The Hunger Games

By: Tracy Cook

Disclaimer: I own nothing. These characters belong to the creators of Vampire Diaries.

Couple: Bonnie/Damon

Rating: M

Chapter Three

Where's That Fire?

'Before The Dawn Announces A New Day,

Tonight, We Have A Chance To Live Our Dreams.'

"It is time to board the chariot." Elijah informed the two tributes. It was evident that they were getting overwhelmed by the chaos around them. People were running around in every direction trying to prepare for the parade. They could hear the crowd cheering loudly through the large doors, and the announcer speaking to the audience.

Bonnie's head was pounding as she made her way through the crowd toward the chariot. She felt like she was going to pass out. It was all just too much. She didn't have a second to rest her mind before she was dragged into something else. They had only just arrived and now they were to be paraded around the Capitol in hopes of gaining sponsors.

She felt a pain shoot through her shoulder as someone ran directly into her.

Before she had the chance to apologize or say anything to the young man he was screaming at her, "Watch it!" He had a British accent.

His dark hair was slicked back and he had dark eyes and a cleft chin. His outfit was a radiant blue and he had pearls that lined the collar. Perched in his hair was a seahorse. He had the words 'District 4' embroidered on the front of his tunic. He also didn't appear to have manners as he walked away from her without an apology.

Bonnie turned to look at Marcel. His muscles were tense and he was preparing to force the man to apologize to his friend, but she gently placed a hand on his arm, telling him that it was alright.

"Is there a reason that everyone here are such jerks?" She asked.

"Not everyone." He corrected his partner with an encouraging grin. A lot of the districts felt the same way they did about the games. Ironically, it was the poorer districts. You would think they would be more eager to win a place in the Capitol. "It's mostly just Districts 1, 2, and 4. They think they are entitled to winning the games before they even start."

"District 12 won last year." Bonnie pointed out.

"That only fuels them to want to prove themselves even more."

"For once I would just love it if someone from District 11 came out on top." Her attitude toward the game was altering slightly. She was becoming more competitive. Mostly, she just wanted to see the districts that looked down on her people lose for a second year in a row. Maybe then they would take the time to apologize when they ran into her.

Marcel held out his hand to her and she took it, allowing him to help her up into the chariot.

He followed close behind.

"Remember you two, it's all about the first impressions." Elijah reminded from the sideline. "Be certain to smile and wave at the audience."

Her hands were shaking and her heart was racing in her chest as she listened to the loud cheering on the other side of the door. She felt so much pressure to make a good first impression on the people she didn't even care to impress. She hated them. She hated that they only saw them as pawns in their game. These people were monsters. Willing to cheer for the bloodshed of a twelve year old girl.

"You okay?" Marcel asked. He had concern swimming in his dark eyes.

"What do you think?" She countered sarcastically, with a twist of her lips.

Again, he reached over and interlaced his fingers with hers, giving her hand a small squeeze. Bonnie found comfort in the warmth of his hand. She found safety. She knew that Marcel would do anything to protect her. He would even sacrifice his own life. 'I really hope it never comes to that though... I couldn't handle it if he died to save me...'

"Don't worry so much." He smiled. "I'm right here with you."

"Thanks."

"Over one-hundred-thousand people are currently stirring impatiently in their seats, waiting for their first glimpse of this year's tributes!" The announcer's voice echoed loudly. His name was Caesar Flickerman. He was always the host of the games. "This moment is SO important for our tributes, because this is when their possible sponsors see them for the very first time!" He paused. "And you know what they say, first impressions are lasting impressions!"

Bonnie held her breath as the large doors opened in front of the first chariot.

The parade was starting.

She tightened her grip on Marcel's hand and she watched the horses start to gallop proudly toward the door.

Damon and Caroline were standing in the front of the pack, basking in the cheers and the lights. Both of them loved the attention. They loved hearing people rooting for them to win the games. It was everything they had always dreamed it would be and more. And although he hated to admit it, the people were loving the pink costumes.

