Train Rides
Mabel Nelson 14, District 10 Female
I just stare out the window watching the farmlands of District 10 disappear as I just clench my fists doing everything not to cry, When my name was called I almost had to do a double take, I guess being in this new era where a majority of the tributes are hand chosen, I almost felt safe.
I was brought up in a world where we always look on the bright side, where we also think about how things can get better, You fall down and you get back up, you lose someone you mourn and cherish their memories but you have to move on. I lost my father young, and my mother became a single parent of two children yet the life I was brought up in was one filled with love and happiness, we may have not been rich, we may have struggled time from time, but I learned if you surround yourself with loving people, if you work hard, there is a bright side.
I'm not special, I'm just an average girl living on a communal farm, I look after the baby animals in the morning then I volunteer at the orphanage and help the little kids read during the day, my mother is one of the only teachers, so books and learning was a part of my everyday life, besides losing my father I never experienced real hardship. I was never hurt, never victimised, I don't know how to fight or kill, I'm an average kid, I'm a girl that could have been randomly chosen, yet the fact I was hand chosen is what scares me.
I know in my heart I'm not the tribute they want, I accidentally killed an ant the other day and I felt guilt, I felt guilt about killing a bug.
I couldn't even imagine hurting someone else, I know little kids have one before but even if I'm young I have watched the games, I have read books about it, this isn't like the previous decades, every year there are tributes who I wouldn't even think existed, cannibal, satanic believer, youth groups, serial killers, maniacs.
District 10 is huge and the story of Kellen has pretty much become an urban legend, I know we have bad people, speaking to some of the orphans they speak about how scary the streets are but I didn't think the world could be this bad, this scary, I hope I was chosen just to be an easy kill, not that I want to die. I just hope there isn't another reason I was chosen. I just jump a little when I hear movement as my district partner Winston moves next to me.
"Sorry to scare you, you look on the brink of tears wanted to make sure you are okay," he says, I have never seen him or heard about him, but the district is massive, with acres of farmland and several different city regions, it's not uncommon to never see someone, other districts don't have that privilege but ten is almost separated between north, south, east, west then the cities and farmlands
"I just didn't expect it, Maybe call it arrogance," I say
"I wouldn't call that arrogance kid, you are what 12 chosen, not just chosen hand chosen, I would have wet my pants, collapsed then had a heart attack," he says, he does have a different accent so he is certainly not from the south region, if I could guess west city boy, you can tell by appearances and accents where someone is from.
"I am 14 but Ah thanks and I don't know," I say he, just laughs.
"Fuck kid I don't know either, they probably wanted a little one this year, chose to take one from ten I would be stressed, at least knowing you were hand chosen gives you a little more attention," he says
"What about you, What's your story" I say
"Budding cannibal I just love human flesh," he says my mouth drops and he just bursts out laughing and I can't help but laugh as well, Maybe we might get along more then I thought, he does have a strong build and has clearly be brought up on more of the rough side of the tracks but he isn't a psychopath well I hope, I doubt it, if he was then the mentors would have just left him with me, I think I have Aden since he did ask if I was okay but maybe he just pitied the little 14-year-old, he is the stronger mentor, why would he take the weakling and Connor was a child killer, maybe he is a more suited mentor.
"I'm kidding I'm a drug dealer," he says
I just look at him, waiting for him to burst out laughing again "Seriously" I say
"My boys and I run the outer wing black market, got access to good stuff viper scratch, it's a rear drug, not many districts know about it that stuff fucks with your brain man, not that I take it anymore, did for like a few months, then had these like crazy hallucinations so I stopped but a lot of people take it, it's crazy how much people pay, that is how I afford this," he says showing me a gold watch.
"Woah, I have never seen real gold," I say
"It's alright, I would trade the gold for a normal life but what can we do You know, you haven't really told me your whole story Let me guess south side farm girl, church girl," I say
"Yes and No, our church is still burned down," I say, I don't know why he makes me feel so comfortable normally I'm skittish and scared when talking to strangers,
"That cannibal dude," he says
"Yeah, I live in one of the communal farms, help tend to the baby animals, then help my mum with teaching nothing really special," I say.
He already has a better story than me even if it's hard to really understand his vocabulary, but I won't judge him, it's clear he didn't go to school but not everyone is privileged, even we aren't.
I do wonder what the capitols is like, I heard stories about how beautiful it is, that only the lucky ones are born there, and that the capital is pretty much the closest thing to a civilian life, yet they don't need to work, they get all the money they want, they have movies and Tv-shows, they have theme parks and cinemas, something we don't, we have a little rundown cinema but the only movies that are shown are past hunger games, so not many people tend to go.
"You still have a story, I don't really know what the fuck is going to go on and even if I'm some dealer and street kid I don't know how to be a killer, but I know by living on the streets, lone wolves get killed, I can understand if you want to be with someone closer to your age but if you want to be allies for now and if you want to back out, you can back out," he says.
I almost fall over, he wants to be my ally, he is 17, strong, and handsome damn did I just say that, mamma used to always say men come second but he wouldn't want me, but nothing about him seems malicious, he seems like a sweet guy yet I should be concerned why he was quick to want me as an Allie but maybe his scared he won't get anyone else.
Or I'm a good meat shield,
But I guess in a sense he could be mine not that I want to use him but I'm also scared of forming attachments only one wins not that I will make it far. I will laugh if I make it past the bloodbath but a girl has dreamed, I dreamed all my life that my Prince Charming will find me and we will get married, have three kids live on a little farm and have a happy and long life.
