Smile for the Camera

I walked down a long, dimly lit corridor lined with TVs displaying different cameras within the arena. At the end, part of the wall slit open, revealing a plush, cramped room with a small chair. I sat down and pressed the button marked HEAD, which immediately lit up. Then, the room let out a loud, echoing screech. There was a quick jerk, then lurch downward. Then the whole elevator room plunged downward, even deeper into the earth. Then it came to a head spinning stop, causing me to fall out of the chair. I hated the Headquarters elevators. Then the wall split open, revealing a large circular bedroom.

Changing into a blue, silk robe, I climbed into bed. I had been up all night, and I needed my sleep for the next few weeks. Thats why bedrooms had been added to the Headquarters ever since the first Quarter Quell. During the 24th Hunger Games, the Head Gamemakers dropped dead during the games due to stress and exhaustion. I slipped under the thick, warm covers and turned on the TV.

" And welcome back to coverage of the 74th Hunger Games." Caesar Flickerman smiled at the camera, Doris Nightly sitting next to him.

" We just watched as Underdog tribute Peeta Mellark brought back the District 3 tribute Edgar Forester. He and Marvel are discussing a plan at the Cornucopia while career leader Cato Dystrophy leads Peeta and the others on a Man Hunt through the woods..."

I dozed off and had an amazing sleep, the TV still on. I woke up to a high pitched squeal on the TV.

"Ooooh...is that smoke I see, let's tune in and find out!"

The camera was an overview of the Forest. Against the night was a tall tower of smoke. The camera zoomed in on the fire, showing a small girl by it. Doris narrated, " Ah, it appears little Carol Spruce of District 8 has built a fire and dozed off. Tissk Tissk Tissk! And here come the careers! Oh, I'm shaking with excitement!"

The girl shrieked as she was beaten with a barrage of fists. Then, blood dripping from her lips, the girl was unconscious. After quite some discussion, Peeta walked back to the girl. Raising a jagged rock high above his head, he tore and beat and ripped the girls face open.

Red sirens blared, to wake up just in case any head had been asleep, and a red button popped in front of me. I pressed it.

BOOM!

The cannon rang out.

Blank face, void of emotion, I turned back to the screen.

" Oh my...isn't this just so much FUN!" Squealed Doris Nightly.

Not for that poor girl, I thought, but quickly put the thought out of my mind. What about Katniss, being so betrayed by Peeta to the Careers. And she didn't even know! If only she had heard...

A sudden movement caught my eye. The cameras swiveled to a tree and out fell...

Katniss Everdeen, tilting head, she looked straight into the camera, straight at me, and gave a broad, knowing smile.

Then Katniss ran off, leaving the cameras motionless, nothing but the loud chirping of Mockingjay's beginning to wake up. Caesar was the first to speak.

" Oh my..."

I couldn't wait for the Capitol footage to see what was happening, and hell, I was the Head Gamemaker. Leaving the Tv on I threw on the robe and ran to the Elevator. I lurched up to the Conference room, just under the Cornucopia. Only, something was different.

There were no longer 24 screens, Now, slightly larger, 12 Screens covered the walls. 12 faces were blacked out on the main screen. They all were flatlining. I turned to a tall, old woman, Gretel, Who pointed towards one of the screens. It was Katniss. We watched in silence as the day dragged on, eating both breakfast and a small lunch. Katniss started to lag, dehydration catching up with her. It was evening when it happened.

" Oh my God. Seneca....Oh my God, its never been done!" Plutarch appeared to be having a panic attack. One hand was clutching at his heart, the other pointing at a screen behind me. I spun my chair around, only to fall out onto the steel floor with a yelp and a gasp. How could it be? Impossible.

On the boy from 3's screen, a clod of dirt hit the camera. The camera was quickly switched to another vantage point. The tribute, Edgar, was reaching down into the dirt. He was concentrating very hard. A loud sizzling spat out. Then an outcry of joy. He held a humming object with a newly fashioned red wire. A mine!

Cato appeared from nowhere, reaching greedily for the device. Edgar yelped and tripped back, losing his footing and tumbling into the hole.

" It worked. My father's plan worked!" Marvel's scream could be heard. He jumped into the screen but Cato lashed out with his dagger. Blood spurted out onto the ground. He had a jagged rip down his sleeve now. Cato had cut him bad. "Marvel, not my Marvel...You bastard." Glimmer pointed her arrow at Cato, eyes in a fury, but Marvel motioned for her to calm down. " Worry not, my Glimmer, if Cato wants to finish the work, let him. Come On, Let's go hunting."

Cato's eyes filled with greed, looking at the first of his mines. Thats when he looked out, directly at the camera. The most disturbing image filled the screen.

Cato smiled.