Hi, everyone! Before starting with this chapter, I inform you that the slots of District 12 are available again, so you can submit tributes. It might happen to District 7 as well, but I'm not sure, so I will accept submissions only for District 12 for the moment. I'll let you know.
Enjoy your reading :)
The day before the Reaping
Futaba Nakamura (15)- Citizen of District 6
My room is wrapped in darkness, the only source of light being the blue screen of my computer. I'm working frenetically, my fingers moving swiftly on the keyboard. My eyes almost ache due to the prolonged exertion. The ticking sound of the keys that I'm pushing gives a certain rhythm to my work. Maybe it's the only thing that keeps me awake. Actually, coffee stopped having an effect hours ago, and my mug is now left aside, half-filled. Not that I'm going to drink from it; I hate cold coffee as a matter of fact.
Suddenly, the door of my room opens and light comes in, almost blinding me. I shield myself by my arms.
"What are you doing?" asks an imperious voice.
I don't need my sense of sight to know that it's my uncle Akira. When my eyes finally grow used to the light, I lower my arms. My uncle is staring at me, his hands on his hips, and he has that expression on his face… that middle ground between concern and disapproval which makes me understand that he's about to scold me. How annoying! Why can't I have peace in this house?
"You should really be outdoors sometimes. You cannot waste your whole life before a computer screen!" he goes on.
"I'm not wasting my life," I rebut.
He sighs. "Oh, really? What are you doing?"
He has his usual, critical tone. Why does he always speak like that? He could stop stressing me sometimes!
"Nothing important," I answer, hurrying to close all my files… not that I think he can understand what I was doing, but better safe than sorry, right?
Shit! I almost made it! I'll need to start again!
"You'll get in trouble sooner or later, and you know it, don't you?" my uncle goes on.
His tone has slightly changed; now, he sounds more worried than critical.
"I was just surfing on the internet, it's not forbidden," I reply with a shrug.
It's the truth, in the end… well, not the whole truth, but a part of it.
"But it's what you search for that might be forbidden," he retorts.
"Whatever."
"Futaba, if they don't want us to have access to everything, maybe it's because..."
"… because they think it could harm them to some extent," I finish his utterance.
"Well, that's precisely why you shouldn't meddle in!"
Now, he sounds angry, but I'm not afraid of him.
"I know my stuff, don't worry," I say, trying to reassure him.
"Futaba, it's for your own sake, please…"
Now, he's practically begging me. I almost pity him.
I snort in response. "Okay, I'll do my best not to meddle in dangerous things, I promise."
I'm not going to keep my word of course, but a fake promise might be enough to calm down my uncle for a while. It's worth a shot, after all. If I find what I'm interested in, it will be a real turning point in the lives of both of us. What I search for are pieces of information… any kind of information, but especially what is kept hidden, because it could cost the reputation of someone important like a politician or a ringleader of some sort. Capitolites are particularly interesting in this sense. Under Snow's presidency, the ruling class was really corrupt and ruthless, and scandals were basically the order of the day. I contributed to the breakout of some of them myself. As an expert hacker, I know how to get it past firewalls, but it's not always easy of course, otherwise anyone could be a hacker. My idol was Beetee Latier: he updated the cyber defences of the Capitol and then used them against it. To be sincere, when my parents died due to the war, I would have applied to move to District 3, but then my uncle adopted me. If I had been completely alone in this world, it would have worked maybe.
"I'd feel reassured, if I didn't know you're a good liar," comments my uncle, crossing his arms.
Oh, you know me too well!
"And what you gonna do about all this?" I inquire.
"Say, have I ever been able to stop you?" he answers with a rhetoric question.
I smirk. "Not that I remember."
"Precisely."
"I haven't got anything- not yet, at least- if this makes you feel any better…"
He sighs. "Be careful, Futaba."
That said, he comes closer to me and adds, pointing at the tattoo I have on my neck: "This could be your… our ruin."
The tattoo in question represents a red-eyed, green snake that forms an s. It refers to my nickname as a hacker: SlyRubyEye.
"I'll leave you alone, but, before that, remember that you have an appointment this afternoon. Your psychologist won't be happy to know that you made no attempt to get out of your room," he says, changing the subject all of a sudden.
I snort in response. "He's not a real psychologist. Besides, I don't need his help," I rebut.
"We cannot afford an expert, but Mr. Rossi seems competent all in all. Whatever you like it or not, you need help, Futaba! It's not normal for a teenager to spend all her time indoor and without any social contact! That's non-negotiable!"