I guess dreams don't come true since that dream won't be, since I'm going to die in the Hunger Games.
"I will love to be your Allie not just for training but for the games," I say his eyes perk up as he puts his hand out and I shake it.
"We can find others but not too many with fewer tributes, if we form a big alliance it may alert the careers," he says
The careers I almost forgot about them. I almost forgot about everyone else in general, I guess Winston has really taken me away from reality and has put me in a happy place but I know I need to be careful too, he may be an orphan but it doesn't mean he doesn't have anyone he has to get back to, I have my mother and older brother, my mother cried, it's like she knew she wouldn't be seeing me again.
Deep down I know that's the truth but the more, I mourn and become scared about it, the sooner death will come for me, always look on the bright side, I'm seen as a ray of sunshine I need to go on with a smile on my face and enjoy the little time I have left.
"One or two should be okay, I hope there aren't many scary tributes this year," I say
"It will be cool if it was just the nice kids but I doubt they want blood," he says and carnage, something nice kids wouldn't give to them, the door opens as the two mentors walk-in.
"Sorry about that, the victors meeting was delayed because something happened during the district two reapings" Aden says
"Let me guess one of them went whack" Winston says
"They didn't say but apparently one of them set fire to the crowd, and 37 died, we do have the files but we always mentor separately before we do that, are you two together or separate" Aden says no doubt he would want Winston, Winston may have a chance but if some kid set fire to the crowd then we'll I'm terrified, fire is scary I have seen what it does to people when someone in the district does something horrible, they get burnt alive and we all have to watch it.
Images that keep me away at night
"We are together," Winston says, I'm still worried he will see the other tributes and ditch me for stronger allies, better allies, why would he want to be with me. I have no talents and I doubt teaching kids how to read will help me win the Hunger Games, I doubt if I'm getting chased by a career and if I tell him I can teach him to read, he will stop and spare my life.
"Good" Aden mumbles
"Follow me I will lead you to your room," Connor says softly to Winston who even seems a little surprised at the mentor choice himself but just nods to me walking off.
"Are you okay kid?" Aden says giving me a hand as I take it and he pulls me up
"I guess it hadn't sunk into, to be honest," I say maybe not until we make it into the games and I see children die, then it will fully sink in where we are.
"It takes a while, you may have been classified as hand-chosen but apparently they put all the young girls in a bowl, don't take it personally okay," he says just rubbing my back, as he leads me through the train rides, we make it into a large room and he just pats the couch next to him, a few years ago Aden would have scared me, now is a role model for everyone, he does everything to help this district for the greater good.
"I won't, but other tributes will think I'm a chosen one right, what if that makes me a target" I say
"I don't want to put you down, but you're going to be seen as a target either way, you are the youngest this year one of two females, and there are 6 tributes who have murder in their background, they do it more often than not, they will prey on easy targets," he says
"You are pretty much saying I'm a goner," I say
"I don't want you to give your hopes up, I went in there thinking I had next to no chance, funny things happen, you have a lovely persona, the capitol will like that, hopefully, that might turn a few of the killers away from hurting you worried of the guilt it will bring, if you play your cards right, you can play a different game," he says
"Are 6 killers, all careers?" I ask
"5 of the careers, one is the boy from 9, don't worry I doubt a career alliance will occur, some of the files are blank but analysing them I can see at least four obvious pairings a lot like last year, that is a good thing more bigger groups make it harder to run from" he says I just nod even if I'm filled with nerves, I want to go out there positive with a smile on my face but I know the chances of me coming out are next to nothing.
Aurelia Callen 16, District 9 Female
I'm in complete and utter shock that for the past hour I have just been staring at the same spot on the ground, I haven't moved at all, and no one has spoken even the mentors, they have just let us just sit in silence and even if Brayen is rubbing my back trying to comfort me, I don't know what to feel.
So many thoughts are in my head right now that I feel like it's about to explode, not only am I going into the hunger games, where no doubt I will die because even if I survived from hell and back that was the fact that I was an important asset to a young's group survival, the hunger games are different, no one will keep me alive because of my brains, no one will keep me alive because they are nice, if people have their life on the line, knowing it will get snatched from them in brutal ways they are willing to do anything to survive.
Humanity only exists until you are willing to lose it for your own needs.
My humanity is the only thing I have left, wanting to keep my emotions, and wanting to be a kind person and it's I hard, I lost my freedom, my identity, and my innocence, and now if I want to win, I need to become a killer and the only way I know I can do that is to stop feeling and I am not ready for that empty feeling, if it was just being reaped I would have been fine, I had a sick feeling anyways, I thought I was a ghost but no one can escape the capitol, it was only an amount of time before they find out the truth.
But the thing that shocked me was hearing Declan's name. At first I thought I was imagining it or someone had a similar name, even when I saw him walk up, he didn't look familiar but when my name was called and I saw his reaction, I knew straight away, that's my older brother but the scary thing is when I looked into his eyes I saw nothing.
I didn't see the boy I spent 6 years with, all I saw was a void, I wanted to ask him everything, even now but every time I want to talk, it feels like I'm mute and nothing comes out.
"Fuck I hate silence, can we I don't know talk, this is awkward as shit," Xander says
"Really man they are both in shock, let them talk when they are ready" Brayen says just wrapping an arm around my shoulder, thankfully I have a more supportive mentor because that's what I need right now support not someone putting me down and making me feel weak.
