RIVA BILLION | AGED 13 | DISTRICT 6 | 76TH HG VICTOR | POV

I don't know what's going on. Everything is puzzling me.

I've witnessed a friends death.

Something has played over the speaker of the arena.

I've been pulled up into an aircraft.

And I've been thrown inside a building.

Now I'm lying on a bed.

I can't feel anything.

My vision is blurry.

I'm blacking out.

I finally open my eyes to find my stylist Erin sitting at the end of the bed. I notice I'm in a hospital room. The Capitol must've healed the wound in my back.

I feel my back. They have healed the wound.

I lunge over to hug Erin. It's a long, heartwarming hug and he whispers, "You made it, Tiger-eyes."

I smile, but I feel like crying. There were 26 of us. And it was me who escaped. It could have been anyone. Ashlie. Joey. Sam. Helenna.- Matt... But it was me.

I should be happy, but I'm not. My goal was to win, to get the medicine for Gab. And I've achieved my goal. But I feel horrible. Especially for Matt.

He could have won. He had a good reason to. But he let me win. Now I'm going to feel guilty for the rest of my life. I could never make it up to him.

I guess now I understand why all the victors turn to drugs and alcohol. It's so they're not reminded of the things that happened to them in the arena.

Alcohol. Maybe I'll end up just like everyone else. Suddenly, I'm interrupted.

"Tiger-eyes... We have to prepare you for your interview. Panem's waiting for you."

I nod.

CAESAR FLICKERMAN | THE CAPITOL | POV

"Everyone, welcome Riva Billion, the victor of this year's Hunger Games!" The audience goes wild as Riva makes her way to the middle of the stage.

I give her a longing smile, and sign her to sit down. She does just that.

"What do you all think of Riva's dress?" The crowd is in awe, screaming at the top of their lungs. Riva's dress is a simple carrot orange, but by tomorrow, the colour will be overtaking the whole of the Capitol.

"Riva, now that you've won the Hunger Games, you're going to have a wonderful life in the District 6 Victors' Village, along with your family. How do you feel about winning?" I await a dead answer. Almost every victor I've interviewed has been very dull.

She sighs. "I didn't say this before, but I'm glad I won because now I can get the medicine for my sister, who was bitten by a pigeon mutt."

"Oh... Riva, I'm so sorry. It's such a terrible loss."

"...What do you mean?"