The Capitol: Jazz McNeely's POV
Tristan's penthouse apartment smells strongly of alcohol and smoke. Normally, viewing parties are held at my place or Phoebe's town house, but my parents decided this is the one night they would stay home and bond with Roxlie and Phoebe is having her place renovated. Maybe it worked out for the best. Tristan lives alone and has all the access to the luxuries of the Capitol thanks to his parents' credit cards. Nothing says an arena feast like shrimp cocktails and flaming Alaska.
"Guys, I need to tell you something," Saylor says in a grim voice. None of us rush to hear what her problem is. Saylor always seems to have a weekly or sometimes daily issue. It is nothing new and nothing we really want to hear.
Phoebe has the courtesy still to ask what is wrong. "What's up Saylor?" She joins Saylor on Tristan's couch in front of his large TV. Tristan and I reluctantly join them, but Tristan is far more interested with what is happening on the screen.
"No way, someone finally died and they can't even find the person!" Tristan is always complaining about the lack of good camera work in the Games. If he wasn't so lazy, he would try to do it himself. Saylor lets out a large sigh and he grudgingly gives her his attention.
"I haven't gone on a date in like, two weeks," Saylor whines, dunking a shrimp in cocktail sauce. Phoebe and I share a look. It was typical of Saylor to complain about such a petty problem. Just two weeks ago, she was complaining about not being single. She had that boyfriend for a whole month though, impressive for any of us. Phoebe and I have too much work to do, Tristan prefers casual relationships, and Saylor is extremely picky.
"I know!" Phoebe squeals suddenly. Tristan waves his hand at her; his eyes now back on the feast. "Why don't you hire a victor for the night since you aren't looking for anything serious? It's worth a try, right?"
"I did that once," Tristan says, turning back to us. We wait for the story, but he soon gets distracted again by the TV. "The girl from 3 just jacked the gift!"
"Victors are so expensive," Saylor points out.
"That is only if they are really in demand," Phoebe counters. "The newbies are really cheap and not ruined yet. What about that boy from last year? The one that killed his girlfriend. He isn't terrible looking and he is totally available."
"Why do I feel like you have thought about doing this too?" I tease, but everyone in the room ignores me. I roll my eyes and watch the feast. Everyone is still confused over what just happened. The camera has settled on Marco, the boy from 1. He is extremely good-looking, but the anger in his eyes is all I need to lose interest.
"Isn't he a little young?" Saylor asks, being her usual, skeptical self. Both Phoebe and Tristan shake their heads.
"What is he, nineteen? Age is just a number," Phoebe comments.
"He is perfect for you. It is just for one night anyway," Tristan tells Saylor. Saylor gives them a small smile and nods slightly. I know she probably will back out of doing it, but I will let her toy with the idea. What is going on in the arena is much more interesting anyway.
"Tristan?"
"Yeah?"
"Who did you sponsor this year?" I ask, squinting my eyes slightly. The figures on the screen have becoming blurry as a fast and probably dramatic moment occurs. They will play it in slow motion in a minute though.
"I sponsored the boy from 6, Finn Darrenhall," he tells me, smiling at his choice. "Why?"
"He just got a knife in the shoulder."
District 6: Finn Darrenhall's POV
The feeling of pain ripples through my body at lightning speed. I hold back the urge to scream. I try not to cringe away as Kat tries to treat my wounds with the little amount of supplies we have, but even the slightest touch makes me feel like I am being stabbed again. I hold back the urge to scream. I need to be brave for Kat.
The sun is only just setting across the sea. I know this is a rare sight to see unless you like in District 4. Even in its beginning, it is just as beautiful as people say. I can't bring myself to enjoy it. The splashes of red streaking the sky only remind me of the blood seeping through my shirt. I never thought that my first sunset over the ocean would be my last. I never thought I would see one anyhow. I guess I should count myself lucky. However, pain takes away from my luck.
I meet Kat's eye for a brief moment when I tear my eyes away from the sun. Her eyes shine with pity and hints of love. Well, maybe just adoration. I look away immediately. The only thing I can express in my eyes is my feelings of loathing towards myself for everything I have done so far.