I'm going into the Hunger Games with a brother I haven't seen for ten years, a brother who clearly didn't care about me. I thought he was dead I mean deep I hoped he was, it was easier just to think he was dead, it made it easier to move on, I didn't want to get stuck in the emotions of grief, loss and pain because I was worried I would spiral.
I don't know how I held myself together for ten years after everything I had to endure but knowing that the Hunger Games will be the death of me after all those years makes me wish I found the easy way out, I don't want to die in a capital's game but it looks like I have no choice.
"We want to help you both but it's kind of hard with minimal information about either of you," Xander shrugs, we did hear around that he and Brayen were lurking around the District clearly it was to warn us.
"Read the files," Declan says
"It's hard with only a sentence or two, you didn't seem rattled until your sister was called it's like you knew you were being chosen why," Xander says
"You are an outlaw," I say softly, it makes sense now, why else would he have fallen off the face of the earth. I may have had little freedom and barely went out in the district but I would have known if he was still in the city. Dalton promised to help me find my brother, calling it a gift for all the things I do for him and we had a hacker work with us even though he couldn't find my brother.
All their eyes meet mine "Outlaws as in dark region gang, makes sense I would have seen you around if you were a normal kid, what about you, I know you Aurelia, we have done deals before but I was never told where your group is from, what your group is" Brayen says moving his arm, so he can look at me better.
"She is an outsider it's obvious now, I saw a body that I thought was her's, she was always interested in my father's work, a child prodigy, we knew a gang kidnapped her," Declan says
"Yet none of you cared" I stutter
"You know how many times I looked for you, don't put the fucking blame on me if anything your lucky you were taken," he says if he knew the things I went through he wouldn't be saying that.
"How smart are you," Brayen says wanting to change the subject.
"I was forced to become a weapon smith for the outsiders, a decoy as well, did some dealings doesn't make me prepared though," I say the last time a tribute set off a bomb it blew up in her face (not literally) and made her a target. I can set traps and mines but I doubt I would have the chance to make those things, I can craft tracking devices and signals but at the end of the day it's about fighting and survival.
I'm not strong-willed enough to fight for my life I was always scared to be beaten or hurt, so I stopped fighting.
"I will be able to get both your files, they haven't sent the full copies in general through yet, hopefully, these give us a bigger picture so we can help," Xander says
"Like either of you can help us in this fucked up situation, I thought she was dead and now I potentially might need to kill her to survive you know how fucked that is," Declan says, both of them looked shocked at his words even I'm hurt the last thing I even thought about was the potential of killing him, clearly the little 8-year-old boy who used to let me sleep in his bed when I was scared and use to play games with me and steal ms candy isn't the stone hard boy I'm sitting across from.
"I think wanting to kill each other should be on the back of both your minds, no wonder you're an outlaw heard they were ruthless dogs," Xander says
"After I murdered my parents, I was thrown into the dark regions, some of the rumours were true, they do throw scum of the earth they also throw kids that didn't have anyone," he says
"You what?" I say
"You weren't meant to know that yet sweetheart," Declan says I'm so overwhelmed right now, I'm literally on the brink of tears and I don't tend to cry much anymore, all the tears I had were wasted all those years ago after I had to cry myself asleep after the previous leader Ryley, left me battered and bruised after he had fun with me eventually it becomes second nature that I took what was given to me without blinking an eye, I guess I could say the positive was that only the two young leaders sexually used me but the other members weren't afraid to physically hurt me.
"Look as hard as this sounds and it might be stupid for us to even recommend this we think you two should ally, there might not be a relationship now but as someone who lost a sister he didn't know about me there will be a bond formed, you are both lost and confused right now having each other will help," Xander says
"I don't want to reconcile anything because any emotion I had towards my sister vanished the night she was kidnapped, the night I thought she was dead. I felt relief now that shackles holding my heart together were cut I'm not a good person, I have no real heart, she will just hold me back and I can't have that dead weight" he says
Brayen just puts his head in his hands as even Xander looks like he's about to strike or even kill my brother right now as I just stand up.
"Clearly you think being kidnapped is nothing these days, that being snatched away as a child and forced into a life I was never strong enough thought was easy. I may look weak and maybe I am but holding onto the little bit of hope and part of myself I have left is the only thing keeping me alive, you don't know half of what I went through and you never will know but whatever our parents put you through I would rather take that, then be used every single night then forced to be a bystander while people get hurt, so maybe I am a dead weight but I was willing to die if it meant having a second with the brother I used to know even if my brother no longer exists" I say them I just run out I don't know where I'm going but I just had to get out of there.
I guess expecting a warm welcome from my brother was delusional at best, I just didn't think he would turn out that bad.
"Woah I wouldn't go out of that door, you will be road kill," Brayen says grabbing my arm because I can open the first door I find.
"It's unlocked," I ask
"Yeah don't tell Xander, every train has to leave a door outside open in case a tribute goes on a manic killing spree hasn't happened yet touch wood but I mean one of the boys from two did burn 37 people alive at reapings today so yeah, probably why they are leaving them open this year" Brayen says
"Maybe I'm better being road kill, I have no hope anyways" I say
"You brother is a dick don't listen to a word he said okay, I don't much about you yet but I want to, the second we get your files I will know everything but it's okay to feel emotional, it's okay to cry," he says
"Crying is weak," I say
"I said the same thing, just let it out, let it out" he stutters wrapping his arms around me, I guess seeing everything he endured last year having to kill his best friend, if anyone can give me advice, if there is anyone I can trust to help me it's him, so when I let him embrace me.
