Chapter 17:

Isidore Tecne, District Three, Age 17

Victor of the 92nd Hunger Games

Isidore never imagined herself going into the games and she most definitely didn't imagine herself becoming a victor. There wasn't any future for herself in District Three that didn't involve her being miserable and forced to work in the factories making stupid technology for the Capitol. Anything to keep her family alive and food on the table.

And yet, here she is, one of the final two in the games. So close to escaping a future she never wanted, yet being forced into a new, harsh one. She knows already that she's never going to escape the memories of what she did in this arena. What she still has to do. But isn't being alive and haunted by memories of dead kids better than being dead at fifteen?

Maybe. Maybe not. But she was going to do her best to figure out what that life is going to be like. And then, she'll never have to worry about her family starving again or being unhappy because they're constantly working double shifts. And Markos will be able to stay in school as long as he wants to and get a better life for himself.

The thought of her younger brother being happy brings a small smile on her face as she enters the tall grass field that surrounds the cornucopia in a ring. She had fought for her own future up until now, but her final motivation to win will be helping her family.

Isidore pauses as the grass she's pushing aside brushes against itself, creating a beautiful chiming sound. How had she not noticed this before? Well, the only time she had been here was when she ran from the cornucopia and all she could hear was her heart pounding and people screaming as they were killed. Everything in this arena made some sort of noise when touched – she learned that the hard way when she stepped on a flower and it made a horrible screeching sound and brought a tribute towards her. But this? This was beautiful.

She sweeps out her left arm, hoping it wasn't some fluke. But she enough, it also makes a sound. Isidore's smile grows as she keeps walking, creating a beautiful melody as she makes her way to her final battle. She starts humming along to the sound, memorizing it for after she makes it out of the arena. For when she has the opportunity to finally compose music.

All too soon, she reaches the edge of the grass and can see the golden cornucopia glittering in the rising sun. Isidore takes a moment to appreciate the beauty of the sun rising, knowing she won't see it set tonight in the arena, or possibly ever see it again.

Before she steps out of the grass, she scans the open area, searching for any sign that her final opponent is here and just waiting for her to appear. But Rheana is nowhere to be seen, allowing Isidore to search the remains of the supplies for a better weapon to use in the final fight against the girl from Eleven. The large broken branch that she's used as a club has served her well up to this point, but Isidore would rather not take her chances in the final fight. She might not be smart like most of her District, but she certainly isn't dumb.

The supplies are thoroughly picked through but as she walks into the cornucopia, she can see a mace tucked away in the back of it. Of course it's still there. No one wants to risk messing up with clubbing someone to death when they can use a sharp sword instead. Well, no one besides herself. She grabs the handle, the grip almost feeling like it was meant for her, making her pause as she stares down at the mace, studded with sharp spikes.

Did they place this here just for her?

Maybe. Or maybe not. It doesn't matter, as long as it keeps her alive. As she exits the cornucopia, she tucks her makeshift club into her belt, keeping it just in case her new weapon sucks. And then, she stares around for a moment, wondering how long she has until she faces her final opponent and possibly her own death. But immediately she feels uneasy about her blindspots and walks to the side of the cornucopia, searching for a way to climb up it for a better vantage point. A few empty crates surround her and she quickly pushes them into a makeshift staircase, and then she waits.

Isidore waits and waits, muscles tense as she continuously circles around on top of the cornucopia, waiting for her opponent. Waiting for her chance to get out of this misery and home to her family. She's kept waiting until the sun is directly above her – damn Capitol and their need to sleep in. Can't they see that she's ready to get out of here? Finally, she sees some rustling in the grass, approaching her from the south. She hefts her mace up into a better striking position, bracing herself for this fight.

One more fight and then she's home.

And we have Isidore Tecne, Victor of the 92nd Hunger Games! Oops, forgot to post this last week lol, it's miraculous I remembered that today is Wednesday XD But anyways, there's Isidore, a victor we have seen before in Wayward! She's one of my fav tropes of victor that isn't the obvious winner at first but proves they have that drive to win. And yeah, this one is a little on the shorter side but I don't feel like going in and adding more to it lol. Apparently Wayward Era Me didn't write as much as I thought *shrugs*.

Again, not much else to say here. We'll see if I remember next week to post an update for this lol. Next up will be another new victor so see you whenever I next remember that it's Wednesday!