Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. They belong to Suzanne Collins.
Note: And here we are, the final chapter! This story has been a lot of fun to write, and I am glad to see it has been fun to read for several of you. The site has an issue showing the reviews currently, so responses will sadly be delayed, but I will keep checking so that I can read them all ASAP. It's been a great story to get me writing for this new fandom, and more stories will be coming over time. The star of the next story will be revealed at the very end of the chapter...but first, how about one last hint?
Hint #1: This tribute died during the Cornucopia Bloodbath.
Hint #2: This tribute's face was clearly seen in the first death recap, unlike some who were not shown at all.
Hint #3: This tribute's corpse was shown at the end of the Bloodbath.
Hint #4: This tribute had very low odds of winning the Games.
I thought that Caesar's show was crowded with people. I thought the party was packed. I even thought the docks of District 4 were busy.
None of that compares to any of this.
Myself and Rue stand at the city centre on a raised balcony, ready for the crowning ceremony. We both fidget nervously from seeing what must be tens of thousands of people staring at us. Our prep teams, stylists and mentors are off to the side, and all attention rests upon us.
It is deadly quiet as President Snow picks up the Victor's crown from its resting place, ready to bring it over. Is he just going to put it on one of us?...Or, maybe he'll split it in two? I think Finnick once said the crown was made that way, possibly to save costs...if only one of us can wear it, Rue deserves it more. She'd look nice wearing it.
President Snow gives Rue a respectful nod and a smile, one I am not certain of the sincerity of...and then he approaches me, placing the crown upon my curls. My hair being as it is, the crown feels weightless atop it, not touching my scalp. I have to admit, I like the idea of wearing a crown and being cheered for, but...in this context, less so.
The crowd cheers as President Snow once again looks at Rue.
"It is not often we see the Games played so...peacefully," Snow says. "Well done to you my dear."
"Thank you Mr President," Rue says shyly, her eyes wide like those of a possum.
My stomach tightens as President Snow turns to me, giving me a nod.
"Never before has somebody so young worn that crown," Snow notes. "You are full of surprises, aren't you?"
"Well...I couldn't have won without the friends I made," I say timidly. "I think...every tribute, win or lose, is full of surprises."
"Mm...you might be onto something," Snow says slowly. "I'll have to watch for that next year. Closely."
I really do not like the look in Snow's eyes. For a second or two he looks at me coldly...is he sizing me up? But, he seems to soften a moment later and turn back to the crowd. Maybe my fearful expression made him see me as no threat...though a threat in what way I'd have no idea...either that, or he's decided how to kill me. Every few years a winner goes missing mysteriously...I never thought about it before, but now that I wear the crown, the Games are all I can think of, even though I've gotten them out of the way as soon as I possibly could have.
Snow announces us as the winners one last time and the crowd goes wild with applause, louder than anything I have heard before. I look at Rue, and she looks at me. We join hands, and raise our arms into the air.
I can't stop myself from taking off the crown and putting it on Rue's head. She smiles and ruffles my curls. The crowd cheers even louder.
...And, my heart beats a little faster.
(Later…)
Two hundred miles an hour and you can't feel a thing. That's what Prussia, my escort...and Marina's too...had described the train as. Well, as they have to drop off two winners this time I think they have set the speed to double. I'm honestly amazed I'm not being sent flying about. But yet, I stand up by the window, my hands placed on the base of it as I look out at the countryside going by like a blur.
On the way to the games I'd considered jumping off the train, thinking I was dead either way.
As District 11 is further from the Capital that's where we're going first. After that it'll be back along the tracks and back home to District 4. A long journey, but at least it won't be boring. But really...I've had just about enough excitement for one lifetime, or two.
"What are you thinking about?" Rue asks as she walks over. "You've been standing there for more than an hour now."
"I'm not sure, exactly," I admit. "I just feel kind of...afraid."
"But why? We won the Games...we're safe," Rue says, putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Safe from the Games...but, not safe from everything," I say anxiously. I turn back to looking at the world go by. "...We were not supposed to both live. I don't know why the fact I wanted to save my friend is making the Capital mad, but...Finnick says it might look like rebellion to them."
"Rebellion?" Rue asks quietly. "...Were you rebelling?"