Out of the corner of his eye he spotted a group of young women shouting to him. They had a rainbow of colors in their hair and on their outfits. His lips twisted up into a devious smirk and he lifted his hand, waggling his fingers playfully at them. This earned a scream from the girls. The screaming only intensified when he winked in their direction.

He loved it.

He felt so powerful.

Damon's eyes were already on the finish line. He was going to win the games and become a celebrity in the Capitol. Girls would be throwing themselves at his feet constantly. He would get the chance to mentor others. His face would be all over the championship walls. 'I can't wait to win this thing.'

"There they are! This year's tributes!" Caesar spoke excitedly into the microphone. "Hm. For a hairstylist you'd think he'd pick something a bit more colorful!"

"Like you?" His co-host teased.

"Precisely!"

Bonnie let out the breath she had been holding and she stared up at the lights as they neared the doors.

"Just flash them that pretty smile of yours." Marcel whispered against her ear. "You'll get sponsors."

A blush traveled along her cheeks and down over her shoulders as he complimented her smile. The two of them had always had a sort of flirtatious relationship, but they had never explored it. They had never wanted to destroy the wonderful friendship they had. Still, the attraction was there. Marcel Gerard was a very handsome man.

The horses galloped through the doors and Bonnie's green eyes widened as she realized just how many people were there. The announcer had said that there were over one-hundred-thousand, but that hadn't fully registered until she saw them all sitting in the bleachers, screaming loudly for their favorites. She felt lightheaded and nauseous, but she managed to force a smile and wave to the onlookers.

'How did Rue handle all of this so well? She made it look so easy... She always looked so confident... I wonder if she felt like this inside?'

Very few people were cheering for them as their chariot drove by. Most of the Capitol knew that District 11 didn't have a chance. They looked at them as expendable. Again, Bonnie felt that fire ignite inside of her. That need to prove them all wrong.

"This young woman from District 11 is a very special tribute!" Caesar announced. "It is not often that siblings get thrown into the hunger games one year after the other!"

Bonnie's heart sunk.

"Do you remember the fan favorite underdog Rue from last year's games? This is her older sister!"

A large screen lowered from the sky displaying video footage of Rue's journey through the games. It showed her first interview, where she was dressed in that adorable blue dress with her hair up in barrettes. It showed her climbing through the trees. It showed her devious crooked grin. And then it showed her death. Seeing the agony and surprise written across her sister's face in the moment of her death, destroyed her.

Bonnie clenched her jaw tightly and she glared at the screen as she watched her sister die. The people in the bleachers were suddenly cheering for them, and it infuriated her. She didn't want to exploit her sister's death just to get sponsors, and she didn't like that they were exploiting her death to get more viewers.

Damon furrowed his brow in confusion as he heard the announcer say that the woman from District 11 was Rue's older sister. 'She's Rue's sister? No wonder she looked at me like she wanted to kill me.'

He knew the previous hunger games like he knew the back of his hand. He had spent hours upon hours re-watching them with his brother, studying them for techniques. And Rue was one of the deaths he remembered the most. When Marvel had killed her, he and the rest of his district had cheered. They had to support District 1 after all. He had been proud of their small victory, but even he had to cringe at the sight of a twelve year old girl dying. He was a pretty shitty person, but he wasn't that shitty.

All of the chariots started to park in front of a bright red balcony. It had the crest of the Capitol on the front of it. This was where President Snow would make his speech.

Seeing President Snow walk out onto the balcony was surreal to Damon. He had watched him make the speech so many times before, and now he was making the speech to him.

"Welcome!" The president spoke into the microphone and the audience erupted in applause once more. He held up his hands telling them to silence themselves, and then he started his speech again, "Tributes, we welcome you. We salute your courage and your sacrifice!"

Everyone cheered again. It was easy to cheer when they weren't the ones sacrificing themselves.

"And as always, we wish you happy hunger games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

He paused and waited for the cheering to die down, before he made the second announcement. His fingers tapped against the box sitting on the podium. Inside was the fate of the games. "As you all know, this is the 75th year of the hunger games. This year, we honor our third Quarter Quell on the seventy-fifth anniversary! As a reminder to the rebels, that they cannot overcome the Capitol!"

