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Enjoy the last Goodbyes!
Chapter VII The Goodbyes - Part 1
District 7
With no regard, the Peacekeepers threw Fest, still soaked to the bone and covered in mud, into her private room for the Goodbyes and locked the door behind them.
Immediately, Fest was up and had curled up in the corner of the room, struggling to get control of herself. Her anger was broiling over that she was afraid she'd kill a Peacekeeper and end up dead before the Hunger Games even began. That wouldn't do at all.
The Mayor made an appearance, applauding her for her bravery in volunteering, but they were empty words. The man didn't know her and she didn't care for him or his station. Once he was gone, nobody else came. Who would? Anyone who might was dead.
Largely by her hand.
It wasn't a dignified start to things, but she was in the Games now, which meant she had a shot at her future. If she hadn't volunteered she'd still be on the run and, as smart as she knew she was, Fest knew the Peacekeepers would eventually locate her and hang her – if not something worse. Maybe they'd decide she was Avox material and cut out her tongue and ship her to the Capitol to be a slave.
No. That wouldn't happen to her.
Instead, Fest would enter the Games. She'd win the Games. She'd come home a Victor and enjoy her wealth and freedom for the rest of her life.
And, she was already thinking about ways to "punish" the Head Peacekeeper for his treatment of her upon her return.
The Mayor actually know Wolf as the "dog boy", which wasn't a ringing endorsement or particularly caring, but it did cause the Mayor to go off script and try to connect to Wolf. The Mayor was gruff, as many men and women in 7 were, but Wolf appreciated where his blunt attempt at encouragement was coming from. As usual, Wolf was silent rather than express emotion, so he merely thanked the Mayor, shook his hand, but was happy his Mayor cared. In his own way.
To his surprise, it wasn't his family that followed the Mayor but the Head Peacekeeper. Wolf knew the man of course, he raised his dogs, but he was surprised he'd bother to show up.
"You and your dad did some good turns for me and the boys." The Head Peacekeeper said, referring to his underlings. "So I'm doing a good turn for you by giving you a heads up. Don't trust your District partner."
"Why?"
"She's insane. Werifesteria Grosvener. Stupid name for a stupid girl. Her family burned alive in their home and she was the only survivor and got some scars and raspy voice as reminders. Next thing you know, girls scooped up by a local gang leader pretending to be her new daddy. Then, couple years later, he's dead. Along with a whole host of people related to the fire." The Head Peacekeeper explained. "My men were taking her in when she decided to volunteer. I spoke with her myself and allowed it. There's nothing their boy. Those eyes are as dead as everyone who gets close to her."
"Thank you for the warning." Wolf said. What else was there to say?
"Yeah well, if you win, you owe me." The Head Peacekeeper winked before leaving.
With him gone, his siblings piled into the room. It was too much emotion at once and Wolf suddenly felt overwhelming tired. Exhausted as the weight of the world finally crushed him. He'd taken each hit that life had given him on the chin, but now… now he felt down and out.
"Pa not coming?" He asked.
Bernie shook her head. "He ran off to a bar."
"Must be tough for him." Wolf said, voice dripping with hate. If he won, he'd keep caring for his siblings. His dad could rot on the street for all he cared. His younger siblings, Rhett and Arnie, were crying up a storm, still too young to be Reaped. Wolf did his best to comfort them, hugging them tightly and whispering once that it would be ok. Even he didn't believe that. Bernie, sensing her brother faltering for the first time since their mom's death, stepped up.
"You're going to win, Wolf! Ok? You're an underdog but you'll fight tooth and nail to get back to us. And you get the Capitol to like you! Tell the Capitol how you raise dogs for the Peacekeepers!" Bernie advised. "Let them know you're a loyal citizen and that's why you should win the Games!"
"I will." Wolf said. It wasn't a bad idea. But being charming wasn't his thing. That was more for the poncy boys from 1.
The time was up and the siblings were removed. Wolf was alone and not expecting anyone else. His entire life had been supporting his family after his dad gave up on that. What had it gotten him? A trip to the Hunger Games and, apparently, a serial killer partner.
'And younger siblings raised right with futures. That's what counts.'
He tried to think of a plan forward but his exhaustion overcame him. He settled down in a chair and closed his eyes.
He was so tired.
District 8
The Mayor actually paid Blakely a compliment for volunteering. She went on and on about how impressed she was by her. The words meant nothing to Blakely. The Mayor meant nothing to her. She kept quiet and was glad when she left.
