies."
Crossing over to the bowl, Genevieve picked a couple of slips, dropping one and returning to the podium with the other. Opening it, she said the name. "Moana Dunaway!"
Khanna saw an older girl, maybe seventeen, started to walk up to the stage, but Khanna called, "I volunteer!" before she got very far. Hurrying up to the stage, she kept composed as she stood beside Genevieve.
"What's your name dear?" Genevieve asked her. "How old are you?"
"I'm Khanna Shine," she replied, smiling as she scanned the crowd for her father. "I'm fifteen."
Well, I wish you good luck," Genevieve responded. "Let's find out who will accompany you in the Games."
Crossing to the other reaping container, Genevieve picked the boys name and doled out the fate of the chosen tribute.
"Benton Verhaule," she said into the microphone.
Before the boy could even start to make his way up, another boy right near the stage shouted, "I volunteer!"
The boy, who was probably eighteen, ascended the stairs onto the stage, standing beside Khanna. When asked his name, he responded, "Storm Colter, and I'm eighteen."
"This is wonderful," Genevieve said, smiling at them both. "District Four's tributes for the 53rd Hunger Games, everyone!"
Khanna turned to Storm, and the two shook hands. Storm seemed to give her a critical look, likely wondering why this little girl had volunteered.
Fine, she thought spitefully. I'll show him. I'll come back, and I'll help my family.
District Four is done! These characters were submitted by sherazade96 (Storm) and VerityGrahams (Khanna). I hope you all like this chapter, I had a lot of fun with it, especially with Storm's. I work in a restaurant, and so I know how it is when you deal with a difficult patron and just barely stop yourself from telling them off. I loved using my experience, and I knew I would do this the moment I got Storm's submission.
I told you that the chapters would come faster now! Here's some questions for you to answer if you'd like.
Who do you like best, Storm or Khanna?
Would your character ally with them? (Storm will be a Career, Khanna a small alliance or alone)
Will Storm's determination to break free from his family help him or be a distraction?
Did Khanna make an irrational decision in lieu of her brother's death and aging aunt?
Look for District 5 soon!