The clicking of Elsa's high heels announced her presence as she reentered Brutus' office. Once she reached her desk and set down the paperwork she had gathered during her brief investigation, she looked up to see Brutus slumped over in his chair.
God, I hope the old man's heart finally gave up.
"Brutus?"
Brutus let out a groan.
Ah, dammit. He's still alive.
"We were on such a good streak!" Brutus moaned as he sat up straight. "Fighters and mad men and then this lot. I think the only weapon our District Ten tributes have ever touched was a dinner knife."
"District Ten? Ah, yes, I remember them. I found them to be very charming." Elsa paused for a moment in thought before continuing. "Isn't that its own kind of weapon, though? Charm, I mean."
"I don't believe in that. Especially not with these two. Sure, charm is important for sponsors, but that's merely a fraction of the game. The majority relies on your strength and cunning… Maybe I have some faith in the boy, Tancredi. He at least has the build to maybe make something of himself if he spends his training right. That girl, though? Sierra? She's young. Small. Naive. It's almost a shame that she didn't have more time to grow into that pretty face…"
Elsa suppressed a gag at that last comment. Brutus always found a way to be a creep with the prettier female tributes. He was a creep around any pretty woman, really. Elsa knew that all too well.
"What District is next?" she asked, trying to get Brutus off the subject. "We must be just about half way through now."
"I don't care." Brutus looked down to his tablet and just clicked the next district in line: District 11. Two names appeared on screen: Catalina "Cat" Greyson and Jordan Sting. "The bar is low, you two! Even District 11 can't disappoint," Brutus sarcastically announced as he clicked the female tribute's name.
Catalina "Cat" Greyson, 15, District 11 (Submitted by ilovefanficton1)Cat's eyes darted all across the conveyor belt, an intense focus completely overtaking her. Cat was good at her job. Very good. She had been working on this apple tree orchard since she struck out on her own and had worked nearly every part in the harvesting process at some point. Once the apple were picked from the trees, driven out from the fields, and washed, they were put on a conveyor belt and scanned for imperfections. The Capital found fashion in everything, even their produce. Specially grown heart shaped apples were the current summer trend and the orchard Cat worked at was one of the few given a contract by the capital to produce such specialized fruit. It had to be exactly the right color, shape, and size. If it was even a single hue or centimeter off from perfect then the company could incur great losses. Although she knew the higher ups would never admit it, Cat was convinced that she was part of the reason the orchard even got this contract. Although their list of demands was enormous, Cat memorized them all. As manager of her section, she trained everyone on her special techniques to notice which apples were wrong and which were right before they even got to them on the belt. Productivity dramatically increased, but no one could quite beat her record. Her hands flew around the conveyor belt like lightning, expertly identifying the few perfect apples and setting them aside quicker than any other worker. Cat didn't mind the lack of recognition, however. She much preferred flying under the radar.
The blare of a whistle shot through the facility. A sigh escaped Cat's mouth as the conveyor belt was finally empty and coming to a stop. She wiped the sweat from her pale forehead and put away her smock. Normally, this first whistle of the day would just signal their lunch break, but today was reaping day, meaning all businesses were closed by noon. Cat clocked out and gladly started on her way to the boarding house she called her home.
The streets were alive with families spending some final time together and friends trying not to say goodbye. Despite all the chatter around her, Cat didn't say a word her entire trip home. She had no friends to walk home from work with and no family to greet her when she returned. Ever since her parents died and she became estranged from the remainder of her family, Cat found herself becoming a loner. It was quieter that way, so she didn't mind it- maybe even preferred it, actually. Despite her lack of support, she had a stable job and a good room at the boarding house. She was happy and deeply confident in herself and, to her, that meant far more than having family or friends.
Cat brushed through her tangled black hair until it shined. She then put on a simple, yet elegant light blue dress and snapped a bracelet with a shimmering golden apple charm onto her wrist. The dress she bought herself as a reward for getting perfect grades in her classes in school, and the golden apple bracelet was her first purchase using her new paycheck as manager. Satisfied with her appearance, Cat swallowed her anxiety about the reapings and slowly made her way to the center of the district. However, her journey was quickly interrupted by the sensation of cool steel against her skin.
"Why hello there, beautiful," a man's voice rang from behind her. An unknown figure approached Cat and placed his arm casually on her shoulders. His biceps threatened to squeeze tighter around her neck while his hand rested at the neckline of Cat's dress. She could feel something cool and metal concealed in his hands- perhaps a knife? "What's a beauty like yourself doing walking these streets? Maybe you should come with me and have some fun."