That said, he leaves the room, closing the door. I'm wrapped in darkness again. I immediately reopen my files- uh, all these switches from dark to light aren't good for my sight! I hope to find what I need. In my career as a hacker, I've never been able to threaten someone really powerful like the president of Panem. Snow knew how to protect himself, but what about the new president, Mr. Falcon Smith? He has presented himself as an honest man, emphasizing how he's exactly the opposite of his predecessor. But is it possible that he has no skeleton in his closet? I don't think so…
…...
The day before the Reaping
Ponce Rossi (18)- Citizen of District 6
I look out of the window, at the cloudy afternoon that looms over District 6. I feel so depressed at the moment, but I know it's counterproductive. Actually, I'm receiving patients who need psychological advice… as if I hadn't any problems myself. Well, I cannot be considered as a real psychologist, since I haven't graduated yet, but that's my dream, that's what I was born for. For the moment, I'm serving as a simple consultant in order to spare money to enrol at university. Many of my patients are the ex-patients of my father, who has retired. Actually, he's not that old, he could still work, but, after fighting in the war, he didn't feel like it, not with a crippled leg and PTSD. That's why my mother has to work full-time.
I hear a knock at the door that drags me back into reality.
"Come in," I say, while sitting on the chair beside the patients' couch.
A boy enters the room- tall, athletic, brown hair, hazel eyes.
"Good afternoon, Ponce," he greets me with a kind smile on his rosy lips.
"R-rodeo," I stammer, embarrassed.
I didn't expect to see him. I grab my agenda on the desk beneath. I always mark all the appointments on it. Is it possible that I overlooked his name? No way! Not his name!
"I have no appointment, if that's what you're looking for. I hope it's okay," he says, while scratching behind his ear.
Umm… a sign of embarrassment…
"Yeah, it's okay, you can stay. Please, take a seat," I reply.
I fetch my notebook and put away my agenda.
"What's the problem, Rodeo?" I ask him as soon as he lies on the patients' couch.
I'm trying to sound untroubled, but I have to admit that I'm quite curious and eager to help him.
"Maybe it's just a false alarm, but… I think… I suspect that my boyfriend is cheating on me," he explains.
"What!? No way!" I unwillingly reply, my pitch a bit higher than I intended.
Gosh! I spoke without thinking! Calm down, Ponce! You must look untroubled! You're NOT emotionally involved, okay?
Rodeo stares at me. "Is it so surprising?"
"It is," I admit, clearing my throat. "What makes you think that he's cheating on you?"
"Well, I'd say his behaviour. He has… a different attitude… yeah, a different attitude towards me: he's more detached now than he was when we got together."
I can tell by his tone that talking about all this is hard for him.
I try to console him: "It may happen in a relationship, but this doesn't necessarily mean that your partner is cheating on you."
"It's not just that. I saw him with some girls, and his attitude was… I don't know… what if he wasn't really homosexual? What if I was just- let's say- a sort of experiment, a new experience he wanted to have and now he was sick of me?"
"I don't think so, I know Ferrari very well, and he's not like that. In any case, the best thing to do in such cases is talking face-to-face," I say, even though my recent experience can prove that I'm wrong about Ferrari.
Actually, when I confessed to him that I'm in love with Rodeo, he did not hesitate to take him away from me, and since he's far more self-confident and audacious than I am, he even succeeded. I thought Ferrari was my best friend, and I was really mad at him and envious of his relation to Rodeo, but now? What do I feel now? I feel so outraged by Rodeo's revelation that I could storm out of the room and seek Ferrari just for the pleasure of punching him in the face! However, I must be professional, so I keep my feelings inside. Rodeo needs my help, and I'll do my best to fix things.
"I don't even know how to introduce the subject," he rebuts, forlorn.
"I could organize a meeting… maybe tomorrow, after the Reaping… with the excuse of celebrating the fact that we will be no longer eligible. What do you think?" I offer.
In response, he gets in a sitting position. "Would you really do it?"
Looks like he has regained hope, even his wonderful eyes light up. It really warms my heart, but it's a bittersweet sensation.
"I'd do anything for you… for you two," I state.
Rodeo hugs me. "Oh, Ponce! Thank you very much! You can't imagine how much this means to me!"
No, I can't. But I know what it would cost me, if I succeed…
He leaves some money on my desk. "Have a nice day!" he says eventually, while taking his leave.
Luckily, I have no time to think of how self-sabotaging I am, since my next patient is already here. It's a girl- fifteen years old, almond-shaped eyes, long, dark hair, slightly olive skin. Her name is Futaba Nakamura, and she's one of my regular patients. She spends all her time indoors, glued to her computer screen. She doesn't even go to school. She seems almost… I don't know… afraid of being outdoors, or maybe she simply doesn't care. In any case, I want to know why.
"Nice to see you, Futaba. So, have you been outdoors recently?" I begin.
"I made the effort to come here. Isn't that enough?" she rebuts with a shrug, while taking her seat.
