Different Perspectives Chapter 12: The 12th Hunger Games
Foxglove Mellark, 19, Resident of District 12, 12th Hunger Games.
"Clover, it's going to be alright." I said to my younger sister inside the Justice Building; Mayor Lipp seemed to have a smirk on his face, as if he is looking forward to the Reaping in two years' time. Of course, he would. Lucy Grey Baird's cousin would be eligible for the Games. Since the Peacekeepers banned singing performances in District 12 two years ago, most of the Covey had gone to work in the mines. Lucy Grey herself had disappeared soon after her victory, shortly after the mayor's daughter was shot dead; it was an open secret that Mayfair and Lucy Grey hated each other. Beside Clover, I can see Phoenix Grealish look quite sad. Of course, two of his classmates were killed last year. As the Peacekeepers escorted us out, I saw that Devon Dent was quieter than usual. Of course he would, Clover is his classmate.
Switching on the television, I watched the recaps of the Reapings. Two blond-haired Tributes from District 1, a giant of a man from District 2, two lithe kids from District 3, two confident kids from District 4, a pair of sixteen-year-olds from District 5, a tiny girl from District 6. On and on it went until the Reaping recaps was over.
The Tribute Interviews was conducted the night before the Games. Beryl, the girl from District 1, fluttered her eyelashes at her District Partner and the giant of District 2. Amaze seemed to be confident, while Sandy from District 2 was speaking shyly. The giant, who I learned was named Achilles, stated that he trained for this moment, and he intends to make it as his career. Clover spoke timidly and finally Phoenix was interviewed, that he hopes to make it home.
As the Tributes entered the Arena, I saw it was a bog. Long planks crossed the land, with the gleaming Cornucopia in the centre. As the gong rang, I saw Clover and Phoenix pick up a small knife and bag before running across the planks. I saw Achilles pick up a bar mace and with it, he struck a small girl whose dark skin shows she hails from District 11.
"And that's Aggressive Achilles with the first kill" Lucky Flickerman crowed. On screen I saw a small boy struggling against the mud, as Sandy decapitated him. A tall boy fell in a hail of arrows, a small girl impaled. I watched as a boy climbed on the horn, taunting the girl from District 1 with a large bag. Seeing red, Beryl attempted to kill the boy before rushing into the Cornucopia side and falling to the floor.
"Fuck you Kano!" Amaze yelled as the boy ran away. Turning back to the camera, Lucky apologised to the children watching for the violence as well as the strong language. Feeling relieved that Clover and Phoenix are alive, I went off to work. The day passed by, and after I had something to eat, I went up to bed.
Switching on the television, I saw that Amaze and Sandy had pinned Phoenix to the board as Achilles pulled out a longsword. With four slashes he hacked Phoenix's limbs off, before stabbing and slashing at him until the cannon fired. It was brutal to watch, let alone experience, and I felt sympathy towards his parents. Two children killed already, as I remembered that his older sister Erin was in the Hunger Games. The 1st one, in fact. The trio made their way back to the silver horn in the circle of solid ground. I watched in horror as Achilles picked up a harpoon and fired it at a pair of Tributes, with the boy from 3 and girl from 4 being impaled within seconds. I watched in horror as two Tributes, a boy from District 10 and a girl from District 7, drowned.
Kano was killed on Day 3, and Sandy drowned in the bog, along with a girl from 3 and a boy from 6, and on Day 4 Clover found herself among the Final Eight. The cameras arrived on Day 5, as I was interviewed about Clover. The feast was held on Day 8 with seven Tributes left. I watched, horrified, as Achilles slammed his Warhammer into Clover's ribs. She was gone within seconds, and I felt disgust at how anyone can let kids die. Sitting in silence, I turned off the television.
As Clover and Phoenix was laid to rest, I began recalling the names of the dead. Robert. Erin. Gregory. Linda. Basil. June. Harold. Claire. Lachlan. Moora. Dusty. Faith. Dallas. Buttercup. Piers. Maeve. Ashley. Coleen. Jessup. Graph. Rose. Phoenix. Clover. Twenty-three of the twenty-four District 12 kids that failed to return home.
Six months after the 12th Hunger Games, Tammy Winchester, the District 5 girl, was in 12 as part of her Victory Tour. As she gave a speech, I burst into tears.
Many years later, as I lay dying in my bed, I could see the shape of Clover Mellark. "Foxglove? Are you ready?" I nodded as I thought about Peeta, my great-grandson. Passing away, I followed my sister.
"And that was the story of Foxglove Mellark" Fox Everdeen said to Katherine Dujardin as the two stood in front of the 12th Hunger Games display in the Panem Museum.
I somehow neglected this story, now that 75 Years is on hiatus, I can now focus on this story. I have several POV's planned out for chapters up to 20. I have got Chapters 24, 27, 28 and 29 of this story written or partially-written, but won't be published until their correspondent chapter of 75 Years is published as they spoil some events of the Games. But 75 Years won't be updated until the second half of 2025