Hey guys, I'm back with another short update! I really love all of the tributes you guys have sent in so far, but I still need more! A list of remaining spots can be found at the end of this chapter or on my profile, so keep sending them in!
Today I also have a short chapter with a look into the life of Lena of District Nine, who won the previous games. This shows what life is like for her now, dealing with the fallout of the 196th Games.
Please enjoy and PM me any questions you may have!
Even a year after the conclusion of her Games, Lena's life wasn't hers.
She was in a constant state of fear. She just wanted her old life back. Dealing with the trauma of the arena was bad enough, but what came after the Games is what truly scarred her for life. The endless threats she got for killing the golden boy from District One seemed never ending. She thought people would have gotten over it already, but even now she still had to deal with the backlash of her win.
Hopefully this new era of the Games will make people forget about me. Lena thought to herself as she watched the broadcast from the Capitol where the new Head Gamemaker was announced.
Lena wanted nothing more to slip back into the anonymity of her old life. She hated the attention and status that came from the Games. With all of the mental anguish winning brought her, she sometimes wished she hadn't made it out of the arena alive.
I cant think like that. Lena scolded herself inwardly as she leaned her head against her little brother.
At the very least, Lena was now able to provide for her family. Herself, her parents, and her 2 younger brothers lived in one of the mansions of the District Nine Victor's Village, and now no longer had to worry about putting food on the table. Lena found herself hanging onto this fact to make herself feel better quite often.
As the broadcast finished, Lena let out a sigh. She knew she would have to be a mentor, and that she would have to be in the spotlight again, and that she would have to grow attached to two kids not unlike herself, and watch them die.
The thought of just losing her tributes alone made Lena feel sick. Added was the fact that Lena would have to face the scrutiny of the public once again, and she felt tears begin to well up in her eyes.
Lena excused herself and quickly left the living room and ran to her bedroom. Her mother called out after her, but Lena ignored her.
Her mother began to get up to follow after her, but Lena's father put a hand on her shoulder and gently pulled her back down. "She just needs time," he said with a grim look on her face. "We need to give her space."
Lena's mother sighed and studied the floor. She felt terrible for her oldest child, her only daughter. Lena was once a happy child, but the games had changed her. She was forced to face the harsh realities of adulthood far too early.
Lena collapsed on her bed and began to let the tears flow, sobbing into her pillow. She felt herself silently cursing out the Capitol, hating them for doing this to her. Hating them for doing this to every damn tribute that had ever suffered in the arena.
Lena knew she had it better than a lot. She now had more money than she knew what to do with, and she was surrounded by those she loved. But was that enough?
As she pondered this, the door to her room slowly creaked open. Lena rolled her eyes, expecting it to be one of her parents, but was shocked to see the young face of her youngest brother, Lester.
He was only ten but Lena felt like he understood her better than anyone. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, and Lena hugged him back.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned for his sister he looked up to so much.
Lena pulled away from him, not knowing what to say.
"Well, I'm gonna have to go away again..." Lena said sadly. "But this time I promise you I'll come back. So don't worry." She explained, trying to muster up a hopeful tone. She didn't want to bog her little brother down with her dark thoughts.
"As long as you promise..." Lester said, unsure. "Can we play a game now?"
Lena gave him a melancholy smile. "Of course we can,"
Lester gave her a happy smile and went bounding out of the room, and Lena sighed and followed, trying to soak up the last few happy moments she could before her mentoring duties began.
The next few weeks would be grueling, and Lena wasn't sure if she could handle it.
Anyways I hope you all enjoyed this short update! I still need plenty more submissions so please consider sending a tribute in! Also, a few people asked, but each submitter can have up to two tributes! So if you already submitted one and want to send in a second feel free to do so! Below is a list of available spot, as well as on my profile. The submission form can be found on my profile or in Chapter One.
Thank you so much!
District One - Luxury
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Two - Masonry
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Three - Technology
Female: Closed
Male: Open
District Four - Fishing
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Five - Power
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Six - Transportation
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Seven - Lumber
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Eight - Textiles
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Nine - Grain
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Ten - Livestock
Female: Closed
Male: Open
District Eleven - Agriculture
Female: Closed
Male: Closed
District Twelve - Coal Mining
Female: Closed
Male: Closed