Yaro Hailstien's POV – District 12 Male
"Yaro, wake up!"
After a period of resistance, I got up from my bed and stretched, trying to wake myself up further. A few more seconds passed before I officially woke-up and became aware of where I was; standing out of my bed in front of Anya in the District Twelve living quarters.
"You know, one of these days I'll wake up from this nightmare and I'll be back in District Twelve. I'm just waiting for it." I spoke with a yawn. I continued to stretch a little bit in place to further wake myself up. "I'll find out my sister tried cooking again and gave me some weird chicken or something that put me into a coma from food poisoning. I'll wake up like two weeks later after having had the most vivid dream about the Capitol and participating in the Hunger Games."
"Yaro, you know that I like you, but can you not joke today? You know as well as I do what day it is today and we don't have the time." Anya scolded me.
"I'm not joking." I answered with a shrug.
The topic of today woke me up. I was no longer sleepy; instead, I felt really uncomfortable. Today was the big day after all. After a few days in luxury with Capitolian food and beds, it was now time to go into the Hunger Games and enter a fight-to-the-death with a bunch of other kids. It was a depressing thought alone. Adding the pressure of Keev's life if I were to die did not help me feel any better…
Anya frowned in response at my comment, but didn't acknowledge it. Instead, she simply walked towards the door to the hallway. "I'm going to wake up Emery. Yaro, you have an hour left to shower, to get dressed, and to eat breakfast."
"Understood." I sighed in response as I walked to the bathroom.
There was no delaying it; the Hunger Games were here. There were so many different emotions running through my head. I could feel myself trying to come up with some joke, something to just make me feel better. I needed something to laugh about to just feel even a little bit better, but nothing was coming to mind. The only thing I truly felt was the sick feeling in my stomach. Having to kill twenty-three other kids, having to face the possibility of my inevitable death, and having to deal with the burden of Keev's life on my shoulders was just so much. Once I was in the arena, I was just going to have to suck it up.
Unlike Emery and Kaylee, I really hadn't made peace with the idea of killing anyone. But, I wasn't stupid; if I wanted to get home alive, I was going to have to kill at least one other person. As sick as the thought made me feel, it was something that I was going to need to do. Maybe I wouldn't fight for myself, but I was willing to do anything for Keev. He was my best friend: he was my brother. I didn't know if I deserved to live more than the other twenty-three tributes, but I knew that he definitely deserved to live! Therefore, I was going to fight for him… even if I became sick with myself after the aftermath of the Games…
With a heavy sigh, I took my clothes off, entered the shower, and turned the faucet on. It was time to get this whole Hunger Games experience over with already.
Florina Everett's POV – District 11 Female
"Florina, are you in there?" I heard Leaf ask me as he knocked on my door
"I'm fine! J-Just leave me alone!" I shouted out frantically between my sobs.
There was a sigh from the outside of the door before the sounds of footsteps could be heard. Good. I didn't want him, or anyone, to see me like this: cooped up in a corner in my room, crying my eyes out.
I hated being a crybaby. I hated the fact that I burst into tears at the reaping ceremony. I hated that I cried for the cameras at the Quarter Quell twist. And I hated how I would burst into tears whenever I thought about the Quarter Quell for too long and whenever I looked at my father. No matter how many times I tried to think on the bright side, nothing would stop me from crying. Right now, I was hysterical and nothing was going to fix this.
This wasn't fair at all! My father already had his life on the line in his own Hunger Games! Why… Why did this stupid Quarter Quell twist have to be a thing? Why was it that he was going to die if I died in the arena? I was not as tough or strong as he was. I wasn't Onyx Everett; I was just his crybaby, pathetic daughter Florina.
"Florina?" I heard my father's voice call out from outside my bedroom door.
Before I could tell him to leave me alone, he opened the door. My father took one look at me before he rushed over and forcefully pulled me up from my corner and into a hug. Immediately, my arms went around his shoulders and I laid my head against his neck. My tears started to fall against him.
"D-Dad, I'm scared… I-I'm not good enough to fight in the Hunger Games. I'm… I'm going to die. It m-may not be in the bloodbath, b-but it's going to happen eventually. And I'm going to g-get you… you… ki-" I couldn't even finish the sentence before my speech turned into nothing more than hysterical sobs. My grip on my father's shoulders tightened.
"… Did I look like a fighter when I was first reaped?" My father questioned as he returned my hug.
"Much, much, much more than me!" I shouted back in protest between my sobs. "You were older than me and bigger than me and tougher than me and smarter and… and…"
My father let me cry against him for a few seconds. I knew it was difficult for him; ever since mother took me away from him, he didn't know exactly what to say to me. Right now, he didn't know what to say to make me feel better. Really, I doubted he could say anything to me. I was simply inconsolable!
After a few seconds, though, he pulled my head away from him. He looked me in the eye and I noticed that he, too, was crying.
Oh Dad…
"Florina… I haven't been happy since my own Hunger Games. You and your mom were the only bright moments in my life, and then that was all taken away when your mom and I…" My father shook his head, trying to block the memories. I understood. I remembered the fight between him and my mother that resulted in us leaving. It was one of the worst days of my life. "… I haven't been able to live properly without you two in my life. I can't. So… if this was just a normal Hunger Games and you died… it would be no different to me than what this Games would be. I don't think I could live if you were dead… hell, maybe that would've been the motivation to finally take my life…"
"Dad…" My tears started to roll down my eyes at a faster rate.
"Wh-What I'm trying to say is that you mean the world to me, and that if you were dead, it would feel like I was going to die anyway." My father told me. He quickly brushed the tears out from his eyes and then smiled at me. "So, don't be concerned about me and my life. Just fight for you. I know you can do it."
"But Dad, I can't!" I shook my head.
My father simply responded by putting his hand against my cheek and rubbing it affectionately, causing my head to stop shaking. He then moved his hand under my glasses and brushed the tears away from my eyes.
"You scored higher than over half of District Eleven's victors… Florina, I know you can do it. Just don't think or worry about me; think about only yourself. I know you can do it." He told me. "Can you do that?"
"… I'll try." I answered. My hands went to my eyes and tried to rub away the remaining tears.
I had no clue why my father had so much faith in me, but I knew he was smarter than me. He was definitely seeing some potential in me that I didn't. Therefore, I was going to take his word. I was going to fight and do everything I could for him. Even if I had to become a killer, I would do it… all for him!
A father/daughter victor duo… Let's make it a thing Dad!
Logan Faber's POV – District 10 Male
When I entered the dining room, both Jewel and Julian were sitting at the table talking to each other while they ate a plate of eggs for breakfast. As soon as they noticed my presence, their faces paled slightly. Their conversation ended as they watched me take an apple from a basket and start to eat at one of the seats at the other side of the table.
"How are you f-feeling Logan?" Jewel asked me, stuttering slightly.
I simply took a bite from my apple while I glared at her in response, causing her to shrink back in her seat. There was no reason for me to converse with her at all, thankfully. I had put up with her gossip and her useless bullshit these past few days for too long. Today was going to be the last day I had to tolerate her for too long and I was glad to simply get away from her. Once I came out of the Hunger Games, though, she was going to be the first chosen target amongst all of the Capitol citizens.
A few seconds of silence passed by and, after taking a few more bites of my apple, I turned my attention towards Julian.
"You remember what I told you, correct?" I spoke to him.
Julian's hands tensed slightly, but he had no other 'nervous' reaction. Instead, he simply nodded his head.
"Good. Remember that you can use any sponsor points that I received from my training score to help Maddison. Just make sure you send nothing to me." I reminded him.
"I… I heard you the first time we talked about this." Julian answered with a sigh. "I still don't understand you Logan. Sponsorships are life-saving in the arena."
"I don't need my life saved by some humans with a little extra money to spend. I can more than take care of myself on my own." I replied.
"You say that now, but that won't be the case in the arena Logan. It's not just twenty-three kids you're competing against. You'll be fighting the damn arena and the gamemakers themselves as they try and milk the most out of all the tributes." The mentor told me as he stabbed a piece of his eggs with his fork. "A kid like you, no matter how capable or trained you are, should not simply deny any possible help."
My eyes narrowed in response. I noticed that Julian was raising his fork, ready to take a bite of his eggs. Immediately, I tossed the remaining bit of my apple in my hands at the fork, knocking it out of his hands and onto the ground. The action took Julian by surprise and his eyes widened.
"I'm not normal and I know that you know that as well. If, somehow, you forgot, then just wait until the arena and I'll show you capable I am on my own." I hissed at him.
Julian shook his head as he stood up from his seat. "Whenever I try to help, you just reject me like that. You have a temper Logan and you seemingly can't control it. That will get you killed later."
