Cedric Lenlen 17, District 1
Victor of the 207th Hunger Games
My eyes slowly open as I begin to panic when I see a needle in my arm, when I see a very very bright hospital room, did I die and go to heaven?
Fuck why would hospital be heaven, or did I die and go to hell?
Sadly neither fuck I just panic and get tangled in the blankets which caused me to fall off the bed and take the entire machine down with me as I just whimper when it falls on me, the last thing I remember was by some miracle I killed Declan then I don't actually remember, fuck what happened after that
Fuck did I actually win
"What the hell happened" Jasper says running in and pulling the weird beepy machine thing off me
"I can ask you the same thing, how my god, why are they putting blood into me" I say panicking trying to pull the needle out as I just get tangled in it
"Settle buddy settle okay, you are just getting a blood transfusion, you need to lie down you lost a lot of blood" he says just helping me back on the bed putting thr blanket back over me
"Bro legit after killing Declan I don't remember shit, wait were you always my mentor fuck my head hurts" I say
And my heart, and my soul, I hope he tells me everything that happened was a dream but when he sits next to me just grabbing my hand I know it isn't and that's when I feel the tears spill in my eyes
"Is there lavender in here I'm allergic to lavender I think that's why my eyes are watering you know" I say
"You don't remember anything after killing Declan" he says I just shake my head
"You just broke down crying then you are stabbed your self with your sword then just collapsed, they put you on some medication too just to make you a little more relaxed, your a positive kid though you will be okay" he says
"Fuck, yeah I don't remember that I didn't want to die, I wanted to win, well I didn't I don't know, is everyone dead" I say please tell me they aren't please tell me that Aurelia, that Levin they are still alive as he just nods
"You won, you won the hunger games" he says
I just smile for once I won something in my life I was always the loser, I didn't deserve anything but them it hit me what I won, and I don't feel like a winner I feel like a loser
"I'm going to take this out okay" Jasper says just taking the needle out
"Whose blood is that" I ask
"I really don't know, probably better not too" he says, I just nod, I should have just died, I wanted to leave in those games I fought for my life but being here I know I feel sick and empty and lonely
But most if all I feel scared, I don't feel like myself normally I was ways happy, normally was always smiling but right now I just want to roll in a ball, h ting that happened it was true I killed the only girl I ever loved I still feel her blood on my as I panic again just falling off the bed
"Careful Ced you going to give you self a 50th concussion" Jasper says, his nice I always liked him yet he didn't give me the time of day at the captiol so where is my mentor not that I really want to see Markus right now he will be focused on prepping me to be the perfect Victor when I really just want a teddy bear I can hug whike cry myself to sleep like the baby I am, I'm no Victor I'm just a phony
I'm just lucky, lucky that everyone else was picked off in front of me, lucky I was those stairs were there when Aurelia attacked me and lucky her brother was so off his head
"Why do I still have these clothes on" I yell trying to take the, off as Jasper just grabs me
"They do that, your stylist session is coming up you just need to rest okay you have been through a lot" he says
"Have I I don't deserve to be here, you would agree" I say
"I don't, I should have taken you from the start, all you needed was someone to believe in you" he says
"All I needed was heartbreak, why didn't anyone tell me that she was telling the truth, it would have saved us both the pain" I say yet I know that saved myself I don't know if would have gone all guns blazing if I knew she was innocent if I knew she loved me too the only reason I killed her at the end was because I knew she had no chance, I broke her spine, her arms, her legs I hate for it
They say the first kill is the most important, and I still can't crying over it, Declan well he seemed genuinely upset, heartbroken, I guess bad for him that sense but took him a few too days long
"I wanted too, Xander wanted us too but at the end of the that day I wasn't your mentor I couldn't send you anything" he says
"But you did after I killed Aurelia" I say
"Markus he um had a heart attack" he says
"Shit is he okay I knew was struggling but the dude was like a 101" I say
"He was 58" Jasper chuckles "But he didn't make it so you are stuck with me kid, should have been like this at the start, your performance it inspired a lot of people in one a lot of the poorer and more bullied boys, but it also called a riot to happen, a attack, they burned the whole centre down, burned a lot of the rich towns, hundreds of elitist got killed, Aryan and Jacinta got killed, your ah family" he says
I just stare at him "Got killed" I whisper
"I'm so sorry Cedric" he says just wrapping his arms around me
"I'm not upset about my family because I never had family but knowing I inspired murder, that's not what I wanted to do I shouldn't be here, my victory inspired murder Aurelia's wouldn't inspire belief" I say just breaking down I didn't want my victory to kill people, what does that make me a inspired murderer I regret everything
I regret winning
"This is not your fault this is the districts fault, I tried to change things when I was Victor but they didn't listen, the other victors, the mayor, it was all about wealth be power, they didn't see you all as children just tributes, I never had a voice, no one treated me seriously, I was a poor kid who had this talent, but now it's time for a new slate, you and I, the District outcasts we can change the district" he says I just stare at him, it still hadn't hit me, victory, everything learned I don't know how I can just go out about my life
"I don't even know how I did it, luck" I say
"Winning isn't luck, what you did wasn't luck, you may have flown under the radar for the first half bur everything you did after that wasn't luck, what you did in the final four wasn't luck" he says
I just nod there is no point arguing with him telling him I know his just trying to be nice that it's his job, he didn't really give me much time in the capitol but at the same time that's his job, he wanted to solely focus on his tribute and Markus did focus on me, he helped me I couldn't even say thank you
I wonder what he thinks "Is everyone shocked I won" I say
"Yeah, but hey you are a survivor it's how I knew you had a chance" he says
"I had a roof over my head and three meals a day I didn't really go through hardship" I say, not compared to some of the others, Levin, Aurelia especially Aurelia she went through hell and back and what did I do brutally kill her
I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to break her spine but at the end of the day that action won me the fight
It helped me live "I heard some of the things you went through, beatings, being humiliated, even assaulted" he says I just flinch at that memory "Some people use that as a assault for hatred you didn't it made you stronger" he says
"There is this old guy" I say
"Kenzo don't worry his still alive" he smiles I just smile at him p
"What about Levin's family are they okay, they didn't get hurt in the riot did they" I say
"It was only the south side of the district it's been pretty much destroyed, they did it at night where everyone was sleeping, they have already cleared the damage, it's up to us and the new mayor what we do with it, a centre is already being rebuilt, but his family they are safe I made sure of it, they are well shattered especially the sister she doesn't really understand" he says
"She didn't watch did she" I say
He just bites his lip "Great" I mumble
"We will work it out, for years I wanted the district too change I wanted it to become like district 2 where they care more about their tributes then winning" he says
"They care about their people" I say
"They have a lot of unstable males it happens but they take care of them, they don't just dump them out or kill them like we would have done" he says
