What did you think of the last chapter? I think I did pretty well the characterization of each new character and I can assure you that we will get to know more characters now in this chapter as the training for The Hunger Games will soon begin. Elijah and Katherine will get to talk about one another's problems, as Klaus and Hayley will be seeing each other more often but not exactly meet yet. We have some way to go until then.
Josh is going to get himself into some trouble and he will be getting more negative attention than he deserves, especially from Hayley. You will see what I mean. Kieran won't be pleased with his ideas and Josh will cause more trouble for them all.
As some of you asked, this chapter is also going to show what happens with the characters left at home in their districts like Hayley's brother and sister, Jake and Lucy. We will also get to see from District 1 the impressions of Esther, Kol, Elena and Tatia. While in District 2, we will explore more of the father-daughter relationship between Mikael and Rebekah. Fasten your seat belts, because this chapter will be a blast.
Thanks for reading and when you're done, please leave me a review with your thoughts and ideas about where this fanfiction is going. Thank you very much for this!
District 2: Hayley Marshall
After The Tribute Parade
The parade had ended quicker than I expected and I noticed how smug President Snow looked down on us. He knew that he would have the greatest pleasure of sacrificing 23 of us by the end of the games. All because of our stupid history, 23 people had to die every year. Rona did a great job at putting our costumes in the center of attention. It didn't really represent our district but Josh loved them very much and so did everyone else. I stepped out of the chariot and Josh followed after me. "Did you see that?" Josh asked with a grin on his face as Effie and Kieran stepped forward. Kieran nodded. "Yes, I did. But don't get your hopes up. There are many more steps to follow before you can even hope to get sponsors. This is just the time where you created their first impression of you. They'll follow you through your training and inspect you closely before they'll start betting. You won't get sponsors that easily. I hope you can understand." Kieran told us and he looked deep into my eyes when he finished. I nodded, understanding very well now that to survive, I had to get the crowd's attention. "Hayley, you did great, my darling." Effie pulled me into her arms and hugged me tightly. "I hope we didn't go over the top." I whispered and looked over at the other tributes from other districts.
"They might as well be jealous." Josh mumbled under his breath but Kieran cut him off. "You really wouldn't want something like that." "Why not? Why do we care?" Josh asked, stubbornly. "Because the more enemies you make here, the harder it will be for you to survive out there. I think Hayley understands this, but you don't seem to get it." Kieran told him and Josh finally took back his words. I looked over at the dress I was wearing, never feeling anything like this. "So…I think that we should be going now." Effie finally whispered and grabbed my hand. I looked around at the other tributes near me and then caught someone's eye. I recognized him at once as the Career Tribute from District 2, Niklaus Mikaelson. I remembered seeing him on television on the train here. I growled a little as I thought of his family and what his father is known for doing. The whole Mikaelson family practically belonged to the Capitol.
His eyes met mine and he looked like he was studying me closely. His partner was a young and blonde woman who looked like she was ready to rip people's heads off. All the people from Districts 1 and 2 were the same. No one could be any different. They were known for choosing to be here, and killing other innocents without mercy. Frankly, I felt like I couldn't wait for me to get out there and show these people what I got…but I remembered how Kieran told me to be. I wasn't supposed to attract any negative attention towards me from the public, the Gamemakers or even the other tributes. I would have even less chances of getting out of this alive. "You must be tired, my dears. Let me show you up to the penthouse." Effie was saying and I finally looked away from the District 2 male tribute. "Penthouse?" I whispered in disbelief. "Yes. I thought you knew by now that each district gets their own floors. Remember that you are from District 12 so you will get the top floor which is none other than the penthouse!"
Great! I was staying in a marvelous penthouse while my brother and sister were starving at home. I couldn't feel guiltier than that. Josh put his hand around me. "I think that maybe we should talk." he whispered to me and I looked a little shocked at the way he was touching me. I nodded, anyways thinking that I might have gotten the wrong impression of things and entered the penthouse with him. Effie and Kieran followed behind and watched us gulp at everything we saw. We looked like we were rich celebrities. The finest silk and china everywhere and only the finest clothes staked in our closets. The dining room was huge, so was the bathroom with a Jacuzzi inside of it as well as our rooms which were really great and spacious. I touched everything I could even though it seemed weird. "Just think that this will all be yours for a couple of days!" Effie said, trying to sound excited. I didn't appreciate her enthusiasm, considering that Josh and I would soon be thrown in a lion's den, but I did like that she was offering me some optimism. I really needed that.
