Chapter 26:
Adam Vignola, 18, District Seven
Adam didn't want this day to come. He didn't want to say goodbye to his son. But…he's happy that it could happen. He didn't think a few days ago when he was reaped that he would even get the opportunity to ever meet his son. He thought he would go into the arena, desperately trying to protect him while knowing he cannot take a life…and fail. He would have failed at being a parent by being unable to protect him. He would have let them both die…
But at least Cain can now live on without him.
The gift of life is the best thing he could have given to Cain… Yet he so badly wishes he could be there to watch him grow up. To see all the little things that Fox has told him are amazing to see in the first two years. He won't see his first steps. He won't hear his first words. He'll never be there to support him when he gets older and goes through the rough middle school years everyone has. He'll never be there for his first relationship…his first heartbreak. He won't ever see him find a love of his own or have his own children…
He won't ever get to know his son.
Adam tears up as he holds onto Cain tightly, watching the innocent baby, safe in his arms and sleeping, unaware of the cruelty out there in the world. Unaware that he is about to lose his second parent… "I love you so very much," Adam whispers to him, trying to hold back the tears. "I wish I could tell you this every single day…" Adam shudders as he holds in a sob and feels tears slip down his cheeks and he wipes them away before any can fall on Cain's soft little head and wake him up. "I would tell you every day, if I could…"
Adam looks up at the ceiling, trying to blink back his tears. "Why…" he whispers to himself, never realizing just how hard it would be for him to say goodbye. Cain has only been alive for a day, yet Adam feels like he's loved him his entire life. He knows he was always meant to be a parent…
He looks back down at Cain, trying to study every little detail of his tiny face. He's just so small…so helpless and needing him… "I know you're going to do great things someday… You're going to grow up and be a brave young person who is going to be a kind and gentle soul. You're going to do something great in this world. And I…I know I won't be there to see it happen in person… But I'll be watching down on you… Whatever I can do to protect you… I will. My baby boy."
"I'm going to try to help Fox get out for you. He…he will be a good father, since I won't be there," Adam whispers to Cain, leaning down to kiss him on the top of his head full of peach fuzz. He knows he won't be able to do much to help him, not without fighting…but he can at least try to protect Fox. Because if he gets out…Adam knows Fox will care for Cain just like he would care for Maddox or his little girl who is coming soon. "You can grow up with siblings since I will never…"
Adam trails off, the thought lingering… He doesn't know if he would be able to put up with the dysphoria a second time to have another child but…looking at Cain now… It was all worth it. All the months of watching his body change without his control and feeling less like himself every day…seems like a distant memory now that Cain is in his arms. But that future is quickly slipping away from him, blowing away like dust in the wind.
"And if I can't get him home to protect you…"
Adam can't finish that sentence and he starts quietly sobbing to himself, not quite knowing what will happen then. He won't know who will take after Cain…they might not love him properly, raise him into being a kind and respectful person that values the lives of others…
He tenses up at the hand on his shoulder, not having heard Tara approaching him over the sound of his tears. She rubs his shoulder before wrapping her arm around him and leaning her head against his shoulder. "I will keep him safe, if you or Fox don't get home…" Tara says softly and Adam can feel the fabric on his shoulder growing damp with her tears. "I promise…I'll look after him. I don't care, I'll treat him like my own son. Or grandson."
"Th-thank you…" Adam says quietly, unable to stop the tears pouring down his face at her words. "I-I don't understand…why are you doing this?"
"Because…" Tara says quietly, still holding onto him and giving him a mother's love, providing a small bit of physical comfort to him in his last hours. She gives Cain a little boop on his small nose and they both smile when he opens his mouth a little, but thankfully stays asleep. "This little cutie has already made me fall in love with him already. I've been asking Serry for grandbabies for years…I guess in a way he finally did give me a grandbaby."
"Probably not exactly how you expected this to happen," Adam laughs a little bit and Tara joins him.
"No, not exactly," Tara answers him honestly. "But doesn't mean I will love him any less."