Cat took in a deep breath. Her face was stoic, calm, while her mind ran wild looking for possibilities. She knew men like this fed off their victim's fear. She knew she couldn't show him an ounce.
"No," she replied firmly.
"No?" the man spat back. "What do you mean, no?" He continued as he tightened his grip on her and pressed the metal object closer against her skin.
"If you're going to rob me or kill me, you're gonna have to do it here."
"Don't make me fucking drag you, doll. You don't want that, trust me."
"If you could have done that you would have by now. I'm small, barely average, and this short sleeve dress certainly doesn't give any illusion that I'm strong. So, clearly there's something stopping you from just taking what you want. Maybe it's that fake knife you got?"
"This shit isn't fake!" he snapped back.
"Please, I can tell the difference between a knife against my skin and some other metal. Besides, if it was a real knife, you wouldn't be hiding it in your hands like that… so, since you clearly can't drag me off, and I'm not dumb enough to come with you, you're just going to have to kill me right here… and may I remind you it's reaping day? Peacekeepers on every corner… And I'm fifteen, so, I'm sure they'll have quite a bit to say about someone trying to prevent me from getting to the reapings."
There was a long pause. Cat could practically feel the rage and confusion building up in her attacker's body. He stammered, desperately trying to come up with his next move, when suddenly, he released Cat from his grasp, turned around, and ran. Cat let out a sigh of relief, gave herself a moment for her adrenaline and fear to fade, and then continued on her way.
Jordan Sting, 18, District 11 (Submitted by wiifan2002)"Are you boys comfortable? Can I get you anything?" Ms. Sting asked with a warm smile as she entered the modest living room where her son and his friends sat.
Five teenage boys and one teenage girl sat around the room, talking and laughing. Jordan, who was sitting on the dirty and dilapidated sofa with the girl and another boy, looked up at his mother.
"We're all good, Ma', thank you!"
"Yes, thank you, Ms. Sting!" Madison also added.
"Alrighty then, lunch will be out in just a minute…" A nostalgic look flashed across Ms. Sting's face. She walked up behind the sofa and continued to speak. "And I also just want to thank you boys-" she paused and lightly squeezed Madison's shoulder. "-And you too, Miss. Madison- for being here for me and my boy today." She moved her hand to her son's shoulder. "Reaping days never get easier, especially when it's just me and Jordan, but you lot always keep my boy safe. Besides, company in the house makes it feel less dreary today!"
"Awh, Ma-" Jordan began before his mother cut him off by suddenly ruffling his short dreadlocks of hair and then leaning down to kiss the top of his forehead.
The boys laughed as a slight blush filled Jordan's dark-skinned cheeks. It was strange for them to see their leader show such innocent emotion. There is something very strange about seeing a man tie up a family or beat a man half to death one day, only to go to his home and watch his mother dote on him the next.
A distance ringing sound filled the air.
"Ah! There's lunch. I'll be right back!" Ms. Sting turned and headed out of the room, whistling a tune as she went.
Jordan smiled as he watched her leave. It was so good to see her full of life again after having been sick so long. It was still shocking to Jordan how well that cure worked.
Well, for how much money it cost me and how much work to took to rob those rich shits for it, it better have been a fucking miracle.
"Hey, throw me a smoke," Jordan said as he made eye contact and nodded at another boy.
"Sure thing, Boss," he replied as he took a packet of cigarettes off the table beside him and threw Jordan one.
Jordan caught it and grabbed his rusty metal lighter out of his pocket. Once it was lit, he put it between his lips and leaned back, relaxed.
My last reaping… Thank god I never have to go through this rich people bullshit ever again.
Suddenly, a shiver went down his spine. Eyes were on him, he could sense it. He glanced around. Madison, of course, was eyeing him with her big love struck eyes like always, but while that made him uncomfortable, the shiver was still there. Finally, he locked eyes with one of his crew who was sitting on a stool across from the sofa. He was looking at Jordan expectantly yet hesitantly, clearly debating if he should speak. Once he realized he had been spotted, he finally opened his mouth.
"So… Jordan."
"Soooo, what?"
"We still got a few hours before you gotta head to the reapings, right?" He leaned in closer and began to whisper. "I say we head out and hit that real gaudy looking house we were talking about up on Orchard Hill."
"Huh, I think I missed the meeting where they made you boss," Jordan replied with a half laugh.
