Originally, I was only going to use the perspective of Alexis in this story, but then, I thought why not give a little glimpse of home? And a little bit from Caesar and the Head Gamemaker.
Also, I added a temporary cover for the story. It's a little bit more green than Alexis' eye would be, but it should give you a pretty good idea.
Chapter Eighteen - Gamemakers and A Glimpse of Home
"Mr. Karan, we are so glad to have you here!" Caesar says, as he welcomes his newest interviewee to a new crowd. His newest interviewee being of course, not another tribute, but the Head Gamemaker himself, Sebastien Karan.
Sebastien nods. "My pleasure, Caesar."
"So, with the Games starting tomorrow and the tributes already introduced, the crowd has but a few important questions. First off all, we're all wondering about what you think of this year's batch of tributes. Any of them stand out to you?"
Sebastien gives a laugh and a shake of the head. "Oh, Caesar, you know I can't tell you that. That's for you all to decide! In fact, I have a feeling I can't answer a good number of the questions you'd like to ask me."
"Okay, fine. Now, I know you can't tell us what the arena will be like, but can we get any hints?"
The Gamemaker frowns, as if trying to come up with a nicer way to say "no", but then hints. "I can't tell you much, but I will say that your audience should be very excited about the cool arena we have planned this year."
Caesar sighs, evidently disappointed. "Well thanks for joining us. Since we can't get any information out of you, we should probably let you get back to work. Sebastien Karan, everybody!"
Annie:
I curl up in my chair, helpless. It's been almost a week since Alexis and Cassius went off to the Capitol to fight for their lives, and all I can do is sit here. I'm worried sick about the both of them, but they still seem to be staying strong, like the Alexis and Cassius I knew back home. I don't have to worry too much about them until tomorrow. It's aunt and uncle I'm worried about now. They've been worse than me this past week. As much as I'm scared by what they might do, I'm worried that I did the wrong thing asking for Alexis to help. How could she possibly keep a promise like that? Worst of all, I'm worried she might.
It's all because of the necklace she wore in the interviews. My necklace. Brooke keeps telling me it's nothing, but I'm sure she wore for me. So that I knew that she was keeping her promise. That she hadn't forgotten us.
And it makes me sick. I mean, what kind of friend's last words to another friend before she goes to get slaughtered are 'help my cousin get out there, not you'?
"You know, sitting here and worrying won't do either of them any good, Annie."
Brooke stands above my chair, frowning. She's changed the last few days, all of us have. She doesn't talk as much, she's less energetic. Less Brooke. I don't like it.
I sit up, sighing. "What do you suggest?"
"What do you think, silly? We need to sponsor them! We go out into Town Square and get people to support District Four's tributes!"
I stay there, thinking about it, then, for the first time in a while, I stand up, with Brooke and walk out the door. It's time to do some good.
Brooke:
I finally got Annie out that chair, which was awesome, but we're not having much luck in Town Square. See, if this was the Capitol, we'd have our pockets full of money, but here, in the Districts, even if people want to help there isn't much they have to give.
After an hour or so, we've gotten a whole 5 dollars. "Well, it's five dollars more than we had an hour ago." I say halfheartedly.
Soon after, however, it isn't more money we have, but more people. People from all over the place, joining us to help support our friends. Even if these people have nothing left to give, they still do. They give their time. What was just two girls yelling a couple hours ago is now a huge crowd. People of all ages have come to stand with us, and I know maybe a quarter of them. It's heartening to see, truly, but we still haven't raised much at all. Maybe we could buy Alexis a slice of bread, or a bit of string. Still, it's amazing to see our district come to life in support of some of their own.
Annie:
That's when it hits me. What we need to do. With this big a crowd it will be impossible for them to say no. Brooke's parents. We need to go to Victor's Village.
"Hey! Brooke! HEY!" I yell, pushing my way through the crowd we've created. "Brooke!"
"Right here." Says a voice at my side. "What's going on?"
I whisper my idea to her. She pales immediately, but then thinks it through.
"I really hate it, you know that, but it might just do the trick. HEY EVERYBODY!"
Once the crowd finally quiets down, we explain our plan to them. I hear whispers going through the group and I'm nervous, thinking they might not agree, when I hear a familiar voice at the back of the crowd yell, "Let's do it!" and everyone cheers, running for the Victor's Village entrance as I try to catch a glimpse of who it was that yelled. It was a man's voice, so familiar, and yet…
The crowd files into the Village and I finally see who was left, who it was that yelled, and my smile brightens a thousand times. Uncle Joseph. Cassius' dad.
Brooke:
We've reached the doorstep of my house by now and I'm shaking from head to toe. My parents are big into the Games, and, consequently, not me, seeing as I'm not. But this is Games-related, so hopefully they'll agree...
A glimpse of what's going on back home before we enter the Games…just out of curiosity, who's your favourite tribute besides Alexis? Who knows, maybe if they're well liked they might do better…just saying :D Anyway, I'll see you next week!
Just to give you something to think about, here's a bit of a clue about the what's to come!
Chills and Plans Gone Wrong (Which should also be the name of the first chapter of the arena, which should be in either one or two chapters.)
Thanks for reading!
intheshatteredglass