Phoenix Rise

Chapter 3: I have to do what!

Siobhan POV

"Attention, everyone!" Effie said clapping her hands. "We're about to do the first outdoor shot, where the victors greet each other at the beginning of their marvelous trip. All right, Siobhan, big smiles, you're very excited, right?"

I didn't say anything as I hugged Uncle Mark goodbye. He hugs me back and tells me to enjoy the victory tour. But I knew he was saying this for the cameras. He leans closer to my ear and whispered. "If there's problems go to Gale, Cinna, or Haymitch, Okay dear?"

I nodded, just the moment when Effie shoved me out the door. The moment we got outside, I paused to see it was snowing. I stopped to gaze at the twilight clouded sky, watching snow falling down to District 12, black earth. I reached out a hand, catching the tiniest speckle of ice. Snow, white snow: something that isn't red. Without thinking, I stick out my tongue to taste the snow that falls at the earnest to cover the inch of white blankets. I hear a chuckled, looking up to Gale amused by the door with his family.

I gave a huge smile and started walking towards Gale's direction. We met half way, as he lifted me up and spin us around till tripping over his feet, falling backwards. We chuckled, staring into each other's eyes. That I couldn't help this giddy feeling, when it snows, that I kissed him, whole heartedly. This caught Gale by surprised, that he kissed me back. Though something was off, he wasn't fully committed to it; just the way he was at the interview of the Victory of the Games. Something was wrong, we know that we were being watch and I didn't mean the Camera's that recorded every second of this moment.

I lean upwards letting my hair on perposly covered his face. He looks at me with a small frown.

"Now?' I mouthed, afraid that President Snow didn't just send the flowers. But also visited Gale during the day?

Gale nodded as he mouthed. "I'll explain later."

I sighed; kissing him for the Camera's then got up. Holding in my confusion; I pulled Gale back on his feet, then wrapped my arm around his. The rest of the day was a complete utter blurred. I remember that goodbyes at the train station. Saying goodbye to the Hawthorne family, Katniss, Prim, Uncle Mark again and my cousin Madge. Since winning the Game's my cousin and I got a little bit closer. Sometimes she comes to the shop and we share a cup of tea. Then the train pulling out, for the team was back together. Gale and I, along with Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, and Portia as we had dinner together.

I started to feel exhausted, from all the stressed this past week that I wished everyone goodnight and kissed Gale on the cheek. When I got to my room, I changed out of my clothes and into a pair of Sweats and a tang-top. Tomorrow will be at our first stop of the victory tour. And it was District Eleven.

I sighed as a lone tear fell. "Rue . . ."

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Gale's POV

I waited for the train to seem quiet. Without making a sound, I put on some boots before headed to only one person at the moment I can trust, to discuss about the problem. I bang my hand on the door till the Drunkard answered with a deadly scowled, already knows I have bad news.

"What do you want?" He said; his breath already consumed in wine. That I had to hold my breath without coughing.

"Can we talk?" I whispered.

"Now?" he asked which I nodded to. "Better be good."

Suddenly the train started to brake. I had a feeling Snow was watching me and distaste I was confronting Haymitch at the moment. So either the train it refueling or President Snow was planning on killing me.

"Let's get some fresh air." I noted.

Haymitch eyes narrowed, understanding what the phrased mean. It's strange how Haymitch, Mark, Siobhan, and I created this communication scheme. I was confused when Siobhan told me, since Haymitch became Victor; they felt they were being watch. So the put random phrases, dialogues, and facial expression, on body language to communicate so easily.

"I know what you mean." Haymitch said, pushing me out of the way and lurches out the hall. Until, he tripped over the floor, near a Capitol attendant. I would have snickered to it. But now wasn't the time for fun and Games. The Capitol attendant helps Haymitch who just swatted him off. "Just want some fresh air. Only be a minute."

"Sorry, he's drunk." I apologized half-heartedly. "I'll watch him."

The Attendant nodded, leaving us is, as we got outside into the cold air. I took a deep breathe, seeing it as a puff of smoke. Damn it was cold, as I slide my hands into my jacket. Then Haymitch turned around to face me.

"What?"