"I don't know how I can be much help I'm barely hanging on" I say
"It takes time but believe me once you go back home and distract your self it gets better, no one hated you Cedric, no one well maybe besides district 9 but that's because they got greatly attached to Aurelia, the victors, the districts, they don't understand that you had no choice" he says
"I had choices thought" I say
"You two fought like two kids who wanted to survive there is nothing wrong with that, you didn't draw it out, that's why you won't get as much as a hostile reception, considering what Declan did to Levin it is even" he says
"I have to re watch the games don't I barely have any idea what went on" I say but that's good ol me for you, have no idea maybe it's better that way hey maybe now I'm Victor I can legit get chill pills so I go in space and never come back but I can't do that either
"They will show you in the interviews, just be yourself okay I know it's going to be hard to pick up the pieces bur you deserve this" he says I just nod as he gets up giving me a hand as I just get out of bed almost toppling over again
"Fuck" I say he just chuckles
"See still the same Cedric" he chuckles
"The floor is cold" I say so the ass holes took off my boots and my ducky socks but not my clothes
He just hands me a pair of slippers as I struggle to get them on for a second but Jasper doesn't judge I am relieved his helping me and not Markus I have so much thoughts and emotions in my head, I want to cry, I want to faint, I want to vomit, it's whirlwind of emotions right now
We make it to the stylist room "You have a capitol chosen stylist apparently best if the business" he says my previous stylist was some bimbo from one I knew he so she wasn't very happy to see me, they all hated me and now they are all dead
I don't know what to feel about it the scary thing is I'm not as upset as I should, its like I'm because they got what they deserve and I shouldn't feel that way, a lot of people died and I'm almost happy about it
But that's what the games do, they ruin lives
"THERE HE IS"
I just jump a little as Jasper holds me from the shoulders to stop me from toppling again, yeah nah man yeah nah I can't deal with crazy old women I was chased by one with a broom stuck through one and I'm still scarred for life
She just screams as Jasper can't help but chuckles when I literally vomit all over her oops was not meant to do that as she just screeches and runs out
"That's one way to get rid of a stylist, lucky for you I know how these rooms work" he says
"Should I clean my mess up" I say
"You are a Victor everything will be done for you" he says
For some reason I don't like the idea of that "Do I really have to wear that, pink ain't my colour man" I say
"Another perk is a know where the clothes are just get your self cleaned up and I will change you clothes" he says I just nod even but the second I get into the shower I burst into tears
Do not fall over
Do not fall over
That is the only thing I'm worried about when I'm preparing to go on stage with some Cassius purple hair dude,I really don't want to fall over or off stage, I know I will do or say something stupid
"Hey Cedric are you listening" Jasper says I snap out of my day dream he was going through the do's and don't and how to act when I'm on the stage unfortunately I sort have zoned out the entire conversation so I don't actually know what to say or do so that's fun
"Yeah" I say
"What was I saying" he says
"Look bro I'm just trying to focus on how not to call over or not to vomit on the host" I say
"It's all in your head just try to not think about that stuff Cassius is brutal he will force you to watch the games and will wait for a opinion just give every brief answers don't go to detailed when he starts to talk about the things that will affect you just say one or two words he wants to rattle you don't show them that" he says
"What do the capitol know about the riot" I say
"Not much they think it was done on the inside, if they knew the truth we would only have a quarter of a district left pretend you know nothing" he says
"What if they think I'm some rebel" I say
"Little fella you were talking to a rat during your games I doubt they would think your a master mind Victor" he says
"Oh fuck Mr rat dude I hate rats" I say he just chuckles
"And now for the Victor of the 207th Hunger Cedric Lenlen" Cassius screams
"Fuck I can't do this" I say
"Hey just be your self okay just be your self everyone will love you" Jasper says then he literally pushes me towards the stairs as I stumble on my feet when I make the stage I'm meet with really bright lights and screeching form the crowd, I try not to look at the crowd because the capitol people are freaky as hell, so I just focus on I don't know not this but them when I try to think of other things my mind goes back to the games and I want to cry but I'm good at acting, I'm good at pretending I'm a happy air head, I was a air head but I was never happy, I was lonely, I was sad, I just wanted friends and people to care for me
I got that in the games just too loose the two people who meant so much to be
"Welcome Cedric" Cassius says shaking my hand
"It's my honour to be here" I say, they have classes, I mean they had classes on how to handle victory, they interview lessons, victory tour lessons, I never got invited to those classes because I was never seen as a chance
And the people I wanted to prove myself too are now dead all because of me and I don't feel that much guilt that's what us scaring me, I should feel sorry and hate myself but I don't
"I have to say young man, I think the world are stunned right now are you" he says
"I definitely went in with the odds against me" I say Jasper just nods to the side don't say to much, I tend to go on a rant a little bit
"And when did the belief start to grow when did you know you would be Victor" he says
"When Declan's cannon went" I say
"Wasn't that a enthralling finale, the emotions from the both of you but we will skip to all that later, you were one of the darling's this year how did you become so loveable" he says
"My stupidity" I say the capitol just laugh "I was just a average kid at one, the outcast, I just want to say thank you all for your love it means the world" I say maybe I won't be too bad at this victory stuff they are clearly buying my bullshit
"Aren't you a darling, you were quite the comedian was that a act or genuine" he says
"Genuine I was born with two left feet" I say they all just hurts out laughing
"Now into serious things your district what did you think of it" he says
"I love district one it's my home" I say
"Were you told about the well tragedy that happened there, those poor people they didn't deserve it" he says
"I haven't had real time to digest the information so I really can't comment but it's something I do not condone" I say those people got what they got coming, the bullies, the rich, they destroyed the district, nine was like that until the poorer kids too stand, now they are a outer power house they went from barely getting tributes in the top 12 to becoming forces I wish I was born in a outer district
"Let's hope the ones responsible are dealt with, now onto the games you and your district partner grew a very close almost brotherly bond was that a pre existing relationship" he says
"I knew of him, he was more like a saviour for me I got myself in to trouble a bit and he helped me but I didn't know his job, his situation or even his name he was quick to avoid that stuff" I admit, but he was always there when I needed him, even in the games I feel bad that I didn't try to look for him, maybe if I found him then he wouldn't be dead
"You must have been heartbroken when you saw his body" he says
"It was a shock" I say
"But nothing is stronger then young love or is it" he says I just tense
"When did you feel that spark towards Aurelia and you" he says
"To be honest I was like her creepy stalker I use to stare at her lo the time" I say the crowd laugh it's like they are programmed robots "We has a few interactions, but it wasn't until we allied that the bond really started to grow I didn't have much experience with girls" I say
Still a god damn virgin
At least I got my first kiss and then she became my first kill
