Hi, everyone! I know that one usually focuses only on what happens in the arena in this part of the story, but I've decided otherwise. Actually, this chapter is meant to describe the reaction to the death of one of the tributes: Amanda's reaction to Rhonda's death, but from Leroy's point of view. This is the first reaction chapter, but there are more to come. To be sincere, I'm going to write other parts like that at the end of every day (day and night) in the arena, and I'll focus on one of the tributes who died during that day, if any. Submitters have no extra points in such chapters.

I take this opportunity to thank santiagoponcini20 and ThatMeepViolet for reviewing this story so frequently. I really appreciate your support.

And now, enjoy your reading :)


First day in the arena

Leroy Jacobson (35)- Mentor of District 5

Waiting is nerve-wracking. Most of the mentors watch the beginning of the Games at the hotel along with sponsors, but Amanda preferred to stay here, at the Training Center, and I contented her. I've been a mentor for many years, and yet I cannot help but be nervous as if it was the first day. I know that Rhonda and Cliff are not that strong, but appearances can be deceptive, right? Even Amanda was not one of the favourites, and yet she's here. At the moment, I'm sitting on the sofa right beside her. I look at her out of the corner of my eye: she's completely still, her eyes glued to the screen where the Hunger Games are about to be broadcasted. Yeah, I'm nervous about the Games, but the truth is that I don't know how she could react to the eventual death of her beloved Rhonda. Well, she wouldn't react well, that's for sure; I cannot react well neither, because I always get attached to my tributes, even if I've known them just for a few days. Honestly, I feel like I was their older brother, I don't want them to feel abandoned. Jeez, if only my brother…*

The anthem of Panem echoes through the room, interrupting my thoughts. I look at the screen. Cinnamon Nicewarble and Mircalla Blutdurst make their appearance, but I use the remote control to mute the audio. I don't want to listen to their silly comments about what's going on… I can see it myself, after all. Besides, it's clear that they don't act natural: they always agree with each other, and even when they disagree, they have those fake, cheerful smiles on their lips. I wonder if Capitolites are born with such a smile on their faces.

Eventually, they show the arena. The cornucopia stands on the top of a hill covered by purplish shrubberies… a strange colour, but I've already seen those shrubberies… yeah, sometimes they're used to decorate tombs… heather, that's their name. A shudder passes through me… heather, tombs… how macabre!

In the meantime, the countdown has begun. I try to spot Rhonda and Cliff. Their plates are both on the front of the cornucopia, and… oh, no, they have both a Career on their left! I get chills… please, flee as fast as you can! I silently beg them. With terror, I see the countdown reach zero. Everyone jumps off their pedestal, heading to the supplies scattered across the bushy field. It is all just a moment. The girl of District 1 gets her hands on a sword leaning on a backpack and uses it to stab Cliff to death. The poor boy keels over to the ground in a pool made of his own blood. Then, it's Rhonda's turn. The boy of District 2 puts his hands around her neck and snaps it in one, fluid movement. Her body falls to the ground as well. I slowly turn to Amanda. She's still, her eyes widened with terror.

"A-Amanda…"

But she doesn't reply. She takes the remote control and turns off the TV.

"Amanda…" I repeat.

She doesn't say a word in response, though. She stands up, the remote control still in hand. Suddenly, she launches it against the TV screen. She bursts into tears immediately afterwards. I try to hug her, but she rejects me.

"Leave me alone!" she shouts.

I address the avoxes, who are still in position, head-down: "Could you please leave us alone?"

They leave the room without raising their eyes. I turn to Amanda again.

"Amanda, you…"

"I don't need your words of consolation!" she replies, interrupting me.

I take a deep breath. "I've been doing this for seventeen years, most of my tributes died before my eyes, and I couldn't do anything to save them… I know what you feel."

"Ah, you know it? Have you ever considered one of them your own sibling?" she asks me, defiant.

"Every single one of them. You as well," I answer, watching her right in the eye.

"And how can you…?"

"How can I still be sound of mind? No idea… maybe I'm not sound of mind at all. You don't get used to it, that's not what I mean, but… you know, deeper down, that yes, they died… they died, but they won't suffer any longer too. Rhonda and Cliff were still innocent, they did nothing that would bring about nightmares… nothing to be punished for… nothing they would regret, even for a second of their lives," I explain.

"And should this console me?"

"No, it's not a consolation, it's… a gutless way to cope with your sense of guilt. When a tribute dies, their mentor fails… and you know it, no word of consolation could ever change all this."


Well, this chapter was not long, but I hope you liked it. Honestly, I didn't want to linger on it more than it was necessary. What do you think of the dialogue between Amanda and Leroy? Do you agree with him?

As for my next updates, I will first upload a couple of chapters of Divine Punishment before going on with this story. I take this opportunity to remind you that submissions for sponsors are available for both my stories. All info is on my bio, but you can PM me to know more about the advantages of submitters.

Thank you a lot for reading and reviewing. Have a nice weekend :)


*Leroy's older brother Lorenzo volunteered for the 76th Hunger Games. If you want to know more about him, please read Divine Punishment chapter 10 (D5 Reaping)