trigger warning for suicide in the first paragraph of Val's POV
Valerius Vella, 18
District 2 Male
I hadn't cried since Domitian's death. He hanged himself in his bedroom and it was Octavia who found him. She screamed and I ran upstairs. Then we sat on the floor and cried together. After we called the Peacekeepers, Octavia told me she was pregnant. We cried some more after that.
But I had refused to shed a tear since. Even when I held my baby nephew for the first time and he curled his little fist around my finger, I kept my tears at bay. I didn't have time to cry. But when I was gently deposited on my bed on District 2's floor with an Avox to watch over me, I couldn't hold back. I rolled onto my side and started to sob.
I was angry and embarrassed and - as much as I hated to admit it - scared. On the train, I'd promised Octavia that I would give my life for hers. I felt brave in the moment, but I really didn't want to die. So much of my life was haunted by death. That was one of the reasons why I chose to live as fast and hard as I did.
I felt like a fool. I loved the Hunger Games. I would bet on tributes and con money out of my rich peers. I would host viewing parties and enjoy time with my many lovers as tributes tore each other apart on screen.
I wanted to be different from the men and women who betrayed my family. But I wasn't. I was just as bloodthirsty as they were.
Groaning, I sat up and slowly rolled my neck from side to side. My head ached. My body ached. Even my heart ached. Seizures always took a toll on me, but this one hadn't been a bad one. Still, it made me worried about the Games. Vivi, our escort, had been given my seizure medication, but I wouldn't be allowed to have it in the arena. My mentor Rourke suggested I taper off of it, but I had less than a week. It wasn't enough time.
That, combined with my sleepless nights, was clearly enough to send my brain to the point of no return, and beyond. Now I would have to go out on the biggest stage in Panem and explain my likely pathetic training score to millions of people.
Not that it mattered. I could score a 12 and I would still die. If a Vella was going to win the Hunger Games, it would be my sister.
Kallik, 18
District 1 Female
The thought of the interviews put a heavy lump of lead in my stomach. I'd been training with Cashmere all morning, but I wasn't feeling any more confident. She wanted me to be upbeat and cheerful, to gush about how amazing the Capitol was, and to thank them for the opportunity to be a tribute. But I could barely muster a smile.
I was Reaped from a Career district! Someone was supposed to volunteer for me. While generally unspoken, everyone who was part of the Capitol's district exchange program knew that a Career district placement could be lifesaving. You would be safe from the Games.
I wasn't grateful at all. I was sad and angry and scared, and there was no way I could hide that onstage. I was doomed.
Eventually, Cashmere just gave up.
"Even if you can't act nice, you can look nice," she said. "Go talk to Twilight. At this rate, having a strategy won't accomplish anything." Then she flipped her hair over her shoulder and stalked out of the room.
I took a few deep, calming breaths and then went to find my escort. He was in the main room, drinking iced tea and chatting with Kendall. I cleared my throat as I came in and both men looked up.
"Kallik!" Twilight said excitedly when he saw me. His voice was almost too animated, and it made me wince.
"How can I help you?"
"I wanted to talk to you about the interviews," I said quietly. "Cashmere suggested that you help me."
"I'd be happy to," Twilight said. Then he patted Kendall's shoulder. "We'll talk later."
Kendall said a quick goodbye and went to his room so we had some privacy. I sat down across from the purple-haired escort and smiled grimly.
"Cashmere doesn't think I'll do very well in my interview," I explained. "She gave up on helping me."
"Ah." Twilight looked at me for a moment, a worried expression on his face. "Well, you scored a 7 in training. That's impressive. And you are allied with the other Careers. If you need a safe topic, you can talk about your allies or your training experience."
"What would be an unsafe topic?" I asked, slightly surprised. I knew it would be stupid to say something rebellious. Everyone knew that. But beyond that I couldn't imagine what would be off limits.
"NPIP, for example," he said, waving a hand. "And probably District 7 all together. I would"
"What's NPIP?" I interrupted. Twilight's purple eyes widened.
"Nothing. It's not important. Just talk about the Capitol and you'll be fine. I've got to go."
He jumped up from the table and hurried out of the room, glancing over his shoulder as he went. I pinched the bridge of my nose and tried not to cry. I wanted to go home.
Hi everyone! We are officially two chapters away from the bloodbath! I'm having so much fun with this story and I can't wait to get into the action! I don't have much to say here, but please leave a review, and I hope you're as hyped as I am!
Also, go vote in my poll if you haven't already. It's still tied!
My Obligatory CR Shout-Outs!
- Organized Chaos II: Chaos Reigns by DreamsofClatniss
- Organized Chaos II: Chaos Reigns by LadyCordeliaStuart
- Chaos Reigns: Nova Roma by CelestialDawn2233
- Chaos Reigns: The 28th Hunger Games by SilverflowerXRavenpaw
- Organized Chaos: Book One by AmericanPi
QUESTIONS
1) Will Val stick to his vow to give up his life for Octavia?
2) How will Kallik do in her interview?
3) How badly did Twilight screw up by mentioning NPIP?
4) What is one question you want Caesar to ask your tribute(s)? (feel free to DM this to me if you want it to be a surprise!)
ALLIANCES
The "Careers": Kallik, Kendall, Octavia, Valerius, Dorian, Virgo, Shepard
Strategists: Ai, Trydan
Brains, Brawn, Betrayal: Yarrow, Robbie, Josie
Besties: Alara, Amberlynn, Persimmon
Little Lizards: Birdie, Cactus
Wild Things: Alley, Trayne, Rowena, Clover, Enzo
Loners: Taylor, Tommy
Have a nice day, be kind to each other, and never stop reading!
- Fiona