"Yeah…" Adam says quietly, thinking about how crazy this whole thing is. Never would he have imagined that his son would be growing up with the mother of the Head Gamemaker. Never in a million years would he dream of this moment right now, with him holding Cain and with Tara Lukianas having her arms wrapped around both of them. "Cain Lukianas… Kind of has a ring to it…"
"I wish we could keep his last name Vignola, regardless of what happens…" Tara answers quietly, and Adam wishes the same. But what can he do? Cain's safety will always come first for him. And after what he found out about Cedar… Part of him wishes Cain could grow up in Seven with Adam's parents, but for his safety…he knows he can't go back there. Not…after what they have told him. He still finds that hard to believe. Cedar…a rebel? He couldn't believe that his ex-boyfriend would be part of rebels…right? But yet…it explains some of the comments Cedar made before they broke up. Why he would always get so frustrated by Adam being so pacifist about watching the Games when Cedar would say things about how unfair they were and wishing they would end. Adam agreed with him, but didn't see how that could happen without the loss of life… But now, now it all makes sense, why he was saying those things.
Someone clears their throat and they both look up to see Seraphim standing a few feet away, hands tucked in the pockets of his suit and looking…uncomfortable? Adam can't quite tell. But everything about this is so weird… The Head Gamemaker, standing in front of him with his mother comforting him."Hey…" Seraphim says quietly, not meeting Adam's gaze and instead staring at the baby in his arms. "I…I'm sorry but…it's time…"
Adam tenses up at this, not ready to say goodbye yet. He knows he should be grateful for having any of this extra time with him…but he's not ready yet. He needs to know one last thing. "But will you…" Adam frowns, immediately growing protective over Cain and wanting to do anything he can to keep him safe. "Are you going to be safe? From the…you know."
Seraphim sighs at this and rubs his arm as Tara holds onto Adam tighter. "We're doing everything we can to stay safe. My Mom will be staying with him in a room that only myself and the President know the code to."
"Okay," Adam nods his head, feeling his eyes water up in relief that Cain will at least be safe. He swallows at the lump forming in his throat, feeling his heart start racing in fear of never seeing his baby once more. "Can I just…have a little privacy?"
"Of course," Tara answers softly before letting go of him. She walks over to her son, pulling him over to the other side of the room to give Adam some semblance of privacy to say goodbye.
Adam clears his throat as his tears are renewed as he looks down at his tiny, cute, perfect sleeping baby. "I'm so sorry that I won't be there for you…" Adam starts, knowing that if he has any regrets about all of this… It's that. "And I'm sorry for the pain that this will cause you someday in the future when you learn what happened to me… But I hope when you do…I hope you are proud of me for the choices I make in that arena." Adam shakes his head at this, knowing so many others have tried to tell him to change his beliefs to survive…but he won't change. Life means too much of him to pick up a weapon in that arena and kill…even if the Head Gamemaker's mother is watching his baby. "I know you might be upset when you learn this but…I hope you realize that I stayed true to myself and that's what matters. I won't change for them…and you should never change for someone else."
Adam takes a shaky breath, doing his best to wipe away the tears that are falling down his face. Cain starts fussing a little bit at the movement and Adam gently bounces him, cooing at him to go back to sleep. He puts his face closer to his, running a finger along his little pudgy cheek, just…trying to memorize every little part of his perfect son. And even if his memories of Cedar are now changed…he still likes the fact that Cain got Cedar's eyes, but Adam's hair color… He's the perfect little mix of both of them…
Adam leans down to kiss his forehead, shutting his eyes and letting out a sob as he holds his baby for the last time. "I love you. Now and always… Just…please live a good life and be happy…"
Adam picks up his head as he hears Tara's footsteps approaching him, but he can't look up at her. Doing so will mean that it's really time to say goodbye. "I'm sorry, Adam…" Tara says quietly as she reaches over to gently take Cain from his arms.
"No, please don't…" Adam whispers to her, shaking his head as he stares at her with blurry eyes. "I can't-"
"Adam, it's time," Seraphim tells him as Tara steps back with his son, taking away his light and joy…
He follows after her, not quite ready to leave him yet… Adam reaches out, grabbing onto Cain's tiny little fingers, and he lets out a cry when Cain tries to grip onto his finger. He can't leave him…it's not fair that he is being forced to leave him…
And in that moment, all the things Cedar used to say to him about the Games make sense… It's not fair for parents to be separated from their children by the Games. But Adam doesn't think he meant quite like this.
