District 8

Cooper Sharlock

The streets of District 10 are empty as we walk down them in huddled clumps. Satin advised us to stay out of the light, but this part of District 10, so close to town, has many street lamps. A lot has been vandalized, but they shed enough light on us that I'm concerned. It was easier to sneak through the District when we were in the more rural portion, where there were just fields and farms. James did wake up a cow at one point (he stubbed his toe, cursed loudly, and the cow began to moo), which was a little nerve-racking, but we got out of there quickly.

"Why is it so empty?" James hisses at Satin.

"The District's probably in mourning, right now. Their last tribute just died, and Districts always get upset when the younger children die. Plus, it's about 3 AM, so I don't think many people have to be up yet, anyway."

This is the first time Satin has allowed James or I to help him recruit rebels. We don't really know what's going on right now, because Satin didn't fully explain who we're visiting, but he hinted that it's someone well-known.

I'm not too surprised when we turn into the Victor's Village, but James's eyes widen and he gasps. I don't think he has a lot of experience with Victors. I, on the other hand, knew a Victor quite well (Rylan) and don't idolize them very much.

"Who is it?" James asks, excitedly, but Satin just shushes him.

District 10's Victor's Village is kind of shabby. There are a dozen houses lining the street, but only two look lived-in. The rest are dark and have started to fall apart a bit. I look at Satin, confused, because to my knowledge, District 10 has five living Victors. Why are there only two well-kept houses?

"I'll explain inside," Satin whispers. He leads James and me past the two adjacent well-kept houses and takes us to the very end of the street. We stop at one of the most decrepit houses, and to my shock, he begins walking up the pathway. James and I share a questioning look but fall him.

Satin knocks at the door.

"Can you tell us now?" I ask.

"Actually, I suppose there's no one to wake up," he mentions, looking around. "The Pollock siblings are in the Capitol right now. Okay, so this is the house of Ariston Thorn."

"Who?" James asks. The name sounds vaguely familiar to me, but I don't remember him well.

"Victor of the 184th Hunger Games," Satin explains. "He mentors every few years, but hasn't had many successes."

"Why are the houses so empty?" I ask.

"I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing it's because most Victors of District 10 come from a farming background. They're generally the stronger ones, who have experience with machetes and rope. The Victor's Village is in the town part of District 10, which rarely produces Victors. I suppose the Victors generally prefer the countryside to the Victor's Village, which is why there are so few people here. I know for a fact that Pippa and Butch live with their families, in the rural part of District 10. Dakota and Furr Pollock, they live in those two houses, the well-kept ones."

Satin knocks again, since Ariston still hasn't opened the door. We wait for a moment, and he still doesn't open the door.

"He's probably asleep," Satin sighs. Satin twists the doorknob, and the door swings right open. We walk inside the house. I feel pretty uncomfortable because this is trespassing, but James and Satin look fine with it, so I don't say anything.

The interior of the house is better-kept, but it still doesn't look too homely. We wander into the living room, where I nearly have a heart attack. A large, elderly man is sitting in an armchair, watching us.

"You just let yourself in?" he asks in a cool tone.

We're busted, we're busted, we're going to jail… No, we're getting executed. We're dead, why did we do this?

"If you don't want people letting themselves in, why do you leave the door unlocked?" Satin questions, taking a seat on the couch across from Ariston.

"One of these days, I'm going to have a heart attack. When I do, I want people to find me quickly," Ariston says simply. He grabs a teacup from the side table and takes a long sip. "So you want me to join your little rebel group?"

"Obviously," Satin replies.

"Do you guys know each other?" James asks, confused.

"No," Ariston says. "But I've heard of Satin Davison, and he's clearly heard of me."

"Of course I have," Satin replies. "Who hasn't heard of Big Ari?"

"I haven't heard of 'Big Ari'," James says, rolling his eyes.

"I've heard of Big Ari!" I lie.

"No, you haven't."

"Fine, I haven't," I admit.

"Don't call me Big Ari," Ariston groans. "That's what the monsters in the Capitol nicknamed me, and I hate that. They made me into some sort of a freak. And the name Ari? It doesn't sound tough. It's a girl's name."

"What Games did you win again?" James interjects.

"The 184th. Worst year of my life," Ariston says bitterly, taking another sip of tea.

"Wow. You must be old," James says. I elbow him in the side, and he shuts up.

"I am."

"Could I have some tea?" James asks, and I roll my eyes. "I haven't had any for over a year now, and I miss daily tea time. My mom would brew tea every afternoon, and she'd also bake pastries. But the pastries were terrible. Mom wasn't… she wasn't the best baker." To my surprise, James's voice cracks. He looks pretty sad at the memory of his parents.

"Are you the kid who's family was executed?" Ariston asks.

"Yeah. Markus's brother. I'm James Blacksworth."

"You can have some tea. The kettle is in the kitchen - cups are in the cabinet above the stove," Ariston tells him. James walks in the direction of the kitchen, and I follow him.

"Some tea actually sounds nice," I admit.

"No, not you," says Ariston.

"Huh?" I ask, pausing.

"Only James. Your family's not dead."

"They might be," I mutter.

"They're not," Ariston says simply. "I know that for a fact."

"You do?" I ask, excited.

"Yes. I'll tell you about it later. Anyway, Satin?"

"Yes?"

"What's your pitch? I'm guessing you planned some sort of speech to convince me to join the rebels."

"What makes you think that?"

"Why would you come here with nothing prepared?" Ariston asks. Satin leans forward, looking serious.

"Because I know that you want to join the rebels. Don't act like you don't - if you didn't, you wouldn't ask to hear my pitch. You hate the Capitol, and have nothing left to lose. They've ridiculed you for years, and when they finally got tired of you, they just made you mentor tributes every year. I know that most mentors are bitter at the Capitol, but you more than most."

"Wait, why were you ridiculed?" I ask. Ariston jumps, as if he forgot I was here.

"I know you don't recognize me, but I would have thought you'd have heard of me," Ariston grins. He stands up, and my mouth drops open. Ariston Thorn's head almost brushes the ceiling. He must be nearly eight feet tall. "This is why they call me Big Ari."

"So? Will you join the rebellion?" Satin asks, standing up. I thought Satin was tall, but he looks tiny next to Ariston.

"I guess," Ariston sighs. "You're right. I have nothing left to lose."

Here's another check-in with Satin and Cooper! In memory of Arabella, we've introduced Ariston Thorn - the oldest living Victor of District 10! He may or may not play an important role in this… ;)

EULOGIES:

13th: Arabella Cantros (D10F): Burned alive by Dennis Fielder - I loved Arabella, and I don't think it would have been too unrealistic for me to take her further, but I wanted Dennis to get at least one more kill before his death - I wanted to give him an opportunity to go crazy and be the evilest person he could be before dying. Unfortunately, I thought Arabella would be the best victim out of everyone remaining since most remaining tributes would be able to escape or mess him up a bit. At this point, the only people who would fit in this death would be Arabella, Axel, or Lennox. Lennox is too far away, and I feel like I've subjected her to Dennis's insanity enough. As for Axel, I didn't think it was his time, yet. So Arabella fit best. I realize it's not very comforting that my reason for Arabella to die is so that the villain can torture her as much as he wants, but it's what fits best for the story. Sorry for killing her, Anna. I really liked her. RIP Arabella.

- Lilah