It was of course my idea to go into the feast. I knew Kat was objecting on the inside, but I had a yearning to try. I felt like I had something to prove. Now look where it has gotten me. I almost got Kat and I killed all to not have a gift in our hands. The worst of it is that I will never lose this need to prove myself in these Games. I could have this happen again…
I startle Kat when I jerk up on to my feet. My head is suddenly pounding. "I can't do this," I mutter to myself. I hear Kat get up behind me and I can image the confusion on her face. "I just can't do this. I can't."
"You can't do this," my mother screams, kneel down next to my father on the floor. He is barely breathing now and I can only stand here and watch in shock. My father is about to die and all I can do is stand here. "Alec, don't do this to me!"
My father's breath becomes shallower, but his eyes are now open, staring at me. His hand weakly motions to me to come and I do as I am told. It is the least I can do. I kneel down next to my mother, near my father's head. He keeps his eyes trained on me as I do so. He waves me a little closer to whisper something to me.
"Take care of you mother," he whispers. I nod to this and begin to pull away. His breath is fading as my mother's howling becomes louder. "And Finn, I know you can make me proud. Just never let someone get in the way of what you need to accomplish. I know…"
My father stops mid-sentence, his mouth handing slightly open. I notice the blood dripping from his nose and the coldness of his hands. My mother shrieks in horror, as if this whole time she thought he would just spring back up and declare he was only joking. Doesn't she know her husband never jokes? I glance into my father's lifeless brown eyes one last time before gently closing them.I can no longer take looking at him. I prepare to stand and alert others to come help me bury him when my mother ensnares my wrist.
"Never fall in love, Finn," she chokes out through her sobs. "All they will do is leave you!" My mother continues to sob and scream over my father's body. I stand up, but I do not leave immediately to get some help. I need to process both my father and mother's words. Don't let people get in the way. Never fall in love.
Never.
"I'm sorry, but I can't do this anymore Kat. We are too different. I am going to keeping wanting to go to the feasts and it is too dangerous for you. I think we should just call it a day." I turn just a slightly to get a look at her face. But I didn't realize how hurt she would look. "Just hide out for awhile. I just…" I can't look anymore. I turn back around and begin to walk.
"No."
My eyes widen in absolute shock at the wavering voice that comes from behind me. Despite my decision to leave, I feel I must turn back around and I do. "No," Kat says again in her shaky voice, shaking her head slightly. She still looks extremely hurt, but she also has taken on a new look of determination to make me stay.
"Look, Kat, this is what is best for both of us…"
"This isn't for me, Finn. This is for you," Kat says, her voice not shaking any more. "You are too scared of what will happen to you if you stay with me. Maybe you are afraid of commitment or dying, but whatever it is, you are just running away. You're a coward."
"I'm not a…" I stop myself before I can argue. Am I a coward? All my life I thought I was being strong, like when I helped my mother after my father died. I never thought I ran away from anything. Has it all been an allusion? Is this about me after all? I look at Kat with one little tear rolling down her cheek. I open my mouth to speak again and find I can only say one thing. "I really am sorry."
The only thing left to do is turn around and walk away into the sunset. I always thought this would be a more glorious moment. Now the only thing keeping me moving towards this moment is the grim fact I don't have the luxury to turn back around.
…..
I know you probably all hate Finn now, but I'm going to stick up for him. Not every boy can be Prince Charming and do everything perfectly. What Finn did is what a lot of people would do. He needs to figure his own problems out before he tries to help Kat with hers.
Anyway, thanks for the great responses for the guest chapter. It starts today and you have about three weeks to complete it, but you can turn it in at any time. You need to establish a connection with me on DocX and this is how I will know who has entered. Your chapter must include the following things:
Length: As long as it is over one thousand words, any length is fine.
POVs: You can do it in first or third person. Whichever you choose, you must use Raze Tanner in a part of it along with a flashback for him. His profile is on the We Live As We Die Forum. Besides that, you can use any tribute, victor, or anyone else available. I would suggest using a tribute you are indifferent to if you want to use a tribute to make it fair.
What You Can't Do: No one can die. There will be a death is the previous chapter. Finn cannot come back. The last thing will be in happen in the next chapter and I will point it out.
What You Can Do: Anything else really. Make your own mutts, injure someone, use one of the romances, make a new romance, create enemies, etc. This is your chapter so do what you want with it.
I will decide the winner at the end of the three weeks. If you have any more questions, put it in a review and I will answer through PM. Good luck!
Capitol Question of the Day: Do you think Finn's choice was selfish or understandable?
Reviews make my day. Peace, Love, and All That Jazz.
-Emma