The Seventieth Hunger Games chapter 8

Hey guys! So, this is actually the second-to-last chapter of this story. Don't freak out. There will be a sequel set in the first Hunger Games book that will be posted…. Sometime later this month. Stay tuned. Anyway, let's start the chapter!

Lily's POV:

The next day, I sent my brothers off to school and then headed to the Mayor's office in the town square. I walked inside and the receptionist looked up at me.

"I need to see Mayor Undersee," I told her.

"Of course. Right this way."

The receptionist led me down the hall to Mayor Undersee's office. She opened the door and stuck her head in.

"Lillian Mellark here to see you, Mr. Undersee," she said.

"Alright, Sofia. Let her in," a male voice replied.

Sofia opened the door for me and let me in before leaving. As I walked over to the desk, Mayor Undersee stood and shook my hand.

"Miss Mellark, our newest Victor. What brings you by?" he asked, sitting back down.

I sat down in the chair that was in front of the desk.

"Well, Mayor, I have a problem," I said.

"Pray tell."

"You see, my I have three brothers and I don't get along with my parents. In fact, as of yesterday, I may never speak to them again. However, my brothers are still in their custody and I need you to give me custody of them," I explained.

"I don't know about that. You're very young to have custody of three children. And why would you take your mother's and father's other children away from them?" Mayor Undersee asked.

"Mayor, I don't think you understand. My parents, my mother, she's completely unstable. And I've seen bruises on my brothers' faces, all of them. She's hitting them, I know it. And me leaving, it's only going to make her worse. Trust me, Mr. Undersee, they're not safe with her."

"My dear, I am sorry for the condition that you and your siblings live in, but you're so young. Are you sure you can handle three boys?"

"If I can survive that arena, I can handle my brothers. Please, Mayor Undersee. I can pay you if you want, but I need custody of my brothers. I'm begging you."

Mayor Undersee seemed to think for a moment.

"I'm sorry, my dear. You're just too young. I don't think you can handle taking care of three boys," Mayor Undersee finally said.

I was getting desperate now. "Mayor, please. If I have to send them back to my parents, I'll never see them again."

"I'm sorry, Miss Mellark. Perhaps, you can patch things up with your parents enough for them to let you see your siblings. But I cannot grant you custody at this time."

"Mayor Undersee, please. My brothers are innocent. My mother is completely unstable. They're not safe with her."

"I'm sorry. My mind is made up."

"Look, I'm sure your taking my parents side because you're imagining what it would be like to lose your child. You have a daughter, yes?"

"Yes, I do."

"So, you probably don't want other parents to go through the pain of losing their children, right? Well, let me tell you something, Mayor Undersee. My mother is no parent. She is mean, judgmental, unstable, uncaring, and dangerous. When I came home from the games and I had the argument with my parents about myself and my brothers, my mother threw two things at my head and slapped me within a span of about, twenty-minutes. As for my father, he stood by and did nothing like a statue. If you make me send them back there, you'll be putting them in more danger then you understand. I might be young, but I could do a better job at taking care of them than my mother ever could."

"Look, Lily. I understand that you think your mother will hurt your brothers badly, but you don't understand the love that all parents feel for their children. Your mother's love is in there somewhere. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard for you to patch things up with her. She was probably just angry. I'm sure that there is no safer place for your brothers, than with your parents. I'm sorry, but I cannot grant you custody at this time. You'll have to return your brothers to the home of your parents and I encourage you to patch things up with them."

Alright, fine. You've forced my hand. I do have one more backup plan. "Mayor, do you realize how much money and jewels is given to each Victor?" I pulled a check out of my bag and held it up. "Do you know what this is? This is a check for 10,000. Do you know what this money could do for District 12, sir? The poorest district? I'm sure we could use this."

"What are you proposing, Miss Mellark?" Mayor Undersee asked.

I smiled. "It's simple. This check for some simple custody transfer papers. Trust me, Mayor Undersee. You don't want to pass this up."

Mayor Undersee thought for a moment, then looked toward the door. "Sofia, bring me a custody form!"