Rona came over to look at the place and she helped us out of our costumes. She had a sad look on her face but I smiled anyway. "I want to thank you again for what you've done for us. We wouldn't have managed to get this much attention if it weren't for you." I told her but she just shook her head. "You received too much attention. Too much is dangerous so be careful what you do around here before you get thrown in the arena. Don't do anything improper and don't disrespect the Capitol. In fact, don't even talk about the Capitol ways with anyone, do you understand?" She almost looked like she had tears in her eyes. I slowly nodded and she backed out of my room with my costume in her hand. Kieran came in after her and looked over at me. "I heard what she was saying. Are you alright?" he asked me and I just shrugged. "I think so…considering that I've just been warned by my stylist not to do anything wrong around here. I am not even sure what I am allowed to do and what I shouldn't be doing." I said to him and he made me sit down on my bed as he sat down with me. "I have a lot of faith in you, Hayley. You are a very beautiful and smart young woman and you could make quite an impression out there, you know. You have all the equipment you need. Now, you need to figure out how to use this equipment. Out there, act friendly with anyone. Anyone who comes forward and asks you questions, pretend to be excited and when you get the chance even thank the Capitol for everything they have offered you." I scoffed. "I can't stoop so low. Not after everything…"
Kieran stood up and closed the door to my room and then came back to sit down next to me. "I understand your fear, sweetheart. I really do. I understand that you hate the Capitol. To tell you the truth, I have never been a fan of it either. You have no idea the things I had to go through out there. They disgraced me because I wasn't considered as popular as Haymitch was. That is why, no one ever talked about me and no one even knew that I exist. I do exist, Hayley and I am here to help you in any way that I can." I looked down and understood. "I don't want you to feel the pain and misery that I felt during and after the games. I just know that you are going to survive. You are smarter than the majority of other tributes here. You have a great chance of winning. Don't let anyone discourage you. To win, you have to play by their games." I spoke up immediately. "Katniss never played by their games." "Don't compare yourself to Katniss here, sweetheart. Even if some people view you as her successor, don't you even dare, alright? You are Hayley Marshall, a different fighter. A future warrior. You are you and you won't be compared to others." I liked the way that sounded but… "I am not looking to become a warrior or a savior. I just want to get back home where I belong to care for Jake and Lucy. They need me. We are orphans." Kieran sighed and looked at his hands for a minute.
Then, he stood up and looked at me in the eyes. "Lucy and Jake Marshall from District 12? I will find them and…if…that is a big if, something happens to you…I will take care of them. I promise you, Hayley." I couldn't contain my happiness. He would take care of them. He did care. He was a good person. I got up from the bed and hugged him. "Thank you." I whispered and he hugged me back, setting me down. "So, you know what you need to do now, don't you? You saw what people were doing at the Tribute Parade and how they chose their favorites, correct?" he asked and I nodded. "Good. Now you find a way to continue that sort of charade while you are here. You will have many chances. And stay close to Josh. I advised him on that too. The best thing you two can do is stick together to survive out there the longest. And if you get the chance to ally with some other tributes, don't waste it." I understood and nodded. "But remember, Hayley…You trust no one, understand? No matter how good and nice they may seem at first, they can be the exact opposite on the inside, waiting to use your skills and intellect for their own gain. Don't trust any other tribute." "I understand." I responded. Finally, he smiled and left to the door, opening it. "Get ready for dinner. It will be ready in fifteen minutes."
No sooner did Kieran leave that Josh walked inside my room. "Hey, you needed to talk to me?" I asked him and he nodded. He stepped inside and closed the door. "Listen, I have been putting some thought into this whole publicity thing and I think that we should do more together." he told me and I frowned. "I don't really know what you mean." I responded and Josh sighed. "I think that we would attract a whole lot more attention if we were to go out there and pretend like we are a couple." he finally told me and my mouth practically dropped.