"Like Romeo and Juliet but you seemed heart broken when you thought she betrayed you Capital technology ha" he says I just tense the capitol almost ensured I won, but I don't say anything
"Should we get onto the replay" he says as I sigh in relief his lucky I'm still meek little Cedric because I was able to snap, his neck
Oh damn Cedric damn boy maybe I ain't little meek Cedric full I need this chill pills, I would say morplhing but I'm on fairy land as it is so maybe not the best idea
I don't even remember the bloodbath too be honest it was a whirlwind, I didn't get attacked luckily which was surprising since I had Declan as much as I want to feel something for his death I can't the only thing I feel guilt for was that Aurelia's killer didn't get the vengeance he deserved but I was that killer
It shows Levin get the first kill, brutal my guy brutal "Did you ever feel unsafe with him knowing he was that cold hearted killer" Cassius
"Not I should have but he has reasons" I say, I mean could have chosen better reasons but considering the tributes we had this year like Stellan as I just look away fuck not that head again, Jesus I dream about that head every night he had reason
The next kill is by the lovely freak brothers as the captiol just cheer during their kill, thank god I wasn't one of their kills, thank god, like they get the kid to high five a hand that was cut off Jesus, like they didn't come across as evil but they were whack, I'm not going to even go into the rest of the details of that death all I can say is thank god I have nothing to vomit
Day 2 shows and it shows me how quick the games went like it was 12 days in there it felt like I was there for a year but right now they felt like they were a few days just pray I don't ever have to go in there, unless as everyone behaves and no future Victor tries to start a rebellion we should be fine
The next kill is the boy from 3 the boy Levin killed I remember being so curious about killing what it feels like, I wish I never found out
"You would have secretly be wanting to kill didn't you" Cassius says I secretly want to kill you right now but I keep that thought to my self
"I wanted to know what it felt like" I admit
I wish I didn't, it still hasn't hit me, I didn't have time to fully digest killing Aurelia because I had brother wanting my blood but with him I didn't feel sorry for him, I hated him, I wanted him dead
I just flinch as the next death is Zev having his throat cut then being literally burned alive, they could have I don't know not burned him alive the way the two freaks just watch in awe really gets me
Yet they had some human side to them like I saw how heartbroken Harley was but I know how it is being a outsider you attach yourself to one person and they become your every thing and when you loose that everything there is almost this feeling of nothing
It's easy to see the tension between the district four morons as they easily pick off district 6
At one point I never felt like Levin would betray me I trusted him maybe too much
Once again fire freak and saw freak strike again with another lovely duo kill " They were so adorable werent they" Cassius says
You right in the head my guy?
"Very" I say very whack that's what they are I have been called adorable at first I thought it was a compliment now I don't believe so
I'm actually shocked they let the pair from ten run, they probably wish they stayed and help Dash but poor Dash they just stabbed and burned his face them just left him for dead like he was road kill those two really value human life don't they
I almost want to laugh at the irony of Stellan getting his head cut of, brutal very brutal, I mean karma is a bitch and he was literally walking around with some poor kids head
"Were you shocked he was killed so early" Cassius says
"Not really to be honest, there were bigger villains this year" I say, the two's, Declan, Kylian
Even myself
I just clench my fists when the ground cheer during Mabel's death they cheer on Declan like his some god, Aurelia said he lost it but I didn't think she meant beat a cute little girl to a bloody pulp that I'm happy I got vengeance for Mabel
"That poor girl" Cassius says I don't say anything I would like to see you morons go through this shit
Day 6 was when everything changed for me in the games, Levin and I split I was so scared I wanted to fight him but Aurelia was tracking me I guess that was a blessing in disguise but I wonder what would of happened if we never split, we probably would have never built that connection that bond
Would have killing her been easier?
"Did you feel any sympathy for that boy" Cassius says as it shows Declan just lash out on Winston, with no sympathy no nothing
"No I feel no guilt for his death, his where he belongs" I say, he did a Xander but Xander was different, he was afraid you could see it in that boys eyes, not Declan all I saw was a void until Aurelia was taken from him but he was too late
"We all agree it was the perfect ending the hero finally killing the villain" he says
I'm no hero
I'm a coward but I just get out of my thoughts as it shows Rory's death, my heart almost points against my chest when I see Aurelia getting hurt it's like in that moment I almost forget that the story is already finish and I know who wins, it's l most poetic justice to see Rory gets his face burnt if I was Aurelia I would have ran off squealing like the little girl I am but she does the right thing she ends his pain and she actually felt guilt for it that shows how much of a good person is
It shows she deserves to be here and not me
I didn't even realise day 8 had no deaths "Levin and Harley do you feel betrayed by that alliance" Cassius says I didn't even think that could happen
"It was smart I guess, if I had the chance I would have done the same" I say funk bo I would have run to the Sahara desert and never come back
Again poetic justice Kylian killed Stellan using poison and poison is his downfall it surprises me how quick Harley was too follow Levin like a puppy dog, but it as obvious he had sinister intentions
"Here is the best death of the behind Aurelia of course" Cassius says smirking
"Come on don't look away Cedric" He says when I want to look away so I don't I just do everything to keep my cool, as much as I want to vomit or faint, as I just watch Declan attack levin his like a maniac he has no humanity I feel anger
But I got revenge it just feels bitter sweet
Harley's death is next and I can understand why Aurelia acted he was so obsessed with her and I hated her for it, I punished her for trying to survive, but I just try to hold on the tears but when it starts to show her detah I can't do I anymore I just run off stage and I just break down in tears
"I should be dead" I whisper to Jasper he just wraps his arms around me
"You don't deserve to be dead, she will want you to be strong you have to be strong" he whispers
I don't feel strong
I never did
I stare out the window, after the interviews and getting some crown and meeting scaring Mr president dude we were rushed back on the trains whihc is a lot more silent then it was the way here, a lot more empty Jasper has been great but it's obvious his dealing with a lot too
His forced to now mentor someone he barely spoke to and someone who was the cause of the District loosing hundreds of lives, two victors being killed, the centre destroyed, I didn't want that I wanted to inspire hope nor murder, nor carnage bur when we drove past districts 12 and 11 all I saw was that
Carnage, murder
"Are those districts destroyed" I ask as Jasper just moves next to me
"Not entirely, the capitol still need agriculture and still need coal, but it's like living in a prison but they knew they had to start looking after them better because if they stop working then, other districts will suffer coal is important especially for transport and masonry if those districts suffer as does the capitol" he says
"Why don't they compete them and district 8" I ask
"People say it was because of entertainment but those three districts were the only districts to make a stand against the Capitol, and those three district are important, yes they destroyed most of 11 and 12 bur to keep the minimal population haply they too them out of the capitol and district 8 well everyone needs clothing" he shrugs
