Lilac Suede, Victor of the 100th Hunger Games

I kneel at the gravestone, head held low. I'd cry, but I've lost the feeling. In fact, most of my feelings have been buried away for so long. I wonder if they'll ever come back.

Treuse Custer, died at a young age of fifteen. I lost him nearly six months ago and still I miss him every day. Many nights he visits me in my dreams. We kiss, before he is ripped away from me and I feel empty again. What I'd give to see him one last time.

I stand up and brush the dirt off of my jeans. I turn and walk slowly back to my house in the Victor's Village.

I enter to my stylists getting my outfit ready. Today, I leave for the Victory Tour. I have to stand in eleven other districts and give a speech. I have to remember the 23 who were lost, when all I do is try to forget.

Before long I am dressed up. I look years older with all the makeup they covered me in. I close my eyes. I never envisioned this.

My parents and brother hug me tight to say goodbye. They are safe because of me, and that's something they'll never forget.

The first stop is District Twelve. I give a heartfelt speech. Jaiden Dust and Sera Grey, both were too young, they didn't have a chance.

Next, we stop in District Eleven. Peach Cheyenne and Titus Greene, both perished in the bloodbath. Another speech, another sad district.

District Ten is the hardest for me. While I never met Carmen Lokien, I personally killed the boy, Freddie Cloud. He would have won if I didn't. I try to get that thought out of my head as I push through the speech. A tear falls for Freddie.

District Nine is rough as well, Lucia Starlet and Grant Remington. Grant was way too young, and Lucia was extremely intelligent. There was always something about her, the way she held herself. I respected her.

We skip my district and go to District Seven, Chalice Durham and Cedar Jacobs. While I didn't know either of them, Chalice was way too young. I shed a tear when I watched her father's interview. He really believed in her.

District Six, Rhea Gault and Mallory Weston. Mal was a good kid, who was brutally murdered by a Career, same with Rhea. They deserved more.

We move on to District Five. I see Marjorie Highbranch's best friend, a boy named Courtney. He looks like he's been crying every day. Someone told me Thaddeus Greene had an infant brother who died when he did. I choke in a sob.

Onto the first Career District, District Four. Gemma Reed was a unique Career, smart and a decent killer who made too many enemies. Dylan Nero was noble, he's with his sister now.

The two from Three remind me of myself and Treuse. Lumen Maahes and Telle Zaavan, committed to saving each other. The girl was too young, too pure.

I can feel the burning in all the eyes of the people of Two. Cleo Camillo and Phoenix Midnight. I won, and they didn't.

The last district, with Jagger Blackwood and Crystal Clearwater. Crystal could have and almost killed me. From what I saw of Jagger, he was a good kid.

Twenty three dead, and twenty three more coming in the next months. I have to sit with two of them, tell them how to win and watch them compete. I have to do this year after year, until I drop dead myself. I shut my eyes.

It's going to be a long life.

I thought I'd write a little something remembering the fallen from the 100th Hunger Games. The reapings will start soon!