Disclaimer: The Hunger Games still doesn't belong to me. And at the rate I'm going it never will.
I was allowed to sleep in the next day. There were no important events in the morning. I went down to breakfast when I felt like it. Nobody talked to me. I was still in my silent little world that I had escaped to during the recapping. And no one bothered to take me out of it. No one seemed to expect different. Mayle ushered me off to Fortinbras when it was time to get ready for the final interview. More like the first interview though. They interrogated us before. Now they interview.
I was given a dress much like the one I wore yesterday, only it was more of a blue tint. My hair was done in the same way as yesterday. The only thing different was that I wore my crown this time, and some hair was woven around it to prevent it from moving, or slipping. Fortinbras wished me luck, and Mayle returned. Tybalt was nowhere to be seen.
Once she saw that I was ready, she escorted me to the sitting room, where Augustus and a few camera people were the only ones there. At least no cheering. I sat on the chair and curled into a ball, using my arms to hold my legs close to my body. Then I looked to Augustus to see if I wasn't to sit like that. "Go ahead, it is interesting to see personality and emotions through ones posture." I nodded and continued, though I would probably have to sit up to answer questions.
A cameraman counted back on his fingers, from five to two, then silently called out one. Augustus started out, "Welcome back, citizens of Panem! This is the final interview with Glynn Sail, District 9!" At least it wasn't as loud as yesterday. Augustus voice echoed through the room. I loosened my legs and allowed them to fall to the floor. I meekly waved to the camera.
Augustus went to sit on a chair that was facing mine at an angle. I took a deep breath. No one had prepared me for this. They didn't think they had to. I just had to answer, and try not to offend the Capitol too much. Watch my tongue. "So, Glynn, what does it feel to be the first victor of District 9?" The first question slid into my conscious.
I think into my head, what does it matter if all I have come to know are dead? Unfortunately, I cannot say that. What was underneath all of that sorrow? "It gives me a sense of accomplishment. I would never believe anyone if they told me I would be a victor up until now, much less the first for 9." I still didn't have an angle to play, but at this point, what does it matter? I don't need anyone to love me now. Unless I live to be 101.
Augustus smiles. "And I would presume that the same would be for the fact that you are the youngest victor ever?" Youngest, I had almost forgot. Up until now, the youngest Victor had been fifteen.
I smiled politely, as if unsure to let any of my emotions go. "Yes, the same deal with that."
Augustus nods in acceptance, "Let's get back to the Games. Did you know that so many would try to help you?" No. How could I? I was pretty sure that the whole point was to kill me to preserve their own lives.
"I had no idea so many people cared about me, I just wish they were still here with me. I will truly miss them; they were some of the nicest people I have ever met." I looked at Augustus' face. He seemed to be searching for something. That might have been a bit on the edge of acceptable. I think that he meant to talk of those in the Capitol that helped, my 'Sponsors'.
Augustus knew how to turn it around though, "Yes, they were remarkable children. But they got that way by sacrifice. Which brings me to my next question, what were you feeling when you watched Lemon fall?" I feel like I'm at a therapist. 'And how do you feel that everyone you know and love is dead?' 'How the hell do you think I feel?' 'Um-hum, um-hum. I'm sensing some angst in your tone'
I gulp. I don't want to talk about it. Pain welds up in my chest. I think of her fall, me unable to help. My voice is low when I say, "Her name is Glitch, but only her friends can call her that. When she fell, I felt like I was stuck in molasses. I couldn't reach her, no matter how hard I tried."
Augustus wanted more, even though he probably knew that he shouldn't push any further, "What about when you slid down the tree, and held her head in your lap?" Ok, on the verge of tears here, you might want to let off a bit.
I managed to choke out an answer before bursting out crying, "I wanted…I thought that I might help her. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe that was another cannon. Maybe she was still alive. Maybe-" I couldn't finish. I flooded with tears and sobs. My face flooded with emotion, but my mind still clear. The Capitol must be loving this. Augustus leaned over to pat my back, to comfort me. No one can comfort me. There comes a point when loss is too great to be comforted.
I continued to cry for ten minutes, letting out all the sorrow and guilt that had been huddled inside since the beginning of the Games. Unfortunately for me, the interview couldn't be me crying the whole time. Once I wiped my tears and choked in my remaining sobs, Augustus continued, more sympathetic than before. "So, has your impression changed on Tannor? Or do you still think he is an idiot?" A question strayed from death. This is slightly better.