"'A temper?' You think I'm angry?" I actually laughed in response. "You haven't seen me angry yet. Believe me, human, you don't want to see me angry."
Immediately, Jewel stood up from her chair. She rushed over to Julian and the two of them left the room entirely. I was now alone, thankfully. These next few hours were going to be my only down-time for the rest of my time in the Capitol. Now was going to be the only time I had left to simply think.
My whole life has been leading up to this one moment. Once I became a victor in the Hunger Games, I would get access to enter the Capitol. I could slowly learn how the city works and how their police and surveillance works. This knowledge would help me with my quest. I would use it and all of my skills to bring ruin across Panem. Before long, the Capitol would be soaked in the blood of its people, as will all of the districts.
I was born in this world to end the human species and restore life on this planet to the way it was meant to be centuries before humanity spawned from the earth. I've already killed multiple people throughout District Ten and I was very ready to kill more to complete my mission. What's another twenty-three brats to me? Their lives are nothing more than stepping stones to me as I march on my path to much more challenging, worthwhile kills in the near future.
I hope the people in the Capitol are entertained by my killing in the arena. It won't be long until I am crowned victor. Soon after, my killings will continue, and I know they will not enjoy those kills when they happen, especially when it is their lives that I'll end.
Demetriana "Demi" Walser's POV – District 9 Female
"Demi, can you take this?"
I looked up from my pancake breakfast to see Einkorn sitting down on the other side of the dining table. He had a pill bottle in his hands. I looked at him suspiciously.
"What is that for?" I questioned.
"It's a pill that helps with withdrawal symptoms. You're probably not going to get any alcohol when you're in the arena, so you're probably going to need these pills." He answered with a chuckle.
Immediately, I shook my head. "I'm not an alcoholic."
"Yeah, right." Einkorn scoffed immediately. "I am, and you drink as much as I do. Demi, withdrawal symptoms are some serious shit. They will kill you in the arena. These pills are going to be the first things we sponsor to you and they are what's going to keep you alive. Please, take them."
I could still feel myself resisting the idea. It didn't matter what he said, I wasn't an alcoholic. Sure, alcohol did help me forget things about my character and my past that still haunted me, but that was all I used it for. I didn't necessarily need it like an alcoholic! Still, despite my resistance, I found myself nodding at his request and taking the pill bottle. Einkorn was smarter than me. If he thought I needed to take these pills to survive, then I would. I kept telling myself that at least as I took one of the pills out of the bottle and swallowed it.
"What's your game plan for the bloodbath?" He questioned with a smile. "I know we talked a little about earlier, but now's crunch time. I'm sure you may have changed your mind on some things."
"Not really. It's still just grab a weapon and backpack, meet up with Jason, and get us both out as fast we can." I replied.
"And after the bloodbath?" He asked.
"I don't know. Does it matter though?" I questioned with a sigh. "It's the Hunger Games. Anything can happen. There's no point to plan too far ahead. Besides, I don't even know what kind of arena I'm getting thrown into." I let a humorless chuckle out as I grabbed my fork and stabbed the breakfast I had been ignoring. "Who knows what trap will be out there that will most likely kill me?"
It was stressful jumping head-first into the unknown, but there was nothing I could do. The only calming thought was that no one knew exactly what we were going into. There is not one person here who is prepared for every single trap, mutt, and twist the gamemakers have in store for us. It doesn't even matter how trained we are; all that mattered was how well you can adapt to the circumstances of the arena. I just hoped I was better than most of the other tributes in that regard…
A part of me wanted to go over to the refrigerator and take out a bottle of whiskey and drink what could very well be my last glass. However, I remained sitting and made no attempts to fetch a drink. Maybe the pill Einkorn gave me was already taking effect and I simply did not want a drink? Or maybe I was just feeling too anxious that I already knew alcohol wouldn't be enough to calm me down.
Instead of drinking, I simply returned to eating my breakfast. I tried to calm down my nerves and any depressing thoughts. They weren't going to get me out alive. I had to do anything and everything I could to make sure I lived for Kendra. I could hardly care less if I personally died or not. It would possibly be easier to just simply die… but I wasn't going to let my best friend die with me. We were both going to live and make it through this whole experience together!
Somehow…
Xander Lugar's POV – District 8 Male
"Ray?" I called to my mentor as I knocked on the door to his room.
The door quickly opened and I saw Ray looking staring at me nervously. The guy looked completely disheveled: his clothes were torn and his normally straight black hair was unkempt. His eyes were also read. It looked as if he went out drinking or something like that last night. Not like my life was on the line or anything…
"C-Can I help you Xander?" He asked with a slightly slurred speech.
"What's wrong with you?" I questioned with a glare.
Ray looked downward in response as he started to poke his two index fingers together. He remained quiet for a few seconds before he finally started to speak. "… I c-couldn't sleep at all. So I went out of the living quarters and got completely wasted with Einkorn from District Nine and the mentors from District Three."
"'Wasted?' 'Couldn't sleep?'" I repeated his words, irritation filling my tone-of-voice.
"Everything is just like it was last year… I c-can't not remember everything. My own Hunger Games are too memorable and the memories are coming back stronger and stronger with each day. It's just too much to handle!" He sobbed in response. "I need to forget… but I can't…"
Ray started to mumble to himself desperately. A part of me felt sympathy for him. I couldn't remember exactly what happened to him in his Games, even though they were just two years ago, but they had an immense impact on him and seemed to completely ruin his life and psyche. He had everything right to be upset. Having said that, I couldn't feel too much sympathy for him. Ray continuously wallowed in his own self-pity and, in the process, never did anything for me or Raven.
"You can get drunk later… I'm sure the bars will be open all the time during the Games." I replied neutrally, trying not to sound either too sympathetic or too hostile. "… But for now, I need you to do something for me."
I dug my left hand into the pocket of my shorts and pulled out a piece of paper. I then held out to Ray. The mentor stopped sobbing and looked at it with curious, tear-filled eyes.
"It's… a letter. For my grandfather." I answered his non-verbal question with a gulp. I looked towards the floor as I spoke in a quiet voice. "He could still live even if me and Amaya are dead. He just needs some reminder to keep on living. So… if I die, can you please go find him and give him that letter? And hopefully… it'll motivate him to try his hardest to keep living?"
"Do you think you're going to die? Do you really doubt yourself that badly Xander?" Ray asked.
"I think I stand a chance, but I'm trying to be a realist and I'm planning for the likely event of my death." I replied. My head turned upwards and, unable to hide my hostility any longer, glared at the mentor in front of me. "But I was never really mentored, so that's probably a major strike against me. Tonya already saw me as dead the second she saw me, and you did nothing to actually help me either. You just occasionally asked questions uneasily and offered lame, general advice that both Raven and I already knew."
A look of shock crossed Ray's face. In seconds, his eyes filled up with even more tears. It seemed as if he didn't realize exactly how horrible of a mentor he was. Perhaps I was being too harsh on him… but just as he had a right to feel as depressed as he did, did I not have a right to be angry about my circumstances and the fact that I'm probably going to die and get my sister killed with me?
"… You owe me this favor. I won't be mad at you for anything, even as I'm dying, as long as you promise me to get this to my grandfather. Please…" I pleaded to him in a softer tone-of-voice.
There was a brief moment of silence as Ray continued to sob to himself. Finally, after a full two minutes, the mentor wiped away his tears and took the paper away. He then put into the pocket of his own pants.
"I'll do it. As soon as I get back to District Eight if you…" He shook his head. "Your grandfather will be okay… I'll look after him for you if I need to."
For the first time since the morning of the reaping, before all of this mess happened, I was able to smile a true, pure smile of relief and happiness.
"Thank you Ray." I told him contently. At least I had one thing I didn't have to worry about in the Hunger Games. Now, I could just focus on myself and my own plans to get out.
Winnie Goldstein's POV – District 7 Female
"… It's so quiet today." Autumn noted as she looked around the room uneasily.
Usually during breakfast, the dining table was filled with conversation. Autumn and both District Seven mentors, Pine and Willow, were talkative people in general and Raegae was the type of guy to always have something obnoxious to say. Today, not even Raegae could come up with something to talk about. Everyone knew exactly how serious it was going to be. In just a few hours, we were all going to be in the arena, ready to fight to the death.
There was never a time where I forgot about how close the Games were to us. It was always some looming fact that I couldn't forget, no matter how hard I tried. Therefore, I was glad to see that everyone else was finally seeing it the way I was. The Games were here…
"You should know by now Autumn that not many people are in the best of moods to talk on the day of the Hunger Games. This is serious." Pine replied with a sigh as he stroked his greyish beard.