"Why is that the poor districts are the most important, I mean 11,10 and 9 supply all food including the capitol" I say I don't know much about district politics, I know 9 is now one of the more wealthier districts due to their performances in the games but it wasn't always like that
"I don't know kid, you are a curious one aren't you" he says
"Yup you should look at my bucket list ticked a lot of still have my actually never mind" I say
He just chuckles "I am sorry for how I treated you in the capitol like ignoring you but it's only us now, I can see your not handling it as well as others you will need support" he says
"I'm not handling it because I'm a stupid coward, wait isn't district one the closest to the capitol why are we travelling so long" I ask
"I knew you didn't listen to that lady" he says
"Lady" I say
"She was going through all your duties as victors and gave you a schedule which you randomly drew a smiley face on" he says chuckling
"Just trying to distract myself you know" I say
"Hey I understand we are going I reverse so I think luckily you will face nine early having to face it last will be too hide, and because the districts are well scattered everywhere it's a longer journey" he says
"I guess I only had two kills that's helpful I guess" I say
"No one again besides nine Xander, Brayen a lot more understanding will hate you and considering you were training to be a training that says a lot about your character" he says
"I was the comic relief" I say
I just stare out seeing the snow start to fall "Woah I have never seen snow" I say
"It's actually being beautiful, district ten is probably my favourite district to visit not that I have been here since my victory, the city is like any poor district but the farmlands are nice, the tour is in the city" he says
I even see horses and cows "Do these horses bite too" I say I got bitten by a horse during the chariot rides
"Horses don't tend to bite don't know how you managed that kid" he says I just smile at him
"I have you cue cards, well Markus wrote out the cue cards for you" he says
"He did" I say
"We didn't expect a heart attack so early but he knew he wasn't well he knew he might need to miss it, he saw something in you, wrote a letter for you too, I will give that to you at home I don't want you to be even more upset but he wrote the cue cards for every district, nine he didn't know happened so he left it blank" he says
"That's the district I need cue cards on" I say
"That's the district you can't use cue cards, I know it's scary but it's going to be okay" he says just handing me the one for district ten, it warms my heart Markus took the effort to try and help me but it's clear it's just for image but no one use to fake a effort in me
"Will district ten hate me because I was in love with the sister of the boy who killed them" I say
"No district ten are actually a really nice district I like the outer districts a lot better then the careers, four well have cassia and district two are like a brotherhood when it comes to their victors everyone else is a outsider, but the outers are normally always welcoming" he says
"Besides Xander?" I say
"Yeah but ah his on another category of his own so" he says I just smirk
The train stops as I just jump falling down as Jasper just chuckles helping me up
"Good too see not every thing has changed" he says
"I won't change well I will try not to but fuck this floor is hard" I say as he helps me up
"It's going to be cold out there, just follow what the cue card said don't get into too much detail" he says just throwing me a jacket, I just put it on, district 1 is always sunny and warm so walking out into the cold district the wind hitting my face full force it's a bit of a wake up call
The station has a bit of a rustic country vibe too if one half of the districts is miles of farmland the other is city as we walk into the justice building it isn't too run down apparently every district gets a whole lump of money if they win and for the poorer districts it goes towards well the district careers it goes towards well careers not that the career system is really a thing anymore
"Congratulations" Aden says just shaking my hand I feel like star strucked I don't know they make out this victors to be celebrates when they are just born Al kids but considering Aryan use to walk around with a fan carpet each district is different
Connor just quietly shakes my hand "I am really sorry" I say I felt like I had too I mean his tribute was brutalised most disturbing with is she didn't have the worst death this year makes me really trust humanity
"You have nothing to be sorry about thank you for ensuring the wrong tribute didn't win" he says
I hope he is talking about Declan and not Aurelia but she was just a victim of circumstance she was always a victim of circumstance
I just stumble on my feet when I walk out as I just get quietly clapped, there really is two sides of the district, the city which looks run down then the farmlands which looks peaceful and happy
I just try to ignore Mabel's family growing under her photo, I know I'm feeling sorry for myself right now but at least I'm alive at least I didn't see my daughter get beaten to death while she was screaming for them
"Winston seemed like a loveable kid he was always happy and trying to be positive, he seemed like a cool dude, sadly for him loyalty got him killed" I say I don't know how that makes sense, it's on the cue cards
"Mabel should have never been put in these games, she was young, innocent, sweet, she would have never harmed a soul, she did her best to make it far and I'm so sorry to everyone who had to witness her death" I say
I just walk back in as Aden just pats my back "I'm shocked you didn't fall of the stage" he says
"I didn't even think about that" I say
"I said it's all in his head, did you guys need any money or anything to help her family" Jasper says
"They didn't want anything, they just wanted her body but I don't think that's a good idea" Aden says
I wonder if it's possible to sleep with a dead body
What the fuck did I just think, fuck I think I'm going crazy and I still have 7 districts left
I couldn't sleep all night, the trip to nine from ten wasn't too far because they share the same well regions, reasons why they barely see the sun, but I got to well sleep
I couldn't sleep I just kept tossing and turning, then I fell off my bed then I got tangled in the sheets them I just started to I'm trying hard to just put a smile on my face and act like everything is okay but it isn't, I feel lonely, I feel angry, I feel guilt, I never went through hardship yes I was bullied but compared to half the tributes in my games I was lucky
And now having my whole world turn upside down it doesn't feel real, it doesn't feel right, I don't know how I can face district 9, Aurelia as my first love, my only lice and I ended up killing her everyone will say I had to it's the hunger games but if love was so strong we would have found a way but I was scared and I fell for the capitol's trap and ended up hurting her more then I should have, she seemed okay with dying and that's what breaks my heart
I need to try and build my life not just for her but us, but I don't know how I can just move on, fall in love and have children, I use to say I loved Sarah but know it wasn't really what I had with Aurelia no one can replace, a lot of victors don't have families these days Jasper doesn't and maybe I won't either
I will die a virgin I guess I was meant to die a virgin I just hold the her token in my hands I managed to make it my window even though this train is quick I can still see all the surroundings, I learnt that all the districts are seperate by forests, I wonder what happens if someone stumbles into those forests if forest man live there and will eat them
I'm really curious right now aren't I, I just jump when my door opens as Jasper just hands me a box
"It's a present" he says
"Is it my birthday" I say
"I just thought you needed something to cheer you up, something to pass time so you aren't just staring out the window like your on space" he says