"Goodbye…my little angel…"
Davy Emmerich, 14, District Five
Davy still hasn't found the courage to say anything to Leandro tonight, despite being with him all evening. And he's running out of time. He wants to have the courage to do it like Odyssey told him. But every time he tries to find the words, he can't get them out.
And now it's only a matter of time before Leandro goes to sleep. How much longer will he sit around with the Calder family before every heads off to sleep?
"You know, I think I'm going to make some hot chocolate," Letha tells them, smiling gently at the two youngest boys. "How does that sound?"
"Sure, Mom," Leandro says to her, giving her a smile that Davy finds adorable.
Davy looks away when Leandro glances over at him to see what he thinks, embarrassed at being caught looking at him. "That wo-would be great, Mrs. Calder," Davy stutters out, feeling his face heating up.
"You know Mom? I think I'll pass," Argos, her eldest son says as he stands up from the couch. He starts walking towards the elevator, Letha watching him with concerned eyes. "I love you, fam, but surely there's some hot babes here in the Capitol."
"Argos!" Letha yells at her son, hands on her hips and making Davy stare at her with wide eyes because he has never heard her sound like she's about to scold someone. "Just be safe, please. I swear you're the reason for the gray in my hair."
Argos laughs at this as he presses the button for the elevator before turning back to face them. He pulls out little plastic squares from his pockets and waves them in the air, making Davy immediately start flushing. "Don't worry Mom, I always am."
Letha starts sputtering at him as the elevator opens and Argos turns back around, frozen in place for a moment as he stares at someone inside, but from Davy's spot, he can't see who is there. But he doesn't think he wants to know from Argos' tone, "Oh hello there."
Davy must be bright red in embarrassment by the time the doors shut and Letha is standing there, eyes shut and shaking her head at her son. She puts a hand on her head and mumbles to herself, "I'm going to be a grandmother way sooner than I want to." She moves her hand and looks at Davy, smiling apologetically. "Sorry… Anyways, hot chocolate?"
Davy just nods his head, wanting to focus on that instead of Argos. But…if only he could be as bold as Argos with his feelings. He should be…
"Great, Xander, can you help me?" Letha looks at the middle son, who gives a small shrug at this before standing up to join her. They start walking to the kitchen before Letha turns back around, smiling at her husband. "Oh, dear, I have something I need to talk to you about."
Davy watches with wide eyes as Mr. Calder stands up, following his wife into the kitchen, and Letha gives Davy a pointed look before she just…leaves him there with Leandro… Alone. He never should have told her how he feels about her son. She…she totally left them alone on purpose!
Leandro gives a laugh as Davy looks everywhere but at his face where he sits at the other end of the couch. "That's Argos for you," Leandro tells him and Davy briefly looks over at him, flushing at seeing Leandro looking at him.
They fall into awkward silence, with Davy trying to get himself some courage to actually say something to Leandro. He has to say something…this could very well be his last chance to tell him… Davy knows what his odds are of actually winning the Games. It's not impossible – last year was proof of that. But…he's up against a lot of older and stronger tributes. He has to be realistic here. And as much as it terrifies him, he doesn't want to die without having actually told Leandro how he feels. But the fear of what might be Leandro's response has kept him from saying anything. He…doesn't know if his heart could handle rejection right before the Games start. But yet…he needs to know. And who knows, maybe if Leandro does somehow return feelings for him, it will be that extra thing he needs to fight and get out alive.
What did Odyssey tell him? To just go up to him and say 'Hey I like you'?
"What?" Leandro asks him suddenly and Davy freezes up, realizing he…actually said that out loud.
Davy's face must be as red as Leandro's hair right now and he looks down at the ground, even feeling his ears heating up in embarrassment. Oh God…why did he say that out loud? This isn't how he wanted this to go… "Uh…nothing…?"
Davy keeps staring down at the ground, wishing he could just melt into the couch and hide away from Leandro. He's such an idiot…so not smooth and he didn't even say it in a cute way. Just… "I like you too."
