A/N: I'm not happy with this chapter. I don't know it seemed kind of redundant. I had a few things that needed to be mentioned though so I decided to finish it anyways.
This is in a POV of somebody who lives in Panem. You might hear from them later.
Anyways hope you enjoy. :)
"Hello Capitol and District citizens! My name is Augusta and today I'll be bringing you exclusive interviews from our top eight tributes!"
A roar from the Capitol sounds through the television speakers, and I stand up to turn the volume down a bit. Of course I can't lower it too far, the Capitol has placed a restrain, so all must watch and even if you're not near the TV you can still hear it.
"Joining me today will be my colleague and dear friend, Julius Flickerman!"
Julius flashes a large award-winning smile, and takes his seat next to Augusta.
"It's great to be here Augusta, so what are you thinking of our tributes?"
"We certainly have a strong set, especially with the District 2 tributes!"
"Yes but as we all know District 2's citizens are often trained in use of weapons to be employed as future Peacekeepers, so there's no surprise there, Augusta."
"You're right Julius! The betting odds for those two are definitely in their favor."
"Let's take a look at what some of Bullet and Aeron's family and friends have to say about this power couple."
The screen flashes to a pre-recorded clip. Sitting in front of the television is a young girl flanked by an older gentleman who I presume is her father. The girl is struggling to look happy, but painted on her face is a look of dread.
"Hi I'm here with Noah's sister, Spearelle and his father Dag."
"You can call me Elle," the girl says but her heart is not in the words.
Dag wraps one of his arms around the girl and gives her a reassuring smile. Augusta continues.
"Noah has made it to the Top 8. Was it something you expected to happen?"
Elle is quiet and Dag clears his throat.
"Elle and I know that Noah is a strong boy, both mentally and physically, he certainly deserves his place at the top."
"How were you guys feeling the day those mutts chased Noah and his district partner? Noah selflessly went back to rescue her."
Dag opens his mouth to speak, but Elle cuts him off.
"Noah is one of the sweetest people you will every meet. He will do anything for the people who he claims loyalty to, so I am not surprised at all. Noah is not like some of the other tributes that selfishly backstab. If anyone deserves to win it's him! My brother has done so much for this family,"Elle stops for a second and wipes her eyes because tears are begin to trail down her face, "when our mother died he promised to look after the family. It's not fair that he has to be there. Our family has already had to deal with enough loss."
Elle's words are becoming angry, and I think Augusta senses this because she thanks both of them and ends the interview.
The screen flashes to Aeron Swann's parents, and they are calm and compose. They go on and on about their daughter's accomplishments and how proud they are of what she's done in the arena.
I'm losing interest in her interview, but then the screen changes again and I see a short dark-haired girl and a broad brown haired boy. The most peculiar thing though is the setting. First of all there's a large tube situated between them. It's filled with some kind of liquid and something sits suspended in the center.
"Now we're here with Aeron's best friend and her boyfriend, Demi and Lively. So can you guys tell us where we're at?"
Both Demi and Lively look confused and reluctant to speak. They don't seem to know much about their surroundings either.
"Um…" Lively speaks up finally, "it's a long story."
"A story we'd all love to hear!" Augusta says enthusiastically.
"Alright, well for those of you who didn't know Aeron was indeed pregnant when she was reaped. I had not idea honestly until I saw her interview on the television."
"What a way to be told such big news huh?" Augusta laughs.
"I guess you could say that." Lively awkwardly scratches the back of his neck. "Anyways, the Capitol didn't want the baby to go into the arena, as the rules state all tributes who enter must be between 12 and 18, so they were able to remove the baby from her and now it's being incubated here."
Augusta turns towards the camera.
"For all you district citizens who didn't know, it is not uncommon for soon-to-be Capitol mothers to choose this root. This technique is seen as being much safer, and keeps Capitol citizens looking their best," she smiles and I want to puke.
Do the Capitol citizens seriously care that much about their image that they don't want to carry their own child? At least though something good comes out of this. At least Aeron's baby will survive even if she doesn't.
Lively stares longingly at the little fetus that hangs in the middle of the tube, and Demi stays silent. Augusta ends the interview on that note.
The screen flashes back to Augusta and Julius live.
