District 5 Awakening: Into the Nothing

Into the Nothing by Breaking Benjamin

All will be abandoned

None will shine

Gather the broken and leave this life

Lying in the earth

Side by side…

Lucy Lovering (20) D5 Victor of the 98th Games

Her pastel white skin shimmers against the fluorescent light in the utterly dark room, the lamp swaying slightly. We are alone, just her and me. Our breaths in sync and eyes closed as we wait. Wait for salvation and repentance. Our worlds crashing together in the most dramatic of ways, our destinies forever entwined. Forevermore. Even in pure darkness do I see her small feminine hands, the small smile plastered to her youthful features.

Marie.

Dedicated mentor, Victor, and friend. Her awakening today along with our tributes. Her death being eradicated by me, the very person who ended it…

You see, during my Games, I had done things that had, well, sent Marie into relapse. She suffers from a congitional heart defect that affects her in the most inconvenient of ways. Surprisingly enough she managed to survive her Games without an attack and was administered Capitol medicine for some time in case of PTSD symptoms. Her first and only attack after her Games was mine, and I killed her. My mania had spurred dangerously and I had begun to lose hope of ever leaving that place. Fires sparked and burned so many, about a fourth of the tributes that year had burnt to ash under my control and I was crazed. The adrenaline pumping through my veins and the insanity alive in my blue eyes. I was a monster. A monster created by the people who supposedly kept us well.

The Capitol.

Now here I sit, waiting for the four of them to awaken and give me hope for the future, for the present. My eyes begin to wander to the four walls surrounding us, the white tiled wall coated with lyme and tiny cracks etched into the creases. The fan above us is on full blast, the reason behind the swaying lamp. The room falls silent, the ringing in my ears heightens as the bloodshed and flames spark to life in my thoughts. The crimson tinging the edges of my vision, the darkness enveloping me, suffocating.

I immediately stand and exit the room, my head becoming lightheaded. I shut the door behind me and fall back, the doorknob piercing my back. My breathing turns to panting as I let the sensation pass, images appearing as if on fast-forward.

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"BURN, BABY, BURN!"

"Stop…" The voices, the tributes, the bodies. "STOP!" They wave, smiling their crooked smile. "AHHH!" I collapse to the floor, my knees buckling as they land with a thud on the cold, hard ground. My nails dig into my flesh, beads of blood blossoming. "PLEASE!" Covering my ears, the panic intensifies. A sharp sound resembling that of a violin ricochets off the sides of my head.

"MARIE!" I fall back and watch as the ceiling above me turns a dark mahogany, white dots flashing brightly as my eyes close as I shut the world out…

Is Evil.

Unknown (?)

"Lucy?"

"LUCY?!"

Lucy Lovering (20) D5 Victor of the 98th Games

I find myself on a hospital bed, IVs drawn in numerous places along my arms. The slight stinging sensations where the needles draw into my skin recall memories of the Games. The looks of disapproval and shame from everyone when I arrived home, the shame that haunted me from the very moment I woke in that hospital.

I will soon be free, President Echo granting me ultimate redemption for my sins: Death.

"Victor Lucy Lovering. You are hereby relinquishing all entitlements and rewards as Victor of the 98th Annual Hunger Games on the condition that Ms. Marie Woods is to be awakened, taking your place as mentor."

"Yes." I smile as the scientist rolls up the scroll and places it next to him, his lips tight.

"You do realize… that you will die, right?" His eyes strain as he holds the syringe containing the poison, my final wish.

I silently nod and note of the severe anticipation growing in my core as he turns and directs my attention to the three tributes and Marie, the small group close to their awakenings. "Marie deserves to live. I do not…"

"As you wish… Victor Lovering." He injects the fluid into the clear bag next to my bed and the confirmation of it sends chills down my spine as the bag tinges a dark purple.

"Ahhhh…." The scientist snaps his head back, but I cannot tell what or whom he is conversing to.

Soon the edges of my vision darken and swirl, my mind beginning to float as muffled cries and screams ricochet off these steel walls. I smile, faint as the bright light enveloping me as a distorted figure leaps from the shadows and charges at me. I wave and close my eyes for the last time.