"Not knowingly. How was I supposed to know saving my friend was bad?!...I didn't know it was bad...I just didn't want to lose you. I thought that maybe only one person lives because nobody ever tried to save a second person...well, I saved you but I might have made things a bit more complicated for us..." I trail off, closing my eyes.
Rue hugs me, and we stand silently for a few minutes. She understands.
"...For what it's worth, I owe you my life. I'm only here because of you. You...refused to take the easy way out, just for me," Rue says, her tone affectionate and gentle. "Maybe the Capital are a bit cross at us, but...I bet my District love you, for bringing me home."
"I was only able to do it with your help. You bought me home," I say sincerely. "...Really though...Katniss was the one who bought us home."
Rue is silent for a moment. She then raises her hand in the way she did during the Games.
"I'll never forget her," Rue says.
"I won't either," I promise, holding my hand up. "This hand sign...what does it mean? Unity?"
"Unity," Rue confirms. "It's like mummy says...fun is twice as fun with someone to share. If we're not alone, it'll be easier."
"Think they'll let us visit each other? Not many people ride the trains," I say, frowning to myself.
"We'll make it happen," Rue says with a smile. "What's so bad about two kids who want to hang out together, right?"
I can't help but find myself agreeing. Rue walks towards a plush sofa and sits on it, patting the spot next to her.
"C'mon, let's watch TV. Seeder says it'll take about a week for either of us to have all the channels put into our Television's in our new homes, so we might as well watch cartoons together while we can," Rye says positively. "After...after what happened to Glimmer, and all the rest...I think we need just a few hours of mindless and silly children's TV."
I smile, making my way over and flopping down next to her.
"Mindless and silly sounds good," I say, the mere memories of the Games making me feel tired.
As we start to watch TV, I try to push a certain thought out of my head...the thought of the other trains I saw heading back to the Districts...carrying caskets…
(Later…)
Time has passed and the sun has started to set...it looks lovely. It'll still be a while until we reach District 11, and even longer before I'm back home in District 4. But, the time is passing comfortably. We sit side by side on the sofa, big bowls of ice cream on her our laps, as we gaze at the TV.
We may be mutually upset at the Capital after all that has happened...but damn, they have some great TV.
Right now we are watching some kind of Soap Opera popular with Capital children. They call it 'Fiona and Lawrence'...I'll admit that despite the very archaic names, it's not a bad show. Both of us watch with wide eyes, slowly eating ice cream without averting our gaze.
'Oh Lawrence…'
'Oh Fiona…'
'Lawrence, I don't know how much longer we can be together...I have a terrible secret…'
'Oh Fiona, we can make it past this...'
'But Lawrence...oh, Lawrence! My mother was a tracker-jacker!'
'But Fiona...I am a tracker-jacker!'
'Oh Lawrence!'
I look at Rue with wide eyes.
"...I did not see that coming," I say, surprise written on my face. "I thought he was a Groosling."
"Me too," Rue nods. "Then again, we've only seen two episodes and apparently there are hundreds of them..."
We watch the show in silence for a few minutes, seeing the two characters make up and hug. It may be...bizarrely stupid, but yet...it's tender. Real love.
"You know...someday, I'd like to have somebody to love like that...in a slightly less silly way, but love regardless," I say thoughtfully. "Guess we'll have to wait, huh?"
Rue turns off the TV with the remote, and looks at me. She looks...I'm not sure what the word is, but she looks me in the eyes and smiles that smile of hers. Only this time...there seems to be more to it.
"...I don't want to wait," Rue says, her face ever so slightly darker than usual, trying to keep eye contact. "You saved me...and I saved you...how about we, um, keep saving each other?"
Rue lays her hands on mine.
"...Love me too?" Rue asks, lightly biting her lower lip.
My chest heats up immensely, but unlike the times where we ran from fire, sprinted until it hurt, came close to boiling to death and much more...this time, it feels good.
"...Love you too," I say honestly. "After all we went through, how I was risking death for you...yeah, I do."
Without anymore words Rue hugs me. I gently hug her back. Should I kiss her? Should I let it wait? What do I do now?
Rue kisses me on the lips for all of two seconds and my mind goes blank. Her giggles echo, and barely register to my dazed mind.
