Months Later...
Sheila Carwell, District Seven Victor
The Tour started just a few days ago and the train was pulling into the station of District 8, the home of Sheila's first victim. Sheila looked outside to the privacy of the station. All she could think about was the way that girl scratched at her hands as she begged for air. If only Sheila knew her name. She looked down to her lap, where her hands were entwining with one another. She couldn't put the guilt from her mind. She killed four people, one of which wanted her to kill them, and this is the first district where she has to apologize for killing their tribute. What would she even say?
The previous districts were very kind to her, acting like she wasn't a killer. She had nothing to apologize about, since 14 and 13's tributes were killed in the bloodbath, 12's districts were killed by Careers, much like 11 and 10. For 9, she only said that the girl was killed early on, and the boy was mauled by mutts. As Sheila looked through the crowd after her speech, she could have sworn she saw the boy who was killed in the arena. She shrugged it off, but she couldn't stop worrying about the district she would have to visit next. She was jerked from her thoughts as the train began to slow down. Karina walked in and escorted her from the train to the station platform.
The appearance of this district shocked her. This place is directly next to hers, yet they look so different. Instead of the lush, green grass that littered her district, this place didn't have a single blade anywhere. A thick stench of industrial fumes entered her nose, and she tried not to gag in front of the mayor. A few representatives of this district, like the mayor and past victors, stood in front of Sheila. They looked similar, run down with dark hair and bags under their eyes. The change from 7 to 8 is very small, distance wise, but the change of appearance is still shocking her. A slim man held out his hand to Sheila and she took it politely. His fingers were ice-cold and she could feel his bones.
"Hello, Miss Carwell." His voice sounded raspy. "I welcome you to District Eight, home of the textiles. My name is Mayor Ash and I hope you have a pleasant visit here. Do you have any questions for me?" His words hung in the air as a fresh bought of smoke-filled the air around them.
"I do have one." She whispered sheepishly, trying not to inhale the air. "What was the girl's name who came from your district?" The mayor hung his head, but managed to answer.
"Her name was Flim." He answered, motioning for Sheila to move with him.
She was walking with Mayor Ash towards the District 8 Justice Building. Flim. That was the name of the girl whose life she ended by her hand, literally. One of the past female victors looked to Sheila and took a long glance before turning away. Something about the behavior of the residents seemed off to Sheila. Yes, she murdered Flim, but that was because Sinus told her that Flim killed Linden. Also, every district did know that there was a one in twenty-eight chance of their tribute becoming a victor. They could have at least acted a little more nicer to her, like District 9 or something.
When she entered the building, she took in all the photos in District 8 history. A picture of the district when it was reconstructed after the Dark Days. Pictures of their own victors coming home. The victor's sponsored weapons that hung on the wall. Was her own sword hanging proudly on the wall in her Justice Building? Her speech would start in an hour, and she had some time to think about what she would say. How could you apologize for a death, even though you sort of meant it? She sat on the wooden couch covered with some material that they would use for their clothing.
She played with the ends of her dress, even though there was nothing to play with. Unlike the victor from last year, she wasn't dressed to represent the district's industry. She wore a plain black dress that clung to her sides and reached just below her thighs. The heels she wore matched the dress, with lighter shades of black on the buckles. She had to hand it to Karina; she represented the district quite well just through a plain dress. She continued to think about what to say to this district, but she couldn't quite think of the right words.
"Come on, Sheila. It's almost time for your speech!" Berry Punch grabbed her arm and dragged her to the front of the Justice Building. She stood behind the door, hearing what Mayor Ash was saying about her. She didn't hear any feedback from the district people themselves, but she could only imagine what they look like. Her heart hammered as she heard the mayor talk about the newest victor.
He announced her name, and she was shown to the district. A moment passed as the crowd clapped and Sheila's expression seemed bewildered. A young girl, wearing a purple dress, walked to Sheila and handed her the flowers and the plaque every victor gets when they win. Sheila took the prizes from the girl and stood to the podium. The clapping has finally stopped and Sheila looked out over the crowd. A couple near the stage huddled close to each other, the woman crying and the man wiping the tears away from her cheeks. A teenage girl with tears brimmed on her eyes rubbed the back of the woman's back. The girl looked nothing like Flim. She swallowed the tears the were trying to escape and started to speak.