"Thanks I'm not use to presents" I say I remember my 17th party it was massive me, some teddy bears that I put party hats on so I didn't feel alone and a cupcake, so much better then the massive fiasco my sister had, I wasn't invited of course, but of course chad and his buddies thought I would be a good naked piñata once the girls were blind drunk
Jokes on you chad
Jokes on you
I just open it "I heard you were good at drawing, I'm not really the best company at the moment or really know what to do so" he shrugs
"You have been great, thank you so much" I say it's a sketch book and a whole heap of pencils, I use ti love drawing and painting but I never showed anyone out of embarrassment
He just rubs my shoulder he has always been the more quieter timid Victor, he normally takes the ones who need help under his wing he did try with me a few times but Markus told him to focus on his own trainees, now it's just us
I start to see the grain yards coming in the distance it's hard to believe Aurelia and I came from different districts when it felt like we were the same, knowing what she went though and she never let that make her a monster
"You are going to get a hostile welcoming when it comes to Aurelia, district nine they are becoming a more United district now, they are the youngest district age wise, and a lot of the rich got killed a few years ago so it's mainly working class and street kids" he says I just nod I just hope the district will change that situations like Aurelia's won't happen
"I don't even know what to say, what do I say" I mumble
"About Aurelia or Declan" he says
"Both fuck Declan, but Aurelia, I killed her at the end of the day, me no one else" I say
"As much as Brayen or Xander will hate you because you killed her that will understand everyone will understand, you will still get booed for the fact you are here and not you but they aren't hating you it's the situation, you just did what anyone else would ok please stop hating yourself for being human" he says I just nod as I stand up as he just lest me get dressed they even organised all the outfits for me, it's just casual clothing but the clothing for nine is thick be abuse it's one if the darker and rainier districts, we just walk out, the training station isn't as worn as I thought the justice centre almost looks new and even if you can tell the district is on the poorer end it's obvious the victors have helped rebuild the district I just fall over before I can even make it to the door
"Relax okay" he says just being here, at her home it makes me miss her more, because this is where she grew ho even if she said nine was never her home but ii just try to be a big boy as we walk in
The two victors just stare at me Xander just leans against the wall yeah this dude scarier in real life I was expecting him to come at me but he doesn't, Brayen just glares at me then bites his lip
"I am sorry I know you didn't want me here" I say I had to say something
"Better you then him, your forgiven kid only because I know she genuinely loved you don't know why but hey love is blind" Xander says
"His just jealous, you did what anyone would have I killed my best friend to survive, we make mistakes it's human, your granted forgiveness but we won't forget" Brayen says I just nod as Xander just holds the door for me pushing me out in the process I am met with boys as I just bite my lip
There is a group of man at the corner who is especially loud as one just points the finger at me jealousy on his face okay, is that the outlaws or what ever Aurelia told me about
"Declan became a villain this year but in my eyes he always was one but he was also a victim, but what he did, how he treated his sisters he doesn't deserve peace, I have more I would say about him but as a respect for the dead I will keep those opinions to my self" I say the booing does stop as I do hear a few claps like they are agreeing with me
"I never had true friends in one well I had one he was a old man" I say that gets a few of the crowd to laugh besides the dark vadar squad who when I thinking about it I recognise the logo on their jackets oh god
They aren't outlaws
They are outsiders and the boy who still hasn't stopped staring diggers out me is their leader oh fuck "But Aurelia she was different, I found her cute, u was like this weird stalker at the start but I saw a fighter, I someone some so genuine and innocent that the second we allied I know we belonged together, I will I say I loved her and she will for ever be my first love, the memories we have together it's memories I will for ever hold in my heart, I regret everything that happened our fight, how I killed Ehh, she deserved to be here not me and for that I apologise" I say I would go on a rant about how what the district did to her wasn't right, but seeing the outsiders right now they genuinely looked distraught
They look like they lost a family member so I just run out
"You did good" Jasper says wrapping his arm around me
"I didn't think they cared about her" I say to Xander
"That's the only reason they are still alive" he says
"Can you make sure no one else goes through what she does" I mumble
"We will don't worry thank you" Xander says I don't know what for
I just went into my own little world as the trip to 9 and 7 aren't too far and started drawing I had no idea what I was drawing I was hopping when I looked at the photo it would be a master piece to be honest I probably expected to find a portrait of Aurelia since I use to draw Sarah a lot like a freaky stalker but no
"What the fuck" I yell just dropping my book
I drew a rat
Bloody hell, Jasper just chuckles just grabbing my sketch book as he just laughs "You are a funny kid but hey at least it gets you in another world it distracts you" he says he does have a point although I don't know if me drawing a rat with a bow tie is really good for my mental health right now
"I keep having nightmares about my fight with Aurelia I wake up thinking I'm still soaked in her blood" I say knowing that district 9 are going to get rid of the dark regions, that the outlaws will pay for their crimes and that the outsiders will get redemption since Xander said they genuinely cared for Aurelia even showed me the letter that they sent, I was shocked that they forgave me yes it was hostile and I saw the hatred in both their eyes but I expected worse, I guess I'm lucky I only had two kills
He just sits next to me "It's normal, I never understood how the other victors seemed so okay they walk around like being tortured, being guilty and broken from your games is a crime, that it makes you weak it's why district four don't have many victors and why district two do it's about mine set, I never told anyone how much I struggled because I kept being put down Markus he puts hours into you but at the end of the day all he wanted was a Victor he didn't care about us as humans, I still go through nightmares and my games were years ago and I didn't loose people close to me, you always have a shoulder to cry on" he says just wiping the tears I didn't think were spilling from my eyes with his sleeve
"Those aren't tears man up my eyes are putting make up on" I say he just chuckles as he just rubs my back
"Sure, sure, it's okay to struggle, we have the chance to change things, we already have a new academy" he says
"Fuck man who builds this shit buffy the wizard damn bro" I say as he just laughs
"Capitol technology my friend, if they want something built quick they did it depends on the district but we are district one and your the sweetheart Victor we are the golden children well until the next Victor at least" he says
"Do you know how to run a academy I sure don't, I can run yoga class though" I say
"I have a few ideas but we can get help there are some trainers who have been doing this for ages or will be fine, and sure you can have the yoga classes" he says as I just smirk his still only in his late twenties but it's felt like years since our last Victor and now it's me, the train stops as my heart starts to pound against my chest as I see the forest surrounding us
District 7
The first kill and Dash, I guess it's easier when I don't have much of a connection between the tributes and really don't only the nines, Levin and I would say Harley since we sort of had this love triangle going on and I won the girl
I won then I murdered her…..