"Want to watch some more cartoons?" Rue offers, smiling.
...For the next hour or two, it might be possible to feel just like a normal kid again. A kid with a girlfriend. I slot down next to Rue instantly, and she gently leans against me.
Time passes and nothing matters to us but the cartoons and each other.
Mostly the latter.
Her hand stroking my curls makes me smile so much...
(Later…)
All too soon the train arrives in District 11. I'm not allowed to get off the train here, but nothing says I cannot wave from the window. Seeder and Chaff step off the train to much applause. In just a minute, Rue will be going too. We embrace, and we do not want it to end.
But, Rue has her home and I have mine.
"I'll see you on the Victory Tour, and maaaaaybe sooner," Rue says as we part from the hug. "We could phone each other too. I'm sure Seeder, Chaff and Finnick can help us stay in touch."
"I love the sound of that," I say, nodding. "So...until next time...be safe."
"You too. No more getting stung by Tracker-Jackers or being hunted by Careers, you hear me?" Rue asks, playfully as she lightly pokes me on the nose. "Well...here I go."
Rue walks to the open doorway leading out of the train, and looks back at me one last time.
"Stay as the boy you are...cute, and curly," Rue says, smiling. "And...thank you."
Rue blows me a kiss, and steps off the train and onto the station platform. It's not as grand as the admittedly very average one back in 4, but all the people here make it look like something special. They all cheer for Rue as she waves back tot hem shyly. Five children, all younger than her, run up to her and embrace her. She sobs in joy, hugging them back. A woman follows them and completes the hug.
I can't help but wipe a happy tear away. This reunion...I may be in a bit of trouble, but this...this makes it all worth it.
Just as the train begins starting itself up Rue and her family turn to me. They raise their hands in that three finger symbol. The rest of the people do the same.
I smile, giving a shy wave with one hand and mimicking their symbol with the other. We all hold the symbol until the train has thundered out of the station, heading for District 4.
Home.
(A while later…)
I've been sleeping for a while, but I find myself waking up at, according to the clock 4AM. I yawn as I get up and exit my room. I...don't think sleep will come back easily. After the Games, I've been a light sleeper.
It seems that the Train has stopped at a depot of some kind. Probably for refuelling, I guess. As I lightly walk into the living area Rye and myself sat together earlier I can see Mags and Finnick. Old Mags is sleeping in one of the chairs and doesn't look like she'll be waking up any time soon, while Finnick stands by the window, looking out at the night sky. He spots me and waves me over.
"Can't sleep either?" he asks me.
"I guess I'm having trouble sleeping so soon after the Games," I reply. "The ways the others died keep on appearing in my dreams. Why are you up?"
"Just got a lot on my mind," Finnick replies. "...You know, it'd gonna be about an hour until we get moving again. How about we go outside and look around for a bit? The night sky looks lovely this far out."
"Better than out at sea?" I ask, following my Uncle.
"As if anything could be. Well, almost anything..." he says to himself.
I don't question what he meant as I follow him. I think he means Annie...they do spend a lot of time together in 4.
Soon enough we're sitting on a lonesome hilltop and up at the sky. True to Finnick's word, it looks beautiful. If only I were free to come out here and just...star gaze, whenever I wanted to. But, winners get a little more freedom than most others I have heard, so maybe I will be able to?
After a bit of silence Finnick speaks up.
"Make no mistake Urchin, I am very proud of you...both for winning, and saving your girlfriend. You're a credit to your District," Finnick begins.
I can't even blush at the reference to what me and Rue have now, nor feel flattered at the praise. There's something else coming.
"But...I'll not hide anything from you. You were not both supposed to live," Finnick says seriously. "You know how I mentioned Rebellion earlier? Well...you are Rue are smart kids, you both know it's more than that, don't you?"
I reply with a single, slow nod.
"You were willing to risk your own life to save a friend...and not just that, but one of another District. And you succeeded...you, a 12 year old, almost as young as you can possibly be for the Games, outwitted the Capitol. You put aside your own surefire chance of winning to save a girl you knew for less than a month," Finnick says, serious in tone. "Do you...know what that means, exactly?"
"...That I was too weak to kill when I should have?" I ask quietly. "Because, I'm not apologising for it!"