"Hello, District Eight." She said, projecting her voice. "I know that some of you wanted Flim or her partner to come home rather than me. Especially after what I did in the arena to bring me here right now. Um..." She trails off, looking to Flim's parents and back to the microphone in front of her. "I had no intention on killing anyone in the Games. But, killing is a large part of the Games. I just..."
Sheila ducked her head from the crowd, feeling the tears well up in her eyes and her throat clog with useless sobs. Crying right now won't do any good for these people or bring Flim back from the dead. She wiped away the sole tear and looked back to the crowd. "I am sorry for the death I caused, killing Flim the way that I did. You see, in the arena, we act first then ask questions later. But as soon as I killed Flim, I realized that way of thinking cause more harm than good. If I could, I would go back and stop myself from killing her. I don't know what I can do to make it up to you, but I guess whatever I offered wouldn't be enough. I didn't mean to kill anyone."
A sob that was surpressed in her throat was released, her sobs being heard from all over the district. The people of District 8 heard her pain and just stood there. No victor in the history of the Hunger Games has cried during their Tour, especially in District 8. After hearing Sheila cry, the little girl who handed her the gifts walked over to her and gave her a hug around the legs. Sheila's sobs ceased, looking at the girl who was hugging her. Her eyes seemed to say 'Don't cry. You have nothing to cry about.' She stroked the girl's hair, feeling how soft it was under her fingertips. She choked down the remaining sobs and looked to the people in the crowd. She had to finish what she started.
"Thank you for having me here. It was a pleasure to talk to your district." The end of her speech was greeted with a soft applause, which only got louder as the seconds passed. Flim's mother wiped away her tears, looking Sheila right in the eye. Even though she had killed one of their own, they seemed to accept this fact. After all, children die almost every year when they are from any district under 4. Sure, maybe they would have wanted Flim or her partner to come home, but the Games don't work that way. They normally work in the favor of the Careers. Luckily, and Sheila knew District 8 was thinking the same thing, Sheila won and not a stuck up Career.
Paige Tamar, District Four Resident
Among the crowd were hundreds of people waiting to see the new victor in person. For being from a non-Career district, Sheila had a lot of guts and strength to take down two District 2 volunteers by herself. All the Academy is talking about it, not that Paige would know. She isn't enrolled, so she doesn't hear most of what the Careers-in-Training are saying about the new victor. Most people have talked about how Sheila is a wuss, because she actually has remorse over her victims deaths. Yet, people have forgotten that Sheila killed Predator because he asked her to.
Just thinking of Predator made Paige think of all the times she saw him before the Reaping. Well, they went to the same school together and lived in the same area of the district. Ever since he left for the Games, she has thought about how different her life would be if she just said that she'd be his. She shifted her weight when she saw the old-looking mayor step onstage, looking over the fishing district. He had a paper in his hands, probably a speech talking about Sheila and saying how they will miss Maya and Predator. His voice sounds like he is fighting a sickness, but he continues to talk. Once Predator's name is mentioned, a wail is heard from the front of the crowd. That was probably his mother. Paige cranes her neck to see Mrs. Fazaysia, but should only see her hunched shoulders.
After a while of talking about Sheila's victory, the mayor placed his paper down and looked to the district. "And now, I present you, all the way from District Seven, Sheila Carwell!" The crowd clapped as the girl who took Predator's life walked up onstage. She wore a simple blue dress with swirls of lighter and darker shades of blue mixed in. She offered a tight smile as the young boy presented her with flowers and a plaque from District 4. From where Paige was standing, she could see that Sheila's eyes were turning red. The last place she visited was 5, but she didn't kill anyone from that district. Sheila walked to the podium and thanked the mayor. He stepped down and let Sheila look to the crowd.