"Idiot. Definitely. I have to respect him, he is brave, and he turned out not to be what I expected. But he was still and idiot." Augustus let out a laugh, and I joined him halfheartedly. At least I wasn't in such a miserable state now.
The interview continued like that, Augustus strayed from any talk of death, as to not set me off anymore than I already was. He asked me questions on how I thought of the others, what I would have done different, and what I would have done if I had superhuman powers. It was probably the most immature interview ever taken place, and that will ever take place. But I know it will always be my favorite. After the first part, it has nothing to do with my dying friends.
After two hours, the interview was over, ending as fast as it started. As I reflect, it could have been much worse. Augustus congratulated me personally once the cameras were off, and Mayle came to retrieve me. She took me to the dining room, where I ate lunch. Fortinbras decided that his dress was a work of genius, and decided I could continue to wear it the rest of the day. He also was happy that I wasn't a messy eater, because I wore the dress when I ate my lunch. Then was rushed to President Heat's mansion by Mayle for the final event that I had to attend in the Capitol.
After a victory in the Games, the victors are invited to the mansion for a party, to celebrate that they lived. When I say invited, I mean forced, because you have no choice. There were people were walking up to me, congratulating me, and taking their pictures with me. Since it involved being social with senseless, egocentric monsters, it was pure misery for me. At some points I was able to slip away to get something to eat, but at others I was cornered by officials in the Capitol, shining over my victory. All I could do was smile and nod, and try to act like I didn't hate them all. That task is even harder when you're hungry.
It was finally over at midnight. I was brought back to the Training Center for my last night in the Capitol. Well, at least until the Victory Tour. And when I had to mentor other tributes…never mind. The Capitol won't leave your life once you are a victor. It will just become more imminent.
My last night was filled with nightmare. Of what I think to be the future, or perhaps one of the past. Fire, bombs, and gunshot. Dead all around. Yet, there seemed to be a fight that was still taking place. One that wasn't over until the last man stood. Not over until one side reached victory. I dreamt of a rebellion.
I woke when the sun was rising over the top of the Capitol. I rubbed my eyes and headed for the dining room. Mayle was talking to a government official. She pursed her lips at something he said. I moved closer to hear what they were saying. Then she nodded. He left, and she noticed me standing there. I didn't hear any of the conversation, but I wished that I had.
I avoided her gaze and collected food for my breakfast. I started to eat, when Mayle started to talk, "So, today you go back to District 9, excited?" I am, but I bet you're not.
I swallow down the food that I was just eating. "Very. Will Tybalt be accompanying us?" I hope that the answer is no. But from past experience, asking for something repeatedly in my head never works. I pick up a roll and take a bite.
Mayle looks in disgust. "No, of course not. And you are not to say his name again." I stop chewing my bread and look up to her. When she meets my gaze, I quickly turn back down. Wow. Interesting turn of events. I wonder why I can't say his name again. I probably shouldn't ask though, so I just nod to let her know I understood.
Once I finished breakfast, I was told to get dressed in something comfortable, so I went to my room and picked out a black shirt, and some dull green pants. I didn't have anything to take but my crown and my pin, so I went ahead and put those both on my head. I walked out of my room. I didn't look back. I would be returning soon enough. It held to many memories, but I guess that is the point of me returning every year.
Mayle was waiting impatiently in front of my room. Once she saw me standing there, she made a gesture with her hand to signal me to follow. She led me down the hallway, where I was intercepted by Fortinbras. He hugged me, all teary eyed, and gave me a gift.
It was another silver clip for my hair. Except, instead of a butterfly, there was a mockingjay in full flight. Fortinbras wiped a stray tear from his heavily highlighted eyes. "I wish I could give you something. But this is from Tybalt. He said to give it to you before you left. He thought it would match your other pin. Don't forget, stay beautiful while I'm gone." While he's gone? Doesn't he mean while I'm gone? Self-centered much.
And what was with the mockingjay? I hesitate before putting it into my hair, but do so eventually. I had my butterfly on the left, and my mockingjay on the right. Mayle looks at the pin, unsure that I should be wearing it, but says nothing and allows it. She leads me down the elevator to the ground floor, and from there to a car.
The car takes us to the train station. There are crowds at the station, but I ignore them until Mayle jabs me in the stomach, so I start to wave and smile pleasantly. I stop instantly once we reach the tinted safety of the train. I go to the window. They are still there, but they can't see me. They continue to cheer though. Without another glance, I head to my room.