District 1: Elijah Mikaelson
After The Tribute Parade
We finished and got out of our costumes, handing them over to out stylist. Nina made us follow her to the hotel room on the first floor. It looked amazing and just like I picture it would be. "What is going on?" Katherine asked me when she saw that I was thinking about something else. "I miss my home, my mother and my brother. And today at the parade, I had the chance to see Niklaus, my brother whom I haven't seen for years since I moved to District 1." I responded. Katherine didn't know so much about my history. I hadn't had the chance of telling her. She put her purse down and faced me. "Look, Elijah…you got us into this. I don't care what we had in the past. It's over now and we're in the games. You better do something so we can win."
I couldn't believe what she was saying to me. "What do you mean that I got us into this? I did no such thing! We were chosen by chance. I did not volunteer and I didn't make you volunteer for this either." Katherine sighed and closed her eyes. "I know. I'm sorry I am talking like this. I feel…ill because of all of this. I don't think that I am going to make it, Elijah. I need help." Katherine insisted and cupped my cheeks. I was starting to see her again, the woman I had been in love with all this time. "Do you believe me?" she asked as tears started falling off her cheeks. I caressed her face in return and nodded. "We will get through this." I told her in a strong tone. "How are we going to do that?" I wanted to have a plan but…maybe I didn't.
At that moment, Nina stuck her head inside and announced that dinner was ready. As we sat down, we saw the food was more glorious than in our district. Everything was delicious, and everyone believed it was…except Katherine who was looking at the meal as if she was going to be sick. I put my hand on hers. "Are you alright?" I asked her and she shook her head, standing up and running to the bathroom, letting everything out. I followed her and saw what was happening. She was throwing up for some reason. "What is going on? Have they done something bad to the food? I will have the cooks reported for this! They can't make a tribute feel ill like this!" Nina screeched and went to make phone calls as I sat down in the bathroom with Katherine, holding her strongly. I could feel her shiver for a while but relaxed at my touch.
"I remember the way we used to talk about being tributes in The Hunger Games together. At that time, everything seemed to be very exciting. It's not exciting for me anymore and I have to do it. I guess you better be careful what you wish for." Katherine whispered to me and I shushed her, trying to get her to calm down. "I promise you that I can protect you. What about a doctor? Why don't I call in a doctor for you?" I asked her and she shook her head at once. "No! No doctor please!" she insisted and I frowned. She had never turned down a doctor before. She always needed to know how she stood with her health. "Why not?" "I just don't want them to start inspecting me. I need you here. Just you, Elijah, please." I smiled and kissed her forehead softly because I was starting to like the sound of that. She wanted me to be here for her and I would be here for her if she wanted me to. Katherine finally stood up as Nina entered the bathroom and looked at us, confused. "Are you two done? How are you feeling my dear?" she asked Katherine and she just smiled. "Never felt better in my life. I think I will skip dinner this time though. I am sure it's nothing, though." Katherine said in a good way. I was not very sure that she was alright and I was determined to find out more about this.
District 2: Niklaus Mikaelson
After The Tribute Parade
"The second floor is all yours, my dears!" Gora said as she led us in the elevator. The hotel was big but it wasn't anything special. I was used to getting all of these goods back at home. I checked out my muscles and noticed how good they were in fact and how they would get better once the training starts. Camille looked worried as hell after what happened back there. "Why do they get the attention? What? Just because of that Katniss Everdeen?" she asked Gora shushed her. "Katniss Everdeen is in the past. The kids who are from 12 do not represent her. They represent themselves and they are not special at all. They are not Career Tributes." "But Katniss wasn't one either and yet she and Peeta managed to get the public on their side." Camille's arguing was pointless. The doors opened and we entered our hotel room. "I don't want to hear another word on the other tributes. They had luck! You have greatness because you're from District 2!" Gora insisted as she eyed the two of us. I growled at Camille.
"You have a few minutes to freshen yourselves up and then come to dinner." Gora said to us. I sighed and immediately picked out the left room which was wider and the bed looked manlier, as well as the balcony it had that led to the outside world. I liked to sit on the balcony at night and look up at the stars. It wasn't something that I would normally admit to anyone. I never told anyone except Rebekah about my usual likes or dislikes. Rebekah was always the only woman I could trust and count on. I felt I could always trust her with anything. What was she doing now? How was she coping with my disappearance like this? Was she getting along with Mikael? I always knew that Rebekah needed to be protected and I wasn't there anymore.