"I'm not trying to step on your turf, I'm just saying… I heard they have a bunch of kids there in that family. Bet they'll be all busy with reaping shit. Probably can sneak right in and out, no even need for your… expertise."
"Drop it, buddy. If you think I'm missing out on spending time with my Ma on reaping day, you're sick in the head."
"I know, I know, it's reaping day, after all… but come on. These rich shits the Capital flooded our district with to keep us "lower folk" in line are ridiculous today. You know they celebrate this all those poor kids being sent to die! Maybe we could take what we get and give it to the families that get reaped from today. I say, if we really cared about rattling them, we'd strike now."
"Come on," Madison lightly interjected, trying to fuse the mounting tension. "Leave Jordan alo-"
Jordan suddenly sat up straight and leaned forward.
"You questioning if I care about this?"
"Well, yeah, maybe I am!" he continued, quite but firm, as Jordan continued to lean in closer. "What good are sitting here eating your mama's lunch when we could be out making a difference in our District- OW! SHIT!"
Once Jordan was as close as he could be to the boy's face without sitting up from the sofa, he took the cigarette from his mouth and flicked it. The embers flew and struck the boy in the face. When he flinched and brought his hand up to cover the light burns, Jordan quickly stood up.
"Don't you EVER question if I care!"
Jordan kicked the legs out from under the stool, sending the boy tumbling to the floor. Jordan leaned down so his massive 6'2 frame loomed over him.
"I care more about this district than you do, than any of you do, and way more than the Capital ever will," he spat. "After the all the work I've done stealing from the rich and giving it to the poor, I'm motherfucking Robin Hood." Jordan placed the cigarette back in his mouth. "And if you question me again, I'm putting my cigarette out with one of your eyes, got it?"
"Jordan?"
Jordan whipped his head up to see his mom standing in the doorway with a tray of soup and sandwiches.
"Are you smoking in my house again?!"
Jordan stood up and immediately put his cigarette out.
"Ah, yeah, Ma'. Sorry, Ma'."
"Yeah you better put that out! That'a boy. Now… who's hungry?"
The ReapingsCat stared up into the sky. Boredom had temporarily taken over her anxiety. The line to get into the reapings always took awhile, but this year it felt particularly long. She found herself wishing she had brought a book. To pass the time, she drew herself out of her spaced out state and began to listen in on the conversations around her.
"Yup, there's definitely more," some younger girls ahead of her mumbled.
"At least a dozen or so… but why? Did something happen?" another girl replied.
"Maybe it has something to do with that rich dude who died?"
"Wait, what rich dude?"
"You know, the one that got hurt in that home invasion? My dad said apparently he couldn't put up with his injuries anymore and died today."
Curious, Cat started to look around. The random tween girls ahead of her were right. There were significantly more peacekeepers this year than there had ever been- at least since after the first reapings post-rebellion.
So this is where they all were instead of making sure little girls didn't get robbed on their way here… But wait, I swear there weren't this many of them a minute ago… Why now? What changed?
"I still can't believe he did that," Madison grumbled as she and Jordan finally approached the line for the reaping area. "Where does he get off questioning you and trying to make plans for the group, anyway? You're a legend. A hero for our district!"
Jordan just shrugged as a reply. Madison always talked so passionately about him. Some might say it was just because Madison grew up in the same kind of poverty that he did and thus saw his actions of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor as making him some kind of legend. Jordan knew the real reason, though- she wasn't subtle about containing her crush, after all. While he didn't reciprocate, there was something comforting about her company. So many people that actually knew him feared him. It was nice to be around someone so sweet and delicate that still felt comfortable at his side.
"I really should give him a piece of my mind…" Madison kicked a rock in frustration as the two joined into the line.
Another shiver shot down Jordan's spine. He looked around and saw nothing but peacekeepers surrounding the line, almost forming a wall. It was a reaping in formerly one of the most rebellious districts, of course there were always plenty of peacekeepers, but this was ridiculous. This was… suspicious. Although they had visors blocking their faces from view, Jordan knew what that shiver on his spine meant. He was being watched.
The shiver didn't go away, not even when it was finally Jordan's time to have his blood taken. Once the little machine finished processing and Jordan's name flashed up on the screen, he couldn't help but notice the man operating it smile.
"Jordan Sting… you are under arrest for the invasion and robbery of the Appleson Estate and the murder of Evan Appleson."
"What did you just say?" Jordan blurted out, unable to comprehend what he just heard.
"We've been looking for you for quite some time, son," the man continued.