I let the tears flow everything I have been holding onto for years, all the hurt, it's finally come to hit me.
"It helps doesn't it" he whispers in my ear stroking my hair, for a Victor, he does make me feel comfortable, make me feel safe, I guess that's what the three newest victors represent even Xander.
"Why are you so willing to help me when you know I have no hope" I say
"I know how it feels to go in feeling just that no hope, I don't want to say I understood what you went through but I know what young men do to their female captives, I know what you would have gone through is something only the real strong ones would have survived," he says
"Yet I never ran I just did their dirty work, it makes me weak," I say
"If Kaela didn't kill Jakob I still would have been an outskirt kid, it makes you smart. it shows you are willing to survive because deep in your heart, you know there is light at the end of the tunnel, not all tributes this year have that. It makes you a threat but it doesn't mean you can do it alone, I will do everything to get you out but you can't go alone either. This year has some of the strongest there is, a hitman, an arsonist, two serial killers and a complete blank" he says
"Declan doesn't want me, he hates me" I say
Do I hate him?
No
"He was shocked like you, he will come around, you need each other, he needs your brain and you need his protection," he says leading me to my room. I sit next to him, I get a little startled as he shuts the door.
"Sorry um just every time get taken into a bedroom" I say just stopping my sentence
"I completely understand, I won't hurt you I promise, besides being a genius, what else are you good at" he says
"I'm not a genius I just know how to read diagrams and how to calculate scientific and mathematical equations," I say
"You lost me at the diagram, I have seen some of the traps you set, come on only a genius can build those," he says nudging me.
"I know survival skills, and I know a bit about street fighting. I got to practise a bit in case things went south, otherwise, I have touched a weapon before," I say
"We have one one-on-one training a few times I can teach you a bit about a short sword but I think for you the survival and cat and mouse game is your best bet unless you can rope robocop in" he says. I just chuckle at the nickname speaking of the devil when there is a knock on the door and Brayen opens it, as Declan just stands by the door.
Brayen looks at me as I just nod and quickly walks over to me "Just scream if you need help" he whispers in my ear.
"Thank you," I say as Brayen walks out
"You seem to be already close to your mentor" Declan says just sitting to me
"He understands me I haven't met anyone that does, what about yours" I say it's pretty awkward how do talk to the brother you thought was dead, a brother you haven't seen for ten years, people can change dramatically in one or two years but ten, I knew he wouldn't have been the same.
I just didn't expect him to be an outlaw my entire teenage years I was raised to believe outlaws were our enemies, raised to hate the outlaws and that they were cold-blooded monsters, they weren't like us, we only killed if it was necessary they left bodies everywhere, they had no humanity and my brother is one
"Drilled into me, called me son a bitch, said he should kill me now for how he treated his right though, I spent years looking for you, years you were still alive it's my fault you were taken I'm your big brother I was meant to protect you," he says
I was snatched at night, 2:57 am, no one could have saved me that night I didn't scream I was in more shock when someone grabbed me then I was knocked out and all I saw was pitch darkness and after that, the nightmare of my life started.
"No one could have protected me that night, what happened to you Declan," I ask, the outsiders said they stole me for ransom but that wasn't true my parents were wealthy but weren't the richest, it was for my brain they knew I could help them, it's why they kept my brother alive because the outsiders were a lot of things monster, but they weren't true killers, they didn't kill if they didn't have to and Declan didn't need to die that day, he was only a child.
Yet the things Ryley did to me when I was only 6 is worse than murder.
"Father blamed me, he wasn't a good man Aurelia, he was a cruel monster he never would have hurt you but me I don't know why he hated me so much maybe he blamed me for your kidnapping but I was the punching bag, one night I had enough I snapped, I didn't mean to kill mum but I had no choice," he says
"Everyone has a choice," I say
"I had to okay, I was sent to the south of the dark region, where throwaways are at the mercy of the outlaws, Lucky for me they took me in, we were a gang but a ruthless one we had no morals, we were brothers though, the things I had to do to survive it makes me a monster," he says
"I understand I was a decoy using my charm or innocence, to let people put their guard down so they can be robbed, some were killed and I led them to the trap, the things I have experienced in the games don't scare me but you, all I wanted was my brother back but I guess I can't have that," I say, I get shocked when he grabs my hand.
"I was angry before, shocked, what I said I didn't mean it, maybe it will take time, I know it will but the thing is I don't want to die, after everything I did to survive I can't die, not for anyone," he says
"You are lucky then" I say he just looks at me "I'm plagued with nightmares, and I know what winning the Hunger Games takes and I don't know if I kill someone, I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle it I have had days when I have been so close to the brink of letting it all go, just forgetting my emotions and I'm scared of what I will become because my heart, it's all I have left everything else stolen from me including you but now I have you back and if it means dying just so I can my big brother even if I take a while them I'm willing to make that sacrifice" I say
He just squeezes my hand "Allies then" he says I just nod even if I'm scared about what fate will bring to us even if I told him I won't to die I don't know if that's the truth
Kylian Wilson 17, District 4 Male
I just chuckle to myself when I hear Cassia screaming from another room, at the beginning she and Adrian tried to talk to us and neither of us was giving her what she wanted. Stellan was just cracking jokes and trying to seem normal and I just didn't talk, it's one of my many weapons for hiding my true self.