Camille stormed into my room and threw me a dirty look. "So what are you thinking of now? Are you thinking of a way to get the attention those brats from District 12 are getting back towards us?" she asked me with her arms crossed over her chest. "No. I am more trying to figure out a way to get you the hell out of my room. Who said you could come in anyways?" I asked her, getting away from the balcony and standing in front of her. To tell the truth, I wasn't planning on disrupting those tributes because there was really no reason for me to. They weren't good opponents and even though I had to admit that the girl from 12 looked intriguing, like a mystery waiting to be solved, I knew she would be no match for me either. What was the point of hitting your opponent when he was already down? I wasn't that cruel…not that I ever wanted to admit it to anyone…but Rebekah. Camille opened her mouth to say something but at that moment, Gora had called us for dinner. "Hurry up before it gets cold!" she exclaimed.
We were sitting there with our mentor and with Gora, eating up everything as we watched the television, which gave some news about the Tribute Parade that took place an hour before. "The costumes were divine! And I have to admit that the way the tributes from District 12 were presented was not something that I ever expected! They looked amazing. Let's have a look at the footage once again." Flickerman gave us the small video in which the tributes from 12 were presented. The moon shone on them, making their silver outfits more glamorous. "What could possibly be that liquid? We must make sure to ask the stylist about it." Camille's hand turned into a fist on the table as she ate. I continued to look closely at that girl who looked like she was having a good time, just like the boy next to her. Or maybe they were smart and got the message to act that way in public. Surely they couldn't be happy that they were sent to be slaughtered. Without any kind of warning, Gora picked up the remote and turned the TV off.
"What the hell?" I asked, without being able to stop myself and Gora frowned at me. "Language, Mr. Mikaelson. You may be your father's son but it won't be acceptable for you to start speaking that way around here. You must be proper and well-mannered." Gora was telling me and I mumbled. "I am not my father's son." It was true. I was not his son, not that anyone knew the truth, except me and my mother, whom I haven't seen in years. Luckily, no one at the table heard what I said. "So, what are you planning, Klaus?" Camille finally asked and I looked at her with question marks shown on my face. "I told you that you have to find a way for us to get publicity." "Well, I have no problem with that, love. I am a Mikaelson and I happen to be quite a charmer so lady sponsors will be plenty for me. As for you, Bookworm, I can't say the same." "Language." Gora mumbled at the table. My mentor turned towards me and said, "You and Camille are partners now whether you like it or not. I suggest that you start getting used to it. Help her to gain sponsors, Klaus." He told me and I rolled my eyes.
Camille looked at me sort of pleadingly. "Look, I know of your success out there and that is why I really need your help. You told me that you have it easy getting sponsors. If we are to be together in this, you need to help me gain sponsors too. I am just trying to survive here. Sorry if I seem too insecure." There was a minute of silence at the table and Camille was looking at me so I could give her an answer. "You know that there is only one winner right?" I finally asked and looked at her with a grin on my face. Camille scoffed and left the table at once. Gora was looking at me warningly. "What? She was asking for it. Everyone knows that there can only be one winner in this competition and that winner is going to be me!" With that, I finished eating and I left the table as well. I went back into my room and went out the balcony, looking up at the night sky. It was beautiful and calming for me. I liked to just stand there and think. There was only one winner in this competition, right? Yes, there was only one winner. I had to eliminate everyone else and make my family proud. But what of Elijah? I saw my brother for the first time in years today at the Tribute Parade and we completely ignored each other. I thought about going over to his room, talking with him. But then I remembered that I was talking about a brother whom I haven't seen in ages, a brother that could very well double-cross me and stab me in the back when I am not looking.
He could have changed for all I know. I couldn't trust him and I would make sure to not even interact with him, even in the days of training. I could actually hear Camille weeping in her room and I groaned. I was a bit too harsh but it was the truth. What was the point of all these alliances and all this help and support if you know that you don't stand a chance? You're just wasting your time and postponing your death. It doesn't change anything. At the end of the day, you die anyways. Not me. I made a promise to myself and to Rebekah that I would not die. I would survive. Whatever it took, I would survive and I would defeat everyone out there and even though Mikael was not my real father, I hoped deep down…that I would make him proud of me for once. And I felt I would be proud to wear the Mikaelson name at last. Slowly, I closed my eyes and let the wind blow against my face and I let myself hear the sound of crickets.