I pray they aren't together in heaven right now but I doubt his making even poor kid, we just walk out another cold District as well, it seems like all the districts are cold these days
The Justice centre is a lot more ran down them ten and nine were it's obvious if you won the hunger games you win money, we just walk in as Talen just walks over to me gently grabbing my hand shaking it
"Good job, you deserve it" he says
"Thank you" I smile but it's ah sort of hard to ignore the other Victor just sitting at the couch staring right at me like his some statue
"Hi" I say nervously waiting he just tilts his head waving once then going back into a trance
Right
"His always like that normally he doesn't responses so you have a friend" he says just patting my back
Oh yay the friend I always wanted, I just walk out just ti quietly clapping a few boys boo me but it's clear because there friend isn't here, but I am
Fuck what was the other dudes name I subtly look down at my cue cards haply there is this mix stand infront of me "Inigo was the unfortunate first kill but sadly soemone is that role and I am sorry to his family and friends as the partner od the killer I see my self equally responsible" I say
"Dash he was a cool dude a lot of the street boys are, he was protective and loyal but sadly that blew up in his face ne he was the unfortunate victim of two maniacs" I say
3 districts down 5 to go
I sort am getting at this whole speak shit in front of thousands of people thing, as hard as it is as much as I want to get home so I can crawl in my bed and just hug my teddy bear, sadly I don't have a home anymore and my teddy bear is probably destroyed with everything else
Instead I have been hugging the little straw girl Aurelia have me, like it's the closest thing to her I have, the reminder of my best friend, of my first love, she will for ever be in my heart but I know I need to move on I know deep down she wouldn't want me to for ever mourn her, she wouldn't want me to keep feeling sorry for myself
I need to move on put the hunger games behind me even if it's hard to believe I even one the hunger games
District 6 was full of trains and hovercraft thingys it was pretty cool to be honest and the victors were nice one was a man in a wheel chair and one was this women who couldn't talk I have actually been Surpsied by the kindness of the mentors even district 9 were well not kind per say since Xander did push me onto the stage but I'm not dead
Yet
"Did they rig it for me to win" I say just scribbling in my book, I didn't draw anymore rats I probably drew about 20 drawings of Aurelia and them cried over them then started drawing district one
Jasper seems stunned by my question, we tend to sit in silence a lot not an awkward silence but my mind is like a hamster in one of those little inflatable ball things never ending, I never use to like silence
But it's all I was use to besides when I was having coffee with Kenzo or was at the centre "I don't know, I think they just wanted a long drawn out fight, it did look like they were playing it in your favour though, yet if they wanted Aurelia to win they would have shut the door to those steps" he shrugs
"I doubt they what's another nine to win" I say
"You deserve to win okay" he says I feel like he has to tell me that more then once as I just nod, deserve and earn are two different things did I really earn that victory?
No but I guess in the hunger games it's all about moments and in the final three I took that moment by killing the kill I love, I don't deserve forgiveness from anyone
District 5 was completely like underground, I didn't even know what the district was like what they did I learnt it was power so hey they are pretty important it's probably why the capitol is so close to five because everyone needs power
"Are there sharks in the oceans" I say as we begin to drive last a large ocean I didn't even knew we had oceans, we had a lake and river in one but nothing like this, I didn't know four was so pretty and sunny fuck I hope I don't get a tan I could use one though
"You ask the funniest question, yes, so don't go swimming yeah" he says
"Fuck like I can swim I will probably drown myself" I say still wouldn't mind a tan these no existent abs I have need so colour
"We weary one of district 4 mentors are well intense" he says
"As intense as Xander" I say
"Not like I'm going to murder you intense you will see what I mean just don't freak out okay I know you tend to get nervous around some people" he says
Now I'm actually scared as I just nod I fall over getting off the train due to the sun they even made me wear shorts and a t shirt it was normally warm in four but I never wore shorts didn't want to show my skinny as stick white legs
I really need a tan
Jasper just helps me up "Fuck that sun man" I say it bright
The justice building is a lot more nicer then most of the districts but it's kill unlike 9 and 10 that it hasn't been renovated in years, four is having a drought and now they lost the race
"Congratulations good to see a career win" Adrian I believe his name says shaking my hand but it's sort of hard to concentrate with the pink women in the corner filing her nails and glaring at me
"What the hell is that" I whisper in Jasper's ear as he just chuckles
"What I warned you about buddy" He says
"Don't mind cassia she has no manners" Adrian says
She literally hisses at him like some feline getting cold water poured on it as I just bolt to the door yeah nah, I don't be visiting district four any time soon, I am met with cheers which shocks me fuck what district is this again oh yeah four
Oh Stellan and Kylian lovely
Like I really want to say kind words about them "Stellan was a typical career, he seemed perfect and strong but his arrogance got in the way" I say just be quick because I'm worried the pick thing will come and slaughter me
And I thought Xander was scary at least he looks like a normal 23 year old this looks like a old women who has a unicorn vomit all over her
"Kylian was a threat this yeah but no one knew why he did the best job out of everyone to slide under the radar, he could have very well won this I'd two tributes didn't ban together to kill him" I say then I run back in
I just jump not realising cassia comes near me just handing me a photo as she just blows me a kiss just going back to her chair Jasper just grabs the photo
"Stop trying to give young men these photos" Adrian says
"It's to show what a independent and strong women looks like since this moron killed one I hate man" she says them she struts out
She is right though I should be hated
Just one more district, probably the scariest district to go to well behind district nine, it's weird I felt more at home there then at one, like I wish I can transfer and live there I wish I was born there so Aurelia and I could have met earlier, not that anything would have happened I don't even know how I had the guts to talk to her in the first place all I know is the first time I saw her it was love at first sight
It feels so empty without her
I feel so loss like my entire heart as been ripped out and stomped on and it's all my fault nothing will change the fact that I killed her and it will be noted in the history books for years
It will be for ever we had a huge library in one with all the books, they didn't include anything before the 76th hunger games but even then there was like what an Hundred year gap, then there was the Victor revolution which killed like almost all the victors yeah it was messy shit for sure now it's like things are changing again, I wonder if the capitol really wanted me to win I was the underdog but it's clear they didn't really want underdogs
But now I'm the top dog it feels weird even saying that, I never was number one, I never felt on top of the world I was always the loser
The coward
Now I'm the Victor
Doesn't feel real, feels I don't know odd
"You have done well all the victors love you, the crowd seems to believe what you said you will belong" he says
"All the victors love me" I scoff
"Cassia hates everyone who has the gender of male and Xander just acts like that too everyone his just pissy at me because I was rude to him" he says
"So your saying to please pinky I need to become a female and to please Mr happy Chappy from nine I need to be nice to him" I say