"Huh?" Davy asks, sounding like a real idiot as he looks up to see Leandro scooching over on the couch to the middle of it. Leandro is avoiding looking at him, his face matching his hair, he nervously bites his lip as he nods his head and stares down at the ground. Wait… "Oh…cool."
Davy can't believe how speechless he is right now. Get him talking on things he likes and he won't stop. And he likes Leandro a lot. Yet here they are, awkward silence without knowing what to say. Davy briefly glances over at him, giving a small smile when he sees Leandro looking over, before blushing a bit.
Letha clears her throat loudly and Davy jumps a little as his mentor enters the room, making a lot of noise to announce her presence. He rubs the back of his neck, hoping his mentor didn't overhear that disaster of sharing feelings. She stands in front of the two, smiling at them and hold two cups of hot chocolate in her hands, the mugs overflowing with whipped cream. "Here you two go," Letha tells them as she hands them the cups.
"Thank you," Davy says quietly, wrapping both hands around the mug and holding it to his chest. He glances over at Leandro and finds him avoiding looking at his mom.
Letha gives a big yawn and stretches her arms. "You know, I am so tired after that party. I think I'm going to head to bed. Unless you need anything?"
"I…" Davy hesitates, knowing this could be one of the last times he has to talk to his mentor. And yet…for the first time in the Capitol, he doesn't want her around. Not when he wants to just talk to Leandro. "I don't think so…"
Letha pats his shoulder, giving him a kind smile. "We'll have a little time in the morning. And you can wake me up at any point if you need me."
Davy nods his head at her and she pats his shoulder one more time before starting to head out of the room. She calls back over her shoulder at them, further embarrassing both of them, "Don't stay up too late."
"Mooommmm," Leandro says to her, exasperated by her mothering, but Davy loves it. He gives Davy an apologetic look when Letha is out of the room, taking a sip of his hot chocolate and getting whipped cream on his nose.
"You got something-" Davy reaches to wipe off the whipped cream, but freezes up halfway towards Leandro, before pulling back his arm and turning away, sipping his drink and trying not to feel so embarrassed around him. Why is he still feeling so nervous? Leandro told him he likes him too…
Leandro uses his sleeve to wipe his nose, smiling a little at Davy. "Thanks," he whispers before taking another sip of his drink.
They fall into silence again, neither knowing what to do. Davy finds himself slowly moving a little closer to Leandro, feeling like the gap between them is impossibly large, even if it's only a few inches. "So…" Davy says quietly, trying to find the confidence to talk to him now that he – accidentally – admitted his feelings. "Now what?"
Leandro brings his hands holding the mug down to rest in his lap, and Davy moves a tiny bit more until their arms are touching. "I don't know…" Leandro answers quietly, refusing to look over at Davy's face. "I…I'm scared, honestly. How many times have I watched my Mom mentor? And how many times has she brought someone home…?"
Davy is filled with fear at the mention of the Games, the terrifying thoughts of being in the arena having been pushed aside by his fear of saying something to Leandro. "I'm terrified," Davy tells him. He stares down at the mug in his hands, trying not to think about District Five's success rate in recent years. It doesn't matter… "If Clark could win last year, so can I…"
"I know my mom will do everything to get you home," Leandro tries to reassure him, but it's hard to feel comforted when his voice his wavering from tears that want to fall.
"I know she will," Davy tells him, having the utmost believe that Letha is going to do everything she possibly can to help him out. "But I'm only fourteen… I don't know how many people are going to want to sponsor me."
"I'd sponsor you," Leandro says, making Davy smile a little at his comment. "And everyone else should too."
"I hope they do…" Davy answers. "There was that one nice woman with a dog that spent a lot of time talking to your mom… Maybe she'll sponsor me."
"She should," Leandro reassures him, but Davy isn't too sure. She also saw that woman talking to Odyssey's mentor later…and why would she sponsor him when she could sponsor a career that has much higher odds than him?
"I don't want to keep talking about the Games…" Davy says quietly, feeling a nervous pit forming in his stomach from this talk about sponsors. He just…wants to enjoy this time with Leandro. He might never get it again… He holds out his hand to Leandro and he stares at it for a moment, before slowly putting his hand in Davy's. "I just…want to spend time with you, if that's okay with you."