District 1: Kol Mikaelson
The Night Without Them
Maybe I was losing my head but after just one day, I could actually hear that night, my brother calling out for me and needing my help. Elijah was thrown in the games and I knew that there was a possibility that my family could lose him, but I trusted that he would make it. I knew that he would find a way to make it. There was a knock on the door to my room and a gorgeous girl with a sweet smile on her face walked in. It was none other than Elena Pierce herself. I had no idea what attracted me to her in the first place but something did. She was stunning and she had the most attractive lips I had ever seen. She was Katherine's twin, but ten minutes younger.
Her hair was straightened as always so people would not confuse her for Katherine. "How are you holding up?" she asked me and I shrugged, putting on that flirtatious smile on my face. "Elijah is Elijah. He'll find a way out. What about you? Do you think that your sister will make it?" I asked her about Katherine and Elena's smile disappeared as she sat down next to me. "She was keeping something from us for two months now. I could tell. I don't know if she is going to be alright…but I do know how Elijah still feels about her and he might protect her out there." Elena whispered and I shrugged. "You know that all's fair in love and war. There can only be one winner right?" Elena offered me a frown and stood up. "Wait!" I called out to her and held her hand. She looked at me a little offended and I let go of her arm.
I was never good with the ladies. They always had a way of treating me like the inferior one in a conversation. "I didn't mean it like that, darling." I tried telling her. "You are saying that my sister can die so that your brother can live?" "No. I am just stating the facts, alright. There is only one winner here. Katherine and Elijah can't win both. One of them will most likely fall if not both." The words that were coming out of my mouth hurt, especially for me to say them. Elena looked at me sympathetically for one moment and then whispered, "I am sorry that you have two brothers out there. It must be hard for you, Kol." I remembered seeing Klaus on television for the first time in a long time that day. My mother even flinched when she heard Father's name all over the news. It was horrible the way he had been treating her, which is why we had to move away. Tatia opened the door and let herself in. I never liked her much, especially since she had been trying to get it on with Elijah and hit on me multiple times. She was jealous that her younger twin sisters had more success in men. "Am I interrupting something?" she asked and Elena shook her head. "It's okay, Tatia." "Esther told me to tell you dinner is ready now."
Elijah told me that I had to be gentler with women if they were to show any sort of interest in me. I didn't want just any woman. I wanted Elena, Katherine's twin, but I didn't know how to persuade her. I had everything that a woman could want. I had my father's fame and the fortune he left for us and the protection of the Capitol as well as more goods from them. I had my life set out for me. With the way things were going, I didn't even think that I wanted to participate in the Hunger Games anymore and was hoping to get to stay here and try to win Elena over, as I always tried to do. It was hard for Mother to eat. She looked like she was about to throw up when they mentioned both Niklaus and Elijah on television and presented them as the Legendary Rival Brothers, just because they haven't seen each other since forever. The Tribute Parade looked promising and I could barely see all the tributes because of some light that shone on the last two. I knew both Elijah and Klaus had to be there in the front. Elena was looking at the television desperate to hear something about Katherine, while Tatia didn't even care if her sister lived or died. She may have figured she would have a chance with Elijah. That guy Flickerman started talking about our pop and Esther quickly turned off the TV.
District 2: Rebekah Mikaelson
The First Night Without Him
It was our first night alone since I can remember. "Father, dinner is ready!" I called out to him and he came almost at once. "Have you heard what these people are saying on the news? My boy is all around it. They barely say anything about Elijah. Ha!" I looked surprised at the way my father looked proud of Nik. He was never proud. "And let's not forget who his father is. The all-time champion of The Hunger Games. I won it and I won it brutally, Rebekah. That is the only way your brother is going to win it. Brutally!" he exclaimed and dug into his meat. I was a bit disgusted with the way he was talking about my brother. Niklaus was not my only brother. Elijah was my brother too and he was out there with Nik. Father didn't really care. Ever since our mother left, Father pretended that Kol and Elijah weren't even his own sons anymore.