My screen becomes fuzzy and I stand up and smack the side of the box. Why wouldn't my television cut out at a time like this?
I slam my palm again and the screen clears back up.
"I'd say Lucian and Athea are a set we would have never expected to get this far, but now that I see it, it makes a lot of sense!"
The screen flashes to Julius who is interviewing an older man.
"I'm here with Lucian's grandfather, Mr. Gregorio Sparx."
The old man waves excitedly at the camera, an enormous smile planted on his wrinkly face. For having his grandson in the games he seems pretty happy to me.
"Nice to me you Mr. Flickerman," he shakes his hand.
"Call me Julius! So you're the grandfather of the child prodigy then?"
"Prodigy," Gregorio snorts at the word. "I taught that boy everything he knows. I've raised him since his parent's died in the laboratory explosion."
"You taught him everything he knows? You must be just as intelligent as he is."
"Well I can't say that I know much about all this technological shit, but I have the good looks on my side since you're from the Capitol I'm sure you know what that means."
This guy should not be in District 3, poor Chip, no wonder he's so awkward.
For the first time Julius looks like he's lost his magical television image. He chuckles and shakes his head.
"I don't know what you mean, but Gregorio we want to hear about your grandson. Do you see him coming home?"
"No, that boy is a hopeless wreck. He's so thin and frail, sure he's smart but what is that going to win him? I don't think he'd be alive if it weren't for that girl."
"Wow Gregorio, those are some harsh words."
"Sometimes the truth hurts," he shrugs, "but anyways what I was saying earlier…"
Gregorio goes on a rant about himself, about how much he can still lift, and how many girls are still knocking on his door. I wonder how he's related to the Chip I saw in the arena. The two are as different as night and is nothing more about Lucian and I leave the television to pour myself a cup of weak tea, though it's tea nonetheless, until I hear the next interview come up.
A little boy with red hair sits next to a dark-skinned handsome boy.
"I'm Micah! Athea's my older sister, and this is our friend Fahrin."
Fahrin chuckles to the boy and rubs his hair affectionately.
"Aren't you proud of your sister?" Julius asks, and he nods his head vigorously.
"I know she can win. She's the smartest person I know! Also, she took care of both of us when Mama and Dad died, so I know she can take care of herself."
"Do you guys see her as victor material?"
"If anyone do it, Athea can," Fahrin says, and Micah agrees with him.
"What message would you send her right now if you could?"
"I'd want her to know that we both love her dearly, and that Micah is being well cared for. I also would tell her not to give up, but I know she won't give up anyways. We're all rooting for her."
"Well thank you Micah and Fahrin!"
The screen snaps back to the live television broadcast of Augusta and Julius.
"So our District 4 tribute Shoal has made quite the impact on these games, wouldn't you agree Julius?"
"I think the games have made quite an impact on him as well. First he had to watch his district partner Mika die and then Alice."
Two clips appear replaying the deaths of the two girls and I find myself covering my eyes especially of Mika's gruesome struggle. How can the people in the Capitol watch this massacre without batting an eyelash?
"Anyways we got in touch with his family!"
The screen flickers to Julius surrounded by three of Shoal's family members. Just from looking at them you can tell they love the District 4 tribute very much. Shoal must be lucky to have grown up with so much support. He has his mother, a younger brother, and a sister who introduces herself as Lena, and begins rattling off immediately.
"My brother is going to win!" She says matter-of-factly. "There's no ifs or ands about it. He's the only one who hasn't had an alliance and he's still going strong. Not to mention he's racking in kills left and right. If Shoal gets rid of the District 2 tributes then he'll be in the clear."
"Yeah Shoal!" His little brother begins jumping around, and I'm wondering if he knows just what his older brother is doing. Years from now will these young children be brainwashed into thinking these games are something of an honor, like playing a sport. Will they become excited at the fact? I cringe at the thought.
"Well Shoal is a fan favorite," Julius comments. "I can see him taking home the crown! He's faced a lot of obstacles in the arena."
"Yes, which just shows how strong he is both mentally and physically," Lena says. "I know if anyone can come home it's my brother. We really miss him…" she reaches up to dab the corners of her eyes. "I'm sorry… I just can't fathom him not coming home to us," and she stands up to leave.