I turned to look over to Pine. It was always weird to look at him; he won the Hunger Games twenty-five years ago, but he was already in his early sixties. However, he wasn't in a normal Hunger Games. He was in the last Quarter Quell, where the twist removed the age limit. He volunteered when his fifteen year old son was reaped and managed to win the Hunger Games, using all of his experience and strength from chopping down trees in the lumberyards. Pine was more of an adult than anyone I had ever met. That should've made me distrust him, but there was something about him that drew me close to him. He reminded me a lot of Sherri… and my parents.
Regardless of what I felt about him, he was extremely wise and I spent all the time I could listening to all of his advice. All I could hope for was that I could follow everything he said perfectly to get out of the arena alive.
"I understand Pine, but it's just…" Autumn sighed in response. She then turned her head towards me and Raegae. "I don't know. It's potentially the last moments in comfort for you two. Do you really want to spend them being all mopey?"
"Oh, do we depress you or something by not being that talkative? You wish we would just be all joyful and shit despite us knowing that this could be our last day alive and that we could be getting our brothers killed with us? Yeah, I bet you have some real hard problems right now, dealing with a couple of 'mopey' kids." Raegae spoke in an angry, condescending voice. "Go fuck yourself Autumn."
Autumn's eyes widened in complete surprise at Raegae's words. He had always been so flirty and 'smooth' with her that she probably never expected to see this side of his directed at her. I was actually surprised that he said something like to her as well. For the first time since I met him, I was able to look at Raegae with some respect. Underneath all of his rudeness, he too realized just how unfair this whole thing was…
"Th-That's not what I meant-" She started to speak.
"He has a point." I answered.
All eyes went towards me. It was rare for me to speak up. I was seen as this quiet, innocent, fragile little girl ever since the day I was reaped. They, in particular Autumn, couldn't imagine me going on a rant… but then again, she never actually knew me to begin with.
"This is a serious day for us. There's a good chance I could die and Marv will die with me. The same thing with Raegae and his brother. We don't want to just talk peacefully. We want to just take some time and think to ourselves. Maybe we are thinking about arena plans or maybe just about this messed up situation. Whatever it is, don't try and accuse us of being mopey. Even if we are, we have every right to be!" I told her coldly.
I was prepared to continue my rant, but the rest of my words died in my throat as the door to the District Seven living quarters opened up and three peacekeepers walked in…
Booker Comston's POV – District 6 Male
"We are here for Booker Comston and Alexandra Varas. We are to escort them to their final preparations and the arena." One of the peacekeepers spoke in an authoritative voice to everyone in the living room.
Lunar nodded in understanding as he started to walk away towards the bedrooms. "As you can see, Booker is already here. I'll go fetch Alexandra for you all."
The three peacekeepers nodded as they watched Lunar head down the hallway to get Alexandra. One of them remained looking, but the other two turned their eyes towards me. I simply did nothing but stare back, studying all three peacekeepers in front of me.
Ever since I arrived in the Capitol, I started to compare the mannerisms, actions, and attitudes of the peacekeepers here with the ones back in District Six. It always annoyed me to hear the complaints of the average district civilian about the peacekeepers, but I now realized that some of the complaints were actually valid critiques of the Capitolian peacekeepers. Back in District Six, my father and his fellow co-workers were simply doing what they were told to do to provide peace and justice to a lawless environment. I have met most of the entire force and I knew that roughly ninety percent of them were caring people who would never abuse the system of the government or anything. Here in the Capitol, I would reverse that statistic; ninety percent of the peacekeepers here appeared to be the stereotypical strict, uncaring, and potentially corrupt people that the district civilians based their stereotypes.
This made me concerned about the number of crimes in the Capitol. There needs to be a change in the management here…
My thoughts about Capitol crime stopped as Lunar and Alexandra entered the room. She looked slightly irritated at the sight of the peacekeepers, but made no comment. She simply stood next to me and stared at them, waiting.
"We are leaving now. Follow us." One of the peacekeepers stated.
Both Alexandra and I nodded as we followed them out of the living quarters.
There was no conversation as we walked down hallways heading towards our destination. The peacekeepers here didn't seem the type to tolerate meaningless conversation and Alexandra and I did not have the relationship where we would actually want to have such a conversation. We all spent the time thinking to ourselves.
My eyes briefly focused on Alexandra. The next time I saw her, I was going to try and kill her. I doubt it would be in the bloodbath: she was too quick. There was no way I would reach her in time with a weapon to kill her amongst the chaos. Afterwards, however, I was going to hunt her down. She and Logan would both die by my hands and receive the proper punishment they deserved… the punishment that they almost avoided by entering the Hunger Games. For now, though, my primary focus was going to be on getting out of the bloodbath alive with Florina.
A brief smile crossed my lips as I thought about the girl from District Eleven. It was amusing to me that I actually had someone willing to work with me on my mission. I never had that luxury back in District Six, so it was something unique to me. However, the arena was going to be unknown territory. Florina's partnership was going to more than unique and comforting; there was a good chance it could also be a necessity.
Stephanie Volk's POV – District 5 Female
For the first few minutes after the peacekeepers picked us up, there was no conversation whatsoever. Awkwardness and silence filled the air with each step we took. It was an almost suffocating feeling to me. Icarus, too, seemed to be experiencing the same feelings as me. After a while, though, Icarus sighed and decided to break the silence.
"Do you care if we talk?" He asked.
One of the peacekeepers shrugged in response before speaking. "I don't give a fuck. Just know we're listening to everything you say, even if it looks like we aren't."
Icarus nodded in understanding. He then turned to face me and smiled. I returned his smile, relieved to have someone to talk to now and get out of this silence.
"You're ready, right?" He questioned me.
"As ready as I will ever be." I replied with a sigh. Even with all the preparation during the training sessions and on our own times, how could someone actually be truly ready for the Hunger Games? There were very few things that could actually be predicted within the Games. It was truly a random competition and that made me absolutely terrified. "Are you?"
"Same. I'm just anxious to get this thing started." Icarus sighed in response.
Icarus did appear to look stressed, which was a surprise. Usually he was so calm, collected, and emotionless with how he carried himself. To be completely honest, I probably looked a little calmer than him right now! I couldn't help but stare at him in curiosity, wondering what he was thinking about. I opened my mouth to ask him about it, but he then cut me off with another question.
"You remember the plan right?" He asked.
"Yeah. We'll get our own individual supplies for our plans. And then we'll meet up with Ethan and get out." I answered immediately.
"Remember if Ethan or I die in the bloodbath, don't react. Just get away from the bloodbath. I'm going to do the same, and if Ethan has any form of common sense, he'd do the same." Icarus stated sharply. "Also, if I do die, do not mourn for me. Such an attitude will only get you killed."
"Easier said than done." I replied with a frown.
There was no doubt in my mind that if I died, Icarus wouldn't think twice and would move on. I doubt I would be able to do that. Despite my better judgment, I had become close to him and Ethan. Imagining either of them dead was terrifying. I don't know how I would react at all…
Then again, if I had any intentions of getting out of the arena alive, both Icarus and Ethan were going to have to die at some point.
Icarus and I stopped talking and simply marched the rest of the way in silence. The entire way, all I could truly think about was my older brother and how much I wished he was here to help calm me down before I enter the arena…
Cascade Bolt's POV – District 4 Male
After probably walking for nearly ten minutes through generic hallways, the peacekeepers finally stopped walking as we reached a large, steel door. There was a number pad on the wall next to the door. One of the peacekeepers walked over to the pad while one of the other peacekeepers grabbed a radio from his pocket and pressed a button.
"District Four tributes have reached the hanger. We will board the hovercraft and arrive on location at 0900." He reported into the radio.
I knew he wasn't talking to me, but I still nodded in understanding. It wasn't going to be long before we were at the arena location. Soon, the Hunger Games would begin and it would be time to fight.
Strangely, I wasn't too nervous about the actual fighting. This wouldn't be my first fight with kids and I knew that I was capable in a fight. Furthermore, I was in the Career Pack. Fighting and the fear of dying in the bloodbath wasn't a top concern of mine.
Instead, I was anxious about actually killing some of the other tributes. I've beaten up any piece of shit that ever picked a fight with me back in District Four, but I've only done just that; I've never actually killed someone before. It never felt right to ever go that far. Now, I wasn't going to have a choice. I was going to have to end the lives of the competition… sooner than later too. I wasn't a volunteer, so I was already looked at negatively by my allies. They were going to look to me and see if I wasn't going to hold them back. I had to show them what I was capable of doing. Therefore, I was going to have to make at least one kill in the bloodbath…
My eyes gravitated towards Alaska. She also wasn't a volunteer, so she was in the same boat as me; she was going to have to prove herself as well to the other careers.
"Do you know who you are going to try and go after?" I asked quietly.
