Augustus Braun
District 1 Male
67 HG
Eight-year-old Augustus Braun beamed in the mirror, clutching his DAE acceptance letter and scholarship in his small hands. His mother was in the kitchen, cooking a celebratory dinner with what little rations they could spare. The smell of her famous fall stew made his mouth water.
He was going to get to learn and train at the most prestigious school in the district. He would work hard and shine bright enough for the victors and the dean to look past his humble beginnings and he would be selected as the tribute for the 67th Hunger Games.
Then, he'd win and his mother could finally relax.
The future was bright.
Fifteen-year-old Augustus Braun looked up at the mirror and sighed. He adjusted his black tie and tied his long hair back into a ponytail. Two days ago, his mother had succumbed to illness that had been plaguing her for the past year.
She had been the reason he had worked so hard the past seven years. He wanted to build a better life for her. He wanted to ensure she'd never have to work three jobs again. He wasn't sure what to do without her.
Leonidas noticed his despondency and simply told him, "Keep going for her." So he did.
The future didn't look so bright anymore, but there was only one way to go.
Eighteen-year-old Augustus Braun stood in front of the mirror, watching as his stylist made the final adjustments to his arena uniform. This was it. Years of hard work and carrying on were leading up to this. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his excitement under control.
The minutes dragged on and all Augustus could think about was what awaited him above. Gloss wasn't exaggerating when he said that the wait in the launch room felt like a lifetime. When the PA finally crackled to life and told the tributes that it was time to launch, Augustus sprang to his feet and towards the platform.
There was no need to wait any longer.
The future was finally here.
Nineteen-year-old Augustus Braun looked up at the mirror, wiping what was left of his breakfast from his lips. He turned on the sink and began washing out his mouth, stiffening his hands to keep them from shaking.
He could still see the faces of the families, their contempt and their grief fresh on their faces. He was required to say that they brought honor to their districts and pride to their families, but it was all bullshit.
There was no honor in any of this. It was just slaughter. Slaughter that Augustus had partaken in.
His heart clenched. His jaw tightened. A cry of grief, rage, and guilt tore through him and he plowed his fist into the glass.
Augustus Braun looked in the now shattered mirror and saw a monster.
A monster with a lifetime of regret and nothing to look forward to.
No future.
"I roll with the punches and I go with the flow. I bend with the wind. I don't break. I never break."
x. unrecognizable
Poor Augustus. My version of him is the ultimate example of Career regret. He doesn't recognize himself when all is said and done. Thankfully, things get better for him in the verse, but ouch.