Silence
Even though actions speak louder than words, words can be heard more easily than actions can be seen, I have a lot of secrets, a lot of skeletons I keep in my closet, and I have been hiding them for years, I may be seen as this quiet genius who pretty much helped engineer formulas for new ships that district four use, for some reason numbers make sense to me, algorithms, diagrams but I got bored of that stuff I wanted to use my intelligence for something more...
Well fun
I became a con man, a killer, not that I kill often I have a way with words, I get people to get themselves killed or just outright kill themselves it's about getting into the human mind and pulling strings becoming the puppet master and inflicting fear within people.
It is funny how that can cause people to do things but I don't do it often, only when I really need something. I have seen people going into the Hunger Games and playing the outright villain role, Luca, Kian, Sawyer, and what do they all have in common they are dead, even if I like being the villain I like pain for some reason I'm not stupid, I never had parents to guide me, I was thrown to the district as a child and grew up as an orphan lucky for me I was always a bright, so they had use for me, made sure I was well looked after it meant having to train but I liked training.
It was easier to watch people and find potential targets for my own amusement but having to pretty much look after myself has taught me the main key to survival, that sometimes what you like doing has to be sacrificed to ensure your survival, or that killing people can help your survival, as much as I enjoy being a villain I know I can't. I know I have to think about my plan to win these games Lucky for me I have another villain by my side, the idiot is clearly oblivious to the fact I know his secret, he has tried to stalk me a few times I clearly, interested him, I have that effect on people, I make them curious, unless I was a target for him.
I say little not because I'm scared of talking but because I know I can slip up, not that he caught me, I lost him before he could get me I knew the district inside out but I knew his secret.
I could have threatened him but it was safer to make him believe I knew nothing even now he seems oblivious to the fact I know his secret, for a pretty boy he knows what he is doing, he cons everyone, his friends, his parents but I saw something in his eyes.
I used to love reading about the mind, I spent pretty much all my life alone besides getting basic needs from adults at that time I loved to read and the human mind fascinated me with how it works, how you can tell the good from the evil.
Sometimes the worst people are the ones who have it all, they have no reason to be insane or harsh, yet they are and it makes them more dangerous,, well I guess the childhood solidarity and the curious nature of my mind made me take the wrong turn in life and I have wanted to use my intelligence for the evil of this world and not the good.
"She doesn't sound happy," Stellan says, thankfully for me I don't have the pink witch otherwise I would have been tempted to stick something very sharp in a vital organ and kill the thing, yet I value my life, if I die I die on my own turns not getting killed because I killed some stupid women who have had one too many body dye appointments.
"She clearly found out," I say
"Found out what exactly," Stellan says, a slight hint of concern arising in his voice, I don't know why he should be shocked. I wasn't a serial killer, more of a con artist stealing things, destroying lives on a mental level, I had a body count but only double digits, it was easier for me to hide in the background, but I knew eventually the truth will come out to get me, the capitol seem to know everything, they got better technology, they want to find out everyone's secret, it isn't to help rid the district or people that aren't following their beliefs it's for the hunger games, maybe I was a little stunned I got chosen but at the same time I wasn't surprised.
Stellan, I knew it was going to happen, he may have not gotten caught but he wasn't the most intelligent, he left evidence, left loose ends.
"That you are a serial killer, good job though I expected you to be caught years ago," I say, in a flash, he comes towards me grabbing the end of my shirt and slamming my back against the wall, he might be a year older than me but we are the same height, he might be more naturally muscular but I know I could outsmart him, could I beat him in a fight no fucking way but they always say brains outdo brawns.
"Excuse me," he says
"By your reactions, it's true don't worry I didn't tell anyone," I say
"How do you know" he says, I don't know why he is so concerned it's obvious it's already outed, I wouldn't be surprised if his file paints the entire picture, it will put a target on his back, making him the number one threat, the number one competitor and they never win, it's why I have always hidden my skills in training, physically I'm average, a little more on the lanky side, in a one or one weapon or physical fight I can use fighting tactics as much as I want but I know I wouldn't win, but with weapons in a long-range situation.
I never miss a target.
I use angels, I put myself in my target's shoe and predict their next move.
"I analyse people, I pick out behaviour and emotions, it was obvious the first day I met you, that you were a bordering psychopath, maniacs and emotionally unstable people tend to come from broken families or difficult upbringings but psychopaths that's the opposite they have everything and they tend to get bored by it, they want to do something different, they want to take more from people, get power over them, I knew one day you would flip, then when I heard about the murders, how you're every secretive with your movement, now even if you are the life of the party, you are always the first to leave," I say
"Why didn't you tell anyone," he says
"I value my life, plus my value of others is minimal, I couldn't care less," I say which gets him to let go of me.
"You are smarter than I thought," he says, everyone sees the blonde hair and blue eyes and they stereotype, I mean look at Stellan yes he is a serial killer but the boy is a moron at the same time.
He will be easy to bring down.
"It's called analysis if you thought you could just strut into the games with your secret hidden you are delusional," I say
"I had a feeling it would get outed eventually," he says
"We aren't District Two, we aren't the golden children, the skeletons will be revealed, it will put a target on both our backs," I say.
I don't know about the other tributes yet all I know is my lone wolf mentality won't work, maybe for a few days but eventually the paranoid and exhaustion will catch up to me, I need someone to watch the front while I ensure my back can't be stabbed, wanting to trust Stellan it may be stupid but out of all the tributes he is the one I will know best I have picked almost everything apart from that boy from strengths to weaknesses I have all the power over him and he doesn't know it.