Finnick shakes his head, smiling.
"You've given people hope. The Games...they're not just a thinly masked yearly execution, but also a way to drive the Districts apart. We outnumber those in the Capiol, even with less tech than they have. It's why they have the Victory Tour...as a way to drive a wedge in us. But now they have two winners...and you saw how 11 reacted to seeing you for the short time they did," Finnick explains, looking up at the sky again.
"They...really seemed to like me," I say softly.
"Why wouldn't they? You saved one of their own," Finnick continues, nodding. "But now...Urchin, you need to be careful. Make them think you're harmless. Not a threat to them."
No need to guess who 'them' is…
"Once you get back to 4...lay low, act like a normal kid, play up the timidness. At least for now, make them think you're not a threat," Finnick says seriously.
"But...I'm not a threat," I say honestly.
Finnick just smiles.
"And I'm not ridiculously good looking," he chuckles. "Forcing a duel Victory after they removed the rule as they always intended, using another tribute's token to defeat Glimmer, getting a poisonous one past the Game-Makers, and all of this at barely a few weeks past your twelfth birthday...yeah, not a threat, huh? Maybe not intentionally...but hey, I didn't intend to be, as I said, ridiculously good looking."
We sit in silence for a moment. I feel dizzy...so, without even meaning to I have created a form of unity and hope, and made the Capital really angry. All because I saved a friend...girlfriend...person I love. I never expected this. Honestly, I expected to be in a casket by now…
"So, if they never intended to keep the rule change, why did they make it?" I ask after a while.
"What you and Rue did for Katniss after she died...it started so many riots over the cruelty of the Games and got people talking about your kind actions. In Four, in Eleven and even in Twelve, people were rioting and talking. Me and Haymitch, we told Seneca to give the people something else to look at...young love. Worked like a charm," Finnick says, looking proud and relieved.
Again, we're silent for a bit.
"Do the Games ever end?" I ask quietly.
"At some point," Finnick assure me, standing up. "As soon as the Capital is over too...but, more on that another time, eh? C'mon, let's get back to the train. You'll want to be up early, as we'll be pulling into District 4 at about half past eight."
I follow after Finnick. So many thoughts are bouncing around my head...I swear that my curls must be vibrating.
It's a relief once I fall asleep, probably barely a few seconds after flopping down onto my bed.
(The next morning...)
My curls are messier than usual, my cloths were put on in a hurry and breakfast did not really fill me up at all.
But none of that matters to me. Finally, finally, the train is pulling into the station of District 4. I stand by the doors as it does so, hopping up and down on my ankles, ready to get out and leave this all behind for as long as I am able to.
And soon enough, the train grinds to a slow halt.
It's over.
Before the doors can even open all the way I jump out of the rain and onto the platform. Oh, I have missed the smell of the salty sea. There is no better thing I could smell right now. And there it is! The sea!
...And, my family!
"Urchin!" My mum practically screams as she pulls me into a tight hug, sobbing in relief.
"Hi mum," I say, my voice shaking with emotion as I hug her back.
A moment later my dad runs up and hugs me as well. There is no better feeling…
...Yes, there is. Ula has joined the group hug, smiling at me.
"Hello Urchin! Missed you!" Ula says with a smile.
I sob in joy, hugging my family closer as the people of the District cheer loudly.
After how bad I have felt lately...this, this is what I needed. I know how Rue must feel right now.
The thought makes me smile.
(Time passes…)
It's sunset, and it's only been an hour before I could get away from all the cheering and partying. Even a few Peacekeepers were joining in, surprisingly. But now, while my family get settled into the house in the Victor's Village, I sit alone on the docks. The sunset over the water never fails to make me smile. Nobody has come to get me or tell me to move...and for a while, I don't think anybody will.
Not that I mind. Gives me time to sit here, my fishing rod in hand and the lure cast out on the waves. I've not caught anything yet, but...the feeling of normality and the familiarity of my rod in my hands...that's good enough.
"Aaaaahhhh..." I breath out, relaxing.
"Urchin! Urchin!" a voice calls out to me.
I look back, and can't stop a smile, nor would I want to, as Ula walks up to me, flopping down beside me. She smiles, just like sunshine over the sea.
