I think I forgot Preji so here he is!
Preji Soultier, District Three male (17)
No one is going to care when I die.
That was the first thing on my mind as I stood in a glass tube waiting for the floor to rise beneath me. I knew it was true because every year I did the same thing- me and most everyone else in Three. We looked at the stage and said oh that's so sad, those kids are going to die for one single instant and then the rest of the time it was as long as it's not me. I didn't even remember most of their names. They died and for everyone else life just went on. My family would miss me, sure, but time would go by and they would heal. My death would heal for everyone but me.
Alesandro was milling around outside the tube, awkwardly trying to not stare at me while at the same time trying to think of something he could do to help. I wondered if this brought back memories for him. Of course it did, I mean, but was it bad, or was it just... part of life?
"What was your mentee like last year?" I asked, and Alesandro looked up in surprise. A small smile flitted over his face.
"Eddi? He was really good at drawing. He drew a sketch of me one night without me even noticing. I still have it," he said, a soft fondness in his voice. His smile widened and he went on, "One time we were eating dinner and he liked these crackers so much he shoved a bunch in his pocket and mailed some home to his family."
You remember all that? All for some boy who ended up dying in the Bloodbath? I guess Alesandro only mentored once a year but it still seemed like a lot to remember.
"What about the year before that?" I asked.
"That was Toshiro," Alesandro said. "He was more standoffish, more private. I never learned much about him. I thought he was going to die in the Bloodbath too- not that he was weak, he just didn't seem to ever stand out. I was so proud of him for coming in fifth. Not that it matters, but it just felt like something to be proud of..."
"I suppose you'll remember me, too. Like how annoying I was," I said, trying to cushion the blow myself before he could say it.
Alesandro shrugged. "Can't expect much more in these circumstances," he said.
"No, I was like that at home, too," I said.
"District life isn't a picnic either," Alesandro went on undeterred.
"I'll give you something good to remember by coming home," I said. Suddenly I felt like I could do it. I could win this whole thing and make my own life and no one would tell me what to do ever again.
Alesandro's eye twitched. He retreated to the far side of the room and didn't look at the tube again. It wasn't until I started to rise into the air that I put together what I'd said wrong.
That was what every one of them said, too.
Extravagance Eleanor, District One mentor
Allure fussed with her hair in her reflection in the tube glass. "Is that all you ever think about?" I asked, finally snapping a little after a week of her vanity.
"In the Arena I'm going to get all messed up. This is the last day I'm going to look nice," she said, looking out at me with an almost soulful expression.
"Don't worry, you'll still be hot," Dionysus gallantly objected.
"Thanks," Allure said. "I'll kill you last."
Totsuki Sugihara, District Two mentor
Nero was doing Nailah's breathing exercises with her. Not because she panicked and he was helping to calm her down. No, she started doing it to prepare herself and calm her nerves and he joined in because he was just as nervous. We all are when we get in the tubes, even with all our training. Careers die in the Bloodbath too.
Tellie Cathode, District Three mentor
"Remember, don't go in the Bloodbath. And remember that water is more important than food. And remember that no matter how thirsty you are you have to clean it first. And remember that you can freeze to death super fast if you're outside. And remember that alliances made after the Games start never end well. And remember..."
Talaysa Pool, District Four mentor
"I don't think I should have done this." Anthony's eyes were wide and pinkish. "This isn't how to take care of her. I should have stayed home to be with her. I should have stayed home."
"Stop it. You're making us look bad," Ceto sniped from her tube.
Anthony's head whipped around to face her. "You do that plenty well on your own!" he blurted.
"What?!" Cero gasped, her mouth falling open. Before he could respond, the tubes rose away.
Sol Johnson, District Five mentor
"It's gonna be okay. Remember the plan," Connor said. He and Gigi were just about to step into their tubes and they were holding hands for this last few seconds. The "plan", meanwhile, was for them to run in entirely opposite directions during the Bloodbath. Ceto couldn't chase both of them at once. Because of course they needed a plan to counter the insane bigoted Career coming for them. They didn't have enough problems already.
Rodney Sanchez, District Six mentor
Porsche and I looked at each other awkwardly.
"Well, guess I'll go into the Arena. Everybody try to keep up with me," she cracked.
"This is wrong," RJ said, quietly but intensely. He looked around at phantom security cameras and got into his tube without saying more.
Porsche flashed a victory sign as the tubes rose. "Tell my mama I loved her."
Cassia Rose, District Seven mentor
Martin was jiggling his leg again. I wasn't even mad this time, though by now we all knew about his playacting. Anyone would have a nervous twitch when they were about to go into the Hunger Games. For once he was just acting like a normal kid.
Des wiped her eyes. "Wow, lot of dust in here," she joked thinly. "Probably lots of dust in the Arena too. Maybe for a few days. Maybe the whole time."
Rybbon Marbroox, District Eight mentor
"Someone my age can win the Games," Pell said, clearly more to himself than to me. He didn't say anything for a minute. "Not very likely, though," he added quietly.
"It's not very likely for any of us, sort of," Kjole said. "One in twenty-four. Can't be much higher than one in ten even for the Careers."
"I like one in ten better than one in twenty-four," Pell said.
Flora Amfora, District Nine escort/mentor
Oberon and Mazie huddled on the far end of the room from the tubes. They were embracing like two lovers, Mazie crying and Oberon pretending he was strong and reassuring. I couldn't watch. I could see it in his eyes he was doing the same thing he did when his little sister cried.
Nyra Pickering, District Ten mentor
Over and over Bess fingered her token, a thin braided bracelet. She ran her fingers over it and twisted it and tugged at it, her eyes far off in the distance.
"That's a nice token. Where'd you get it?" I asked.
Bess looked even more haunted when she answered. "My friend Ellie made it for me. She died when we were eight. She drowned in a grain silo."
Well that sure made her feel better...
Cherry Aims, District Eleven mentor
"We'll be okay," Soleil said, her eyes worried and almost motherly. "You don't have to worry about us."
"I'm sure you'll both... do your best," I managed, trying to find the balance between honesty and encouragement. What do you say at a time like this?
"I hope you won't be too mad if we die," Soleil said. Cultur winced at the word.
"It's okay. I won't be mad," I said. I just wished Soleil could have peace. She was about to go into the Hunger Games and all she could think about was everyone but herself.
Bellerophon Steed, District Twelve mentor
Samantha lit up when she saw the tube. "You do have time-travel capabilities? This is clearly a transport tube," she said. She ran inside and started looking around for a start button.
I looked away, unable to stomach it. I lived in a country that took a mentally ill child, completely disoriented to reality, and killed her when she didn't even know what was happening. Meanwhile Morty looked flatly at the tube and never said a word. Anyone would guess he was already dead.