"What are you hiding," he says
I just smirk "I don't yet all I know is the quiet guys aren't always as innocent as they seem, but I have loyalty, we both know it will be stupid to go alone" I say
"I was planning to ask you anyways," he says putting his hand out as I shake it, the best thing about Stellan is I won't need to be the one to thrust the knife into his back his arrogance and stupidity will do that. I will just watch in the background ready to flee with my life when he gets himself killed.
The door flies open as the witch storms with clear anger on her face a part of me is worried she found out about me but thankfully she completely walks past me.
"EXPLAIN" she yells shoving a file in Stellan's face as I just sink back into the background sitting down as Adrian walks in staring at a file and then staring at me with a confused look on his face, it's not one that he knows it's because nothing is on there clearly the capital couldn't dig too much dirt of me, I wouldn't be shocked if I was thrown in here because of that there is nothing about me, and if they can't dig anything up clearly I'm hiding something so why not throw me in the games.
I don't really believe I'm hiding anything too drastic, maybe a few bodies and a mean streak I can't really explain, a part of me wants to play puppet master, but I saw what happened during Xander's game, saw what happened during Aden's, the villain was so much of a concern, tributes went through desperate measures to kill said villain, taking a hostage, setting a bomb and even if it had negative consequences for those tributes that completed those actions, the fact still stands that both those villains didn't live.
"Explain what exactly," Stellan says
I just chuckle "You are next," she says pointing a finger at me, maybe they do know doesn't matter once you are in the games, your past means nothing, it's about the actions you take during the games.
"So I killed a few people, so have you," Stellan says
"I didn't go around killing innocent females for fun 435 kills" she yells
Impressive number
"Calm down cassia we raise killers, don't we," Adrian says, she is just bitter because he kills females, why, I don't know makes him seem even more sick and twisted, and pathetic in my eyes.
I don't think he should be seen as strong or courageous he targets people weaker than him.
"Not serial killers, I just- this doesn't make sense you seem so perfect," she yells
Stellan just laughs "I still am," he says, it's obvious that is a joke but Cassia doesn't seem to take it well, but that's Cassia for you.
"I can't deal with this" she yells just storming out both Stellan and I laugh that's a way to get rid of her wish she would jump off the train.
"It doesn't matter what you were, I'm more impressed that you kept it hidden looks like I may have to mentor you both," Adrian says
"Fine with me we are going to Allie anyways" Stellan says
"What about you, your a completely blank that doesn't occur often hell even District Two gives us the full picture of both their tributes, nines are a little more clouded but yours has nothing" Adrian says. I hope Cassia gets over herself and does he job becayse I was planning to utilise my mentor.
"My secrets will be uncovered eventually," I say
Stellan doesn't seem concerned it's obvious what he is thinking, he is bigger and stronger than me even if I'm being cryptic with my work, it's obvious he thinks he can beat me, maybe he can but I know I can easily outsmart him.
"Great, they do have you predicted 6th, a bit high just looking at your build, I never saw you train either," Adrian says
"I was raised in an orphanage, and spent most of my life in solitude, I help design electrical and mechanical infrastructure for the ships and fishing equipment for District 4, does that answer your question" I say
"Some of it still doesn't answer the fact you are a blank history, they wouldn't do that if you are just some average boy," he says
I don't know why it is blank maybe because they know there is more dirt on me, and that just made me out to seem like an average District four boy won't cut it, they will find those skeletons in my closest eventually, they will find my hideout, where I store my money, where I have photos of my victims, where I have literal skeletons. I'm not an obsessed freak but as a kid watching a decaying human body perked my interest.
"Because they think there is more to me but they are wrong I lived a very hidden life, I like to keep to myself, it's nothing sinister, I didn't train because I didn't want to humiliate myself, I'm not good at weaponry, I'm only predicted 6th because of my brain because they hope there is more then me" I say
I just grab Stellan's fist before he can punch me in the face "You have good reflexes" he says
"Really," Adrian says to Stellan as I let go of his wrist, lucky I didn't snap it would have if my mentor wasn't here.
"Just testing him, I trust him he wouldn't be stupid to stab me in the back anyways, what about the other tributes" Stellan says
"We haven't got video footage yet because something happened at District Two but seeing the files a career alliance is no possibility, I spoke to Jasper trying to see where their heads are at he said one of their tributes is not well trained and the other one was never part of the career system that as enough for me to hang up, Everett said something on the lines of if my tributes had any part of the brain you would stay away from his two lunatics so that paints a picture, it's probably to go in as pairings anyways," Adrian says I wouldn't have joined the careers anyways.
The career alliance is dead, it died during the 202nd Hunger Games, that year was the final straw to show every district now has a different mentality.
"This is the prediction list," Adrian says
"Boy from 9 predicted 2nd?" Stellan says
"He has a bit of a clouded file, all I really got from the kid was killed his parents, disappeared joined one of the gangs that's really all, he definitely is one of the more prepared outers we have seen in years, but he has one distinct weakness," Adrian says
"His sister," I say
"They may have been long-lost siblings but blood is always thicker than water" Adrian says
"Not necessarily I would have killed my sister" Stellan says I just raise an eyebrow at him now his true self is showing.