Blakely was hoping to see Wren first thing. Or even what qualified as friends with Hazel and Corbin, fellow society outcasts and gang members. But instead she was forced to deal with a wrathful Damon. It surprised her that Damon was bold enough to walk into the Justice Building with all the Peacekeepers around, but Damon never made good decisions when he was mad and right now he was livid.
Damon knew her too well and sensed her disappointment. And he was more than happy to throw it back into her face. "You think any of your little friends are coming to say goodbye? You think I'd allow that? Or for you to see that bitch of a girlfriend who just cost me my best cut throat?!"
"What did you do to Wren?"
"Exactly what she deserves for costing me my daughter! After everything I did for you? How much I invested in you!? And you volunteer for that screw up!"
"If you hurt her I swear I'll kill you!"
Damon scoffed and approached Blakely. Instinctively, she backed up. Damon towered over her and wasn't the least bit put off by whatever legal "protections" a Tribute had from harm before the Games. He pressed her until her back was to the wall and he was leaning into her, his breath still reeking of alcohol.
"You want to be very careful how you speak to me." He told her. "I don't care if you're a Tribute, I'll smack your teeth out. I'll even do it when you become Victor, if you get disrespectful."
Blakely was quiet, an anger clawing inside of her as she felt weak. Her "father" once again, even now, had all the power.
"You're going to win, Blakely. I raised you for that. You're my creation. I bought you from cheap and made you valuable. And the Capitol isn't going to screw with that. So, you'll win the Hunger Games. You come back as a Victor. And you and I get to live in Victor Village together. And, if you do win, I'll even let Wren live."
Blakely shook her head. "Just let her go, ok?"
"Make me."
She couldn't. Unless she won. Damon gave her a kiss on the lips and she recoiled from it like he slapped her. He didn't seem to mind. He only ever liked the "discipline" and "fear" parts of being a dad anyways. His minute up, Damon left.
Nobody else came. Damon wouldn't allow it.
There was only one way she'd ever seen Wren again. And Blakely didn't mind killing to get it done.
Raveni had spent a lot of time with the concept of death that, while he acknowledged the high odds he'd be greeting death soon, he felt a strange calm about him.
After the Mayor left, his family came in, his siblings first. Tasha and Nemus were furious, with Tasha openly cursing the Capitol as she paced the room. As the time wound down, she whispered something to Raveni that made him nervous.
"We wont let them get away with this."
Next to him, Nemus nodded. "Tasha and I have been helping some people. We'll make sure they'll make the Capitol pay for this."
Raveni couldn't ask anything further as their time was up. After them, his adoptive mom came in, smiling sadly. "I'm so sorry this is where your path has lead. But it isn't the end."
"I feel like it is." Raveni told her bluntly. He was too tired for lies.
"It may, but you will rally. The Hunger Games is about who is strongest, but strength comes in different forms. You, Ravi, are strong. Strong in mind and character. You can win allies. You can win the Capitol. And you can win the Games. And while you're fighting, know that so many from your home support you."
He expected nobody else and was surprised when his mom opened the door and there was a line of people outside. He recognized many of the faces. Old, young. Rich, poor. People from all walks of life that Rav and the Weave had helped lay their dead to rest. All now come to pay him respects.
Raveni felt tears come. He wiped them away. They wouldn't do any good now.
There was good in the world. And Rav would fight to get back to it.
District 9
The only good thing about Greta's predicament was that she was experiencing air conditioning for the first time. After the heat of the day, the cool air pumped in was heavenly. Why in Panem was the Capitol not marketing it?
It took a little bit, but her elderly adoptive parents arrived for the Goodbyes. Harold and Nina were disconsolate, feeling the pain of losing a daughter they had adopted late in life, wanting someone to love and mentor. The Capitol was taking her now, another dream and love ruined due to them.
They were merchants though, just like they raised Greta, and knew how to be practical in a bad situation. "People will think you're too nice, but you know and we know that politeness doesn't mean weakness." Her mom explained. "You've got a mind for puzzles and making plans. Just keep doing that in the Games and you'll be back soon."
"I'm going to have to kill someone." Greta said. She didn't mention the obvious size difference she would have against the other Tributes.
"No you don't. Plenty of Victors never had to kill. Don't think like that. Just make a plan, stick to it, and you'll win!" Her dad said.
