Author's Note: Back to a district where not very much is expected of them and with a different kind of victor to those they already have.

….

The Ninety-Second Annual Hunger Games: Bram Tolliver, District Six (15)

Everything had changed and he no longer recognised the world he lived in. District Six on its worst days could have been his arena and he didn't know what to do with himself.

Bram Tolliver had emerged from the ruined, burnt-out city aged fifteen after pushing his luck to its limits. He had killed indirectly and did not know it until he asked his mentor what had happened and later watched the recap in front of the entire country. Everyone knew more about his Games than he did. He had heard the cannons fire but did not know he was the cause of them until he was congratulated for his ingenuity.

He cut the brakes of an abandoned vehicle that Nine's girl tried to use to escape the volunteers and she crashed violently into a burning building and died. He poisoned some of the food supply he had been collecting and left it out and the boy from Twelve, already desperately hungry upon entering the arena, ate the lot and he died too.

His only face-to-face kill was during the finale. He wielded a sawn-off pipe and a knife gifted to him through Poppy and somehow left the arena alive. Only he had blood on his hands and sat on the floor crying as he was lifted from the arena.

He woke up crying too. He saw his mentor's face as he was carried through the tribute hospital and felt her squeeze his hand before he was sedated. Bram called for Poppy once more as the sedatives wore off and he found a bewildered Cameron sitting alongside him whilst Poppy did the media rounds.

As his crying worsened, two women he did not recognise rushed in, hurried Cameron out of the way and tried to soothe Bram. He later learnt they were Halley and Cecelia, two of Poppy's closest friends. They assured him she would be back soon and that two men called Linden and Blight had gone to find her.

Poppy returned as they promised, and he stopped crying until he fell asleep once more. He didn't know why his mentor brought him the comfort she did, but Bram supposed it was because she helped him when nobody else could. She was his lifeline and helped him survive. Poppy was from home and wanted him to come home with her alive.

He heard the now familiar voices of Poppy's friends as he began to stir. Bram knew they were talking about him, but he didn't fully understand what they were saying.

"I don't think you've got a Cotton situation," Cecelia said.

"He's talked to me coherently and I've been able to reason with him."

"He responded to us when you weren't here," Halley said. "He's not lost to reality."

"He's fifteen."

"I think that might be it. It wasn't a win like Finnick's, Linden's or Beetee's either so it must have come as a total shock."

"He should still meet them. They'll understand in a way we don't."

"Charo and Adan might be able to help too," Cecelia added before whispering, "Don't remind anybody here of it but Rosa is Bram's age. They'll get it."

"Claudia and Levi might have got it too. But it's been years since I lost them and the first time in years, I've needed their help. Cameron played my game. Bram played their version."

"He's more like you than you think, Poppy. He might not have charged the volunteers like you and Cameron, but he sought to kill more than Claudia or Levi. Cutting the brakes and poisoning the food wasn't a fluke."

….

It wasn't long before Bram was introduced to more victors. He was quickly discharged from the tribute hospital, leaving on his feet, free from the influence of medication, arm in arm with Poppy.

He spent the first night with just Poppy and Cameron. His escort and the stylists tagged along but Poppy and Cameron didn't like them, so they soon left. Bram decided he would be civil to them but if his mentor didn't have much time for them, he decided he didn't need to either.

He would have to get used to living alongside Poppy and Cameron. They asked him about his family, but Bram didn't know what to say. He had his parents, a brother and a sister but nobody expected him to come home. He didn't know what they would do when they were reunited. Bram assumed they would move to the Village with him, but he could not be certain.

The Capitol had announced that due to Bram's youth, he was being provided extra time to recuperate and adjust to his sudden celebrity status before the victory events. Bram did not know whether that was because the Capitol thought he was weak. But Poppy assured him that other victors had still been in the hospital at the same point so this quiet time would be no longer than the recovery time for many of the others.

She was determined to use the time positively and to begin Bram's adjustment to his new life. Throughout the time in the Training Centre, all they could hear was people in the streets chanting his name and Bram was utterly confused. But the curtains remained shut so he could not see his face plastered across billboards and Poppy and Cameron kept a constant stream of music playing to try to drown out the sound from outside.

Bram also realised that the other victors were noisy. His first impressions were that they were peculiar, and he had no idea where he would fit in. He had lived a quiet childhood. He was never in trouble, his family were poor, but they kept their heads down. They didn't have much so he read the same books repeatedly until he could borrow something else from a friend. He had also kept a journal and Poppy immediately encouraged him to continue writing. Formulating and expressing emotions would help his recovery, or so she said.