"LUCY!"

Marie Woods (26) D5 Victor of the 86th Games

"DAMMIT!"

I bash my hands into the rails of the bed and sob, the intense throbbing not bothering me the slightest as dread and despair washes over me. The waves of nausea hit me full force as soon I find myself swaying violently at the foot of Lucy's bed.

"Ahhh…ahhh…"

"Victor Woods, you need to rest. The awakening process is still not-"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!"

I let the rage and sorrow take flight; thrashing my body as if in a tidal wave, I beat him and the space around us, no longer caring for anything but the sharp pain in my chest. Everything slows as I feel a sharp pain puncturing my skin, a needle sticking out from my neck. Slowly turning my head white dots begin to cloud my vision, my sense of self drowning in the sleepiness that fills every inch of my being. My body relaxes and I lie on the cold, linoleum floor and watch as the black void takes ahold of me once more and envelopes not just me, but my pain and suffering…

It all began several months before the 76th Games. President Yowlin declared that tribute's stylists were to obtain saliva, hair, skin, nail and blood samples from each of the tributes No one thought this would actually work. Hell, not even the scientists performing the experiments believed that this would be successful. Soon enough, right before my death during the 98th Games, scientists announced their success at President Echo's dinner with all of the Victors present. We were in an uproar. Different opinions swirled around us, but the pinpoint of our problems reached one conclusion: After you die, you can't come back. No matter the suddenness or age that a person dies, they can't come back. Our testaments were ultimately denied by Seraphina and plans for the 4th Quarter Quell twist for put into action.

Us Victors, we had always been close. Even the Career Victors had always taken note of us outer District ones, because one simple truth had pulled us together. We were all just pieces in their Games. Careers had been disillusioned to believe that winning was of the upmost respect given to them by the Capitol of worth in their respected District. The rest of us however were the 'lucky ones' and either lived in solitude or servitude.

I open my eyes and welcome the soft glow of the beams above me as hushed voices perk my attention. The door at the corner of the room is slightly agape and gives the almost dark room a new light. My legs are a bit stiff as I begin limping to the entrance. To my surprise, I find three teens together on a couch speaking in hushed voices near the fire exit. To my right is a small boy with choppy brown hair with bright hazel eyes, with a rather sullen expression etched into his petite features. His brow raises several times as the other two converse sharply. The female tribute sits in the middle sporting long black hair that falls in waves down her slender frame. Her dark green eyes seem crazed, her thin lips pulled back devilishly as she speaks with the older male tribute. Finally to my left, sits the other male tribute whose slightly curly dark hair and grey eyes make him seem apathetic and unamused by the comical gestures and exclamations of the girl. I can't help the few chuckles that escape my lips. Three sets of eyes land on me as another scientist comes up behind me with three blue folders. Adrenaline begins to run as his tall, lanky stature intimidates my height of only 5'2''.

"I've already given them the relaxant and explained to them the situation." He smiles and hands me the files, his hot breath meeting my ear. "Joules, the younger one, seems to have no recollection of his past. I've already done testing and the results should be sent to you in a few days."

I nod. "Okay, is he going to be okay…?"

"Yes. Just watch for any signs of mental distress or anything else." He nods and strides toward the door at the end of the hallway and disappears behind it.

"Well, kids, we got a train to catch." I try to smile, but it falls as my try at a joke seems to unfazed the three teens. Thoughts of Lucy begin to circle around me and it takes every ounce of strength in me to push her away so that her death does not affect my duty to these children.

Lucy… why?

A/N: Here are the final three tributes to present; Mitzi, Faust, and Joules with mentor Marie. Next up are two chapters featuring the new recruits: Caleb & Mimzi. Blog will be updated ASAP.

Fun poll: Favorite Victor(s)?

RIP: Lucy Lovering. Ah, Lucy. You were so damaged, so destroyed that realistically I knew that this was the end of the line for you. That one year of mentoring experience, your Games is what sent you over the edge. I'm sorry I had to end your life here…

Love Always, Domi