"Yeah pretty much in all honesty though it doesn't really matter what the other victims think because there is so much tension between Xander and Everett and now Xander and Aden they separated the victors anyways
I guess that's a good thing if I don't need to see pinky
I didn't really know what to expect going into two but it's huge and half the district is snowing, and there is a lot of military and other shit that my brain is too small to take in
The justice centre is probably the nicest one but it has this old school feeling to it I don't know going to district two scares me, I'm worried I will get the crazy disease her something I don't know, Jasper just hands me a thick Jasper as I just break the zip trying to zip it up
Fuck I'm stupid
He just chuckles ruffling my hair as we walk, Everett just walks over shaking my hand but doesn't say anything like he is pissed off at me or something as Maverick just stares at me from a distance it better not to try and talk, because u don't really have anything to be sorry about not that I should be sorry those two were whack heads, if anyone should be sorry it's their parents but then I feel rude for thinking that they were just messed up kids
I just walk out to the ground complete silence like I can hear the crickets chirping in the distance well this ain't bloody awkward isn't it
But awkward is my middle name "Rory and Harley were well oddballs, they both lived in their own little worlds, it seemed like a nice world I wish I asked them for a spade ticket there" I say that gets a lot of the crowd to laugh this wasn't on my cue cards but the silence was awkward "They were insane freaks that really should have been well cured" or put down in the pound but I need to respect the dead "how ever one thing I give them wad the bond they had to each other, it showed they had a heart deep down" I say the crowd just quietly clap as I just walk in
"Well said" Everett says I just nod, even if u had so much more to say
I have been back in one for a few days and I finally have the guts to walk out to town, it was like a whirlwind, I met the new mayor, I went out to speak to the crowd who cheered me like was king, I saw a huge different, we lost a lot of people maybe a quarter of our population, all my bullies dead
All my family dead
All the elitist dead, the mayor has new plans for the district and I was quick to jump on bored, we have hired a lot more new trainers abs a ex peacekeeper will be the manager of the academy, we took a page from twos book and will recreate the whole academy, not that I'm going to help with the planning, Jasper thinks I just need to relax and chill and get use to my new life, he has visited me every day, his really become like an older brother and I do appreciate it, maybe I have fallen into a bit of a depressed cycle
And I know I need to try and snap myself out of it before it's too late, locking myself in a dark room crying all day isn't going to do it, the district love me, and I have people I need to see need to thank, I need to get over myself, I did attempt to go down for a walk yesterday but I was mon by people wanting a autograph like I'm some sort of celebrity so I panicked fell down the stairs broke my ankle then had to go to Jasper for medicine
Even if a lot of the elitists are gone there are still people here who only care about victory, I don't want to be celebrity I don't deserve it so todays when I sneak out I make sure to where a cap and a pretty cool pair of sunnies as I just look at the address Jasper told me, I remember seeing how heartbroken Levin's family was during my victory tour, but I couldn't see them I just got too scared I became a coward so I ran like said coward but I know I need to speak to them I owe levin that he adored his family I need to make sure they are okay
Jasper said he has bought them a new house, has given them a,k the money they need and hired a cared but I know that's not enough and deep down I'm worried they may not be safe, that the whole loosing their brother in the games story will appeal to them
Levin should be here not me, if I just tried to find him then what?
We were both told not to find each other we knew it would just conflict, us it would hold him back I didn't expect him to allie with fucking Harley of all people and maybe deep down I'm a little hurt he didn't try to find me and chose to stay with that whack head, but he thought it would have help him, it helped him kill Kylian then he dumped him
Declan was almost unbeatable until I took the only thing he had left, until I took the one thing somewhat keeping him in reality without Aurelia he snapped he became so delusional, so out of it he was easily to kill but before that he was a face, they say insanity beats skill anyway I just walk down the street getting a few odd looks but that's one for you they just stare at you weirdly then walk away feels like I'm the same old Cedric
The one who always got odd looks I never stood out I had the district one typical blonde hair but I was made a outcast the district it feels happier, it almost feel foreign to me seeing where I use to live it's all gone, they were quick to clear it out I wish I knew what really happened, Jasper said everyone who's attack were young men, most have been killed a few are still on the run, I wish they can stop running yes they did terrible things but here I am having to walk around like some weirdo with sunnies I can't see through just so I don't get mob
I call over again fuck I can't see out of these things "Cedric is that you" Some old women says
"Cedric who" I say in some weird almost Russian accent, then I just run off, fuck Russian isn't even a country anymore but I don't know I am a bit scared to face people, I just walk to the house just taking my cap and sunnies off knocking on the door I see a peacekeeper watching from the distance maybe Jasper went a little over board I don't know why anyone would attack Levin's family but then I remember he was a hit man he would have a lot of enemies to be honest so yeah maybe peacekeeper dude is a good idea
I just salute at him as he salutes back, Jesus normally when I use to say hi to a peacekeeper they told me to fuck off, a lot of people did the door opens as a little girl just stares at me
Well this is awkward "Hi can I ah speak to one of your brothers" I say great now I can't talk too girls again can this girl is what 8
She just keeps staring at me like I'm some alien "Hey Ruby I told you not to open the door for-" telling by his age it's Braydon the oldest brother but his still only 15 they needed levin
"Oh it's you, hey Ruby go upstairs, come in" He says it isn't very welcoming though I don't know what I expected though I warm welcome
"Are you guys okay with all the protection" I say
"No but ah after learning your big brother is a hitman with enemies and that you have no one a peacekeeper is a bit of comfort" he says
"I'm so sorry I wish he was here and not me" I say
What am I meant to say to two teenagers and a child, oh sorry your brother is dead but here I can give you cash
"It's not your fault, I'm just it's hard because I idolised my brother he was my hero, ate all heroes killers" he says
"No but he wasn't a killer what he did was for you and your siblings, he didn't do it out of callous it's like how I killed the girl I loved because I was afraid to die" I say
"I'm just scared" he says I just grab his hand
"I know but you are safe now, and Levin he will be wanting all of you to be strong and as the older you need to just be there for them especially your little sister I don't feel like she understands" I say
"She doesn't we said that it was a Tv show and Levin is actor, that's why she was shocked to see you, I don't know how to tell her the truth" he says
"Maybe hold off on it for a little bit" I say
"It still won't bring him back, I thank you guys for the money and the house and the nanny but it won't bring him back" he says I don't know what to say so the only thing I can is just wrap my arms around him as he repays the favour
"I know and I'm so sorry but his watching you guys, he will be there up in the sky watching your achievement, watching you grow older and hope one day you can all fall in love and have children of your own" I say just pulling apart as I just rub his back