"Of course that's okay with me," Leandro says right away, smiling a little at him as his ears turn red. "More than okay."
"Good," Davy smiles back at him.
"What do we do now?" Leandro asks him.
"I feel like Amadeo would tell me tell me to kiss you or some other advice that I am way too scared to actually do," Davy says, before feeling his ears heating up at actually saying that.
But Leandro laughs a little at this, "Argos would say the same thing, as you saw."
"Yeah," Davy chuckles a little at how…bold Argos was earlier. They fall into silence again, with Davy thinking about that. He might never have the chance to do that… Never have the opportunity again to have his first kiss. And with Leandro. "Do you…" Davy clears his throat, struggling with the words.
"Want to?" Leandro adds, and Davy quickly glances over at him, nodding his head a little as he feels his cheeks heating up. But at least Leandro is blushing too as he leans over to kiss Davy, in what he thinks must be the most awkward first kisses ever. Their noses bump and his lips only land half on Leandro's, and they just sit there for a few seconds, before both pulling away and chuckling a little at the awkwardness. "That was…"
"Not as magical and amazing as your older brother made it seem like it would be?" Davy says and Leandro laughs at this, nodding his head in agreement. Even if it was awkward…Davy can't help but grin a little at it. "We probably need practice."
"Yeah…" Leandro says, shrugging a little as he leans into Davy. "Well I guess…I mean, if you want to, if you win we could…"
"Yeah, we could…" Davy answers with a soft smile, sliding down a little so he can lean his head against Leandro's shoulder. He could get used to this…he really could. But…first the Games… "I just…for now, I just want to sit and talk with you to try and forget that tomorrow is happening."
"Okay, we can do that," Leandro responds quietly.
The two boys sit there, talking about everything but the Games starting tomorrow, staying up later than Letha probably would want them to, but it's what Davy needs. They stay up so late until they fall asleep, leaning against each other, and late in the night when Letha goes to check on Davy, they don't even wake up to her putting a blanket around the two, letting them have their moment of peace together before the Games begin.
Anastacia Astoria, 18, District One
Anastacia stares up at the ceiling, knowing the minutes are ticking by, but sleep won't come. She doesn't think it's anticipation of the Games starting. She feels a calm peace around the knowledge that starting tomorrow, she is finally going to work towards her dream that she's had for the past six years. She's given up on so many of her own dreams along the way. She gave up music after the training accident – but maybe she wouldn't have had to if she didn't start training harder than before. She gave up potential friendships and relationships. Her own personal happiness just didn't seem as important in the grand scheme of things. Why should she be happy when there are people out there like Pad who need someone to reach out and give them a helping hand? A hand that she'll be able to offer as the victor…
But before that can happen…she has to get through these Games. The people like Pad need her to get through these Games. And Anastacia knows she needs to sleep because once she's in that arena, she's not going to be sleeping much. There's no way she trusts her allies enough to sleep safely for longer than one hour at time. And maybe that's the problem.
The other career Districts seem to trust their District partner completely and have a pact that they'll stick together until the end. Bell and Odyssey are the closest Anastacia has seen a pair from a career District in a long time – well…maybe not as much after…whatever happened between them at the party. Even if Delta doesn't seem to really do the whole friendship thing, she still has an agreement with Demarcus. Anastacia doesn't have that. She doesn't want that, at least…not with Major.
Anastacia has yet to figure out what exactly it is about him that makes her so distrustful about him, but she knows there's a reason for it. There has to be. There's been so many little things over the years that have made her distrust of him build, slowly building an anger in her that is just waiting to be ignited. His whole persona screams that he is a good person and yet…she doesn't believe it. It had taken her time to realize it but why hadn't Major showed up for Pad's funeral when he had been helping them out right before their death? If Major really was their friend…he would have been there. And how convenient is it that for years and years, Major was always coming in second place to Shard Halloran and once the victors started narrowing down the trainees, Major started dating Shard? And the change in Shard…she knew him, as he was one of the few trainees that actually acknowledge Pad's death to her and he seemed genuinely sad about what happened. He was a gentle giant who despite being in training to go into a death match, seemed to have other's best interests at heart.