But his interests were mundane compared to those of the other victors he met. Cecelia and Calico were running a successful fashion business and were using the time to promote their new collection. Halley had a bizarre enthusiasm for pyrotechnics and pulled off a firework display from the Training Centre's rooftop in his and District Six's honour.

The victors from Seven seemed to be great friends with Poppy so were an almost constant presence on his floor. They were loud when they were together, and Bram found that he had to escape into his room when they were having drinks after dinner. He couldn't think straight with all the noise, so he took to writing down his thoughts.

He couldn't think that he was a victor. They all moved with confidence he did not have. Bram felt like he had no clue how to behave in front of them or how he should present himself in front of the Capitol. He wrote it all down like Poppy suggested and decided to speak to her later. She knew exactly what she was doing.

His thoughts were interrupted by one of the women from District Seven walking into his room and sitting beside him. She introduced herself as Fern, Linden's victor and promised not to read what he was writing.

"We're victors, we all have secrets. You're allowed your privacy with us. You won't get much with the Capitol for a while."

"I don't feel like I have any privacy now."

"We're a lot when we're together, I know that. Us Sevens are loud and often drunk in the Capitol. There are lots of people coming and going because they like Poppy and she's got another victor. That already stands you in good stead, but not for having time to yourself."

Bram just nodded as Fern continued, "I think people will like you anyway, you won't have to try too hard with any of us. You seem like a good kid and believe it or not, victors like nice people. Probably because so many of us aren't the nicest people. We need someone else to balance it out."

"Poppy and Cameron have been nice to me."

"They will have. You're their kid now. But we're an interesting mix."

"I think I've figured that out."

"Well, you've met Halley. She's nice most of the time, but she has her moments. I have mine. Linden has his. Cameron has an angry side which he'll try to hide from you. Everyone knows about Johanna's not-so-nice side."

"I don't feel like I'm a very nice person now."

"I don't think anyone does after they've come out. You won't for a while. You've killed people and you've got to wrap your head around that. You're fifteen too. I was sixteen when it happened to me, so I get it more than most."

"I didn't want this to happen."

Fern laughed, "None of us did. The volunteers have to do a lot of convincing themselves and the victors a lot of manipulating to get them there. But you got in there and did what you had to do."

"It sounds strange, but I never wanted anybody to die."

"You didn't cut those breaks or poison that food to help people."

"I know. But I didn't want to kill them."

"You still did it and that makes you a victor. I did it and hated it, but it got me home. You're going home too, that's what matters."

"I guess so."

"It will take time. Now I'm going to have another drink. Up to you if you join us."

Bram joined the other victors gathered on Six's floor and tried to take comfort in what Fern had told him. She was straight-talking but fair in her assessment of his new situation. He would have to adjust and accept that it would take him time.

After Seven's victors left his floor, he was joined by the three victors from Ten. Poppy was especially keen to introduce him to Santiago, who had only won two years previously. He was also the gentler, calmer type and his mentor thought it would be a useful connection. Poppy left Bram with Cameron and Santiago and spent time with Charo and Adan alone, returning when the food Ten's victors had ordered arrived.

The food came straight from their restaurant that had opened in the Capitol a matter of weeks ago. They had ordered menu items that most resembled what they served in Ten and Bram had the most enjoyable meal of his time in the Capitol. Avoxes arrived with burgers, chips, milkshakes and ice creams and Bram was genuinely happy for the first time in weeks. It was food he enjoyed that he barely got to eat at home and was something he understood, not like what the Capitol served.

To his surprise, Ten's victors had also ensured the avoxes had something to eat and Bram was reassured by their kindness. Some victors had not lost their former selves, remained connected to their old lives and had not sunk into anger and aggression. He supposed that was another reason why Poppy was so keen for them to meet.

Everything he did before the crowning ceremony was because Poppy wanted him to or thought it would be good for him. He followed her instructions because he believed she knew what she was doing, and he would not have known what to do with himself if he declined. Cameron also left him with the impression that there was no point in refusing to follow Poppy's directions. It was obvious from looking at their relationship that he did everything she asked of him too.

