Chapter 20

Molly Hooper's POV (District 3)

I'm sat alone in the stables, in the basement of the training centre. It's where we 'parked' the chariots after the parade, and the horses are still here, quietly neighing in their boxes. There's a faint smell of hay and manure down here, but I don't mind. It's kind of an alien smell to me, seeing as District 3 mostly smells of smog and battery acid, the concrete paved city not allowing plant life to grow. I'm feeling a bit moody, especially given that Sherlock and that Watson by from 9 have been inseparable today, and they've only known each other for what must at most be a few hours. I've known Sherlock my entire life, and he's never aid this much attention to me. I just hope that Watson kid treats him right. Sherlock is incredibly stupid when it comes to matters of the heart, or affection, or feelings.

I scuff my shoe against the floor of the stables; kicking up some hay as I do so. It's not fair.

One of the horses whinnies behind me and I jump, unused to the sound. Like I said, we don't have horses, or much nature in district three, so these great beasts are kind of scary.

"He's harmless." Someone quips from behind me and I squeak, turning back to look, afraid it'll be one of the career brutes. I'm half-right.

John Smith, AKA the self-proclaimed Doctor, is stood leaning against the wall of the stable, hands in the pockets of his blue suit.

"Good evening, Molly Hooper." He smiles, walking over. I'm frozen to the spot, worried he'll try to hurt me. It's not unheard of for the tributes to rough each other up before the games, mostly as a scare tactic. And I'm not burly, or strong looking; they wouldn't hesitate to pick on me. However, to my surprise, he sits down on a hay bale opposite me.

"What brings you down here?" He asks and I blink, caught off guard by the question.

"I could ask you the same thing." I mumble, trying to sound braver than I am, and failing miserably. He smiles.

"Bored of the others." He replies and I flinch. That's exactly the kind of thing Sherlock would say, except about me. He notices my facial expression and frowns. "You ok?"

I laugh slightly, mostly to myself. Tributes shouldn't really get along like this. It makes the actual games harder, not that I have any confidence I'll win.

"Yeah. I'm fine." I reply, sounding unconvincing, but the Doctor lets the matter drop.

"So what are you doing down here then?"

"Well I thought I was making an alliance, but I'm not sure if they want me. And my district partner doesn't even know I'm there most of the time, so I figured I'd be doing everyone a favour if I just stayed down here."

"You're not doing anyone any favours by denying them the pleasure of your company and intelligence." The Doctor smiles gently and I blush.

"I'm not intelligent." I mumble and he laughs loudly.

"Nonsense. You're from three, right? You read a lot?"

I nod, timidly. He's being very outspoken, and I wonder briefly if there are cameras down here. We must be under surveillance.

"Well, then you're more intelligent than the ones from the outer districts. And believe you me, I don't think District 1, or 6, or 7 have ever even picked up a book. Intelligence is a great asset. Books are the best weapons in the world." He grins and I smile.

"You think?"

"I know." He nods, assertively. "You will go far, Molly Hooper." He tells me. He sounds so determined. He mustn't yet realise that I'm not important. I never have been I'm always overshadowed by people, but I've come to accept that. That's just how it works. I'm Molly Hooper. I don't count.

And even if I did, I couldn't actually win. Here the doctor is, bragging about how fantastic intelligence is, so clearly he's clever too. But he's also a career, and he's trained. He'd beat me in a fight hands down. You can get as far as you like in the games with traps, and snares, and clever plots, but there has never been a victor who hasn't killed someone. You have to. You'll always have to. That's how the games work.

So I won't win. I might last a night, maybe two, before I get into combat, and simply cannot fight my way out, because I was born in the wrong District and I have no advantage. I cannot win, and I do not expect to.

The Doctor is looking at me funnily, frowning slightly.

"You don't believe me do you?" He asks, his voice low. I smile, but there's nothing to be happy about.

"No." I reply, honestly. "I don't count."

"What?!" He cries, and I blink, surprised at his outburst. He's staring at me incredulously, and I can't help but stare back, wondering what I said wrong. He makes a strangled noise of frustration and pushes his hair back. "Say that again. Say what you just said!" He demands and I open my mouth, stuck for words.

"I… I don't count?"

"Yes, that. Why would you ever say that?!" He asks, in a combination of desperation, annoyance, and wonder.

"Because it's true. I don't count." I reply, my voice surprisingly hollow. "I'm just a girl."

"Just a girl?! Oh, no. No, no, no. Oh, dear Molly Hooper. I can tell you right now, before the games even start, that you are more than just a girl! You are important. Everyone is important! Including you, Molly Hooper. So very important. Don't forget it." He says, almost demandingly, jabbing a finger at me.

"I… Important?" I stutter, alarmed, but admittedly pleased by his declaration.

"Yes. Very much so. Never forget that. Don't let anyone ever make you forget that."

And then he stands up, opens his mouth as if he's about to say something, thinks better of it, and walks off.

I sit there for a few minutes, thinking over what he's just told me, before heading back upstairs to the roof. I can join the alliance.

I am important.

Yay for Molly (and the Doctor)! Right, I'm off for another week now, so in the the meantime take it upon yourself to mull over what you would like to see more of in this fanfiction. Do you have any requested POV's? Do you have any little details you want me to include? Or do you just want to say hi? Please feel free to review this story, and remember, follows and favourites re rewarded with telepathic hugs. I hope you have a lovely week!

Thanks for reading, please stay as excellent as you always are, I love you.

Lucy XXXX