Alaska shrugged in response. "I don't know, nor do I really care. First person I notice after I get a weapon I guess." She then turned to look at me with a curious look in her eyes. "Do you actually have a planned target?"
"No, no." I shook my head. "I was just curious about what you were thinking. I guess you and I are on the same wavelength."
"You don't seem as confident as you usually are. Feeling nervous?" Alaska questioned. I could tell she intended for her question to come across as condescending, but I did notice a slight sense of concern in her voice. Was she actually concerned about me? … Probably not. She was most likely worried that I wouldn't be able to hold my own in the Career Pack.
"Not nervous. I'm ready!" I answered her as I cracked my knuckles in response.
I was telling the truth. Nervousness wasn't what I was feeling. I really didn't know exactly what it was. However, whatever this emotion was, it wasn't going to hold me back in the arena. I had to kill no matter what. Dylan's life was on the line and that's all that matters. All I could do was fight and kill and just hope I'd be able to feel good about all of this sometime later in the future!
At least I hope I will be able to…
Alaska looked as if she was about to say something, but she was cut off at the sound of a door being unlocked. We turned our attention back to the door. The peacekeeper at the number pad had just entered a password and the steel door was now wide open. The three peacekeepers walked in. Not wanting to be left behind, Alaska and I followed and entered the room. Immediately after, we both looked at the giant object in front of us and gaped at the sight…
"Damn…" I couldn't help but mumble.
Kaylee Harper's POV – District 3 Female
I would never consider myself the stereotypical person from District Three. I didn't think of myself as particularly intelligent, so machinery and technology just never seemed like practical interests to me. Still, I couldn't help but look at the giant hovercraft in front of me and be impressed.
The hovercraft looked like something out of a book. It was made of pure iron and metal and looked very durable. There were many tiles scattered across the body of the hovercraft and its wings. The windows were nearly see-through; it took me a few seconds to even realize they were windows! It was an absolutely incredible sight to see. It was still strange to see just how much more advanced Capitolian technology was compared to the technology of the Districts.
It took a few seconds before the 'amazed' feeling went away. My thoughts focused, once again, on the impending Games. After all, the only reason I was even around the hovercraft was to board it and be escorted to the arena: not to gawk at it like some mindless sheep.
"This is superb!" Ethan exclaimed loudly with a wide grin on his face, his eyes focused intently on the wings of the hovercraft. Apparently, he was unable to lose the fascination with the hovercraft. "How exactly do the Capitol scientists craft such fine aviation machines? This goes beyond the possibilities at all the factories in District Three!"
I shook my head, resisting the urge to tell the boy 'no shit'. The Capitol would never allow District Three to have the resources to produce something of this quality. They would never risk it in case if the Districts decided to revolt again. However, I couldn't say that to Ethan. For the first time all day, he actually looked excitable and happy again. It was a relief to see him in any other mood other than 'moody' and 'depressed'… especially considering this was very realistically the last time I could see him. I wouldn't go after him, but there was definitely a very strong chance that someone would kill the boy in the bloodbath.
That was probably a good thing for me. Other than Ethan and maybe Yaro to a loose degree, I didn't consider myself close to anyone. They were nothing more than obstacles, keeping me away from returning home. Therefore, I would be able to fight them and kill them with no guilt!
… Or at least, as little guilt as possible. I don't know if it would be guilt exactly, but I had a feeling I wasn't going to be in the best of mood when I saw Ethan's face in the sky after he dies…
"You two: hurry up. We're on a tight schedule." One of the peacekeepers hissed.
Both Ethan and I nodded as we quickly walked up to the front of the hovercraft. We walked right underneath it towards a ladder attached to it that led to an open door at the top.
"Start climbing. Ladies first I guess." One of the peacekeepers stated sharply as he glared at me.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." I rolled my eyes as I started to climb the hovercraft's ladder. I didn't like his tone-of-voice and I wanted to fire back at him, but I resisted the urge. It made little sense to antagonize one of the peacekeepers now just before entering the Games. I didn't want to risk angering someone who had connections to the gamemakers or the government that could guarantee me getting killed, after all…
Instead, I focused on Harper as I climbed the ladder. I'm sure he's going through hell right now back in District Three. He got outed as my 'lover' on live television, and I know a place like District Three would not take an affair positively. At the very least, I'm sure my parents and Renton are pissed at him…
I had to make it back home. There were so many problems and complications in my personal life that I haven't resolved yet. I had to fix my relationship with my family and I needed to resolve the issue with Harper and Renton. I was by no means a good person and I probably didn't deserve to come out of the arena live. However, there were so many wrongs I needed to right in my personal life. If there was a god out there, maybe he would take pity on me just this once and give me the chance to return home and correct my mistakes…
Lepolio Huang's POV – District 2 Male
Victoire and I boarded the hovercraft as quickly as we arrived. We then took our own seats. The peacekeepers followed up the ladder and entered as well. They then started to strap us in.
"Whoa… little tight there." Victoire commented lightly as one of the peacekeepers forced another seatbelt on her.
"My apologies, ma'am, but we're just ensuring you're not going to try get out of your seat midflight or something. Could be dangerous for you." The peacekeeper told her with a shrug.
After Victoire and I were strapped in tightly, one of the peacekeepers took out two different syringes. He tossed them to the other two peacekeepers, who quickly injected them into our arms. At first, I gave him a confused look as I tried to figure out what exactly he was putting inside me. Then, I noticed Victoire wince slightly in pain, making me believe that the syringe was supposed to be painful. I quickly bit my lip and tried to appear like I was trying to hide 'my pain'.
"The trackers were injected." One of the peacekeepers reported on a radio.
Oh. The trackers. I was wondering when we were going to receive those. Interesting. If only the tracking device wasn't injected into the bloodstream. If it was something placed on our clothes, I could find some way to hack into it and use it to locate the other tributes. That would make the actual Hunger Games more convenient for me.
"Copy that. Both District Two tributes are registered on our system." A voice replied on the other side of the radio. It was most likely one of the gamemakers.
"Ten four." The peacekeeper replied as he ended the radio transmission. He then turned to face us. "The hovercraft will be taking off in a few minutes."
"Understood." I replied compliantly.
Personally, I was ready for all of these useless protocols to end already. I was ready to enter the arena and begin the Hunger Games. It had been a little longer than a week since I saw my family, and I did not enjoy being away from them for so long. I was going to have to win the Games fast so I could get back to them. If I remained focused on my goal, I could most likely finish the Hunger Games in about five days.
When the Games started, I was going to begin the hunt immediately. I'd grab two swords in the cornucopia and would hunt down as many tributes as I could. I would make an effort to prioritize high-scoring tributes first, however. Icarus, Alexandra, Booker, Maddison, Logan… it was imperative to remove these threats as early as I could.
Instinctively, my fingers wandered to the golden ring on my left index finger. There was a switch on it that opened up a small compartment. Inside of it were two pictures: the first was of me, my parents, and my brother; the second was of me, Kianna, and our children. My fingers rubbed over the image of my son, Miall…
Very few things mattered to me. My family was the only thing I could care about. The Quarter Quell twist put the life of Miall at risk. For my son, I was ready to do anything. I could care less what the Capitol thought of me after the Games. All that mattered was that I got home and kept him safe.
The Capitol wanted a show. For my son, I was ready to give them a full-out massacre. By the time I was done, the other tributes were going to be little more than pieces of flesh and blood, and I was going to feel no guilt whatsoever.
Kendra Perone's POV – District 1 Female
A minute passed after boarding the hovercraft. The machine finally started to rise into the air. The ceiling in the room we were in opened up, revealing a bright, blue sky. The hovercraft then started to fly out of the opening at a very fast rate, getting us out of the training center and on the way towards the arena.
Finally. There were only so many fake conversations with Royal I could have and books I could read. I needed something a little more invigorating to keep me entertained. I knew the Games would be able to provide that entertainment. One of the main reasons I volunteered was for the adventure, and I was very excited to see exactly what the arena was like and how the Games were going to unfold.
With that in mind, I looked over to the left. I was sitting in a seat by one of the windows of the hovercraft, so I was able to look out into the sky. My eyes widened as I looked down and saw an overview of the Capitol. The city looked so big from the train and from the brief glimpses I had seen over the week and on the television. Seeing it from this height made it look so small and insignificant. It probably looked no different than the Districts from the sky.
It didn't take long before I realized that I liked this feeling of flying and being in the sky. After I won the Games, I wanted to experience this feeling again.
"Are you ready Kendra?"
If only I was alone to actually enjoy this. With a sigh, I turned my head and faced Ariail, who was studying me intently.
"If I wasn't, I would have never volunteered. I was ready before we even came out here." I answered dismissively.