"Thank you for the welcome, District Four." Sheila started. Her hands began to shake as she held the flowers. "To be honest, I never thought I would be standing here, apologizing for your loss. Um... I just wanted to say how sorry I am for not allowing Predator to come home. He was a good competitor, and he made it very far rather than his district partner." Sheila took a pause, long enough for Paige to catch on to Sheila's emotions. "I know Predator asked me to put the sword through his heart, but I don't want to accept that kill. He died in a good way, allowing me to come home. He did what he could have to make it that far in the Games."
Sheila paused longer than she had last time, obviously trying to hold in tears. She placed the back of her hand on her mouth, trying to hold in her emotions. Paige saw that Sheila was doing anything she could to not cry in front of the district. The silence was deafening. Many of the Careers-in-Training leaned forward to hear what Sheila would say next, while some people didn't care what Sheila would say on Predator's behalf. She removed her hand from her mouth and took a deep breath. Paige shifted her weight from foot to foot waiting for Sheila to start talking again, if she would start again.
"If I could have, I would have wanted to help Predator and not have him hurt or killed. But, Kleo and Caden got to him first and he could have died of infection or mutts. I don't want to be known for killing someone who asked me to kill him. I wish Predator would have been home instead of me." She took a pause, then thanked the mayor and the district for having her come here. She handed the gifts to her escort and she walked inside the Justice Building. The crowd broke and Paige was left alone in the Square. All the families of the district are at home, picking out what to wear for the dinner in Sheila's honor.
The clock struck three and camera crews unhooked their cameras to take them down. Paige looked around for anything to do, but everything here reminds her of Predator. She sits on the steps of the Justice Building and tries to stop her hands from shaking. Her heart hammered in her chest. After seeing Sheila having a hard time talking about Predator, she was even more nervous about talking to her in person. She remembered Predator's last words. Sheila could come talk to her at any minute. She ran her hands down the length of her face. What would she even say to Sheila when she delivers the message? Thank you for telling me, but he's dead now so I have to live my life right now? The beating of her heart thumped in her ears. She tried to calm herself down, but nothing she tried worked. She'd have to face the music sooner or later, and she chose later. She stood up, ready to change for the dinner, until a hand was placed on her shoulder.
Paige turned around and saw the wet hazel eyes of Sheila behind her. The areas around her eyes were red and blotches of her skin turned a light pink color. Sheila was looking Paige up and down, trying to make sure this was the Paige Tamar Predator spoke about in the arena. She sucked in a deep breath and opened her mouth to speak. "Are you Paige?"
"Yes I am." Paige replied, trying not to cry like Sheila. The door to the Building opened and people filed out after Sheila. Her black-haired mentor, her crazy skin colored escort, and a woman who looked to be her stylist. Paige's eyes stung as she looked at Sheila longer.
"Well, I know you saw what happened during the Games," Sheila began, "and I don't have to explain a whole lot. You see, I didn't want to kill your boy... I mean your friend. Predator wants me to tell you that he will wait for..."
Sheila was cut off by arms encircling her body. Paige was holding onto Sheila's tiny body tightly, as if her life depended on it. Sheila had no other choice but to hug her back, and she did with pure feeling, not a force making her. Paige's shoulders shook with hysteria as she let out her emotions she bottled up for months. Tears dropped onto Sheila's dress, and tears fell onto Paige's back. The two girls broke down into tears over the same reason as they sank to the steps of the Building. Under all the tears and sobs, Paige managed to say a few words to Sheila that broke her heart. "Thank you."
Samuel Miller, Kleo & Caden's Father
Girls wearing their dinner finest, boys wearing their father's suits, and parents looking dolled up for one evening of fun with the newest victor. Unfortunatly for the Miller's, they didn't have any children to look after or dress up for the night. Cecilia and Samuel glanced at Sheila, the girl who took their children away from them single handedly. Samuel pulled at the cuffs of his white tux as he watched Sheila sign napkins for the Careers-in-Training who were always in awe of the newest victor. Ever since their children have returned in coffins, Cecilia hasn't stopped crying or come out of bed. There was only so much Samuel could do to cheer up his wife. Tonight was an example, but she wasn't in the mood for flutes of champagne or the beautiful jewelry he bought her. She only wanted her children back.