'Oh god, I forgot it was the Quarter Quell...' Bonnie thought to herself. Things just kept getting worse and worse.

President Snow opened the lid to the box and he sifted through the yellow envelopes inside. Finally, he lifted one up and he showed it to the audience and tributes. Everyone cheered excitedly. They were all anxious to know what this years twist would be.

"Each Quarter Quell we introduce a surprise twist that ensures the games will be that much more of a challenge." He opened the envelope and he started to read over the piece of paper inside. "This year, halfway through the games, two new tributes from each district will enter into the arena."

Everyone applauded.

Bonnie felt the sudden urge to vomit as she heard what the twist would be. That meant that twenty-four new people would be introduced into the game once they were down to the final twelve. There would be twenty-four more people that they were forced to kill. It would make the hunger games longer and far more difficult to survive.

'Before The Dawn Tears This Night Away,

I Will Find A Way To Reach Your Soul.'

Her fingers curled in the satin sheets. She loved how soft and silky they felt against her skin. But, no matter how beautiful they were, and no matter how nice they felt, they still didn't compare to the quilt her mother had made for her and her little brothers and sisters. She had made it when she was younger. Before she gave up on life.

Bonnie glanced around at the beautiful room. It was extravagantly decorated. There was expensive furniture. There were gorgeous paintings adorning the walls. Hanging overhead was a golden chandelier that illuminated the entire room with light. She had never seen anything like it. Not even the nicest homes in District 11 could compare. Her entire house could literally fit inside of the room twice.

And to top it all off, there was all you could eat room service.

She didn't have to pay anything for the food. She could indulge as much as she wanted. She could try every delicacy she never was allowed to try back home.

'I wonder how Rue reacted when they showed her to her room...?' Bonnie imagined her little sister staring around at the room in complete awe, her mouth hanging open and her brown eyes wide. She could envision it in her head. Rue running into the room and jumping on the bed before consuming every last piece of candy she found. Every year for her birthday she always asked for candy. It was her favorite thing.

'Rue was waiting impatiently for her sister to wake up.

She just couldn't wait to see what kind of candy Bonnie got her that year for her birthday. Every year she surprised her with something new. Last year she had tried skittles for the first time and she loved them. The year before she had tried a chocolate bar and it had been amazing. Honestly, every type of candy was amazing. It was so much better than the small portions of bread they ate on a regular basis.

Bonnie started to stir and Rue's eyes widened excitedly.

But, then her sister merely rolled over and mumbled into her pillow.

Rue let out a loud sigh and she decided that she couldn't wait any longer. Running toward the bed, she did a flip over her sister and she landed on her feet on the mattress. Everyone in their district was agile and skilled at flipping and climbing. The shake of the bed startled Bonnie out of her sleep, but she continued to fake like she was sleeping.

She knew it was her little sister.

"Bonnie, I know you're awake!" She said, kneeling down and looking over her face. "Come on! It's my birthday! I wanna know what kind of candy you got me this year!"

Bonnie's lips twisted up into a smile and she popped open one of her eyes, staring up at her little sister. "Oh, I forgot. Today's your birthday?" She started to sit up. "Darn it. I've been working so much it must have slipped my mind."

"You're lying." Rue knew she had to be lying. Her sister never forgot her birthday. But, for just a second she was worried.

She reached under the bed and grabbed the box of candy she had bought for Rue. "I guess you'll have to wait 'til next year to get your candy." With that she lifted up the box of hot tamales for the younger girl to see. Her smile stretched and her eyes widened as she reached out and took them from her. She wrapped Bonnie up into a tight embrace and thanked her over and over.

Every new type of candy was a new adventure for Rue.'

'Everything was a new adventure to her.' Bonnie thought sadly to herself, wiping the fresh tear from her cheek. 'Even this.'