"And we're rooting for you the whole way!" Mom continued. "We know what you're capable of and know you can do this! You've made us the proudest parents in all of District 9 and soon, all of Panem!"
It was enough for Greta who felt more confident by their love and the support from the few friends she had, all adults though. She had never done well with kids her own age. A few regulars from her parents' business, a librarian named Pete whom she rented all sorts of magazines and guides from, and others who were close to her parents.
For a moment, she thought that her biological parents would appear. Maybe they'd still a little person Tribute and realize "oh, that's the little baby girl we left at the Orphanage door" and come to say Goodbyes.
No one did. But, Greta was ok with that. Her real parents had come and given her real love.
And she wasn't going to let them down.
The Mayor was very sympathetic to Darley, who fed off the attention to subdue his misery.
"First my boyfriend and now me! Why am I so cursed!?" Darley whined. The Mayor, shifting uncomfortably, finally excused himself from the room, allowing his siblings to come in. Even his mom had found time to come say goodbye.
Darley loved his family. He truly did, even his absent mother. Having them with him certainly helped his mood, though little Fearn was bawling her eyes out and even stoic Baldwin was wavering. His mother, with surgical analysis, gave him a solution.
"The Capitol won't expect much from Tributes from 9." She explained. "They certainly won't expect anything from your partner. Prove them wrong. You're charming, Darlington. The Capitol just needs a reason to believe in you. Make sure you stand out amongst the Outliers."
"Get like…. A big axe or something and just be awesome with it!" Little Lilac proposed. Darley already knew weapons weren't going to be his thing. Any fight between him and Career would end in him dead in two seconds, tops.
"I think something more subtle will be my style."
Baldwin, in a rare moment of levity for him, raised an eyebrow. "You, subtle?"
A few chuckles from his siblings, even one from Darley. The three minutes were up to fast and his family was pulled from the room, Fearn screaming the whole way. Once the door to the room was closed, Darley began to pace.
How could this happen to him? Why was the world so dedicated to screwing him over again and again and again?! First, father died, killed a freak accident in the endless grain fields of 9. Then Clinton left him. And now this?!
Clinton leaving him still stung. Darley knew his boyfriend had been pulling away, bit by bit, until he confirmed Clinton was dating some girl named Valeria and dumped him for her! How could Clinton do that! They promised they'd love each other forever! Or, at least, Darley did, but Darley knew for sure that Clinton felt the same way even if he never said it! And he still left him!
At least he had taken care of Valeria, that freaking whore, and Clinton. At least they weren't getting away with things, and now everyone knew that Darley was the real victim. Suddenly, it clicked in his mind. Being Reaped was pretty much the same thing! A cruel twist of fate beyond his control. But Darley had taken control of the Clinton and Valeria issue.
He could take on the Hunger Games with the right amount of aplomb.
And come out as a Victor.
Now that was one hell of an ending to the story.
District 10
Sierra was roiling with rage when the rest of the Barrett clan filed into the room. There were a great many tears and recriminations against the Capitol, fury about how they could take their daughter from them. Sierra's was the loudest and angriest of them all.
"This isn't fair!" She screamed, over and over again. She had wanted freedom her whole life. Now the bars of her cage were clearer than they had ever been. Her family offered her some support and suggestions, but Sierra knew she had to walk this path herself and make her own decisions.
Her friends came after, Elliot first who was like a second brother to her. She was still angry when he came, as was he. "You gotta fight, girl." He told her. "People around here like you, well it ain't no different in the Capitol. You fleece the Capitol out of it's money, get you some sponsors, and before ya know it you're a Victor!"
"I gotta fight, El." Sierra told him, her façade dropping slightly. "And kill."
"You ain't got to do that. You just got to be smart, and you're plenty that."
Sierra wasn't so sure about all that. Sure, she was smart for 10, but Sierra and everyone knew that wasn't saying much. Schooling was a bit more optional in 10 than other Districts due to the number of hours kids had to work. She could read, write, and do some math, but puzzles had never been her thing and the Hunger Games certainly seemed to be that at times.
A few others came to say Goodbye, but Sierra was in her own mind now. What could she do? What skills did she have? She was good at riding horses. She "loyal" to the Capitol. She liked sheep and knew how to start fires and cook. She had some survival skills already. But fighting? She could handle a knife.