So I told him everything that happens between me and President Snow surprising vistit. About my family, and Siobhan, if I fail to cooperate and not be rebellious. If not, either I'm dead, or my family is going to be reaped or worst. Haymitch face grew sober, as his older face glow by the train's tail light. "Then you can't fail."

"But, I'm practically a rebel. How can I keep from being me? Can you at least help me get through this trip—"I started.

"No, Gale, it's not just this trip," He said.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Even if you pull it off, they'll be back in another few months to take us all to the Game. You and Siobhan, you'll be mentors now, every year from here on out. And every year they'll revisit the romance and broadcast the details of your private life, and you'll never ever be able to do anything but live happily ever after with that girl."

I paused taking this in. Damn it, I forgot about being a mentor, so that means, my mouth is zip shut except when alone back home. However there was more, the Capitol would want my romantic life, and at the moment I'm dating Siobhan. My eyes widen to realize what this meant. I will forever be in love with Siobhan. Not that I don't mind it, but Siobhan won't have a say into this. Since the Capitol will insist it. Damn it, I'm only nineteen and worst legal. I would probably have what, two to three years to be with my family. And then it's hello wedding bells. I don't mind this one bit, but Siobhan . . .

"Do you understand what I mean?" Haymitch presses mean.

I slumped down on the snow and kicked the train hard. He means; there's only one future in order to keep our family alive and myself. I had to marry Siobhan.

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I grumbled colorful verbs under my breath as I headed back to my damn room. Haymitch patted me on the shoulder and said. "You could do a lot worst, you know." As he took off with his alcoholic stench.

I sat in my room, chugging off my boots and jacket, and then stared out the window. It was probably two o'clock. Though, I didn't care, while thinking over the conversation with Haymitch. What he said was true about the Capitol. Their expectation, my future with Siobhan, even his last comment; how I could do a lot worst. Was that all the convincing Snow needed. Pull out a damn ring.

Marriage was the only freedom we had in our decision in district 12. Now President Snow took that away. Including Snow would probably be inspecting a baby. So within fourteen to eighteen years put them into the game. It was common to Victor's children in the hunger game. It would probably be a spectacular event to have a child of a victor couple in the arena. Just to make an excitement. Including, the odds. Factor in this case Effie fingers pick out the tribute, except they can rig the drawing. Given the trouble of challenging the Capitol, I caused by just being me. My kids would be guaranteed be slaughter in the Games. No wonder, Katniss, didn't want to have any children!

Now that I think about it. It explains why Haymitch wasn't married or a family. And why he drinks away his life. He could have anything he wanted with all the money given. But instead he isolated himself from the world. Maybe a take a few friends; except that was it. Did being in the arena cause that much of a change for him. Like me and my nightmares.

I never told anyone about my nightmares. How I practically wake up screaming or covered in cold sweat. The only person who could possibly know about these dreams was Posy. Since her bedroom was next to mine and she sometimes like to steal cookies from the cookie jar.

I lay down, figuring a way out of this. Not because I don't want to but for Siobhan. I can't let President Snow condemn not just me but Siobhan as well. She already given so much to the Capitol, and the chains they put on her are getting heavier. They take her leg; put her in District Eleven room, and probably her freedom in business. She told me, half her profit in tea goes to the capitol while a quarter goes to Funding for District eleven tributes. This was Siobhan only way to keep Rue's sibling alive. She said Snow ruled it out, until she told him about her charcoal talent.

I sighed, if only we could disappear in the woods. Like I told Katniss, before the reaping, we could do it, run away into the forest. But Katniss disagreed, saying they'll catch us, and turn us into Avox. I groaned, well, at least Siobhan already knows that there was trouble. Now I have to give her the full on bad news.

Isn't being a Victor Perfect?

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Sorry for the long wait. I had a mild writer block and decided to work on my other's stories.

Thanks for reading and please leave a review. I love reviews, good or bad or some ideal advice.

Also take a look at my other Hunger Games Story 'Like Father lie Daughter'. It's about Haymitch daughter Blaine being a mentor for the 74th annual Hunger Games.

Also here is a link to see the ideal image in what I though Siobhan may look like if she was to be in a movie?

Siobhan Underwood- .dk/photo/eliza_bennett_

Mark Underwood-

Silent wolf singer