"Thank you normally the victors don't care about us, besides you and Jasper, after what happened everyone is scared" he says
"You guys didn't get hurt did you" I say
He shakes his head "Levin was able to buy us accommodation but it was on the outskirts what if I can't do what he did, I don't know what to do, I can't be a hitman" he says
"You wont need to be a hitman money isn't a issue, if you ever need anything my door is always open, maybe because I broke the lock but anyways, we can support like that and I mean I'm happy to talk but I wish I could bring levin back" I say
"I know can't thank you for coming through it means a lot" I say I just meet eyes with Jed who stands by the kitchen as he just runs off
"It's not you his been like that we had to tell him the truth, are we safe I can't loose anyone else" he says
I wish I could promise them that sadly we can't, we don't know how long the capitol are just going to be choosing tributes but I know it's going to be a while before it goes back to normal I wish it will it means we can choose who goes in but with the mentality changing do we really want to train kids for the hunger games
No I only trained because I was forced too not because I wanted too, I never wanted this
"I promise you I will do everything to make sure you are okay" I say he just smiled as Lucy runs back to me
"Can you please give this Levin when you go back on set" she says I just meet eyes with Braydon who looks heartbroken him self
"Of course" I say he just grabs Ruby hugging her as she just laughs but she doesn't realise her brothers sudden need for affection isn't to be loving it's heartbreak she draw him a letter and made him a bracelet
"I should get going" I say my voice shaking if I stay here any longer I'm going to burst into tears
"Thank you" Braydon says as Ruby giggles and laughs as u just walk out putting thr bracelet and letter in my jacket, as I put my cap and glasses back on
"If anyone gives then trouble tell me" I say
"Will do sir" he say of god the peacekeeper called me sir I just stumble into a bush trying to handle myself one job down
Now for the next, normally when I walked into throw cafe I just wanted to see Sarah but I feel like I need a break, it's Kenzo I want to see so I just smile when I see him through the window at his same sit reading tha paper as usual I know I will be plastered all over it and even if now I see a peacekeeper come towards me since walking around like this after the district was attacked isn't the smartest idea all it takes is for me to pull out my victors badge because we get a badge so honoured (not) he just steps away as I walk in the cafe
"Sorry this seat is taken" Kenzo says as I just sit down I just pull off my glasses
"Replaced me so quickly breaking my heart old man" I say
"Oh my boy" he says wrapping his arms around me as I just pats his back
"I really hope this seat isn't taken" I say
"Of course not only one dashing young man can sit in that seat" he says as I just smile at him
"Welcome back" I look up to see Sarah I'm not like love strucked anymore when she put the little heart chocolate with my coffee I thought it was because she loved me them I realise she gave it to everyone
I get ready to take my wallet out "It's on the house, victors don't pay for anything" she says
"Call this a tip then" I say just giving her about twenty notes if cash
"I can't take this" she says
"I'm a Victor I get what I want" I say
"Thank you so much" she says I just smile at her as she walks off
"You have grown up haven't you getting your first kiss has grown you a dick" he says
I just blush embarrassed "How are you though" he say
"Getting there it's a bit of a whirlwind of emotions right now to be honest, just shocked, and things seem to different" I say
My family are dead, everyone who bullied me dead, and I'm this celebrity even now I have people pointing at me as I just put my shades back on leaning back like a cool dude as my chair just topples back as some old women just hits me with her hand bag
"Ouch Jesus Christ women" I say
"Oh gosh I didn't know it was oh gosh" she says then she just runs out
"Some things don't change don't they" Kenzo laughs as I just sit back down
"I'm fine though what about you" I say
"I still see the suns and birds every day so I'm smiling" he says
I just pull out a envelope from my jacket "What's this" he says
"A thank you gift" I say he just opens it
"Cedric I can't take this" he says
"Money to buy yourself your own home so you don't have ti be in the senior centre with the wailing Karen's money to buy your self a carer and money ti make sure your happy and see the sun and birds everyday oh and to make sure we can have ihe daily coffee date" I say
"I watched the entire games, praying you wouldn't die, you are like the grandson I always wanted" he says I just rub his arm
"You are like the grandfather I always wanted maybe great your quite old" I say as he just chuckles and we just spend a few hours talking like old times I can actually concentrate on what he is saying since I'm not gawking at Sarah all the time
Once that was over I end up leaving putting my disgust back on I wonder if I should buy one of those stick on moustaches too fuck I wish I can grow a mo I looked this morning and had another chest hair I'm finally becoming a man
I just keep walking down the streets until I hear screaming in the alley way, as I see two peacekeepers standing over a boy no older then six just lashing at him with their whips as I just run over
"STOP" I yell
I just wince when one hits me with his whip "Stay out of this boy or you will join him' he snarls
Oh wait he doesn't know I'm Victor I just throw the hat and glasses off as they both looked shocked "You just harmed a Victor, that's a certain death isn't it lucky for you I'm generous, so leave this kid alone or I will go to the mayor right now" I say the boy just looks at me I probably should ask what's going on since peacekeepers don't around whipping teenagers every day we aren't a lower district
"This boy murdered Jacinta his lucky we are whipping him in public we were ordered to kill everyone involved in the riot" The peacekeeper says I almost laugh yes his well built but there is no way this kid could have killed a Victor he looks like he can't even harm a fly yet again look at me
I literally couldn't kill a fly before this I tried once ended up falling in the river
"And I over write anyone who ordered that, he belongs to me now so go off in your merry ways before I tell the high ups what you did" I say they don't need to be told twice as they sprint off
"Murdered a Victor hey, that's a big crime" I say
"I- I didn't plan too" he says
"Tell why you did it" I say I am curious, he is a murderer yet so am I
"I heard bullets coming from the centre I was one of the street kids, the real street kids the slums no one really knew it was real I heras a lot of the boys were going to finally make a attack on the district I was too much of a coward, until I heard gun shots and I saw Jacinta run out of the centre bleeding I felt anger, she was the reason my sister committed suicide she pushed to hard in training made to feel weak and worthless I lost the only person I had and was forced to fend for my self, so I took a rock and beat her to death" he says
He says it so naturally yet you can see how scared he is his trembling, I should hand him to the peacekeepers but I can't because I see a lot of me in him, yet he had the guts to stand up for himself, when I never did
"They caught you on camera didn't they" I say he just nods
I just put my hand out as he looks at me wide eyed but grabs it "You have any where to stay" I ask
He just shakes his head "Good because your staying with me now" I say, I don't know why I feel the need to protect him but I do, and j need comalny maybe having someone stay with me will help me
"You sure-" he stutters
"You technically do belong to me now since I saved your ass, but your not a murderer what you did it was hurt and anger I understand that better then anyone" I say
"Thank you" he says
"So what's your name" I say
"Colby" he says
"I think we are going to be good friends" I say patting his shoulder
I lost two of my best friends but this is the chance for a new life
A new Cedric