A minute later, Sofia walked in, set a paper down on the desk, and walked out. Mayor Undersee sat in silence filling out the form, while I sat in my seat, doing a happy dance inside my head. Finally, the mayor looked up and handed me the form.

"Alright, Miss Mellark. You've got your wish. Custody of your brothers. I hope you know what you're doing," he said.

I smiled and slid the check across the desk. "Trust me, Mayor. I know exactly what I'm doing."

Not long after I got back to my house, my brothers got home from school. Immediately, the three of them flocked into the kitchen and swarmed around me, all asking if I got the papers.

"Oh, oh, okay, okay. Calm down, guys," I said.

"Did you get the papers? Do we have to go back with Mom and Dad?" Vincent asked.

I gave him a look. "Don't insult me." I pulled the papers out of my pocket. "As far as I'm concerned, we never have to see that woman again. We're free, you guys. We're finally free."

They all swarmed around me in a big group hug. I hugged them back as well. I know I'm taking on a lot, but I think I can do this. If I can survive fighting for my life in a huge arena, I can handle taking care of my younger siblings. Besides, I couldn't live with myself if I left them with my mother. And Dad, well…. I suppose he really didn't do anything much, but he's not going to stand up to Mom. That's just how it is. Finally, my brothers let go of me and I was able to breathe again. I knelt down to their level and looked at them all seriously.

"Alright, guys. I need to know. I have to be a good guardian here. I'm sorry, but… You still have to do your homework," I said.

"Ugh!" they all complained at the same time.

"Hold on!" I held up my hands. "You didn't let me finish. After you three do your homework, how about we run down to the market and get some of that candy you three are so obsessed with?"

I barely managed to keep my balance when the three boys swarmed around me again, practically jumping up and down with excitement. It's understandable. Mom and Dad never did anything fun for them, except on their birthdays, and only after Dad somehow talked Mom into it. After another minute, I finally got them to let go of me.

"Alright, guys. Hugging me isn't getting you out of homework. Go get your backpacks. Come on," I told them.

After a minute of grumbling, they walked off to go find their backpacks. I shook my head to myself. I know this is going to be a challenge. I know it's going to be hard. But this is what's best for everyone involved.

A few minutes later, I walked into the living room to check on the boys. Sure enough, they were all doing their homework. I quietly walked back out so I didn't distract them. I was on my way back to the kitchen with a book, when there was a knock at the door. Well, it was less of a knock and more of someone banging on the door extremely loudly. I knew who it was before I even opened the door.

With a moment a hesitation, I pulled the door open and met with the angry face of my mother.

I kept my face calm and blank. "Can I help you?"

"Where are they?" Mother asked angrily.

I blinked. "Where's who?"

"You know who! Where are my sons?!"

I resisted the urge to smile. "Mother, I don't think you have any children." I held up the custody papers. "At least, not anymore."

Mother snapped the paper and looked at it, her face steadily getting redder as she read it. She started shaking her head adamantly. "You can't do this. That's not possible!"

I smiled. "Oh, it's very possible. In fact, it's happening. I'd suggest you leave. This is private property."

Mother opened her mouth to say something, but that's when Vincent appeared in the doorway next to me.

Mother's angry eyes focused on him. "What the hell do you think you're doing, you and your brothers? Running of with…" Her eyes flicked to me. "With the mistake?"

Vincent stood up straight. "Don't talk about her like that. She's my sister and she can take better care us than you ever could."

Mother stepped forward and slapped Vincent across the face. "How dare you?"

Now that made me angry. I grabbed her arm and pushed her backwards. Mother stumbled down the steps, but kept her balance.

I leaned against the doorway and glared daggers at her. "Touch my brother again, I'll rip your head off. Don't show up here again."

I waited until she stumped off, and then closed the door before facing Vincent. Jesus, he's gotten tall. He's almost my height now, only a few inches shorter than me.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I'm fine," Vincent replied. "I'm really glad you got us away from her."

I hugged my brother. "Me too."

Alright, guys. That's it for this chapter. I'm sorry it's taken me a while to finish it. I'll try to get the next one up soon. Let me know what you thought in the reviews, and I'll see you next time. Bye guys, - Lily