The night before the ceremony saw Bram involved in another of Poppy's missions. He had left his room for dinner and found the table set up with Finnick, Linden and a man Poppy introduced as Beetee. Cameron was nowhere to be seen and Poppy told him he had gone to see Antigone from District Two and he ought not to ask anything else about it.

He was confused but before he had time to consider it, Finnick started speaking, "Welcome to the club, my boy. You're part of the elite now."

Bram had no idea what to say so let Four's man continue, "Your esteemed mentor thought this little set-up would be a good idea, so you could see just how special you are."

"What Finnick means is that Poppy wanted you to know that you aren't alone," Linden cut in.

"But also, that you've managed something remarkable. You can see from the number of us here that a victor under the age of sixteen is statistically a rare phenomenon," Beetee said.

"And victors under fifteen even more so. I'm unique. Almost thirty years later and nobody else comes close," Finnick said.

"Enough now, Finn," Poppy chided. "But they're right. I wanted you to be aware of the position you're in. Flickerman will talk about it tomorrow. But importantly, they've done it, managed it all younger than nearly everyone else so I thought they might be able to help."

"When's your sixteenth birthday?"

"Not until March," Bram replied.

"That still means Beetee's second youngest. He's proud of that," Finnick said.

Sensing that Bram would be okay with the now much older victors, Poppy took her meal to the sofa to listen in and supervise from a distance. Finnick might have a little fun but she could trust Beetee and Linden to keep a rein on the conversation so she could have a moment to herself.

"They'll ask you about your age tomorrow night," Linden said. "I'm the last one to have got out at fifteen and that was fifty-one years ago. They'll make a big deal about it."

"Just act like you care," Beetee replied. "Your head will be spinning but they won't want to see that. Smile, wave and answer Flickerman's questions without looking like you want to slap him off the stage."

"I didn't expect that from you. You're nice to him compared to me!"

"I'm diplomatic. You Sevens should try it sometime."

"Bram, just get through the next couple of days and you can go home and figure everything out," Finnick said. "Remember you'll never be as famous as me, so you won't have to worry about the attention too much."

"He always has to ruin a sensible comment," Linden rolled his eyes. "But he's right. Is there any family at home who will stick around?"

"I'm hoping they will."

"Most people's families do, so I'm sure you'll be fine, Bram. You'll have Poppy, Cameron and his mother and sister too. You won't be alone, and someone will always be there to help. I relied on my parents as well as Liev and his father."

"Spend your time before the Tour getting used to everything. You're still a kid, you'll still be fifteen by the new year. But you won't feel like a child when you get home and I imagine you don't now," Beetee said.

"I don't know what to feel. I'm confused. I just didn't want this to happen."

"None of us did. But you have to deal with the hand you've been dealt."

"You did what you had to do to get out. There's no shame in that and the more time you spend with us, you'll realise it."

"You're a victor. Fifteen or not. That's what Linden is really saying," Finnick added.

"In a roundabout way. But get your head around having survived and then figure out the rest. The good thing about it is you can spend time sorting your mind out in a house that has heating, reliable running water and a proper oven."

….

Once he had returned home, Bram realised the only good thing about his new life was the comforts Linden had mentioned. As soon as he was back, he realised District Six reminded him of his arena. A grey cityscape with the smell of smoke and chemicals. Now and then buildings caught fire and it was too much too soon. Poppy realised, noted the hitch in his breath and the tears that had started to fall and tried to hurry through the welcome interview. She and Cameron paraded around the platform and the stage built for the occasion in victory, raising their arms and raising Bram's arms before hurrying him towards the Victors' Village where they could get indoors.

He cried the second he was alone with his family and his mother held onto him for hours. None of them had expected to see him alive again and the entire experience had been shocking. He was still fifteen-year-old Bram Tolliver, but he had grown up in ways they could not understand, not least because Bram did not understand either. They had watched their youngest child kill three others and return home traumatised.

Bram felt like he was walking on eggshells around his family, and he knew they felt the same around him, unsure what would trigger another round of upset, given so much already had. He wasn't quite prepared for how much returning home would unsettle him. He wanted to leave the Capitol but Six, in the middle of rising tensions, was too much like his arena and he did not want to be there either.

He remained in the Village and enthusiastically tended to his new garden. He wrote in his journal and tried to find peace in his life and make his part of Six nothing like the grey surrounding him every day and in his nightmares.

