District 4
Malakai Mavericks
Victor of the 247th Hunger Games
Why do I sometimes want to be back in the arena?
It was an awful event, but yet… sometimes I crave the rush of adrenaline I had in there. When I was running for my life, or when I was afraid to turn the corner in fear of seeing Aurum or Markus there. Sometimes I crave the determination. The determination to win the Hunger Games, and my purpose.
Ever Victor always says it's so difficult and that they are so glad to be out of the arena. It's not like I don't have nightmares and don't regret Volunteering, because those I do. And the concept of having to re-enter the arena makes me shudder. But at least in the arena I had a purpose… I feel like now I'm just living blindly with no idea what to do with my life.
Every day is the same: fish, eat, and sleep. Sometimes I see Kata's family. Sometimes I walk on the beach. Sometimes I play games with my friends (although, none as bad as the Hunger Games). But none really have a purpose.
I guess this year I'm supposed to Mentor. To my knowledge, that's the only responsibility a Victor has. And it's not even a desirable responsibility to most Victors. Klare constantly complained about the task, as did most of the Victors I've met.
I'm a bit afraid. I have no idea how to Mentor, which basically means my tribute will have to depend solely on their own skill. I think I'm mentoring the female tribute this year, and I don't know who the Academy has chosen. I'm sure I could have asked them, but I've tried to avoid the Academy ever since winning.
At one point, they asked me to be a trainer, and I immediately declined. Help encourage more children to Volunteer for their deaths? No thanks.
The boat rocks gently over the water as the sun rises in the horizon.
"Malakai?" Dad asks. I turn to him, shaking myself out of my trance. "You were really zoned out there, for a minute," he remarks, nervously.
"Yeah," I say. "It's just… I'm nervous about mentoring and going back to the Capitol."
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Dad assures me, but it doesn't ease my worries. Doesn't he understand? A kid's life is in my incompetent hands! Dad seems to be nervous that my worries aren't eased, so he sighs and turns to me. "Malakai, you will definitely be able to get your tribute home safely. I believe in you." I know he's lying, but it's comforting even though every word out of his mouth is a lie.
I feel a tug on my fishing rod and gasp. I tighten my grip on it and begin to spin the handle to draw the line in. I grunt in frustration as the handle gets progressively harder to push. Finally, a large fish emerges from the water, thrashing around. I pull it up and toss it over to Dad, who takes out a knife and stabs it in the eye to kill it.
My stomach jumps at the action as images of all of the tributes stabbed last year enter my mind.
Flora… I accidentally sent a dagger into her stomach. And then she died with my blood on her hands…
Dad sticks the fish in cooler, and I catch a glimpse of the blood coating his palms. I break down into sobs, remembering Flora and how I held her when she died. Dad looks at me, alarmed.
"Do you want to go back now, Malakai?" he asks gently.
"Yes please," I nod. Dad immediately starts the motor and the boat begins puttering towards shore. I shield my face with my hands, feeling the salty tears drip onto them.
This was just a quick chapter starring Malakai. Next will be the District 4 Reaping.
- Lilah