A/N: Thanks to Klicker'andKash, ThisMightEndBadly and Jemmie for reviewing the last chapter! The support is appreciated :)
OK, so it's been over a year since I updated this story... Wow, that's gone quick. Apologies all round there. Of course, anyone who's following my work will know that I've been plenty busy with other things in the past year. Still, I had the urge to write another chapter for this story, and if you all like it and want more, I'll try and resurrect the story and get the whole thing done :)
Anyway, hopefully you like this return to the story :)
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Molly Higgins
Age: 64
District: 6
First Hunger Games: 27th, aged 16
Mentored By: Melissa Sayer (27th and 75th Games)
Kills in the Arena: 12
Mentoring Record: 23 Games/ 0 Victors
Training Score: 2
Preferred Weapons: Sword
Stylist: Felix Granger
During the past seventy-five years, the Hunger Games have elevated many a young man or woman from a harsh existence in the districts to a life of fame and fortune in the Capitol, with thousands of followers queuing for a chance to speak to them at every public appearance, a home our politicians and business leaders would be proud of and the backing of the Capitol to live out the remainder of their lives in complete luxury. For many, becoming a victor is to live the dream.
However, in any system there are always flaws, and for years we have seen the story of Molly Higgins as an example of what becomes of a victor when things don't really work out after their victory in the Hunger Games.
Those of us who are old enough to remember the 27th Games will have a clear memory of their victor; the strong, charismatic, determined girl with wild blond hair and vibrant green eyes, wielding a sword like a battle-hardened warrior of old, cleaning house in just over a week and racking up a then-record twelve kills along the way. In a Hunger Games many would have expected to be overshadowed by the recent Quarter Quell, Molly made sure the spotlight was firmly on her that summer. Loved by all, a true fan favourite in the Capitol, many would have expected her to reach even greater heights following her victory.
And for a few years, she did. Into her twenties, Molly grew as a person and a mentor, and although she never did manage to bring home another victor herself, she certainly played a part in the victory of Blake Carlton - District 6's first male victor - just four years after winning the Games herself. During this time, more popular than ever, her name began to be thrown out across the Capitol, tied to certain names - making appearances here and there at grand parties held across the city, rumours of covert romances with various officials and men of prestige - Molly began to show the first few cracks of what was eventually her downfall.
We all know how her story panned out - withdrawal from the high life in the Capitol before she was thirty, only making sporadic appearances each summer for the Hunger Games after the 40th year of the Games. A well-known alcohol addiction (most likely from partying too hard with the best of them on the streets of the Capitol in her youth) in her late twenties is rumoured to be the catalyst in her fall from favour, her hiding away from the media to live a recluse's life in District 6, giving her a chance to recover.
But she never did recover. Another decade passes, and alcohol as given way to harder drugs, painkillers and medical-standard opiates, notably morphling and heroine. From that point onwards, Molly has lived a sheltered existence dictated by her addictions; a life of struggles not fit for the victor she once was. She was among the brightest of stars in her generation, but her star burned itself out too soon.
Today, her blonde curls may have faded to grey and her eyes may now be blurred and bloodshot, but somewhere within her you can still the girl with all that fight inside her waiting to get out. Forced back into reality and away from her personal demons for the first time in decades, Molly will have a fresh start in the Games; a chance to choose her own destiny again.
We all know what she was once capable of. The real question is whether she will be able to kill again.
A/N: Hopefully you all enjoyed that, and if you did, don't be afraid to review! As ever, I'll welcome constructive criticism :)
Of course, if you would like me to carry on this story again and see it through to the end, then I'll try my hardest to get it done. Of course, there are a lot of other projects that many people would like to see me complete, so it'd be good to know whether anyone really wants to see more of this in the near future. Hopefully the answer is yes, but regardless, let me know what you think about me carrying this on. It'll help me get my priorities sorted out, if nothing else :)
Thanks again to anyone who has been patient with me this past year and still wants to read this.
Gamemaker97 :)