Rue hadn't been scared to take on the hunger games. She had been so strong and brave. Her entire mindset was that this was just another adventure for her and she was going to make the best of it. She didn't try to kill anyone. Her main focus was hiding. It was like a big game of hide and seek to her.

She was the one who told Bonnie before the reaping that if they called her name she didn't want her to volunteer. She told her, "You gotta stay here and take care of mom. I can handle this."

Bonnie pushed herself from the bed and she started to move across the room toward the balcony. She pulled the glass door open and she walked outside. There was a cool breeze that rushed against her skin. It felt nice. She approached the railing and she stared out at the beautiful buildings that stretched for as far as she could see. They were illuminated with neon lights. None of it felt real. It felt like she was dreaming.

'I wish I could just wake up and find out that the last year was all a dream.'

"I wouldn't get too close." A familiar voice said.

Bonnie jumped when she heard his voice. She hadn't expected anyone else to come into her room. Of course, she didn't mind that Marcel was there. He was probably just checking to make sure she was alright. She laughed and turned to look at him, "You scared me."

He laughed. "Sorry. I just thought I'd warn you before things got ugly."

She furrowed her brow and perplexity filled her green eyes.

Marcel's lips twisted up into a smirk and he walked across the balcony, picking up one of the decorative potted plants. He easily lifted it. Years of farming had made him very strong. And then, he tossed it off the balcony.

The pot hit an invisible force-field and it shot electricity through the sky, throwing the pot violently back onto the balcony.

"A force field." Bonnie stated simply with a nod of her head. She knew that the Capitol used force fields to keep people from entering certain places, or leaving them in this case.

"Too many people were committing suicide." He said.

"Can't say I blame them." It was just a joke, but the words worried her friend.

Marcel didn't like hearing her talk about such things in such a nonchalant manner. This wasn't the same Bonnie Bennett that he had known all of his life. This wasn't the fighter that never gave up. This was someone else. She had changed so drastically after Rue's death. It was like she lost her meaning to live. He cocked his head to the side and gave Bonnie a look that said 'Really?'

"Don't look at me like that." She lifted her chin confidently and spoke in a serious tone. "Do you see the way that they look at us? Just going into that arena for someone from our district is suicide. I might as well get it over with."

He took a step toward her and he searched her eyes for the fire they once possessed. He only found sorrow and defeat.

"What would your sister say if she heard you right now?"

Bonnie thought about it for a second and then she said, "She would tell me not to let them count me out. She would look at this whole thing as just another one of her adventures."

"You used to act the same way." Marcel pointed out with a sad smile. "Where'd that girl with the fire go?"

"The fire died when Rue died."

'Now Take My Hand, Let's Do The Walk Of Life,

Together If You Want, Side By Side.'

"I can't believe you talked me into coming to this thing." Bonnie spoke loudly over the music that was playing. All of the other tributes were dancing along to the music, consuming food and drinks, and talking to possible sponsors.

"I can't believe you actually wanted to spend your first night here cooped up in that room." He countered. "Elijah said that it was important for us to socialize if we wanted to win this game. So that's what we are going to do." With a smirk on his lips, he placed a hand on her back and he pushed her toward the crowd. They were immersed in a mix of bright colors, loud music, and high-pitched voices.

There was even a fountain in the center of the dance floor that spouted out colorful neon water.

"Besides, we might as well enjoy the luxury while it lasts." He reached out and picked up two alcoholic beverages off of one of the trays. Neither of them were of drinking age, but it seemed when they were being sent to their deaths, no one cared to arrest them for it. Plus, Marcel had always been told he looked older than he actually was. He twisted on his heels and handed Bonnie one of the drinks.

"Well, if I can't kill myself I might as well drink." She stated sarcastically, taking the drink from him and taking a gulp. Her green eyes filled with wonder as she tasted it. She had expected it to be bitter like the cheap alcohol they had back home. "That tastes so good!"

"Doesn't it?" He lifted his glass to his lips and took another drink.