'For cuttin' rope and what not.' She thought angrily. She never even killed before. Not even the sheep her family raised. That was all done in town by a bunch of dead eye men and women, who felt nothing when an animal bleated it's last.
Would that be her soon? Screaming for life only for a dead eye Career to slash her throat?
She grabbed a pillow from the couch and screamed into it.
Oscar's family, in particular his dad, refused to let him feel bad for himself. Already his dad was pitching ideas for him on how to win.
"10 was a favorite of last year." His dad told him. "Hayley did a lot for us and I'm willing to bet all the money in my pocket against all the money in your's that there people in the Capitol who want a win for 10 this year. You need to show them that you're that reason, son."
It was good advice. Victor Echeberría was popular, but even a year later Hayley Butcher – or the cruel moniker they gave her "the Butcher of 10" – was still loved and mentioned often on Capitol programming. Even the poisoner from 6, Amadeus, still had fans.
"I can't fight, Pa."
"So? The Capitol doesn't need to know that. Hell, even the other Tributes don't need to." His dad said. "They just need to think you can fight."
His younger siblings, Leandra and Jax, nodded along, as did his mom. "You do what you need to do to come back to his." His mom told him. "No matter what, we'll understand."
That was helpful and could ease his conscious in the future. His dad was right though. He didn't need to kill in order to win. A ton – well… a good number at least had won without having to kill anyone. Why couldn't he?
His friends, Alex and Dario, had the same idea as well, but made sure he knew that they wouldn't think of him any differently if he to "do what he needed to."
Could Oscar kill? He'd killed sheep before of course, and the family chickens when they needed to. But a living breathing human? Even Careers had to have some humanity in them.
Only he could determine if he was capable.
District 11
After the worst possible thing that could happen had happened to Tilly, the second worst thing did.
She broke in front of her siblings.
Tilly hadn't meant to. She was really embarrassed by it actually. But as soon as her family came in her resolve broke. Greenie, Barren, and Phillip were crying already. Her dad hung back, leaning into the wall with tears forming. And then Teo walked in, looking crestfallen.
And in that moment, it was all too much for her. For the first time in years, Tilly cried.
She sunk to the ground, her shoulders heaving as she wept openly. Her younger sibling only started crying more but it was Teo who stepped up.
"I'm so sorry, Tilly. I'm sorry." He told her, wrapping her tightly in a hug. Tilly, instictively, pulled back, her anger with him still real even now. Teo refused to let go. "I'm so sorry I left you and made you be mom."
He had apologized before, of course. In round about ways. In ways that didn't involve acknowledging the roots of the issue. But this was far closer to the truth. Tilly's arms wrapped around her older brother's body and soon she was crying into his shoulder, letting out all her anguish and hardships, not just for what was to come but for what had passed.
"I'm going to step up, Tilly." Teo whispered. "I do not want you worrying about Phillip, Greenie, or Barren or… or even dad. I'll take care of everything. What we all need, is for you to focus on the Hunger Games. Focus on winning and coming back to us! And then I'll make it right. I'll make everything right. I'm so, so sorry Tilly!"
Teo was crying now too, the two oldest Swan siblings reaching some semblance of peace near the end. The three younger Swan siblings were engulfed in the hug too shortly after. Nobody bothered to include their father.
The three minutes were up to fast and the Peacekeepers had to drag Greenie and Barren out of the room. Once alone, Tilly's anxiety came back to her. Teo could step up, he had to. He was older now, a proper adult with a girlfriend and a real job. He could provide for them. And he loved them. He could handle things until she was back.
'Until I'm back.'
'Until I'm back.'
Tilly kept repeating that to herself until she made herself believe it was possible.
The Peacekeepers had to come in and reprimand him when they heard the crash. In a spike of anger, Calen had grabbed one of the chairs and thrown it against the window. The decorative chair shattered into pieces, the bullet proof window remained in tack.
'So much for that escape plan.' Calen thought bitterly.
His parents and Lennox were first in. Apparently Oren and Heather wanted their own separate three minutes with him. Even now, their child torn from their arms to be thrown into the Hunger Games, Calen's parents remained the same doormats they had been all of Calen's life.
"It is not for the best of the District and it isn't an honor! You idiots!" Calen screamed as his parents attempts to rationalize the horror that was unfolding. Lennox, bratty by nature, had nothing to say which infuriated Calen more. The Peacekeepers eventually had to come in as Calen's tone escalated to riotous volumes and they removed his parents from the room. In response, Calen ended up throwing another chair.