"That's charming but four is different too Nine Remember that, besides the nine the boys from 7 and 10 boys you know how they work, just be careful" Adrian says I already know I will be careful my district partner though he is no threat to me.
Levin Huxley 18, District 1 Male
I pretty much went straight into my room when we got onto the trains, I wasn't entirely shocked I had a feeling, a sick feeling, a feeling I never had before and I know even if I had been able to mask my emotions in the past sometimes I do get overly emotional.
I couldn't be around people and maybe lose my temper because I didn't want to be portrayed as a villain. My background and my body count will paint me out to be one, hell I wouldn't be shocked if my district partner is scared stiff right now of me, that he hates me, he thought I was his knight inside I was a fraud.
It's why I never told him my name until reapings, not only that but I didn't want to form an attachment but I know people talk, if he heard my name get brought up as a potential hitman, I may have lost the closest thing to a friend I had but there is also a reason why I tried to stay away, I don't want to get attached. I couldn't have friends, I couldn't have a normal life, and I had to fully detach myself from humanity besides my family life, I just grip the necklace my sister gave me even seeing her bawling in the goodbye rooms made a tear come to my eye I had to tell her I was coming back, and when it comes to emotions I'm pretty distant but knowing that if I die, I lose them, they lose me, they lose that support it makes winning so much more important if it was just my life I still would have put 100% but I have everything to lose right now.
And if that means I have to be the killer I was raised to be then I have to, I may have not been raised in the career system but if past years show anything true careers don't win, it's the ones with a story, the ones who are different and I may have a mindset of a career, I may have been trained and taught to kill but I never did it for future fame, I did it because I had too, my siblings they can't survive without me. After all, even if it tried to give them everything I could I was never a parent.
I couldn't be like mum or dad, I couldn't raise them as normal children do, I'm worried if I don't come back, that my sister will be vulnerable to the more sadistic people in one, that she will fall victim to that and my brothers, I'm worried they will become like me and I did all this so they won't.
No one has come to check on me, I don't know if it's to give me time or if they can't even stand the thought of me, Jasper is meant to be my mentor, the second he found out my background, he probably thought I was this cold-hearted hitman and he could be right, no sane person, no kind person would kill people for money.
I try to say I did it for my siblings but a small part of me enjoys the power I had, that I was in control, after everyone I lost, after everything I had to endure, seeing my mother die and being helpless, finding my father's dead body, being treated like scum by adults as a child, being bullied as a child, to finally have that power and control over people.
It felt good
I enjoyed it and that's what scares me, my siblings held me together, they kept me from becoming a monster, I'm scared I won't be able to survive the stress of the games.
But I just look through the files someone left under my door, the positive thing I guess is no one is younger than 13 that's when I drew the line of age, I just look at the three categories I have.
Threats, wild cards and easy kills, one part of being a hitman is the planning, we don't just go for the target, we spend days preparing, and analysing their lives so we can understand their behaviour it starts with reading their files, trying to understand their backgrounds and history, then we watch them, it's like we step into their lives for a couple of days to ensure the target doesn't come out alive, the hunger games are no different, but I know the second the gong sounds all my planning, all I know gets thrown out of the window, this isn't district one.
I'm not shooting some oblivious man.
I'm killing teenagers, born killers, survivors, and kids with families, everyone has something to lose or a point to prove if I can at least know who I may have to kill, it will make the progress easier because I feel less guilty when I know the person, I don't know why it should be the other way round.
I just look at my threat pile starting with the pair from two, to be honest, I did chuckle when I read both of their reports part of me almost hoping it was a joke, but why would it be a joke, a pyromaniac and whatever the other one is, it's sort of hard to really call a boy that saws peoples limbs off, saws them to pieces and sells their organs on the black market a specific name, sadly I'm not child psychologist and after reading his file thank god I'm not.
They are threats in the sense they have no morals, and they both have weapons that even make me uneasy, I would rather not get sawed to death or burned alive.
And even if they both want death, they have one factor that can cause their downfall, each other, the bond, the friendship, I don't understand it, I never had friends, but if they are as close as I believe you cut one and the other one spirals, and with backgrounds of self-harm and the fact Harley is missing a body part, it is clear you kill one and you hit two birds with one stone. No doubt, not everyone would have their file.
The next threat is the older boy from four an outright psychopath, with loving parents, and good friends, I already hate him and if I were to have a hit list, he would be number one, but then I also sound hypocritical. I kill people for money, and he does it for pleasure but at the end of the day does it really make us any different, he has had a career background, and he knows the ways to win these games that's where I'm lacking, that's where I wanted help but I was never one to like asking for help but like with every psychopath arrogance and ego will cloud their judgment, he won't be happy not being in the spotlight, it will make him more reckless.
The final threat is the boy from 9, it alarmed me straight away seeing his predicted placing normally if an outer boy is predicted that high he is fucked in the head, and then I started getting into the background, another one who if I had a hit list would go on it but playing with spite and emotions it will get me killed, rough child, lost his sister, was abused so in a sense I can't hate him for killing his father, his mother though….
Became the leader of the most ruthless gang in nine and listed as the most ruthless in panem, a born killer, a boy who has done everything to survive, the files only paints background and some personality, but nine have a tendency to throw in strong males and Declan is no exception but just like the freak heads, he has one main weakness, a weakness I might have to break my no killing female moral for it, if it means surviving longer if the little sister one of the wild cards, they may be estranged but I know the bond of siblings especially ones that come from hardship is strong.