I sigh. Futaba is always so sullen! Okay, this gonna be a loooong appointment…
…...
Present day
Futaba Nakamura (15)- Citizen of District 6
My uncle comes to wake me up early this morning. He opens the curtains of a sudden, letting in the daylight. I groan in response and pull up the blankets, covering also my head. But my uncle clearly doesn't want to let me sleep, since he pulls the bed sheets back. Uh, I hate daylight! Honestly, I see myself as a nocturnal creature.
"Wake up, sleepyhead!" he urges me.
I groan again. "It's Reaping day. How can you be so enthusiastic?"
"I'm not enthusiastic about the Reaping itself of course, but today you'll go out a bit at least, since you have no choice," he explains.
I snort.
"Come on, breakfast's ready!" he adds.
I get out of bed and dress up- a grey hoodie, a black T-shirt, a pair of ripped jeans, and my wonderful, white sneakers. I comb my long hair in a ponytail. No make-up, no jewels, just I, and they'd better be content with that. Once ready, I join my uncle in the kitchen.
When he sees me, he immediately complains about my outfit: "Futaba! You cannot go out dressed like that!"
"Of course I can, and I will. This is it or nothing," I reply.
"That's disrespectful!" he insists.
"This is just your opinion," I retort.
He sighs. "Please, try to behave well at least today."
"Today is a day like any other… or maybe not. After all, today they will remind us of how powerless we are, of how much we deserve to be punished for rebelling. My parents died by them, and you still think that we should show respect…"
"I'm just careful, I don't want to draw attention. But you don't care at all, right? You seem to like dangers, but you never think that your actions could hurt those who love you…"
I'd like to rebut, but the words don't come, so I just sit at the table and have breakfast-toasted bread with jam and butter- in silence. My uncle keeps quiet as well. After finishing breakfast, we head to the main square for the Reaping (always in silence). Since we live nearby, we can go by foot. Once there, I present myself to the peacekeepers then join the fifteen-year-old section. I'm looking forward to coming back home! I hate being outdoors, and it's not a psychological problem as my uncle and Ponce certainly think. I don't feel secure outdoors, not after my parents died there, that's it.
My thoughts are interrupted by the escort's arrival- a man who's wearing a black top hat with a sort of silver cogwheel attached on the left, aviator glasses, a black redingote that seems to be made of feathers, black trousers, and boots. His name is Angel Storm, a known face in Six.
"Good morning, District 6! Welcome to the Reaping of the 76th annual Hunger Games! I think that we can skip the reading of the Treaty of Treason, because we all know why we're here, right?"
That's an unconventional beginning! Not that I'm complaining.
"There's great enthusiasm about this edition in the Capitol, we have also a new Head Gamemaker, so let's call the tributes of this year onstage!" he goes on, while he's moving closer to the girls' ball.
Everyone in the square is holding their breath.
"Futaba Nakamura!"
"WHAT?" I immediately shout.
The crowd around me parts. Now, I'm in plain sight. I'd like to run away, but I know that it wouldn't work. It wouldn't be the first time a tribute tries to escape, but they always catch them, so what's the point of running away and making yourself look ridiculous on camera? I have no choice but leave my section and mount the stage.
"You look quite puzzled, dear," comments the escort, once I stand next to him.
"Maybe I've got something better to do than making a school trip to Capitol City," I rebut, annoyed.
"Ahahah! A school trip! Very funny! Does anyone want to volunteer?"
No answer.
"It's boys' turn, then… Ponce Rossi!"
Ponce!? Oh, great! I really needed a psychologist as my district partner!
I cannot help but widen my eyes when I see him. His outfit is so ridiculous! Who does he want to impress? He's wearing a red shirt, black trousers with overalls, dark shoes, a blue beret, and a blue bowtie.
"Volunteers?" asks the escort.
No answer.
"Very well, then! It seems that we have a pair of peculiar tributes this year, Futaba Nakamura and Ponce Rossi! Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favour!"
We enter the Justice Building immediately after the Reaping. The waiting room where visitors can come to say goodbye is basically an empty room with just a pair of couches. I sit on one of them, waiting for my uncle. I know he will come, but I don't know what to tell him. My expectations are quickly satisfied, in fact. My uncle enters the waiting room with reddish eyes. At first, we just stare at each other. I'd like to say something, but I'm still offended since our argument of this morning.
Ah, to hell with pride! It could be the last time I see him!
I get up and approach him. "I'll do my best to win, I promise," I say, embarrassed.
Definitely a cliché, but what else could I tell him, after all?
He hugs me in response. "First your parents, and now you…"- he sighs- "…it's so unfair! Haven't we suffered enough? I can only imagine how disoriented you must be at the moment, Futaba, but, believe me, I'll be supporting you. I know it's hard for you, but you need to socialize, to find some allies… Ponce could help you…"
I break his embrace, thus interrupting his speech. "I can do better on my own, but I'll try to join an alliance, if this can reassure you."