Suddenly, a woman with bright pink hair and diamond dimples in her cheeks hurried up to them. She had a wide smile on her lips as she pointed to Bonnie, "Oh, aren't you the girl who is related to our beloved, Rue?" Her voice was high and nasally. "I was rooting for her every step of the way. Poor girl. It's a shame what happened to her."

Marcel was just about to step in and save her when the young man from District 1 pushed his way between Bonnie and the woman with pink hair. He wrapped his arms around the woman's shoulders. "Wouldn't you rather talk to someone a little more interesting?" He had a devious glint in his blue eyes and a playful smirk on his lips.

"Aren't you the tribute from District 1?" She asked.

"That I am." He waggled his brow flirtatiously at her.

"I just love that color you are wearing!"

"It looks even more lovely in your hair."

Bonnie looked over at Marcel and they both shook their heads at his cocky attitude. She was relieved that she didn't have to talk about the death of her sister, but it was obvious that the man had only done it in order to steal her possible sponsor. He didn't care about her. 'Typical attention whore.'

They turned and started to walk away from him.

'SHIT! She's walking away!' Damon thought to himself as he watched the woman from District 11 start to head across the room. He wanted so desperately to chase after her. He had only interrupted the conversation to spare her from having to talk about her sister. 'But now if I walk away I risk losing this possible sponsor...'

"Isn't your name Damon Salvatore?" The woman asked him. "Don't tell that young lady, but even if I'm rooting for the underdogs, I'm placing my bets on you."

He couldn't help but smirk at that. He lived for the praise. He wanted people to place their bets on him because he planned to win the entire thing. It didn't matter how many new tributes they sent into that arena. He would defeat them all.

"Oh and your arms. They are so strong!" She reached out and placed her hands on his arms. It was beyond obvious that she was flirting with him.

Bonnie watched the pink haired girl practically throw herself at the District 1 tribute and it caused her stomach to lurch back and forth jealously. She didn't understand why she was reacting in such a manner. It wasn't like she was interested in him. She didn't even know his name. And he was a narcissistic asshole. 'This is a blessing if anything. If he's paying attention to her then he can leave me alone.'

"Looks like HE won't be having any trouble getting sponsors."

Marcel looked between the two of them curiously. This man brought out something in Bonnie that he hadn't seen in a while. He brought out her fire.

Caroline was standing at the sideline watching the entire interaction with her arm crossed over her chest. She rolled her eyes as the woman touched Damon's arm and then she stomped over to him. He was supposed to be focusing on seducing the woman from District 11. They needed whatever advantage they could get in the games, especially now that they would be introducing new tributes halfway through.

As she reached him, she grabbed onto his arm and pulled him away from the pink haired woman.

"Nice going, Damon!" She shouted at him. "You just destroyed what little chances you had of seducing her now that she knows just how much of a pompous asshole you are!"

"I was saving her." He sang with a devious smirk and a raise of his brows.

"You were soaking up the attention!"

"Oh, come on!" He groaned over-dramatically. "You would have done the same, Blondie."

Caroline thought about it for a second. She imagined a sexy man running his hands over her arms and complimenting her and she smiled. It was true. She would love it. "Okay, you're so right, I would have loved that!" She laughed. After her laughter died, she returned to her serious determined self. Once she set her mind to a plan she couldn't stop until it was done. "Either way, you need to fix this!"

"And how exactly do you propose I do that?" He asked.

"Get your ass over there and charm her dress off! Chop, chop!" She pushed him in the mystery woman's direction.

It was really strange having Caroline Forbes so invested in his love life. But, he understood where she was coming from. Her idea was actually surprisingly intelligent. Every minute of their lives would be consumed by the game from now until they died, or they won. And this was all just another form of strategy. It was emotional manipulation. If they could make the gorgeous young woman from District 11 trust them, then it would be far easier to take her down.

Damon wasn't above playing dirty, but this seemed a little slimy even to him.

Especially now that he knew Rue was her little sister.

But, at the end of the day everyone had to die aside from the winner, and their could only be one winner. And that was going to be him.