His mother, Saylee, finishes the interview as she holds the little boy in her lap. She talks of how Shoal took over after her husband died, and how important he is to their family. She is well contained and soft spoken, but as Julius ends the interview I can see her wiping her eyes.
"That was an emotional interview Julius."
Julius nods and rearranges his papers.
"Now I have a very big surprise for the next interview. Want to tell them about it Augusta?"
"Yes, we got in contact from a special person for our District 5 male tribute, Escule Hirosho's interview. As you all know Escule and his family were separated from his father during the Dark Day. Well we got in touch with the man and reunited him with the family!"
The screen flashes to Augusta and two adults that I assume are Escule's parents.
"This must be a huge blessing for your family!" Augusta starts and Escule's mother dabs her eyes happily with a handkerchief. Or are they tears of sadness from her son? A son exchanged for the reunion of a father. Was it worth it?
"It truly is," his mother says, "but now we wish for nothing but Escule's safety. He's made it far, and we are both proud of him."
Escule's father wraps his arm around his wife.
"How do you feel about all this?" Augusta addresses him.
His gaze turns fierce. I know how he really feels, but he controls himself quickly into a look of apathy.
"I hope my son comes home. He is a young boy, but he is courageous nonetheless. I would do anything to bring him home myself."
I'm sure he wants to reach his hands out and wrap them around Augusta's petite throat. He will probably never see his son again, all because of the Capitol. He had probably tried to save his family when they escaped to five, but all of that was for nothing.
I look back up to the screen and see Augusta with an elderly woman. Her hands shake violently as she calmly rocks in her rocking chair. Her eyes have a distant look that tells me she may be blind.
"Hello," Augusta's voice is quiet, "I'm here with Pats, Dorien's guardian. Now we are all wondering how you ended up with such a spitfire on your hands."
Pats laughs, and ends with a coughing fit. This woman is approaching death's door.
"I found Dorien in the bushes when she was just a young baby. I've raised her since then. Her poor parent's left her all alone without anybody to care for her. Dorien has paid me back in everyway. I doubt I would be here if it weren't for her company and care."
"That's very touching Pats," and Pats stares ahead, a small smile curls across her face.
"Dorien has exhibited a lot of attitude in these games. Do you have any idea where she got this from?"
Pats laughs again.
"I don't know, but Dorien will do anything to help those she cares about. She has a lot of willpower, and I could see her coming home."
"What would you like to say to Dorien if you could send her a message?"
Pats makes eye contact with Augusta for the first time and folds her hand delicately across her lap.
"I would tell her… I'd tell her to not worry about me anymore. I'm old, and frail, but I've lived my life. I just want her to get that chance too."
I pull my attention away from the screen. Watching this is emotionally draining, and I need to take a breather. I want to see what Ashley's parents have to say.
When I make my way back to the television I see an older woman and a young boy. He's older than Ashley, but still young enough to be reaped. Despite the Capitol's make-up the woman looks tired and ragged. Her eyes droop, and the circles stand clear under her pale skin. She is talking, but there is no emotion there.
"Ashley is a skillful healer. If she dies, Panem is losing a wonderful girl."
Her brother pipes up immediately sensing his mother's discomfort.
"Mother is right. She is so skilled, and I can't believe how many people have given their life to keep her alive. She is barely of age to be reaped. We think if anybody deserves to win it's Ashley, and I hope the other tributes will see that."
"So you think the others will give up their life for her?"
"They should," he says, "I can't see who would be able to kill her. She's remarkable."
I lower the volume on the television as far as I can, and get up to sit outside. I need to get away from this. These tribute's families care so much about them and they all think they're son, daughter, sister, brother, girlfriend, best friend, whatever is going to win, but they can't all win. The worse part is that this is not going to end. I'm going to be forced to see this over and over again. Something must be done. I need to get in touch with somebody who will save these children.
A/N: Glad that's over. Anyways we'll be back in the arena soon. We're pretty close to the end and since I've already told a few other people I figured I would mention now that this story will have a sequel! It'll take place about ten to twenty years from now. I'm offering spots to you all first so if you want to a reserve a spot just send me a PM, I'll have a list on my profile so check there before you ask for a spot. I'll send the actual tribute form out at a later date once we get closer to the end.
If you have any questions feel free to talk to me, and have a wonderful week :)
-Kayla