Mikael finished his food and turned on the television where they showed the Tribute parade that apparently took place a couple of hours ago. I smiled as I managed to see Nik with Camille beside him in that chariot, dressed in roman warriors, all in gold and waving at the crowd. Niklaus had that smug look on his face and I knew that he was laying out the charm thick so that all the women would sponsor him and bet on him. He needed sponsors to win this whether he liked to admit it or not. Camille looked like she was desperate for attention. I sighed and shook my head as I watched her do her best to look lovable. This girl wouldn't make it out there for sure. I wondered how Nik was putting up with her. "Look at him out there! That's my boy alright!" Mikael exclaimed and grinned but his grin disappeared when we saw the images of the tributes from District 12 who looked like the full moon was shining down on them. They must have won a lot of popularity this first night. Mikael growled and said, "Who do they think they are to outshine a Mikaelson! I ought to call the people at the Capitol to set them straight."
"Father, stop! You promised me that you would not interfere with this! You promised me that you would soon enough step away from the Capitol." "The Capitol is our family, Rebekah. Everything you have, they gave it to you. We owe them our lives." Father growled at me, but I didn't think so. I knew that they were doing terrible things with The Hunger Games, killing innocent people, but I would never admit something like this to my father. I just responded, "Fine! But you should remember that I have another brother out there as well. I don't want Elijah to get killed." "He is not your brother anymore." "Why? Because Mother left you?" I knew that I had angered him a lot and tried to get myself out of this but it didn't work. There was a knock on the door and I went to get it immediately. I opened it and saw the one woman whom I was hoping to never see again after Nik broke up with her, Caroline Forbes.
She came inside with that sweet smile on her face. "How are the Mikaelsons doing this evening?" Caroline asked me, trying to move to the kitchen but I stepped in front of her with my arms crossed over my chest. "We were doing fine until you came along! Give it a rest already, Caroline! Nik broke up with you. Why can't you just leave this family alone?" "He did not break up with me. We are just going through a little bit of a rough patch." "Yeah, keep telling yourself that!" I told her and moved her towards the door. "Nicky and I will be back together soon! You'll see!" Caroline yelled out before I closed the door to her face. And this is why Nik decided to dump her. He did not like to be stalked and with Caroline around, he had no life at all. I was just hoping that he would finally find a girl to love him for him and not to be interested in him because he wore the Mikaelson name, because of his wealth and fame, like Caroline did. I smiled when I thought of Nik getting out of there soon and coming home to us.
District 12: Jake Marshall
The First Night Without Her
Lucy and I had watched the Tribute Parade together in our home on the hologram. Hayley looked absolutely beautiful and I was glad to see her happy. I missed that smile of hers when she used to tuck me into bed and kiss my cheek and then tell Lucy bedtime stories that she made up in her mind. She was a good sister. Scratch that! She was the best sister in the world. She cared for us more than anything in the world. We didn't know what we would do now without her. If she hadn't left us some money, we would have starved by now. My little sister came inside with a big chunk of cheese in her hands. She looked very frightened and told me to hide this chunk somewhere safe. I did as she asked and told her to get under the table. There were some people that passed our house, but ignored it and carried on.
"Did you steal this? What the hell where you thinking? Do you want to get us killed, Lucy? Hayley specifically told us to stay out of trouble." Lucy started trembling as she came over and hugged me. "I'm sorry. I was hungry." She whispered and I hugged her back. "You didn't have to do that, you know. We have the money Hayley saved up for us." Lucy shook her head. "No. We have to save that for the future. We have this cheese for dinner now. Let's eat and forget about everything else." She told me. I pulled the chunk of cheese out of the hiding place and some bread. We were about to say Grace and eat when there was a knock on the door. Lucy begged me not to answer the door but I did anyways and I couldn't believe who was standing there. She was a woman with long and blonde hair and she looked tired and hungry. I knew who she was. I hadn't seen her for 4 years and she changed a lot. "Mother?" I asked, shocked. Lucy came to the door and gaped at her just like I did. We haven't seen her for years.