Declan may seem to have no heart but if he loses the one person who could bring him back, he will sink, I hate myself for thinking this way and no way will I go out of my way to kill anyone especially a 16-year-old girl, who, if I met her in district one I would do anything to protect a girl a who has the mental strength to win but I know if they are still alive and it's getting close to end game.
She will need to be killed, if anything the pair from 9 is my biggest concern. Last year Andres fucked himself up with his obsession with the 9's I will not make that mistake, the older boy from 7 and the boy from 10 other wild cards, street boys and then the other four boy from well clearly you can't judge a book by its cover.
He wouldn't just be an average Joe with his blank file. I just stare at the files again jumping when I hear a bang I open the door hearing it come from the room next to me, Cedric's door, I have been trying to avoid him more out of shame if anything, I was probably his hero now his probably wondering why I paid him so much attention, it was nothing callous.
I just knock on the door "I'm a little stuck right now give me ten?" Cedric yells
Stuck?
I go to open the door as he has left it unlocked "Oh dude what's up" he says I try to keep a straight face when I see him buried under a bookshelf but I mean the poor kid fell down the stairs in front of well everyone plus I had to help him one day because he got stuck in a flower bed so the kid is a little let's say uncoordinated or very uncoordinated.
"You all good there," I say as he struggles to push it off him.
"Yeah awesome just you know chilling, Ah can you help get this off it's bloody heavy," he says I just laugh helping him push it off.
"Fuck man, you are strong I mean it's obvious why but oh fuck I ah yeah not judging, damn all I wanted was a book," He says
"And it dropped all over you," I say
"Pretty much, I don't know fuck, I'm a goner, aren't I, even Markus said that he is pissed off Jasper called dibs on you but I'm used to it. I guess I was never the first option you will do good, you could probably win, uh thanks for the help" he says
"I wouldn't listen to what Markus says and you aren't a goner," I say
"Look at me then look at you, you think I have a chance with the others like I watched the reapings right the boy from 2 literally set the crowd on fire, like actual fire then, one of the boys from 4 just laughed oh and the district 9 boy yes District 9 looked like he was about to neck someone remind you of a Victor from there, then looked like he was about to destroy someone, I'm probably a bloodbath but I need to look on the bright side don't I," he says
"I walk past the cafe every day, the one you hang out with that old guy, every day you go there and you try to chat up this girl, you know what that shows," I say
"That you stalk me," he says
"I don't stalk you, I go past there at the same time every day, it shows you are determined, that you try to ignore what people think because you want to chase happiness. That determination, that willingness to still be yourself, not many tributes have that quality, I studied every file back to front, yes maybe on a physical level you are behind but it doesn't mean you can't get there without a little help," I say. I should go alone, I want to go alone, it is why I have been avoiding Cedric but he just reminds me so much of my brother that I can't help but want o protect him as harsh as it sounds I know he isn't a threat to my game so allying with him isn't a issue.
"From whom Jesus, I'm not religious by the way my mother God hates me" he says
I put my hand out and his eyes widened "That's if you want to Allie with a hitman" I say
"Well I mean I haven't been killed so you clearly don't target goofballs," he says shaking my hand
"I had reasons for what I did," I say
"I know that's why I didn't scream my head off when you walked in. your file paints the picture, but why me? I can't help you, like others could," he says
"You can, more than you think, I can teach you some stuff," I say
"Thank you I mean it, it's not like I have a chance anyway," he says
"You never know," I say just standing up as a ping of guilt hit me, he just smiles at me as I walk out.
"There you are you ready to talk," Jasper says
"I thought you were avoiding me," I say
"Of course not, I saw that you needed space, I have the files, you are lucky only you and one other tribute got all of the files, the full ones, even if the boy from four whose mentors didn't even get his file it might be a blessing might be a curse, just be careful who you share the information with" he says
"I will keep it to myself, I don't want enemies" I say as he follows me back to my room.
"You may be predicted third but you are by far the best chance we have had even above Luca because unlike Luca you have everything to loose, it will make you willing to do everything to survive, have you considered a allies" he says
"Cedric and I already agreed to it, I don't want anymore" I say
"Good I'm happy to hear that, he is a good kid, he doesn't deserve the slack he gets," he says
Jasper wasn't like the other victors, he didn't want to compete, like me he was reluctant, and he wasn't a true monster, I never met him in person but I heard he is the only mentor who really cares Markus just wants another Victor and don't get me started on Aryan.
"He said you didn't want him, I don't get it, why take me when I'm a born killer" I say
"It's not I didn't want him if anything I'm probably the only one who thinks he has a chance. I was going to he needs help and support someone gentle with him but also can tell him the truth, Markus just puts him down but you needed help more, I can see it you may be physically and mentally prepared but emotionally you're not, you have so much to lose the pressure will get to you, yes you were a hitman but the hunger games there is a reason so many victors are screwed up, it's not as good as it seems, Markus would have just told you to do anything to win," he says
"I can't die" I say
"That's why I want to help you, as long as you're willing to maybe lose some of who you are," he says
"I'm scared that once I start I can't stop, it's different being a hitman we kill with a gun and they don't know about it," I say
"It's personal in the Hunger Games I know that but allowing guilt, allowing emotions it's easier than switching it off, can you use any other weapons," he says
"We were trained as well, sword, axe, throwing knives anything really" I say
"You look like a sword boy" he says smirking I just smirk back, I just have to go in not thinking about what I will loose, otherwise I know I wouldn't be able to handle it.