He was wheeling. Calen had never been like this in his entire life. Sure he sassed and got into scrapes and had no intention of hiding his contempt of the Capitol, but violent outbursts weren't like him. 'The Games are already changing me.' He thought angrily. 'Who will I be once I'm in the arena?!'
Heather was next. Having heard everything through the door and spotting the broken furniture, her advice was direct and to the point. "You need to play along with the Capitol or you'll die."
"I'll die anyways! And I'm not changing who I am! I'm pissed!"
"So am I! So you're just going to give up, go all suicidal and let some bored Gamemaker kill you with a mutt because you couldn't keep your mouth shut?" Heather demanded, getting up in Calen's face. "No! You're going to win. You're coming home Victor and if you are, you need to calm down, focus, and play along!"
Calen shook his head. "I'm thinking more pulling out ol' reliable," he said, raising his fists, "And just bashing everyone to pieces."
"Great! I'm sure your fists will be a lot of help against Career steel!" Heather screamed. "Please, Calen, just play the Games with your brains, not your fists! Keep calm, lay low, and don't be risky!"
He gave a muttered "yes" to that, enough to satisfy his distressed sister. However, when Oren hobbled in, he gave him the alternative.
"I know you and I haven't been close, brother. And a lot of that is on me." Oren began. "We have different ways of seeing things. But for the Hunger Games… you're approach may be right."
"What?"
"You have a fire in you, Calen, one that could burn down all of Panem. You need to let it out in the arena. The Capitol just wants a good show. They want to see some violence, some anger, all of that. You just need to give it to them. Find a good weapon, make a good ally, and play the Game so that the Capitol can't keep their eyes off you. That's how you win."
Calen was surprised by the advice. Oren didn't stay for the whole three minutes, cutting it off early by approaching Calen, hugging him, and then exited the room, leaving Calen with two paths to choose from.
District 12
Her parents were ok, Ophelia guessed. They were all sad that she was going into the Hunger Games, but their opinion hardly mattered. Ophelia knew she was dying. Victor Abernathy had been an oddball, but District 12 only sent people into the Games to get the body count up.
Didn't mean she was going to make it easy for the Capitol.
Once her parents left, Ophelia began redecorating the room. She pulled cushions from the couch, stacked pillows in key positions, and turned over the nice furniture that probably cost more money anyone in District 12 made in their life. All to make a nice little surprise for the Peacekeepers.
When the hour came to an end, Peacekeepers entered the room to collect her for the train ride to the Capitol. She groaned when they saw what she had done with the place. In the corner, tightly packed, with a makeshift fort of furniture and cushions. From inside, they heard the young girl giggle.
"Come get me, idiots!" She laughed.
The fort was a noble effort, but unfortunately ineffective. The Peacekeepers tore through the cushions, pillows, and furniture easily and removed her from the room.
Not without her drawing some blood.
"Ow! She bit me! She freakin' bit me!" One Peacekeeper screamed.
Ophelia was dragged from the room cackling.
Ash did his best to cheer up his siblings, but it was a lost cause. Everyone knew he was going to his death.
"I want you all to go the Festival and buy yourself something nice. For me." Ash told his siblings. "Buy something nice and think of me."
They all promised to. Levi, now the eldest at eleven, was given the responsibility from Ash to care for the younger ones. Maverick and Kade were trying to put on brave faces, which hurt Ash even more. What a cruel world this was that children had to be so brave.
His siblings were forced out of the room. Pa wasn't coming. His legs so longer worked and it would be too much work to get him from home in the Seam and then up the stairs of the Justice Building. It then hit Ash that he hadn't even said bye to his dad that morning. He was going to his death without any final words with his last parent.
The only other person to visit was his friend Robert. The boys were silent, neither sure what to say. "I hope i can come back." Ash finally said.
"I hope so too. Be careful." Robert said. Both boys were in shock, but Ash was glad to see his best friend one last time.
The hour passed slowly after that, the sunlight shifting in the room as the sun passed overhead. When the hour was up, Peacekeepers entered. "Time for the Capitol, Tribute."
Ash went with them without a fight. What would be the point anyways?
We're on our way to the Capitol! With introductions done, let me know who your favorite(s) of the bunch!
Up Next: Train Rides to the Capitol
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