Our mother had a small smile on her face and she looked very weak. "Would you let me in?" she asked me and I moved Lucy out of the way so she could enter the room. I didn't know what to think of this. Lucy started crying and hugged our mother, offering her the chunk of cheese to eat. Obviously, she needed it more than we did. "Your sister is in the games now, I see. My poor child." Our mother whispered but I wasn't impressed. "You have a lot of explaining to do. Why did you leave us? You told me that you would always be with us." "Yes, Jake. And I've always loved all of you. After losing your father when Lucy was born, I was afraid of the Hunger Games. I couldn't bear to watch my children get picked so I tried staying away from all the pain. I couldn't anymore. And now that I heard your sister has been chosen and there is no one that can care for you…" "You thought what? That you can come here and beg us for your forgiveness? You won't get one from me." "Jake!" Lucy suddenly snapped at me. I was surprised. Lucy was always too shy to do that. "Go and rest, Mother. We have a bed back there." Lucy whispered and kissed our mother on the cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart."
I turned towards Lucy once she left. "She cannot stay here!" I insisted and Lucy looked at me angrily. "She will be staying here because it is what Hayley wants." "How do you know what she would want? You're just a baby!" I snapped at her, childishly. She started ignoring me after that and went to tend to our mother. I wondered what Hayley was doing right now and if she missed us because we missed her terribly. What would she think of our mother being back home? I didn't like to think that she would be pleased about it.
District 12: Hayley Marshall
Before Dinner
I was shocked at what Josh was proposing. "Are you serious? Is this what you really want? You want us to appear as a couple in public?" I asked, not believing that Josh would think something like this. I didn't like it. I had never been with a man and I wouldn't start now, not when my life was at stake here and I needed to get back to Lucy and Jake. "This is the only way!" Josh was insisting but I shook my head, stubbornly. "I don't think so! I am not doing that, Josh! I don't want to act like we're in a relationship just for publicity!" I yelled at him that even Effie and Kieran heard what we were talking about. "Hayley, this is just a television show and this is exactly what the public would want. Josh is smart. He knows how things go here." "I don't care! I am not doing this! This is going beyond my limits!" I insisted.
The subject was closed as Effie invited us to dinner. I had a feeling that after that heated up conversation, Josh and I wouldn't look as tight as we used to look before. He looked like I was his only chance of surviving. I didn't want to fake something like this. For me, being in a relationship with someone you love is something to cherish. I didn't want to fake being in love with someone when I actually wasn't. Josh would soon enough understand. Kieran looked over at the TV which was turned on. "Louder." He whispered and Effie raised the volume.
Caesar Flickerman was talking to the Main Gamekeeper from this year. "So tell us, what are you expecting this year?" Flickerman asked him and the Main Gamekeeper grinned. "What I am expecting this year? Show and action! That is what everyone in Panem wants and of course one victory, one victor, a representative of hope." This guy was so full of himself. Show and action huh? I would give him a piece of my mind. Killing innocent people was show and action to him? I clenched my fists on the table as I listened to more. "Of course that is what we want! Do you think everything will be the same as it was before the second attack of the rebels in the 75th edition of our games?" "What those people have done was a big mistake and that is why President Snow has chosen me this time, to make sure it doesn't happen again." "It's a shame! We lost some fine victors in that edition." "Like I said, this year, we get to keep everyone under complete control." The interview ended with laughs and jokes and Kieran turned the television off. "I hope you heard all of that, right? What the Gamemakers want?" he asked and looked at me. I shrugged and said, "If they want show and action, why don't they let me do a little demonstration on them with knives and arrows?" Effie glared at me for a moment. I couldn't believe that she was still taking their side, after everything she had been through with Katniss.
"Hayley, you don't want to get on the wrong side with these people. You haven't been out there and you haven't even started your training yet. You don't know them like I do. You don't know what they are capable of. Stay alert, my dear!" Kieran informed me. I was beginning to be tired of all these instructions from him but I knew that he means well and he was going to help Jake and Lucy and for that, I would forever be grateful to him. Josh stood up from the table and went to his room. He was obviously still pissed about earlier. Maybe he meant well too and I hadn't realized it. "You both need to get some rest. Your training starts tomorrow." Kieran informed me so that I would be ready.
A/N: So, what do you think? This chapter was packed with a lot of things. I know that you have been waiting for so long and I can promise you that Klaus and Hayley are going to meet in the next chapter. It is going to be intense because so far, they've only caught glimpses of one another and saw each other on television. We'll see how they'll be face to face. What do you think of Hayley's mother being back home? Most importantly, what do you think is wrong with Katherine? We will have a long way to go before we really find out. What about the other characters from home. How do you feel about them?
Leave me a review and please let me know what you think about the characters. Kisses!