The speech Sheila gave wasn't terrible, but she was cut off by Cecilia's screams. Sheila only apologized for tearing apart a family and killing the siblings the way she did, and Cecilia couldn't contain herself. A few of Samuel's Peacekeeper buddies had to take her away from the Square until the speech was over. Samuel couldn't stand to see his wife in such a desperate state. Samuel looked to Sheila, who looked like she was having a night full of pain, sit at the table and poking her food around with her fork. He could see the look in her down cast eyes that she would rather be somewhere else. He stood up from his table and walked around the younger children to get to her.
Some young Careers were dancing on the dance floor as he made his way to Sheila. She still was focused on her plate of half-eaten food. He placed his hand on the table as Sheila looked up. A glimmer of recognition crossed over her eyes. He knew she saw Caden in him, as many people said that they were 'twins of different ages'. She dropped her fork on the table as she looked into the eyes of her victim's father. An eery silence passed between them as the music began to turn up-beat. Mr. Miller tried his hardest to think of something to say to her. He knew that people from anywhere but 2 were afraid of Peacekeepers and, ever since the Tribute Parade, people knew the Miller's had a Peacekeeper father.
"Hello, Miss Carwell." His voice was more clipped than he expected. "I just wanted to let you know I do not resent you for taking our children away from us. I understand that killing, and death, are a part of the Games. But, I want you to do something for me."
"Anything, Mr. Miller." He knew she recognized him. He let out a small breath and looked back to his wife, who was sitting alone at their table pushing her food around. Sheila followed his gaze and saw what he saw. She turned back to him, waiting for her orders.
"You see, my wife is very torn up about Kleo and Caden." He chose his words carefully for Sheila. "I believe you recall the woman who screamed at your victory speech today." Sheila nods slowly. He can see that she doesn't understand where this is going. "I think it would be good for her if she hears the apology from you, personally. Please, she hasn't done much of anything since you won. I have to beg her to get out of bed, take a shower, and eat. Can you do it for me?"
Sheila sat there for a moment as the music played behind them. She put her finger to her lips, probably thinking about what he just asked her to do. He opened his mouth to ask again, but Sheila already stood up from her chair and started to walk towards the Miller's table. She moved so effortlessly, she looked like she was gliding her way to his wife. He started to walk over to his wife as Sheila began to talk to her. He couldn't pick up anything that she was saying, but he could see Cecilia's eyes turning red once again. A beat passed when Sheila stopped talking. Music continued to play. Children ran around, acting like tributes. What did Sheila say?
Whatever she said, it worked. Cecilia stood from her chair and wrapped her arms around Sheila. A smile spread across Samuel's face. Cecilia finally has forgiven Sheila for taking away their children. Sheila held Cecilia tightly, allowing her to cry onto her Capitol made dress. Samuel walked closer to Shelia and his wife. He could only hear a few words between sobs from Cecilia. "Thank you", he heard her say. Relief washed over him. She hasn't said much of anything since her children came home in wooden coffins.
"Sheila, thank you." He said to her. Sheila looked to Mr. Miller, as if he never uttered those words. Her eyes began to redden, just like his wife's. A sole tear slid down her cheek.
"For what, sir?" She asked, her voice swallowed by sobs.
"For everything," He guestered to Cecilia, still crying in Sheila's arms. "I thought I would never hear her voice again. And, thank you for apologizing for Kleo and Caden. I know they won't come back, but you made Cecilia feel so much better than she was six months ago. Thank you." He wrapped his arms around the two girls, making a giant circle with their bodies. Everything was how it was supposed to be, minus the loss of their children.
They have Sheila Carwell from District 7 to thank.
A/N: This story has officially come to a close. Sheila has won, visited the districts she hurt, and she avenged Rivet's death. :) Time to put this one to bed. This has been a baby of mine since 8/10/12 to 3/16/13. My baby has grown up... sort of. :)