Arbor Felix, 36: Victor of the 55th Hunger Games


January 19th, 73ADD


It's been six months since I met Tyler. Six months since I grew so close to that kid. I had so much faith in my abilities to bring him back home. But just like every other year, I failed. I still remember that awful eighth day. I remember when Cyrus stabbed Tyler in such cold blood, not a lick of remorse on his face. I remember the tears of pain, anguish, and pure guilt that my eyes shed in the apartment, on the train, and in my own home after I once again had to deal with the reality that there was really nothing that I could do. I couldn't just magically bring Tyler back to life, no matter how much I want it to be a possibility. I wish I could've taken his place and saved him from all the pain he must've gone through in his final moments. Out of all the tributes I've mentored, this one hurt the most by far. Because Tyler reminded me so much of—

"Dad?"

Aston.

My only son's voice bounces off of the walls of my bedroom and into my ears. It resonates through my entire being and fills my heart with a warmth that somehow makes everything in my world feel just a little better. Getting to see those big brown eyes each day helps me forget about all the troubles that come with being a Victor and remind me of all the joys of being a father. Those joys started five years ago when I picked Aston up from the orphanage. Ms. Ridge, the orphan keeper, said that Aston's birth parents just left him at the doorstep one night. I just can't fathom how anyone would want to give up their own child. Just the thought of having to leave Aston makes me feel physically ill.

"Were you crying again?" My heart sinks. I know my eyes are puffy and probably red, there's no hiding that. I try to be this strong, stoic role model for Aston, but I can't seem to do that either.

"What? No," I say. "Your dad doesn't cry." I try to solidify my tone and stand up straight, looking way down at Aston with the most serious look I can give. Aston reads right through it just like he always does. I drop the act as soon as I put it on. "Alright, yes. I was."

"Were you thinking of Tyler again?" Of course Aston knows. Practically everyone in District 7 knows.

"Yeah, buddy. I was," I admit.

"Do you need me to get Hazel?" he says. Hazel has been my only support system outside of Aston. She's the only person who understands the heartbreak that I have to go through year after year, but she was able to bring a tribute home. Now she doesn't have to mentor anymore now that Sequoia has taken her place, but I miss having her around every year. Mentoring along with Sequoia is an ordeal in itself, but when she does nothing but antagonize me year after year for being so "annoying" and "Irritating" because I get too emotional for her liking.

"No, I don't want to bother her again today." I already went over to Hazel's house twice this week. I don't want to burden her with my problems anymore. She needs a day to herself. Besides, I need to actually take care of Aston for once.

"Are you sure?" Aston asks. "She said that you could visit her whenever you needed."

"I know that's what she said," I say. "But sometimes people-"

"Don't mean what they say, I know." I've lost count of how many times I taught Aston that lesson. I wish it wasn't true, but that's the nature of things in Panem. All of the lies, deception, and empty promises have made me realize that everything isn't as it seems. The arena taught me that. I was lied to so many times by the very same people I swore to protect. I wasn't supposed to make it out, but here I am, left to bear the heavy burden that comes with being a Victor. The only person I can trust not to lie to me is standing right in front of me. I think my lucky stars that I was somehow able to earn Aston's trust. I don't know how fragile that trust is, which is why I can't do anything to break it. If I did that, I would truly be alone. I couldn't bear to have my own son distrust me. I don't even know how I would regain it. It's an unwinnable battle that I'm not willing to fight. But it's one I fight every year. Every year, I have to earn the trust of another tribute. More often than not, I fail. But I got one last year, but at the end of it all, I broke it. I broke Tyler's trust by letting him die. That's a much worse feeling than never earning another person's trust. Tyler's life was in my hands, and I let it slip away. I can't let that happen with Aston. I couldn't live with myself if I did.

Knock Knock Knock

"I'll get it," Aston says as he runs off to the front door. I hear the door open. "Hi Mr. Beech!"

I perk up at the sound of that name. What would he be doing at my house this early? Owen never leaves his house before noon, so what makes today so important? More perplexed than excited, I make my way to the front door. I round the corner and there stands Owen, with those distinctive green eyes and fiery red hair that's begun to gray at the roots. His appearance at my front doorstep comes like a gut punch, reminding me of a time where he provided me with such valuable insight before going into the Games. Still, nothing could prepare me for what I would experience, but Owen brought me through it. I just wish I could've done the same at least once.

