Chapter 2: Hassan Greenwood
Disclaimer: I own nothing. This is my first fic, so pls review!
Peeta smirked. Hassan stood triumphantly on top of a mutt replica, posing for the cameras during his Victory Tour. His eyes hid something else though. Guilt. Not that the stupid Capitol were able to catch it. They thought he was a warrior hero, a fine example of a victor. "He doesn't seem much," Katniss remarked. Hassan was short, and not particularly handsome. "He had dyslexia," Peeta said softly. "But he had more willpower than everyone else combined."
Hassan Greenwood
District 7
Aged 16
5 Kills
HASSAN:
How on earth did I get myself into this mess. First of all, my ancestors come from a place called Arbica, or Arbia or something like that, so I look different from everyone else in District Seven. Not a problem, but the burly peacekeepers constantly make a big deal about it, taunting me and making tons of racist comments. Ugh. Second of all, I have dyslexia. Usually, Oakette would help me read my textbooks and do my homework, but she died in last year's Hunger Games. Just like that, the Hunger Games took away the life of the kindest girl in District Seven, and my best friend. And they were going to take away mine too. "Hassan Greenwood!" I groan as soon as my name is called. I don't sob, or wail or even whimper. I'm not going to let old Ravenstill enjoy the satisfaction of seeing my tears. Not a bloody chance. In the Justice Building, my mother comes to see me. She's crying, her eyes red and puffy. I've never seen her this upset before. "It's okay, Mom," I whisper, hugging her close. "I'm coming home." I said it with such finality that even I started believing it. Mom stares at me, and clutches my shoulders so hard I wince. "Give them hell, Hassan," she orders. The peacekeepers barge in and drag her away. "Promise me you'll be fine!" she screams as they grab their wrists and drag her away. "I promise!" I shout back, just as the door slams shut. I sigh. Just then, the door swings open and in comes Cedar, a close friend of mine, although not quite as close as Oakette was. "Hey, buddy," he tries to flash me an encouraging smile, but it's tinged with sadness. "You've got yourself into a pickle, haven't you?" I laugh emptily. "I know, but I'm coming home." He gives a smile, a real one, this time. "Now that's the spirit.
The minute I saw the arena, I almost smile. Last year, it had been a forest with tons of caves. This time, it was a wetland forest, with flowing rivers and some tall tress behind me, all of which I could climb. Captain Teresa, our rather rebellious peacekeeper mentor, had told us to get the hell away from there as soon as the gong rang. I didn't think to object. However, Glynn, my district partner, isn't so smart. She dives straight in, and is decapitated by Janson from Twelve. I grimace, but don't stop running. I head straight for the tall trees, aware that a small girl from Five is following me. I climb one of the trees, and so does the girl from Five. All of a sudden, they start falling. Stupid Gamemakers. I jump off and dive out of the way just in time. The girl from Five, however, isn't quite so lucky. Her screams as she fell to her death haunted me throughout the day. "She didn't deserve that," I gnarl, running from the scene. "No one here does."
Of course they had to show off their latest cloning technology. Mutts, they had called it. I personally prefer 'Big Scary Dog Monsters With Sharp Fangs'. Worst part was, they had the nerve to ambush me. Imagine, a whole pack of them, pouncing on you whilst you're asleep. I barely had time to react. Everyone must've thought I was dead. But I'm able to turn around and hold the thing back before it bites my head off. I punch it had in the chest, and it winces. I get on my feet, but I don't run. Because I've got a brilliant plan. A smirk begins to form on my face. "Want to play fetch?"
I grab a fallen branch, and hurl it as far as I can. The mutts stampeded away, and I begin my escape. Unfortunately, these things are fast, and they catch up with me pretty quickly. "Come on!" I moan. But they don't attack me. In fact, the largest of them plops to the ground, sticks out a wet, sloppy tongue, and wags his tail, dropping the now soggy branch in front of me. My jaw drops. "You've got to be kidding me." The mutts were like Cedar's dogs, just way bigger. All of a sudden, the mutts don't seem to be a threat. I edge closer, and it doesn't react. I pat its fur. I know, I'm crazy. But hey, I'm in a death arena. Crazy's good. It squeals with glee, and its pack follows suit. An even bigger smirk forms on my face as I hop on its back.
MARINA:
"Come on, Flounder," I grit my teeth as Flounder sneaks up on the large boy from Two, a knife in hand. He's trembling, but I hope that he can get the kill. I look away as Flounder raises his knife, and stabs the boy in the chest. Boom! The cannon brings back horrid memories that nearly bring out a flood of tears. I can't stand having to watch these stupid Games anymore. It reminds me of Ingrid, Kyle and Wheaton. The kids who show up in my nightmares and take turns to stab my guts inside out. I whimper in my seat as I hear panicked screams, but when I hear loud thumping and more wails, this time painful ones from Flounder, I will myself to look. To my horror, a pack of wild mutts were chomping and trampling Flounder to bits, blood squirting in all directions. On the largest mutt, that boy from Seven, Hassan, is screaming and holding on tightly to its neck. His eyes seem frightened, and he's begging for them to stop. "I can't watch this," I whimper, getting up to leave. My tributes are dead, so there's no reason for me to stay. As I leave the room, I catch a glimpse of Hassan riding his mutts through the woods, trampling scared, little children as he went.