Fight or flight kicked in and Jordan began to turn to run, but he had forgotten the wall of peacekeepers that had now closed in on him specifically. He was trapped.
"Got a little sloppy on this last job, ey? Finally left behind enough fingerprint fragments for us to piece it together… Finally enough to catch Robin Hood," he chuckled, distaste at the nickname filling his voice.
Normally, Jordan was slick and calm under pressure. But now, with an arrest warrant practically shoved in his face, his heart beat went wild and his mind raced. He debated trying to charge through the line of peacekeepers. He was certainly strong enough to send a decent number of them to the ground… but would it be enough? This was the reapings. Every peacekeeper in District 11 and then some were present and poised to apprehend him. Jordan had a million close calls with the law over the years of playing Robin Hood… but this was it. He was cornered this time.
"It's such a shame the Capital refused to let us take you away before the reapings. I guess they don't want to take the honor of your last one away from you, huh?"
There it is. An opening. A crowd. I can escape this in there!
The peacekeepers closed in and grabbed Jordan at each shoulder. Cat watched from the fifteen year old section as the army of peacekeepers escorted him to the very front of the 18 year old section, clearly trying to make sure he was in plain view so he couldn't disappear in the crowd.
"I wonder what the hell that's about?" Cat mused to herself.
Before she had time to figure out any answers to her question, the Panem National anthem began to play. Propaganda droned on and a little girl soon took the stage. Making the District 11 escort a little girl the way the Capital punished District 11 for Rue. She was the symbol of innocence that finally helped launch the rebellion. In an attempt to erase her memory, the Capital made a little girl of their own the new symbol of District 11. It practically made Cat sick.
The little girl could barely reach the mic. Once she finally had it lowered to the correct height, she began to speak.
"Hi, District 11! I am so so excited today to announce the tributes for the 84th annual Hunger Games! Wow, isn't that such a big number?!" The little girl smiled and chuckled to herself childishly. "I think this year I'll start with the girls. A little help please, mister?" A peacekeeper came and picked the little girl up so she could reach into the tall fishbowl of names. Once she picked one out, he set her down and she walked back up to the mic.
"Catalina Greyson!"
The air left Cat's lungs. She shakily took in breath, trying desperately to figure out what just happened. Her name, said in front of her whole district, the entirety of Panem… After all life had thrown at her and all she had to conquer to survive on her own, there were few things left that Cat feared. The Capital, and their swift, unforgiving way of taking everything anyone has ever worked for or loved from them was one of them. The very thought of her name being read aloud in the Capital right now turned her stomach into a swirling pit. She knew she had to ignore the dropping sensation, however. She was a tribute now. It was not the time to give into her fears. Cat forced a brave look on her face and walked onwards.
Jordan was too focused on scanning every inch of the reaping area to even look at the female tribute as she took the stage. He memorized where every peacekeeper stood and every spot he thought there might be a weakness in the fence.
The peacekeepers to the left of the stage seem a bit on the scrawnier side. I could probably pick that one up and throw them. Once this thing ends I'll rush that corner…
"And now onto the boys!"
There has to be an exit backstage that might have been overlooked- and they'll be so busy making sure the new tributes also don't try and escape that maybe they won't be able to keep up with me.
"And the boy tribute is…"
The people will hide me. I just need to get back home. Then I can hide in the slums and-
"Jordan Sting!"
Well, fuck.
Jordan lit a cigarette.
Fuck.
Resigned rage filled him and a dark scowl overtook his face. Cat watched on as this hulk of a man stepped forward from the front of the crowd. While the majority of the crowd was silent, she heard some distant gasps and even sobs. Even stranger, she noticed some smiles amongst the more well dressed members of the crowd. The odd reaction made the gears in her mind turn.
Who in the world could this random kid be to cause such a reaction…?
Recognition suddenly flashed in her eyes.
Robin Hood…!
Jordan soon stood beside her and filled the already uneasy air on the stage with cigarette smoke. The child escort almost looked comical beside him as he practically doubled her height and tripled her weight. Meanwhile, Cat stood as an uneasy average between them.
"It's very nice to meet you two! You two tributes for the 84th annual Hunger Games!" the little girl said with glee.
With confidence, Cat stuck out her hand. Jordan slowly turned to her. Now that he was just looking at her, a fellow oppressed and poor member of District 11, he broke his dark scowl and slightly smiled. He shook her hand, and their fates were sealed.