Marcel noticed that the man in pink was making his way back over to them. His smirk widened. There was definitely something unspoken going on between him and Bonnie. "Here comes your little knight in pink armor." He teased.

She noticed him and she let out a groan and rolled her eyes. She didn't understand what his obsession with her was. "Why won't he just leave me alone?"

"I think he likes you." He sang.

Bonnie laughed and shook her head at the thought. "Isn't that just what I need? To strike up a romantic relationship with the man who will try to kill me in a few days."

There was no response.

She knit her brows together and she turned to look in the direction he had been standing. That was when she noticed Marcel was making his way across the room and leaving her alone to face the man from District 1. 'Really Marcel? Oh my god, how could you leave me alone with this creep!?'

When she turned back around she noticed that the handsome older man was standing in front of her. He was standing very close. A little too close for comfort. But, she couldn't deny the way that her stomach filled with butterflies and her skin heated up as he looked over her body. He was very attractive. And his eyes were beautiful. 'Just remember, like Elijah said. No matter how pretty he is on the outside that doesn't mean he's pretty on the inside.'

"I was wondering where you flew off to, little bird." His lips twisted up into a devious smirk and he stared deep into captivating green eyes.

She was mesmerizing.

"I was trying to get as far away from you as possible." Bonnie forced herself to look away from his eyes and she took a step back. Her heart was pounding rapidly in her chest and her palms were sweaty. 'Why are you reacting this way? It was just a look. It didn't mean anything.'

"Ouch." He pursed his lips and furrowed his brow dramatically. "That's no way to talk to someone who just saved you from that vulture."

"You mean the "vulture" you were just flirting with?" She countered bitterly, crossing her arms over her chest. She didn't understand how what he did was "saving" her. He had just interrupted her conversation and stole her sponsor.

"Jealous?" He took a step toward her and leant forward so that their faces were only a few inches apart.

"Not even close." Bonnie insisted with a confident raise of her chin.

"You look jealous."

"You're mistaking jealousy for frustration."

"Sexual frustration?" The man wondered with a suggestive tone as he waggled his brow at her. "I have a cure for that. Why don't you invite me back to your room?"

Bonnie had already had sex with far too many people she regretted having sex with, she didn't need another. She didn't know how he was planning to use this against her later, but she knew that he couldn't be trusted. He was from District 1. The district of luxury. The district that lived and breathed the hunger games. "That is so not going to happen."

She turned on her heels and started to head back to Marcel. She was so upset with her friend for abandoning her with the man from District 1.

She was tugged gently back toward the stranger as he reached out and grabbed onto her wrist. It wasn't hard enough to hurt her, just hard enough to pull her back to look at him.

"Can I at least get your name so I can stop calling you the hot chick from District 11?"

'Hot? Okay no, don't let this go to your head Bonnie! He probably calls everyone that! Even that "vulture" "My name's Bonnie."

"I'm Damon."

"I don't care." Bonnie pulled her arm away from his hand and she turned to head back toward Marcel with a scowl on her lips.

Caroline walked up to Damon and she shook her head at him. "What a ladies man you are." She laughed sarcastically. "I think I would have had a better shot seducing her than you just did."

"Just give me some time."

"We don't have any time!"

'Dry Your Tears. Don't Think About What You've Lost,

Think About What You Had.'

Author's Note :

Thank you all so very much for your continued support! Y'all are the reason I keep on writing! I am just really happy to hear from y'all and to know that y'all are enjoying this fic! :)) So thank you for reading and reviewing! Y'all are wonderful! Now on to the chapter! I would love to hear your thoughts on it! Did you like the Bonnie/Marcel moments? Did you enjoy the Rue flashback? What about the surprise at the Quarter Quell? And most importantly, did you enjoy Bamon's first interactions!? Do you like that Bonnie turned him down? Are you excited to see him fight for her affections!?

If y'all have any ideas or anything you would like to see added to this story (including characters) please do tell me! :)) I will try and incorporate everything!

Thank you again for reading! I love you guys!

-Tracy Cook-