Ariail scowled in response before he responded. "Get as many kills as you can in the bloodbath. We want to show the audience our strength early. We have a legacy to uphold after all."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I'll get a couple of good kills. Don't worry." I rolled my eyes in response.
There was a part of me that wanted not to kill a single person in the bloodbath just to spite Ariail and his leadership, but I realized that would not be practical. I had my fun screwing around with him; now was the time to be serious. I had a few people that I was considering going after and I was going to make sure at least one or two of them died by my axe.
Matthias and Zelena were going to be watching me. Both of them were not going to be worried about me. Not even Zelena, despite the Quarter Quell, would be afraid for me. They knew exactly how capable I was. They knew that nothing was going to stop me from coming back home.
That's exactly what I was going to do. That's all I knew that was going to happen at least. There was not a single doubt in my mind that I was going to win. Hopefully after I win the Games, however, I'll have some sense of purpose of what to do with my life after. I was honestly sick of the same stupid day-to-day routine back at home. The Games will be exciting and all I can hope for was that life as a victor would be just as equally exciting.
Ariail Bardineux's POV – District 1 Male
I cracked my knuckles as I looked out the window of the hovercraft impatiently, waiting for it to land already. How far away was the actual arena from the training center anyway? Why couldn't it just be nearby the damn place? That would make logical sense, but I've come to realize that not a single person in the Capitol were logical. They operated on their own wavelength and thought in ways no one else could understand. After all, this whole thing was just some game to them. They were probably the biggest examples of worthless human lives.
The wait today was driving me insane. I barely got any sleep last night and the day itself was dragging on for what felt like forever. All I wanted was to get thrown into the arena already. Seriously! I was getting extremely impatient for the Games to start and for me to make my first kill.
I wouldn't really consider myself too bloodthirsty like most guys from District One. I was much more sophisticated and intelligent than the average kill-hungry mongrels my district produced. However, even I could feel an adrenaline rush sweep over me as the time to enter the arena came closer. There was an excitement that went through my body and I was more than ready to release it in the bloodbath. I was always willing and ready to experience something new just for the thrill of it and killing was going to be no exception!
How many kills would I be able to make? I brought my right hand to my head as I pondered that question. I was aiming to make at least two. Hopefully three or four, if I was lucky and the other tributes were abnormally slow. I wasn't interested in putting on a show for the Capitol, but I did want to make sure I was a well-decorated victor that had many kills under my name. If I could leave the Games with eight different kills, I would be satisfied my work. That felt like a reasonable accomplishment to me, at least.
More than getting kills, though, the priority was to enjoy the experience of the Hunger Games and stay alive. Perhaps I was willing to play the arena more aggressively when I first entered the Hunger Games and maybe I was even willing to die just to make a name for myself out there, but not after that damn Quarter Quell twist announcement…
Amorette…
I wondered what she was thinking right now. I know she's strong and independent, but even she has to be scared shitless. After all, her fate and the fate of her child are in my hands and I've never been considered the most reliable person in District One. I've already let her down, so she's probably expecting to be let down a second time and to suffer the consequences of being connected to me.
Well, she's wrong. If there's one thing I am, it's that I'm the kind of guy who knows what I want and gets it. I'll be back in District One and there is nothing anyone can do to stop that. If anything, they'll only encourage me to work harder to get out alive.
One of the peacekeepers that escorted us into the hovercraft pulled out a radio and pressed a button it before speaking: "District One will be arriving shortly. Everything is on schedule and they will be escorted to position immediately."
Damn right we will.
Victoire McBlock's POV – District 2 Female
The hovercraft began to slowly descend. A part of me actually felt slightly disappointed. The feeling of flying and being in the air was something new to me and it was absolutely exhilarating: to the point that I was actually starting to hope that the arena was going to be a sky based arena.
Nevertheless, all good things have to end at some point. The ground was starting to become closer and closer. Soon, I would fine my way in the middle of the Hunger Games arena and the bloodbath would begin soon after…
A frown crept onto my face. I never enjoyed the bloodbath. All the kills were too fast-paced and a lot of the tributes didn't have a chance to pick up their weapons and fight. They simply died. Those weren't the type of kills I wanted to get. I wanted to get mine through actual fighting. A lot of my competition were put in this against the will, so the least they deserved was a chance to fight for themselves.
Not like I was going to roll over and let them kill me, however. I had too many aspirations for my life outside of the Hunger Games to die here. Besides, I had to fight for Cameron. I couldn't die here, knowing that my death would get my younger brother killed too.
"Victoire?"
I turned my head and faced Lepolio. He was studying me intently with a serious expression on his face: the same expression I became so used to seeing ever since the Quarter Quell announcement.
"Yes?" I asked him.
"Once we land, we will be escorted away. You're rather caring for a girl from District Two, so I wanted to tell you this before we got separated and before we enter the arena: don't worry about me or the other careers in the bloodbath. We'll all survive and meet up afterwards. Just focus on getting as many kills as you can. Target whoever you want. Just make sure that as many people in our competition die." He stated.
His tone-of-voice took me by surprise. It was filled with so much determination, yet also filled with such a lack of emotion and care. Lepolio was always a quiet guy, but I always took him as polite and friendly whenever we did talk. Right now, he did resemble the boy I had met on the train. Right now, he resembled the most focused and deadly of career-trained males in District Two.
"Understood." I nodded in response.
Kills in the bloodbath weren't what I was hoping to do, but if I had to make one, I would. I would try to make them as painless as I could, but if they had to happen, then they would. I had to show the rest of the Career Pack and the Capital citizens that I was ready and willing to fight. This is what I have been training for so many years and I wasn't going to let all that time spent dreaming, preparing, and training go to waste!
Watch me Cameron. I got this!
It didn't take much longer before the hovercraft finally landed on solid ground.
Ethan Neurus's POV – District 3 Male
"You two: off the hovercraft now!" One of the peacekeepers shouted at Kaylee and me.
The two of us nodded obediently before we went down the ladder outside the door that we used to get on board. Kaylee went first while I followed behind. As I made my own descent downward, I looked outward and saw the new building I would be entering. I looked at in astonishment.
On the outside, the building was extremely large and bland-looking. It appeared like an office building of some sorts and seemed forgettable. It was anything but. Inside, there was going to be some device that teleported me and the rest of the tributes into a soon-to-be battle-torn environment. It was strange to look at this bland building, knowing that it was most likely going to be the location where I pass on into the next life.
Immediately, I shook my head. Stephanie and my mentors had told me to start thinking more positively, and I really needed to try. Things weren't as hopeless as I thought they were. I had two great allies – one of whom scored a ten – and I had the blueprints for a plan that would be remembered for years in the Hunger Games. If I could pull off my plans, then I stood a very reasonable chance to win. These were all facts that I knew.
Then again, I also knew facts that contradicted these. I was physically weak and scored a two in training. Furthermore, I was no stranger to failure. My mother was always quick to inform me of all my faults and everything I did wrong back in District Three. She saw me as little more than a leech. To be honest, if it wasn't for the Quarter Quell twist linking my life to my father's, I would believe that she'd be excited to see me die. At the very least, she wouldn't miss me. Not many people would.
"Kid! Hurry up already!" One of the peacekeepers called out.
Immediately, I realized I had stopped my descent on the ladder. I quickly bowed my head in apologies as I started to go downward again. A few seconds passed before I was on the ground, standing next to Kaylee.
"We're going to take you both to your stylists one last time." The peacekeepers informed us.
With those words, the peacekeepers started to separate. One of them signaled for Kaylee to follow him and another signaled for me to follow him. It was now time to go off alone into the last preparation.
"Ethan!" Kaylee called to me before we started to walk off. I turned to face her. She gave me a thumbs up and had a very slight smile on her face. "I'm going to do all I can to win, but don't die too early, okay? A kid like you doesn't deserve to be a bloodbath."
"… heh. I will do everything in my power to avoid such a fate." I replied with a similar smile. "And I wish a similar fate for you."
We were not allies and we both were realistic: only one of us would make it out alive. But like Kaylee did for me, I was wishing for the best for her as well. Hopefully she would join up with her allies and make it out of the bloodbath alright. Likewise, hopefully I would.
"Let's not waste any more time! Let's go!" The peacekeeper hissed at me.
With another nod, I started to follow him into the building. There were so many preparations that needed to be done. All I could hope for was that they wouldn't be in vain.
Alaska Dayte's POV – District 4 Female
The walk into the building was even more quiet and uncomfortable since Cascade left. The two of us were not close at all, but it was always comforting to be around him. All that was with me was a silent peacekeeper, and his presence didn't mean a single thing to me. He felt more like a threat that could potentially kill me, like an arena trap.