Nobody in his house was getting much sleep. The nightmares woke Bram every couple of hours and his family with it. He spent three nights a week with Poppy and occasional nights at Cameron's home to provide his family respite from his screaming and crying. He felt guilty but they told him not to worry, even though his suffering was taking its toll on them too.

He heard Poppy talking about his ordeal to Cameron as they tried to help his family help him.

"He's fifteen, he needs time to adjust. He's got to grow up whilst all this is happening to him."

"What's your plan for the Tour and the next Games?"

"He stays with me on the Tour and doesn't leave our sight in the Capitol. He doesn't mentor even though the Capitol might ask for it. Most victors aren't children, they're nineteen when they first have that experience. It's the earliest Bram will mentor."

"At least we don't have to worry about him attacking the Capitols. He's a far cry from me in my first years."

"You're chalk and cheese, so it's a new challenge for me."

"You mean to say you're making this up as you go along! You look like you have everything under control."

"Cameron, Bram is different to us. We'd been living as adults for years when we were reaped. He's fifteen, only just started work and he's the youngest sibling. Not to mention, he played the Games differently from us. We need to learn him like he needs to learn us. Being a victor will be something different for him, for now at least."

"We all need time."

"Correct. We're going to give Bram that time too."

"You made me catch up on school."

"Bram will be doing the same. His siblings too if I can persuade them."

"Not sure how well that will go, but you can try."

"That's all I can do. It's new territory but Bram is a genuinely nice, thoughtful boy and I'd like to keep it that way and see how he develops."

A few nights later, Bram couldn't sleep and went to sit outside in his mentor's garden. Poppy soon followed, entirely attuned to her victor's movements in her house.

"You were talking to Cameron the other day," Bram started.

"I thought you might have been behind the door. But there's nothing I didn't mind you hearing."

"So, I'm going back to school?"

"You'll catch up from where you left in your own time, in the Village. Physically going back to school would cause too much of a fuss."

Bram sighed in relief.

"I wasn't going to make you walk through Six, sit in school and walk back with the other kids. Not knowing how being back here isn't exactly helpful."

"Do you think I'm weak? I know I'm not like you or Cameron."

"No. You survived the damn Games. Nobody weak does that. You played it differently, but we still got the same result. I think you're a child and there's nothing wrong with that. Beyond the Games trauma of course, but we all have that. It just shows in different ways."

"The others seem so confident."

"I'm deliberately manically busy all the time to prevent a breakdown. Cameron has angry, aggressive episodes. Johanna has built walls around her, Linden can be prone to paranoia, and Halley hardly sleeps. It's hard to find a victor who doesn't have nightmares, we just live with it."

"They won't go away?"

"They might do. They might change or fade and you'll figure a way to work through it. But like everything else, that takes time and that's what I want to give you. Finnick had time with his grandmother and the other victors dedicated to preparing him for everything that comes with being Finnick Odair. Beetee had Pluto's strength and combined knowledge levels to find a new purpose. Linden had the protectiveness and love of his family. They won at the youngest ages but they're some of the best at handling everything because they had time."

"That's your plan for me."

"Yes. I don't know what every stage of the plan looks like just yet. We're going to figure it out, all of us."

"I think we can work with that. I'm trying to cry less and will try whatever you think is helpful."

"Cry all you want whilst you're in Six. We don't care. It worries your parents but that's only natural. Your brother and sister want to protect you, but they don't know how."

"I think I need to protect them. From me, from the Capitol now they can watch us. I think they've put cameras in the house."

"I'm pleased you've figured that out. We can rip out those cameras once they've had their fill of watching you play happy families. But no Bram, they don't need protecting from you. You aren't a danger to them. You would live with me if you were."

"You want to protect me, don't you? Like you did when I was in the arena."

"More than when you were in the arena. It gets real when you come home and besides, I know you properly now, more than just knowing you as my tribute. I'll protect you until you tell me to stop."

"Has Cameron told you to stop?"

"Yes, but his mother hasn't told me to and she's the sensible one."

"So even if I tell you, you don't need to protect me, you still will?"

Poppy laughed, "You understand more than you let on. If you think I'm smothering you, tell me, and I'll ease off. But I want to protect you like I do Cameron. You're my victors and I take mentoring seriously."

"Who protects you?"

"That's a conversation for another day, Bram."

"I've seen the way Linden looks at you."

"That's definitely a conversation for another day."

Bram realised that perhaps he had found his mentor's soft spot and decided to leave it. They had plenty of time to talk after all.