"Hey there," I say, putting an arm around her while holding my rod with my free hand. "How's the best six year old in Panem doing?"
"Very good!" Ula says, smiling. "I saw you on TV!"
I flinch inwardly. What did she see? Watching is forced, but not every second. Oh dear…
"You were a movie star!" Ula continues in awe. "A hero!"
Ula is still of the age where she does not fully understand the Games yet. Maybe in District 10, 11 or 12 she would by now, but...I can't break apart her fantasy. Not when I've just gotten back.
"...Yeah, I was. It wasn't an easy role," I say, putting on my best smile. Somehow, I think I've had better ones. "I played a good role, and now we have a big house. Fun, right?"
"Uh huh!" Ula beams. "I want the biggest bedroom!"
"But why? You're still small," I say, teasing her a bit.
"Nuh uh! I grew one inch while you were gone!" she insists, hugging. "...I missed you Urchy."
"I missed you too," I say fondly. "Oh, I really missed you..."
"You're back now...it's all back to normal!" Ula says, still smiling. "Ooo, you've got a bite!"
"We better real it in then, right? C'mon, I need your help!" I exclaim. "And maybe we can also think of how to explain to mum and dad you came here by yourself?"
Ula claps and hold the rod with me, us working as one to reel it it. It's only an old boot, but...right now, that boot is worth so much for what it means.
The sun is setting on the sea, the golden glow extending out to the horizon. I don't know how long we're going to spend sitting out here, but I hope that it won't be over anytime soon.
I'm not sure what the coming days and the Quell are going to bring, and maybe I'd be happier not knowing. But, as I sit here on the docks I know a few things for sure.
My family are better off than they ever have been
Ula is smiling just like she always does.
Rue will be there for me, and I for her.
I will never, ever forget Katniss, Cinder, Marina or...any of the fallen tributes.
I never have to worry about being in the Games ever again.
Right now, all this is enough. But soon, something else is on my mind. Ula has fallen asleep next to me. I smile, fondly shaking my head as I hold my rod over my shoulder and gently pick her up in my arms.
"Come on, let's get going to our new home," I say as I steady myself.
I walk down the docks and odd to my home, and whatever will come with it. Ah..I love the sea. Wet, full of life…
...And cold. Much better than the hot water of the Arena.
END OF BOOK 1…
TRIBUTE NOTES
Rue: Ah, Rue, how tragic your death in the movie was. Actually, all deaths were tragic really, but hers seems to be generally seen as one of the saddest. But, with Urchin escaping the bloodbath she survived, yay! :D I love how I was able to write Rue in this story. While she and Urchin are both the youngest and smallest tributes, they very much differed. Very distinct from Urchin, she was fun, playful, an optimist, did not lose hope much and...basically, filled the role of deuteragonist very well. I'm very much a fan of 'kid heroes' and so having the two youngest tributes survive...it just seemed right, to me. Plus, it was fun to write a more innocent and sweet romance, compared to the more mature romances of the books and movies.
Urchin: Our hero! Well, kinda. XD While every Nameless Tribute will get their story, I chose Urchin first as...I don't know, he always stuck out to me, with how close he was to escaping the Bloodbath. My idle thoughts of what could have been if Cato was looking away...well, you've seen what they have become. Pus, when I saw he was 12, just like Rue, I got thinking...what if we saw prominence from the other child? If Rue's death was sad and there have been fics of her survival, why not with Urchin? I think writing in his POV was a lot of fun. Unlike Katniss, he was nervous, timid, jumpy and...pretty much not anything like the lead Katniss is. But yet, in the end he saved himself and Rue as well. Hopefully he was a likeable lead to you all, and if not that's fine, hopefully future leads will be better. And as you have seen just up above...his story is not over yet. :o
NEXT TIME ON THE NAMELESS CHRONICLES…
WOUNDED WARSONG
Depressed and with little hope all her young life, the District 3 Female realizes running into the Bloodbath is suicide, and flees for her life as the Games begin. With the odds heavily against her and only her genius mind in her favour, Gadget tries to survive and show she is more than a tool in the games of the Capital and other tributes. But her biggest problem is not the Careers…
Thanks for reading!