This was going to be what the actual Hunger Games was going to feel like. I was going to be alone with no allies. It was just going to be me versus the world. It was an intimidating thought – now more than ever – but it wasn't something I could be too concerned about. I've been training my ass off these past few days and I knew had the skills to survive. I just had to put them to use and, well, survive!
With that in mind, I spent my time looking around the hallways of the 'arena building'. It was starting to really bother me. Each room was plain looking with absolutely to study or look at. Looking at these rooms got me slightly concerned about the arena. I realized that it was going to look nothing like these plain rooms, but I was hoping that it was going to be more open. Enclosed areas, like these rooms, were not ideal for me…
What even were my hopes for the arena? Maybe one of the stereotypical forest-like arenas? That would be very ideal. I could hide up in trees with nets that I could make and then use them to capture any tribute that comes by my hiding spot. I guess all that I needed was any type of environment with high ground that I could climb up to. Just don't let the arena be enclosed or low to the ground… or have too much water.
I pushed the thoughts of water out of my head. I had a phobia of the deep water since the day my parents passed away on their fishing boat. I realized that and I didn't want to think about the topic too much. It would only depress and scare me. If it was an aquatic arena… then so be it. I would have to get over the fear as fast as I could. The life of Oanou was in my hands and nothing, not even my own fears, was going to stop me from keeping him alive!
"And here we are." The peacekeeper spoke up, interrupting my thoughts.
I looked forward and noticed that the two of us were approaching a large, silver door at the end of the hallway. We continued to walk closer to it before the peacekeeper stopped walking.
"This is where I stop. Your stylist is on the other side and she will assist with the last stages of preparations." He informed me.
"How many more procedures are there?" I rolled my eyes in response. All the Capitol protocol was really getting on my nerves. The system they had to kill twenty-three innocent children shouldn't be this complicated!
Then again, this system shouldn't even exist in the first place…
"You're almost done with them. Don't worry; the Games will start soon and you can kill to your hearts content in the arena." The peacekeeper noted with a chuckle.
A scowl developed on my face as I turned away from him to face the door. I wasn't interested in becoming a murderer. I didn't like the idea of killing other kids. However, I didn't want any harm to happen to my little brother. Therefore, I was ready to do whatever it took to keep him safe. If that meant killing, then I'd do it. I'd be the career tribute the Capital so desperately wants. I'd kill everyone here and send them straight down to hell if it meant Oanou was going to be okay.
I walked forward and opened the door to the room, thinking of Oanou as I entered the room to get these 'last stages of preparation' out of the way.
Icarus Bolt's POV – District 5 Male
"Ah, Icarus. Nice to see you." Janna, my stylist, greeted with me a smile.
"Nice to see you too." I mumbled half-heartedly in response.
Janna was rather nice, normal, and intelligent when compared to the other Capital citizens I had met. She was actually rather fun to talk to before the Tribute Parade. However, I was not necessarily in the mood to discuss anything with her and talk about scientific phenomena with her like last time. My mind was busy calculating plans and running through different possible scenarios of the arena.
"You seem preoccupied." She noted, catching on to my head.
"I suppose. Just thinking about the Games." I answered with a sigh.
"Finally worrying about them? You always seemed so calm talking about them before; I would've thought you were a career who didn't fear anything!" She joked in response.
A frown crept on to my face. Did it really surprise everyone when I showed any hint of emotion or something? These 'emotionless' rumors were starting to piss me off. It was not that I didn't feel anything; I have been trying to keep my thoughts and my mind in check these past few days to prevent myself from going insane before I entered the arena! Was that really that bad?
Unfortunately for me, I haven't been able to keep my emotions in check that easily today. I was irritable today and I was nervous: for my life and for Tallie's life.
Dammit Dad. I couldn't help but curse his name. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have had to volunteer and Tallie wouldn't have her life on the line. He fucked the two of us over so badly, thanks to his cowardice…
Then again, it was partially my thought. I should have listened to him when we were trying to flee the district. If I wasn't so reckless then, this whole situation could have been avoided as well. Hell, if I didn't do that, then I wouldn't have had to see the side of my father that I've grown to despise. He would still be the great electrician I idolized my whole life. Life would have been so easy if I wasn't so fucking stupid back then.
This was all my fault as well. And now, I had to somehow find a way to make up for it and get out of here alive.
"Icarus?" I heard Janna say my name.
"Yes? Sorry?" I turned to face her.
"Did you even hear anything I said? Man, you really are out of it today." She noted with another chuckle. Her face then took a more serious demeanor. "… Are you okay?"
"Right now… not really." I answered honestly with a sigh. "I'll be okay though once I get out of the arena."
Realistically speaking, I did stand a great chance of making it out of the arena. I earned a ten in training and I was going to be skilled in fighting and in survival skills. Plus, I had Stephanie and Ethan on my side, and the two of them had some plan that would be beneficial to our alliance if they could pull it off. There were a lot of positives in my favor that increase my chance of victory. I just needed to take control of my negative variables: my emotions and my own recklessness. If I could do that, which I have been able to do up until today perfectly, then I will be able to win.
I can let myself stress out finally right here and release all of this bad energy that I've been storing in my body this whole time. Once I enter the arena, I have to be calm like I have been. I need to act rationally. I need to think rationally.
"… Well, then let's guarantee you your victory." Janna stated confidently. "Are you ready, then, to get preparations out of the way?"
"Yup." I replied with a nod. "What do have left to do?"
Alexandra Varas's POV – District 6 Female
"All that's really left to do is for you to put on the tribute uniform." Olaf, my stylist, told me as he took to a closet in the room. He then opened the doors of the closet, revealing to me a mannequin wearing my outfit.
I studied the uniform intently. It seemed rather plain, in my honest opinion. It was a white long-sleeve shirt and pants with black running shoes and a pair of black gloves. The shirt and pants looked skintight and were designed, from the looks of it, not to restrict body movement at all. The one thing that did stand out, however, was a small golden headband on the top of the mannequin's head. It resembled what the girl from District Nine, Demetriana, wore during her interview.
During her interview, Demetriana was asked about the headband and said that it helped connect to her namesake: a goddess of an ancient religion from a foreign land. My mind tried to remember everything she said about the topic. Perhaps there was a hint in it that could clue me in to what the arena was going to be like?
"You good Alex? You're zoning out." Olaf commented, waving his hand in front of my face.
"Sorry. I was just thinking about something." I replied nonchalantly. I then glared as I registered exactly what he said. "And for the last time, don't call me that. My name's Alexandra."
"Yeah, yeah. I heard you. I just don't like it, because it's a mouthful." He replied with a shrug.
"That's a matter of opinion." I rolled my eyes.
"Anyways, let's get back to business. Can you put on the uniform?" He requested with a grin on his face.
"… Can I put it on in the closet?" I requested.
I wasn't one to be self-cautious about my body, but I had noticed the way Olaf looked at me when he thought I wasn't looking. It disturbed me slightly and I did not want him seeing me undressed again after the damn stylist prep before the chariots.
Olaf's grin faded, but he nodded and let me enter the closet alone. I quickly took the clothes off the mannequin, took off my own clothes, and put on the new uniform. As I predicted, the clothes were tight on me, but they didn't feel restricting whatsoever. They wouldn't be a hindrance and I would be able to run around easily in them. They almost reminded me of the clothes I would wear during one of my heists in District Six… only more visible.
Perhaps I was being a little over-confident, but I was feeling comfortable in my chances for the arena. I felt there was a very good chance I would be the winner if I played my cards right. It was all a matter of playing them, however.
Although it was for the survival of my family, thievery trained me in all the skills I needed to survive in the arena. I learned everything I could in training and, thanks to Booker, I believe I had a story that would force the gamemakers to keep me alive until it was resolved, at least. I had many variables set up that would help me get out of the arena alive. I had to make sure that I didn't waste any of them.
I lightly chuckled as I walked out of the closet. I was thinking about my mother and how she was most likely worrying to death about me: not about herself. All of her worries were going to be in vain. Nothing was going to happen to me, or her for that matter. If there was one thing I knew I was good at, it was surviving. There wasn't a damn thing that was going to kill me in the arena.
Raegae Oak's POV – District 7 Male
"How do I look? Badass?" I asked my stylist, Shen.
"I suppose. You look sufficient." He replied with the same bored tone-of-voice he always had.
"More than 'sufficient'. I look like a victor!" I exclaimed as I flexed my muscles. The shirt was skintight, so my muscles showed very nicely. There was no doubt that the women watching me in the arena were going to be drooling. I could already imagine all the babes that'll be all over me once I win the Games.
The outfit was probably the best part about today so far. Otherwise, it's been pretty damn shitty. Autumn was acting like a dumbass during breakfast and the mentors were as useless as always. The hovercraft was kinda cool, but it wasn't very long and the peacekeepers have all been dicks today. And, quite frankly, it was only going to get shittier once the Games actually started.