Until he started dating Major. It took time, but he was no longer that strong and gentle boy. Anastacia didn't realize it until it was too late and Major had already claimed the first place spot. But it won't be too late to help Shard once she is out of the arena as a victor. She can help him heal from the abuse he's been experiencing at Major's hands…
But it makes her wonder…what else has Major done over the years? Who else has unfairly suffered at Major's hands over the years?
Anastacia knows she isn't going to be able to sleep until she has an answer to this question. She has to stop anyone else from suffering because of him. And her mind won't slow down, racing through a hundred different scenarios about what Major could have done. And all of them start tracing back to one person…the one person who has pushed her here today.
Pad.
Before Anastacia can think twice about it, she's pulling herself up and slipping on a pair of fuzzy slippers. She sits at the edge of her bed, staring over at her door for a few long seconds, knowing just across the hall there's someone that can give her the answers. Yet she's hesitant to wake them up, knowing it's late and they are probably asleep. But if she isn't getting any sleep, they're not going to get to sleep either.
With one sigh, knowing this is might change everything, Anastacia pushes herself to her feet and walks quietly to her door, not wanting to wake up everyone on their floor. She steps out into the hall, hesitating at the door, her fist raised and ready to knock. Why is she hesitating? She hasn't hesitated this whole time she's been training for these Games.
She knocks three times and steps back, anxiously waiting for them to come to the door. No going back now.
It takes a few seconds before she hears footsteps on the other side of the door before it opens, revealing a very tired looking victor standing there, wearing pajamas with cats all over them, which brings just a small smile to Anastacia's face for a moment.
"Anastacia?" Thetis asks in confusion, fighting back a yawn as she glances back in her room. "What are you doing? It's 1 AM."
"I can't sleep because something is bothering me," Anastacia tells her. "Can we talk please?"
Thetis fights another yawn but nods her head, stepping out of her room to lead Anastacia out to the kitchen. "Yes, best to talk now and get it off your chest before you get into the arena. We don't need a repeat of Dracana all because you didn't talk to me."
"I'm not going to kill the careers in the bloodbath," Anastacia reassures her as she takes a seat at the kitchen island. She watches Thetis take out some glasses and pour water for both of them, and reconsiders that. "I'd rather plan out an elaborate downfall for them worthy of how they have hurt me."
"Oh fucking hell," Thetis whispers to herself as she takes the seat next to Anastacia, shaking her head as she takes a sip of water. "Please do not do anything rash in the arena."
"I'm not the type to do rash things," Anastacia tells her, using her fingertip to draw swirls in the condensation on the glass in front of her. "So…" She says slowly, trying to think about how she even wants to ask Thetis this. If she gets an answer on this…there's no going back. She can't just pretend that she didn't know this information. If it's not what she thinks…then fine, she'll keep going about her current plan. But if it is…it changes everything. "All those years ago, you said that some of the trainees gave complaints about Pad…"
"That was a long time ago, Anastacia," Thetis tells her, sighing as she shakes her head. "Shouldn't you be focused on the Games?"
"I am focused on that," Anastacia tells her. "Pad is the whole reason I am fighting in these Games. So I…" She struggles to find the words and Thetis waits in silence for her. "I just…I need to know who it was that told you that they were a threat. Because it's not true. You and I both know that."
Thetis stays quiet for a long minute and Anastacia looks over at her. "I can't tell you that information."
"Why not?" Anastacia asks immediately, growing suspicious that her mentor won't answer her. What does Thetis have to lose by telling her if it's someone back home? Anastacia can't do anything about it until she's victor. There's really only one reason for her not to tell her.
It has to be him.
And it makes sense from Thetis' perspective why she wouldn't want to tell Anastacia that her District partner was the one who inadvertently pushed their friend to their death the night before they go into the arena together. But she needs an answer. She needs an answer to calm her brain and focus her thoughts on what must be done. And that can change depending on what Thetis says. "I'm not going to sleep until you answer me, and I don't think you want your tribute to be sleep-deprived in the arena."