The two day train ride home is filled with me moping around and avoiding conversation. The only person I could talk to was Mayle, since talking to an Avox would have the result of talking to myself. I really didn't want to talk to Mayle. I wanted to talk to Blake, Tannor, Mason, Glitch, or even Hayven. I wanted to talk to someone who understood. Not Mayle, who was convinced the world revolved around her.
The good thing was that no one expected me to act differently. To put it like Mayle, I could mope all I wanted, just be ready for the cameras as to not make her look bad. So I ate in silence, asked for things in silence, and paced up and down the corridors of the train in silence. Thinking of my friends. Thinking of the memories that were most painful. Memories I didn't want to forget. If I forget what events made me, I forget who I am.
When we pull into the station, I'm ready. I've cried myself out, and can now act happy and put on a smile for my dad. Mayle stands behind me. I hear a commotion outside the train, so I know it's swarming with reporters. I take a deep breath. The doors open, and I'm consumed in blinding flashes.
I would have toppled over, but Mayle had her hand firmly planted on my shoulder. I blink twice and see him. My dad. Standing there, a rare smile on his face. I shrugged off Mayle and ran forward. Emotions run through me, but I'm unable to comprehend any of them. All I can think is that I'm home. No one's going to hurt me now. My dad embraced me with open arms. He didn't let go for what seemed to be hours. I didn't want him to let go. Finally, he pulled away, "I still can't believe you made it. I'm sorry I doubted you." I was too happy to care that he doubted me.
The funny thing about me, I find it hard to trust people. But once you have my respect, I will forgive almost anything. "It doesn't matter what you did think. That happened before. This is now. This is what matters, even though you should never forget what occurred previously." My dad smiled, and gripped my shoulder tightly. Blake's mom walked up to me and embraced me. For a second I thought she was going to stick a knife in my back because I was the cause of Blake's death.
"You did it honey, good job! Blake was convinced you were going to win. Don't be too hard on yourself, even if you tried you couldn't have changed his mind. That boy is so stubborn it drives me insane at points!" She laughed and I tentatively joined. I saw Blake's father storming angrily in the distance.
I'm looking at him when I say, "I'm sorry. Blake says to say that this is the best way. And that he tried. And he asked if you could forgive him." Blake's mom laughed, but it seemed a forced laugh. Like she was trying to be strong, trying to be kind, but she just couldn't.
"Of course. And you have nothing to be sorry about, so stop blaming yourself for it, and enjoy your victory! District 9 is finally on the playing field!" I nodded. My father left my side to talk to Mayle. Another person came up to me.
Twelve-year-old Quill Mayor. The mayor's son. His floppy dirty-blonde hair fell in front of one eye, while the other half was neatly tucked behind his ear. His green eyes seemed like they would never end if you fell into them.
"'sup Glynn, the one who I knew would win." He laughed at his cheesy little rhyme and I stared at him like he was insane. His laughing stopped abruptly. "I knew you would win. I had my money on you. Well, half my money was you would make it to the top eight. Other half that you would make it to the top three. Made a lot off of that. You're clever, and you had a reason. I planned on using the money from my bets for a gift. By the time I had enough for something, you had all the supplies you needed. So I settled on sending you a clip. Your hair seemed to be driving you insane. It looks pretty on you." He bit his lower lip, not sure what my reaction would be.
I smiled and hugged him. He looked like he was going to faint. "Thank you, Quill." He nodded, a blush still remaining on his cheeks, and left, too shocked to respond. I watched him go, and was scarred my new found friend wouldn't come back. Then I remembered that he would. This wasn't the Games. I didn't have to see everyone around me murdered. Except if they are in the reaping next year, says the voice in the back of my head.
My father comes to collect me. He takes me to my new home in Victor's Village. It was already furnished and ready. We could go get our personal belongings tomorrow. But in the meantime, the only thing important is that there is a tomorrow. And that everyone left who I know will be there. But peace won't last forever as long as the Capitol still stands.
Ok, I'm a lazy person so I'm not going to waste five more seconds to tell you how many more chapters there are. I'll leave it a surprise. But, just to let you anticipate what's next, from now on the time gaps between chapters are just going to get longer and longer, and some chapters cover month long periods. Ugg... I have to annotate 98 pages of To Kill A Mockingbird, and it sucks 'cause I keep thinking mockingjay, and one day I will say that and everyone will look at me like I'm stupid. Enough of my complaining though, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Thank you to all who have reviewed! Please review! It gives me means to procrastinate after school! Haha, I still want to be Katniss in the movie! Tomatoes taste good if you sprinkle them with salt! :D :D :D