Wow... it's been about a month since I last updated this. To be honest, there isn't really a good reason, I just felt like I temporarily needed a break. I've been working on this little by little. Sorry for keeping everyone waiting!

District 4

Malakai Mavericks

In District 4, the night is silent. Since the fishermen must wake up early to catch the most fish, they always go to sleep at a reasonable time. If you go for a walk in District 4 at 10 PM or so, it's unlikely a single light will be on. Even street lamps are a rarity, reserved only for the richest sections, so the street is illuminated by the moon.

In the Capitol, however, everyone seems to be nocturnal - it's midnight right now, but the streets are still packed and lights shining so brightly, it's difficult to decipher whether it's day or night. The moon isn't even visible here. It freaked me out at first, but by now I've learned not to look up at the sky. Whenever I do, it just unnerves me.

Usually, I don't like to go out at night. I rarely stroll about the Capitol at all; when I was in the Hunger Games, a portion of the arena was based around the Capitol. The similar tall, white buildings give me flashbacks to when I was fighting for my life. There's even a fountain in the center of town that matches the one where we had the feast. I went to it once during the pre-games (by accident) and kept getting flashbacks - Markus swinging his sword at me, a pool of blood under my feet… Flora dying in my arms.

I wouldn't stroll about the Capitol at midnight if not for the small slip of paper I found by my bedside table as I tried to go to bed an hour ago. It was a note from Victoria, telling me to meet her at some coffee shop around midnight. I have the slip of paper still in my hand, as I have to repeatedly check the name of the coffee. I must be close, but Victoria failed to give me the address. Meaning I either have to walk around, hoping I come across it, or ask someone for advice.

Sighing, I walk over to a woman with yellow spikes protruding from her head. I didn't want to talk to any Capitolians… they all seem so inhuman.

"Excuse, ma'am, do you know where the 'Hall of Victors Coffee Shop' is?" I ask. She turns and her eyes widen when she recognizes me. It's not difficult to see how - my face is plastered all over the Capitol, keeping in custom with the usual Victor obsession the year following their Victory. I'm guessing I'll become much less popular as soon as the 248th Hunger Games ends and they have a new Victor to obsess over, but for now, everyone's eyes are still on me.

"Malakai Mavericks?" she squeals, jumping up and down in excitement. I nod, licking my lips uncomfortably.

"So… do you know where the coffee shop is?"

"Yeah, yeah! It's right over this way!" she says, grabbing my hand and leading me down the street easily. I grimace when I realize that her fingernails are so long, they curl into my palm. I try to ignore it, though, because she is helping me, and I really need the help.

She leads me down to the end of the block, and on the corner is a large coffee shop with the words, "Hall of Victors Coffee" above a glass doorway. Despite being nighttime, it's packed with people.

"Wow, it's crowded," I mutter as she leads me inside.

"Oh, this? This is nothing. You should see how it is in the daytime," she laughs. I look around at the tables crowded with people - how could it get more crowded than this?

The line stretches to the door, but the moment people realize that their latest Victor is waiting in line, they step aside and eagerly usher me ahead. The yellow-spiked woman wears a proud look on her face, probably finding it an honor that she's walking into a coffee shop with me.

"Malakai!" the man at the cashier cheers as I make my way to the front.

"Hi," I greet, unsure of myself. I'm not used to so much attention.

"Can I buy you a cup of coffee?" the woman asks me eagerly.

"Umm…" I start, but Victoria comes to my rescue.

"There you are, Mal!" she exclaims. Turning to the yellow-spiked woman, she says, "Sorry, but we're quite busy at the moment." The woman doesn't look very happy at this explanation, but turns and leaves without another word. As soon as she's gone, Victoria leads me over to the counter.

I finally look around at my surroundings - the name is definitely accurate to this cafe, which is completely Victor-themed. The walls are plastered with portraits of all of the past Hunger Games Victors, and a few of the favorites are even replicated in life-sized statues scattered around tables. I try to look around for my portrait, but I don't see it. When I turn back to the cashier, I realize my photo is the one hanging up directly behind the counter.

"As you can see, this is Malakai Mavericks, Victor of the 247th Hunger Games. Do you think we could get a private room?" Victoria asks. I have no idea what she's talking about, but the cashier nods and eagerly pulls us down a hallway with a wide smile on his face. He directs us to a room at the end, which is marked, Victor's Quarters.

"Let me know if you need anything," he insists, and then reluctantly returns to the long line of people. Victoria opens the door and allows me to step inside before shutting it.

The room is small, but well-furnished with nearly anything you could need. It reminds me of a smaller version of my floor at the Tribute Center - there's a couch and television, along with a table and some chairs. Two doors lead into a bathroom and bedroom, each furnished decently. I'm surprised by the adequate arrangements - I could live here and be perfectly comfortable.

"What is this?" I ask Victoria in awe.

"Alexandros isn't letting any suspected rebels leave the Capitol. Basically, you're stuck here until he reaches your name on the list and kills you. But I think this should be a safe place. The owner - Triton - he's the cashier you just met - is obsessed with Hunger Games Victors, and would likely do anything to keep them safe. He won't let anyone know you're here," Victoria explains.

"Wait, so I'm -"

"You're staying here," Victoria confirms. "At least until I can sneak you on a train back to District 4."

8th: Tristana Rockett (D6F): Throat slit by Lennox Porter (D3F) - Tristana made it this far solely because of her popularity. Her submitter didn't review or message me, so I'm assuming they're no longer reading. She was an interesting tribute but didn't have the capabilities to make it any farther. She was one of the most popular tributes in the beginning, which kind of led her to her impressive placement, but popularity only leads you so far. It didn't help that her votes in the polls have begun to drop. I realize I'm sounding a bit harsh, so I'd like to clarify that I really liked her and I think it makes a lot of sense that she outlasted the rest of her alliance. I had a lot of fun with her relationships with the other tributes in the Games, such as Axel, Rachel, and Vincent. RIP Tristana.

7th: Hadley Moreau (D9M): Stabbed by Trajan Seth (D1M) - Hadley was such a good guy, and I'm sorry to see him go. However, he never screamed, "Victor" to me. He always seemed like more of a building block for other characters (especially Axel). His submitter also hasn't reviewed in a while, so even if I had initially planned on him winning, there's no way he would have made it much farther. Despite his minor flaws, he had a genuinely good heart and his relationship with Axel was one of my favorites. People have been back and forth on him for a while, but I don't think anyone ever hated him. He had an impressive run, but I'm afraid that it was time to go.

- Lilah