Thetis sighs at this, knowing it's true. "I really don't and I wish you were sleeping now instead of having this conversation," Thetis says quietly, refusing to meet Anastacia's intense stare. "I really can't tell you."
"Because it was him, right?" Anastacia asks, watching Thetis glance over at her nervously. "You don't want to tell me that it was Major."
"I…" Thetis hesitates, before sighing loudly, her shoulders hunching over. "Yes."
Even though Anastacia had suspected it, hearing her mentor confirm it to her…it makes her go completely still as thoughts race through her head. Thoughts about how differently things would have been today if Major hadn't told the trainers lies about Pad and forced them out of training when their home life was so terrible. Anastacia never would have gotten that drive she needed to train harder than everyone else. She never would have lost her dreams she had of her future. She never would have lost her best friend when she was only thirteen. Pad would still be here with her today and they would probably be sitting at home together back in One, watching as the chosen volunteers prepared to enter the arena instead of her sitting here in the Capitol being the one preparing.
Her whole life would have been different if Major Emerson-Ness had never said a word about Pad.
"I'm going to kill him," Anastacia whispers, her voice wavering as her eyes start blurring with tears. Pad could still be alive right now. As the tears start falling down her cheeks, fiery hot rage starts slowly building in her stomach. Rage that she focuses on one person. "I'm going to make him pay for what he did to Pad."
"Okay let's not jump that quickly to the extremes," Thetis says quickly, looking uncomfortable at the rage in Anastacia directed towards Major.
"Why not?" Anastacia asks her, her voice cool and monotone, masking the fire inside of her. "He pushed my best friend to death. He deserves to die in return."
"Anastacia, please…" Thetis tries to say to her, "Promise me that you're not going to ruin One's chances of victory because you get caught up in some absurd plan to kill your District partner. Let the others take care of him if he bothers you that much. Just please don't self-destruct and take away our chances of victory over something that happened years ago."
Anastacia stares at Thetis, knowing she can't tell her that. She knows she's not going to ruin One's chances of victory. She isn't going to be rash about this plan. She'll lose a battle to win the war. And taking her time, making sure the others in her alliance all know what a snake he is before killing him, it will make it all worth it in the end. She'll turn them all against him, just like Major turned all of the other trainees against Pad. And once he is gone, Anastacia is going to get that victor title for herself.
Before the end of this, that son of a bitch is going to get exactly what he deserves for pushing Pad to their death. Anastacia will make sure of this. By the end of these Games, she will have Major screaming his apology to her before she wipes that smug smile off of his face and sends him straight to the pits of hell where he belongs. "I can't make that promise to you."
It's time for Major to get a taste of his own medicine.
And with that, we have officially reached the start of the Games! This is it. Next chapter we will finally become senseless (I'll go home lol, bad pun XD) and know exactly what sense each tribute is going to lose! I'm so incredibly hyped to get to what I have planned for these Games and I've had the arena thought out for a long time now lol. As much fun as the pre-Games chapters are to write, the angst of the Games is even more fun.
But first, one last goodbye with these three tributes. I know the moods are quite different in this chapter lol but at least I started you with the angstiest one XD How do you think what happened will change the plans of these three in the arena?
Since the Games are about to start, I always love to see your bloodbath death predictions and who you think might be the victor at this time! The victor choices especially help me judge how the arcs have been going so far and also get an idea on who people like.
I still have two more deleted scenes to post before the Games officially start, looking at some night before stuff. One is going up right after this chapter and the other should probably be up later this week, to have five in total before the Games start. Be sure to read those because those are all canon things and if you don't, you might be a little confused by things lol.
Now I'm sure you're asking "But Lauren, when are you going to actually post the bloodbath?" Well the answer is...soonish lol XD Sorry, don't have an exact date at this time but I am expecting before the end of September. And the reason why I don't have a date yet is because Celtic and I are planning a day of double angst by posting our bloodbaths on the same day. Yes, we are masochistic people lol. Once we have a date and time (we'll post separate times so don't worry if you're involved in both stories, you don't have to choose lol), I will post it on my profile! But for now...
Now our watch begins (unless, you know, you're one of the tributes that is losing sight because they won't be watching anything lol).