No matter what others thought of me, I wasn't a dumbass. I'm much more observant than people think and I knew exactly how people saw me. They saw me as this big idiot who spoke before he thought; someone who always pissed others off. I had a shit image and I was fucking sick of it. I was more than ready to show everyone who I really am and what I'm actually capable of.
I wasn't some play-toy to the Capital. They could have their fun and kill other kids; I couldn't give a shit. I'd mind my own business and have fun my way while they did whatever they want to twenty-four other little shits. This year, though, they decided to fuck with me. And then, they decided to fuck with me harder with the Quarter Quell twist and putting Sycamore at risk with me. If there was one thing people need to know about me, it's that I don't appreciate being screwed with. I'm the kind of person who likes to get even. Fuck with me? I'll fuck with you ten times harder.
I won't be a popular winner, but whatever. I'll win the Hunger Games and become a victor and I'll stick my middle finger up loud and proud towards anyone who ever doubted me.
"It's time to continue. The Games are about to start soon." Shen informed me.
"Hell yeah! Bring them on!" I exclaimed, pounding my left fist into my right hand's open palm.
Shen rolled his eyes in response, but started to walk off. "Follow me."
"Where we going now?" I asked with a sigh. After my inner monologue and getting myself pumped up, the last thing I wanted to do was walk through more boring hallways for another ten minutes.
"To the entrance to the Hunger Games. It's just one room over." My stylist replied with a shrug. "Let's not waste any more time."
"Yeah, yeah." I nodded in agreement.
I wasn't going to be wasting any time at all. I had a plan for how the Games was going to go down and it was full-proof. All my time was going to be used effectively. In no time at all, Sapphire Taric was going to announce me as the victor of the Sixth Quarter Quell.
Raven Bell's POV – District 8 Female
"… So that's it?" I asked quietly.
My stylist, Lulu, nodded in response. She had led me to an extremely small, cramped room. The only thing of note was a steel plate in the center of the room and an open hole above it. It really didn't seem like much, but I knew that it was how I was going to get into the arena. That made it very notable to me, memorable to me… and absolutely terrifying to me.
Deep breaths Raven! Deep… breaths…
I wouldn't be lying if I said that a part of me was a little excited about entering the Hunger Games just to see some new scenery. Life in the luxury of the Capital was kinda nice at first, but then it got kinda dull fast, got lonely without my family, and got horrible after the training sessions. Most of my time in the Capital felt like it was wasted. I was more than excited to get out of that big city and just be able to go somewhere else.
Having said that, I was still terrified about entering the arena and having to fight for my life. I was also equally terrified about having to become a killer just to get out…
Growing up, my father taught me a lot of important lessons. He was a peacekeeper and most people looked at them negatively, but he was one of the ones who really did care about 'keeping peace' and protecting the people. He taught me about the importance of human life. It felt like I would have to dishonor everything he taught me, just to be able to come back home and see him and everyone else again…
Then again, he did tell me to fight when he talked to me in the Justice Building. They all want me to fight. Maybe they won't judge me if I have to make a kill or two to come back!
… The question is, though, will I be able to not judge myself after I make my kills?
"Don't be too anxious Raven." Lulu told me as she approached me and put her hand on my back. I guess she noticed that I was feeling nervous. "You'll do fine in the arena. I promise!"
"Thanks. I think I will." I replied with a smile. "… I hope at least."
"There's no need to 'hope'. You're gonna do great and I know it!" My stylist declared stubbornly.
A more sincere smile developed on my face. If nothing else, Lulu was a very kind woman. Even if she was unusually short and had purple hair, she was very polite and optimistic. It was infectious and she was part of the reason why I had high hopes for the Games.
I was only a fourteen year old girl. I had so many plans and aspirations for my life and the Capital was trying to take me away from them. They were even trying to take my best friend's life with me. Well, the Capital was going to realize that I can be very stubborn when I want to be and I did not appreciate at all their attempts to take everythin9g me. I was going to do everything I could to make sure I maintained everything and that Carolina was going to be okay.
I opened my mouth to respond to Lulu's encouragement, but I stopped when a loud voice spoke through an intercom system.
"Attention all tributes. Please step on the plate in the transport room. In exactly one minute, we will bring you all to the arena." The voice declared.
Immediately, the confidence I was just feeling disappeared. I took a deep breath and gulp as I walked over to the plate.
It's showtime Raven.
Jason Icarus's POV – District 9 Male
"Good luck Jason!" Nami, my stylist, told me.
I waved goodbye nervously as I walked her walk out of the room. With her gone, I was now alone. A cold sweat covered my face and I felt a deep lump within my throat. I could also feel a strong urge to throw up on the spot.
Time went by slowly. The voice on the intercom said that it would be only one minute, but it felt more like one hour. Each passing second felt like an eternity and I could feel myself growing sicker and sicker, because once this eternity passed, it was going to be time for the Hunger Games.
The Games were a symbol for everything I was morally against. I hated bloodshed and violence. I hated suffering and death. I hated the corrupt influence of the Capital. Up until to now, even since the reaping, I've been able to see them as this far-away, evil creation. Now, this 'evil' was up close and personal and it was threatening to end my life and Lacy's life. The thought of dying and Lacy getting murdered right afterwards was enough to make me start crying…
Just think of that little boy. I repeated that mantra in my head, hoping it would calm me down. After seeing the competition, after meeting the careers and Logan, I knew for a fact that he would be dead. I saved his life and the life of one of his parents. That was what I was going to tell myself during my suffering in the arena. At least I was muscular and stood a chance to get out of the arena.
I hope at least…
Finally, the eternity passed and a glass cylinder came through the hole in the ceiling. It surrounded my body, trapping me inside. My hands touch the inside desperately and my breathing intensified. I was by no means claustrophobic, but right now, I was scared and trapped. I just wanted to get out…
My hands then move towards the necklace around my neck in comfort. It was my district token: a gift Lacy made years ago. Her family was one of the poorest families in the district and could barely afford anything, but she was able to save enough money to buy a few beads to make one for me and our other best friend John. We always wore our necklaces as a symbol of friendship. We told each other that, if any of us were in trouble and separated from each, we could reach for the necklace and know that the others were going to be with us.
I never imagined being separated from them, but now I understand what the purpose was really for: it was in case if any of us were put into the arena. My hand tightened onto it. Lacy and John were going to be with me in spirit in the arena. They were going to give me the strength to get out of the arena somehow.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I thought back about both of my friends. By the time I opened my eyes, I found myself face-to-face with the arena.
Maddison Holland's POV – District 10 Female
I hated wasting time, so I had planned to study the arena during the countdown to map out a basic plan for the Games. As soon as my cylinder reached the arena and opened it, I took a long look at the arena and asked myself one simple question: where the hell am I?
My eyes scanned the arena, trying to figure out what I was going to face. What I noticed were a bunch of ruined, white buildings scattered throughout the land. Some of the buildings were intact, but most were nothing more than rubble. A few of the ones that were still standing were rather large and looked almost like large houses. There were large pillars. I noticed that a circle formation of pillars surrounded the steel cornucopia at the very center. All of the buildings and rubble were connected by a series of stone roads. There was absolutely no green in the immediate sight.
I then started to scan out into the distance. Away from all of the rubble and the cornucopia, I saw some green. There was obviously some forest surrounding the area. I could also see the ocean in the distance. Were we on an island of some sort?
I turned my head as I continued to study the arena. My eyes widened at the sight of what was directly behind me. There was an absolutely massive volcano in the far distance. I could see smoke flowing out of the vent of the volcano. I have never seen a volcano before, not even in the past Hunger Games, but I knew about them from schoolwork and I could tell immediately that it was active. There was no doubt in my mind that the thing was going to erupt at some point during the Games.
Have to stay away from that thing as long as I can, otherwise I'm gonna be nothin' more than a pile of ash. I had an initial plan to hide in the most dangerous spot in the arena and sustain myself there, but I wasn't going to be doing that at a volcano. I didn't know when that thing was gonna blow and I needed to make sure I far was away from it when it did.
The arena had taken me completely by surprise, but after I studied it all, I felt relieved. I remembered watching all sorts of Hunger Games arenas. I had seen a few Games that had a 'ruins' theme and I knew a few things about the arena environments that I could use to my advantage. There were plenty of places I could hide and there were tools of rubble that I could use as a weapon if necessary. This arena was going to be something I could work with.
However, I knew that this arena wasn't a simple 'ruins style arena'. This was a Quarter Quell. There was more to this arena than what was visible to the eye. That made me very suspicious of what the Gamemakers had planned with this thing.