"Good morning, Arbor." His gruff voice still sounds the same as the day I met him; firm but still oddly warm.

"G-good morning to you too Owen." I still feel slightly intimidated speaking with Owen. I owe the man my entire life. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for him. "W-what brings you here so early?"

"I needed to discuss some important matters with you." I look down at Aston and give him a little gesture up to his room. He disappears into the stairwell, leaving myself and Owen alone at the front door. I hear his bedroom door shut, and chills course through my entire body. The warmth of Aston's presence is completely gone now. Not even Owen, the man who I credit with keeping me alive, can replace that.

"What do you need to talk about?" I can't help but speak in a hushed tone, leaning down to meet Owen's eyes. When he says something is important, I only worry about the worst case scenario.

"The Victory Tour," Owen says.

"The Victory Tour?" I sound like a broken record, repeating what Owen just said.

"Yes, the Victory Tour," he confirms.

"What about it?" I feel like Owen is stalling a bit. I want to tell him to get on with it, but if I seem too impatient, I might not get all the information.

"Well, you know how Tomaz was good friends with Tyler, right?" The mention of Tyler's name stabs at my heart so hard that I can feel the sting.

"I remember." The lump in my throat grows with every breath. I can barely utter two words.

"Well, I've gotten word from both President Stone and Lucian Sterling and they're very upset with the increased levels of hope throughout the district due to Tomaz's victory. And we're in a hotspot because of his and Tyler's friendship," Owen says.

"And what does that mean for us?" I really didn't want to ask this question, but it must be asked. Leaving anything unanswered could have terrible results.

"Well, there are pockets of rebels popping up all around 7," Owen answers. "Officials are predicting that those numbers will surge after Tomaz's stop on the Victory Tour."

I always knew that there were still some rebels lingering around District 7 from the Dark Days, but there were never enough to actually cause any concern. Now with Tomaz's unexpected victory, I guess everyone is hopeful that it could bring about some change. Tyler's association with Tomaz has brought that energy over to District 7. Everyone was well aware that District 8 would be the most active spot for rebel activity after District 5, but now that we're in the mix, I'm worried sick about the safety of those in Victor's Village. It's so selfish to think in such a way, but a rebellion would put us Victors and everyone close to us in immediate danger. I have a child that I have to protect. The Capitol is a cruel mistress. In the Dark Days, they didn't discriminate when it came to who they killed. They bombed entire cities and the peacekeeper swept through each district, killing everything that had a pulse. Then President Cornelius Stone didn't spare a single soul. It was a miracle that we were able to rebuild. I'm sure that Tiberius would do the same, and we would be the first targets.

"Well, what are we going to do about it?" Owen just sighs and shakes his head. That's not a good sign. He usually has an answer for everything. Another chill rushes through my body.

"There isn't anything we can do except hope for the best," Owen says. "That's all I can say for now. Thanks for your time, Arbor."

Owen steps off my front door step and walks across the street, disappearing into his house. I retreat back into my foyer, into the cold, uncomfortable silence. I'm left by myself to somehow process the possibility of rebellion and my death.

My death.

Aston's death.

That's the breaking point. The tears that I try so hard to keep from falling spill out, clouding my vision in a blurry haze. I force myself to move into my study. I'm in the motion of sitting down when my knees buckle and I crash down into my chair, burying my face in my hands as the pain and anguish pours out of my eyes in the form of wet, salty tears. I never thought that just the speculation of something could hurt so much, but this hurts too much.

I hear Aston's footsteps coming down the stairs. I try to compose myself before he comes in looking for me, but any attempt at doing so is futile. He enters the study. I look up to meet his worried eyes as he approaches me.

"Dad, what's wrong?" I don't have the strength to answer him, not even to give him a white lie. It's better off if he doesn't know. I just pull him into my arms and hold him tight. Probably too tight, but Aston's the final semblance of any sort of security I have.

"I love you, Aston."

"I love you too, Dad."


Hey guys! So this we took a little break from the Tomaz POVs and checked in with one of our mentors this time around. I hope you enjoyed! There are definitely some things brewing, but I can't say much about that without spoiling things.

The submission deadline is right around the corner! I've gotten even more subs since the last update, which is freakin' awesome. Remember, subs will close on January 8th. If you plan on subbing but haven't, now is the time to start! I still have several slots without any submissions, and I'm hoping that those can be filled by the deadline.

Until next time,

Ty