"It can, thanks. Surround yourself with people you can trust. I know there's no need to say such things, you're a smart girl, you can understand them by yourself, just…"
"I'll be careful, don't worry."
At this point, a peacekeeper enters the room to tell us that we ran out of time.
As my uncle is being escorted off, he says: "Remember that I love you, Futaba!"
"Me too," I reply.
Now, I'm alone, but I don't mind. Better alone than in bad company… and this applies perfectly to the Games. My uncle told me to find trustworthy allies, but who can I really trust? The answer is nobody. Once in the arena, my fellow tributes will all try to kill me, even Ponce. I'm sorry for my uncle, but I'm not going to join any alliance… not for real at least, but I might pretend. I can try to be friendly, but just to find out the weak points of the other tributes. There will be no friends in the arena, just enemies. Who knows? I could make it, but I must be careful; information may help, but it might turn out to be a two-edged sword too.
…...
Ponce Rossi (18)- District 6 male tribute
This could be a pleasant family meeting, if it weren't for the Hunger Games, if it weren't for the fact that my father cannot be here with me because of his syndrome. Being all three together- my parents and I- is such a rare event! Now that I'm a tribute, it could never happen again. But if I won, things would be different. I would concretely be able to help my family, and this fact consoles me a bit. There is still hope.
"Oh, Ponce! My Ponce! Please, do your best to come back home! I wouldn't stand to lose you!" says my mother, while she's crying and hugging me like tomorrow doesn't exist.
"I'll do my best, mum," I reply, crying even more than she.
"You're a good boy, but I don't know if goodness is useful out there… just try not to lose yourself, okay? Your family will always love you, whatever happens," she goes on.
"Thank you very much. Your support is important, it will give me my strength there. But you'll need to be strong as well, mum. What will you tell my father?"
She breaks our embrace and wipes away her tears. "The truth, Ponce, what else? It would be worse, if he found it out himself, right? We cannot afford a real expert yet, but your father will need to face the fact that his son is going to the Capitol sooner or later. I'll tell him what happened at the Reaping, and I'll help him overcome this bad time along with his doctor. But you don't need to worry about all this, Ponce, I want you to focus on the Games, okay?"
"When I win, I'll take him to the Capitol to heal, I promise!"
She smiles in response, but it's a sad smile. "You're a good boy, my son, you're a good boy," she repeats, almost whispering.
After she's gone, Rodeo visits me. Rodeo but not Ferrari.
"Oh, Ponce! I'm so sorry for what happened! If only I volunteered!" he says.
I shake my head. "I wouldn't let anyone volunteer for me, especially not a dear friend," I rebut, putting my hand on his shoulder.
Maybe it's a bit too audacious. Ah! Why am I not so brave on other occasions?
"If there's something I can do for you, please tell me," he continues in a pleading tone.
Clearly, he feels guilty, even if he's blameless.
Oh, I feel so bad for him! Please, Rodeo, stop it!
"Hey, you came to visit me, that's the best thing you could do. It's me who should apologize, by the way: I promised to help you with Ferrari, but I won't keep my word."
Yeah, that's what I promised him, but I secretly hoped to fail, I secretly hoped to use this situation to share my feelings with Rodeo. I know I should feel guilty for this, but in fact I don't at all. Ah! What's wrong with me?
"It's not your fault, Ponce. I know that if you could, you would help me even right now," he rebuts with a slight smile.
Now or never… no, Ponce, you cannot confess your feelings now, it would be just cruel!
"You're a dear friend, Rodeo, I really wanted to help you. I hope you'll manage to fix things," I say despite myself.
I'd like to bite my tongue!
"When you come back, everything will be okay, I promise," he replies.
"I hope so."
"Don't think of me and Ferrari, think of yourself now. I know you'll fight hard. This is not a farewell," he says with the most tender smile I've ever seen.
I nod in response.
When Rodeo leaves me alone, I feel relieved, because I didn't mess up things, but I have a heavy feeling at the heart as well, because this could be the last time I see Rodeo, and I cannot accept it.
So, another Reaping done, other two tributes introduced (both by santiagoponcini20). I have to admit that I like these two especially for their background… complicated stories behind them and interesting personalities. If you had to choose the winner between them, who would you prefer?
As for my next updates for this story, I will skip District 7 for the moment, because its submissions are still incomplete. I wrote to the tributes' creator, and I'll let you know. Anyway, I will present the remaining districts in this order: 8, 9, 10, 12, 7 (if the creator doesn't answer before I finish Twelve, District 7 will be available again).
Thank you a lot for reading! I'll be waiting for your submissions!