"Tributes of the One Hundred Fiftieth Hunger Games: welcome." A loud voice spoke from the sky. I recognized it immediately as the voice of the Head Gamemaker: Damien Brand. "Welcome to the ruined city of Pompeii!"
Pompeii? So this place had a name? Was this a Gamemakers invention or were we actually at some city ruins?
I shook my head immediately. I guess it didn't matter where we were. All that mattered was that I got out of this arena alive. I cracked my hands and put on a confident grin, hoping that my family was watching. Hopefully, they'd see me as 'confident' and wouldn't worry too much about me.
Mom, Dad, Leon, Judd, Dustin… I'm comin' home y'all. I spent my time thinking of my family as the countdown began.
Bane Darnell's POV – District 11 Male
"Sixty… Fifty-nine… Fifty-eight… Fifty-seven… Fifty-six…"
After studying the arena, my eyes turned towards the cornucopia. I studied all of the possible tools in the arena. There was a massive variety of weaponry at the very center: swords, axes, hammers, bows with arrows, scythes, explosives, etc. So many different tools to kill off the competition. I'm sure the Career Pack was already eyeing the center greedily, ready to get there hands on something and begin the killing.
The center was the last place I wanted to be. Luckily, I was only shooting for a backpack of supplies and a simple dagger: nothing close to the center. As long as I was fast, I shouldn't be in the cornucopia for too long and I'd find my way out of the bloodbath completely unscathed.
"Fifty-five… Fifty-four… Fifty-three… Fifty-two… Fifty-one…"
My eyes turned to look towards the other tributes. I was standing in between Raven Bell and Stephanie Volk. Both girls looked anxious and nervous and I noticed Stephanie eyeing her two allies, Ethan Neurus and Icarus Bolt, both of whom were on the other side of cornucopia.
There were not many careers located near me. Only Ariail Bardineux was close to me, and he wasn't eying any tribute in particular. His eyes never looked towards me, which was a relief. He wasn't going to go for me. He had 'bigger fish' to fry and wouldn't waste the time on me.
It was going to be my duty to make sure he regrets that decision…
"Fifty… Forty-nine… Forty-eight… Forty-seven… Forty-six…"
There were multiple plans I had made for how I would handle the actual Hunger Games. Although the 'ruined city' was not an ideal environment for most of my plans, I could see the forests in the distance. Once I made it out of the bloodbath, reaching those forests was going to be my first priority. I had to get there fast, though. I could imagine the forest becoming a crowded location for the tributes. I wanted to get as much of a head-start as possible to check for natural herbs and poisons before anyone else could.
"Forty-five… Forty-four… Forty-three… Forty-two… Forty-one…"
Worse come to worse, though, I could always head to the volcano. I would have be careful in case of an eruption, but I'm certain there was something poisonous there that I could use for some of my poisons.
Perhaps I would head there first anyway. Not many tributes would head in that direction early. It made sense to head in that direction if I wanted to avoid early confrontation. If my uncle was put into this arena, that was probably where he would head to after he got out of the bloodbath.
"Forty… Thirty-nine… Thirty-eight… Thirty-seven… Thirty-six…"
The lessons my father and uncle put me through ran through my head. All the tips they told me on how to survive the arena came to mind. I was never more grateful for the advice than I was right now. Just from looking at the faces of some of the other tributes, I could see quite a few of them looking nervous and confused. I'm sure they didn't have a full thought-out plan. I had a few things worked out already and I knew that all of these plans were going to help keep me alive…
It was weird to think like that, though. It felt sickening to imagine that twenty-three of us were going to be dead soon… and I could easily be part of that statistic.
"Thirty-five… Thirty-four… Thirty-three… Thirty-two… Thirty-one…"
I had attempted to live my life without any regrets in case if I were ever reaped, but as I stand here facing the potential of death face-to-face, I realized I had so many. I regretted not repairing my image in District Eleven. I regretted not spending more time with my mother and my grandparents and I wished I could tell them how much I appreciated them. I regretted only knowing my uncle through Hunger Games training and never getting to know him as a person. And I regretted my relationship with my father… especially considering there was a chance I was going to get him killed with me.
However, there was a chance these were pointless regrets. My 'death' wasn't certain just yet. Therefore, I had to get out of this arena alive. Dying was not an option. Period.
Emery Aspen's POV – District 12 Female
"Thirty… Twenty-nine… Twenty-eight… Twenty-seven… Twenty-six…"
"Twenty-five… Twenty-four… Twenty-three… Twenty-two… Twenty-one…"
Can time just hurry up already? These were the most painful seconds of my life! All I wanted to do was rush into the cornucopia, get my shit, and get out with my allies. Was that too much?
Possibly. There was a dark feeling that covered the whole area. I could feel the bloodlust radiating from some of the other tributes. Some of these guys were going to try and kill right at the beginning. I told myself I would kill to get back home, but I didn't think I would be able to kill someone right off in the bloodbath. However, many of the tributes around me seemed to be ready.
In particular Psycho…
"Twenty… Nineteen… Eighteen… Seventeen… Sixteen…"
I couldn't help but think about the creepy District Ten boy. He was standing on the platform next to mine, along with the boy from District Nine, Jason. I noticed the way the creepy fucker was eyeing one of the scythes in the cornucopia and I knew exactly what he was going to do with it once he got a hold of it. I was tempted to just grab a knife on the outer edges of the cornucopia just in case he got to his scythe before I got a weapon and tried to attack me with it. If I was weaponless against him, I would be dead. No if's, and's, or but's.
Oh, I was definitely going to have a weapon. If we ever had to fight against each other, I would have a spear in my hands and I would use it to murder him. Maybe I'd feel bad about killing the other tributes, but not him. That psycho deserved death.
"Fifteen… Fourteen… Thirteen… Twelve… Eleven…"
Quickly, I turned my attention away from Logan and looked for my allies. Kaylee and Yaro were standing on platforms next to each other! That's pretty damn coincidental. The two were also pretty close to me. We could hopefully meet up with each other rather quickly and get our shit together. Safety in numbers was a thing and together, we could all get out of the bloodbath and get out into the arena.
Once we get out, we can actually start working together and begin hunting or something. We can actually begin doing things that'll get us out of the arena alive.
… Or, should I say, me.
"Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… Six…"
It probably made me a bad person, but I had already imagined how Yaro and Kaylee were going to die. It was going to have to happen at some point if I wanted to get out of the Games alive. Therefore, I was going to have to betray them both at some point. It would probably be at the final ten. Somewhere around then. I knew, though, that it was going to be hard to do. Although I still didn't like Kaylee, Yaro and I had become pretty close. It felt wrong to have such a nice, funny guy die in that way. He was a good guy and didn't deserve his fate.
But then again, this was the Hunger Games. How many truly good guys actually came out of the Hunger Games alive?
"Five…"
I knew that I probably wasn't considered a nice person. I've been called a bitch amongst other things by many people in District Twelve. Perhaps I didn't deserve to make it out the arena, but I knew I had the drive to get out alive. I was willing to kill. I would do anything to get out alive.
"Four…"
My parents and Aiden were watching right now. I looked around for a camera, but I realized that was pointless. We weren't supposed to think about this as a television show. There weren't going to be any reminders of that. Sooner or later, I would probably forget and think of this as actual real life… a hellish life.
"Three…"
There was no camera to look to, but I put on a small smile on my lips in attempt to calm my family and Aiden down. I didn't want them to worry about me too much. They were all probably scared and nervous about me, but I didn't want them to worry. I was tough and I definitely stood a chance to get out of the arena. Hopefully they realized that as well!
"Two…"
It was almost finally time. I got into position to start sprinting the second the countdown ended. Stay calm Emery. Stay strong. I needed to meet up with Yaro and Kaylee, grab a weapon, and get the fuck out of here.
"One…"
Game time Emery. For Aiden's sake, don't fuck up!
"Let the One Hundred and Fiftieth Hunger Games – the Sixth Quarter Quell begin!"
"May you all burn to the ground!"
Author's Note: Oh geez... This chapter took longer than I had expected. I'm sorry for making you all wait! I was just busy with a bunch of things in my real life: both serious and non-serious. But everything has cleared up for now at least, so I had the time to finally get this chapter out for all of you! :)
So yeah... This was the final chapter before the bloodbath. Everyone had one last point-of-view before shit starts to hit the fan.
I have the bloodbath mapped out... and I have to apologize in advance to the creators of any of the tributes that are going to die. I honestly am in love with all the tributes you all gave me. I have such a collective, amazing group and everyone who dies is going to be missed. It's going to pain me to kill a few so soon... but it has to happen for some of them. Again, I want to apologize... but I hope you enjoy the plans I have and the story I have ready for you!
So yeah. I'm going to begin working on the bloodbath right now! I'll be seeing you all the second I finish it! :)