Beyond The Pale

by Sleepstar of Shadowclan

"Future Generations will name them Tributes 69-92, but I'll never forget them" Long before The Hunger Games became the spectacle in Katniss' era, 17-year-old farmhand Horsa Georges would expect to live out his life on the family ranch. But when he is Reaped to represent District 10 in the 4th Hunger Games, he isn't sure of his chances. Can he return home or will he end up in a box?

9. Encouragement

Beyond The Pale Chapter 9

Horsa Georges, 17. Male Tribute for District 10 in the Fourth Hunger Games, afternoon of July 15th A:D:D 4

I looked at Harold's tear-stained face. "I should have saved her" he muttered, as I put a hand on his shoulder. "Harold?" I said, trying to catch the boy's attention

"What?" He looked up

"Listen. Claire isn't really gone." I whispered, trying to find words to comfort my ally, before silently holding out my hand. The boy from 12 grabbed onto it before standing up. "She's here" I put a hand to the boy from 12's head, letting it sink in, before going lower. "And here" I said, placing a hand to Harold's chest, firmly against his heart. "You've got something to fight for now." I muttered to the boy from 12.

"But it's so unfair to pit twelve and thirteen year olds against eighteen year olds"

"I know." I said kindly "Think about it, they're at peace. They don't have to endure any more of this torture."

"I guess you're right, Horsa. I will have to keep fighting, and hope District 12 gets a Victor this year" I wondered about who else have died.

"Both of us saw Riko and Taliesin's deaths, but the other Tributes that also died are Set, Alicia, Billy, Deborah, Danae and Emily" Harold recalled as he turned towards where Flora and Swift was as I decided to tell Barbara the news.

The next morning, I noticed that the bodies of the dead had been removed. Guess it's time to patrol, I thought as I grabbed my knife. Nearby, Barbara looked at Flora. "I feel so sorry for Harold. His District Partner's gone, killed by that mean boy from 1. She was funny" Barbara muttered as I joined Swift and Harold.

"There they are" I quipped to my allies as we spied on the Districts 1 and 2 Tributes. Oliver looked a bit uneasy, while Amethyst, Jack and Ursula was joking with each other and bragging about their kills.

"I got that crybaby from 3 and the loser from 8" Jack boasted

"I got the boy from 5" Amethyst replied

"I got that lumberjill from 7, the fisher from 4 and another crybaby from 8" Ursula sneered before continuing "And Oliver got the engineer from 3 and that redhead from 6"

"But at least I got that girl from 12. Hopefully her District Partner has lost heart now, which will make it easier for me to kill him. And to make his death a bigger show I will cut his heart out and show it to him before he dies." Jack announced as I felt my two allies crouch beside me.

"D-did Jack announce how he was going to kill me?" I heard Harold mutter in a low voice, incredulous that the District 1 boy would brag on how to kill a fellow Tribute openly, while Swift facepalmed at Jack's stupidity. Yep, District 1 aren't the brightest tools in the shed, I thought as the three of us headed back to where Flora and Barbara was, amused at how casual the Districts 1 and 2 Tributes announced their kills.

So yeah, District 12's hopes of a Victor rests on Harold. I would imagine Jack would boast about the Tributes he killed.