HASSAN:
The final cannon goes as my mutt chomps Ludo from Three's head off. I wince, hating the amount of blood that's oozing out like a fountain. It sickens me, just what I've done. Just thinking about it makes me puke. The mutts don't mind, they've probably handled much worse. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE VICTOR OF THE SECOND HUNGER GAMES, HASSAN GREENWOOD!" The mutts begin to toss Ludo's body around, guts and grimy bits falling out. I throw up. "Ew, gross! STOP THAT!" The mutts don't care. As the hovercraft nears me, I take my cue to pass out.
"Hassan!" It's Ludo. He's screaming in rage, swords gripped tightly in his hands. My eyes widen. "L-Ludo?" I stammer. He glares at me, smoke bellowing out of his nostrils. "No, you're not real, you're…" "Going to kill this stupid lumberjack!" he growled, and bounded forward. "No, no!"
"Wake up!" My eyes flutter open. Captain Teresa looms over me, her eyes scrunched in worry. "T-Teresa?" I mumble, my voice slurring. Had someone injected me with morphling? "You okay, Hassan?" she asks, concerned. Unlike the other peacekeepers, Teresa is really friendly. She was born in District Two, and her uncle had been a rebel. Years of being mistreated by other peacekeepers had drawn her away from the Capitol. Which was why she volunteered to mentor the District Seven tributes. Having lived in Seven for ten years, she claimed she owed us a favour for not killing her during the Dark Days. Whatever, I guess. She seems nice enough. "I'm fine," I slur out. She shakes her head. "No, you're not, and…" She doesn't get time to finish. A horde of medics and doctors barge in. "What are you doing?" one of them, a stout man with pink hair and golden tattoos, screams at Teresa, shoving her roughly aside. They grab my limbs, pinning me down to the bed. "TERESA!" I scream, the morphling suddenly losing its effect on me. "Hassan! Just hang on!" Teresa screams back as the medics drag her out of the room. Another one jabs a needle in my arm, and I drift off to sleep.
MARINA:
I gaze out at the bustling city beyond me, so full of life, so full of colours. The roof of the Tribute Centre is a wonderful place to be alone, away from the prying eyes of the Capitol, who seem very intent at giving me as little privacy as possible. It hadn't been easy, going home to District Four after my Games. Everyone, including Leo, had given me a sort of a cold glare, although they claimed they were proud to have a Victor. I had the word 'Murderer' stamped all over my face. I had asked Leo out one sunny afternoon, but he had flat-out rejected me, pointing out all my faults and leaving me in tears. It hadn't been a pretty sight. Now, they'll blame me for the loss of two tributes. But how the hell was I supposed to know that Hassan would come riding in with his mutt gang and trample over everybody? I sighed. "I hate the President." "You're not the only one who does." I turn sharply, reaching for a trident that isn't there. Captain Teresa and Hassan stand behind me. Hassan's face looks ragged, and he gives me a nervous smile, quite contrary to the mutt rider who trampled past screaming little kids only five days ago. "What are you doing here?" I ask, chugging down another glass of orange juice. You see, I'm never going to be an alcoholic. Never. "The roof's a nice place, you know," Hassan rasps. He seems so weary. I wonder if he feels guilty about all those kids the mutts killed. "Hey, kid," Teresa strides over to me. I heard she's one of the nicer peacekeepers. Although, anything's better than Captain Elvis. He seemed hell-bent on getting us killed last year. "Hi," I wave shyly. I'm not the most social person, hence my love for the sea. It provides an escape from civilization, away from the flashing cameras and paparazzi in the Capitol, and the stern glares in District Four. "She's alive, Marina," Hassan gasps all of a sudden, a smile forming on his lips. I frown. "Who?" "Oakette." My jaw drops. I remember Oakette. She was in my Games. She didn't talk much. In fact, she didn't talk at all. She just kept silent throughout her interview. But Kyle had killed her, right? "That doesn't make sense." Hassan grins, and hands me a letter.
Hey guys!
I'm alive! So, I found this Avox and she was really suicidal, so she dyed her hair brown and switched with me! The Capitol didn't even realise! We looked really similar, you see, and so the plan worked! Anyway, Teresa says District Thirteen are still alive and kicking, so that's where I'm going! Cheers!
Oakette Mason
I chuckle. "Smart girl." Then something clicks, and I gape at Teresa. "Wait so Thirteen…"
Teresa laughs. "There's going to be a lot of stuff I need to explain."
Katniss shuddered. "Mutts are terrifying. I can't imagine why anyone would want to ride them. Peeta laughed. "Well, Hassan did. Unlike Marina, I think he was lauded as a hero in his district. I mean, Johanna told him they've got a square, a lumber mill and a school named after him. Talk about love for your victor, huh?" Katniss nodded. "The next one was better, though." Peeta grinned as he flipped the page, revealing a scrawny boy who honestly just looked like he wanted to sleep. "Axel Millar. District Twelve's first victor."
A/N: And that's District Seven's first Victor! I always liked the idea of a tribute somehow taming a mutt and using them to win. And that was Hassan! Also, Oakette and Thirteen are alive! Stay tuned for Axel, Twelve's first Victor!
VICTORS
District 4-Marina Bluebell(1)
District 7-Hassan Greenwood(2)