Tomaz Wellflower, 13: Victor of the 72nd Hunger Games
January 20th, 73ADD
The rolling wheat fields of District 9 slowly morph into large fields of grass and trees as the train approaches the fence separating 9 from District 8. District 9 was the easiest stop on the Victory Tour so far. I never did see much of either Avena or Cannoli before the Games last year. Both of them died in the bloodbath, so I didn't have much trouble getting through my speech. But that doesn't change the fact that they're gone, and now they're both nothing more than statistics in the Capitol's eyes.
I can feel the nerves creeping up on me already. I'm not ready for this next stop. Not one bit. A part of me wishes that I could just skip District 8 on this Victory Tour, but that wouldn't be doing my friends justice. I owe it to Azo and Isaak to give them one final send off before they're forgotten by the rest of Panem forever. It's the right thing to do. I just never thought that doing the right thing would be so hard. God, I just want this all to be over. But it never really is over. That's how they get you. They promise that you get to live out the rest of your life in peace, but there is no real peace. There's never any peace for anyone who enters the arena.
"We're almost at the train station," Hal says, noting the smog-filled sky and towering buildings that make up District 8's skyline. "Are you ready?"
"You want the real answer?" Looking at Hal, I can tell he already knows what the real answer is.
"I know you're nervous, but remember who you're doing this for." I don't really need a reminder of who this is for. I've been thinking about Isaak and Azo nonstop since I got on the train. And the thought of having to speak about both of them to their entire home district is beyond nerve wracking. See, the old me wouldn't have a problem doing this, but after having formed such a strong bond with other people, which I never thought would be possible again, certain things have become difficult. I never knew actually being able to feel would come with so much pain.
"I know, but what if I don't know what to say?" I would hate to freeze up while talking about two of the people who meant the most to me. That wouldn't be honoring their names at all. I can already imagine how disappointed all of District 8 would be.
"I don't think you'll have to worry about that," Hal says. "Just let the words flow."
Just let the words flow.
But how am I supposed to do that? What if they stop flowing? Or worse, don't flow at all? I'll be in deep shit if that happens. I wish I had more time to think of what I want to say, because if I 'just let the words flow' as Hal says, I'll for sure say something that I shouldn't. I still remember Lucian said to me six months ago. I know the Capitol is watching me like a hawk. Just one word out of pocket, and I'm done for. I'm surprised I haven't said anything wrong already, but I just know that everyone in that terrible city is going to be on high alert when I speak to District 8.
The train lurches to a stop in the train station, and my heartrate kicks into overdrive. The doors open, revealing a nearly empty station except for the small fleet of peacekeepers waiting to escort me to Justice Building. There's no time for me to prepare or even find my bearings. I'm just thrown into the back of a truck and driven down to where I'll be thrust into the spotlight against my will once again. I thought I would get used to this by now, but even after four stops, things don't get any easier. Walking through the train station here in District 8 is just as unsettling as it was in District 12. It just doesn't feel right to be walking into foreign territory to speak on the names of two people who are no longer living. I'm already sick of it all.
We approach the Justice Building, and I can feel my heart beating out of my chest. I swallow down a bit of bile that threatens to escape my throat. A dull ache pangs in my stomach. The nerves are at an all-time high now. The truck screeches to a halt and the door is opened by one of the many peacekeepers tasked with bringing me here. Before they have a chance to pull me out, I step out of the truck, followed by Hal, Ion, and the rest of my small entourage. We're all ushered into the back of the Justice Building, where I can already hear the mayor making his speech. A chill runs down my spine. They really didn't give me any time to prepare. I'm going to have to go out there with nothing but my own thoughts.
"Ladies and gentlemen, without further adieu, the Victor of the 72nd Annual Hunger Games, Mr. Tomaz Wellflower."
Just let the words flow.
The doors of the Justice Building open to reveal a raucous crowd, cheering at the top of their lungs for me. This is the loudest reaction I've received so far on this Victory Tour. However, the deafening roar of the crowd becomes irrelevant as I see Isaak and Azo's faces on giant screens at the back of the Square. Under them stand their families, which I heard about, but never thought I would get to see. Under Azo's face stand a stocky man and two girls that must be twins. Under Isaak's face stands a lone figure, a tall man with eyes filled with nothing but pain and regret. This is what the Hunger Games does to people. It doesn't stop with the death of the tribute, no. It continues on throughout the rest of the lives of those closest to them. It's disgusting how the Capitol gets their sick kicks. But I can't focus on that right now. I'll have the entire train ride for that.
Just let the words flow.
"Good afternoon, District 8." The crowd immediately hushes, listening intently to every word I say. The sudden silence is eerie. Not a single sound is emanated from the entire Square. You could literally hear a pin drop.
"We're all gathered here to honor the lives of Azo Cashmere and Isaak Monroe," I continue. "Two people who I grew very close to over our time in the arena."
I take a moment to pause. The crowd is still painfully silent as they crane their collective neck to make sure they don't miss a single syllable that comes out of my mouth. I can practically feel every single pair of eyes staring at me, but two pairs stare right through me, but only I can see them. They can no longer see me.
"Azo was always a very quiet person," I say. "She never said much, but she didn't need to. Her very presence was calming. We could just sit in silence and never feel uncomfortable. I hadn't experienced that in a long time. And I'll be grateful for that for the rest of my life."
The crowd is visibly touched by my short eulogy for Azo, but I can tell that they're waiting for me to speak about Isaak. Not a single eye strays from my direction. I know they're expecting a lot.
"Isaak was easily my closest ally in the Games," I begin. "But he was more than just an ally. He was even more than just a friend. Isaak was like a brother to me. He filled a void that I never thought could be filled again. He's the sole reason that I'm standing here with you today. Isaak was a rare bright spot in the darkness and chaos that was the Hunger Games. He reminded me so much of my own brother, but now both of them are gone. But I truly believe that he made me a better person in the short time that we knew each other, and I can't thank him enough for helping me. Isaak, I'll miss you forever, my friend. I'll make sure that you'll never be forgotten."
My voice cracks as I finish my speech. I feel the tears beginning to cloud my vision as I back away from the microphone. The crowd sits in stunned silence for a split second, then one person begins clapping. Then another. And another. And another. Before I know it, the entire Square is giving me the loudest standing ovation I've received on my Victory Tour. The roars are deafening as I'm ushered back into the Justice Building. The crowd's response concerns me, especially after what Lucian said. I just hope that I didn't do anything to set him or President Stone off.
I don't even want to find out what would happen to me if I did.
Hey y'all. Long time no see. That's totally on me though, so uhh my bad I guess. Anyways, a lot of things have happened in the month since I last posted. I'm back in college so that's pretty cool I guess. But that does mean that my update schedule will be more sporadic, and I apologize for that in advance. But on the bright side, I have a couple pretty big things to tell you about this story. 1) We have a full tribute list! The cast can be found on my profile right now. A huge thank you to everyone who submitted. If your tribute didn't make the final cast, please understand that there are absolutely no hard feelings whatsoever. 2) I have a blog for y'all at www . kismet73hg . weebly . com. Just remove the spaces to check it out! I look forward to hearing what y'all think about it!
Also, this just so happens to be the final prologue. The next update will be the first intro chapter, starting with District 1. This story sis really about to kick off soon, and I hope to have the first intros ready sooner rather than later. I don't know exactly when I'll be able to get the next chapter out to y'all, so keep an eye out for an update. For now, I hope you enjoyed reading the prologues and I hope you're ready for the roller coaster ride I have planned for y'all.
Until next time,
Ty