Jordan Sting, 18, District 11The pair were led off the stage and into a back hallway. There, they were split up, with Cat being led into a room to their right and Jordan being kept in the hall. He was met by the peacekeeper who ran the identity check station. Unlike the other peacekeepers, he didn't where a mask that blocked his face. His strange expression was in full view. Jordan couldn't quite tell what the man was thinking. Part of him looking like he was gloating as he watched Jordan stand here, about to be led to slaughter. Another part of him looked frustrated, perhaps even disappointed.
"I guess you evade me yet again, Robin hood."
"Yeah. That's one way to say it," Jordan muttered back.
"It doesn't matter. You've gotten what you deserve either way. After all the homes you've ransacked and families you've traumatized, I have no doubt that you would be facing the same thing anyway; a death sentence." The peacekeeper sighed. "It's just a shame I can't be the one to deliver this punishment. I'll certainly enjoy watching it on the big screen, though."
People began to enter the hallway. Jordan watched as his mother was escorted in by a couple peacekeepers. Her eyes were bloodshot from tears and her sleeve was wet from wiping them away. Jordan hadn't seen his mother look so horrible since she was sick. Unfortunately, as soon as Jordan noticed his mother, the peacekeeper did too.
"No. I'm not letting you leave after all you've done to my District without getting a stab in." He looked to the peacekeepers who stood behind Jordan. "Escort him directly to the train."
"WHAT?" Jordan shouted.
"Wait! That's my boy!" his mother shouted. "I'm here to see my boy!"
"There's nothing to see here, ma'am," the unmasked peacekeeper replied with a sinister grin.
The other peacekeepers immediately grabbed onto Jordan and began to push him forward. In a blind rage, Jordan took his elbow and nailed one on his right straight in the neck. The peacekeeper on his left reached for his baton, but Jordan was quicker. He struck the side of his visor, aiming for where it would be covering his ears. With the ones at his side stunned, Jordan rushed forward and grabbed ahold of the maskless peacekeeper. They fought for control for just a few moments before Jordan managed to slam his head against the wall. With the three peacekeepers stunned, he rushed over to Ms. Sting who was screaming and crying. She only calmed once her son grabbed her hands.
"Ma', Ma', it's okay. I'm gonna be alright, Ma'."
"My boy…"
"I love you, Ma'. You know me. I'll come home and keep fighting for you, Ma', you know it!"
"I love you too, Jordan... I know, just please- NO! NO! LET HIM GO!"
Ms. Sting screamed again as the rest of the peacekeepers mobilized and grabbed onto Jordan. Finally, they overpowered him and dragged him off to the train.
Catalina "Cat" Greyson, 15, District 11Cat knew that no one was coming to visit her, so she used her time in the visiting room to recover from the shock. She was completely spaced out and oblivious to the growing commotion outside her door. She tried as hard as she could to shake away the pain, but she knew deep down, even if she had a lifetime in this room, she would never fully recover from something like this.
Being surrounded by so many peacekeepers, knowing they were right outside the door, filled her with fear. Something about those faceless visors and the humming of their electric batons always struck her with an unusual level of terror. Now, she was very likely going to be in close quarters with them for the rest of her life. A sad laugh tumbled out of her mouth. It was almost funny. So much had already happened to her. She had worked so hard to finally bring a sense of stability and confidence to her life, and now she was being taken to the one place in the world that could shake her. Of course, there was always the idea that she could survive the Capital and come back. Cat was a confident person, but not to the point where she could delude herself enough into thinking she could return without a doubt.
Tears began to stream down her face. She thought of her district partner. A legend in their district at just 18. A beast of a man who scowled in the face of the Games and the Capital. He was just one of the tributes other than herself she knew of so far. What were the others like? Were they like her partner: strong, experienced, and unshakable? Or were they like her: a normal little girl?
No. That's not right.
I can't think that way.
Cat quickly wiped away her tears. Her face began a slow, yet profound metamorphosis. It started by being warped with anguish and fear… and ended in firm glare, with confidence behind her eyes and intelligence behind her pursed lips.
Maybe I'm not the strongest in the world, maybe I've never fought anyone, but there is one thing I have in common with that… Jordan guy.
A peacekeeper knocked on the door and shouted, "Times up!"
I too am unshakable.
A/N: Thank you everyone for reading! And even bigger thank yous to ilovefanfiction1 and wiifan2002 for submitting Cat and Jordan. This was chapter was insanely fun to write and I really enjoyed playing around with the POVs and different personalities of these two awesome tributes. What do you guys think of Cat and Jordan? Who do you think will be the most unshakable in the end? Leave a review and let me know!
